Page 77 of Kicks
Brian nodded. “Oh, I see. She’s a saint now she’s carked it.”
Billy slammed him against the wall once more.
“I’m not shitting you.”
Roughly, Brian shoved Billy away. He was strong.
“Don’t threaten me, you fucking homo.”
“Get out or I’m calling the police. I presume you’re out on probation. Do you fancy going straight back inside?”
This seemed to pacify Brian a little. He moved out of Billy’s reach.
“You’ve grown up to be a real smart arse,” he said. “Fine, I’ll tell you what prompted my little visit. You ripped me off. You sold my house and most of my fucking business.”
Billy sighed. “It’s not yours. You signed everything over to Mum, remember?”
“I didn’t know she’d die, did I?”
Billy swallowed hard. “I will repeat myself one more time. What do you want?”
“What’s owed to me. I bet you and your pathetic brother have the money nicely hidden away.”
“Actually, it’s in a trust for Crystal. Remember her? she’s your daughter.”
Brian waved him away. “Yeah and I can imagine how you’ve poisoned her mind against me.”
“You killed a young man and tried to do a runner. We didn’t need to do anything. She has no illusion what kind of an arsehole her father is.”
“I want to see her.”
“Not in a million years,” Billy replied. “I have sole custody. If you even try to make contact, I’ll be straight onto the probation service. Trust me.”
“If I don’t get what’s owed to me, you might find that changes.”
He was bluffing. No court in the land who would give him any rights over Crystal.
“No Christmas cards, no birthday cards, nothing,” Billy said. “I’m sure you’d come across as the model father. You don’t give a shit about her. It’s typical of you to use her as a pawn in your stupid little games.”
“I’ll use whatever I have to,” Brian sneered. “I’ll contest your mother’s will. I had a cellmate who used to be a solicitor. He reckons I’ve got a decent chance.”
Billy stared at him in disbelief. “A crim solicitor told you that you can swindle us and you believed him? This gets better. Out. Now.”
Brian strode over to the door. “I’m staying at the Pavilion Guest House.”
That figures. One of the biggest dumps in Brighton.
“Poor you,” Billy replied. “How does that affect me?”
“I won’t wait forever. I’ll give you a week to make me an offer.”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
Billy had stalked around the flat like a caged tiger for hours. Finally, Harry and Crystal came home. Crystal burst through the door, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
“How did it go?” Billy asked, pulling her into a hug.
“Amazing,” she replied.
