Page 23 of Kicks

“What is?”

“A crappy old souvenir shop down the seafront want to change their direction.” Eddie thought about it for a second. “It’s a great location. All those pissed-up punters with money to burn.”

This sounded promising.

“I can see you demonstrating to an old dear how to sell vibrating cock rings,” Kat said, evidently finding this highly amusing.

He glanced at the signature. “It’s a bloke. Billy Webster.”

“Maybe he’ll ask for some little blue pills.”

Eddie copied the number into his mobile. “If you don’t want to be ruled by Lord Farquard over there, then a little positive thinking wouldn’t go amiss.”

Kat glanced at Bina.

“Go, Eddie,” she said.

“A little better. Please work on it.”

He got up and went into one of the meeting rooms to make his call.

SIX

BILLY

Billy stared out of the shop doorway and glanced at his watch. It was coming up to two o’clock.

Where the fuck is he?

A burly figure came around the corner.

“About bloody time,” Billy said.

A breathless Harry reached the doorway. “Sorry,” he said. “Honest I am. The baby wouldn’t go down. Then I couldn’t get bloody parked.”

“Get in,” Billy replied.

They both went inside.

“Shouldn’t you put the closed sign on?” Harry asked.

“Ha! It’s hardly a crowd control situation out there. I think we’ll be all right. At this point, I might even try and flog a pencil sharpener to the Pleasure Seekers guy.”

Harry checked his reflection in the mirror usually used by customers trying on novelty hats. At least he’d made an effort in a white shirt and black trousers. His muscular body threatened to rip the garments at their seams.

“You look smart,” Billy said.

“Ta. This is my old door staff uniform,” Harry replied. “I think I’ve bulked up since then.”

Billy clapped him on the shoulder. “Mind you don’t reach for anything and I’ll think we’ll be okay.”

They caught each other’s eye in the mirror and grinned. It reminded him of the time he’d taught Harry how to do his tie.

“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” Billy said. “Mum will be spinning in her grave.”

Harry turned to him. “I hate to break it to you, Billy-boy. Mum had sex. With Brian too.”

“Shut up,” Billy replied. “I don’t even want to think about that. I went on the Pleasure Seekers website last night. Have you seen some of the stuff they sell? I sincerely hope none of that crossed our mother’s path.”