James felt slightly disappointed, but it had always been a long shot that he’d get the bike of his dreams immediately and at least Chloe was open to the suggestion.
*
Two dozen sixth formers hung out on the concrete platform above a sandy cove a couple of kilometres from the centre of Salcombe. The beach and the gentle waves coming off the sea were a novelty for James, but for the rest of the kids it was a regular hang-out where they could chill out, mess around, flirt and catch the last of the day’s sunshine.
Nigel dealt marijuana to a couple of kids and James got the impression that he could have sold way more if everyone wasn’t broke after the weekend. James’ real and fictional background was as a Londoner and everyone asked him questions about places to shop and places to stay.
Julian and his group of friends spoke vaguely of travelling to London for a few days in the summer, but they had nowhere to stay and they were all going on foreign holidays at different times with their parents so James got the impression that it was one of those things that would never come together.
After a while he sat with his back against a set of railings with Ashley and her friend Caitlyn on either side. Caitlyn wasn’t with anyone. She had straight dark hair and a short but chunky body. James thought about making a move, but reckoned it was best to concentrate on the mission for a day or two before trying it on with any girls, plus he was highly amused by the dirty looks he got off Julian every time he made Ashley laugh.
Once the sun dropped the wind came up and everyone headed through the centre of Salcombe to get something to eat at Marina Heights. Julian practically had steam venting out of his ears when James gave Ashley a lift on the back of his Honda and he confronted James angrily in the Marina Heights car park.
‘I don’t think it’s safe, her riding without a crash helmet,’ Julian said, as he got out of his car. ‘I noticed you wore yours.’
‘Whatever,’ James shrugged. ‘She’s a big girl, Jules.’
‘To be honest I think you should bugger off, James.’
Ashley made a deep sigh as James mocked Julian’s posh accent. ‘Well I think you’re the one who should jolly well bugger orf.’
Ashley stepped between the two lads. ‘For Christ’s sake, he only gave me a lift.’
‘I play rugby you know,’ Julian said, as he poked the pocket of James’ shirt. ‘So I’m warning you to back off.’
The other kids who’d ridden in Julian’s car were all clambering out. They could all see that he was jealous and a couple of them told him to leave it out.
‘This is such a dumb argument,’ James said, before turning his back and heading for the steps leading up to the restaurants. But Julian threw a punch.
‘Stop it!’ Ashley shouted, as the fist glanced the back of James’ head. ‘Stop being an arse.’
The blow was nothing but James couldn’t ignore it without looking like a pussy. He turned fast, grabbed Julian around the neck and thumped him against his little Fiat.
The group might not approve if James did something too physical, but he needed to make a mark and he’d just seen Julian dropping his car keys into his jacket pocket. James pulled out the keys and backed off before athletically tossing them on to the metal roof of the Brigands clubhouse.
‘Come at me again and I’ll flatten you,’ James warned, as the keys juddered down a couple of metres of sloped metal and came to rest nestling against a clump of moss.
Julian didn’t want to look weak, but he’d felt James’ strength when he’d been bundled against the car.
‘Christ,’ Julian shouted. ‘How the hell do I get up there?’
James grinned. ‘Knock on the front door and ask the Brigands if they’ve got a ladder.’
Ashley shook her head contemptuously as she started walking towards the stairs. James was worried that the group would see him as the bad guy, but as he walked up the stairs with Nigel and Ashley, three boys were laughing about Julian’s predicament. Caitlyn summed up the mood by telling James that he’d shown admirable restraint in not punching back.
When they got upstairs they headed into the diner. It was two-thirds full and they got nods and smiles from a bunch of other sixth-form kids who sat eating at the tables next to the open front of the restaurant. Fifties pop belted out of a tacky jukebox as Nigel handed James a tenner.
‘Got business to do,’ Nigel smiled. ‘Get me a cheeseburger, fries and Coke plus whatever you want.’
But when James turned around with the money Ashley was already being served. ‘You gave me a lift, so I’ll get the food,’ she said sweetly.
She paid for Nigel too, and when they headed towards a table to wait for their order Ashley sat next to James and put her hand in his lap. James liked her black nail varnish and the wispy hairs up her arm.
‘You should speak with Julian,’ James said quietly. ‘I’m the new kid in town. I don’t want some major beef blowing up.’
‘Screw him, treating me like his personal possession,’ Ashley said, as she gave the Formica table top the finger. ‘I play rugby,’ she mocked. ‘You bent him over that car like he was a twig.’
‘I’ve been known to hit the weights,’ James grinned. ‘Plus some Karate, a little kickboxing. I’m not a violent person. I’ve not been in a fight since I was twelve, but it’s best not to mess with me.’
Ashley purred approvingly as Nigel joined Caitlyn on the other side of the table.
‘Will Julian be OK?’ James asked.
Nigel burst out laughing. ‘Well his car keys are on a rooftop and you’ve got his girlfriend’s hand in your lap. I’m sure he’ll be just fine.’
‘He’s your mate though,’ James noted.
‘A mate who owes me two hundred quid,’ Nigel said. ‘Never pays for his shit. If I hadn’t known him since primary school I’d have got one of the Monster Bunch to beat it out of him.’
‘His dad’s a judge,’ Caitlyn noted.
‘That as well,’ Nigel smiled.
Caitlyn wasn’t eating, but when the food arrived she moved closer to Nigel and picked at his chips. James realised they were drifting towards a double-date situation. His mind was split. Part of him thought about the mission and the talk he’d had with Kerry. On the flipside Ashley was quite sexy and James’ moral compass always flew out of the window when he was within ten metres of an attractive girl.
When their plates were empty the foursome drifted out into almost dark. Distant yachts caught the moonlight and candles glowed on tables inside restaurants at the grown-up end of the promenade. James hadn’t paid any attention to the younger kids sitting out by the fast-food kiosks, but Nigel zoomed in on a snogging couple, one of whom was Dante.
‘Look at these lovebirds,’ Nigel teased. ‘Don’t forget your nine o’clock curfew, little Anna.’
Anna broke away from Dante and told Nigel to go screw himself.
James stood behind Nigel and laughed. ‘Is that your little sister snogging my little brother? How cute!’
‘Leave ’em alone,’ Ashley grinned, as she dragged James away. ‘You can tell he’s your brother, he’s got the same jaw line.’
‘I like oranges,’ James said cryptically as they backed away. Dante tried not to laugh as he closed in to resume his snogfest with Anna.
‘You girls fancy a ride back to my place?’ Nigel asked. ‘My mum’s serving at some dinner party. I can build a monster spliff and we can get totally monged out of our skulls.’
James baulked at the suggestion of smoking marijuana. CHERUB agents are banned from using illegal drugs.
Fortunately Ashley solved his dilemma. ‘I’m not getting stoned tonight,’ she said. ‘I’ve got my stats mock tomorrow. I got a C at the end of last term and that won’t be getting me into a decent uni.’
James grinned. ‘And I’ve got my first proper day at college tomorrow.’
But Caitlyn was giving Nigel a big smile. ‘I’m up for a smoke.’
Nigel seemed happy with that result: him and Caitlyn alone and
stoned. James didn’t know Caitlyn all that well and wondered whether they’d end up shagging.
James looked back as he followed Ashley and Nigel down metal steps to the car park. Dante had started snogging again and he spotted Lauren sitting on a railing with girls and boys on all sides. She looked happy and Joe was part of the group. It seemed that everyone was hanging with the right people and the mission couldn’t have started any better.
James looked at Ashley as they moved off to the steps into an empty disabled parking bay. ‘I’m good at stats,’ he smiled. ‘I could help you study. Your place, my place, whatever.’
‘Are you really good, or are you just saying that to get into my house?’ Ashley asked teasingly.
‘I’m good,’ James said, as he moved in for a kiss. But Nigel yelled before they made contact.
‘James, you’d better look at this.’
He jogged across the car park and saw pink stuff streaked all over his bike. When he got close he saw that a chocolate and strawberry ice cream had been mashed everywhere. A crushed cornet lay in a pool of melted ice cream on the seat and more dribbled down the side on to the engine.
‘Julian,’ James cursed. ‘I’ll break his bastard spine when I get hold of him. Where’s his car? I’m gonna kick out every piece of glass.’
‘It’s gone,’ Caitlyn noted.
Nigel nodded. ‘Julian lives over in Marina View. He probably went back to his apartment and grabbed his spare keys. They’ve got secure parking underground.’
‘I’ll run up to the donut stand and grab some napkins,’ Ashley said.
Nigel crouched down and inspected James’ Honda. ‘I’d get her home and sponge all that off. If you leave it it’s gonna set hard. It could even mess up your electrics.’
‘Shit,’ James said.
Nigel stood back up and Caitlyn put her arm around his back. ‘Not much I can do to help,’ Nigel said. ‘You mind if we split?’
The couple rode off as Ashley clanked down the steps with a five-centimetre wodge of napkins in her hand. They worked together to clear off the worst, though the ice cream was sticky and the tissue broke up into tufts that ended up stuck all over the seat.
‘God, Julian’s a jealous arsehole,’ Ashley said. ‘I’m really sorry about this.’
‘I’ll have to drive this home and give it a proper clean. I’d offer you a ride, but it’s gonna ruin your nice dress.’
‘No worries,’ Ashley said. ‘I can get a cab, or it’s only fifteen minutes’ walk to my house.’
‘Sorry,’ James said again, as he dropped a soggy ball of tissue into the gutter.
Ashley took a phone out of her canvas bag. ‘There’ll be other nights,’ she smiled. ‘What’s your number? I hardly know you. I’ll call you, we can do something tomorrow.’
22. FRIDAY
Friday morning
The weather had changed for the worse and drizzle pelted the glass as James laid out on his bed dressed in the socks and briefs he’d slept in. He held his mobile up to his face with Ashley on the other end.
‘So what are you wearing?’ James asked. A big grin erupted on his face. ‘Black is sexy! You know what I’d like to do? I’d love to get up close to you on your bed and . ..’
James stopped talking abruptly as Lauren burst in through the open door. ‘Stop talking dirty to your girlfriend and get downstairs.’
‘Gotta go,’ James said, sliding his phone shut and glowering at Lauren. ‘Haven’t you heard of knocking?’
Lauren grinned. ‘Haven’t you heard of closing your door when you’re playing with yourself?’
‘I was on the phone,’ James protested.
‘Chloe wants a conference downstairs before me and Dante go off to school.’
James put on jeans and a T-shirt and was surprised to find Chloe at the stove making scrambled eggs.
‘We’ve been here six days now,’ Chloe said, as she took the egg off the gas ring and grabbed four plates from the cupboard. ‘I need progress reports. Lauren, Dante, what’s the situation with Joe?’
‘Friendly,’ Lauren said. ‘I’ve been making my move. He doesn’t have a girlfriend, so I’ve been putting myself in the frame. He’s mouthy, but I get the feeling that he’s actually quite shy around girls.’
‘The weekend’s coming up,’ Chloe noted. ‘Maybe it’s time to go for broke and ask him out.’
Lauren nodded. ‘I’m thinking the same way. The tricky part is picking a moment when he hasn’t got sixteen gormless mates surrounding him.’
‘Well make that your priority,’ Chloe said. ‘Remember, this mission needs to move quickly. I’d rather we took a few risks and blew it than not take any and guarantee that we achieve nothing. What about you, Dante?’
‘Getting closer to Joe is difficult,’ Dante said. ‘I’m not in his class. I’ve had a couple of conversations but he’s a popular kid and it’s hard to force it.’
Lauren helped Chloe bring four plates of scrambled egg on toast across to the breakfast bar.
‘You’re spending a lot of time with Anna,’ Chloe said bluntly. ‘Is that for the mission’s benefit, or yours?’
Dante looked ticked off. ‘I’m having a good time Chloe, but in case you’ve forgotten I’ve got more incentive to make this mission work than any of you.’
‘Point taken,’ Chloe said, holding her hand up defensively. ‘What I’m wondering is, can we use your relationship with Anna to help Lauren get closer to Joe? For instance, what if you whisper in Joe’s ear and say that you think Lauren likes him. Then you can arrange some kind of double date, or a shopping trip. If you want to do something on the weekend I’d be available to drive you to the shops in Exeter, or the cinema, or something.’
‘That could work,’ Lauren nodded.
‘OK, that’s your job for today at school and the weekend,’ Chloe said. ‘Now James, what about you?’
James shrugged. ‘I go to sixth-form centre, some nights I’ll hang about with them at Marina Heights or go to the beach. If I had six months I’d be confident that I could make some connections and work my way up to the fringes of the Brigands organisation. But you want it done quickly and you’ve got me fighting with one arm tied behind my back.’
Lauren groaned. ‘Don’t start on about that bloody Kawasaki again.’
‘What about Nigel?’ Chloe asked. ‘He deals drugs. We know that the Brigands control the drug trade around here. Can you find out where he buys from?’
‘Eventually,’ James nodded. ‘But you can’t ask questions like that after four days. And why would I be curious when I’ve had to keep telling him that I don’t smoke dope?’
‘What if there was a buy going on?’ Dante asked. ‘You know, you mention some friends you had in London who’d be interested in buying some of Nigel’s good shit. Either he wants to handle it himself, or he puts you in touch with someone higher up the chain.’
‘Could work,’ James agreed. ‘I’d only be making a contact with someone slightly further up the chain, though. Probably a junior member of the Monster Bunch who supplies weed to a few other kids like Nigel. I still say if we’re looking for fast results our best bet is the option I gave you on Monday that you’ve sat on all week.’
Lauren tutted. ‘James, you’ve wanted a flash motorbike since you came back from Arizona three years ago. That’s all this is about.’
‘Crap,’ James said, close to losing his temper. ‘I’ve explained how it works. We turn up, Chloe makes it clear that she can’t afford the bike unless I get a part-time job. Rhino talks to Teeth who sets me up with some crummy job working at Marina Heights. That’s where all the Brigands and the other gangs hang out.’
‘Why can’t you just apply for a job?’ Dante asked.
‘Because this is Devon,’ James said. ‘Maybe in London a kid can walk into any fast-food joint, fill in a form and get a job, but Devon and Cornwall have the highest unemployment in the country. There’s like a hundred kids at my college who would die to have a part-time job.’<
br />
Chloe sighed noisily. ‘I spoke to Zara about this. She said it was my decision and I had to be certain that I trusted you to be responsible with such a powerful bike.’
‘So let’s bloody well do it then,’ James yelled, slapping his thighs as he jumped up from his seat.
Chloe backed off and James felt bad. He’d reached the age where he could physically intimidate adults – especially women – but he didn’t always account for the fact.
Chloe was an ex-cherub, and after the initial shock caused by James’ outburst she stepped up to James and jabbed him in the chest.
‘I’ve read your file, James Adams,’ Chloe said angrily. ‘You’re a good agent, but your decision-making processes can leave a lot to be desired. If I let you have this bike and then you go off and do something crazy, I could lose my job. And since I live on campus, I’ll lose my home and most of my friends too.’
‘Sorry I shouted,’ James said, holding up his hands and sitting back down on his bar stool. ‘I’m trying to make the point that you’re pushing me to get things done. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’ll get this job and find that it gets me nowhere. All I know is that the Brigands own Marina Heights and if I’m working evenings and weekends I’m in a much better position to see what’s going on up there than if I’m hanging around with Nigel and Ashley.’
Chloe shook her head, then sighed. ‘OK,’ she said finally. ‘You’ve got lessons this morning, but I’ll take you down to Marina Heights and try sorting out the job and the bike. But if I catch you messing around I’ll have your balls on a platter.’
James wasn’t sure whether to gulp or smile as Chloe glowered at him.
Lauren tutted. ‘You’re such a con merchant, James.’
*
Chloe’s scheme worked. Joe sat next to Lauren on the bus home from school. He held her hand across the arm rest, and Lauren leaned her head in to rest on Joe’s shoulder. He seemed chubby compared to the highly trained boys on CHERUB campus and also charmingly naive. Joe might have been cool and acted Jack-the-lad in class when his mates were around, but his clammy hands and bumbling sentences made her suspect that his love life had never advanced beyond a few snogs at the school disco.