Page 169 of The Black Trilogy

“The Blackwood Foundation is a charity founded by the same people who own Blackwood Security. It works with young people in London by getting them off the streets and into work or education, and making sure they have somewhere safe to live.”

Great. Another bunch of do-gooders wanting money.

Luke had been to those sorts of events a thousand times over, and quite frankly, his Xbox held more appeal.

How could he get out of this?

CHAPTER 12

“SO, IT’S A fundraiser?” Luke asked. “Can’t I just send a cheque?”

Rob shrugged. “Yes and no. There’s usually some sort of auction to raise money, but what they’re really after is your time. Blackwood’s always looking for mentors.”

“Mentors? What do you mean?”

“They don’t dish out free stuff to the kids. They teach them the skills they need to hold down a job and look after themselves. That’s what they want people to help with.”

Mark nodded his agreement. “You can say what you want about Emerson Black and her murderous tendencies, but she’s put a lot of effort into the Blackwood Foundation. Their work’s made a big difference to crime rates, especially in the East End. The number of rough sleepers is down too. I’ve heard Emerson even takes on some of the kids personally.”

“I take it you two have got involved, then?”

“I’m working with a sixteen-year-old lad at the moment,” Mark said. “We arrested him seven times last year for nicking cars, but now I’ve sat down and talked to him properly, I know he only did it because he needed the cash to survive.”

“I can’t believe there are kids living like that.”

“Too many of them. Blackwood found this kid somewhere to stay, and now he’s taking an automotive repair course at college. Getting good grades too.”

“How about you?” Luke asked Rob. “What have you been doing?”

“My kid lives on one of the big council estates with his mum, but she’s not all there. Dementia. Blackwood helped him to get the right care for her so he can go to college. When I caught up with him last week, he said the weight of the world’s been lifted from his shoulders.”

His kid? Rob had really been sucked in by this, hadn’t he? “So you can see you’re making a difference?”

“For sure, and that’s only two kids. There are hundreds more who need help.” The cheeky git caught the barmaid’s eye and held up three fingers. Of course, she smiled and nodded. “You should try it. Blackwood provides every mentor with training and backup. You never know—it might take your mind off Ash.”

Hmm, training? Perhaps that would give Luke some extra skills to handle Tia. He needed all the help he could get there. And although he hated to admit it, Rob and Mark were right. He did need something to occupy his newly created spare time now Ash wasn’t there to share it with him.

“Fine, I’ll come to the dinner thing, but I want to know more about this mentoring scheme before I commit to anything.”

“I’ll text you details of the place and time. It’s black tie.” Rob leaned over and poked Luke in the stomach. “If you can still fit into your tux after all the junk you’ve been eating, that is.”

“Thanks for being so sensitive, mate.”

Luke looked down then closed his eyes to block out the roll of fat hanging over his belt. Where had that come from?

A roar went up in the bar as Chelsea scored, and a group of blokes in blue team strips started doing a drunken dance in front of the bar. Luke surreptitiously switched to drinking water, suddenly concerned over whether he would in fact fit into his tux, or indeed any of his other suits. After all, the number of healthy meals he’d eaten over the past month was in single figures.

His diet started now.

With something to focus on, Luke found it easier to get out of bed in the mornings. He forced himself to use the gym before breakfast and ditched his beer and crisp habit in favour of protein shakes and salads. By the time Saturday came, he fitted into his tuxedo—just—and figured the trouser buttons would survive the evening as long as he didn’t breathe too much.

Mark had insisted they start with a beer to line their stomachs before an evening of “poncey wine,” and when Luke arrived at the pub across the road from the Black Diamond Hotel and Casino where the event was being held, Rob and Mark were already seated at a table. Chris, a doctor of something-or-other Luke had met a few times before, raised his hand in greeting.

“Got you a beer.”

“Cheers.” Luke took a sip to be polite, but he’d already promised himself he’d go easy on the alcohol tonight. He raised an eyebrow at Rob and Mark. “Why do you two look so glum?”

Chris grinned, while the perky pair glowered into their pints even more.

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