Chapter 1

The telecom van skidded around the bend, spraying up mud and grit. The driver regained control, and the vehicle continued speeding down the narrow country lane. Branches and twigs snapped as the van scraped along the hedgerows. Grey clouds rolled by overhead and it started raining.

                'For God's sake, Alex, ease up,' said Gus, trying to light his cigarette.

                Alex pressed harder on the accelerator and gritted his teeth. 'I'm not taking any chances.'

                'Yeah, Alex, slow down, will you? You're driving like a maniac. There's no one following us,' said the teenager, sitting between them. 'Hey, can I have one?' he asked, looking at Gus's cigarettes.

                Gus sneered at the youth and offered one to Alex. He then wound down the window and blew out a cloud of smoke. 'Why did you bring him? It was only supposed to be me and you.'

                Alex glanced at his friend. On seeing his dark expression, he looked away. 'Well... mum told Zeb it was time he started earning a proper wage.'

                'That's right,' said Zeb, snatching Gus's cigarette packet. Gus elbowed him in his ribs and grabbed them back. 'Ow! Watch it!'

                'You should have at least warned me you were bringing your little brother along. Fancy hiding him in the back of the van. I nearly shit myself when I opened the doors and saw his spotty face staring at me!'

                'Yeah, sorry, but I knew you wouldn't agree. Don't worry, I'm sharing my cut of the money with him. His benefits aren't enough for him to live off. He's costing me and mum a fortune. You wouldn't think to look at him, but he eats like a horse.'

                Gus smirked as he flicked cigarette ash out of the window. 'Don't you mean smells like one?'

                Zeb sneered at him. 'You cheeky bastard-'

                'Shut up Zeb. I know he's useless, Gus, but he helped loading the van. Didn't he?'