Chapter 56
By the time Dwaine arrived at the cemetery the rain was pouring down. He stood looking down at the non-descript brass plaque that acted as a memorial to his mother.
"Mum, he began out loud, "I'm sorry I haven't been here for a while, it's kinda difficult you know.
The rest of the conversation was played out in his head. After ten minutes he pulled himself away and walked down the row of similar plaques. Less than ten metres away sat the one that marked Sam Dwight's passing, dated under three months after his mum's.
Dwaine shook his head thinking of the waste.
As if noticing the rain for the first time he pulled his chin down into his jacket, ducked his head and headed out of the graveyard.
Lost in thought he found himself wandering the deserted streets.
Turning into Churchill Close Dwaine saw life continuing as usual.
Girls were stood beneath the overhang of the factory units sheltering as best they could from the rain. The protection from the elements wasn't enough and they stood, matted peroxide hair clinging to their foreheads. A car pulled into the close and they came forward to the kerb, like ducks to bread.
Seeing Gazza leaving the gym Dwaine nodded,
"Training again?
The youth smiled nodding,
"You know it.
"Good, good, Dwaine laughed, "maybe you will escape the street after all.
"Yeah, that's the plan.
"You take it easy.
Continuing he cut through an alley and nearly bumped into Lawrie Stevens.
"Dwaine, the pimp exclaimed with a smile, "long time no see, 'ow you doin'?
Dwaine just stared.
Lawrie stopped and stared back,
"What's up with you¦.
Dwaine snarled at the older man cutting him off,
"What's up with me? What's up with you more like?
Lawrie looked nonplussed,
"What you on about?
"Look at you swanning around, the big man, don't you feel nothing over Kelly?
Dwaine felt ridiculous the minute he said it.
Snorting the pimp shook his head,
"What the fuck's that got to do with me? Besides what do you care, she was only a fuckin' brass, what the fuck was she to you?
Squaring up Dwaine demanded,
"What did you say?
"I said what the fuck was that dumb slut to you?
Dwaine brought his forehead crashing into Lawrie's nose, spreading the cartilage across his face, throwing him against the fence Dwaine held him by the throat pummelling his unprotected face.
In seconds the pimp collapsed, eyes swollen shut. Releasing him Dwaine shoved him to the ground.
Lawrie staggered to his feet, his cream trousers dirty and wet with pavement grime,
"You're a dead man, he growled wiping blood from his nose and reaching into his jacket.
Dwaine was on him again,
"Dead man, dead man! From who? You?
Beating the pimp to the floor a second time he continued to kick.
The assault took seconds.
Out of breath Dwaine looked down at figure on the floor,
"You fucking mug, don't ever threaten me again.
Stalking down the alley he felt the adrenalin leave his body and became aware of the throbbing pain in his right hand. Looking down he saw it swollen.
He wondered about Lawrie getting him nicked then dismissed it. The pimp might have connections but the reason for the beating would be enough to distance them.
Soaked through he decided to head home.
Without cutting back through Churchill Close meant Dwaine had to walk further, ducking his head he headed down Wellington Avenue.
As Dwaine reached the park he spotted two figures struggling to carry something. Spotting him they dropped their cargo and ran off.
Out of curiosity Dwaine headed over to the bundle. Twenty feet away the street-light was enough to tell him it was a body.
As he got closer he recognised the corpse as one of the addicts who frequented the phone-boxes. There were no visible signs of violence and he surmised it was probably another overdose.
Shaking his head he continued to Riverside Street to make an anonymous phone call. The pair disposing of the body would probably do the same but because they'd been disturbed and he didn't want to take the chance. If they didn't and no-one else spotted it the body could lay there till morning.
Turning into Riverside Street he was nearly sent flying by two youths.
"Sorry mate, one called as they passed.
Dwaine looked and recognised them as members of Ty's gang,
"Oi wait up.
Turning and seeing it was Dwaine they stopped.
"What's going on?
Mags shook his head,
"We come on top robbing people up Milo Street.
"Where's Ty?
The pair shrugged,
"Dunno, Aran answered first, "old bill were everywhere, loads of them.
Narrowing his eyes Dwaine grimaced,
"Probably nicked then.
Again they shrugged.
"You better get off, Dwaine instructed, "and keep your head down.
"Yeah, see you later.
Watching them go Dwaine shook his head.
So the cycle continued.
