Rise and Fall (28 page)

“What’s this?” Tyler called to Jamie, as he ripped the wrapping on the final present he had to open; it was from his brother. Inside was a pair of navy-blue overalls and steel-toe-capped boots; they were not the clothes that Tyler would have chosen to wear.

“Well...” Jamie walked over to Tyler and grinned at his unimpressed face. “We’ve all been talking, and we think that you’ve got what it takes to train as a mechanic.” 

“So we want to offer you an apprenticeship at the garage,” Les chipped in. He had taken a shine to the boy, even though he was Jamie’s brother.

“How would you like to come and work for us on Saturdays? It won’t interfere with your school work, and we’ll put a bit of money in your pocket for all your hard graft,” Gary added.

“The only downfall is you’ll have to get used to Gavin’s smelly arse if you get stuck in the workshop with him,” Shay ribbed his friend.

“And if any of Shay’s ‘lady friends’ turn up, you’ll have to hide him in a cupboard until they’re gone.” Gavin laughed, although he was only half-joking. Shay nudged him. Gavin had done that twice for Shay in the past few years, unbeknown to Gary and Jamie. 

Tyler looked at them all smiling at him and Jamie waiting patiently, clearly hoping that he would say yes. 

“I can’t...” he said, sadly, dropping his head. 

Louise exchanged a confused look with Jamie. She had been sure Tyler would go for it, when Jamie had suggested it to them all.

Then, raising his head and laughing loudly, Tyler quickly finished the sentence: “I can’t ...thank you enough. I’d love to!” Jumping up, Tyler gave Jamie a hug. Thirteen he may be, but on that one day he didn’t care how old he was as he cuddled his brother. 

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“Rotten to the Core”

Casey Kelleher

Billy O'Connell may have been just a boy when Den Shaw crossed him and his family, but the bad news for Den was; little boys eventually grow into men. 

A mutilated corpse turns up in a skip one morning, tortured and almost unrecognisable. Billy has bided his time, ten whole years of hurt, and now justice, as far as he is concerned, has finally been done. 

Jay Shaw only looks out for himself, His old man had taught him that much at least. When his father is found murdered Jay knows in his gut who is to blame, but nothing is ever proven. Billy may hate him with a vengeance but the feeling is most definitely mutual. Jay is as nasty and conniving as his father before him: They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and this one is Rotten to the Core.

Kate O’Connell is a decent girl considering the rough area that she has grown up in, and the fact that her brother Billy is so fiercely protective of her. How she has managed to keep her secret from him for so long she has no idea. She is pregnant and Jay is the father.

Caught up in the vicious feud she finds herself having to make a choice, between the man she loves and her fiercely protective brother. 

It’s a decision that could cost Kate her life.