The Betrayal

by Linda Tweedie

  “Well, I’m delighted to see you’re in control,” Carol giggled. “I’m sure he’ll have an itinerary for each day, hope it includes some beach or pool time. Mind you, I might get all the free time I want. After all, it’s you and Ryan he’s interested in, not me and mine, which suits me down to the ground. Just you be careful.”

  “I’ve already said, the first wrong move and we are on our way home.”

  It was a short trip from the airport to their hotel and within the hour the girls were splashing about in the pool. Baby Ryan loved the water and, with the aid of his water wings, was paddling about like a little duck.

  A shadow engulfed Erin, and there, standing at the side of the pool, was Bobby. Her heart gave a flutter, but she made sure she gave no outward sign that she was delighted to see him, looking even more handsome.

  It was odd, that whilst she and Carol had been witness to the deed, and almost been victims, somehow Erin had detached herself from the scene. It was as if Bobby’s father had existed in another dimension.

  “Welcome to Spain, ladies.”

  He oozed charm and Carol could see quite plainly how easy it would be to succumb to him. She was going to have her work cut out, stopping Erin from falling head over heels again.

  “My mother is waiting to meet you all, so if you wouldn’t mind,” he indicated they should vacate the pool. “I hate keeping her waiting.”

  Carol could see this was going to be an uphill battle. The Macks were used to getting their own way and she didn’t hold out much hope of Erin ‘being in control’ for long, if at all.

  “Sorry, Bobby, but we had an early start and I want to put Ryan down soon. Tell Diane we’ll catch up tomorrow.”

  “Why not come for an hour? She’s dying to see him and she’s gone to a lot of trouble. She’s prepared supper. What do you say? Just for a couple of hours?”

  One nil to the Macks.

  Diane’s new apartment was stunning and the view even more so. A selection of mouth-watering titbits and chilled drinks were laid out on the wraparound balcony. Even little Amy had been provided for. Erin was no stranger to the good life, but this was something else.

  Diane was fussing over Ryan amidst piles of designer baby clothes and toys. Both Erin and Carol had to admit the woman couldn’t have made them any more welcome and, true to his word, Bobby delivered the party back to their hotel within the allotted time, with promises to spend the whole of the next day with the new grandma.

  The two girls settled the kids down for the night and sat out on the balcony, discussing the day’s events.

  “I have to say I was worried when the champagne was delivered on the plane. It just proved how much influence they have. Then the chauffeur, marching us through immigration and straight out to the car. Did you see the other passengers looking at us?”

  “Hey, don’t knock it. Surely you didn’t want to stand in that queue?” quipped Erin.

  “Of course not, but you didn’t want to go visit the mother this evening. You told him you were going to put Ryan down, but we still ended up doing what Bobby wanted.”

  “I know, you’re right, but it seemed pointless to argue and start off on the wrong foot. I learned from Paddy which battles to fight and which to concede, and you have to agree, if you didn’t know the history between us you would think she was delighted to have me in her family.”

  “That’s the bit that worries me,” warned Carol.

  “So, what’s the agenda for tomorrow? Are you going to take Amy to the beach while I go visit Daddy and Grandma?”

  “Yes, but I’ll have my phone so we can meet up later, or if you’re not comfortable, just ring and I’ll come straight away.”

  Strolling along the main drag on a glorious Marbella morning, enthralled with all the activity around the marina, Amy began jumping up and down excitedly. “Look, Mum, it’s that man,” the little girl pointed to an old man, down by one of the luxury cruisers.

  “What man, darling? You don’t know anyone here.”

  “It’s the man, the man who bought me and Erin ice-cream the last time we were here. See, he still wears funny shirts.”

  Carol almost froze with terror, but it wasn’t possible, was it? She knew exactly who Amy was referring to, the canon, but whoever it was had disappeared on board one of the cruisers.

  “It can’t be him, sweetheart. That man had an accident and he’s in heaven with Jesus.” Not that there was much possibility of that old pervert reaching the pearly gates, thought Carol.

  “It was,” said the little girl, quite emphatically.

  Desperately trying to shake off the horrible feeling, mum and daughter skipped along the front, hand in hand to the beach, but Carol was spooked. What if it was him? She was sure she was being daft, but the last trip had been so traumatic and Amy was so positive.

  Feelings

  Frank O’Farrell seldom ventured out nowadays. He would frequent the tapas bar down the street from his apartment, but it was so difficult to camouflage his appearance. Although the scarring and discoloration from the salt water on his face had improved slightly over the past year, he still had a malevolent, freaky look about him. His was certainly not the face you’d want to meet on a dark night. It didn’t bother him one iota. It did, however, make him memorable. One glance would have a child screaming for its ma, which he found perversely funny. He really was the bogeyman. However, this was business and he had no intention of drawing attention to himself.

  It was time to put phase one of their plan into action. The canon had sourced Dave Smith and his wife, Sylvia, through Pete’s old mucker, Nick the Greek. The couple had landed in Majorca ten years previously and, with the proceeds of a Post Office raid, had bought a small family hotel in the coastal town of Andratx on the south west coast of Majorca. Unfortunately, business had been poor the last few seasons and the family were really struggling. Things were getting serious. Not only were bookings down, but major repairs were needed. The roof was leaking badly and the wiring was lethal. The family barely existed from hand to mouth. They could see no way out of their situation, but selling up was not an option.

  The old Irishman’s proposition was the lifeline they needed and without hesitation they had jumped at the chance. They would be well compensated and everything seemed to be legal – not that that would matter, they were beyond desperate.

  Frank and Bobby had come to the island to finalize the details and check out the family. Although Bobby had no feelings for the boy, he would make sure he was well taken care of.

  “How are you going to persuade your mother to give up her grandson? You’ve got a hell of a job there, laddie.”

  “She thinks it’s a temporary measure while we go through the legal stuff.”

  “And when she finds out it’s permanent?”

  “Well, that’s a fair way down the line and let’s face it, Coyle is not going to give up easily. Thankfully the Spanish legal system grinds exceedingly slow. Remember, possession is nine tenths of the law here, so, as long we keep hold of the kid, there is nothing they can do.”

  “Are you sure you can persuade his mother to stay on after her buddy goes back?”

  “Don’t worry about her, she’ll stay here as long as I want her to. And when she sees she has a bit of competition, there’s no way she’ll go back to Scotland and leave the coast clear for some other bit of totty,” Bobby laughed.

  “You’re right there, but don’t make her too jealous and certainly don’t make her suspicious.”

  As they pulled into the private jetty, Frank and Bobby agreed the hotel was the perfect place to hide Ryan. It was out of the way, with no nosey neighbours to question the arrival of a new addition to the family. Sylvia was a homely-looking woman and two of her four children clung to her skirts as she came forward to meet her saviours. She would look after the child as if it were her own, in fact even better, she assured the men.

  “When do you expect the job to go down?” Dave enquired.

  “Towards the
end of next week. As soon as the bait is taken, we’ll phone and give you an exact ETA. All the relevant paperwork will be in your name. His birth certificate and passport will be completed. All you’ll have to do is register him with your local doctor. Do this tomorrow, as further proof that the child has been with you for some time. Everything will be in the name of Ryan Smith. Any questions?”

  “No, I don’t think so, it all seems okay. There’s just the matter of payment. You said half the amount up front and the balance on delivery, plus a monthly amount of 1000 euros for his keep?”

  “Agreed,” Bobby handed over a bulky envelope. “Remember, if you renege on the deal, one of your children will pay the price.”

  “We won’t.”

  Two hours later the cruiser was back, berthed in Marbella. Bobby went off in search of his mother and Erin, who would, no doubt, be shopping in Bonpoint, the most expensive baby shop in town.

  Recollections

  “Where the hell have you been?” Lizzie demanded. “And more to the point, what have you been up to?”

  “Nothing. I couldn’t sleep so I went for a wander. Fuck, this place is going downhill fast, Ma. It’s a dump. Is it not about time you were getting out of here? If not for yourself, for Errol? Christ, I wouldn’t bring a dog up in this place.”

  “I’m fine where I am. I’ve told you before, I’ll leave here in a box and then you can all move where the devil you like. As for Errol, he’s fine. He wouldn’t dare step out of line with his mother and me on his case. He’s a good boy and I’ll make damn sure he stays that way.”

  “How about a bit of breakfast, Ma? I’m starving.”

  “You’ll have to wait till I get back from mass. There’s tea in the pot. I’ll be back in about an hour.”

  What the hell was he up to, Lizzie pondered as she made her way to church. It was good to see he was becoming a bit more independent, but he still wasn’t right, and for all their sakes she didn’t want Paddy finding out what progress his brother was making.

  Mind you, thought Lizzie, looking around her, Sean wasn’t far wrong, this estate really was deteriorating. It seemed to have got worse since that little lad had gone missing. It was as if the community had given up. Hurrying towards St. Jude’s, she thanked goodness for her church. No matter what was going on in Lizzie’s turbulent life, she left her worries at the door and took great comfort from the hour spent in the presence of Our Lady.

  Over the past week, since his meeting with Michael, Sean had taken to night-time forays. Not far to begin with, just a quick recce to see how the land lay. It was pleasing to see that, although he hadn’t been around for the past few months, he was still immediately recognised. Respect, that’s what it was all about. Neither Paddy nor Michael gave him any. He had always been purely muscle in their eyes,. All the big decisions and whatever earns were doled out to him were made at the behest of the brothers. It was if those two were the twins and he was the odd one out.

  He’d had a good thing going with the old priest, that had been the perfect alliance. Who in their right mind would ever have suspected what they had been up to? But, thanks to his brother’s interference, a good earner was gone, and now he was reliant on the odd twenty quid his mother or sister dropped him. How embarrassing was that? His fucking driver had more in small change than he had in his pocket. For Christ’s sake, Sean had always had money or access to it, now he was nothing more than a pauper.

  He needed an earn, but what? And with who? Not once while he had been in hospital, had any of his so-called crew visited. It seemed they had moved on to pastures new. Well, bugger them. They were a useless bunch of fuckers anyway. That left Gerry. Gerry was his mate, his one and only. But although the man acted like his best buddy most of the time, there were occasions when Sean just couldn’t work him out. It was if Gerry had some kind of agenda, but Sean couldn’t believe for a second that it was against the Coyles. Why would it be? Hadn’t they taken the guy off the street and given him back his life, after all that time in stir?

  He should be grateful, Sean reasoned. Why wouldn’t Gerry want in on a deal? It was Gerry, not his brothers, who had upped him. After all it was Sean’s job he was doing and it was Sean who had allowed him to be his mate, so why wouldn’t Gerry jump at an extra source of income? It was a no-brainer. Sean just had to come up with a plan. But for now he needed a fix.

  Motherly Love

  His mother, Erin and the boy were in Bonpoint, the shop in Marbella, exactly as he had guessed. They were in danger of buying the place out.

  “How on earth am I going to get all this back on the plane?” Erin protested. “My God, it’ll cost a fortune in excess baggage.”

  “So, what if you stay a bit longer? Then the wee lad will at least get to wear some of the outfits for me.”

  “I’m not sure about that. Let’s see how things go first.”

  “Of course, I don’t want to put pressure on you. It’s just the past year has been awful for Bobby and me.” Tears glistened in the older woman’s eyes. “I really miss his dad and seeing this wee chap has brought a bit of light back into our days. But, as I said, no pressure.”

  Diane caught sight of Bobby outside and gestured for him to come in and view their purchases.

  “How did you know where to find us?” his mother asked.

  “Where else would you be? My God, how will she ever get all this back?”

  “That’s exactly what I just said,” Erin laughed, thankful for a chance to change the subject and avoid the fact that it was her dad who was responsible for Bobby’s father’s death. For most of the time she was happy enough to be in Diane’s presence. Bobby’s mother was extremely hospitable and generous to a fault, and it was clear she adored her grandson. But, the spectre of Pete was always there. It was bearable when the women were out shopping or had some distraction or other, although there were many uncomfortable silences.

  Erin felt she didn’t know Diane well enough to stay on further. However, there was no doubt a bit of the green-eyed monster was surfacing. She was not at all pleased that Bobby had gone to work last night. No doubt his pick of the week would have been waiting. Surely he could have spent a bit of time with her on her first night? No, it seemed his plans didn’t include her; it was all about his boy.

  “Why not stay for dinner?” asked Diane. “It would be our first family gathering.”

  Not much of a gathering, Erin thought. Four, including the baby. “That’s very kind of you, but I’ve already made arrangements with Carol. I’ve left her on her own all day so I really should be getting back. And this little lad’s ready for his bed.”

  “I was including Carol and Amy. Bobby could go and collect them. Couldn’t you, darling?” she turned to Bobby.

  “Of course I could. No problem. Give her a ring, Erin, and I’ll nip out to get them.”

  “Look, I don’t want to put you to any bother. It’s been a long day and he really is ready for bed.”

  “Well, we couldn’t be in a better place.” Summoning a sales assistant, Diane spoke to her in Spanish and minutes later yet another pile of clothes appeared, this time night clothes.

  “That’s everything taken care of and it won’t go to waste. I’m sure at some point he can stay with his granny Diane.”

  Shit, thought Erin, two nil to the Macks.

  How presumptuous was this bloody woman?

  Dinner was again served on the balcony. Diane had pre-ordered a magnificent spread in anticipation of the girls accepting her invitation. Once again she demonstrated her determination to have her way, as Erin had expected. Ryan, having been bathed and fed, fell fast asleep in the new travel cot. She half-expected Diane to suggest that he spent the night with her, but fortunately that was a step too far, even for Diane.

  “I know she’s very pleasant and will do anything to make you comfortable, but I wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her. It wouldn’t surprise me, if she ever got Ryan on her own, that she would disappear with him. There’s something not
quite kosher about this set up.” volunteered Carol.

  “Don’t be so melodramatic, she’s just desperate to see as much of him as possible while she has the chance. Really, I don’t mind. I think I’d be more worried if she showed no interest in him.”

  “I know, but it’s the constant references to Pete that disturbs me. It’s as if you’re somehow divorced from your family. It’s weird.”

  “It’s certainly awkward at times,” agreed Erin.

  “Hey, talking about weird. Amy and I had a really strange episode this morning. We were on our way to the beach, passing by the marina, when Amy suddenly got very excited and pointed to some old geezer.”

  “And . . .?”

  “Well, she insisted it was the man who’d bought you ice-creams last year and she remembered his funny shirt.”

  “What, the canon? He’s long gone. She just saw someone who resembled him.”

  “That’s what I thought, but she was adamant and you know how stubborn she is.”

  “Maybe the last trip affected her more than we thought.” A cold shiver ran down Erin’s back, as if someone was walking over her grave. “Jesus, it couldn’t be him, could it?”

  “No, I don’t think it’s that. She genuinely thinks she saw him, but I won’t say anything and hopefully she’ll forget about him.”

  “What’s happening tomorrow?” Carol asked her friend.

  “Most likely the same, I imagine.”

  “Surely not more shopping?” exclaimed Carol.

  “I wouldn’t be surprised.”