The Family

by Martina Cole

  Declan wasn't as sure as Phillip that it would go so smoothly; he knew for a fact that Dedham dealt with a serious firm from Liverpool, and they might not be as amenable as Dedham to sharing their operation. But he wasn't going to piss on anyone's firework just yet. This was Jamsie's moment.

  Phillip picked up his wine and, holding the glass up to his little brother, he said generously, 'To Jamsie. I knew there was a Murphy in there somewhere, just dying to get out.'

  Jamsie was red-faced with happiness, even his ears were glowing. And Veronica was so choked at the turn of events she was nearly in tears. What she had prayed for all these years had finally come to pass. Her boys were together again at last, Jamsie was back in the family again. God love him, he had paid a heavy price. And now it was finally all over, and her family was united again.

  Christine poured herself another glass of wine and, laughing, she said to Jamsie, 'Good on you, Jamsie. See if you can get me a nice little Bentley Sport, I've always fancied one of them.'

  Ted Booth hated that his daughter seemed to be accepting their criminality without a thought. He knew too, as well as his Christine did, that now she had mentioned wanting the car, she would be given it by her husband. And considering the amount of alcohol she put away on a daily basis, a powerful car was not something she should be in charge of. All the same he kept his own counsel; after all, what say did he have over a husband and wife? Phillip would give her whatever she wanted just as he had always done.

  * * *

  Chapter Ninety

  'What a turn up, eh? Jamsie having a bright idea is like MPs telling the truth - it's a great concept but you can't imagine it really happening.'

  Declan laughed out loud at the truth of Phillip's statement. 'It is a good idea and, in fairness to him, he had a good little root about before voicing it. And as he says, there's not a person alive who knows more about motors than our Jamsie. Remember when he was about thirteen and he nicked that squad car? I thought Mother would kill him that night.'

  Phillip grinned. 'Fuck, I'd forgotten about that. He drove it into the pub and parked it up next to my motor. I thought I was seeing things.'

  They chuckled together, then Declan said seriously, 'Remember, Dedham was away with me, I was in Parkhurst with him. He was a good mate in there, Phillip. Because we came from the same manor we sort of teamed up. You know what it's like.'

  Phillip didn't actually because he had never gone further than remand, but neither of them mentioned that.

  'Well, he got good mates with a Scouser called Jonnie Piper, you've met him a couple of times. He's been to the club.'

  Phillip nodded. He had liked the geezer, he was sound.

  'Well, the Pipers are a big force in Liverpool, and if they are behind the cars then we have to deal with them gently.'

  It was the wrong thing to say and Declan realised that immediately.

  'So what are you trying to tell me, Declan? We have to write to some cunt in Liverpool and ask for permission to trade on our own fucking turf? Or shall we invite him down for the day, and ask him why he has been having an earn on my front and not giving me a piece of it? Only, that is normally common courtesy - no one can sell a fucking hot dog without me knowing about it and getting a little touch. I personally think this a diabolical liberty.'

  Declan sighed in annoyance and it wasn't lost on Phillip. 'All right, Phillip, calm down. All I am saying is, the Pipers are like us, they are serious businessmen, and they deserve our respect.'

  'And they will get it, bruv, as long as they do what I fucking want. Fucking Scousers dictating to me, what next! The Welsh turning up mob-handed and taking over the nightclubs? Jesus wept, I've heard everything now.'

  Declan laughed but he was still worried. Unlike Phillip, who had an infallible belief in himself and getting what he wanted, Declan knew that sometimes it was better to negotiate than it was to demand. But he had planted the seed, and he would leave it for now - that was the best way to deal with Phillip. Let him work it out for himself, and then act like it was his idea in the first place. But Declan was genuinely perturbed, because Dedham wasn't without his own little back-up. He was a shrewdie in his own way; after all, you didn't get where he was without a few Faces in your corner.

  Declan would start his own inquiry first thing in the morning; in contrast to Phillip he liked to know everything there was to know about his adversaries. There were times when guns, anger and the belief in your God-given right to take what you wanted from who you wanted just wasn't enough.

  * * *

  Chapter Ninety-One

  Linda Best was pleased to see Jamsie so happy. He was almost overflowing with good humour and camaraderie. He was, without doubt, the best thing that had ever happened to her, or her kids. He was a really decent bloke, and she was lucky to get him.

  As she dressed the kids in their best clothes she felt nervous once more; she was finally meeting his mother, and she was terrified at the prospect. Veronica Murphy was a legend around the streets, although she had a good rep. She'd help out anyone but was very protective of her kids. Well, Linda could understand that - she was the same about her own. She knew she wouldn't be a catch as far as Mrs Murphy was concerned; she already had four kids and she had been round the turf more than a few times, but Jamsie assured her his mother was looking forward to meeting her. But then, blokes were thick as shit about most things, so that didn't really give her much confidence.

  She checked her make-up and gave her outfit - black trousers and a white fitted shirt, bought especially for the occasion from Next - a final once-over. She hoped she passed muster. As Jamsie ushered them out to the car, she felt a wave of sickness wash over her, and prayed that she didn't fuck up somehow.

  Jamsie, for his part, was proud of his new little family and, picking up her two-year-old daughter, he said jovially, 'You looking forward to meeting my mum, Julie?'

  The little girl grinned happily; she loved him like a father, and he felt it as acutely as he would had she been his own child. He loved all four of them; and they made him feel like he had something to work for, made him feel he had his own family. As they drove off, he began singing at the top of his voice, and the children delightedly joined in with him.

  * * *

  Chapter Ninety-Two

  'Fucking hell, Mum, Linda's all right. So she's got four kids? That's Jamsie's business, not ours. I think she's good for him. I mean, let's face it, I've never seen him so happy, have you?'

  Veronica had to admit there was truth in her daughter's statement. 'But four kids! What the shag would he take on four kids for? He should find a nice girl and have some of his own.'

  Breda rolled her eyes at the ceiling in annoyance. 'Well, promise me you'll make her welcome and give her a chance. This must seem like some kind of torture for her, meeting all us en masse.'

  'Nice-looking girl, young. Saw her in the pub with him, she has a nice smile,' Phillip Senior piped up from his armchair.

  Veronica didn't even bother to answer her husband, everyone in the pub was nice to him; God Himself knew, he spent enough fucking time there.

  Breda jumped out of her seat quickly. 'They just pulled up. Porrick, answer the door.'

  Porrick pulled his large frame from his chair and ambled towards the hallway. He was a nice kid, Porrick, but he would never get further than a strong arm; everyone agreed he wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. But he was a good kid nonetheless, and his wild streak was an asset in his profession.

  Veronica looked around her kitchen, making sure there wasn't a thing out of place, and then, forcing a smile, she waited to meet her youngest son's girlfriend.

  Jamsie walked in carrying a little dark-haired girl, with huge eyes and long eyelashes, almost glued to his neck. Veronica's heart went out to her. Then Linda walked in with her older children. Good-looking kids, all well dressed and very quietly behaved.

  'Mum, this is Linda Best. Linda, my old mum.' Jamsie spoke with obvious pride and love.

  'Pl
eased to meet you.' Linda almost curtseyed and for that alone Veronica couldn't help but like her on sight.

  'How do you do, Mrs Murphy.' The older children spoke as one, and Veronica was thrilled at their obvious good manners, and the fact they were spotlessly clean. But what Veronica couldn't believe was the change in this son of hers - he looked almost ecstatic with pride - and she knew then that this girl was good for him, was just what he needed.

  Smiling widely she said pleasantly, 'Sit yourselves down, and I'll make some milkshakes, shall I?' She spoke to the children and they all nodded in unison.

  'Yes, please, Mrs Murphy.'

  'Jesus, they're gorgeous, Linda. Can I get you a glass of wine, child? I expect you need one coming here like this, it must be awful for you.'

  Linda practically cried with relief.

  Jamsie was thrilled and, walking over to his mum, he said quietly, 'Thanks, Mum, I knew you'd love her once you met her. Oh, and this is the youngest, Julie.' The little girl grinned shyly, pushing her face further into Jamsie's neck. 'She's the shy one. The older girl is Cindy, the middle boy there is Lewis, and the little girl beside him is his twin sister, Leona. This lot are hungry and ready for one of your lovely roast dinners, aren't you?'

  They smiled and nodded in agreement. He watched as they were introduced to the rest of the family, and he sighed in relief. It was going to be all right. For the first time in years he felt his life was worth living.

  As Veronica saw the way her son and Linda Best looked at one another, she resigned herself to the situation. It was wonderful to see her son so happy, and this girl seemed to be the reason for that. He was a natural father, and watching him with those children made her realise just how stunted his life had been until now. That was Phillip's fault, but she would never admit that out loud, of course. Still, her heart was sore knowing her youngest son's life had been blighted for so many years. The guilt tore at her then, and she determined to do the best for him and his new-found little family. At least the girl wasn't a whore, she had a bit of something about her anyway She settled the children down in front of a DVD of Mary Poppins 'm the lounge, and then made a point of chatting to Linda about herself and her family as she finished cooking dinner for them all. Within the hour they were old friends.

  * * *

  Chapter Ninety-Three

  'She seems nice, Jamsie.' Phillip's voice was quiet; they were smoking in the garden, and Jamsie was inordinately pleased at his brother's words. If Phillip liked her she was in.

  'She is a nice girl, Phillip. Had a rough time of it, but she makes me happy, so what can I say?'

  Phillip was amazed at his brother's demeanour. Jamsie was like a different person around Linda Best. It reminded him of when he had met Christine, he had wanted to be a better man for her. She had made him want more from life, so he could give her the world. 'The kids are nice and all, really well brought up, polite and that.'

  Jamsie nodded in agreement. 'She's a good mother, I can't take that away from her. She's done a good job considering she's been on her Jack Jones with them.'

  'Who're the culprits then?'

  'The eldest girl's father is some bloke from West Ham, and the other three are by Robbie Foyle, the treacherous ponce. Never given her a penny towards any of them, and do you know, he fucking robbed them one Christmas. Nicked his own kids' presents! Fucking scum.'

  Phillip looked suitably scandalised at his brother's words. 'I hope you had a word, Jamsie.'

  Jamsie nodded. 'I done him one night in Canning Town, with a baseball bat. Told him if he went near them ever again I'd kill him. She don't know that, like - Linda ain't the type of person who can handle trouble. She's more of a keep-your-head- down-and-hope-it-goes-away kind of girl.'

  Phillip laughed softly. 'Well, she's certainly won Mother over.'

  Jamsie paused a moment, before saying, 'Look, Phillip, I know me and you have had our differences, but I swear to you, I'll make it up to you and Declan. My life is finally on some kind of even keel, and I want it to stay like that. I have been finding out everything there is to know about the motors and, when you're ready, I'll take you through it.'

  Phillip nodded thoughtfully. He was staring at his brother in that vacant way he had sometimes and Jamsie found he was holding his breath with nervousness. Then, offering his hand out, Phillip shook his brother's hand, squeezing it tightly as he said genuinely, 'Good luck to you, bruv, she's a nice girl. Even Christine seems to be getting on with her, she ain't stopped talking since she came in. Are you going to marry her?'

  Jamsie nodded happily. 'Yeah. Be a mug not to. She's my world now, Phillip, her and them kids.'

  Phillip nodded in absolute agreement. 'They are your family now, mate, and family is all that really matters. Do Mum good to have some more little ones to dote on, she needs all that.'

  Jamsie was thrilled at the turn of events, and smiled happily at his brother.

  'Come in to the office tomorrow, and we'll get the ball rolling. There's a nice house I own not far from here, Jamsie, four bedrooms, large semi-detached. Just needs a bit of TLC. It's yours. Call it an early wedding present. I'll have the people renting it out by the end of the week.'

  Jamsie was shocked and overcome at his brother's generosity. 'Oh, Phillip, what can I say?'

  Phillip waved his thanks away quickly, and went into the house. Jamsie was going to be a lynchpin for their new business, so that meant he needed to be treated as one of the family, and he now needed to be seen to be treated as an integral part of the business. Hence the new house, and the new wage. Personally, Phillip still hated him for what he had done, but he wouldn't let on about that. It wasn't going to gain him anything, whereas being nice would get him everything. As always there was an agenda and, as always, Phillip kept the real agenda to himself.

  Jamsie was over the moon to be invited once more back into the fold, and he privately toasted his brother's generosity before rejoining the others inside.

  That Linda was amazed they were being given a four-bedroom house, in a nice road, was an understatement. She almost fainted with the shock and, when she looked at Veronica Murphy and saw the woman's obvious pleasure at her good fortune, she burst into tears of happiness and relief. Phillip put his arm around her shoulder and said loudly, 'I think I am going to be my brother's best man, Linda, so you and the girls had better start planning the wedding. After all, that house was a wedding present.'

  Linda was speechless and, when Jamsie nodded at her, she started to cry once more. Veronica was happier than she had been in years - Linda had potential, and Jamsie was back in the family proper. She saw Christine hug the girl and wish her the best, and she felt that her family was finally growing and evolving again, and that was what families were meant to do. Veronica loved her family to death, and that was not an overstatement. No matter what, you protected them, each and every one of them.

  * * *

  Chapter Ninety-Four

  Jonnie Piper was a small man, but he was still not someone you would look at and dismiss. He had an air about him that said he could be a bit of a menace if crossed and, from what Phillip had heard, it was a reputation he had earned fair and square.

  Phillip was surprised to find that he genuinely liked Jonnie. He had a good sense of humour and a catalogue of stories that were as funny as they were interesting. So he was well pleased with this initial meeting. Especially as Jonnie had come down to see him, and not vice versa. It was the little things that pleased Phillip Murphy, and the fact this man had travelled down to see him without question went a long way. If the meeting was on his turf, then he had the natural advantage. Piper also seemed impressed with the farm, and that told Phillip that he was a man of a discerning nature. He had treated Old Sammy with respect too, and listened to what he had had to say, suggesting that he was a gentleman. Scally or not, Phillip was pleased to be dealing with someone of such calibre. He saw no reason why they couldn't all earn together and enjoy the partnership, for the time being at least. So, all in
all, Phillip was a very happy man.

  Piper's wife had been his companion for over twenty-five years, and over the course of this first meeting she and Christine were already like bosom pals; both were first wives, and each still adored by their partners. In fact, the similarity between the two men in some respects was uncanny. They were like two peas in a pod in every way except looks. They had a natural affinity that seemed to give them a really solid understanding of each other. Both had fought to get where they were, and both had set ideas about how they conducted their private lives. Like Phillip Murphy, there was no scandal to be heard about Jonnie Piper. No little birds in the offing, or errant kids on the local housing estates. Phillip saw that kind of behaviour as disgusting; disrespecting your wife and kids was something he found anathema. Chasing skirt when you should be chasing the dollar was a mug's game and left you open to all sorts of situations decent men avoided like the fucking plague. To Phillip, it showed a weakness of character and inherent untrustworthiness: if you could swindle your own close family, then you were capable of anything.

  Jonnie had his wife Mary and family and that was enough. Like Phillip, he was a good Irish Catholic boy, and he knew the importance of family. But, unlike Phillip, he didn't enjoy the violence, or feel the need to pretend every second of every day. In reality, he was the person Phillip wanted to be.

  Phillip was fascinated by this man; he was observing him at close quarters, and he liked what he saw. He knew that he had the same effect on people as Jonnie and that pleased him. That Phillip also knew he could buy and sell Jonnie was even more satisfying, because he knew that he had the edge. He had seen the man's utter respect for the way they lived, he had felt his admiration. This was going to be a really good call.