The Amen Cadence Read Online Free

being judged, and not favourably. The streets were Monday night quiet, but Pepper still didn’t notice her phone ringing, until the volume was loud enough to wake people in the houses she was passing.
    ‘Shhhh’, she said to no-one, reaching into her bag. ‘Hello, it’s Pepper.’
    ‘Pepper, it’s me, Linda.’
    ‘How are you, love?’ Normally Pepper would have been cross, because Linda Taylor was a former informant who’d left her abusive husband and informed on Dai Young’s operation, and was supposed to be starting a new life somewhere else. Pepper didn’t know where, and she didn’t want to.
    ‘Have you been drinking, love?’ said Linda. ‘It’s Monday night.’
    ‘I’m on late turn tomorrow. Don’t have a go at me, love. I’ve got to face Alice in a minute.’
    ‘Alice? Who’s she? Listen, love, are you sober enough to concentrate?’
    ‘I’m as sober as a judge. More sober than quite a few of the old bastards, truth be told. What can I do for you, love?’
    ‘I’ve been spotted, love. Dai Young knows where I am, I’m bloody sure of it.’
     
    It took a moment, just one sharp intake of cool night air, and then Pepper was sober. She felt as if she’d been slapped in the face. When she spoke again she sounded almost exactly like a cop.
    ‘What makes you think that, love?’
    ‘I’ve seen Vince Boyle.’
    ‘Are you sure?’
    ‘Aye, pretty certain. Standing at the bus stop, just down from where I’m living. I was coming back from the shops in a cab and I saw him, just sitting on the bench there, like.’
    ‘Is he there now?’
    ‘No. I’ve not seen him again.’
    ‘And has anything else odd happened?’
    ‘Like what?’
    ‘Like anything. Anyone hanging around, say?’
    ‘No, not really.’
     
    Pepper was right outside her own house now. She needed to get off the phone before Alice spotted her.
    ‘All right. Now I’m going to ask you a question, and I need you to be completely honest with me, OK?’
    ‘Aye, OK.’
    ‘Have you told anyone from up here where you are? Anyone at all?’
    ‘No, honest I haven’t. It’s been hard, like, not talking to my mum, but I haven’t.’
    ‘And you’ve been off all the social media, email, everything like that?’
    ‘Aye, of course. You can check if you like.’
    ‘Then you’re all right, love, I’m sure of that. Vince is a right ugly bastard, I’ll give you that, but there are bloody thousands of ugly blokes around, aren’t there? I’m sure you’ve got nowt to worry about. But still, you’re doing the right thing, keeping an eye out.’
    ‘Well….’
    ‘And if you’ve got real concerns, then move again. I’m just sorry I can’t help you anymore, but I’ve got no more cash to give you.’
    ‘Move again? Do you know what you’re bloody saying, Pepper? It took me weeks to do what your mate told me, and get myself a new National Insurance number, and all that shit. The kids are just starting to get a bit settled, although Nathan’s still wetting the bed every single bloody night. I can’t go through all this again, love, I just can’t. I’m all on my own down here.’
    ‘I know, and it’s got to be really hard for you. But think about the alternative, being back up here with Tommy. Things will get better for you love, I promise. Now, get some rest, OK? You sound tired.’
    ‘I am, aye. I miss you, Pepper. I wish it’d been us out on the lash tonight. You know, like the old days.’
    ‘Aye, good times. And I miss you too, love. But I’d better go, before Alice comes outside and tells me that I’m being grounded for a week, because of all the bloody noise I’m making out here.’

Tuesday, 16th June, 4.46am
    Cumberland Royal Infirmary
     
     
    When Davey Hood opened his eyes it took him a moment to realise where he was. It was the smell he noticed first, then the muggy heat, followed by the sound of a machine, beeping steadily. He tried to move, but his back ached, a sharp pain that he’d never felt before. He