The Jade Garden (The Barrington Patch Book 2) Emmy Ellis (top books of all time .TXT) đ
- Author: Emmy Ellis
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Doreen smirked. You wonât be around to tell her owt.
âI need to get a few things off my chest before we go and stab her,â Karen said.
Doreen grabbed her bag and took her work smartphone out. âTwo secs. I just need to remind Harry to lock my door when he leavesâbrain like a sieve, he has. Heâs had his dinner, said heâd watch the telly for a bit, then go to his place, but he hasnât messaged to let me know heâs gone.â She prodded at the screen as if typing, laid the phone on top of the things in her bag, and placed it on the floor, the zip undone. âAll sorted.â
She settled back ready to listen to Karen waffling on, her anger at being âshoved asideâ by Lenny the opening gambit of her rant.
âSo, as you know, me and Sharon, we ruled here first. I mean, we were good at it, remember? Sorted out any neighbour disputes and whatnot, had everyone scared of us, even if the threat was just a punch on the fucking nose.â Karen sighed. âThen along comes Lennyâhe sat right where you are now, except it was an old chair back thenâand told me heâd be taking over, a structure would be in place, and Iâd soon see how running an estate went. Properly, heâd said, emphasised it, like. Got right on my nellies, I can tell you. If he hadnât asked me to run The Life and offered payment to be a grass, Iâd have fought him all the way.â
What a load of horseshit. I bet her eyes lit up at the mention of money, the greedy cow.
âMust have felt like a right old stab in the back,â Doreen said.
âIt was. Of course, Sharon took it lying down. Didnât utter a word of complaint. Always has been a pushover deep down.â
Someone easy to manipulate, you mean.
A jab of guilt thumped Doreenâs stomach at how Sharon had struggled sometimes, despite Lenny paying her wages and her getting extra from being a cashier at Kwik Save, her kids going through the money as fast as you like. She could have done with financial support from Martin, and because of Doreen, that avenue had been closed. Sheâd always felt bad about it, but like Francis had said, he wasnât exactly the type to pay up anyroad. Sharon would still have struggled if the man had lived, and hadnât Doreen herself swum in skint waters, her old man pissing off without a by your leave, and sheâd managed? Sheâd been shocked heâd left her at first but glad after. He had the makings of a tyrant, much like Martin Barnett.
âWell,â Karen said, âstab in the back or not, I thought it best I did what he wanted. You know what he was like. If Iâd said no, heâd have sent someone round to beat the crap out of me until I said yes. So I told myself, I said, âKaren, you bide your time, love, do what he wants, and one day you can take it back.â I did that, then he mentioned his heart being dodgy, and I thought: Yeah, good things do come to those who wait. But he announced Cassie was taking over once he carked it and I must do whatever she said. Sorry, but taking orders from some kid? Not likely.â
âIt must be difficult, having what was yours snatched away like that, and I know what you mean about Cassie. Sheâs a tough nut, that one. Listen, so Iâve got this straight in my headâI never did like not knowing things, it messes with my chi or whatever itâs calledâwill we be discussing suffocating Francis in a couple of days? I mean, we need to get that side of this sorted anâ all.â
âYeah. Weâll get Cassie impaled then chat about her mother in a few days. Of course, weâll visit Francis before that, offer our condolences and whatever, get her thinking we careâwhich we donât, but thatâs by the by.â
âOkay. How are you going to get the estate back after that, though?â
Karen grinned. âI had one of them epiphany things. Before we shove a pillow over Francisâ face, we get her to write a note saying she canât go on, all that rubbish, and sheâs leaving the estate to me and you.â
âIâm not sure I can run it.â Doreen stroked the chair arm. âItâs your baby, you should have it. I can offer advice if you want, but youâre the queen around here, always have been.â Did that sound wet?
Karen didnât seem to think so. âYeah, I am, arenât I.â She puffed up her chest. âSo, what do you think about the note?â
âItâs a good idea. No one will go against a Graftonâs word, even if theyâre all dead.â
They cackled, Doreenâs laughter sounding fake, but again, Karen seemed unaware. Cassie had told Doreen to say whatever she needed in order to get Karenâs feelings recorded, hence Doreen messing with her phone earlier. She only hoped the device picked everything up. Sheâd asked Cassie why she needed the proofâdidnât she trust her?âand sheâd said something telling.
âDad messed up, going for the wrong person, and I have, too. No way am I doing that again. So I want her saying what sheâs planned, and you can send it
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