Behind Blue Eyes

Chapter 5

"...don't come back, unless you really have to," Darryl said. "I can't guarantee what will happen if you do."

Matthew glanced around. The two of them sat in the Three Bells pub in the pre-security area of London Heathrow's Terminal 3 and were attracting more than a few disapproving looks. Matthew had toned down his image during his university years. He still had a buzzed head but dressed more chav than skin; his final metamorphosis would only take place in the New World. Darryl was the polar opposite. His white-laced twenty-hole Doc's, and politically incorrect tattoos were meant to garner attention and perhaps to serve as a reminder to Matthew what awaited him if he did ignore his instructions and returned home.

"I don't intend to. The deal's done. Just don't let Clive..."

Darryl leaned across the table and gripped Matthew's hand. "I'll make sure your father toes the line. He's got more to lose than us, remember?"

Matthew nodded. "And the crew?"

"The twins are solid. As for the others, sorry to disappoint but in a couple of years you'll be all but forgotten."

"I won't forget."

Darryl pulled him to his feet, and the two of them hugged. Matthew struggled to hold back the tears. Darryl took a step back but maintained a grip on Matt's shoulders. "We were never going to agree on politics—I actually have more in common with your father and brother in that regard—but I've always trusted you and am proud of who you've become."

"You saved my life."

"Well, technically it was the twins. I just made sure you didn't feel the need to do anything stupid like that again. You had different talents than the twins but you pulled your weight just as much as anyone else. Your knife skills are only second to mine."

"I had good teacher," Matthew said.

Darryl let out a rare genuine laugh. "And you are the first in Hardcore history to have played for Villa, even if it was for the youth team. But as much as you will always be one of us, you need to get the tattoo removed as soon as you can. Someday someone will recognize it for what it means."

"I'm keeping it."

"I appreciate the sentiment but trust me; keeping it will do more harm than good." Darryl wiped at his eyes. "You seriously need to fuck off before I start to think I've gone soft in my old age."

"This really is goodbye, isn't it?" Matthew sniffed.

"It's the deal we made with our devil."

They walked towards the security check where Matthew joined the line. He paused just before the sliding doors to the security screening area and turned around. He'd assumed Darryl would be long gone, but he was still there. Matthew waved and received a smile followed by a middle finger in return.