The doors of The Jockey banged open as Kevin and Veronica stormed in, faces thunderous. Behind them, Kodi trailed, muttering a stream of colourful curses under her breath, her fists clenched so tight her knuckles were white.
“That absolute tosser!” Kevin barked, slamming both hands flat on the bar so hard the glasses rattled. “Who the fuck does he think he is, talkin’ to us like that?”
“Guessin’ that meeting went well, then?” Fiona called from her stool, raising a brow and sipping her pint.
“Well?” Kevin scoffed. “I nearly put me fist through his skull, that’s how well it went! Sittin’ there tellin’ us we ain’t doin’ enough for her. Us!”
Veronica shook her head, still fuming. “Said if Kodi don’t get her act together sharpish, she’ll be out. Expelled. Like it’s all our bloody fault!”
“Bloody hell,” Fiona muttered, her jaw dropping. She and Vee exchanged a worried look, their eyes flicking to Kodi — who was busy behind the bar, pulling pints like she hadn’t heard a word.
“Cheers, love,” Fiona and Veronica chimed as Kodi set drinks in front of them. She gave them a tight little smile, still seething, and ducked back to the counter.
As she passed, she caught Steve’s voice floating over from the corner. “So, how long you been shaggin’ Karen then?” he asked, teasing.
“I dunno what you’re on about,” came Frank’s greasy laugh. “Not touchin’ that with a barge pole.”
Kodi froze. Her blood ran stone cold. Karen? Karen? With bloody Frank?
She turned slowly, fury boiling in her chest. The room fell away as she strode toward him, each step heavier than the last.
Before Frank could even look up, she grabbed him by the collar and slammed him back against the wall, the thud echoing through the pub.
“Oi! What the fu—”
SMACK. Her palm cracked hard across his face.
“You sick, dirty fuck!” she shouted, her eyes blazing, shoving him back against the wall again.
“Oi! Get off me!” Frank yelped, scrabbling uselessly at her hands.
“You think you can touch her, yeah? You think you can touch him’s girl an’ walk away?!” she hissed, practically spitting in his face.
Kevin and Steve jumped in, trying to pry her off.
“Kodi! Leave it!” Kevin barked, hooking an arm round her waist. “That’s enough now, come on!”
But she still had him by the shirt, pulling him forward, teeth bared. “I’ll fucking kill you, you filthy—”
“Kodi!” Kevin growled, dragging her back properly this time. She let go with one last shove, sending Frank stumbling.
She spun on her heel and stormed out, the door banging shut behind her.
Fiona glared at Frank, arms folded. “You gonna tell me what that was about?” she asked coolly.
Frank straightened his jacket, rubbing his jaw with a wince. “Dunno what her problem is,” he muttered. “Little psycho, she is. Came at me for no bloody reason!”
Kevin and Veronica exchanged a look. “Shall we…?” Vee started.
Kevin shook his head firmly, letting out a heavy sigh. “Not yet. Let her walk it off. She’s like a bloody hurricane when she’s wound up. Best leave her to it.”
Vee nodded reluctantly, still glancing toward the door.
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Out on the streets…
Kodi stomped through the streets, fists stuffed in her jacket pockets, head down, her breath coming in sharp little clouds.
Her mind was racing. Karen. And Frank. Karen and bloody Frank Gallagher.
Her stomach turned just thinking about it. She’s doin’ that to Lip. To my Lip.
No.
No way was she lettin’ that slide. Nobody — nobody — hurt Phillip Gallagher and got away with it. Not while Kodi Ball was breathing.
Her lips curled into a dangerous little smile as she lit up a cigarette and exhaled slowly into the night air.
