The Face Behind the Mask

‘It’s a good job I like you, kid; I wouldn’t let your dad get away with that kind of behaviour.’

He winked at her and she began to giggle. Jake kissed both Alfie’s and his daughter’s cheeks then ran upstairs to get changed. Annie looked at Alex.

‘Apparently his balls are on fire.’

Alex’s laughter filled the room. ‘Well, that makes a change.’ He took some bottles of lager out of the fridge and offered them around. Annie shook her head. Both Kav and Cathy took one, opening them and drinking them in a couple of gulps. Putting Alfie down into the bouncer, she set about making herself a coffee.

‘Was it bad?’

Annie nodded.

‘Really bad – I hate funerals. Why do people have to die?’

Kav took hold of her hand. ‘What did I tell you? That it’s not your fault Stu decided to play silly buggers and made some terrible choices.’

Alex took hold of her other hand. ‘How’s Will?’

‘I don’t know. He’s gone to the crematorium and then he’s going to the wake for a bit. I said I’d meet him here, so I can drive him home. It will do him good to get it out of his system.’

Jake came back downstairs wearing a pair of cut-off denim shorts and a white vest top.

Kav started laughing. ‘Bloody hell, it’s George Michael in the flesh.’

Jake stuck two fingers up at Kav and took a bottle of lager from Alex and lifted it up. ‘To Stuart: let’s hope you’re much happier up there than you were down here.’

They all lifted their bottles; Annie lifted her mug and everyone said in unison, ‘To Stuart.’

Chapter Two (#ulink_ec6fe28a-6145-5118-8223-31e509513093)

A loud knock on the door made Jake jump up off his chair. He managed to spill lager all down his front and stain his perfect white vest. He looked out of the living room window and laughed.

‘Watch out, the rozzers are here. It’s a raid.’

Annie peered out of the window and gasped to see Will being helped out of the back of the locked cage of a police van, which was normally reserved for criminals.

‘Oh shit.’

The two young policemen who were standing at the back of the cage both had their arms out ready to catch Will. It was a good job they did because he stumbled, missed the step and landed in their arms. He tried his best to straighten up then saluted them both. Jake, who was standing at the front door, watched the scene before him with a huge grin on his face. The two policemen took an arm each and walked Will up Jake’s path. They were both red-faced. Jake shook his head.

‘Now then, William; we give you a couple of hours’ freedom from your everyday life and look what happens! You’re completely shit-faced.’

Will nodded his head in agreement. ‘I can’t argue with that.’

Jake took hold of his arm so the other two could let go. As they did, Will stumbled forwards, almost taking Jake down with him. Annie, who was standing behind Jake holding Alfie, moved out of the way.

‘I better get him home. Help me to get him in the car, please, Jake.’

‘Wouldn’t you be better letting him come in and have some water? You could stop here tonight.’

Will chuckled. ‘Bloody water – are you having a laugh? I want whisky on the rocks, you pack of pussies.’

Annie was mortified at the state he was in. She wanted to throw a bucket of cold water over him to sober him up. She hadn’t seen him this drunk for a very long time and she didn’t like it. One of the coppers coughed.

‘Erm, are you all right now, Sarge? Do you need anything else or is it okay if we get on?’

‘Course it is, thanks for the lift.’ Will saluted again, making them both smile. They nodded at Jake who waved his hand at them.

Annie passed Alfie to Alex. ‘I want to get him home. I haven’t got enough stuff for Alfie to stop here and I want to sleep in my own bed. Thank you for the offer, though, Jake.’

‘Well, leave him here. Me and Kav can stick him in the spare bed and you can pick him up in the morning or I can drop him off on my way to work at twelve.’

The look of horror that passed across her face must have made Jake wonder if there was something wrong.

‘I can’t. I don’t like being left on my own now there’s Alfie. Please, just help him into the front seat. I’ll be okay getting him home. I can manage.’

‘Your choice. What if he pukes all over those nice leather seats?’

‘Then he’ll clean it up when he’s sober. Shit. How have you got in this state, Will?’

‘No breakfast; felt sick. Lots and lots of whisky.’

‘You don’t even like whisky.’

She shook her head. She wasn’t angry with him for getting in such a state because she understood completely; she just didn’t like it. He’d wanted to blot it all out and who could blame him? Jake and Kav led him to her car. She ran inside to get her keys, which Alice had been playing with. Clicking the car open she watched from the window as Jake and Kav manhandled Will into the front seat and strapped him in. Jake turned away, waving his hand in front of his nose. He came back into the house.

‘Keep the windows down because you’re likely to get drunk off the fumes radiating from him. He stinks like a brewery.’

‘Thanks, Jake.’

She grabbed Alfie’s changing bag and carried him to the car. Kav, who had been watching Will to make sure he didn’t vomit and choke on his own sick, stepped back. He took the changing bag from her and opened the door so she could put Alfie into his car seat. When she’d strapped him in he shut the door.

‘Would you like me to follow you and help you get him to bed?’

‘No, thanks; anyway, you’ve had a drink. If I can’t get him out of the car I’ll chuck a duvet over him until he’s slept it off.’

‘If you’re sure?’

She nodded and he bent down to kiss her cheek.

‘Don’t be too hard on him. Sometimes a man’s got to blow off a bit of steam and he’s been guilt-tripping over Stu since the night it happened. Maybe now he’ll be able to put it to one side and stop beating himself up over it.’

‘I’m not mad with him; I know he blames himself. Christ, I blame myself. I’m just shocked to see him dressed in his Sunday best and drunk as a skunk in such a short space of time. Thanks, Kav.’

He walked away and went back inside Jake’s house. Jake and Cathy waved her off, Jake mouthing ‘You know where I am if you need me’.

She nodded and lifted her hand to wave goodbye.

She looked at her husband. ‘Will, if you’re going to be sick, make sure you let me know so I can pull over.’