The Rules: A gripping crime thriller that will have you hooked. Kerry Barnes

election.’

      With eyes like saucers, he glared. ‘Why the fuck are you telling me this?’

      ‘Er . . . I dunno, really. It’s just you said she was a puppet, and I kinda wondered what you meant. Well, listening to those two arguing, I guessed he must be pulling her strings.’

      ‘Well, if you like listening and spreading shit, do yaself a favour and get a job in that hairdressers.’ He pointed to the shop below her flat. ‘You can gossip all day and get fucking paid for it. Now then, I don’t wanna hear no more about ya mother, Alastair, or that grandfather of yours. Got it?’

      Kendall as per usual was like a dog with a bone when she had a mind to be. ‘What is it with you and them, huh? ’Cos it seems that your hatred goes deeper than Mother cheating on you.’

      With his face flushed an angry red, he spat, ‘I never said I hate any of them. I just don’t want to fucking talk about them, and you, Kendall, need to stop trying to dig for information, ’cos I can tell you categorically there is none, and your shit-stirring will do you no fucking favours. Now, grow up. Ya got ya flat, so now learn to be a woman instead of a silly kid. Christ, I don’t need this shit!’ With that, he marched away, running his hands through his hair as if he was in pain.