Chapter 34
The skinny, unshaven man rooted through the boxes of junk, rubbing his unwashed hands together at the sight of a few ornaments. Standing back he admired a chest of drawers, late Georgian, definitely, people didn't know what they were throwing away these days. A lot of it was rubbish but he'd make a lot more than he spent getting rid of it, of that he was sure. Graham Arbley had been doing house clearances for twenty years and had a fortune stashed away, not that it showed. He owned a dusty junk shop with a squalid flat above where he lived, from the shop he sold the bits and bobs he recovered but he sold the best stuff onto antique dealers.
Lifting some old albums his eyes nearly popped from his head, recoiling he paused momentarily then straightened up. Leaning back over he rubbed his hands and began licking his lips nervously. Pornographic magazines, and to Graham's semi-trained eye they looked continental rather than the paltry British top shelf offerings. Rubbing his chin he felt the grime from his fingers combine with old food and he looked at his fingertips. After staring for a second at the balls of sludge he flicked them away before leaning over to confirm his initial suspicions. Again he almost dropped the dusty records and felt the warmth in his groin. He was right, and they looked racy even for European standards.
The sound of footsteps reminded him he wasn't alone and the smile disappeared as
Jarvey appeared.
Fleetingly he wondered what had caught the scruffily dressed man's eye,
"Got anything decent?
Recoiling Graham looked over through narrowed eyes,
"No just the usual stuff so far, you know rubbish.
Leaning over he peered into a box behind the one he'd been looking in.
"Alright Gray, I'm off see you later.
Leaving the shop through the back door Jarvey patted the bag. Only one more place to visit, the worst one, but the last one.
Arriving the reception wasn't casual like the others.
Dana was mother to one of Jarvey's children. Where everyone else had opened the door and stood aside to let him in she stood looking him up and down,
"What are you doing here?
The tone was accusing.
"I gotta pick up a few bits, that's all.
"Oh, not a flying visit to see your child no?, the voice dripped sarcasm as her gaze moved to the holdall in his hand, "What's in there?
Tutting Jarvey pushed his way in,
"Don't be asking me my business.
Crossing her arms Dana stood staring at him,
"You're up to something, what's happened?
"Nothing's happened and it aint shit to you if it had.
"Nothing you say, why you dressed like that aye, and it's shit to me where my child's welfare's concerned, you gotta daughter there you don't never see.
"Shit bitch, I see her all the time.
"What when you're picking up or dropping off your shit? That aint no father.
"Outa the way Dana, I aint got time for this.
Walking into the front room of the flat he looked round,
"Where is she anyway?
"At my sister's.
Jarvey continued into the single bedroom and began rummaging under the bed, looking up he saw Dana stood in the doorway,
"What you staring at?
"You're up to something.
Jarvey glared and eventually Dana turned stalking off.
Locating a carrier bag he opened the holdall.
As he emptied the contents into the leather bag he spotted a picture of his daughter sat on his lap staring down at him from a shelf. Feeling a pang of guilt he stopped. Looking inside the bag he saw there were still a few thousand pound bundles, grabbing a couple of bundles out of the holdall he threw them in and replaced the carrier bag amongst the toys.
As he walked back through the flat Dana glowered at him.
"See you later.
In response she grunted.
