Savage Night - Allan Guthrie [18]
"Didn't sound like it."
She was right, of course. Park was just trying to stay positive. Cause once he started going down that negative path, there was no going back.
Martin said, "Liz could stay with us. Be a bit cramped." He looked around the pokey sitting room. "But we could manage. For a while."
"Appreciate the thought, Martin," Park said. The lad kept surprising him, and in a good way. "But we couldn't manage. You're already overcrowded with just me staying."
"She could sleep on the settee with you," Martin said.
"You and Eff are getting married. Be having kids of your own before you know it." Park noticed Effie glance at Martin. "You won't want us around."
"But if there's no alternative," Martin said.
"There's always an alternative," Effie told him.
"Exactly," Park said. "I'll find her somewhere nice."
"Costs money, though, Dad."
"I know," he said.
"The kind of money that doesn't come legally."
"You've looked into it?" he said, quietly.
"Had to," she said. "When Mum first … became ill."
He didn't know that. The things he'd missed by being inside. "So how much are we talking about?"
"Won't get a lot of change out of thirty grand a year."
"Holy shit," he said. "I need a drink."
***
COUPLE OF WEEKS later and Park had knocked back more than a few. He shook the last drips from his penis and zipped up. Long time since he'd had a piss outside.
"Come on, Dad," Grant said.
Park hoped the lads didn't mind him taking a leak. No doubt they'd have done it too if they'd needed as badly. Although Effie'd said Martin was a bit shy. Maybe those two only did it with the lights out. He should ask sometime just to see Martin's face.
He'd thought at first that Martin was gay, the way he wore cravats all the time. That Effie was like his, whatever they called it … beard.
"Oops," Grant said, indicating something behind Park, with a nod.
Park turned. Ah. Bloke in a cap and vest, with handcuffs and CS spray accessories, no doubt been standing there getting a good eyeful of Park's own accessory. A gazer. And no shame about it either. If this was a public toilet, here was one cop who'd get done for cottaging, no question.
Grant was looking at Park. At the cop. Back at him. Trying not to laugh.
The cop said, eyes still on Park, "You need to go home."
Like bollocks he did. The night was young and he was conscious. Liz was free. He was looking forward to snuggling up with her later. But not now. It was far too early. "Fuck off," he said.
"'Scuse me?"
"You heard."
The cop eyed him up. Likely wondering if he needed to call for backup or if he could handle Park all on his own.
Probably could, too. Park's stomach felt full with all the drink. Maybe he could knock the cop's hat off and heave in it. Maybe he should ask first. Be polite, wouldn't it?
The twat was still standing there looking at him.
"What?" Park said.
"You just urinated in a doorway, pal."
Pal. Park hated being called somebody's pal when he clearly wasn't. Really got him steamed. Anyway, he did what he always did when he was accused of something: denied it. He said, "Not me, pal."
The prick sighed, like Park was the one being the prick, and said, "I saw you."
"No, you didn't."
The cop placed his hands on his hips, shook his head. He said to Grant and Martin, "You pair with him?"
Park said, "Leave them alone, you bully."
Grant said, "Dad. Shhh."
The tosser ignored Park. Spoke to Grant, "You need to get him home."
"Not going home," Park said. "Got more drinking to do."
"You don't."
"Do. Just said so. You should listen."
"You're drunk."
"Nope."
"You want me to take you down to the station?"
"Like to see you try."
See how brave he was now. Showing off, the cop was. Probably fancied Martin. Waving his authority about like it meant something when everybody knew it meant cock all. Policemen liked a bit of GBH but only on their own turf. Get them outside, quiet street like this, they didn't fancy their chances one on one. Or one on three if you counted Grant and Martin.
The black-capped wankbastard took a step closer. And another. Such