The Feud

by Kimberley Chambers

  Joyce looked at Stanley. ‘It all depends if Jock’s around to feed the pigeons. If not, we can still stay, but I’ll have to pop back to see to them every day,’ Stanley said.

  Joyce raised her eyebrows. ‘Stanley’s cock will be the death of me.’

  Roaring with laughter, Jessica and Vicki left the house.

  Eddie drove past the gypsy site and hid the Land Cruiser as best as he could down the end of a dirt track. It was two weeks since he’d found out where Dickie Pearce was actually living and he’d had him watched ever since.

  Unfortunately for Eddie, he had no chance of getting his money back. Dickie had a gambling problem and was up to his eyeballs in debt. Eddie wasn’t overly bothered about the dosh. He was cakeo and fifteen grand was peanuts to him. What Eddie was annoyed about was the fucking liberty Pearcey had taken. No one messed with the Mitchells, and Eddie couldn’t be seen to be lapsing in his old age. Dickie had bragged to a lot of people that he’d knocked Eddie for the dough and, because of that, Ed had no option but to take the silly man out.

  ‘It’s gone six o’clock. What time did you say he was due?’ Paulie asked.

  Eddie knew that Dickie had been making ends meet by selling flowers from the roadside. He also knew that he drove a white Escort van down this road at approximately six o’clock every evening.

  ‘He’ll be here any minute,’ Eddie told his brother.

  ‘Can’t you turn on the engine so we can have some heating? I’m freezing me bollocks off here,’Paulie moaned.

  Eddie glared at him. Paulie had turned into Ronny, he was sure he had.

  ‘Shall I put the music on as well? We can dance and have a party, then everyone will know we’re here, you soppy cunt.’

  Paulie quickly shut up. Ever since Ronny had left the firm and Eddie’s boys had joined, he’d felt like a complete fucking outsider.

  ‘Right, there’s headlights coming our way,’ Eddie said, starting the engine.

  ‘It’s him, I’m sure it’s a white van,’ Raymond told him.

  Making sure no one else was about, Eddie crawled along the road. Nearing the van, he switched on his beam. Seeing a startled-looking Dickie put his hands over his face, Eddie pulled up alongside him. Dickie immediately spotted the gun.

  ‘Drive down the end of the dirt track, then open the door and get out,’ Eddie ordered him.

  Dickie did as Eddie asked. Petrified, he squealed like a pig as he fell to his knees. ‘Please don’t shoot me. I’m sorry Eddie, I’ll pay you back, I promise I will. I’ve got kids and a grandkid – you can’t shoot me, you can’t.’

  Eddie got out of the Land Cruiser. He put his big foot on top of Dickie’s head and pulled back the catch.

  ‘Pull the car forward,’ he urged Raymond. He’d only just bought his new Toyota Land Cruiser and he didn’t want it covered in some scumbag’s blood.

  ‘Kids, grandkids! Shame you didn’t think of them before you knocked me, you mug,’ Eddie said, smiling at Dickie Pearce’s fright.

  Lifting Dickie’s chin up with his boot, Eddie winked at him. ‘Bye-bye Dickie,’ he said, as he casually pulled the trigger.

  Eddie got into the passenger seat. ‘Do us a favour, Ray, find a McDonald’s or something. I’m fucking starving.’

  ‘Frankie! Joey! Your dinner’s ready,’ Jessica shouted up the stairs.

  ‘We’re not hungry yet. We’ll warm it up later,’ Frankie shouted back.

  Jessica sighed and covered the plates with cling film. She had gone to a lot of trouble to cook for them and now they were too busy to eat. Not wanting to eat alone, Jessica covered her own up. She hated eating alone, always had done.

  Bored, Jessica poured herself a glass of wine. The twins worried her at times. She knew they were working hard for their exams, but she didn’t want them overdoing it. Whenever she picked them up from school lately, they seemed so knackered. They barely spoke on the way home because they were so worn out.

  ‘We’re going upstairs to do our homework,’ they would say as soon as they got through the front door.

  ‘But you’ve only just left school. You must have a break. Can’t you do it later?’ she would ask them.

  ‘You don’t understand, Mum. The school gives us tons of homework and if we don’t do it, we’ll get in big trouble,’ Frankie told her.

  A couple of times Jessica had gone upstairs to try to help them do their homework, but they’d both been fast asleep.

  As she sipped her wine, Jessica made a decision. She would go to that school tomorrow and have a quiet word with the headmaster. She wouldn’t tell Frankie and Joey her plans. They were typical teenagers and they’d get all embarrassed. She wouldn’t even tell Eddie, he’d say she was being a drama queen. Jessica smiled as she topped up her glass. She was a good mum and good mums were protective of their brood. Joey and Frankie were only fifteen and they shouldn’t be working like Trojans, bless them.

  EIGHTEEN

  ‘Good morning sleepyhead.’

  Jessica opened her eyes and smiled. She had slept like a log and wasn’t even aware that Eddie had been lying beside her. ‘What time did you get in? I didn’t hear you come to bed,’ she asked him.

  ‘I got back about two, but I sat up for an hour. I was watching all the news programmes. That fire at King’s Cross station was fucking terrible, wasn’t it?’ Eddie said.

  Jessica propped herself up on one elbow. ‘Mum rang and said something about a fire. To be honest, Vicki came round last night and we had a few glasses of wine. Doug was away on business, so she didn’t leave till twelve. We sat in the kitchen playing tapes. I was gonna put the telly on, but by the time she left, I forgot all about it. What happened then? Did anybody get hurt?’

  Eddie sighed and kissed Jessica on the forehead. His wife rarely watched or listened to the news and she didn’t have a clue about current affairs. In fact, half the country could collapse in an earthquake and Jessica wouldn’t be any the wiser.

  ‘The escalator went up in flames. It was just after rush hour, so a lot of people got caught up in it. I think the death toll is about twenty-seven or something. They reckon it might turn out to be more, though, there are still a lot of people classed as critical.’

  Jessica’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Oh Ed, that’s awful! I feel so sorry for the poor people that died. How must their families feel, knowing they’ve been burned alive?’

  Eddie held her tightly. ‘Don’t upset yourself, Jess. These things happen.’

  Jessica wiped her eyes and changed the subject. ‘How did you get on up north? Did you find that man and get your money back?’

  Eddie nodded. ‘Yeah, all sorted.’

  ‘Did he pay you straight away?’ Jessica asked. Eddie smiled as he thought of Dickie with his brains blown out. ‘Oh yeah, he paid all right,’ he said.

  Feeling himself getting hard, Eddie nibbled Jessica’s earlobe. ‘Stop it, Eddie. I’ve got to take the kids to school. What time is it?’ Jessica said giggling.

  ‘Sod the kids. Look what you’ve done to me,’ Eddie told her, as he placed her hand on his erection.

  Unable to resist her handsome husband, Jessica urged him to enter her. Arching her body, she gasped as he sped up his rhythm.

  As Eddie orgasmed and rolled onto his back, Jessica sat up and stroked the hairs on his chest. ‘What do you want for breakfast?’ she asked him.

  Eddie smiled at his beautiful wife. He had never been a selfish lover and unless Jessica was satisfied, then neither was he. ‘I want you,’ he said, as he moved down the bed and pleasured her with his tongue.

  Aware of the animal-like noises coming out of her parents’ bedroom, Frankie got out of bed and crept next door to wake Joey.

  ‘What time is it?’ her brother mumbled.

  Frankie pulled the quilt from over his head. ‘Forget the time. Mother and Father are at it again. They’re just so embarrassing. When I hear ’em making them noises, it puts me off me breakfast.’

  Joey smiled and sat up. ‘They are mar
ried, Frankie – they’re entitled to have a bunk-up, you know.’

  Frankie pulled a face. ‘I’m never gonna have sex after listening to them two. No wonder I’m still a virgin, they’ve put me off for life.’

  Joey couldn’t help but laugh. She could be a funny girl, his sister, at times. ‘You’ll have sex when the time’s right. You just ain’t met the right person yet, that’s all.’

  Frankie playfully punched his arm. ‘Hark at you, the expert. You’ve never been out with a girl for more than a couple of weeks.’

  ‘So?’ Joey answered.

  ‘So, how come you’re so knowledgeable? Both Leanne and Sarah said you never slept with them. So, who have you slept with, then?’

  Joey laughed as he forcefully but playfully removed Frankie from his bedroom. ‘That’s for me to know and you to find out,’ he told her.

  Jessica stood over the cooker with a smile on her face. ‘Do you want mushrooms and beans?’

  ‘I’ll have whatever you’re offering,’ Eddie replied suggestively.

  Jessica giggled. ‘So what are you up to today? Will you be home late tonight?’

  Eddie shook his head. ‘I’ve got a few people to visit, all local, and I’ll probably poke me head in the Flag and see if Ronny’s in there. I won’t be late, I’ll be home before teatime. What about you? You doing anything?’

  Debating whether to tell him she was worried about the twins and was off to see the headmaster, Jess heard Frankie and Joey’s footsteps and decided to keep quiet. ‘I’ve not planned anything, although I might pop into Romford and get some more Christmas presents.’

  ‘What’s a matter with you? Too old to give your dad a kiss now, are you?’ Eddie asked Frankie.

  Frankie politely kissed him then, screwing up her face, smiled at her brother.

  ‘You didn’t kiss him on the lips, did you? You don’t know where his tongue’s been,’ Joey whispered in Frankie’s ear.

  Frankie punched Joey and laughed.

  Eddie finished his breakfast and put the plate in the dishwasher. ‘I’m off now, babe,’ he said to Jess.

  ‘See you later, kids. I’m back early tonight. Shall we all go out for a Chinese or shall I order a takeaway?’

  Frankie nudged Joey. They’d already decided not to attend school today and they didn’t want to drink vodka all afternoon, then have to sit in a restaurant with their parents. ‘We’ve got tons of homework, Dad. Me and Frankie would prefer a takeaway,’ Joey replied.

  Eddie put on his jacket. ‘I’ll see you all later, then. Pick what you want off the menu and I’ll order it as soon as I get home,’ he said.

  Jessica fed the twins, tidied up the kitchen, then went upstairs to get changed. Usually, she drove the children to school in a tracksuit or jeans, but she couldn’t do that today. How could she expect the headmaster to take her seriously if she looked like a tramp?

  ‘What you all done up for?’ Frankie asked, as she came down the stairs.

  Feeling flustered, Jessica searched for her handbag. ‘I’m going Christmas shopping after I’ve dropped yous two off,’ she lied.

  * * *

  Due to heavy traffic, the journey to the school took about twenty minutes.

  ‘Bye, Mum,’ the twins said, as they slammed the car door.

  Jessica waved and drove away. She’d already hatched her plan. She would park a couple of streets away, then drive back once they were inside their classroom.

  Half an hour later, Jessica made her way into the school gates. She had been to the headmaster’s office a couple of years ago, when Joey had been taken ill and, as luck would have it, she remembered where it was.

  ‘Can I help you?’ asked a stuffy-looking woman sitting at a typewriter.

  ‘I’d like to speak to the headmaster about my children,’ Jessica stated.

  ‘And who shall I say wants to speak to him?’

  ‘Mrs Mitchell. I’m Francesca and Joseph’s mother.’

  The woman smirked. ‘Take a seat. I’ll let Mr Redknapp know that you’re waiting.’

  Jessica sat nervously tapping her fingers. She wasn’t very good at confrontation and she was beginning to wish that she hadn’t come alone. Eddie was much more businesslike than she was, he would have known exactly what to say.

  ‘Mr Redknapp’s ready for you to go in now,’ the woman told her.

  As Jessica walked in, the headmaster smiled. ‘Please sit down, Mrs Mitchell,’ he said.

  ‘I’ve come to see you because I’m very worried about Joseph and Francesca,’ Jessica rambled.

  The headmaster nodded. ‘I’m very pleased you have come to see me. In fact, I was going to contact you next week. We at the school are also very worried about Joseph and Francesca. They seem to be catching one illness after another and it’s seriously affecting their schoolwork.’

  Jessica looked at the headmaster in amazement. ‘What illness? They’re not ill. I’ve come to talk to you about the amount of homework they’ve been given. I don’t understand, what do you mean?’

  Picking up his phone, Mr Redknapp pressed a button. ‘Margaret, could you bring in the Mitchells’ file with the children’s letters, please?’

  Jessica was bemused. ‘What’s going on? Why have the twins been telling you they’re ill?’

  Mr Redknapp smiled. Parents could be so naive at times, especially mothers. ‘Thank you, Margaret,’ he said, as his secretary left the office.

  Throwing the letters onto the desk, Mr Redknapp urged Jessica to take a look at them. ‘Is that your or your husband’s handwriting, Mrs Mitchell?’

  Jessica recognised the writing immediately. It belonged to Joey and Frankie. Reading the letters, she felt herself go cold. ‘How long has this been going on?’ she asked Mr Redknapp.

  ‘About eight months. I’m surprised no one mentioned it to you at the parents’ evening.’

  ‘I never came to the last one. The kids told me that ten of the teachers had the flu and parents’ evening had been cancelled.’

  The headmaster sighed. ‘Joseph and Francesca obviously have very inventive imaginations, don’t you think?’

  Jessica wished the ground would open up and swallow her. ‘Where are they? Can you go and get them out of their classroom for me?’

  The headmaster chuckled. ‘I’m afraid they’re not here today, Mrs Mitchell. In fact, we’ve only seen them twice in the last three weeks.’

  ‘But I dropped them off at the gates this morning.

  I drop them off here every morning and I pick them up in the afternoon.’

  Mr Redknapp shrugged. ‘Well, I’m afraid your children have been pulling the wool over everybody’s eyes. Maybe you can have a word with your husband, Mrs Mitchell. With their exams coming up, the situation needs to be sorted as soon as possible.’

  Seething and red-faced, Jessica stood up. ‘Thank you for telling me, Mr Redknapp. I will speak to my husband and I can assure you that both Francesca and Joseph will be attending on a regular basis in future. It is my duty as a mother to march them into their classrooms if I have to.’

  Mr Redknapp nodded. ‘I’ll leave the problem in your more than capable hands, then, Mrs Mitchell.’

  Unaware that their mother was talking to their headmaster about them, Frankie and Joey were having a little tipple. ‘Give us a swig of yours, Joey. Mine’s all gone,’ Frankie demanded.

  Joey handed her the vodka bottle. ‘You’re such a greedy cow, Frankie. Don’t drink it all, give us it back,’ he said, snatching at it.

  Frankie giggled and let out a burp. ‘You’re such an old woman, Joey. Make yourself useful and light me a fag.’

  Glancing at his watch, Joey jumped off the park bench. ‘Shit, it’s half-past two. Come on, Frankie, let’s run to the bus stop, else Mum’ll be waiting for us.’

  Frankie laughed and gently pushed him. ‘I’ll race you. Last one to the bus stop is a retard.’

  Not wanting to upset Eddie at work, Jessica decided not to call him on his mobile, and, instead, wait for him
to get home. Unable to concentrate on any Christmas shopping, Jessica went home and got stuck into the housework. To say she was furious was an understatement. The twins had taken her for a complete and utter fool and they needed to be punished. She wondered where they were spending their days and what they were doing. Maybe they were walking the streets or sitting round at a friend’s house, or maybe they were up to worse.

  Feeling as though she no longer knew them, Jessica picked Frankie and Joey up from school at their usual time. As hard as it was, she decided not to let them know she’d cottoned on. Eddie was a much better disciplinarian than she was and he would know exactly how to handle the situation. Filled with fury, Jessica did her best to act normal. ‘How was your day?’ she asked.

  ‘Oh, the usual, Mum,’ Joey replied.

  ‘I got top marks in maths today,’ Frankie added.

  Jessica felt like screaming. Part of her wanted to stop the car and swing for the devious little toe rags, but somehow she managed to stop herself.

  ‘We’re going upstairs to do our homework,’ Frankie said as soon as they got indoors.

  Jessica was glad. Keeping her temper was difficult and the further out of her sight the pair of them were, the better.

  Eddie arrived home at half-past five. ‘Hello, darling, I’m starving. Shall I order the grub? Have the kids picked out what they want?’ he asked Jessica.

  ‘You’d better sit down,’ Jessica told him.

  Explaining the story in full, Jessica expected Eddie to go ballistic and was surprised when he didn’t.

  ‘I’ll go up and speak to ’em. They’ve got to be punished. I think we should ground them till the New Year. What do you think?’ Eddie said calmly.

  Jessica was flummoxed. ‘Is that all you’ve got to say? Aren’t you even annoyed with them?’

  Not wanting to cause an argument, Eddie held Jessica in his arms. ‘Of course I’m annoyed and I’ll let them know that. But the thing is, Jess, kids will be kids. I used to bunk off school, me brothers did it too. Gary and Ricky were the same – it’s what kids do, ain’t it?’

  Jessica shook her head. ‘I never did it. I was too frightened to do anything like that, I was worried I’d get caught.’