Dust Jed: Dust Books, #1

By Janet Humphrey

The prequil to the chilling DUST Book Series

 

A story of love and survival

 

Jed was loved by his mum Clare even though they lived in squats and on the streets of Exeter in the United Kingdom.
Their life was hard but when she died he was forced to grow up in a local church children's home.

Bullied both at school and home, his life spiralled out of control despite the kindness of some to try and help him.

His story, his life, and how he came to be a key part of the DUST.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janet Humphrey
• Release date: Jan 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9781739279509

Janet Humphrey

Janet lives in Oxfordshire, when she isn’t writing, she enjoys knitting socks, watching cooking and sewing programmes and making her own clothes.

Book preview

Janet Humphrey

Jed

a DUST prequel

First published by Ducklet Publishing 2023

Copyright © 2023 by Janet Humphrey

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Janet Humphrey asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Janet Humphrey has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

First edition

Cover art by Warren Wong

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

Find out more at reedsy.com

Dedicated to the memory of our cat Robert

who supervised the writing of this book

Rest in peace ‘our boy’

we will always love you

Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything.

C S Lewis

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgement

1. Clare and Jed

2. The Home

3. Exeter Methodist Church School

4. Grief

5. Cherrywood Farm

6. Simon Thomas

7. Twenty Eleven

8. Laid to rest

9. Changes

10. Revenge

11. Showdown

12. New arrival

13. Runaway

14. Alarm

15. The Squat

16. Fury

17. More of the same

18. Escape

19. Eleven to Fifteen

20. Kitty

21. Going Home

22. A new life

23. Old friends new enemies

24. A slippery slope

25. Courier life

26. Problems

27. The world of books

28. The end of Cherrywood Farm

29. Scattered

30. Athelstan Road

31. Protection

32. The Plan

33. Discovered

34. A slippery slide to hell

35. Hell on earth

36. Not a way out

37. Rock bottom

About the Author

Also by Janet Humphrey

Preface

JED became a side stop on the writing of the DUST series for me.

DUST Book One had been published in September 2019 to great sales and reviews but in the back of my mind I wanted to know why Jed has become the person he was at the time of infection by the DUST.

I also wanted to explore his early years and how he overcame the shadow of the Cetin brothers alongside Kitty to start a new life invigorated and refreshed.

He was a great character who deserved his own story to be told.

And here it is…hope you enjoy!

Acknowledgement

To my first readers, Val and Stan, Liz & Byron.

Thank you all for taking a chance on me and DUST

I hope you enjoy this prequel as much as I have enjoyed

bringing Jed’s story to you.

1

Clare and Jed

Jed didn’t know when he first realized his mum Clare was sad.

He knew the difference even from a young age between being sad because your chocolate bar was finished and how his mum was from time to time.

He knew she loved him, that was clear from the way she protected him from those around her but inside he also knew that she was sad more often than she was happy.

Sometimes he would catch her looking at him with a mixture of pride and something else. It took him a lot of years to realize what the other was.

It was fear. They had lived in squats for most of his young life, going from one derelict building to another, being pushed out time and time again by the same group of bailiffs.

He had started to like one of two of them, especially Mr James. Mr James was always nice to him and his mum.

One sunny spring day the bailiffs came again.

Come on now Clare, you know the drill Mr James would smile kindly at them and say as the bailiffs entered yet another cold and draughty squat. Pack up your things, now, it’s time to leave

Jed’s mum would smile wanly and start to shove clothes and food back into the carrier bags and make sure Jed had his coat on, and his belongings with him before being guided back out into the sunshine outside.

Once they were outside, Mr James always produced a lolly from his pocket and handed it to him after giving his mum a questioning look of approval.

She always nodded yes, and for the next few minutes Jed would watch more and more people exiting the same squat where they had come from.

It was magical almost. When he was old enough Jed would make a game of counting the people as they came out of each place they were evicted from. This morning he got to twenty eleven.

He didn’t know his numbers after twenty so he started again. That was a big building, the twenty-eleven. A large and very dusty warehouse that had been sold for development which had never come. It had become a blot on the landscape in the city of Exeter and eventually, after being sold again, the new developers had engaged Mr James and his colleagues to move on the community of squatters who had made this building home.

This would be the last place Jed would live with his mum, but as he sat on the wall in the sunshine licking the lolly and watching his mum as she fumbled in her coat pocket for a piece of paper he had no idea how his life would change forever.

Is that good Jed? Clare said as she came back to sit on the wall with him. Jed nodded.

Where are we going now, Mum?.

Not sure love, just waiting for Big Mike to come back she replied. Some of the others mentioned a boarded-up shop down on the old parade but I think some of these know about that one too

She nodded at a group who had set off purposely towards Cathedral Square. Big Mike was one of the nicer people in the squat. Jed had known him all his life. Big Mike was a very tall man with a bushy red beard. Jed had thought that Big Mike was a Viking, and this had made him laugh when Jed had asked him one evening in the squat. Big Mike had roared with laughter but said, no he actually came from Stoke on Trent.

What about Mrs Hilston? Jed asked as he looked around at the people walking by them.

Mrs Hilston was their social worker and although she was nice, the council didn’t have enough accommodation for all the rough sleepers in Exeter. Mrs Hilston had been in their lives since Jed was four and a half. Mrs Hilston had tried to help Clare both in support and advice.

Most of the time Clare managed, but she was still using drugs and alcohol which banned them from most of the shelters, though the Salvation Army shelter would let her and Jed in as long as she promised not to kick off.

She had kept the promise for three nights the previous year until one of the other residents had stolen a £10 note she had stashed away in her bag. Jed had been asleep and hadn’t seen who had taken it. Clare and Jed were escorted to an office upstairs where Jed was allowed to sleep on a dusty sofa until morning. Clare curled up in a chair beside him. They were not welcome there after that.

Jed and his mum picked up the carrier bags and put them into a nearby abandoned shopping trolley and started off toward the council offices. Clare knew that it was not likely that they would be given a permanent home, but she was hoping for at least a hotel room for a few nights. Jed desperately needed a bath, as did she, but in the squat, the best she was able to manage was a quick strip wash in a local pub’s disabled loos once or twice a week.

As they walked along Jed noticed other people they passed gave them a quick look over and then glanced away. Jed was used to this staring and ignored it. . His mum pushed the supermarket trolley loaded with their possessions but Jed carried his school bag and a rucksack. He was strong and wiry for his age, and he was proud he could help his mum carry things now. When he was younger she would pop him into the child seat and push him along.

After a short walk, they arrived at the council offices. Clare parked the trolley at the foot of the stairs and patted Jed on the head.

Right Jed, you are in charge of our stuff until I come back out. No talking to strangers OK?

Jed nodded and sat down on the low brick wall next to the stairs. He wished he’d still had his lolly but the sun was warm on his face.

As he sat there more people came and went from the council offices. Several stared at him as he waited but no one commented or spoke to him. After a long wait eventually, his mum came back down the stairs. Jed looked at her, she’d been crying he realised. Behind her was Mrs Hilston the social worker who looked sad as well. Clare sat down beside her son and cuddled him fiercely.

Jed, Mrs Hilston is going to look after you for a short while. I need to get some help, and she can look after you better than I can at the moment. Jed squirmed in her grasp

No! NO! his voice got louder which made more people stare at him. Clare took his face in her hands.

Yes Jed, this is what is best. Once I am well again you and I can be together but she’s right, you need more than I can give you at the moment.

Jed sobbed as she looked at him with such love that it broke his heart. Mrs Hilston came down the stairs and stood beside them quietly.

We’ve got a lovely room all set up for you in a home just down the road.

Clare looked up at Mrs Hilston and nodded. Mrs Hilston then looked and Jed and said

Come on Jed, bring your bags and we will go and get you set up

Mum? You are coming too?

Clare shook her head sadly No Jed, I’m going to the hospital now

She nodded at a tall man who had come out of the offices. Mr Cooper here is going to take me to the hospital for a stay. Jed looked at their possessions in the shopping trolley

Our stuff Mum, what happens to it?

Mrs Hilston is going to have it stored for us both until we can come together again. It will be safe, I promise.

Clare stood up and Jed hugged her again.

Now be a brave boy and go with Mrs Hilston. She smiled at her son who was getting so tall for his age. She turned him around and Mrs Hilston then took his hand.

Come on Jed, let’s get you settled

He turned back and waved at his mum, tears running down his dirty face making clean tracks as they fell. They went up the steps together and into the offices.

Mrs Hilston turned and smiled at Clare as the man came down to help her move the trolley to the back of the building.

Jed was staring up at the massive staircase in front of him. The building was one he had never been inside before and there were loads of people all moving around looking very busy and important. To one side was a reception desk and behind it was two ladies who were answering a bank of phones. The phones rang and each one was answered with

Exeter Council how may I direct your call?

They listened and then pressed a button before the next call came in. Mrs Hilston took his hand and directed him to the back of the room where a long corridor stretched out in front of them.

On each side, multiple doors lead to more offices and more noise. Jed didn’t like this place, he didn’t like the people but he couldn’t go back now. He had to be brave for his mum, so he walked and looked and eventually Mrs Hilston stopped at a blue door with her name on a plaque and went inside, Jed followed her in.

Sit down there Jed, I need to make a call before we go

Jed did as he was told and sat down on the chair Mrs Hilston had indicated putting his rucksack and school bag down. Mrs Hilston sat down behind a small wooden desk. On each side of the desk and piled up around it were cardboard files.

Jed looked down at the pile beside him. The top file had the name Sarah Foster written on it in black pen. Jed wondered if all of the files had names on them, he also wondered if he had a file in this office, and if so what would it say?

Mrs Hilston picked up the phone and dialled a number. The person who answered the phone had a loud voice but he couldn’t hear the words. As Mrs Hilston spoke into the phone Jed continued to look around at the office and the files. He wanted to get up and walk around but he had agreed to do what Mrs Hilston wanted. He was a good boy and he was brave for his mum.

After a short while, Mrs Hilston smiled at him and walked back around the desk to where he was still sitting.

Right Jed, we need to get you settled in your new temporary home

She held out her hand, Come on, bring your bags

Jed stood up and put his bags back on his shoulder and walked out with Mrs Hilston back into the corridor. They walked back to the reception area which was still busy and full of people moving around. Jed followed Mrs Hilston back outside and down a path to the side of the building into a car park.

She walked to a small car which Jed knew was a Ford Escort. It was black and quite dirty. Jed liked cars but he hadn’t been in many as a passenger.

His mum didn’t drive and they took buses or walked when they needed to get somewhere. Mrs Hilston opened the car and popped the passenger side lock for Jed to get in. Jed put his bags by his feet and watched as Mrs Hilston took off her nice shoes and popped on a pair of brown moccasin shoes. She smiled as she did so

Don’t like driving in my other shoes, they get scuffed she said with no further explanation.

She put on her seatbelt and helped Jed on with his one, before starting the car and pulling out of the car park onto the road. As they drive along the streets Jed spotted some of the people he had watched come out of the squat earlier. They were sitting on a bench in the sunshine. They looked happy and contented. Jed wondered where his mum was now.

Where’s my mum going ? Jed asked as Mrs Hilston went around the roundabout at the bottom of South Street. Mrs Hilston smiled and didn’t reply immediately. When she was across the roundabout she said

Your mum isn’t well Jed, she had gone with my colleagues to a special hospital where she will get the help she needs She added, I’m sorry that this has happened Jed, we did hope that your Mum would be OK, but she needs help and you need more stability than she can give you now.

Jed didn’t reply but watched the cars as they drove.

What’s sta-bility? Can I visit her?

Stability is where you have a safe and permanent place to live, and no you can’t see her not until the doctors are finished making her better. Do you understand what withdrawal is Jed?

Jed thought about the question. In all the years living with his mum, there was one guy called Kimmy. His mum had explained as several of the other squat residents helped Kimmy onto a bed, that he was sweating ‘the bad stuff out’

Jed had been curious about the bad stuff. He couldn’t see anything coming out of Kimmy lying on the mattress but sweat. He did smell bad though. Later on his mum had explained that Kimmy had taken too many drugs and his system was dependant on them. When Kimmy had tried to stop, the drugs had made his body crave them.

Jed nodded. He didn’t think his mum was like Kimmy. Is my mum like Kimmy? He asked.

Who’s Kimmy? Mrs Hilston replied puzzled. Jed explained as she drove.

Yes and no. Your mum is addicted to alcohol more than drugs, although its mostly the same results. The doctors will try and help her to not need it any more, which should make her feel better. Does that make sense.?

Yes, sort of

Mrs Hilston turned left and pulled up on the side of the road. Jed looked out at a large house behind gates which had a sign on the fence ‘Methodist Children’s Home, - saving souls since 1902’ and underneath ‘Manager Charlie Gibbons’

Mrs Hilston turned off the ignition and took off her seatbelt.

Right Jed, this is where you will be staying for a while She helped him off with his seatbelt and they got out of the car. Jed took his bags and put them back on his shoulder and followed Mrs Hilston to the gate. She pressed a button on a small panel near the gate and Jed could hear a buzz. After a short while, a voice came out of the speaker

Hello?

Hello replied Mrs Hilston It’s Jenny Hilston, I’ve brought Jed Long .

The gate buzzed and Mrs Hilston pushed the gate open

Come on Jed she urged as he followed her inside.

As Jed walked through, Mrs Hilston closed the gate which shut with a bang. Jed jumped at the noise of the gate but Mrs Hilston ushered him onwards to a big blue door which was already open. Inside a man was stood waiting.

Hello Jenny, hello Jed, said the man who was watching them as they came closer. Jed didn’t like the man, he wasn’t sure why perhaps it was the brown cardigan he wore with chunky shoes and grey trousers.

Mrs Hilston replied Hello Charlie as she passed the man and walked into the house.

Inside there was a staircase to one side of the hallway, Mrs Hilston seemed to know where she was going as she walked past the staircase and down a short dark corridor into a kitchen area. Sat around a large wooden table were three other children all eating sandwiches.

Hello Katy, Hello Sam, Hello Ben, said Mrs Hilston as she went into the room.

All three children smiled and gave a cheerful thumbs-up as each of them had a mouthful of a sandwich.

This is Jed, everyone, he’s going to be staying here whilst his mum is in hospital.

Jed came in behind Mrs Hilston and smiled at the three children.

Sit down Jed, sit down then, now would you like cheese or ham in your sandwich?

Cheese please Mrs Hilston

Jed put down his two bags on the floor and pulled out a spare chair and sat down.

Jed realised he was very hungry indeed. Mrs Hilston took off her coat and started to make a sandwich for him, adding a small packet of crisps to the plate as well. She put it in front of him and Jed began to eat.

OK Jed, I’m going now to see how your mum is doing so Charlie will show you where you will be staying once you have had your food OK?

Jed nodded, he was trying to eat his sandwich politely but it was the best food he had eaten for days.

When Jed was with his mum, food was something that they didn’t have access to often. Clare had developed a relationship with some of the local restaurants and takeaway places where she would clean and do food prep for a few hours in exchange for a hot meal for her and her son.

Jed tried to think back to when was the last time he and his mum had eaten and realised it was two days ago in the evening. No wonder he was hungry. Jed finished his sandwich and crisps as the other children left the room.

Once his meal was finished, Jed followed the lead of the other children who had put their dishes and cups on the side of the sink and sat back down. The man came back into the room and stood near the door looking at him.

Right Jed, there are a few rules you need to follow, and if you do, we will get along just fine. Jed stared up at the man who looked mean.

Rule number one is no fighting with the other kids. I’ve got enough to do here without dealing with bickering kids

Jed looked up at him without showing any emotion. Jed had learned on the streets that to look scared meant you would be picked on.

Rule number two is you don’t bunk off school. You’ll be enrolled at the Methodist School down the road tomorrow and Mrs Cooper won’t take any rubbish from any of her students either. She will make sure that you spend your time right and do your homework. Rule number three and this is the most important one - do not cross me, Jed. I can be an evil bastard if you do, and you will regret it.

Jed nodded as he realised this was expected of him he added

Yes Sir Charlie Gibbons smiled but Jed noticed it wasn’t a nice smile like Mrs Hilston gave the children.

Good, right bring your bags and I’ll show you where you will be sleeping.

* * *

2

The Home

Jed got on the ‘wrong side’ of Charlie Gibbons within a day. The other children were very quiet sitting in a big lounge reading books as Jed and Charlie went upstairs to find his room.

The house was huge, spread over three floors, the downstairs was living space and study rooms, plus the kitchen and utility room. As they walked upstairs Charlie Gibbons waved his hands at some of the rooms they passed. On the second floor, Charlie walked down a dark green painted corridor and stopped at the last door on the right.

This is your room Jed as he opened the door. Inside was a small metal bed with a mattress, two small pillows and a pile of blankets and sheets. Alongside the far wall was a small chest of drawers and a hanging rail

You’ll be making your own bed every morning and I do regular inspections to make sure it’s tidy. You will also keep your room clean and tidy, and no eating in your room.

Jed walked into the room and stared at the bed. He turned meekly and said,

How do I make my bed sir. I’ve not made a bed before? My mum and I had sleeping bags

Charlie huffed and said Put down your bags then, you’re be doing it

Jed dropped his bags on the floor near the bottom of the bed. Charlie then instructed Jed to put the blankets, sheets and pillows on a nearby chair. Jed then took one of the sheets and laid it down on the bed.

Tuck the corners in Jed, it keeps it neat

Jed then added another sheet on top followed by the blankets and tucked those in too. The pillows had fresh covers on them, and they were added to the top of the bed. Jed had to admit this was a lovely bed, even if the room was gloomy and a bit cold.

Right see that? said Charlie. Jed nodded That is how your bed needs to look EVERY morning before you come down for your breakfast. No exceptions, if you don’t then you lose a blanket, so don’t moan and say I never warned you about this!

Jed nodded again. His neck was starting to get sore, but he knew that this man was someone you had to defer to.

Right, put your stuff in there, said Charlie pointing at the chest of drawers and the rail. How many clothes do you have?

Jed picked up his bags and started to unpack them as Charlie stood over him. Jed pulled out two woollen jumpers which were darned but clean, five pairs of underpants and three tee shirts.

No trousers? said Charlie

No sir, these are my only pair. Mum said I keep on growing like a weed replied Jed

OK well there are a pile of donated clothes, let’s get you kitted out, and you’ll need a school uniform and some books too. Follow me

Jed followed Charlie down the corridor to another room which was lighter and brighter than his room. More hanging rails were set up around the room and piles of clothes were laid out on another bed. Charlie looked Jed up and down and went over to one pile picking up some more trousers and other items. He handed these to Jed

Try those on, if they are too long then they can be taken up by Miss Goodwin - she’s the cleaner and the cook here

Jed slipped out of his trousers and tried on the pair handed to him. They were too long but fitted him well everywhere else.

OK, that’s good, said Charlie Here’s some more in the same size.

Jed held onto the trousers as Charlie rummaged around in some other piles. Jed was handed some white shirts which fitted well, more underpants though these looked a bit worn, plus a pack of socks and a pair of worn but clean shoes. His arms ached with the weight of the items but Charlie wasn’t finished yet.

Charlie went over to another rail which held some bottle green jackets with ‘Methodist Church School’ embroidered in white thread on the breast pocket.

These also looked worn and Charlie noticed Jed looking at them.

Donated by the families of other kids at the school once they leave he commented. Right put that lot down and try this one on

Charlie said handing him one of the smaller jackets. Jed complied and tried on the jacket. It smelt a bit musty like something left in a charity shop but as he stood there Charlie cracked a rare smile.

Fit’s you well, he remarked. That’s handy as we don’t have anything smaller than this size

Jed picked up the rest of the clothes and followed Charlie back down to the room where he was going to be staying.

Put all your clothes away and come downstairs, we’ve got to give you a haircut and get you some school books, you start tomorrow.

Jed gulped, he’d not been to school for a long time. It was difficult to attend when you didn’t know where you would be living, and yet his mum had made sure he learned to read and write.

She had also been keen to expand his knowledge and they had spent many happy hours in the library learning about dinosaurs or space. These had been the happiest times with his mum, and he missed her dreadfully.

Jed wondered where she was and how long he would have to stay here. Mrs Hilston had said she was going to the hospital but she didn’t look ill to him but then he remembered what Mrs Hilston had said about addiction. .Jed wondered if his mum was going to be sweating and shivering on a mattress somewhere.

After putting away the clothes and his possessions in the room, Jed walked downstairs to where the other children were sitting reading in the living room. As he walked in, they all looked up at him, then back down at their books.

Hello, I’m Jed

The girl smiled at him then indicated herself Katy, then pointed at a skinny boy Sam and then a small chubby boy Ben,

Can I sit down?

Katy pointed to a large bookcase in the corner of the room

Better get yourself a book before Charlie comes back. He likes to see us all reading, it makes him believe we are behaving ourselves she giggled as she pointed.

Jed went over to the bookcase and looked at the books there. Most of them were Bible Stories, he realised. No stories about space or dinosaurs. Jed picked up a book that had a bright cover picturing a bearded man sitting on a donkey. He walked over to the only spare chair and sat down.

Oh that one is a doozy, said Katy as she saw the book Jed had picked up Children’s Bible in 365 stories. Charlie will be pleased Jed was puzzled but before he could ask Katy what she meant, Charlie had come back into the room.

Right Jed, you come with me, lets get your school books all sorted, then you will be ready for tomorrow Jed put down the book on the chair and followed Charlie back outside and down the corridor to another room near the kitchen.

This is my office Jed, do not enter here unless you are asked to, no poking around OK?

Jed nodded again. His head was starting to spin with all these rules. Charlie plucked a key out of his trouser pocket and unlocked the door. Inside was a warm and cosy space, with a desk and chair, a