by Adam John

Created on: March 07, 2009

As Old Street tube station raced by in a blur of streetlights and speeding cars, Jimmy realised seconds too late that they were going the wrong way. His mouth was slack but somehow he managed to ask the driver where he thought he was going and why he had neglected to take the left turn back at the roundabout; this was definitely not the way back to Bethnal Green. A sickly, toothless smile was all he received in response.

"Stop the car, right now," he shouted. If he were honest, he would have admitted that it was practically a shriek, but Jimmy was very much on his dignity now: he was being had and he took that very personally. Nobody made a fool of Jimmy Tyler.

"Shut up," came the driver's reply. The man had no intention of stopping the car, not until he had young Jimmy where he wanted him. This kid was going to think twice about where he picked up cabs in future; silly little kid was practically legless and, as far as Dev the driver was concerned, deserved all that was coming to him.

The fear came then, and he started to regret having a drink for the road. Jimmy had had more than enough already that night and he knew it. He just could not, despite the protestations of his mind, his friends or his family, stop himself; and tonight could just be the night that it all came on top. That the sins of his past came back to haunt him and he had to pay the price for his reckless behaviour. He had been in trouble before, risked his life on a one night stand that turned nasty, and he was not about to repeat the experience, not for this no neck. At least the attention had been invited last time, he could see how he had brought it on himself. This piece of dirt, however, was only supposed to be driving him home. The Cheek of it; what a liberty!

Tires screeched and horns blared as jimmy swung the passenger door open in the middle of the busy carriageway. Jimmy was amazed to see the driver was still moving, risking major damage to his vehicle. Hi s heart was in his mouth, but there was no way this guy was going to get the better of him. Somehow, he instinctively knew that if this guy won he would never see the light of day again.

"Shut the damn door, you idiot!" Dev was panicking now, he had not expected the young boy to be so volatile; as far as he knew the kid was out of it. Where had all this come from? He had to hand it to him, the kid had guts. It was a battle of wills now and Dev was as stubborn as they come.

Jimmy had no intention of closing the door and already had his

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