BLOOD SISTER

Prologue

2003

Jen picked up a fearsome-looking bread knife and turned to face her sister, who stood behind her. She shook with fury.

"This is your fault," she spat.

"It's all your fault. It was your bloody fault in the first place and now ... now ..." Her voices broke with emotion , "And now they've taken my kids. You're a bum and a crim, Tiffany; you always have been, and i must've been of my nut to think of listening to you. Now get out of my fucking way."

She slipped the bread knife into her belt and put a smaller one in her handbag.

Tiffany moved closer to her "No one's been taken. It's a-" Jen pulled the knife back out of her belt so quickly her younger sister didn't see it until it was waving like a sword in her face. "So where are they? Where are my girls? Answer me that."

"Let's give mum a ring."

On what? Two tins with a bit of string?" It was true, their mum didn't own a mobile. In fact their
mum thought a landline was a bit racy.

Tiffany was terrified. She'd never seen Jen like this before. "She's probably taken them up Vicky park or something, or down the Roman,you know please Jen, put the knife-"

Slap. Tiffany reeled from from the impact of her sister's open palm against her cheek. Pain and shock stung her dace.

"Victoria park or Roman road Market with all that's going in? You stupid bitch."

A raging Jen left the kitchen and headed to the toilet. Moments later Tiffany heard the chain being pulled and Jen emerged with a glint in her eye,  heading for the front door.

"Oi, where are you going?" Tiffany followed her sister, her pl rubbing her reddening cheek.

"To get my children. I know where they are."

Tiffany's stomach churned as she realised what Jen was planning on doing. "You can't go up there, if that's what you're thinking. Those people are killers; you'll come out in a box. The girls aren't gone.Look, if you're worried, talk to the cops."Talk to the Bill?" Her sister didn't stop manic pace as she headed downstairs. "Why? What are they going to do? Those people you've called killers have probably got the police in their payroll."

The two women emerged from the damp, dark, piss-stained stairwell into the cool daylight. Jen pulled her car keys from her bag and got into her motor with grim determination unable to think of what else to do Tiffany quickly slipped into the front seat beside her."Please, think about what you're doing."

"Get out"

"No chance."

"Please yourself"

Jen turned on the ignition the car lurched backwards before shunting forwards again, heading off towards the Mile End Road. When they reached the junction, she didn't hesitate but put her hand on the horn and pulled out in front of the oncoming traffic. Cars braked and swerved to avoid her before sounding their own horns in response to her honking. Jen ignored them,attempting to nose in front of any vehicle in her way, flashing her lights and shouting abuse as required.

Tiffany realised that her sister meant it. She had an hour, maybe more, maybe less, to come up with a plan . Otherwise ... She looked at her sister's grim face and the tight icy grip she had on the wheel. There was no doubt about it. Someone was going to get killed.