Chapter 58
JP didn't stay in his blissful mind state for long. Returning to his room he surveyed the damage. In the morning he could visit the second-hand shops to look for his stuff, right now he had to sort some more gear out. What he needed was money, at least enough to get out of the area and the only way he could think of getting cash fast was by selling drugs.
Locating a jacket he ventured out into the rain.
As usual there were addicts at the phone-boxes.
A Liverpudlian in his late thirties looked at him surprised,
"What you doing out lah?
J.P Smiled,
"You alright Mark? I Gotta go back in a few weeks, waiting for forensics innit.
The Liverpudlian's sidekick eyed him,
"You got anything?
"Nah I need to phone up and pick some up, you aint got fifty p for the phone have you?
They shook their heads,
"Nah sorry.
"You can get some gear then though.
"We're alright, we're meeting Jed in twenty minutes, it'll take you longer than that.
J.P looked at the others assembled who looked at the floor,
"What no-one's got fifty p?
Seeing no response J.P kicked the floor,
"Ah fuck you then, don't ask me for fuck all, any of you.
Their cackles mocked him as he headed down the road wondering where else he could try.
Tommy lived a couple of roads away and J.P was sure he'd at least have telephone money, he'd happily sort the shop-lifter out a free hit.
Taking the first turn he became aware of someone following.
As soon as his pursuer realised he'd been sussed he crossed the road acting nonchalant. J.P watched him go before doubling back and cutting down an alley.
Halfway down was a house he could cut through. Scaling the wall he was back out on the road in minutes.
Arriving at Tommy's he rang the bell and stood watching in every direction.
The window opened and Tommy appeared,
"Didn't expect to see you out.
"I gotta go back in a couple of weeks, let us in.
After disappearing for a second Tommy reappeared and threw down the keys,
"Shut the door behind you yeah.
Tommy's room was devoid of material possessions, sitting on the floor J.P quickly explained about the bail and his current predicament. Telling Tommy about the proposition his face lit up.
In minutes they were heading back out into the rain.
"We'll go to the other phone-box yeah.
Tommy nodded, it was further to go but it didn't bother him.
Arriving at the grimy phone box JP signalled for his companion to wait as he wrenched open the door. Picking up the receiver he punched in the number while reading the call cards plastered around the booth.
A disinterested voice answered.
"It's me.
"J.P
"Yeah I gotta go back in a few weeks.
"Yeah they bailed me, I couldn't believe it either.
J.P wondered about the man at the other end of the phone, who he was and if he knew him.
"No they kept everything¦.
The man at the other end cut him off.
"I'll make it up.
Watching the disappointment spread across J.P's face Tommy cursed,
J.P's voice turned to a whine,
"Oh come on I aint got nothing.
The moments the dealer pondered JP's predicament seemed to drag and Tommy's face turned to a scowl.
"Yeah alright, I'll give you it every time I swear.
Smiling he turned to Tommy and gave him the thumbs up. As quickly as it came the smile disappeared,
"Tomorrow, can't I get some tonight?
"Come on I'm really ill.
"Ah, nice one, you're a star.
Leaving the phone-box he breathed a sigh of relief.
"What's happening? Tommy demanded.
"I got to meet him later.
"How much later?
"Ten.
"Oh that aint too bad.
"Nah, come on lets go back to mine and wait.
Tommy grimaced,
"Can't we wait at mine, you aint got no electric or nothing have you?
"I know but when I left earlier I didn't leave it too secure, not that there's fuck all left to rob.
"S'pose. If you want I can by-pass the meter for you.
J.P thought about it for a minute, Bailey would go mad but why not, he had nothing to lose.
