Walk on the Wild Side

Chapter 13: This is Family Business

>< Ciara ><

The day of our father's arrival loomed over us like a dark storm cloud and the atmosphere between the three of us was not dissimilar to the calm before the storm. He was to arrive on Open Night that Monday- when parents and visitors were invited to tour the school and parents were given the opportunity to speak to the teachers about their child's progress.

It was Sunday and I was going to Marshall to finish a deal with Charlie who was still isolated for being caught with Peyton in the stables high and somewhat drunk apparently. He was also quarantined due to his broken leg which came as a result of falling out of the stables. I ended up outside of his window,

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your money." I called up to his room and his window opened a couple of seconds later. Charlie's head appeared through the frame and at the sight of me he sighed in relief.

"Oh you're finally here!" He grinned,

"Well, unlike you I've had stuff to do all day so I couldn't be at your beck and call." I retorted.

"Have you got what I asked for?" He asked looking around the area warily, watching out for any teachers or some snitch. I produced a pouch of weed from my back pocket, the sight of which made him clap excitedly. He disappeared back into his room. A few moments later, a sock was thrown out of his window attached to a string. It was a Kingston sports sock- blue with a gold band. I looked up at him like he was crazy.

"Put your hand in it!" He winked and after giving him a disgusted look, slowly put my hand inside the sock and found a wad of notes. I counted them out - £180. I returned my eyes to him to see him holding up two fingers with his spare hand. I stuffed the money into my jacket pocket, produced two pouches and shoved them into the sock. It was promptly lifted back up to its owner. "Good business!" He called and vanished once again.

I huffed at his bluntness and began the walk back to Carrow. In boredom I scrolled through Kingston Con: something about Fenella breaking up with Noah, which surprised me when I thought they were always pretty happy together. Just as I was about to put it away another update came through:

'Even more late arrival, staff and students~ seems like they're letting anybody in this year *sigh*' Attached beneath the caption was a picture of five men; three of whom wore the uniform and the other two left wearing fresh suits. All five of them were incredibly attractive and vaguely familiar. The way their suits and blazers were tight over their muscles and the rugged, aged look to their faces as they entered the school.

"Oi, Ciara, get your arse up here now!" Branna's voice suddenly yelled from above me and I saw her hanging out of our bedroom window. I stood still for a moment, certain that she was going to fall. "What are you gawking at- hurry up!" She jogged me on and I sprung into action running through Carrow and into our dorm.

I noticed in relief that Rowan wasn't present but Branna and Alanna were huddled over something I couldn't see. I joined them at my bed and saw that they too were looking at the Kingston Con page.

"What is this?" I said in a soft voice,

"Back-up." Branna answered and I snapped my head up to her.

"Dad sent them." Alanna explained, "They're from various factions of the gang back home. He figured with the threat of the gang down in Coventry that we will need all the help we can get." I scoffed at her words and threw my hands up in derision.

There was nothing else to say on the matter. I was sure that Dad would explain when he arrived. But until then, yet another weight had been added to our shoulders.