Chapter 33
Dwaine turned on the shower before heading into the kitchen. Pulling the orange juice out the fridge he grabbed a glass and emptied the contents from the carton. Knocking back the half full glass in one he looked for another cold drink to quench his thirst. Nothing.
Cursing he slipped out of his tracksuit bottoms and entered the bathroom.
With the hot water spraying over him he thought about his life, was there any point in staying around? Everyone had moved on, all it seemed was left was to watch Ty and the rest of the next generation make the same mistakes theirs had.
Why he didn't leave was something he asked himself almost daily, something he always thought he'd do, but never did.
Where would he go?
There was nowhere.
The Riverside was his life he couldn't imagine living anywhere else, despite the negatives it was his home, was all he knew.
Throwing on some clean clothes he headed over to the window.
A quick glance told him the police car had gone, or at least moved.
As he descended the stairs he saw the journalist had also departed, stopping outside Kelly's door he stared, unable to work out why it all bothered him so much. Overdoses were commonplace in the area, why should this one affect him?
Was it because she was the first person he'd known well who'd died that way since his release, or maybe because it had happened in the house.
Could he have done anything to prevent it, spoke to her a little more?
Coming away from the thoughts he shook his head.
The street seemed eerily quiet, normally it was hustle and bustle, but today it seemed as if everyone was keeping a low profile, hardly surprising considering the police presence earlier. The only familiar face was Weasel sloping off down one of the side streets.
Pete's waitress was out on the street taking another fag break and Dwaine waved as he passed, smiling she waved back.
Avi's shop was opposite the café, as Dwaine entered all he could see was the tall, skinny geezer from the madhouse staggering past under an armful of cheap cider bottles. Holding the door open Dwaine let him pass.
"Cheers man.
Dwaine looked over at Avi behind the till and smiled, the storeowner grinned back shrugging,
"They keep me in business innit.
Dwaine nodded, something's on the Riverside never changed. The madhouse had been doing the same shit for as long as he could remember. Being a cider fuelled speed freak seemed to be part of the tenancy agreement.
Grabbing a carton of pure orange juice he plonked it on the counter.
"Is that it?
Dwaine nodded placing a pound on the counter,
"Put the penny in the box.
He called over his shoulder turning to leave, then stopping at the papers he picked up the local.
"Actually Avi, I'll take this as well.
Dipping his hand into his pocket he picked out a couple of twenties from the assortment of change and placed them on the counter.
"See you later Av.
"Yeah, see you Dwaine.
Exiting the store he spotted Pete across the road having a go at the waitress. Seeing Dwaine the frown left his face, to be replaced by his toothbrush advert smile,
"Dwaine, he declared as if it had been years since they last saw each other, "how's it going?
"Yeah good Pete, good.
Arriving at the probation office he glanced around the reception, a couple of faces he knew, but not well. Taking a seat in one of the moulded metal chairs he pulled out the newspaper and began unrolling it. Before he had a chance to start reading a voice interrupted.
"Dwaine, what you up to?
Looking up he saw a vaguely familiar man sat with a girl a few years younger looking in his direction. Judging by their appearance they were addicts, probably one of his old customers. As Dwaine tried to place the face the man prompted,
"Kieran, Kieran McNulty.
"Kieran, fucking hell, sorry mate didn't recognise you.
Kieran had been around the Riverside for years and had a reputation as knife merchant and bully. Years of drug use had left him ravaged.
Getting up Kieran came and sat opposite,
"How long you been out?
"A few months, yourself.
"I been back since I saw you. This time I've been out just over a year but I'm on probation at the moment.
After a quick pause he asked,
"You got anything?
"Nah I aint involved in all that no more.
"No?, he looked surprised, "how come, keeping your head down?
"Nah it's a long story but I've had enough of it all.
"Shame, the gear round here's always shit at the moment, looking at his young companion he added, "this man's gear was always blinding.
The girl gave a weak smile and Dwaine returned the gesture.
Doomed, he thought looking at her sadly, she couldn't be any more than twenty, what would she go through before she ended up on a slab like Kelly.
"Who you here to see?
Kieran brought him away from his thoughts,
"Janice Lawton.
Kieran nodded,
"Oh yeah, I'm with¦.
He didn't have time to finish as a short, grey haired woman in her fifties appeared at a door at the far end of the room,
"Dwaine.
Getting up he looked at the pair sat in front of him,
"Laters yeah.
"So how have you been?
Dwaine shrugged,
"You know how it is, good days and bad days.
"You seem a little distant.
"Yeah heavy night, not too much sleep, she looked at him to continue, "the girl below overdosed last night?
"Did you know her?
Dwaine nodded.
"I'm sorry.
Shrugging in response Dwaine sighed,
"Happens don't it.
The probation officer nodded her head sadly,
"I don't know why you still live in the area, haven't you thought of moving?
"It's my home, what can I say.
"But you'll always see people¦. you know¦. dying like this.
There's no-one left, he thought, instead saying,
"You get used to it.
When he left half an hour later he saw Kieran's companion still sat in the reception. She looked up as the door opened and nodded in acknowledgment, nodding back he debated going over and saying something. Nearly laughing at the idea he left.
