Frozen(16)

The kid had Justin by the bollocks.

"Okay, fine, you little shite - but not a word to your ma about the snacks, dishes, or the not bad word I said, okay?"

Dustin grinned from ear to ear. "What word, Da?"

He turned and ran out of the room then.

"Hey, rude kid! Say hello to Neala!"

I heard Dustin's feet as he pattered up the stairs at lightening speed.

"Heya, Auntie Neala. Bye, Auntie Neala."

I laughed, "Hello and goodbye to you too, Dusty!"

I looked to Justin who was grumbling under his breath as he sat on the recliner chair facing me.

"You can't be mad, he isn't doing anything you weren't doing at his age."

Justin snorted. "You weren't alive when I was his age."

I rolled my eyes. "Give it a rest. You've got seven years on me, Wise One, not seventy."

Justin grinned then nodded his head at the living room doorway.

"Can you believe he is turning seven in July?"

I shook my head. "Nope, it's like yesterday he was born."

Justin smiled as he thought about that fond memory. "The kid is too smart for a six year old. I wasn't as advanced as him when I was his age, nor was I that much of a hustler."

I cackled, "He's picked up some new tricks, that's for sure."

Justin scoffed, "All at me own expense."

"Would you have him any other way?" I asked, smiling.

Justin looked at me and smiled. "No."

"That's what I thought," I snickered then said, "I still can't believe you wouldn't give on his name. Justin and Dustin is confusing to me sometimes."

"I wanted him called after me, but his ma wasn't having it so Dustin was a close second."

Justin smiled then stared at me until I squirmed.

"Stop staring at me, you're freaking me out."

Justin simply laughed at me.

I moved away from the radiator now that I had feeling back in most parts of my body. I took off my wellie boots and other winter layers, leaving them by the radiator to dry then I sat across from Justin and rubbed my arms with my hands.

"This winter is horrible."

Justin nodded his head in agreement. "It's going to get even worse, too."

God, I hoped not.

I leaned my head back against the chair. "Where's your baby mama?"

Justin pulled a face at me. "Sarah is working."

I snapped my fingers. "Right, you mentioned that on the phone. How's work going for her?"

Justin shrugged. "It's going as well as can be down the pub. She and Jess have pretty much the same shifts so they have a bit of craic together."

"Good, glad to hear it."

Justin grinned. "Spit it out."

I smiled knowingly, nothing got past Justin.

"Spit what out?"

"Why are you really here, kid? I know it's not to shoot the shit and rag on petty little things so say whatever it is about Darcy that you need to say," Justin said, a warm smile on his face.

Time to get down to business.

I trained my gaze on him. "I'm here to enlist you into me army."

"Steady on, Lara Croft," Justin laughed.

I hissed, "I'm serious. I need you on me side in order to win this war."

Justin dropped his smile, and stared at me in horror. "War? Army? Who the hell are you fighting, Neala?"

"Darcy and Sean," I spat out their names. "Apart, I can handle them but together they form one working brain and can anticipate me every move. I need help to defeat them. Your help."

Justin blinked. "I don't like the vibe off you right now, you sound, and look... murderous."

I evilly grinned. "I am, and your brother is one of two on me hit list."

Justin screeched, "Fucking hell, will you blink already? You're scaring me, Neala!"

I snorted and batted my eyelashes.

"Better?" I sarcastically asked.

"No," Justin huffed. "You looked like that chick out of-"

"I don't care who or what I look like, Justin," I cut him off. "I really need your help, your stupid little brother has crossed a line with me, and I intend to make the bastard pay."

Justin sat forward and scrubbed his face with both of his hands.

"Tell me," he sighed. "What exactly has Darcy done to upset you so much?"

I swallowed down my rage, and reminded myself Justin wasn't the person who I was angry with.

"He stole a doll from me."

Justin raised an eyebrow and muttered, "A doll?"

I nodded my head. "Long story short we both fought for the same doll in Smyths yesterday. He wanted it for Dustin, and I wanted it for Charli. I won it fair and square." He didn't need to know that was a lie. "But that wasn't enough for Darcy. He came into me home pretending that he wanted us to be friends, and when me back was turned he stole the doll right out from underneath me nose. Who does that? That is me niece's Christmas present and he just took it! I knew better than to believe him, but Sean vouched for him so I had no reason to doubt him, you know?"