For Your Own Protection(81)

‘You idiot!’ James lunged for the knife. But before he could lift the blade from the worktop, a shout rang out.

‘Police! Down on the floor. Now!’

James sank to his knees, head bowed, as six uniformed officers pushed their way into the lodge and surrounded him.

‘James Farrah,’ one of the officers said, as he handcuffed him, while another held him by the shoulders, ‘I’m arresting you in connection with the death of Alex McKenzie.’

Matt watched on, but James didn’t lift his head.





CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE


‘Harvey – good to see you.’

Harvey looked up from the bench as Matt approached. The sun was shining by the River Thames, just down from Westminster. It was two weeks since the events that had seen Matt reunited with Charlie and Beth, Harvey sparing Nick Samson’s life, and James arrested.

‘Hey, man, great to see you!’

Matt took a seat. ‘I did wonder whether you’d show when I didn’t hear back from my text. I thought you might still be angry about what happened.’

‘I was angry for a few days,’ Harvey admitted, ‘but not with you. With myself, I guess. I had to get my head round lettin’ Samson go – but I know now, shootin’ him wasn’t the right way to do things. Once I got that clear, things have felt a lot better.’

‘That’s great. Really great.’

Harvey looked off towards the river, where a rowing boat skimmed past. ‘You know, I’ve decided, I’m goin’ to enrol for a degree. Graphic design. I’ve looked into it. Spoken to someone. They’ve got grants I can apply for.’

‘That’s fantastic, Harvey, it really is.’

‘How about you, bruv – you not changed your mind, gone back to the bank?’

‘I’m starting my teacher training course in September.’

‘Good on you, man. I bet Amy is stoked.’

‘She is.’

‘And your family?’

‘They’re happy too.’

‘I meant you and . . .’

Matt caught his drift. ‘Beth and I, we’re going to make a go of it.’

‘Ha ha!’ Harvey said, slapping Matt’s back with some force. ‘Amazin’!’

‘It’s early days. But I think we’ll be okay.’

‘I’m sure you will, bruv. So, heard any more about James Farrah?’

‘No.’

‘He’ll go down for his crimes, man! Big time. Oh, I meant to ask about the girl, Rachel. She okay?’

‘They brought her out of the coma. She seems to be doing well – sitting up and talking. The doctors are very hopeful.’

‘So all is well,’ Harvey said.

‘Pretty much.’ But everything wasn’t well. ‘Apart from Sean.’

‘I don’t think you need to worry about Sean. The police will drop the drugs investigation, believe me.’

‘How so?’

‘’Cos Nick Samson will have a word with his friends high up in the force – there’s no way he’ll want people pryin’ into his business.’

‘As much as I’d like to see Samson brought to justice, I hope you’re right.’

‘I am right, bruv. But don’t you worry, man, one day Samson’ll get what he deserves. How are things with you and Sean?’

‘I really don’t know. Knowing he was responsible for what happened to Adam, and he never said . . .’

‘If I can let Nick Samson live, you can move on with Sean. You just gotta do it.’

‘Maybe.’

‘The hate and anger I felt about Jason’s death, and my dad runnin’ out – holdin’ on to that, lettin’ it consume me, I realise now it was all about protection. I was protectin’ myself from having to face the fact Jason was dead, and Dad was gone. But you know what?’

‘What?’

‘Now I’ve let go, bruv, it feels liberatin’.’





CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR


Five Months Later


‘How do I look?’

‘Very smart, Mr Roberts,’ Beth said, as she moved across the bedroom towards Matt and straightened his tie, before brushing off some fibres from the shoulders of his suit jacket. She kissed him on the lips. ‘How d’you feel?’

‘Nauseous.’

‘Oh,’ she said. ‘I wish you’d told me that before I kissed you. Could have been a nasty start to the day.’ She smiled sympathetically. ‘Do you really feel that bad?’

‘Been up since five. Reading through my lesson plans.’

‘You’ll be fine,’ Beth said. ‘It’s understandable, being nervous for your first lesson on the first teaching placement. But after the way you handled Harvey and co., you should have no worries.’

‘After those first few weeks of class observations, I’m starting to think thirteen-year-olds in an inner-city London comprehensive are more challenging than ex-offenders,’ he joked.

‘I think you might be right. But I have every confidence in you. And so does Charlie. Charlie, you can come out now.’

‘I thought he was downstairs watching TV . . .’