Cara’s eyes twinkled. “I rued the day she met mine. She did want to tear my dad a new asshole, and it was quite mutual.”
“Your parents are part of the establishment, I take it?”
“Super well off, yeah. Contract lawyers, got their own firm.” She pouted. “Wanted me to be one too.”
“And you didn’t?”
She grinned. “Hell no. Wanted to be a dancer. Teach kids ballet now, so I guess their investment in my extra-curricular activities paid off, just not how they’d like.”
“They not so happy with your career choice?”
She took her vodka, stirring it with a neon pink straw. She was cute, really bloody cute, tapping her foot against her stool as she smiled at my question. “A lot happier than they’d be if they knew what other dance I specialise in.”
I smiled. “My parents hate what I do. They think it’s a pointless shitty job with no prospects.”
She patted my shoulder in sisterly solidarity. “Nothing like being the family disappointment, hey? Wouldn’t change it, though. Life’s about following the heart, right? Even if it does tempt us freaks to the dirty bad wrong side.”
I raised my glass, heart already calling loud and clear. Calling after the dirty bad savage on the balcony outside.
“I’ll fucking drink to that.”
***
Callum
I’d never seen a woman like Raven before. She walked like she knew she belonged in this world, like she had a place, a purpose. Never seen much of that round East Veil. Everyone round there’s always scraping in the dirt, head low, looking for the next deal to scam. Not Raven, she was different.
She led us out to the balcony. It was empty; just a glorified roof terrace with a view over nothing but an empty yard. Outside wasn’t nearly so posh as the inside, with its fancy lights, and its fancy seats and its fancy strange people. Raven gave me a cigarette, it was black, out of a bright gold box, nothing like you get down the off-license. I said my thanks and lit up with her, staring at the way her mouth moved. Her eyes were on me, taking me all in, but there wasn’t anything judgey about it, no challenge.
“How long you been painting, kid?”
My mouth was moving before I even noticed. “Long time. Met this guy, Jimmy, when I was a littlun. He used to paint, on the street. Loved his stuff, would follow him everywhere, watching. Was probably a pain in the pissing arse.” I grinned. “Let me have a go once and that was it, like. Fucking hooked.”
“Nothing like the zone, is there? Finding your groove and letting the muse steal you away.”
“Only thing that makes me feel right.” I looked away, feeling stupid. Like I’d said too much.
She took a step closer. “I get it, kid. Art was my only thing too, for a long time. Only thing that felt like it had soul. World was so bloody dark, but it didn’t matter, not with a paintbrush in my hand. It was like bleeding my pain onto the canvas, you know? A purge.”
My heart started pumping, mouth clammy. “Yeah. Just like that.”
“You have a gift. You see what other people don’t, the rhythm behind the grey, the colour in the dark. You take what’s in here.” She put her finger on my heart. “And you put it out there, for the world. Your mark in time. The stamp of your soul. That’s why you’re here.”
“People say it’s mindless shit. Scrub it off as soon as they get to it.”
“People are ignorant fucks. Gotta find your own kind, baby, or you’re a ship lost at sea.”
“Mainly found arseholes and backstabbers and liars so far. Well, and my dog, Casey.”
“You’ve been looking in the wrong place, kid. I know East Veil. Well, I know places like it. Grew up in Croydon, the Kenny Estate. Heard of it?”
I had heard of it, gangland central. Ain’t even the Stoneys that’d venture round that place. “Aye. Heard enough.”
“Not the best environment for a lonely teenage freak who didn’t know her place in the world. Had some scuffles, but I came out the other side.”
“How?” I knew I was staring, but I couldn’t stop. Most people flinch when I stare like that, look away, but not Raven. She stared me right back.
“Lucky break. Got involved in youth art, met a guy with a gallery in the city, he liked my stuff. Coached me on, gave me a leg up and I never looked back.” She took a long drag, and blew out a perfect smoke ring. “I met my girlfriend, Jaz, a few years later and she got me into the tattooing. Another lucky break. Still friends now, owe her a lot.”
“I ain’t never been lucky. Could jump into a well of gold and come up holding some other fucker’s shit.”