Authors: Fay Darbyshire
“So we sit back and do nothing?”
“There has to be another way around this…” Nathan cautiously agrees with Tom’s viewpoint and Alex turns his attention back to the room after staring silently out of the window; deep in thought while listening to the others argue around him. His face is grave and his eyes are cold as he struggles internally with his predicament. He doesn’t want to put his friends in danger; he doesn’t want them to risk everything for him. But the fact that two of his friends are willing to make that sacrifice while his so called best friend is backing out; it bothers him. Even though he knows it shouldn’t, even though he knows that Tom is right to be wary.
“I want to help you mate, you know I do… I’d die for you brother. But this doesn’t feel right to me. It feels like bad fucking news…” Tom stares at Alex, desperately trying to convince him that he cares despite his reluctance to take part in another raid, and Alex maintains the eye contact between them with a blank expression until there is an almost unbearable atmosphere.
“No worries…” Alex finally speaks in a casual manner that is obviously forced, “Like I said, it’s my problem…” He shrugs, “and you won’t have to die for me brother. Marcus has no interest in destroying anyone else other than me…” He smiles a tense, humourless smile and leaves the room as Liam and Darren look on accusingly. Nathan lights a cigarette and retreats back out onto the balcony with Lucy and Abbey holds her head in her hands. Nothing has been resolved, Alex is still in serious danger and this time it appears he doesn’t have the support of his friends, at least not all of them, and not from the one who matters most.
Tom shakes his head in frustration and runs his hands through his hair, pacing back and forth, obviously torn and feeling totally conflicted. He fails to suppress his anger and in one swift movement, punches the wall in front of him. The others look on, totally helpless, as he flings open the living room door and storms out into the hallway.
Everything is falling apart, everything is unravelling around them and they are powerless to stop it. They are unable to do anything, unable to help Alex or agree on a course of action and as they wait, the hours tick by and the showdown with Marcus gets closer.
The following days are uncomfortable and strained. Alex tries in vain to find the money he so desperately needs, but he is met by constant dead ends. Tom wants to help him, but doesn’t know how to give his best friend support without putting himself and the others in danger. As he struggles with his guilt and the stress of the situation begins to affect them both, communication between them breaks down. For Abbey, it is like being back at home, amongst all the resentment and the never ending silence filled with unspoken words. She can’t stand it.
The thought of once again living in an unhappy, guilt ridden environment truly terrifies her. She has escaped her family drama and as far as she is concerned she has a new family now. Her friends and Alex have become her absolute world and she can’t lose them too. She can’t just stand back and watch while everything shatters like glass. If anything happens to Alex it will crush her and the others will never forgive themselves, but he simply refuses to raise the point again. He won’t beg them to help, as he doesn’t want his problems or the repercussions affecting them in any way. Tom knows this, but he still feels as though he is the one letting Alex down. It all rests on his shoulders. Darren and Liam are on board, but he is refusing, trying to be the voice of reason with only Nathan quietly backing him from the side-lines. He is constantly questioning his judgement, second guessing himself and worrying whether or not he is making the right choice… for all of them.
Abbey can sense Tom’s doubt and uncertainty and she knows that her only chance to help Alex and ensure his safety is to play on his indecision. The deadline is drawing closer and time is running out. She loves Alex, she can’t lose him, and although she can’t stand the thought of her friends being in danger she doesn’t know what else to do.
Tom exhales the smoke from his cigarette and leans against the balcony, looking out across the Leeds skyline. He is distant and distracted as he battles with his thoughts in the relative silence, with only the soft hum of traffic and the occasional bird song interrupting the stillness of the afternoon. Abbey steps cautiously onto the balcony, still unsure of what she is going to say, and hovers quietly by his side. He doesn’t look at her as he takes another drag on his cigarette.
“Are you OK?” She asks, warily.
“I’ve been better…” He sighs, and Abbey nods, taking a sip of coffee from the mug she is holding, trying to take comfort from its warmth, “You think we should do it, don’t you?” Tom’s question takes her by surprise but it gives her the opening she needs. It is now or never.
“I don’t want you to do it…” She explains, “I don’t want any of this to be happening. But if you don’t get that money, Tom, then Alex…” She trails off, unable to finish her sentence, flinching at the thought of what the outcome will be if Marcus isn’t paid.
“I know… and it fucking kills me. He’s my best friend, my brother, and I want to help him. I’d do absolutely anything for that boy, but another raid… something just doesn’t sit right with me. I can’t explain it; call it gut instinct or whatever you want, I just don’t like it…”
“But it’s the only way. It was the only way last time and nothing’s changed…”
“But it’s so fucking dangerous, Abbey. The stakes are higher, the police will be on to us after last time, and there’s no guarantee it’s even gonna work… we could come away with nothing…”
“At least you’ll have tried. At least you’ll know that you tried to help…”
“But at what cost…?” Tom looks at her directly for the first time and Abbey sees in his eyes how much it is hurting him, trying to reconcile between his head and his heart, and she almost loses her nerve.
“I don’t know what will happen, Tom…” She shrugs, “but I do know what will happen if we stand back and do nothing. Marcus will come after him and no matter what; he’ll make him pay…”
“It won’t matter much if Alex ends up paying with his freedom anyway… we all could… you too, for assisting an offender…”
“I don’t care about that…” Abbey tries to remain resolute, “Not if it keeps him alive…”
“Marcus will just keep coming after him you know? Ever since Alex walked away he’s had it in for him, this is the worst it’s been but it isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last. He’s a fucking maniac and paying him off won’t change that…”
“But it will keep him from hurting Alex…?”
“For now…”
“Then that’s all that matters. Please do this Tom. Help him, keep him safe… and then you can figure out a way to get back at Marcus and end this for good…” Abbey reaches over and squeezes his arm, pleading with him as the desperation resonates in her voice. A flicker of doubt crosses Tom’s face and his pained expression is all she needs to drive her point home, “He’d do the same for you…” She whispers.
“I know…” He confesses, remorsefully, “We’ve always had each other’s backs, always been there for each other no matter what and I swear that will never fucking change. I can’t stand the thought of something happening to him but I can’t shake this feeling either, that doing another hit would be a massive mistake…”
“But the alternative, just letting it happen… it will eat away at you Tom…” Abbey continues, softly, careful not to push him too far, “Knowing you could have done something, but didn’t… it will never leave you. Trust me, I know from personal experience how horrible it is, living with guilt like that. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone…” Tom stares at her as he registers what she is saying and it is clear to Abbey that her insight has struck a nerve. They are all aware of her past and how she lost Ryan, so Tom knows only too well that she is speaking the truth.
“If you were in his shoes, if your places were switched…” She continues, “… then he’d do this for you. I know you’re worried that something will go wrong, but if Marcus hurts Alex, seriously hurts him, or worse… imagine how you’ll feel then…?”
Tears spring behind Tom’s eyes and he quickly looks away, clearing his throat as he takes a final drag on his cigarette before throwing it over the balcony. Abbey feels guilty beyond belief, knowing that she is hurting him and adding to his confusion, but she has to try and help Alex anyway she can. She gently wraps her arm around Tom and rests her forehead against his shoulder, and he responds by leaning into her slightly, before she breaks away and turns back inside.
“Just think about it…” She pleads.
Abbey is unsure at first whether or not talking to Tom has made a difference, or if she has just made the situation a whole lot worse. She is still riddled with worry and anxiety and those feelings don’t go away, even when Alex informs her later that night that Tom has had a change of heart and it looks likely they will do the raid after all. Alex isn’t happy or relieved, but at least it has offered him some form of hope, despite his reluctance.
Abbey isn’t relieved either. The previous terror she felt at the prospect of Alex being attacked has only been replaced with a newer, stronger fear, especially since she has played a direct part in influencing Tom’s decision. But Alex and Tom have reached an agreement, Darren, Liam and Nathan have been informed, and all the preparations made. The raid will happen this coming Thursday and hopefully it will all go to plan, just as it did before. But as the reality of the situation starts to sink in for Abbey, so does the lingering sense of dread that Tom had tried to warn her about. Despite her unease, she dismisses the notion that something bad might happen and endeavours to ignore the nagging voice in the back of her mind that keeps telling her how unbelievably wrong this all is.
The rain bounces heavily off the roof of the car as Alex, Tom and Darren sit opposite the seven/eleven, watching closely and waiting for the right moment to make their move. There appears to be one staff member inside, tidying the shelves and sweeping the isles, but the hammering rain makes it difficult to see.
“I’ll go check it out…” Darren fastens his coat and pulls his collar up to cover his face, before throwing himself out of the car.
“Be quick…” Alex squints as he watches Darren race across the road and skulk slowly past the shop window. He disappears around the edge of the building and Alex remains alert, assessing his surroundings from the partially concealed car that is parked up across the street. The shop is larger than the last one and is in a much more open, vulnerable position next to a main road. Luckily, as it is late and due to the horrible weather, there is no one on foot nearby and only minimal traffic. After several minutes Darren returns, shaking the water off his hair as he climbs back into the passenger seat.
“Only one guy in there that I could see, half the lights are off and it looks like he’s getting ready to leave…”
“We better make a move then…” Alex nods, “Are you ready…?”
“Let’s get this over with…” Tom frowns, clearly unhappy, and Darren and Alex exchange a subtle glance as they pull on their balaclavas. Once again they all carry shot guns, but only Alex’s is actually loaded with bullets.
Without another word, they simultaneously jump out of the car and rush across the road, crouching low to the ground. The door of the shop is locked but not bolted, and it only takes one attempt for Alex to break it open with his shoulder. The loud crash alerts the shopkeeper and he appears from behind the alcohol aisle, just as Tom cocks his gun and points it in his face.
“Just keep calm and we won’t hurt you…” Alex states, “Open the till…” He raises his gun and the man hesitates for a moment, before slowly moving behind the counter and opening the cash register. Alex throws him the empty bag and tells him to fill it, which he does, but there isn’t a great deal of money in there, not even half as much as they were expecting. As Darren keeps watch at the window, Tom takes a few steps further into the shop, looking through an open door which leads into a small office at the back. There are bags by the table and he can see a few twenty pound notes on the desk.
“Looks like he was counting up… in here…” Tom gestures, and Alex shoves the shopkeeper hard on the shoulder, forcing him forward. His demeanour bothers Alex. During the first raid the employees were all scared for their lives and therefore fully compliant. This guy is braver and seems almost indifferent to what is going on, which is fairly unsettling. He looks younger and much stronger too.
“The money, where is it?”
“In the corner… by my rucksack…” The shopkeeper answers reluctantly, and he hesitates again by the door, refusing to turn his back on Alex.
“Well get it, hurry the fuck up…”
As he follows the command there is a slight movement at the back of the shop and both Tom and Darren automatically spin around.
“What is it?” Alex shouts, without taking his eyes from the shop keeper.
“I’ll check it out…” Darren offers, “Cover the door…” As he creeps down one of the aisles Tom takes his position by the front window.
The rain is still pouring down and there is no sign of life outside, which is good. They are almost done. Once Alex gets the remaining money they can get the hell out of here and go home. Tom stands and waits impatiently, his every nerve on edge, until Darren finally reappears.
“All clear… are we good to…” before Darren can finish his question, the breath is violently knocked out of him and he crashes to the floor, winded and clutching his arm in agony. Another member of staff looms over him, wielding a cricket bat above his head, but before he can strike again Tom strides over and cocks his gun.
“Drop it…” He threatens menacingly, and the man does as he is told, holding his hands aloft, “On the floor… now…” He slowly lowers himself down so that he is resting on his knees and Tom holds his hand out to Darren, “You alright?”
“Yeah… I didn’t see him, he came out of nowhere…” He coughs.
“What’s going on?” Alex shouts, straining to see while trying to keep the shop keeper in his line of sight.
“Nothing, we’re fine…”
Alex is reassured by Tom’s response but his relief is short lived as he turns his full attention back to the shopkeeper, who during the brief disruption has picked up an office chair and is now hurling it at him with full force. It crashes into Alex so hard that it knocks him off his feet and the gun flies out of his hands, skimming across the floor.