Grin Read online

  “You said a swear!”

  “Don’t get me started.” Dani was no longer smiling, irritated, wanting to get home. She grabbed her brother by the arm and hoisted him to his feet. She brushed him down with her coat sleeves, not wanting to ruin her nails, and patted him on the shoulder. “Let’s go, Mum’s making dinner. It’s your favourite tonight, a picnic!”

  Teddy’s eyes widened and lit up. He towed the line, falling in beside his sister.

  He gazed up at Dani, his green eyes narrowing with childlike innocence. For a moment, he said nothing, taking in his sister’s attire. Under her leather jacket, she wore a crinkled, blue chamois blouse, assembled with a mid-thigh black skirt and a pair of white trainers. The brightness of the trainers accentuated her tanned, smooth legs. Today, a ponytail dangled over her left shoulder, flapping in the breeze.

  Teddy knew his sister was pretty because she had a boyfriend. Only pretty girls got boyfriends. But, to him, she was his sister. She had girl cooties. Anyway, he preferred the woman on Nickelodeon; she was pretty. He looked up at Dani again. “Why don’t you go to school?”

  Dani glanced down and continued looking forward. “Me? You know why.”

  “Everyone goes to school. David told me that everyone has to, or the police go to your house and arrest your parents.”

  Dani chortled. “That’s not strictly true. Anyway, I finished school, I go to college now.”

  “What’s college?”

  “Grown up school. For older people.”

  “How old are you?”

  “Don’t you know this?”

  “I forgot. I’m just a kid, remember?”

  Dani chuckled. “Seventeen. A whole nine years older than you.” Dani tapped her brother on the tip of his nose. “I finished school a year ago.”

  “I can’t wait to finish school. I want to cut up more sheep’s hearts.”

  “So you want to be a butcher?”

  “What?”

  “Never mind.” Dani walked for a few steps and they arrived outside Kambo’s, the local corner shop. The smell of baked goods and candy piqued her interest. Dani looked across the street and saw their house. Her Dad’s black BMW was parked in the driveway.

  He’s home early, she thought.

  “Can I get some sweets?”

  Dani said nothing for a second, distracted by her Dad’s potential presence, and turned to Teddy. “Sorry, what did you say?”

  “Can I get some sweets?”

  Good idea, she thought. Hide the fact he had Coke. The better of two evils. “Yes, you got your pocket money?”

  “A whole two whole pounds. I’m rich!”

  Dani smiled. “Go on then. Be quick, moneybags.”

  Teddy pushed into the shop door, the bell ringing as it spun inwards. Dani glanced into the store and saw Mr. Kambo behind the counter. He shot her a dirty look, as if to say ‘mind your fucking kid.’ Dani sneered and looked away.

  She took her phone from her pocket. Again, no text messages.

  What was he playing at?

  “Dani!”

  She turned around and saw Ben approaching. Relief washed over her and she grinned, opening her arms for a hug. Ben scooped her into his muscular arms, squeezed her gently and swung her around. After two spins, he placed Dani back down and kissed her softly. Their lips mashed, tongues flicking against one another. She pulled away, blushing. “You scared me. I’ve been checking my phone all day.”

  Ben smirked. “Sorry, my battery died. I thought I’d pop over and see you instead. Can’t have you missing me too much, how would you cope?”

  “Yeah, I think I’d be okay. There are plenty of other handsome boys to date.” Dani playfully punched Ben, knocking him back a little. Secretly, she missed him like crazy. A warm feeling of happiness spread throughout her. She cuddled into his muscular arm.

  “What are you up to tonight?”

  “Dinner with the folks.” Dani glanced at her house again, the BMW sinking her stomach somewhat. “Dad’s home tonight so I don’t think I can get away.”

  “You sure?”

  “I don’t know, Ben. I’ll let you know, okay. What you can do is charge your bloody phone.”

  “I will when I get home.”

  “Good. If not tonight, we can hang out tomorrow?”

  “I had a nice romantic evening planned for you too. Candlelit dinner, some wine and…well, you know.”

  “I do know. I told you, not until I’m ready. I want it to special.”

  “Not too long I hope. A man can only wait so long…”

  “If you love me, you’ll wait as long as it takes.”

  Ben went to reply, but said nothing. Dani raised an eyebrow. “You will wait, right? I said I didn’t want to rush this. Respect that, okay?”

  Ben nodded. “Sure thing, snugglebum.”

  Dani blushed bright red and looked around. “Not in public…”

  Teddy ran past and swatted his sister on the rump. “Snugglebum? My God, get me a puke bucket, urghhhhh!” He stuck a finger in his mouth and pretended to vomit. Dani looked up at Ben and scowled. “See what you did?”

  Ben chuckled. “I’ll see you later…snugglebum.” He chuckled, leaned in and kissed her on the lips. She sighed, closing her eyes. His lips tasted of Juicy Fruit chewing gum, the sweet flavour made her smile. Ben pulled away and walked down the street, back the way they’d come. She watched him go. A sense of loss began to spread through her heart.

  Dani turned towards her house. Teddy was opening the front gate.

  “I hope you looked both ways before crossing the road, you little shit.” Dani walked quickly across the road, took a cautious look at the BMW and entered her house.

  *****

  Detective Inspector Scott sighed, a plume of grey cigarette smoke escaping his chapped lips. He scratched his forehead with the butt of his palm and groaned. He stared at the yellow crime scene tape in the dark, dingy alleyway and closed his eyes. Rain fell on the floor beside him with an infinitely patient pitter-patter. The crime scene tape flapped loudly in the breeze, poking at the migraine forming at the base of his skull.

  It was his night off. He’d been sharing drinks with his girlfriend at the local nightclub. Date night, she called it, which, in some relationship binding way, meant he was obligated to attend. They did it twice a month, mostly on weekends. This time, it fell on a Wednesday. Tanya said it showed they were in love and it meant the relationship wasn’t growing stale. He believed it; they’d been together six years.

  A miracle in his opinion.

  She mentioned the six years too, like making a subtle but obvious point. That’s when he necked the first whiskey. He loved spending quality time with the woman, sure, but her need to label everything irked him. Before she got her next sentence out – as she examined the complicated layout of her red and orange cocktail, complete with umbrella, curly straw and strawberry décor – he necked his second. She talked about her day, her career, how things were going. A promotion had occurred, which he remembered her mentioning a while ago, but absently forgot until it became a topic of conversation. Then she asked him about his job before realising it was a no go. Classified information. He couldn’t discuss his job. Which made him the silent one in this relationship.

  It didn’t do him any favours.

  “Maybe we can catch a movie after this? The new Sandra Bullock movie is out.”

  He necked his third whiskey.

  “You’re very quiet tonight, something the matter?”

  “No, just…well, I’m not in the mood. Long day.”

  “I’m sorry. We can leave if you want?”

  “No, it’s fine. You shouldn’t ruin your evening for me.”

  He wanted to walk out and go home, shut off his phone, and slump on the sofa with a cold beer and some chicken wings. He wanted to scream it in her face.

  She didn’t deserve that. She deserved the best, more than he could give.

  Therefore, he remained quiet and half-smiled, counting hi
s lucky stars that he had someone so beautiful and understanding. Radiant brunette hair, sparkling cerulean eyes, a face that could adorn any fashion magazine in the world, and that smile, the one that melted his cold dead heart. She loved him for whatever bizarre reason and he regretted it every day. The danger involved in his job could ruin her life at any moment.

  “You’re not ruining my evening, honey. This is our evening; we can do whatever you want to do. Name it.” The sparkle was present in those amazing orbs, as always. He couldn’t help but smile.

  Scott necked his fourth whiskey and realised he’d only been at the club an hour. His drinking pace startled him. Scott said nothing, staring into the empty tumbler before him. His eye caught a reflection of Tanya in the glass. She was gazing at him, concerned, her face twisted like the result of some funfair mirror experiment.

  “I’m fine here. Seriously,” he lied.

  “I’ll get us another.” She smiled and scooped up the empty glasses. As she walked to the bar, he watched her go, her rump caressed by the tight dress that ended at the top of her silky thighs. Her long, bronze legs flexed as she crossed the dance floor with poise and elegance. Her brunette hair flapped and waved on her back. Scott observed the men around her, their gazes pulled from their drinks and their own girlfriends by her presence. He saw the scornful looks on the female faces too, and smiled for the third time that evening.

  That’s when he got the call.

  Shit, he thought. Why didn’t I turn off my phone?

  After a long thirty seconds, he swiped the screen and answered. “Scott.”

  “Scott, its Davidson. We need you to take the crime scene in Soho. The Italian restaurant with the homicide.”

  “Mamma Sue’s? I thought Jarrett was on it?”

  “Apparently he has the flu, the pussy can’t come in today. Besides, we can’t have him coughing and spluttering all over the evidence. I want you on it. I know it’s your day off but hey, we don’t get days off. You in?”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  “That’s the spirit.”

  Davidson hung up. Scott pulled the phone from his ear and grunted, putting it back in his pocket. As if perfectly timed, Tanya returned with their drinks. She saw the look on his face and groaned. “Work called, didn’t they?”

  “Yep.”

  “It’s your day off.”

  “I don’t get days off…not really,” he said, mimicking his Sergeant’s words.

  “Great. Just great.”

  “I’ll make it up to you, I promise. On Saturday, we can catch that film…the one with Sandra Bullock in it.”

  Tanya’s eyes widened. “Really? You hate her movies.”

  “I know…but I love you more.”

  Man, I can be soppy.

  Tanya leaned in for a kiss, a soft, lingering kiss that gave Scott all the pep he needed to get over to Soho. “Come on, let’s get a cab home, I need to change out of this shirt.”

  An hour later, Scott was outside Mamma Sue’s.

  He finished his cigarette and tossed it in a puddle beside him. The butt sizzled as it hit the surface. The rain was easing up a little; the pitter-patter was ebbing and less noticeable. Scott shoved a stick of gum in his mouth and shook his head. The dull ache was more a throb now.

  Damn that glorious whisky.

  He stepped forward, ducking under the crime scene tape. The stench of death was ever-present, a normal occurrence for this part of London.

  THREE

  The credits rolled on the silent black and white movie.

  Dani scooted up from her elbows, shuffled onto her rump and turned around. Her father was sleeping in his armchair, his mouth wide open, a sliver of drool on his chin. Dani grinned and silently crept up on him, her slipper-clad feet inaudible on the plush, new carpet. As she neared him, his left eye opened and he smiled.

  “Damn, you’re good,” she said, chuckling.

  “No one can sneak up on me.” His hands shot out, tickling his daughter, making her squeal in laughter. Dani’s mother, Carla, walked into the room. She was stirring some mashed potatoes in a bowl. “What is going…oh, okay.” Dani ran across the living room and stopped at the foot of the stairs, her face red with exertion. Dennis stopped halfway across the room, a wide grin on his face. He walked over to Carla, wiped the drool from his chin, and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Dinner ready?”

  “Almost. Dani, call your brother.” She returned to the kitchen.

  “Teddy! Dinner!”

  Muted thuds sounded on the hallway floor above. Seconds later, he appeared on the stairs, taking them two at a time. Dani blocked his way. She deepened her voice and jutted out her jaw. “A pound to pass.”

  “What are you, a troll?”

  “Yes, a troll with a toll.”

  “Get outta my way, jooker. Teddy ducked under his sister’s outstretched arm and ran to the dining room. Dani smiled. Jooker. She always wondered where that endearing nickname had originated.

  She chuckled and followed her brother into the kitchen.

  The square dining table held a huge spread of food. Chicken, sliced into many different shapes, mashed potato, gravy, peas, broccoli, and Yorkshire puddings. Two bottles of wine, one red and one white, sat at the head of the table, in front of Dennis. A six-pack of Coke sat at the other end. Carla walked in and placed a pot of redcurrant sauce on the table, completing the meal. Teddy took his normal seat and Dani sat opposite him.

  “This looks great, Mum,” Dani enthused. “I love picnic night,” she said excitedly, looking in her brother’s direction.

  “Yeah, amazing. Look at this spread!” Teddy’s eyes were wide in wonder as he surveyed the platter in front of him and met his sister’s gaze.

  Dennis coughed. “Teddy, care to say grace?”

  Teddy put his hands together. He took a deep breath. “Rub a dub gosh, thanks for the nosh.”

  The entire family laughed. The scent of the food made Dani’s mouth water. The essence of roasted chicken and the wonderful, stocky scent of gravy permeated the cheerful, homely air. Dennis popped the red wine, pouring himself a glass. The alcoholic twang of wine joined the feast of aromas in the room. Carla sat down and Dennis tinkled his glass. “I know we normally don’t say grace, but I wanted to tonight.”

  “Dad, it’s getting coooold,” Teddy whined, half-mockingly.

  Dani and Carla sat silent, allowing Dennis to continue.

  “I’ve come to realise that, despite my short-comings, I have the best family a man can ask for. I have a smart-arse son who excels in football and has the same sharp tongue I did at his age, and a clever daughter who’s just started college. I never went to college, I didn’t have the privilege, and I’m so proud that you did. I also have a beautiful wife, the woman who gave me two of the finest children in the world. For everything, I’m truly grateful.”

  Dennis held his glass in the air, silently. Carla handed a Coke to Dani and Teddy, who raised their cans in unison. “Cheers.”

  Dennis smiled. “Let’s eat.”

  Carla started dishing out the dinner. Dani passed a plate of creamy mashed potatoes to her father. Teddy took a huge swig of his Coke. Dennis eyed him as he scooped the potatoes onto his plate. “You go easy on that stuff; I don’t want you bouncing off the ceilings.”

  “I won’t, Dad.”

  “You won’t what?”

  “Bounce off the ceilings. They’re too high anyway.”

  Dennis grinned and ruffled his son’s hair.

  Dani poured some gravy onto her chicken, circling her plate. “Mom, can you pass the broccoli?”

  “Sure, hon.”

  After a few moments, the family had their choice of food. Carla looked around the table. “Enjoy everyone. There’s plenty more to go around.”

  The family tucked into their dinner.

  “That was a wonderful dinner, Mum. Thank you.”

  “My pleasure, honey.” Carla was washing up the plates, dipping them into a bowl of soapy water, scrubbing them with
a cloth, and passing them to Dani - who was on drying duty. The youngest woman was piling the crockery on the side, ready to put away.

  “How was college today?”

  “It was okay, nothing special. Theory in Media is a little boring. Besides, the teacher has no control over the students. Half don’t turn up and when they do, they completely disrespect him. It’s a little sad. Sometimes…well, you don’t need to hear this.”

  “No, go on. I like hearing about my daughter, the student. It’s so glamourous.”

  Dani smiled. “Well, I feel sorry for the guy. Sometimes he teaches three or four people only. The other students are too busy at the pub or dossing in the games room. It’s no way to earn a living.”

  “Yeah, but think of it his way. You’re still learning. One kid, twelve kids, it doesn’t matter. You’re a good student, you pay attention and you’ll come out of this smelling like roses. Fuck the other kids.”

  “Mum!”

  “Well…if they can’t respect their education, then fuck them indeed.”

  Dani chuckled. “I suppose you’re right…fuck them.”

  “Ah, ah, ah, money in the swear jar, now.”

  “But Mum, you just…”

  “I’m a grown up.” Carla held her daughters gaze for a second and laughed. “Just kidding. Not a word of this to your father or brother.”

  “Deal.” Dani picked up a stack of plates and slid them into a cupboard below the worktop. She closed the door, clipping her finger. “Ow, fuck.”

  “You okay, honey?”

  “Yeah, just clipped my…”

  “Swear jar!”

  Both women spun around and saw Teddy standing in the doorway. Dani sucked her finger and Carla placed her hands on her hips, exasperated. He ran away, bouncing across the carpet to the stairs. They could hear him as he went. “Swear jar, swear jar, Mom and Dani dropped a swear!”

  Dani smiled. “No more Coke for him then.” Carla nodded, turned and emptied the sink. “Little shit,” she muttered, under her breath.

  Dani chuckled.

  Two hours later, Teddy’s rasping snores resonated through the crack in his bedroom door. Dennis smiled, closing his son’s door slowly. He snapped the upstairs hallway light off and walked to this daughter’s room, knocking gently on the pink door. “Yes,” came a muted voice. Dennis pushed the door open with a scarred knuckle by instinct – no fingerprints - and walked into the room.