Rachel takes Mikey to a nearby café for lunch. Again he keeps his head down as he eats, avoiding eye contact.
“So will you be going on the stag night?” she asks him.
“I've been invited but I won’t be able to stay for very long. I have a ten o'clock curfew.”
Rachel has no doubt that the redoubtable Martina insisted Danny take him along. She knows he wouldn't have invited him had it been his own choice.
“Do you have anything to wear? I'm sorry for prying but I noticed you’re always in the same outfit,” she says, indicating his black t-shirt and blue jeans.
“It's all I needed when I was inside.”
“Well we can remedy that right now. Come on, I'm taking you shopping.”
“I wasn't hinting. You don't have to.”
“I know you weren't and I want to do it.”
Mikey looks up from his plate. “Thank you.”
Rachel is touched by his bashfulness. “You’re welcome,” she smiles.
Simmy leaves his dingy flat and struts over to his car, full of bravado after his revenge attack on the Maguires. This will show everyone they can't fuck with his family and get away with it. Now all he has to do is wipe out the rest of them and he will be top dog around here. Then he will torch the Henley to the ground. As he starts the engine and pulls away from the curb he doesn't notice Danny and Alex following in their car.
Rachel buys Mikey a whole new wardrobe, including some smart evening wear. Then she takes him to the hairdressers who give him a modern, tousled haircut which shows off his large green eyes to the full and the difference is astonishing. Mikey has the handsome Maguire looks and is very attractive when smartened up.
“Much better,” she smiles.
He blushes and looks down at his new shoes. As they head back to her car a group of girls give him the eye but he is oblivious to the attention.
Rachel drives him back to Frank and Martina's and he is quiet the entire journey. As they pull up outside the house he turns to her.
“Thank you for everything,” he says, staring at his hands. “I really mean it.” He screws up his courage to look her in the eye and gives her a sunny smile.
Rachel is delighted at this progress. “Wow, a smile. You should do it more often. It's nice.”
He blushes but forces himself to keep looking at her. “I didn't do those horrible things they accused me of. They locked me up in that place for six years and I didn't do anything wrong.”
Rachel studies him thoughtfully. She has always prided herself on knowing when someone is lying and she knows this boy is being absolutely honest.
“I believe you.”
He is astonished, he's never heard these words before from anyone, not even his own mother and the relief washes over him. He is no longer alone. Overcome, he doesn't know what to say or do so he just nods. Grabbing his bags of shopping he climbs out of the car. As he walks up to the house his step is slightly more confident.
Simmy is in bed with his girlfriend, a short dumpy girl with overly large breasts, when Danny and Alex burst into the room. Without giving Simmy time to react Alex drags him out of bed and starts giving him a good kicking. Danny throws notes at the woman.
“Get lost love and keep your mouth shut.”
She nods dumbly, snatches up the money then her clothes and runs out. Danny is confident she won't say anything. She’s a working girl and knows the score.
Both brothers start laying into Simmy with their fists and feet until his face is a bloody mess. His chest rattles as he struggles to breathe, his ribs obviously broken. They stop to catch their breath and Alex spits on the cowering man.
“He was just an old man you fucking coward. Bet you think you're the big man now after finishing off a pensioner.”
He stamps on Simmy's face, leaving a boot print. Danny puts a restraining hand on Alex's arm, he hates it when his brother gets this worked up, he can become unpredictable. Alex recognises the admonishment in his brother's eyes and nods. He takes a deep breath in an effort to calm down and wipes the sweat from his brow. Danny knows only he and his father are able to get away with this with Alex. If it had been anyone else he would have ripped their arm off.
Danny grabs Simmy by the hair and hauls him to his feet. “We've only just started mate. Our Dad wants to see you.”
Simmy knows he’s dead.
Danny and Rachel meet up in the pub later that evening. When she arrives he’s sat at the bar talking with Jake.
“Hi Babe,” smiles Danny, kissing her and wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
“Excuse me,” says Jake solemnly before walking away.
Rachel frowns. She knows Jake doesn't like her, he’s always looked at her as though she’s something unpleasant on his shoe but she doesn't know what she’s done to offend him. She surmises it’s because she’s from the Montford. Danny seems to have noticed too because he‘s frowning at Jake’s retreating back. She makes a mental note to ask him about it later, right now she has a more pressing matters to discuss.
“Did you enjoy your shopping trip?” he says.
“Yeah, it was a real eye opener.”
“How so?”
“I bumped into Mikey.”
Danny's face clouds over. “You were on your own with him?”
“No. We were in a busy shopping centre surrounded by hundreds of people. He was getting grief from some Montford lads. He handled it pretty well too.”
“I really don't think it's a good idea for you to be out on your own with him. What if he goes off on one again?”
“He won’t. I know you think he's weird but I think he's just shy. I mean really, really shy.”
Danny laughs and Rachel playfully hits him on the arm.
“Don't laugh at me,” she admonishes.
“I'm sorry Babe but come on. You think he poisoned four people because he's a bit shy?”
“He told me he didn't do it.”
Danny splutters on a mouthful of beer. “What? Doctor Crippen says he's innocent?”
“Actually they have just found out that Doctor Crippen was in fact innocent.”
“Come on Rach, he would say that wouldn't he?”
“Maybe but I believed him.” Her eyes narrow. “Be warned, I can always tell when a man is lying.”
“Unless he’s a convicted poisoner,” he counters with a gentle smile.
“Well if you’re just going to take the piss,” she replies mock-huffily.
Rachel sees his point about Mikey but is convinced she’s right. However she knows trying to persuade Danny is futile.
He snakes his arms around her waist and pulls her close. “I love how you try to see the best in people.”
“And what about you inviting him on your stag do?” she grins.
“I had no choice. Mum insisted.”
“It's still very nice of you.”
“You're turning me into a new man,” he says, running his hand through her long hair. He loves her hair, it is always so soft and smells good.
As they kiss they don't notice Jake glaring at them from the other side of the bar.
CHAPTER 7
Danny hasn't mentioned it to Rachel but he's got a couple of his guys to track down Steve. He promised her he'd take care of it and he will. With everything that has been going on lately she seems to have forgotten all about him but Danny hasn't.
Steve has been traced to some filthy bedsit on the Montford. No surprise there, it’s the only place rotten enough to take him. He’s just been informed that Steve is drinking in a local bar, the owner of which is a mate of Danny's. He is now sat outside said bar in his car. Picking up the back pack off the passenger seat he gets out of his car and walks inside.
Rachel twirls in front of the mirror, admiring her wedding dress. Martina and Gillian look on with tears in their eyes.
“You look so beautiful,” blubs Gillian.
“Danny will be bowled over,” says Martina proudly.
The dress is a bodice and
skirt combo of cream satin with tiny jewels adorning the bodice. It flatters her trim waist and generous bosom. As soon as she saw it she knew it was her dress. With it she wears a mid length veil and tiny white flowers in her hair. Rachel does a quick turn, admiring the way the skirt gently billows out at the bottom.
Beth steps out of the changing rooms wearing a long elegant gown of lilac silk with a matching wrap, the only bridesmaid she’s having. Cathy has hinted many times that she would like to be a bridesmaid too but there’s no way Rachel’s having that sour faced cow on her wedding photos. She isn't worried about offending Alex because from what Danny’s said he’s one stupid comment away from dumping her.
“You look gorgeous,” says Rachel happily. Beth's dress is just what she had in mind.
“Never mind me, look at you. Danny's eyes will pop out of his head,” grins Beth.
The assistant produces champagne for them all and they raise their glasses cheerily. As they sip the alcohol Martina’s and Gillian’s faces grow redder and redder and they sit giggling together in the corner like schoolgirls.
Martina and her mum get on like a house on fire, which pleases Rachel no end because she adores both women. Rachel takes a sip of her champagne and smiles. She’s never been so happy.
Danny walks into the pub, which is empty except for Steve who sits at the bar, a bottle of vodka and a glass in front of him, steadily downing the contents and refilling his glass. Danny nods at the barman who nods back, casually strolls to the door and locks it. Danny approaches Steve, his blue eyes already glittering brightly with the promise of violence.
“Alright Steve?”
Steve looks up and visibly pales. He tries to get up but Danny slams him back down in his seat with a firm hand. Like all bullies Steve is overcome with fright when confronted by someone bigger and harder than himself.
“Rachel tells me you've been hassling her.”
Steve looks up at him and Danny curls his lip in disgust. His face resembles a piece of crisp bacon. Rachel has really done a number on him and a part of him loves her even more for it.
“I haven't I swear,” he stammers, wide-eyed.
“So you're calling her a liar are you?” snarls Danny.
“No, she just took it the wrong way. I didn't mean her any harm.”
“You told her you'd make her suffer.”
“I didn't mean it.”
His cowardice enrages Danny. He grabs Steve by the collar and pulls him off the stool.
“You made her life hell for two years and you're still trying to do it.”
Steve tries to garble a reply but Danny punches him hard in the stomach and lets him slump to the floor, groaning in pain. Danny opens up the backpack and pulls out an iron.
“Plug that in,” he tells the barman, who nods as though this is nothing unusual.
Danny hauls Steve to his feet and throws him onto the bar top so he’s laid flat on his back. When the barman carefully hands Danny the now red hot iron, Steve's eyes widen in abject terror and he starts screaming and thrashing.
“No, no, Christ, please no,” he screams.
Danny sits on his legs and kneels on his arms while the barman holds his head still. Slowly Danny brings the iron down towards Steve's face and he desperately tries to free himself but can't. The skin begins to redden and sizzle slightly and his screams turn almost animal-like as the iron is held just millimetres from his face. Then he wets himself. Danny thinks enough is enough and he releases him and hands the iron back to the barman. Steve is crying like a small child and shaking uncontrollably so Danny slaps him hard a couple of times to get his attention.
“If you go anywhere near Rachel again I'll make sure the last thing you see is this,” he says, pointing to the bottom of iron, which is still steaming.
Steve nods, his reddened face pouring with sweat. “Y...yes I won’t go near her again. I swear.”
“Good,” smiles Danny but his eyes are still full of aggression. He drags him off the bar and throws him to the floor. “Now get out of my sight.”
Steve crawls through the door on all fours.
“Bloody hell Danny that was fierce,” says the barman.
“Nothing less than he deserved. Sorry about the piss by the way,” he says, indicating the wet bar.
The barman smiles and shakes his head.
It’s a Saturday night and The Wherry Tavern is full to capacity. Danny and Rachel stand by the door locked in an embrace. They’re about to embark on their respective stag and hen parties and are saying their farewells.
Beth, Martina, Gillian and Cathy are going with Rachel to an Italian restaurant then onto a club afterwards. Danny, Jake, Alex, Mikey, Rick, Frank and Terry are going to trawl the bars and a lap dancing club.
“I hope you won’t spend all night in the lap dancing club,” admonishes Rachel with a smile.
“Course not. We'll just have an hour then we'll move on,” replies Danny.
She looks at Frank and Alex. “I'm trusting you two to take care of him.” Rachel isn't worried about him chatting up other women, she has no real worries on that score but ever since Albert's death she fears for his safety.
“Stop worrying,” smiles Danny before sharing a deep kiss with his bride-to-be.
Beth glances at Alex and sees he is watching her and she blushes. Beth is similar in appearance to Cathy - petite, blond and curvy - but whereas Cathy is spiteful and dull-witted Beth is clever, feisty and funny and Alex is noticing the difference.
Just to mark her territory, Cathy kisses Alex full on the lips but his eyes never leave Beth. Rachel notices none of this, she’s too wrapped up in Danny.
The girls are the first to leave. As they go Martina whispers something in Frank's ear. He roars with laughter and kisses her full on the lips. In stark contrast Gillian and Rick peck each other on the cheek but with no less affection.
Jarvis stares down at the remains of Simmy Law. The savagery has obviously been stepped up. Just like Jamie, Simmy had been tortured then had his face sliced off, leaving a dark red mess. However Simmy had suffered the added indignity of a knife up the rectum. His driving licence had been left in his pocket to aid identification, although this will be confirmed by fingerprints later. The Maguires obviously want everyone to know who the victim is and who the killers are. Jarvis already knows there will be no forensic evidence to link them to it. They’re far too smart for that but then again he doesn’t want them to get done for it. How can they be a target for the Laws if they’re inside?
In the restaurant the evening is being hampered slightly by the obvious animosity between Beth and Cathy. Cathy keeps giving Beth daggers but Beth merely looks amused. Rachel notices but says nothing, she doesn't want her evening spoilt and she's too happy to really care.
However Martina's had just about enough of Cathy. She's never liked her and it's always baffled her as to why Alex has stuck with her for so long. She surmises it must be a physical thing because she knows Cathy irritates the crap out of him. Martina noticed the way he'd looked at Beth, Christ the entire pub had and she can understand Cathy's wrath but her son is the one at fault, not Beth. Martina likes Beth and would side with her any day over Cathy but she’s worried for her as it’s obvious Beth likes Alex in return. Alex isn't like Danny, he doesn't have the same capacity for love. He’s a cold fish and although he’s protective his distance drives some women out of their minds. Beth is a passionate, bubbly personality and Alex would destroy that. Still, she needn't worry about that yet. It’s Rachel's night and she isn't about to let anything ruin it for her, so she waits until Cathy excuses herself and goes to the ladies. Martina follows her in to find Cathy preening in the mirror.
“Oh hi Martina,” she says in a flat voice.
Martina grabs her by the neck and shoves her up against the wall. Cathy cries out in pain and shock, scattering the contents of her make-up bag all over the floor. Martina may be twice Cathy's age but she's also twice as hard. She slaps her hard across the left cheek, causing it
to instantly redden.
“Now listen to me my girl. This is Rachel's night and you are not going to spoil it. I don't care what's gone on between you and my son, you leave it at home. Understand?”
Martina's teeth are bared in rage and Cathy dumbly nods her head. She's always been a bit scared of the Maguire matriarch and her ferocious temper.
“Good girl,” says Martina, the friendly smile returning.
Martina releases her and stalks from the bathroom, leaving Cathy to pick up her make-up with trembling hand
“Fucking Maguires,” she croaks.
In the lap dancing club most of the stag group are bored. Danny thinks all the girls pale in comparison to Rachel, Alex is thinking about Beth and how to rid himself of Cathy, Frank daren't look at the girls in case his wife somehow finds out, Terry is lost in his own world and Mikey is poker faced as usual. Only Jake and Rick are paying any attention. The former is cheering and stuffing money into g-strings as if his life depends on it and the latter is staring at the women with his mouth hanging open. They decide to move on to a bar.
After Martina's quiet word with Cathy the atmosphere lightens. They all notice the red mark on Cathy's cheek and think she bloody well deserves it. They enjoy the food and the wine and decide to move onto the nightclub. Just before they leave Gillian decides to use the bathroom so they stand outside to wait, enjoying the warm night air, except for Cathy who stands alone, looking sullen.
Their high spirits are quickly deflated by the appearance of Simmy's wife Liz, a short flabby blond, her face red and puffy from crying. She is accompanied by two hatchet-faced women who look old before their time. Life on the Montford does that to a person.
“Enjoying yourselves are you?” yells Liz.
They all turn to look at her.
“Celebrating because you're going to marry that murdering bastard.”
Martina looks furious. “Watch your fucking mouth.”
“Protecting your precious boys as usual eh Martina? Why don't you wake up and see them for what they really are, psychos, both of them.”
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