Chapters (48)
- Cover
- THEFEUD
- Dedication
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- PROLOGUE
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
‘No one knows where Dad is. He was meant to be here hours ago and he ain’t showed. I’ve rung Reg and he ain’t heard a dickie bird from him. I wondered if he’d rung you.’
Eddie felt his pulse quicken. His dad was Mr Reliable and he instinctively knew that something was wrong. ‘He ain’t rung me. Maybe he’s still over at Mum’s grave. What time was he due at yours? Have you been round to the house?’
‘He said he’d be here by twelve. I sent Sharon round there at two, but she said there was no answer. I’ve rung the Flag, but he’s not in there. I ain’t got a key to his house. Joan’s got one, but she’s away.’
‘I’ve got a key,’ Eddie said immediately. ‘I’ll leave now. Can you meet me there?’
‘Course. Shall I bring Ronny as well?’
‘No, just bring yourself. I’ll be about twenty minutes, if I put me foot down.’
Replacing the receiver, Eddie noticed that his hands were unsteady. ‘Please God don’t make him have had a stroke or heart attack or something,’ he mumbled to himself.
Poking his head around the dining-room door, Eddie urged Jessica to come outside.
‘Whatever’s the matter?’ she asked concerned.
‘It’s me dad. He ain’t turned up round Paulie’s for dinner. It ain’t like him. I reckon he might have had an accident or a funny turn indoors. I’ve got a spare key, I’m gonna shoot round, make sure he’s OK.’
Jessica nodded understandingly. ‘I’ll warm your dinner up for you when you get back. Will you be OK? Do you want me to come with you?’
Eddie shook his head. ‘I’ve got me mobile. I’ll call you when I’ve found out what’s happened.’
Jessica was worried as she heard Ed’s Land Cruiser zoom away. Eddie was very close to his dad and it would be awful for him if he’d fallen seriously ill on Christmas day.
‘What’s up?’ her mother asked, as she walked back in the room.
‘Nothing. Ed’s just had to pop out for a bit.’ Jessica said awkwardly. She didn’t want to spoil everybody’s day and there might be no reason to panic yet.
Frankie glared at her mother. ‘Well, you must know where Dad’s gone. It must be important or he wouldn’t have left his dinner.’
Jessica pushed her plate away. Suddenly, she didn’t feel hungry any more. ‘He’s popped round your grandad’s. Apparently, Grandad was meant to go to your Uncle Paulie’s for dinner, but he never turned up.’
Frankie shrugged. ‘Knowing Grandad, he’s probably out on the lash with his mates and Dad’s had a wasted journey,’ she said.