Next of Kin Read Free Page A

the booze. It must have showed, because Woody grinned, and said, ‘Don’t worry, my treat, mate. ‘He tapped his jacket pocket. ‘Jackpot, remember? Now are you going to tell me about this room? And what about your sister, what’s she like?’
    In the end, a few of pints later, they decided to grab a couple of take-away pizzas and pick up a few more cans from the off-license on the walk back to the house. As they headed through the wet streets, the pavements glittering under the street lights, Ryan found himself telling Woody about the money he owed to Darryl and Neil – not that he intended to, but Woody had a way with him, a way of listening and asking questions as if he was genuinely interested.
    As they climbed the steps up to the front door and Ryan rifled through his pockets to track down his keys, Woody said not to worry, why hadn’t he said something about the money before? Woody could lend Ryan the cash no problem, no problem at all, he could call it a sub on the rent or something. Ryan had a problem getting the key into the lock; he hadn’t realised quite how drunk he was.

Chapter Two
     
    In the kitchen the following morning, Sarah was plugging in the kettle.
    ‘He’s a good bloke,’ said Ryan, pulling out a chair and sitting down at the table.
    ‘And you know this because ?’
    ‘Because I’ve seen him around, you know, about.’
    ‘When you say around , what does that mean exactly?’
    ‘Just about, you know, around .’
    ‘No, I don’t.’ She looked at Ryan. ‘You’re twenty-three, don’t pretend to be some moronic teenager. I’m your sister, not your mother. You said that you would help me keep this place going. You promised me you’d pull your weight and so what do you do? You’re out nearly every night on the beer, and you’re way behind with your share of the bills. I shouldn’t have to keep asking you for money, Ryan. You need to grow up. Pay up. I’m sick of it.’
    ‘All right, all right. I am helping; you just don’t notice all the things I do.’
    ‘And what would they be? Tell me. What are they, all these things that you’re busy doing?’
    ‘Come on, Sarah, ease up. This is not about me. Woody does need a room.’
    ‘Where did you meet him? Down the pub? The bookies? You met him down the bookies, didn’t you?’
    Ryan winced as if she had slapped him. ‘No.’
    ‘The last thing we need in here is another one of your gambling cronies.’
    ‘Don’t, Sarah,’ said Ryan, holding up his hands to deflect her. He could swing between being a boy and a man as it suited him. Now he was all man. ‘I know what you’re going to say. And you have to believe me; I didn’t know Billy was a thief. I wouldn’t have brought him back here if I’d known what he was like. It was a mistake. Years ago. One mistake. All right? Everyone is entitled to make a mistake once in a while. Oh but no, I forgot, not me, because I’m talking to little Miss Perfect here, aren’t I?’
    ‘You’ve had more than your fair share. I caught him going through Mum’s things.’
    ‘That must be five years ago, Sarah,’ Ryan protested. ‘Five years. And how many times do I have to tell you; I didn’t know he was like that. I thought he was a good bloke. Sound.’
    ‘Sound as a pound?’
    Ryan stared at her, jaw working.
    ‘Like Woody?’ she pressed, just in case there was some chance, some faint chance, that he had missed the point.
    Ryan sighed. ‘There’s no way I can win, is there? You never let me off, do you? Never let me forget. Woody’s straight as a die. He’s doing an MBA. His parents are minted and they’re bank rolling him while he’s studying over here. He just likes a little flutter now and then, that’s it, and that’s all. They all do. He told me – he’s a good bloke.’
    ‘Who do?’
    ‘The Asian guys. They’re all in there playing the machines and having a few quid on the horses here and there. It’s a cultural thing.’
    Sarah stared at him.
    ‘It is – you