The Know by Martina Cole Page A

will never get near her again.’
     
    As Jon Jon raised his fist to take Jasper down once and for all, Jeanette came outside. Bursting through the door, she cried, ‘Please, Jon Jon! Please . . . I’m sorry. Let’s just go home.’
     
    She was hanging on her brother’s arm and Jasper watched her, feeling strangely detached. Devoid of her usual makeup, Jeanette looked what she was: a little girl. And a terrified little girl at that.
     
    Jon Jon thought of his mother, how she had looked earlier, thought of her life and knew that if he didn’t do something now this girl’s would eventually run along the same lines. He fingered the knife in his pocket once more, caressed it gently before pulling it out.
     
    Jeanette saw it and screamed.
     
    Jon Jon grabbed Jasper quickly and efficiently. He felt the heat of shame as Jon Jon held the blade to his throat.
     
    ‘I could take you out now but you ain’t worth it. A fucking bullyboy ain’t worth a life sentence. But I will tell you this much. Take a good look at my sister - her father was a Turk. He stayed around for a few weeks and then he went on the trot. So, Golden Boy, remember that when you pass her in the street. But don’t talk to her, don’t even acknowledge her existence, or I swear I will kill you stone fucking dead!’
     
    Then Jon Jon threw him aside as if he was nothing. His strength lay in that contemptuous dismissal and they both knew it.
     
    Jeanette was devastated that her own brother would make her sound like nothing.
     
    ‘You bastard, Jon Jon! You’d do that to me?’
     
    The hurt in her voice didn’t affect him one iota.
     
    ‘A fucking bullyboy. Look at him, Jen. Take a good fucking look at what you’re throwing your life away on. He ain’t even stuck up for you, girl! His life is talking shit and toy-fighting with the police. Get a grip before I murder over you - and I will, girl. I will cut this cunt into pieces before he uses you again. A bullyboy and a Turkish girl? He’s laughing at you, him and all his mates, you stupid prat!’
     
    Jeanette was mortified in case Jon Jon was telling the truth. She looked at Jasper and her heart sank. He couldn’t even meet her eyes.
     
    Jon Jon laughed.
     
    ‘Fucking bullyboy! Go on, touch my sister again, I dare you.’
     
    He grinned nastily.
     
    ‘You smoke black weed, listen to reggae, and still you want to punch our heads in - you stupid sick fuck!’
     
    Then he proceeded to give Jasper the biggest hiding he had ever had in his life and, without all his friends as back up, Jasper covered his head and took it. There was nothing else he could do. He knew in a one to one Jon Jon would always be the victor.
     
    The beating was quick, brutal and humiliating. Afterwards Jon Jon dragged Jeanette away and she cried like she had never cried before.
     
    Jasper lay on the ground, feeling he had actually got off lightly. He had expected Jon Jon to use the knife at any moment and the fear had been suffocating. He was in dire pain, felt as if his body was on fire, and knew his face would be unrecognisable by the morning. But he was alive.
     
    In the darkness he lit a cigarette and felt the sting of tears. He was alive and completely humiliated.
     
    Joanie lay in bed with Paulie and still couldn’t believe he was actually beside her once more. The sex had been all she had remembered: he was the only man she had ever really enjoyed the act with, and she knew that would never change. The feel of him asleep on her breasts was so familiar, it felt like the last few years of neglect had never been.
     
    She was holding him to her gently, savouring his deep snoring and making the most of the time he would allot her because she knew that this was a one off.
     
    In the dimness she could make out his face. It still had the power to move her. She loved him so much; had once actually harboured dreams of being with him full-time. Had seen herself as his girl, of course, not his wife - she was not