Chapter 25
In the office of The Thieving Magpie Alfie stared at his son his finger waving accusingly,
"You been sellin' drugs?
Not giving his son time to speak he continued,
"Fuckin' smack? Don't you fink about nuthin'? What about your sister and all the shit it caused? Have you no morals you stupid bastard? What about the filth? For fuck's sake, at the moment they leave us alone, we make a tidy livin'.
"But dad¦
The older man cut him off,
"But fuck all you prick, what the fuck's the matter with you? Smack¦ what the fuck is up with you?
"No dad, there's a lot of money there, and it's there for the takin'.
Alfie tried to interrupt but Frank cut him off,
"No you shut up a minute. What you on about, what's the matter with me? It's on our doorstep, a fuckin' fortune, and you're willin' to let it go to anyone who fancies a slice, people like Jarvey.
Alfie gritted his teeth,
"Don't you¦
"Don't I what? Listen you're past it and someone needs to take charge, make sure the manor remains ours. You know, we make the money.
Bringing his fist down on the desk Alfie leant forward snarling,
"Don't you talk to me like that, you with your white pride bullshit. Finished, pah, you're lucky I don't knock you out. as he stood Alfie's face was contorted with rage, "Manor? You soppy tosspot, like you're some face from back in the day, you wouldn't 'ave lasted five minutes back then. As it goes you wouldn't 'ave got nowhere in life if it wasn't for who I was. Now you 'ave a bit of fuckin' respect.
Frank gulped knowing he'd pushed things too far.
Calming down a little Alfie continued,
"You don't need to stick your neck on the line, I already did that for you and I didn't do it for you to do the same.
"But Dad, I'm organised, I wouldn't get caught.
Miffed Alfie shook his head chuckling,
"Wouldn't get caught, the first I knew about all this was a tip off from the filth, so they for one know. Your surname makes you a good scalp, it's a matter of time, that's all. Oh and it's my name being bandied about, you wanna deal in that shit you keep my name out of it, open your own fuckin' doors sunshine. Now fuck off.
"Listen¦
"I said fuck off, I aint in the mood Frank. Go, we'll talk later.
After his son left the office he shook his head.
The door opened and Freddie appeared,
"Everythin' okay?
Alfie sighed, rubbing a hand over his cropped grey hair,
"No it aint. Fuckin' Frank's only started selling smack behind me back and worse 'e's usin' my name to open doors. You wanna know 'ow I found out? not waiting for an answer he continued, "Old fuckin' Bill, that's 'ow. On top of that the prick reckons 'e's been movin' all low profile, I ask you, what the fuck's up with this generation Freddie? Born with a silver spoon in his mouth that one, yet 'e chats like 'e was there back in the day, I dunno.
"What's the damage?
Alfie looked skywards,
"I dunno, if it gets out, anyone who's above seeing drug dealin' as acceptable. Years of cultivatin' out the window.
Freddie shook his head looking at the floor as Alfie continued,
"What's the matter with him? Look at Brad, 'e's makin' money in the city, Charlene even, I know it was a rocky start, but look now, married to one of the richest blokes around. Scumbag to be sure, but if that arsehole goes into development on that riverbank, which 'e will, 'e's proper minted, Frank though, nah, loser from the off.
Freddie raised his eyebrows,
"Loser from the off? 'e aint that bad Alfie, 'e's just got an interest in crime, chip off the old block, only 'e's 'ad it a little easier in life.
"Exactly Freddie, exactly, the same 'unger aint there, I was clued up by the time I was seven, we had to be, just to get by. That's what each new generation of villain's like, that's why they take over. Frank's had it too easy, mollycoddled by his mum, had the chances, just didn't take them, chose to hang out on the street being a skin-head, acting the 'ard-nut. Yeah at the same age I acted big, but I 'ad reason to, at the same age I was out earning proper, I 'ad a reason to give it large.
Pulling his ear away from the door Frank stalked across the bar.
As the door flew open Warren looked over,
"Usual Frank?
Frank stared as he headed towards the exit,
"Nah mate, just 'ad that.
Freddie looked at Alfie,
"'E can't be that bad, 'e must've learnt sumthin'.
"'E delivers to the bloke that supplies the street dealers, that's 'ow close 'e is to it all. And on top of that he's bandyin' my name about.
"You're fuckin' jokin' aint you?
"I wish Freddie, I fuckin' wish. Did you see Ray?
"Yeah 'e's gonna go now and make sure everythin's sorted for tonight.
Alfie's eyes narrowed,
"'E's close with Frank, I wonder if 'e knew anythin'?
"'Ard to say.
Alfie didn't look convinced.
