Behind a Closed Door (The Estate, Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

he would get nowhere trying that technique today.
    Work shy hands pushed a white envelope into hers. ‘There’s five hundred quid. It’s to help out, while you’re on your own.’
    Kelly reached inside and pulled out a handful of twenty pound notes. All at once she realised that Scott even had a contingency plan. Just how big had that last job been?
    She slumped down on the settee. ‘Why weren’t you caught?’ she questioned Jay sharply.
    ‘Because I wasn’t there.’
    ‘Come off it. Wherever Scott was, you were never far behind. And your brothers had been on the job, too. You’ll be telling me it was your night off next.’
    ‘No. I –’
    ‘Don’t tell me that you weren’t involved – you went slinking off to the kitchen beforehand, to talk to him about the job .’
    ‘That’s not how it –’
    Kelly held up her hand to quieten him but Jay continued anyway. ‘I know you’re angry with me. You’re right, I couldn’t stop them. But –’  
    ‘I lost count of how many times I begged Scott to go straight but once a thief there’s always another better opportunity that’s a dead cert. At least we managed to spend Christmas together as a family.’
    ‘Three months is nothing, it’ll go by in a flash. Scott will be –’
    Jay knew he wouldn’t get through to her so he left the sentence hanging. She had every right to be angry with him. He hadn’t been able to stop them.  
    Jay wasn’t looking at her now, but Kelly still glared at him anyway. She was too angry to speak. It didn’t seem fair; two of his brothers and her partner were in jail and he was free to do as he pleased.
    ‘Is that all?’ she asked, when they’d been sitting without conversation for a while.
    Reluctantly, Jay got to his feet. ‘Suppose so.’ He turned back before reaching the door. ‘You can ring me anytime you need help. Don’t push me away.’
    Jay had penetrating eyes, the deepest of blue irises that would make the harshest of women fall under his spell in seconds. But they were wasted on Kelly. She stared back until he lowered his gaze.
    ‘I don’t want to ring you, I don’t want your help, and,’ she thrust the envelope roughly back into his hands, ‘I don’t want the money.’
    ‘Kelly, it’s dog eat dog out there. You’re going to need help, whether you like it or not.’ Jay held out the envelope until Kelly reluctantly took it from him again.
    ‘Give me a bell if you need me,’ he reiterated.
    Sinking down on the settee once he’d gone, Emily jumped up beside her mum and snuggled into her chest. She began to play with her hair.
    ‘I like Jay, Mummy,’ she stated. ‘Will he come again?’
    Kelly sighed. ‘I don’t know, Em, but we’ll cope on our own.’
    Content with this, Emily turned her attention back to the penguins.
    Kelly’s eyes glistened with tears as she realised how uncertain her future had become in the space of a few days. She knew the coming weeks would be tough but, despite what Jay thought, she could cope on her own until Scott was released. Well, she could as soon as she had the appointment with Josie Mellor out of the way.
     
    Josie had to admit to being pleasantly surprised at the immaculate condition of 41 Patrick Street as she looked around the upstairs rooms. It never failed to amaze her how some families on benefits did better for material things than she herself did with two full time wages coming in. Everything looked brand new: brown leather settees, a large widescreen television with built-in DVD recorder, modern wallpaper and curtains, the latest collection of vases, candles and picture frames. It would be tough for her to move out, never mind Kelly.
    ‘This looks lovely,’ she tried to jolly her up as they went from bedroom to bedroom. ‘And downstairs is equally as nice.’
    ‘I still can’t believe you have to check it at all.’ Kelly reached for Emily’s hand. ‘How can you live with yourself? I’ve been here for five years and I’ve never caused