The Deal, page 9
Macy went white, colour draining from her skin. She stuttered, ‘What the fuck is she going about? What ring?’
‘I don’t know, Mam. Go and see her and she’ll tell you. But, like I said, she was fuming.’
Macy sighed. ‘Anyway, back to you. I want you in on time every night from now on and there will be no more staying at Kerry’s when I know you are up to something.’ Macy stood up and shot a look over at the clock. ‘Right, I better get ready.’
Leanne had her mobile phone out now, watching Tik Tok videos. Macy was just glad she’d stopped asking about the ring. It was like talking to a brick wall when her daughter was on her phone. She got no sense out of her.
Before long, Macy was dressed and decent. Jayden was laid on the bed and his eyes never left her. ‘Where you off to all dressed up?’
‘I told you before, I’m going to earn some money.’
He bolted up from the bed. ‘What, today? Are we not even talking about it? I’ll tell you what, you can fuck right off. Go and see if Bobby will have you, because if you choose him over me then we’re over.’
Here it was again, him threatening to leave her. If she had a pound for every time he said he was packing his bags she would have been a rich woman. It was an idle threat and not something that bothered her anymore. Anyway, it would do him good to get a bit jealous, maybe now he might pay her more attention. She snarled over at him, eyes narrowed. ‘Whatever.’
Chapter Thirteen
Macy flicked her cigarette butt before she knocked on the front door. She was nervous and forever looking down at her clothing. Was she over-dressed, were her jeans too last season? She wasn’t sure. Her heart was pounding inside her ribcage, and she was all hot and clammy. Maybe she’d not thought this through enough. She should forget this daft idea and go back home.
But it was too late: the front door opened. Dawn stood gawping at her and then she slowly opened the door as if there was a lead weight behind it. This woman had the knack of making Macy feel like a dollop of shit on her shoe just by looking at her.
‘Bobby’s just getting ready. Do you want to come in and wait?’
Macy squirmed. What she wanted to say was, ‘No, I’ll stand here like a prize prick, shall I, and wait in the cold for him?’ But she kept schtum. ‘Yes, I will come in and wait, thank you.’
Dawn had no make-up on, her hair not yet brushed. Macy smirked to herself and, once she had sat down in the living room, she couldn’t wait to make her feel the way she made other people feel.
‘Have you had a bad night? I’ve never seen you without any make-up on. You are always dressed to the nines.’ First point to Macy.
Dawn pulled her hair back from her face and tried to pat it down with the palm of her hand. Her nostrils flared slightly. ‘I always make sure I take my make-up off for bed. I have to look after my skin. I’ll jump in the shower when Bobby’s gone and doll myself up. I hate not looking my best when I go outside. I don’t know how you do it.’
The gloves were off and point two went to Dawn. Macy’s mouth was moving but no words came out. She had to bite her tongue, otherwise she would say something she’d regret. Silence again, both of them looking around the room.
Bobby walked in and Macy’s eyes widened. He was dressed in a grey suit with a crisp white shirt and tan brogues. He looked like he’d just stepped from a photo shoot.
Dawn smiled over at her other half. ‘You look amazing, babes, as always. I’m not being funny or anything, but do you want me to go upstairs and dig something out for Macy to wear? I mean, you look tip-top and she looks like she wouldn’t belong next to you, if you know what I mean. I’m thinking a black pencil skirt, white blouse and a blazer, plus heels?’
Bobby shot a look over at Macy. Dawn was right, but he could see by her face that her cage was rattled.
‘Yes Macy, let’s get you changed. I want us to look like we are rolling in money. Like I said, we’ve upped our game and I want us both to not look out of place in the best stores. You look decent, don’t get me wrong, but we can improve.’
Macy stood up, her cheeks bright red. She did have to admit that she looked like the poor relation stood next to Bobby. She had to swallow her pride. ‘Yeah, I don’t mind shoving something else on if you have anything that might fit, Dawn?’
Dawn stood up and stretched. She couldn’t resist a grin, aware she had settled the score with Macy. ‘I’ll take her upstairs and give her a quick makeover. She needs some colour in her skin, she looks near-dead.’ Dawn chuckled as she left the room.
Macy hissed at Bobby through clenched teeth. ‘What the fuck is she going on about? Near-dead? Bobby, let her carry on with her snide remarks and watch, I’ll bleeding one-bomb her.’
Bobby sniggered. ‘Go with the flow. She’ll jazz you up a bit. That’s her thing, isn’t it, make-up and clothes and all that.’
Macy stomped past him and headed upstairs. ‘Fucking Barbie,’ she mumbled under her breath.
Dawn had laid a few outfits out on the bed already. The wardrobe doors were both wide open and she had her head inside. ‘Look through those clothes on the bed and see what you think. Corporate look is what I’m going for.’
Macy looked down at the outfits. Some even still had the price tags on them. Dawn was stood looking too now and she picked up a fitted black pair of trousers with a white polka dot shirt. ‘They will look good together. Hold on a sec, let me grab you some heels. I think you would look better in pants, unless your legs are tanned?’
Macy shook her head. When did she have time to tan her body like this bimbo did? The last time she had been on the sunbed was yonks ago. Dawn opened another cupboard. Macy tried hard to hide her amazement: Dawn had an array of different-coloured shoes, flats, heels, trainers, boots, sandals. Macy couldn’t wait until she could build a collection even half as impressive.
The outfit was quickly sorted, and it was just Macy’s make-up to do now. Dawn pulled the silver chair out from under the mirrored dressing table and switched on her ring light. ‘Right, park your arse here and let’s have a look at your skin tones.’
Macy didn’t have much to say and plonked down on the chair. Dawn opened a big black case and out of it unfolded three levels of make-up. There were blushers, foundations, eye shadows, lipsticks, eyebrow pencils, everything you could think of. Dawn had a serious look on her face now. She had been on a few courses, and she seemed to know her stuff, Macy had to admit. She put a white headband on Macy and started her work of art. You could see the concentration on her face as she pulled one brush out after another, dabbing them in different products. Macy didn’t sit facing the mirror. She simply remained still and let Dawn work her magic.
A voice from downstairs. ‘Are you nearly ready or what? She’s not getting bleeding married, Dawn. Finish off now. I want to get going.’
Dawn used a big fluffy brush and fanned it over Macy’s cheekbones. She stood back and smiled. ‘My work here is done. I’ll go downstairs. You shove them clothes on and have a look in the mirror.’ Dawn kept turning back looking at Macy, proud of her work. She’d always said she wanted to open her own beauty salon, but up to now all she ever did was spend hours on her own appearance and had never earned a carrot from any qualifications she had gained.
Alone now, Macy slowly turned to face the long mirror on the wardrobe. Her hand came up and she covered her mouth. She was amazed. Was this really her? She looked so fresh, beautiful, even. She neared her reflection and examined her eyes. The bluey grey shadow suited her. She stood back now and rotated her body. She looked mint and just like the women she had seen in the town centre walking about. The ones who had a career, the ones who were having lunch with their work colleagues. Macy wobbled out of the room; it was ages since she’d worn heels. The last time she could remember was at her mother’s birthday party about two years ago. It had been held at a local pub and she had made an effort that night. Everyone there had told her how stunning she looked. It was a shame the night had been ruined by a gang of lads fighting, throwing chairs about, launching bottles. Plus Jeanette Barnes had been in, staring at Macy all night, ready to kick off, so it was a blessing in disguise that the night was cut short.
Jeanette was Nathan Barnes’ little sister and she hated Macy with a passion. It might have been years since Nathan’s death but, for Macy and Jeanette, it could have happened yesterday. While Macy coped by staying silence, Jeanette was the opposite. She always shouted insults.
‘You know who killed my brother, you bitch, and one day I will find out, and when I do God help you and whoever you are protecting. Justice will be served, mark my words, justice will be served.’
Macy never stayed long wherever this woman was. The minute Macy turned her back, Jeanette would have attacked her.
Macy walked into the front room now and Dawn rubbed her hands together with excitement.
Bobby was taken aback, and he took a few seconds to speak. ‘You look good, Macy. Bloody hell, I’ve not seen you looking this good for time.’
‘Cheeky get. Bloody hell, you are both going on like I am a scruff or something.’
Dawn didn’t think before she put her mouth into gear. ‘You were – how shall I put it? – weathered, love. I said to Bobby the other night how much you had, well, not made the most of yourself.’
Macy screwed her face up: this woman was going over the top.
Bobby checked his wristwatch. ‘Right, I’m here for a good time not a long time,’ he chuckled. ‘Wish us luck, Dawn.’
Dawn walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her lips pressed against his. Macy looked the other way, embarrassed. She was never that big on public affection and struggled even to hold hands with her man, even when they were walking in the street. She walked out of the door, shouting behind her. ‘Thanks, Dawn. I’ll drop your clothes back off after. Cheers for the makeover too.’ She opened the front door and stood waiting for Bobby, who sauntered out a minute later. ‘Wow, lover boy, how long does it take to say goodbye? Any longer and I would have been asleep.’
Bobby sniggered. ‘What can I do if she loves me?’
He walked past her and out to the car. Macy followed, wobbling slightly as she tried to get used to the heels she was wearing. Bobby opened the car up and she got into the passenger side. This was their time now, time to catch up, have a proper chat without anyone listening. Bobby reached over and opened the glove box. He grabbed his Savage aftershave and sprayed it over his body. It was a lovely soapy, fresh clean, aroma.
Macy coughed slightly. ‘Bloody hell, no need for all that. I bet it only lasts you a few weeks if you’re spraying it like that?’
‘I know, but I love it. I earn enough to buy more, so it’s all gravy, isn’t it?’
Macy rolled her eyes as he started the engine up. He oozed confidence, loved himself. He pulled out of the drive and straight away he put the tunes on. Macy smiled. This was just how she remembered it: happy times, him and her singing in the car on the way to earn some money.
He reached over and turned the volume down a little. ‘So, is your arse flapping or what?’
‘No, just because I’ve not been grafting with you it doesn’t mean I’ve not been doing my own bits.’
‘Habit of a lifetime and all that,’ he giggled as he reached over and gave her a playful punch in the arm. ‘I must say you look mint. I didn’t want to say too much in front of Dawn, because she would have seen her arse, but yeah,’ he paused as he stared over at her. ‘You look gorgeous.’
Macy turned to face the window. A real compliment: she’d not had that in a long time, and it felt good to hear it. She turned back to face him, her cheeks blushing. ‘Thanks, it’s nice of you to say that.’
There was a silence for a few seconds until he spoke again. ‘I’ve missed you. I don’t just mean working with you, I mean I’ve missed you as a person. We had some great times, me and you, and when we fell out it gutted me. I felt like someone had died.’
‘Shut up,’ Macy blurted.
‘Honest, you ask Dawn. I took to my bed for days. I had an ache in my heart that wouldn’t go away.’
Macy burst out laughing. He was pulling her leg for sure. ‘You can’t half tell a good story, Bobby. On my life, I almost believed you then.’
He kept his eyes on the road. Was he telling the truth or pulling her leg?
Bobby had already given her the talk about how things were going to run, and she was ready for it. He and Macy looked the part; rich professionals, definitely not the kind of people you would have down as shoplifters. The first hit was Selfridges - lots of perfumes and aftershaves there for the taking and, at two-hundred pound a bottle, the high-end ones were on their hit list. It was showtime.
Bobby walked into the store with Macy at his side. He placed some gold-rimmed glasses on and smiled at her. ‘It’s all about the look.’
He went to the Creed perfumes and aftershaves, and clocked the young girl working behind the counter. He needed to be sharp today and on the ball. Just behind where she stood was where the stock was kept. The plan was to get her to open the cupboard and keep her talking while Macy bagged as many bottles of it as she could. Bobby stood at the counter and already the girl was flirting with him. She had long blonde hair and bright red lipstick on. An easy target for Bobby’s charm offensive.
‘Good afternoon, sir, how can I help you today?’
Bobby moved in closer to her, looked her in the eyes and began his script. ‘Hi there, I’m looking for some Creed aftershave for myself and the lady’s version for my daughter and sister.’
The girl’s eyes opened wide: a potential sale of at least three bottles. That would be a great result for her today, and it would keep her line manager off her back with her pressure to sell, sell, sell. The assistant wasted no time. She ducked behind the counter and got out some boxes. She put the testers on the counter and started to spray them on strips of white paper. ‘This is the latest fragrance, sir, and very popular with the ladies.’
Bobby took a deep breath and smiled at her. ‘I hate testing them on those cards. Any chance I can smell it on you?’
The young girl smiled and looked around her. This wasn’t a usual request but she had to make a sale. Two spritzes: one on the side of her neck and one on her wrist. He neared her neck, aware how close he was getting to her. Macy wasted no time whatsoever. She moved quickly and within seconds she was gone. This was fast. No one had an idea what had just gone down. Bobby kept the assistant talking for a few more minutes until his phone started ringing.
He answered it straight away. ‘Hello? Oh no, when did this happen? I’m on my way, please don’t panic, just stay there and I will be there as soon as I can.’ Bobby looked at the girl and spoke in a distressed tone. ‘I’m so sorry, my daughter has had a bad fall. I have to leave.’
‘Erm, no worries. I hope she is alright,’ she said as he left her side.
Job done. Macy was smiling when he met her at the car. Everything had gone to plan. He clicked the button to open the car boot and Macy put the stolen goods in the back of it. There was no way they were carrying the perfumes around with them. This was the rule. Once they had copped for anything, it was stashed away immediately, away from the police if they were to get searched. Macy rubbed her hands together. Six bottles she had gripped. So, even selling at half price, that was six hundred quid already earned, three ton take-home for each of them. She was already spending it in her mind and thinking about how the money would be welcomed in her family.
The two of them worked well together. They were on another level, professionals, not petty shoplifters nicking booze, razor blades or batteries. They knew what could earn them the money and headed straight for it. Today was a good day.
Bobby started the car up and kept checking his rear-view mirror. He knew he wasn’t safe until he was out of the car park. The rozzers could swarm him at any second. Macy sat nibbling her fingernails, just as nervous as he was. The music was on low, his eyes looking one way then the other, aware of his surroundings. Just a little bit further and they would hit the open road.
Macy’s phone started ringing and she could see Joanne’s number flashing across the screen. She had to answer it, get the call over and done with, there was no way she wanted her turning up at her house shouting the odds.
‘Hello,’ she answered. She held the phone from her ear as the abuse came flying down the line.
Bobby looked at her and raised his eyebrows.
‘Listen Joanne, I never touched the fucking ring, so get off your high horse and shut up accusing me. I’m not working for you anymore because I’m sick of cleaning up other’s people’s shit.’ She held the phone to her ear and listened for a few seconds more. ‘Whatever, Joanne. You know where I am if you want to say anything more but, trust me, if you turn up at my gaff where my kids are, I’ll make sure you are stretchered away. So, before you carry on making threats, be mindful that that’s what will happen.’ Macy ended the call and let out a ragged breath.
Bobby burst out laughing. ‘Wow, who the fuck was that?’
‘Oh, just this girl I used to work for, she’s a crank.’
‘What is she saying about a ring?’
Macy moved about in her seat, there was no way she was admitting to Bobby how low she had sunk that she was stealing out of people’s houses. ‘A ring has gone missing in some house that we clean and that slapper is accusing me of taking it. The woman has probably mislaid it or something. Honest, there was stuff all over the place in that house. It’s a wonder they haven’t reported each other missing.’
Bobby never delved deeper. He was on a high now. Today had been a good day and their pockets would be lined with money later that evening when the stolen goods had sold. Bobby patted her on the arm. ‘A few beers before we go home? There is a nice little pub down this road, we could grab some tea too if you want?’
