Page 11 of The Midnight Bakery
William let go, ignoring the jibe. None of these men were worth losing his job over. But he waited until he was sure they had cooled off before moving away. He was well aware, however, that Stuart’s gaze had moved with him, and he was now regarding William intently. His message was clear. These men were his, and therefore untouchable. If William had any doubts about Stuart before, then this little encounter had caused them to multiply rapidly.
The thing about people like Stuart was that they considered themselves invincible. It probably never occurred to him that William might talk to their boss if he had any concerns, at least not until William mentioned the possibility. Now William was even more determined to follow it up. If he was to make any difference at all, he had to give it a try. He’d never forgive himself if he didn’t.
10
Tam
‘Hello, Tam.’
Tam stared at the neatly dressed man blocking his path. Too neat. The Chris Tam knew of old never ventured sartorially past jeans and a tee shirt. Now he looked as if he might have on his best suit for a court appearance. Not that Tam gave a damn, not any more.
‘It’s good to see you,’ he added. ‘You’re looking well.’
Tam refused to be drawn, remaining silent. Chris wouldn’t have failed to clock the length of his hair. He used to tease Tam about it, about its ginger colour, but also how it grew ever more curly the longer it got. Now it was far beyond what Tam used to tolerate. He surreptitiously pulled his coat together a little more. If Chris’s memory was any good, he’d also realise that Tam was still wearing his favourite shirt, only instead of crisp and well laundered, it was now a little rumpled, with a slight fraying to one cuff.
Chris tried again. ‘No, really, you look better than you did the last time I saw you. Things must be on the up.’
They weren’t, not really; Tam had just got better at looking after himself with no money to speak of, but he was damned if he’d reward Chris with a response. He checked his watch. ‘I have a job I’m going to be late for,’ he said.
‘Good…that’s good.’ Chris paused, as if weighing something up. ‘I was hoping to catch you,’ he continued, opening his jacket to fish inside. ‘I have some more post for you. Sorry, some of it might be a couple of weeks old, I haven’t seen you and—’ He stopped to pull out some letters from an inside pocket.
Tam’s gaze was cool as he looked at the envelopes Chris handed to him. ‘I don’t suppose there was anything important. Thanks anyway.’ He moved to walk on by, but Chris stepped sideways, blocking his path.
‘Look, I know you don’t believe me, but I do feel bad about what happened. I feel awful, actually. But it happened and, well, you handled it the way you felt was right, while I?—’
‘Walked away abdicating all responsibility.’
‘I chose a different way,’ corrected Chris. At least he tried to. He would never convince Tam his way was better. ‘And it’s taken me until now to really find my feet again. Which is why I’ve come to see you.’ He gestured at a pinstriped leg. ‘I’ve just come from the bank.’
Tam supposed his interest was meant to be well and truly piqued, but there was nothing Chris could say to him that would have him wanting to hear more. He stared down the street. A tabby cat was sitting on a wall cleaning itself, one leg stuck in the air at an absurd angle. He watched for a moment, smiling gently before turning his attention back to Chris, the smile instantly falling from his face.
‘What do you want?’ he asked.
‘Nothing, I just…So, no permanent address yet then?’
‘I’d have told you if I had.’
‘Yeah, right, course.’ Chris picked at the edge of his nostril, before rubbing his nose. ‘Only it’s been a while and…not that I mind bringing your post but?—’
‘I should hope not, given that it’s entirely your fault I’m homeless in the first place.’
‘Mate, are you ever going to let up about that?’
Tam glared at him. ‘Really? You’re really asking me that question?’
Chris looked away. ‘Okay, okay, I get it. But look, I’m asking because I might have a proposition for you. Something which could solve your…problem.’
‘My problem? Assuage your guilt, more like.’ He swallowed, trying to tamp down his anger. ‘How can I make it any clearer, Chris? I want nothing to do with you, or anypropositionsyou may have. I did that once before, remember? I should have thought allowing me to use your address for mail would be the least you could do, but if it’s a problem I’ll be happy to make other arrangements.’
‘It’s no biggie,’ replied Chris with a steady gaze. ‘But don’t forget that without our little arrangement your employer might not have given you a job in the first place, or be quite so happy to keep you on.’
Tam was finding it increasingly hard to keep his anger in check. ‘You’re actually threatening me with blackmail now?’ He shook his head. ‘You know, I used to think you were a decent bloke, but with every word that comes out of your mouth you prove to me how wrong I was. I don’t even know why I’m still standing here. Excuse me, I have things to do.’ He shoved at Chris’s arm and pushed past.
‘At least listen to what I have to say,’ Chris argued, catching hold of Tam. ‘I came to offer you a job. I’m going into business again…not quite the same kind of thing as before, just a shop this time, but I’ve got the details sorted out, my eye on theperfect premises and now I’ve been to the bank the finance is ready to go too.’
Tam gave him a long look. ‘Yeah…I wondered why the suit, but you know, Chris, wild horses and all that.’
Chris pulled in his neck by several centimetres. ‘It’s a good job…better than the rubbish one you’ve got at the moment.’ A vein was beating at the side of his wide forehead. ‘But if you’re not interested then…Look, mate, what happened was ages ago now, and I’m in a position to make it up to you. So don’t go getting all snarky on me until you hear what I’m offering.’
