Chapter 8

An email appeared in his inbox. Billy scanned the text and let out a whoop.

"What?" Harry asked, panting.

That morning, he had arrived with some weights and a skipping rope. He'd reasoned if Billy wanted him to spend more time there, Harry could kill two birds with one stone. Something Billy had reluctantly agreed on. He had to keep reminding himself that at last Harry was making some effort.

He also secretly liked being with his brother again. It had been too long.

"I sold the stock," Billy replied. "Some guy on eBay wants it. That's a few thousand, thank you very much."

Harry came over and clapped him on the shoulder. Billy tried not to grimace at the sweat mark he left on Billy's cotton shirt.

"That's brilliant news. You'll be on The Apprentice soon."

"Thanks," he said weakly. "I feel bad you having to do your training here. I didn't mean for you to do this."

Harry strode over to his makeshift workout area. "I don't mind. I quite like it. We should never have let life get in the way."

Billy frowned. "It wasn't life, Harry. Was it?"

"Billy…let's not go there."

"No, you're right," Billy replied. "It's nice to have you here."

"Have you had any thoughts on what else to sell."

"Ah-ha," Billy said, giving his brother his full attention. "Football stuff."

Harry's eyes widened. "That's bloody genius."

"I know. Plus, I'm going to try and get Crystal interested. She's still really pissed off that we're selling sex toys. Apparently, she's never been so embarrassed in her whole life."

They both saw the funny side. Poor Crystal would have to deal with it.

"Make the most of yours being babies," Billy said. "Two teenagers will fuck you right up."

Harry shuddered.

"So, we're going to have to sell a lot to get this place in decent shape."

"I'm sure your new boyfriend will help you."

Billy stopped. Harry had given him hell when he first came out. That was the reason they had drifted apart. Now he was joking with him?

"He isn't my boyfriend. Has someone swapped your brain?"

Once again, Harry put the weight down. "Billy, I treated you badly. I've learnt a few things since we were kids."

Billy almost burst into tears. He'd yearned for words like these to come from his brother for years.

"Thank you."

"I'd hug you but I'm sweaty."

"No need but thanks."

"He does fancy you though," Harry said, resuming his biceps curls.

Billy threw a Brighton Pavilion-shaped pencil sharpener at him. It ricocheted off his head.

"Direct hit," Billy crowed.

"With aim like that, you should join the armed police if you want to earn some extra cash."

Billy shook his head. "I wouldn't mind a side hustle, you know. Something for me. I'll need it if we sell."

"What are you thinking?"

"Not sure."

"Billy, you have a degree in drawing stuff."

"Architectural design, thank you."

"Yeah. Can't you use that?"

Billy had been mulling this over ever since the Pleasure Seekers thing kicked off.

"I could work mornings."

"Be careful you don't burn out."

Harry resumed lifting the weights over his head. His body was impressive. Especially for someone perilously close to forty. Billy wondered if the struggle had become harder for Harry.

"If we split the shop shifts fifty-fifty, it's not that bad."

"Thirds," Harry replied.

"What?"

"Kim wants in. She thinks it's hilarious that she'll be selling dildos to grab some kid-free time."

"Are you sure?"

"I never argue with her."

"Thank you, Harry. That means you're taking on the lion's share."

"We figured we owed you."

Billy had no idea what the fuck had happened to his brother. Even so, he was more than happy to accept.

"I'll get onto a football supplier then."

"You might fancy that one too."

"I don't fancy Eddie."

"Fucking do."

He was still the most annoying twat in the world.

Billy's phone began to ring.

"Tenner says that's your sex toy lover calling."

"As if," Billy said, grabbing his phone.

Eddie Channing

"Fuck. It is him. You bloody manifested this."

"You owe me a tenner."

"We didn't shake."

Billy pressed Answer.

"Eddie?" he said, breezily. Well he hoped it came across as breezily. "How's it going?"

"All good here. You?"

"Yeah, I managed to shift the stock."

Why are you telling him that?

"Great news."

His voice sounded like silk. The hairs on the back of Billy's neck prickled. What it would be like to feel Eddie's breath on him?

"What can I do for you today?"

He could think of about a million things.

"I've drawn up the contract. I thought I'd bring it over with me."

"You're planning on coming here?"

"Yeah," Eddie said. "Thing is, there's a knack to selling our products. I'll be giving you some lessons while we work through all the implementation stuff."

"I'm sorry? What do you mean?"

"Not in how to use them," Eddie replied. "In how to sell them."

Billy realised how monumentally he'd got the wrong end of the stick.

"Oh yeah. I see."

"How are you fixed for Monday afternoon? I know it's short notice, but I've got a gap."

Billy didn't need to check his calendar. He was available.

"Sure. I'll look forward to it."

Look forward to it? What is the matter with you?

"Me too," Eddie replied. "Bye."

Billy put the phone down.

"What's happening?" Harry asked.

"We're getting a dildo demo on Monday. And yes, your presence will be required."

"Do you want sweet potato mash or rice?" Billy asked.

"Sweet potato," Crystal replied.

They were in the supermarket. Billy ran the ship tightly. One big shop a week saw them right. It drove Crystal mad because she liked to go with her whims. If only he had the time to indulge her.

They continued into the chiller section.

"Grab yourself some yoghurts," Billy said. "Whatever you like."

"Ooh, that is exciting," she replied.

Billy scowled. "Maybe a couple of weeks on gruel will sort you out."

She made a face and dashed off on her mission. He watched her carefully considering the various deals. It would be a brave person who would try to get one over on his sister.

He threw some cheese into the trolley.

Crystal returned and handed him some Barbieyoghurts. He screwed his nose up.

"Are you joking?"

"They're on offer. Go on. If we save the vouchers, I can get a sweatband. It'll look great at practice."

Billy shook his head. "Go on."

She gleefully dropped them in. Billy suspected he would be eating a lot of BarbieStrawberry Surprise in the near future.

"Did you have a good day?" Crystal asked as they continued browsing.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Oh I'm over all that now," Crystal announced. "The girls think it's brilliant. They want me to get them free dildos."

A middle-aged woman next to them with a severe bob spun round aghast.

"My apologies," he said. "The youth of today, eh?"

She glared at him and resumed peering at the clotted cream.

"Will you be quiet?" Billy said. "There will be no free dildos. And certainly not for your under-age cronies. Bloody hell, Crystal. You'll get us closed down before we even open."

"Calm yourself," she said. "I didn't say I would do it."

They turned the corner. He hoped the woman's interest in cream would keep her there long enough for them to lose her.

"At least you've come round to the idea," Billy said. "That's something. Get us a snack for the car."

They had done this ever since Crystal had moved in with him. She was given little tasks while he got the essentials.

He hoped he was giving her life lessons. Maybe he was simply indulging her.

She came with pork pies.

"A classic yet strong choice," Billy said.

They resumed walking.

"In answer to your original question, I had a good day thanks. I've got rid of the stock and Eddie is coming on Monday."

"Is that the one you fancy?"

Billy stopped dead in his tracks. There was only one person this had come from.

"When did you see Harry?"

"He met me after he'd left you," Crystal replied. "We went for a burger."

"You never said."

"I don't tell you everything."

"Evidently. Can you find some chicken thighs?"

Crystal clapped her hands together. "Are you doing a curry?"

"Certainly am."

"Yum."

She went off to the poultry section. Billy took a moment and watched her fulfilling her mission.

She's almost grown.

That thought filled him with pride and fear in equal parts. Everyone went on about how he saved Crystal after their mother died. Corny as it might be, but she'd saved him right back.

"So do you?" Crystal asked when she returned.

"Do I what?"

"Fancy him."

He considered it for a second. Why was he lying? Had he become so uptight he couldn't bring himself to admit a feeling?

"Yeah," he said. "I think I do."

"Ooh!"

"Shut up."

Maybe she's not that grown yet.

The woman from the cream aisle was coming the other way. She had clearly tried to dodge them and completely mistimed her move.

"Seriously. That's cool with me," Crystal said with a wicked expression on her face. "Bet you haven't had in any in ages."

The poor woman hurried past them.

"Jesus Christ," Billy said.

"You're going to have to chill out if you're going to flog half the shit they sell."

"Is it okay if I don't discuss it with my fifteen-year-old sister in the middle of Sainsburys?"

Crystal shrugged.

They carried on walking.

"Her face though," Crystal said.

They both burst into fits of laughter.