The Traitor

by Kimberley Chambers

  ‘Can Jed come with me, Nan? Seeing as it’s a party,’ Frankie asked.

  ‘No, love. Raymond’ll be here and Joey and Dominic, so I’d rather you just came with the kids.’

  ‘OK, what time?’

  ‘Get here by two-ish.’

  Frankie said goodbye and went back inside the trailer. It was such a shame that her family still refused to accept Jed. Apart from Joey, none of them knew that he had cheated on her that time, but even after all these years they still refused to allow him into their lives.

  Pouring the kid’s sausages and beans onto two plastic plates, Frankie smiled as her boyfriend reappeared.

  ‘You all right, babe?’

  ‘Yeah, fine. I’ve gotta pop over to my nan’s on Sunday; it’s my grandad’s birthday. Have you gotta get off right now?’ Frankie asked.

  Jed didn’t want to push his luck. ‘I’ll tell you what, why don’t me and Sammy have that takeaway with you and Kerry first and then we’ll get off? The only thing is, we’ve got two lorries to cut and shut, so we might not be back till tomorrow lunchtime.’

  Frankie smiled as Jed pulled her towards him and started getting fruity. ‘Stop it, Kerry’ll be walking in in a minute,’ she said, as Jed shoved his hand inside her tracksuit bottoms. He ignored her and expertly inserted his finger inside her.

  ‘What you doing, Daddy?’ Georgie asked, bemused.

  ‘Just showing your mum how much I love her,’ Jed said laughing.

  Frankie pushed him away. Good job the kids were too young to understand what Jed was really doing.

  An hour and a half later, Jed and Sammy both kissed their girlfriends and children goodbye.

  ‘Yous two ain’t ate that much,’ Frankie said, as she let go of Jed and happily munched on another prawn ball.

  ‘We can’t work properly on a full stomach. We’ll get some beers on the way to ease the boredom,’ Jed explained.

  ‘What time did you say you’ll be back?’ Kerry asked Sammy.

  ‘Dunno, it’s hard to say. I reckon about eight or nine in the morning, but it could be later. What do you reckon, Jed?’

  ‘We’ll be back by twelve at the latest,’ Jed replied.

  As soon as the trailer door slammed shut, Kerry topped up their wine glasses to the brim. She smiled at Frankie. ‘While the cats are away the girlies must play,’ she said, giggling.

  Sammy and Jed laughed as they stopped the motor, changed out of their work clothes, put on their best togs, then headed off towards Rush Green. Leading a double life was hard work sometimes, but both lads thrived on the excitement and the lies.

  ‘Yous two ain’t ate that much,’ Sammy said, mimicking Frankie’s voice.

  ‘Little does she know I’ve got roast chicken with all the trimmings later. I know I compare ’em a lot, Sam, but Sally do knock spots off of Frankie in both the kitchen and the bedroom, you know.’

  Sammy laughed. ‘Same ’ere, mate. That Julie sucks me cory like no girl’s ever sucked it before. And she cooks a mean chicken korma.’

  Chuckling, Jed turned up the stereo. Sammy was a big fan of Billie Jo Spears and ‘Blanket on the Ground’ was his favourite song. As Sammy sang along with Billie Jo, Jed sat deep in thought. When Sally had turned up at his door all those years ago with Luke in her arms, he would have never envisaged himself falling for her and being so happy. He still fucked about with other birds, but nowhere near as much as he used to. Their romance had only started up again because of the maintenance payments. He didn’t want her brute of a father on his case, so he’d started being nice to her again.

  They’d met up a few times, just so he could give her some wonga, but it was when she had got her council flat in Rush Green Gardens that he’d really begun to see her in a different light.

  Luke had had a big part to play in their love affair. At first, Jed had flatly refused to see the boy, but once he’d agreed to, he’d adored him on sight. Dark, feisty and brazen, Luke was like his little double. He was three now, would soon be four, and even at that tender age, the little sod had the gift of the gab. Lukey boy was everything that Jed had ever wanted in a son. Alice and Jimmy loved him as well, and he often stayed over at their house. He loved the tractor, the horses and the dogs. The kid was an out-and-out travelling boy.

  Harry, on the other hand was not. He was a timid child, in his own little world, and, as much as Jed tried, he couldn’t love him anywhere near as much as he had grown to love Lukey boy. He cared about Harry, obviously, but only because he was his son. It was Luke who tugged at his heartstrings and filled his stomach with pride. His parents felt the same way, especially his dad, who was totally besotted with Luke.

  His mother was full of suspicion. She had never been Frankie’s biggest fan. ‘You sure Harry’s yours? Blond hair, blue eyes – he looks and acts sod all like any of us. I always said she was an old whore, that Frankie. I bet that kid belongs to some gorjer mush.’

  Thinking of his number-one son again, Jed smiled. Lukey boy and Georgie were so alike, it was uncanny at times. They had never met, for obvious reasons. Jed would love to introduce them, but he couldn’t risk Georgie saying something to Frankie.

  Jed’s affair with Sally had started again just over two years ago. He’d been popping round hers to see Luke and at the same time Sally had just kind of won him over. He could honestly say that he loved her now, probably more than he did Frankie, but leaving Frankie was never going to be an option, as he could never be parted from Georgie girl.

  Sally was extremely tolerant. She understood his predicament and was more than happy to share him. The only thing he hadn’t told her was that Frankie was pregnant again. He had told Sally that he and Frankie no longer slept together, but other than that, he was reasonably honest about his life at home. Frankie, on the other hand, knew nothing of his involvement with Sally or Luke. He had never mentioned seeing the boy, paying maintenance or anything.

  Not one to be outdone by his cousin’s romance, Sammy had rekindled his affair with Sally’s pal, Julie. She also had a flat on Rush Green Gardens and Julie and Sammy had recently had a son together called Tom.

  ‘You’re quiet. What’s up?’ Sammy said, turning the stereo down.

  ‘Just thinking about stuff.’

  ‘Like what?’ Sammy asked.

  Jed smiled. ‘Can you imagine what the girls would do if they found out what me and you were really up to?’

  ‘Kerry would no doubt chop my bollocks off, and I reckon your Frankie would probably do the same to you,’ Sammy said, chuckling.

  Jed playfully punched his cousin. ‘Moving the girls on that bit of land in Wickford was the best move we ever made. They’ll never find out about our other lives while they’re stuck in the middle of nowhere, will they?’

  Sammy shrugged. ‘I fucking hope not.’

  Arriving at their destination, Jed laughed as he bumped the Shogun onto the kerb. ‘Just remember Harry Mitchell, Sammy boy. If me and you can get away with what we did to him, we can get away with anything, mush.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Eddie Mitchell grinned as he studied the photocopied details of the six properties. Two of them weren’t his cup of tea, three were possibilities, but it was the cottage in Rettendon that really caught his eye.

  ‘What do you think of this one?’ he asked Stuart.

  Stuart stared at the piece of paper and nodded. ‘It looks nice, but where is Rettendon? I’ve never heard of it.’

  Eddie laughed. Stuart was from Hackney and had rarely set foot outside London. In fact, Stu was the only person Ed knew, apart from his Auntie Joan, who spoke about Essex as though it was as remote as Timbuktu.

  Itching for visiting time, Eddie decided to do some press-ups to take the edge off his impatience. At fifty press-ups, Eddie stopped for a breather. Four weeks, four measly weeks and he would be out of this shit-hole for good.

  Thinking over his stretch, Eddie knew that the only thing he would miss about Wandsworth Prison was Stuart. Once Stu had been
convicted, they’d both been moved off the remand wing, but thankfully, they’d still been allowed to share a cell. Ed had been offered the chance to spend his last six months at an open prison, but had opted not to, as he hadn’t wanted to be parted from his young cellmate. Usually, inmates wouldn’t have much say on the matter, but since a new guvnor had taken over and that evil screw, Carter, had left, Eddie had the whole of the prison system sussed.

  Eddie felt desperately sorry for Stuart. Three weeks ago, his young pal had opened a letter that had broken his heart. His girlfriend, Carly, had met someone else and was pregnant by him. ‘I’ve done all this bird for her, thinking we had a future together and she don’t even want me, Ed. What am I gonna do with my life now? I can’t go back to Hackney ’cause of Jonesey’s mates. He was part of a gang and I’ll get lynched if I go back there.’

  Stuart had become like a son to Eddie over the years. ‘Fuck Carly. She ain’t worth a toss, mate. If she can’t wait for ya after what you did for her, then she ain’t worth knowing. As for Hackney, fuck that shit-hole as well. I promise you, Stu, on the day you get released from here, I’ll be waiting outside them gates for ya, boy. You’ll have a flat, a job and a bird waiting, you got that?’

  Stuart had cheered up over the past week or so. He was still bitter about Carly at times, but was now looking forward to his future. ‘You won’t regret helping me out and taking me on, Ed. I’ll be the best worker you ever had and I won’t let you down, I promise,’ he repeatedly told Eddie.

  As Eddie finished his exercise routine, Stuart smiled. ‘I take it Gina’s coming to visit?’

  Eddie nodded. Frankie, Gary, Ricky and Raymond visited him occasionally, but since his conviction he was no longer allowed three visits a week, so he saved most of his allowance for the woman who had stolen his heart. God only knows what spell Gina had cast on him, but she had something about her that sent tingles down his spine. She had awoken something inside him that he had only ever felt with Jessica in the past.

  He wasn’t stupid. They’d never eaten together, slept together or even shopped together, so there was always a chance that he would come out of nick, move in with Gina, then things would go dreadfully wrong. He couldn’t see that happening, though. They clicked, were besotted with one another and, most importantly, they both wanted the same things out of life.

  Eddie nodded politely at the guard as he unlocked the cell. Being in love was the best feeling in the world and, considering the circumstances, he felt blessed to have been given a second chance.

  Bored with waiting for Jed to return home, Frankie got herself showered and dressed, then knocked at Kerry’s. ‘I’m gonna pop over to Lakeside and have a mooch round. You coming with me?’

  Kerry shook her head. Sammy had promised to take her out for lunch and she was determined to get herself dolled up to look her best for him. ‘Sammy’ll be back soon and we’re going out later. What you going to Lakeside for? You gotta get anything special?’

  ‘My nan’s having a barbecue for my grandad’s birthday on Sunday, so I’ve gotta get my grandad a present. I might buy myself a new outfit as well. Why not, eh? Jed’s always telling me to treat myself out the money he gives me and I rarely do. I always spend it on the kids.’

  Kerry smiled. ‘I’ll do a deal with ya. I’ll look after Georgie and Harry while you go to Lakeside, then when you get back, you look after my two while me and Sammy go out for a boozy late lunch.’

  Frankie immediately agreed. It was hard work dragging Georgie and Harry around the shops and she could browse much better on her own. ‘I’ll get going now, then. When Jed gets home, tell him I’ll be back by two.’

  Not knowing what on earth to buy for her grandad, Frankie’s first stop was Debenhams. She wanted to get him something practical, so after a lot of umming and aahing, she chose a waterproof jacket that he could wear while messing about with his pigeons.

  While Frankie was standing in the queue waiting to pay, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around. It was her old schoolfriend, Stacey.

  ‘Stacey! You look fantastic. It’s so lovely to see you,’ Frankie gushed.

  Frankie had knocked about with Stacey for years, but they’d lost contact when she’d settled down with Jed.

  As Stacey hugged her, Frankie felt ever so dowdy standing beside her old friend. Stacey was incredibly slim and much more attractive than Frankie remembered her being.

  ‘Let’s go for a coffee so we can have a proper catch-up, shall we?’ Stacey suggested.

  Ten minutes later they were sitting at a table opposite one another, both nursing a cappuccino.

  ‘So, how are the kids? I heard you’d had a little boy as well.’

  Frankie grinned. ‘They’re great, thanks. Georgie’s four now, she starts school in September, thank God. She drives me mad – she’s four going on fourteen. Harry’s nearly three. He’s a little darling, he is no trouble whatsoever, bless him. What about you? Do you still see Demi and Paige?’

  ‘We’re all still in touch, but I don’t see them as much as I used to. I’m engaged now,’ Stacey said proudly, showing Frankie her rock.

  Frankie admired the beautiful ring. It had a massive diamond and Frankie wondered if it was real or fake.

  ‘Wow, that must have cost a fortune. Who’s the lucky man? Do I know him?’

  Stacey shook her head. ‘Oh, he’s gorgeous, Frankie. His name’s Ashley and I met him in Hollywoods in Romford. He’s really fit – he’s a professional footballer.’

  ‘Really!’ Frankie said impressed. ‘Who does he play for?’

  ‘Millwall. He’s not in the first team yet, but he reckons next season he will be. He’s a brilliant player, Frankie. I go to all the games to cheer him on. Ashley’s amazing, he really is.’

  ‘He sounds wonderful, Stacey. When are you getting married?’

  About to answer, Stacey stopped herself and squeezed Frankie’s hand. ‘Hark at me going on about myself. Tell me about your life. I’m sorry it didn’t work out with Jed.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Frankie asked, puzzled.

  ‘I’ve seen him with Sally Baldwin. I don’t know her, but my sister used to go majorettes with her. She’s got a son with him, hasn’t she? I saw them shopping together in Romford last week, acting all lovey-dovey. So, when did you actually split up? Who are you with now?’

  Frankie felt herself go all hot, then felt the colour drain from her cheeks.

  ‘Are you OK, Frankie?’ Stacey asked, concerned.

  Desperate to find out some more information, Frankie sipped her cappuccino and tried to ignore her shaking hands. ‘I’m fine. Being pregnant makes me come over all funny sometimes. Now, where was we?’

  ‘We were talking about you and Jed splitting up.’

  Frankie forced a smile. If she told Stacey she was still with Jed, Stacey would probably clam up. As hard as it was, she had to lie to find out the gossip. ‘We split up a few months back. It’s Jed’s kid I’m pregnant with, but I’m happy on my own for now.’

  ‘You did know that he was with Sally, didn’t you?’ Stacey asked.

  Frankie nodded. ‘Yes, of course. Jed had a son called Luke with her. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know they were back together, but I suppose he’s hardly gonna tell his ex, is he?’

  Stacey moved nearer to her friend. ‘You’ve always been far too good for Jed, anyway. I used to see him down the Berwick with that cousin of his and they were always with different girls. Jed’s a player, Frankie, and you’re so pretty, you could get anyone. That Sally’s welcome to him, if you want my honest opinion.’

  Desperately trying to stem the tears threatening to pour down her face, Frankie stood up. ‘I have to go now, Stacey. My neighbour’s looking after the kids for me and I said I wouldn’t be long. Have you still got my mobile number?’

  Stacey nodded. ‘Yeah, if you’ve still got the same number, it’s in my old address book,’ she lied. Although she felt sorry for Frankie, Stacey had no intention of getting involved with her
again.

  About to walk away, Frankie turned around. ‘You don’t happen to know where that Sally lives, do you, Stacey?’ she asked, her voice trembling.

  Unable to believe the change in her once feisty, glamorous best friend, Stacey led Frankie outside the coffee shop. Pulling a tissue from her handbag, she handed it to her and sat her down on a nearby bench. ‘I’m so sorry if I’ve upset you, Frankie. I really didn’t mean to.’

  ‘I’m fine, honest I am,’ Frankie wept.

  Stacey felt sad. There was a time when Frankie was the dog’s bollocks, could pick any lad she wanted, but not any more. She had changed beyond belief. ‘I’ve got to go now, Frankie. Ashley is taking me up the West End tonight. I don’t know Sally’s actual address, but I do know that she lives in Rush Green Gardens. Good to see you, and look after yourself, mate.’

  As Stacey walked away from her, Frankie held her head in her hands and sobbed.

  Back in Wandsworth, Eddie and Gina were busy discussing where they were going to live. With Eddie due for release in the next few weeks, he had asked Gina to find them somewhere nice and cosy to rent for now. Then, if all went well, they could look at possibly buying a place of their own next year.

  ‘I thought that cottage in Rettendon was perfect. How long was the lease on it?’

  Stroking Eddie’s massive hands, Gina smiled. It had been a long wait and she could barely believe that this time next month she and Eddie would be sharing a house and waking up next to one another every morning.

  ‘It’s a six-month lease with an option for another six months. The estate agent said it’s owned by a wealthy couple in their early sixties who have just retired and are going to live in Australia with their daughter for a year. It’s a lovely place, Ed, and I know we can afford it, but it’s ever so expensive compared to the others, don’t you think?’

  Eddie laughed and leaned forward for a kiss. ‘Money’s never been an object with me – you, of all people, should know that. I’ve got dough stashed all over the place, and me father left me a fortune. Anyway, I want us to live somewhere nice. Fuck me, we deserve it, we’ve waited long enough. Between you and me, sweetheart, I could buy ten cottages just like that one you wanna rent tomorrow for cash if I wanted to.’