‘Go away. Leave me alone,’ Nancy mumbled. Michael could tell she was pissed. She was slurring.
Crouching down next to their bed, the stench of wine hit Michael tenfold. ‘I am fucking sick of this idiotic behaviour, Nancy. You need to get a grip, else me and you are finished.’
‘What a matter with Mummy?’ Adam asked, toddling into the room.
When Nancy began to sob like a newborn, Michael strolled out with his youngest son in his arms, and slammed the door. To say he was furious as he walked down the stairs and spotted three empty bottles of wine in the lounge was an understatement. How could he go to work and leave Nancy with the kids in the state she was in? He couldn’t.
The home in Eastbourne had two mobile payphones that were wheeled into the patient’s room so they could speak privately, and when one of the carers knocked on his door to inform Roy that he had hogged the phone for too long, Roy told her that he would need it for at least another half an hour.
At his request, Michael had stopped at an off licence and brought him a bottle of brandy on the way back from the pub, and Roy took a large gulp of it before he dialled the next number. He just hoped she was in. When the phone was answered, he recognized her voice immediately. She had such a beautiful Irish lilt that it almost brought tears to his eyes. He took a deep breath and did his best to pull himself together. ‘Colleen, it’s Roy. How are you? And how is Emily-Mae?’
When Colleen burst into tears, Roy held the phone away from his ear. He knew they were tears of sympathy rather than love.
‘Oh, Roy. It is so wonderful to hear from you,’ Colleen said, before going on to explain how well their daughter was doing at nursery, amongst lots of other stories about the child he barely knew.
Roy grinned as he listened to his daughter’s antics. She sounded a right little character, just like he had once been.
‘Have you rung because you are ready to see Emily-Mae now, Roy? I will bring her to see you whenever you want,’ Colleen said.
Feeling embarrassed because his speech was so slow and slurred compared to when Colleen had been with him, Roy felt compelled to apologize for that before telling his ex he didn’t want Emily-Mae to visit.
‘So, why have you rung then?’ Colleen asked.
‘Because, I just wanted to check my daughter was OK and that you were happy.’
When Colleen assured him that everything was fine, Roy forced himself to smile. She hadn’t told him about her new chap, but she sounded bubbly enough for him to know that her new fiancé must be an OK kind of guy who was obviously treating her well. ‘I have to go now, Colleen, but I just want to tell you something before I put the phone down. I will always love you and Emily-Mae, but I want you to promise me you will move on with your life, meet a nice man and be happy. Can you do that for me?’
When Colleen burst into tears again, Roy ended the call. There really was no need for her to feel guilty. Colleen was truly a wonderful girl. She had sat by his bedside day and night when he had been in a coma, and even when he had woken up as a different man, Colleen had been willing to give up her own life to care for him. She had even still wanted to marry him. Roy took another swig of brandy, and smiled. He was so glad he’d had the guts to set Colleen and his daughter free. The reason being, they both deserved better.
Back at the club, Dean Smart sat down nervously opposite his boss.
‘And what can I do for you, Deano? Do you need time off because of your nan?’ Vinny asked, with a hint of sarcasm. He couldn’t put on a sympathetic voice, as he hated Mad Freda with a passion.
‘No. It’s nothing to do with my nan. I need to speak to you about Brenda.’
‘Go on, and there is no need to gabble. I don’t bite, you know. I’ll pour us both a drink,’ Vinny replied. He liked Dean, and thought his little sister had done quite well for herself considering what a pain in the arse she was at times.
Dean gratefully accepted the Scotch, and necked it in two gulps. He was dreading this conversation, but he was so unhappy, it couldn’t be put off any longer.
Vinny listened in earnest while Dean explained how awful life was with Brenda. ‘So, what do you want me to do about it?’ he asked, when his brother-in-law finally came up for air.
Dean took a deep breath. ‘Nothing. The reason I have spoken to you is I wanted to ask your permission to leave Brenda. I can’t take any more, Vinny, I’m at the end of my tether.’
Vinny leant across the table and stared Dean straight in the eyes. ‘You got a bit of fluff on the go? And don’t lie to me, because I will find out if you have.’
Dean held his hands up in a surrender poise. ‘I swear on my Tara’s life I am not having an affair and I never have since I married Bren. I wouldn’t do that, Vinny. I have too much respect for her and your family.’
‘Good! Glad to hear it. Look Dean, I’m sorry to hear how bad things are for you but, I’m afraid leaving Bren is totally out of the question, boyo. My dear old mum would be so upset if that were to happen, and you know how I like my mum to be happy, don’t you?’
About to argue his point, Dean noticed the dangerous glint in Vinny’s eyes and quickly shut his mouth. He was doomed to a life of misery and unfortunately there was no way out whatsoever.
Roy took another swig of brandy as he re-read his father’s letter. Michael had given him his dad’s phone number approximately twenty minutes ago, and he was still building up the courage to make the call, fearing he was probably about to hear things that would upset him greatly.
Roy picked up the receiver and held it between his chin and cheek while he used his only able hand to dial.
‘Hello, son. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you want to speak to me. I’ve been sitting by the phone since Michael rung me earlier willing you to phone me,’ Albie said sincerely.
‘It is good to speak to you too, Dad, but you must be patient with my speech. I talk very slowly now as you can probably tell.’
‘I don’t give a damn how you speak, or if we are on the phone all night, Roy. It is just so wonderful to hear your voice again. How are you doing? Michael tells me you’ve moved to a lovely place near the sea now?’
‘To be honest, Dad, my life isn’t so great, so I would rather hear about yours, if that is OK with you?’
Albie took the hint, and told Roy all about his new life in Ipswich. He didn’t mention his new lady friend though in case it upset his son. He went on to describe how living with his brother Bert had been a godsend and spoke enthusiastically about his allotment, and how much healthier he felt for having cut his drinking down immensely.
‘I am really pleased you are happy, Dad,’ Roy said. He was genuinely thrilled that his father had turned his life around and seemed so content.
‘Son, I must apologize about that terrible cancer lie I told. I wasn’t thinking straight at the time, but I swear on the Bible that the only reason I said it was because of my desperation to have contact with you, Michael, and Brenda again. I missed you all so much, I would have said or done anything to be part of your lives once more.’
‘Why haven’t you mentioned Vinny, Dad? I want to know the truth of what has happened.’
‘I really don’t want to talk about your brother, Roy. I have nothing nice to say about him.’
‘Dad, I will forgive you for you lying about your cancer if you tell me the truth about Vinny. I hate him with a passion, and I swear whatever you tell me I will take to my grave with me. On my Emily-Mae’s life, I will never tell another living soul any of this conversation that we have tonight.’
Trusting his son completely, Albie then spilt the beans. He told Roy all about how he had been pushed out of his children’s lives the moment they had been born, and then went on to describe in detail how Vinny had tried to ruin the engagement with Colleen by bribing him to tell her parents a pack of lies. ‘I just couldn’t do it to you, son. I looked around and saw you and Colleen kissing and cuddling, and I refused. That is why Vinny jumped on the stage and told everybody I
had lied about my cancer. He then threatened to kill me if I didn’t leave the area immediately. I was scared of him, son. You know what he did to me all them years ago when he found out about my affair with Judy Preston. You was there.’
Roy was gobsmacked. He had always known that Vinny had an evil streak, and had remembered how his brother had tried to ruin his engagement party. But, how could he threaten to kill his own father? Roy had thought Albie had left Whitechapel because his cancer lie had been exposed. Vinny really was the lowest of the low at times.
‘You OK, son?’ Albie asked anxiously. He had necked a couple of cans while talking to Roy. His nerves were frayed just relaying the story, and the past brought back awful memories.
Still in a state of shock, Roy decided to change the subject completely. ‘Did you ever find out if Judy Preston kept your baby, Dad?’
‘No, son. I did hear a rumour that she was living not too many miles away from where I am now, but I doubt that is true. I swear, I have never seen or heard a peep out of her since the day she visited me in that hospital and your mother turned up.’
‘I am so glad we had this chat, Dad. I always wondered why you spent so much time at the pub when I was a kid, and I never knew that Mum and Auntie Viv pushed you out of the family circle the way they did. Don’t get me wrong, I love my mum. She has always been good to me, but I do believe you, as I know how domineering her and Auntie Viv can be at times.’
Albie rubbed the tears away from his eyes with the sleeve of his jumper. It had been both lovely and emotional talking to Roy, but it broke his heart that his son sounded like a shadow of the man he once was. ‘When can I come and visit you, boy? Michael said he will drive me down there.’
Roy took a deep breath to stop himself from crying. ‘Soon, Dad. I hope you don’t think I’ve turned into a softie for saying this, but I want you to know that I forgive you for everything, and I love you very much.’
Unable to stop himself, Albie then burst into floods of tears. ‘And I love you too, son, much more than you could ever imagine.’
Choked up beyond belief, Roy knew it was time to end the call. ‘Dad, somebody else needs to use the phone now, but I’ll speak to you again soon, I promise,’ he lied.
Nancy Walker walked over to the wardrobe and put a coat on over her nightdress. The long hot summer had now come to an end, and she didn’t want to get wet. She could hear the torrential rain banging against the window.
Her handbag with her purse inside was in the lounge, and there was no way Nancy was venturing in there. She could hear Michael laughing, and her sons joining in with whatever stupid game they were playing. Then, she heard Lee’s voice. The boy who had been dumped on her even though he wasn’t her bloody child.
Tip-toeing down the stairs, Nancy opened the front door as gently as she could. Christopher had been taken to Upney Hospital which wasn’t that far away, and even if it took her an hour or so, she would be able to walk there.
When Nancy quietly shut the front door, she suddenly realized she had her carpet slippers on rather than her shoes. Cursing herself for being so dipsy, she had no choice other than to walk on. Her key was in her purse.
CHAPTER FORTY
When Vinny arrived in Eastbourne, he decided to take Joanna for a bit of lunch in the Moorings before dropping her off at Kings. Jo had been worryingly quiet throughout the whole journey and he needed to find out why. ‘I just need to make a quick phonecall. Order what you want, and I’ll have the scampi, and a pint, babe,’ Vinny said, handing over a twenty-pound note.
‘Where the bloody hell you been? Three times I rang that club yesterday, and three times Lenny said you were busy. Ain’t you got time for your poor old mum now you’ve got some young tart on the firm?’ Queenie asked coldly.
‘I’m sorry, Mum. I barely had a moment to bleedin’ breathe yesterday. I meant to ring you back last night, but it totally slipped my mind.’
‘So, where are you now? Me and Vivvy have decided we want to go back to Kings until it shuts for the winter. When can you drive us down there?’
Vinny usually spoke to or saw his mother every single day, and he could tell she had the hump with him. Telling her he was currently in Eastbourne would only make her even more cross, so he had no option other than to lie. ‘I’m in the West End, Mum. I have a business meeting arranged with an old pal of mine. I promise you faithfully I will pop round to see you later today, and I will drive you and Auntie Viv back down to Eastbourne on Wednesday morning. What about Little Vinny though? I ain’t got no-one else to look after him.’
‘He can come to Kings with us. Teaching him a load of old bollocks at that school anyway,’ Queenie said bluntly.
‘I’ve got some really good news, Mum. Roy rang me yesterday and he wants to build some bridges. We’re going out for a drink on Wednesday.’
Queenie’s eyes welled up with tears of pure joy. She had been thrilled when Michael had informed her that Roy had seemed bubbly and had enjoyed a few pints in the pub, but that was nothing compared to how she felt about Roy and Vinny going out together. Her eldest two had been inseperable as kids and through their teenage years and it had broken Queenie’s heart that they no longer communicated. ‘Oh Vin, I’m so bloody pleased. What exactly did Roy say then?’
Aware that Joanna was staring at him, Vinny decided the details could wait until later. ‘I’ve got to go, Mum. My pal’s just turned up. I’ll explain all when I come round,’ he said, as the pips started to bleep.
‘Who was that you were on the phone to?’ Joanna asked, when Vinny returned to the table.
‘Only me mum. I’ve been so wrapped up with work and you, I had forgotten to ring her. What’s up, babe? You’ve not been your usual jovial self today. Is something bothering you?’
Joanna stared at her hands rather than look Vinny in the eye. ‘My period is two weeks late. I think I might be pregnant.’
Michael Butler was beside himself. He hadn’t realized his wife was missing until late last night, and she still hadn’t returned. He had scoured the streets for approximately four hours in his car looking for Nancy, but he hadn’t been able to find her. He had also rung his wife’s best friend, but Rhonda had sworn to him that Nancy hadn’t been in contact and she had no idea where his wife was.
At his wits’ end, Michael had now driven to Nancy’s parents’ café. He knew if Donald was there, he would get anything but a warm reception, but for once he didn’t care. Surely his wife’s safety was more important than her father’s shitty attitude?
Over at Wormwood Scrubs, Johnny Preston was pacing up and down his cell muttering expletives and threatening to murder Vinny Butler. They had kept him in solitary for twenty-four hours, and he’d had to pretend he had calmed down to be allowed back onto his wing.
‘Sit down, John. You’re making me feel dizzy,’ said Phil, Johnny’s cellmate.
Johnny punched the wall. He hadn’t told Phil why he was in pieces; he couldn’t bring himself to tell anyone. If he was on the outside, he would have marched straight down to Butler’s club and killed him stone dead. Doing life would be preferable to allowing that bastard to touch his baby girl again. ‘I’m going off my head here, Phil. That shit you inject, does it chill you out?’
Phil nodded. He had done two long stretches in prison now, and had got through both thanks to heroin. He now provided a service and supplied to other inmates too.
‘Give us a bull’s-eye’s worth,’ Johnny demanded, putting his hand inside his pants to pull out some damp pound notes.
‘Take it steady, John. You ain’t used to it. I’ll inject some for you if you like?’
‘Just give us the gear and the needle, Phil. I ain’t a fucking child, you cunt.’
When Michael walked into the café, he was relieved to see Mary standing behind the counter rather than Donald. Because of the seriousness of his visit, Michael had felt it inappropriate to ring ahead. He was hoping Nancy might be there, but if she wasn’t, then he really didn’t want to shock poor
Mary by phone.
‘Michael! What are you doing here? Is Nancy with you?’ Mary asked, rather bemused. Her son-in-law had never visited the café before, and Mary was relieved that Donald had left ten minutes ago to visit Christopher in hospital.
‘Have you seen Nancy, Mary?’ Michael asked.
‘No, not today. Why? Did she say she was coming here?’ Mary replied, now anxious.
‘No. Nancy didn’t say she was coming here, but she went out last night and she hasn’t come back yet, so I was rather hoping she was with you. I’m worried sick about her, Mary, she didn’t even take her handbag or purse with her.’
Mary put her hand over her mouth and totally ignored the customer who had just walked up to the counter and asked for an egg and bacon roll. ‘Oh my God, Michael! We need to find her quickly. Nancy really hasn’t been well lately.’
Alan Briggs lived in Upney and rarely used the alleyway that gave him access to the back of his house. However, he was having a new sofa delivered today which would probably not fit through his small hallway so, along with his dog, Spot, Alan trotted down the alley to check there were no obstacles blocking the delivery men’s paths.
Spot bounded on in front of him and began barking manically, but it wasn’t until Alan chased his Dalmatian that he spotted the girl lying curled up in a foetal position in the long grass. She had on what looked like a nightdress with a jacket over the top, and she was barefoot with grazes, blood, and dirt covering the soles of her feet. Alan felt his whole body shake from head to foot. His first impression was that the girl was dead, but when Spot licked her face, the girl’s eyes seemed to flicker open which made Alan gasp. ‘Don’t try to move. I will ring an ambulance. I’ll be back in one minute,’ he gabbled, before grabbing his dog by its collar and running back down the alleyway. He had no idea if the girl had been raped, attacked or what, but thank God she was still alive. Finding a corpse was not something that Alan could have dealt with.
Kimberley Chambers 3-Book Butler Collection Page 42