Gary poured himself a large rum and took it into the kitchen. Meg followed him out there. ‘What a relief. I never doubted he was innocent, mind.’
Pulling his wife into his arms, Gary rested her head on his shoulder. ‘Been a terrible Christmas, eh? We’ll wait until Little Vinny gets home, then make a move. He must be shattered and I doubt he’ll be in the mood for company. I’m gonna pray tonight that’s the end of the matter for all our fucking sakes. Smoke, fire – I’ll say no more.’
Little Vinny was rocking to and fro in his cell when it was finally unlocked. He’d had no sleep last night. Every time he’d shut his eyes Molly had haunted his thoughts, so he’d forced himself to stay awake.
‘You’re free to go,’ an officer said.
Little Vinny felt like crying, but instead replied boldly, ‘I should think so too. Where’s Terry? Hiding?’
‘No. I’m here. Wanna sign for your belongings, mouth almighty? Daddy is waiting for you in reception.’
Little Vinny glared at Terry. ‘Don’t be taking the piss out of me. You should be apologizing, you prick.’
Gesturing for the other officer to walk away, Terry grabbed Little Vinny by the throat and pushed him against the wall. He tightened his grip, but was careful not to mark the lad. ‘This is how your sister must’ve felt when you put your hands around her throat, you evil piece of shit. I was on duty the day she was found, you know, and I will never forget the sight of her lifeless little body being dug out that shallow grave. One day you will pay for your sins, because I’m making it my mission in life to get justice for Molly and send you down. Watch your back, child killer.’
Now fully on the road to recovery, Albie Butler was propped up against his pillow watching the black-and-white portable TV Big Stan had kindly lent him.
‘Hello, Albie. How are you?’
Albie’s eyes lit up. ‘Hello, Vivvy. What you doing up ’ere, love? You visiting someone?’
‘Yes. You, you silly old sod. Now I thought you might be peckish, so I’ve made you some sandwiches. You’ve got beef and horseradish – which I know is your favourite – cheese and pickle, and ham. I wrapped up some cherry tomatoes in foil for you an’ all, plus a couple of pork pies if you’re allowed ’em.’
Albie grinned from ear to ear. ‘Me mouth’s watering already. Food in ’ere ain’t much cop, but they do try their best. The nurses are nice. They gave us party hats, crackers and all sorts yesterday. Irish Mary’s a right case. Always on a wind-up she is, but she ain’t working today. Sneaked me home-made mince pies in last night, bless her.’
‘You had many visitors?’ Vivian asked.
‘Big Stan’s been to see me. He brought that telly in this morning. Daniel and Lee popped in yesterday, but only stayed about quarter of an hour. Hungover, the pair of ’em were. I told ’em to go and get hair of the dog. Oh to be young again, eh, Viv?’
Vivian squeezed Albie’s hand. ‘You’ll never be old, you, Albie Butler. Always been able to charm the birds out the trees, and now the bleedin’ nurses. I dunno what we’re gonna do with you,’ she tutted.
Albie winked. ‘It’s so good to see you, Viv. I’ve missed our little chats. Does Queenie know you’re here?’
‘No. But I shall tell her when I get back. It’ll cause World War Three if I don’t and some other bastard does. I’ve missed our chats too, and I’m sorry I didn’t believe you over that turnout at Little Vinny’s wedding. I suppose I felt it was my duty to side with Queenie. You know what she’s like when she gets a bee in her bonnet.’
‘Don’t I just! Never mind, we’re friends again now and that’s all that matters.’
Vinny Butler thanked Larry Peters and shook hands with him, then ruffled the back of his son’s hair. ‘It’s all over now. You OK?’
Little Vinny’s eyes welled up. He had no idea how he’d got through the ordeal, and Terry’s parting words had sent shivers down his spine. He definitely knew the truth and somebody else knowing his terrible secret was enough to put the fear of God inside Little Vinny. The fact he was a copper made it even worse.
‘We’ll shoot round your nan’s before I drop you home. You’ll feel better once you get a bit of grub inside ya. A brandy or two won’t do you any harm either,’ Vinny said.
‘I don’t wanna go to Nan’s. Take me straight home, Dad.’
‘We won’t stay long. Your nan’s been ever so worried about ya, so I promised we’d pop our heads in.’
Unable to keep up an act any longer, Little Vinny broke down in tears. ‘Best you fucking unpromise her then. Did you not hear what I said? I want to go home,’ he screamed.
Back at the hospital, Albie and Viv hadn’t stopped laughing. Old Jack in the bed opposite had got involved in a heated immigration discussion with Derrick, the elderly black man in the next bed, and the nurses had been forced to intervene to calm the situation down.
‘Like watching Love Thy Neighbour that was, Albie. I ain’t laughed so much in ages. I thought Jack was gonna have a heart attack when Derrick called him a “white pussy”.’
‘In all fairness to Derrick, Jack had referred to him as a “spear thrower”.’
Vivian laughed. ‘They both gave as good as they got and there was no real harm meant. Remember what we used to sing as kids? “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” So bleedin’ true that, Albie. Country’s gone downhill since the do-gooders made us mind our P’s and Q’s. I mean, what a load of old shit on TV these days. They deem anything decent as racist or sexist. I used to love me Wheeltappers and Shunters. Poor old Bernard Manning wouldn’t even be allowed to crack a decent joke in this day and age.’
‘The BBC needs a bit of Jimmy Jones to liven it up,’ Albie said, referring to the X-rated comedian. ‘As for me, a swig of brandy would do,’ he joked.
Vivian delved inside her handbag and tucked a miniature bottle under Albie’s bed covers. ‘I knew you would be gasping for a brandy, so I came fully prepared.’
Albie couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. ‘You’re a legend, Vivian Harris. Anyone ever tell you that?’
‘Only you, you daft old so-and-so. Now drink that quickly before the nurses catch ya with it. I’ll take the empty bottle away with me.’
Bella was loading the dishwasher when the phone rang. ‘Answer that for me, Cami,’ she yelled.
Her daughter skipped into the kitchen. ‘A man wants to speak to you, Mum.’
‘Hello,’ Bella answered.
‘Hi, Bella. It’s Vinny. How are you?’
‘What a stupid question. How the hell do you think I am?’
‘Look, I haven’t rung to cause trouble. You aren’t the only one who has lost Michael’s love and respect. He hates me too, if it makes you feel any better. I just spoke to your father and he said Antonio was now at home. I want to apologize to him for my behaviour yesterday. I couldn’t talk to him because Little Vinny had been arrested and I needed to get to the police station. That’s all sorted now, and I was wondering, if it’s OK with you, could I spend some time with Antonio in the next few days? Obviously, he barely knows me so I thought perhaps I could take him for lunch to start with? You and Camila are welcome to join us if you wish.’
‘I would rather starve than be seen out in public with you,’ Bella spat, as she ran up the stairs. She tapped on Antonio’s bedroom door. ‘Vinny is on the phone. He wishes to speak with you.’
‘I don’t want to talk to him.’
Bella barged into the room and handed her son the phone. ‘Then tell him that yourself. Only he will keep ringing back otherwise and I don’t want to talk to him either.’
‘You’ll never guess what,’ Queenie said, when her sister let herself in.
‘What?’ Vivian asked. Queenie sounded happy, which was a good thing, seeing as she’d been expecting a rollicking for disappearing for three hours.
‘The rumours about Shirley Preston only turned out to be bloody true. Nosy Hilda knocked earlier. She knows somebody who lives opposite
Shirley. Turns out someone went round to tell her Jamie stabbed that bloke to death in prison and Shirley croaked it on the spot. Talk about God pays debts without money. Must’ve been the shock of finding out her evil grandson was actually a killer after all that finished her off. Serves her right for insulting Molly’s memory by insisting he was innocent all these years. He’ll never get out now. Be locked up for life.’
Vivian didn’t like Shirley Preston, but admired her unwavering loyalty. Queenie would’ve done exactly the same thing had Little Vinny committed a murder. She would’ve proclaimed his innocence until the cows came home, like she always had with his father.
‘Aren’t you pleased? She can rot in hell as far as I’m concerned.’
‘Yeah, course. Listen, I’ve been to visit Albie – and before you go into one, I did it for your Michael. That was the favour I mentioned earlier. Michael was extremely worried that his father wouldn’t have any visitors over Christmas and pleaded with me to pop in and see him.’
Queenie looked at the clock. ‘You’ve been gone over three hours. You didn’t spend all that time with the old goat, did ya?’
‘Of course not. I had a lie down to get rid of me headache first. It’s gone now, thankfully,’ Vivian lied.
‘So how is the womanizing old wanker? Still breathing, obviously.’
‘Seems to be doing OK. I didn’t stay long. Took him a couple of sandwiches in and had a quick chat, that was it. I rang Michael to let him know and he was ever so pleased. That’s the main thing, eh? Got enough on his plate, that boy. I said I’d pop up there again if he needed me to. I think it put his mind at rest.’
‘They’ll be calling you Saint Viv next. Oh well, let’s hope Albie chokes to death on his sandwiches,’ Queenie cackled.
‘Fancy a sherry?’ Vivian asked, conveniently changing the subject.
‘I should coco. We can toast the witch’s death.’
Vivian smiled as she turned her back on her sister. She’d got away with visiting Albie. Which was just as well, as she’d promised to go and see him again tomorrow.
Little Vinny managed to hold it together in front of Gary, Meg and Millie, but once the front door shut behind them he could barely look Sammi and Finn in the eye, let alone speak about his arrest.
‘Leave your dad alone now, boys. Go upstairs and play in your bedrooms,’ Sammi ordered. She’d never seen Little Vinny look so ill. His skin was a deathly white colour and he had the shakes.
‘Don’t wanna play upstairs. Wanna play with Daddy,’ Calum sulked.
Regan lay on the floor having a tantrum. ‘Play with me, Daddy,’ he screamed.
‘Shall I go?’ Finn asked awkwardly.
Feeling a watery sensation reach the back of his throat, Little Vinny ran from the room.
Michael Butler turned the lamp out. He’d been reading Nathan a bedtime story until his eyes drooped. ‘Na-night, boy,’ he whispered, kissing his son on the forehead.
With a heavy heart, Michael made his way down the stairs. This was the part of the day he dreaded the most, him and Katy all alone. No way was he sleeping with her again tonight. Last night had been a sympathy/revenge fuck. Nothing more, nothing less.
‘I’ve opened us a bottle of wine, Michael, and put some nibbles out. Turn the lights out. I’ve lit the candles for us. Much more romantic.’
‘We need to talk,’ Michael said bluntly.
Katy felt her heart lurch. Surely he wasn’t going to leave her and Nathan already? ‘About what?’
Michael sat on the armchair opposite Katy. ‘Us. This is all a bit too much too soon for me. You gotta remember I was with Bella a lot of years and what has happened has mashed my head up.’
Katy’s eyes welled up. She knew what was coming next. ‘You’re going back to London or Essex, aren’t you?’
‘No. I’m happy to chill here for a while with you and Nathan, but I don’t wanna rush into another relationship. When I came back from the boozer earlier, Nath said how happy he was we were back together. He obviously heard us at it last night and I don’t wanna confuse him in case me and you don’t work out.’
‘Nathan couldn’t have heard. We barely did anything,’ Katy reminded Michael.
‘Well he must have clocked I stayed in your room then, to say what he did. I just want to take things slowly, Katy. Who knows what the future might hold, but right now I’m not ready to be with anyone.’
‘But you are going to stay here?’
‘If you don’t mind? I thought we’d go shopping tomorrow. I’ll treat you and Nath to some goodies, and while we’re out I’ll buy a bed for the spare room. It ain’t that I don’t fancy you, Katy. You’re a beautiful-looking bird. It’s just, after everything that’s happened, I don’t feel ready to be intimate and I don’t wanna be a roll-on roll-off merchant like I was last night. You deserve better than that.’
Katy forced a smile. She craved Michael’s touch more than life itself at times, but she’d just have to continue wearing the batteries out on her vibrator until he was ready. At least he wanted to stay with her and Nathan, that was the main thing. ‘I understand and I’m sorry if I’ve come across as a bit needy. I’ve never told you this before, but since you dumped me all those years ago, I’ve never been with another man. Perhaps that’s why I seem like such a desperate saddo?’
‘You’re no desperate saddo, babe. Unlike that slag of an ex of mine, you’re a decent girl who has put our son first. You’ve got good morals and I truly admire you for that.’
Katy grinned broadly. ‘Come and sit next to me and drink your wine. I won’t leap on you, honest. Let’s watch a film together.’
Michael winked. ‘Only if you let me choose the film. None of that slushy shit. Gangsters and guns all day long for me, girl.’
Bella D’Angelo picked her phone up and punched in the number her father had given her. She had to have it out with him, tell him his fortune. There was no going back now, not after the way he’d treated Antonio.
‘Katy, it’s Bella. Could I speak with Michael briefly, please?’
‘Erm, hang on while I ask him if he wants to speak to you,’ Katy replied coldly, mouthing the word ‘Bella’ to Michael.
‘Pause the film, babe,’ Michael said loudly. He was glad she’d phoned. It gave him an opportunity to hurt her like she’d hurt him. His heart was beating wildly as he took the phone out of Katy’s hands. ‘Pour us both another drink an’ all, girl,’ he added, knowing full well Bella could hear every word.
Michael walked into the kitchen and casually said, ‘All right? Whaddya want? Only if it’s about seeing Cami, I was gonna bell you tomorrow to make some arrangement.’
‘Pause the film, babe. Pour us another drink, girl,’ Bella repeated in a mocking tone. ‘Couldn’t you have demanded your orders to Katy in a softer tone? No, of course you couldn’t, and the reason being because I was meant to hear them. What a sad, childish man you’ve turned out to be, Michael Butler. To take your hatred of me out on a ten-year-old boy who has idolized you all his life is something I thought you of all people would never be capable of. It’s despicable, and you have scarred Antonio for life, so I do hope you’re fucking proud of yourself. You make me sick to the stomach – Katy is more than welcome to you.’
Michael was shell-shocked. He’d fully expected Bella to be remorseful at the very least. ‘What was I meant to say to him? The boy ain’t my son, is he?’
‘No. And do you know what, I am glad he isn’t. I never thought I would hear myself say this, but I truly thank God now that Antonio is Vinny’s because he is twice the man you will ever be. In more ways than one.’
Bella’s cruel words, especially regarding Vinny, felt like a dagger being prodded deep inside his heart. ‘You cunt,’ he yelled.
Katy ran into the kitchen. ‘Whatever’s wrong?’
Michael did not reply. He was far too busy smashing the phone into tiny pieces.
Vinny Butler took a deep breath before plucking up the courage to answer. Michael had been
continuously phoning him for the past ten minutes and Vinny had needed to work out what to say for the best first.
‘Before you say anything, bruv, I want you to know I ain’t angry with you for what you did. I should’ve told ya, and I fully understand how—’
Michael’s loud, sarcastic laughter stopped Vinny from continuing his pre-planned apology. ‘You’re a fucking nutjob, you. Need sectioning, you cunt. Now you listen to me and listen very carefully. If you ever come within a mile radius of me or any of my kids, I swear I will gouge your eyes out and ram ’em straight down the back of your throat. As for you and Bella, you can fuck one another senseless until the cows come home for all I care, but you never have contact with Camila, understand? If you defy me, I swear I will kill you.’
‘Michael, calm down. I’m sorry, OK? Please let’s try and sort this – we’re brothers, for fuck’s sake. I don’t want Bella, never did,’ Vinny lied.
‘We were brothers, Vinny, but we ain’t any more. This is the end of us and the end of the Butlers. It’s over. Finito.’
PART THREE
What greater punishment is there than life
When you’ve lost everything that made it worthwhile?
Anon
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Winter 2001
Michael and Lee Butler were in high spirits as they made the journey to Wandsworth Prison. Daniel was being released today after serving eighteen months for GBH and they’d laid a surprise party on for him later.
‘You don’t reckon that Raj’s mates would have the front to turn up later, d’ya?’ Michael asked Lee. Raj was the reason for his son’s imprisonment. A local drug dealer/gang leader, the boys had told him many a time if they caught him dealing at the club he’d be barred. One evening it had all kicked off and Daniel had done Raj with a baseball bat. His sentence could’ve been longer had the jury believed Raj’s brief, who insisted the attack was racially motivated.
Tainted Love: The gritty new thriller from the #1 bestseller Page 32