‘One of the first things I promised to do when our party got back into power was to obliterate the illegal drugs trade in Albion, particularly sales of Prop, from the top down. No more county lines and using children to run the stuff up and down the country, no more corrupt cops inflating their bank accounts by looking the other way, no more bosses like Owen and Eva raking in a fortune over the broken lives and bodies of their victims.’

‘I thought that was just smoke and mirrors to get you elected,’ said Jon.

‘It was a manifesto promise and I intend to make good on it,’ I replied. ‘Eva and Owen have the market for Prop pretty much sewn up between them, but not for much longer. Not if I have anything to do with it. Are you prepared to help me or not?’

‘Give me an hour.’

And, with that, Jon disconnected our call.

Rude.

He had the upper hand right now because I needed him, and we both knew it, but once I had Liberty home safe and sound then Jon and I were going to have a full and extremely frank exchange of views.

twenty-eight. Troy

Digging was painful, not to mention tedious, and our progress was slow to non-existent. I was beginning to wonder if I’d actually already died and this was some kind of purgatory where I’d only get to heaven once I’d dug my way out of this frickin’ basement, but it would take several millennia to do so.

We’d been digging in silence for a while when Libby hit me with an unexpected question. ‘Troy, which girl or guy in our year would you ask out on a date?’

Eyes wide with dismay, I stared at her. She chuckled. ‘And you have to answer truthfully. No lies in this basement. That way we can both build a shared stairway to heaven.’

Face burning, I admitted, ‘I … er … well … I quite like Meshella—’

‘Meshella Musenga? Are you kidding me? She’s a total bitch. Believe me, you can do better.’ Libby looked me up and down. ‘You need to raise your standards.’

‘So who would you pick out for me then?’ I asked, annoyed.

‘Hmm. How about Ramona?’

‘I don’t think so. Besides, Zane has his eye on her so she’s off limits.’

‘Terri?’

‘The one who’s always going on about her latest fashion this and her exclusive fashion that? I’ll pass.’

‘Have you ever been on a date with anyone from our school?’ asked Libby.

Cheeks on fire, I shook my head. ‘I’ve asked out a couple of girls over the last year, but they both said no.’

‘Are they stupid or what?’ Libby frowned.

I grinned. ‘Thanks for the compliment!’

Bright red now crept across Libby’s cheeks as she realized what she’d just said. ‘Don’t get all puffed up. Why did they say no?’