Bella squeezed Michael’s hand. She adored her own son but wasn’t a massive fan of other people’s children. Antonio had impeccable manners and at this stage of her and Michael’s relationship, she did not think it fair or appropriate that Antonio would be forced to live with Michael’s three much older sons. ‘I think we should put our house-hunting on hold for the time being. You can stay at mine whenever you want, but we should wait until Nancy is well enough to take care of her sons before we actually set up home together.’
‘Nance won’t take care of Lee, Bella, that’s for sure. She’s not even his mother, so he’s definitely going to have to live with us.’
‘We will cross that bridge when we come to it, Michael. For the time being, let’s just celebrate the fact that we no longer have to hide our relationship.’
Michael grinned. ‘Well, at least I’ll never have to refer to you as my bit of fluff again. You are now officially my woman, you lucky lady.’
Having been left to fend for themselves, it was Daniel Butler’s idea to take a trip to Dagenham Sunday Market.
Stepping off the District Line train at Dagenham Heathway, Daniel ordered his brothers to run if there was a ticket inspector present.
‘But why, Dan? Dad gave us a tenner each,’ Adam stated.
‘Because it’ll be a laugh and we’ll have more money to spend on ourselves.’
‘Tickets, please,’ the inspector bellowed.
Daniel grabbed Adam’s arm, before pushing Lee in the back. ‘Leg it!’ he ordered.
The inspector gave chase to the little blighters, but was soon out of breath. ‘I never forget a face you know. I’ll have you all arrested,’ he yelled.
Daniel burst out laughing as he reached the bottom of the Heathway hill. ‘Silly old fucker. We’ll wind him up again on the way home.’
‘Dad will kill us if we get arrested, Dan. Let’s go to a different station on the way back,’ Adam suggested.
Daniel flicked his brother’s ear. ‘Where’s your sense of fun? You little wuss. Now come on, let’s go spend our dosh.’
Deciding to drive out of Tillingham, Vinny found a great boozer that was very child-friendly with a little family room at the back and a play area.
‘Nanny, come and play with me,’ Ava pleaded.
‘Nanny can’t do that, darling. She’s far too old. You go and play with the children while me and your dad watch you.’
When Ava happily skipped away from the table, Queenie grinned. ‘She’s nothing like Molly, is she?’
‘It’s a blessing in disguise she’s nothing like Molly, Mum. We wouldn’t be able to deal with it if she was.’
‘Who we going to invite to the party next week? We want to make it special for Ava. How old is Jay Boy’s girlfriend’s little ’un? Lovely girl she is, by the way. Training to be a nurse she told me yesterday. Where did her and Jay meet?’
Not wanting to spoil his mother’s perception of Jay Boy’s bird or embarrass his pal, Vinny told his mother they’d met in a pub. The truth was Jilly had worked as one of his bunny girls briefly. Jay Boy had fallen in love quickly, taken Jilly under his wing and had forced her to quit the club so he could support her and her daughter. ‘I’m not sure how old Jilly’s daughter is, but I think she’s around Ava’s age so I’ll invite them. What about Dad? Michael’s so up his backside these days he’s bound to refuse to come if we don’t invite that old bastard too.’
‘Let’s ask the old goat then. I want Michael there. Don’t be inviting Bren and Dagenham Dave though. Poor little Ava would probably hitch-hike back to Tillingham if she saw those two eating one another’s faces off.’
‘A chip off the old block, Mum. Look! Ava’s just clumped that little boy.’
Turning around, Queenie laughed. Her granddaughter was standing with her hands on her hips and wagging a finger at a lad who looked at least a year or two older than her. ‘She reminds me of me and Vivian, boy. It’s definitely in the genes.’
Vinny smirked. Ava was a Butler all right and he couldn’t wait to become her sole parent.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The following weekend the weather was lovely, so Michael suggested he and Bella take Antonio to Hyde Park on the Saturday.
Heavily lacquered or messy-looking hair was currently all the rage, thanks to impressionable youngsters copying their favourite pop stars, and Bella hated the look. ‘Oh my God, Michael! That woman is far too old for that outfit. She must be at least sixty.’
The woman in question was wearing Lycra tartan leggings, had a mass of dyed-blonde permed hair and to top it all was on roller-skates. ‘Jesus wept. I can just see my mum and aunt going out in public like that – not! You do see some sights in London, don’t ya?’
When the woman in question began fussing over Antonio, Michael wanted to laugh as she nearly lost her balance. ‘Do you wanna sit down for a minute, love?’ Michael chuckled.
‘No. I’m fine, thank you. What a handsome little boy you have. He’s the spitting image of his daddy, aren’t you?’ the woman grinned.
When the eccentric old bird unsteadily skated off, Michael put an arm around Bella’s shoulders. ‘How many people is that now who’ve said Antonio is a ringer for me? You sure he ain’t a dwarf and you’ve lied about his age?’
Bella smiled. ‘He looks like me. I think people only say it because he has your eye-colour.’
‘What did his dad look like?’ Michael enquired.
‘Clint was tall and dark with green eyes. He wasn’t as handsome as you though, so don’t get jealous.’
‘Very few men are as handsome as me, babe,’ Michael laughed. ‘I was thinking, now that I’ve told Nancy’s mother about you, I’d like you to meet my sons.’
‘It’s a bit too early for that, Michael. You need to give them time to adjust before I am introduced to them. I want them to like me, not blame me for their mum walking out on them.’
‘I’m sure they’d be OK, but I suppose you might be right. Adam’s a bit sensitive. I am gonna tell my family about us though. Just my mum, dad, brother and aunt. I’m spending the day with them tomorrow, so I’ll tell them then.’
‘Isn’t it a bit too soon to tell them as well? I would hate your mum to see me as some hussy.’
‘She won’t. My dad and brother knew about you years ago, so it’ll be no surprise to them. I told my dad we bumped into one another again at Christmas, and said this time I wasn’t gonna let you go. My mum and aunt are as tough as old boots. They won’t be too bothered about Nancy. They’ll just want me to be happy. You need to chill out. My family are gonna love you, Bella, trust me.’
‘Hurry up, Queen. The pie-and-mash shop’ll be shut by the time you get ready. Whatever you doing up there?’ Vivian shouted out. She knew the Roman would be packed today because of the hot weather and couldn’t wait to parade herself up and down the market.
Queenie nearly fell down the stairs in her haste to tell Viv the news. ‘Quick, look out the front. We’ve got new neighbours!’
Vivian dashed to the window. The council had popped next door on Monday and had obviously done a few jobs because of the drilling. Then on Thursday an Indian family had viewed the property. ‘It’s just the removal men there, I think, Queen. Gotta be those Indians moving in I reckon, but I can’t see ’em. We haven’t seen anybody else view it, have we?’
Queenie pursed her lips. She wasn’t racist, just preferred her own kind the same as the Indians probably did. She hated the smell of Indian food though. It made her want to vomit. ‘Best we stock up on air fresheners while we’re down the market. Otherwise our curtains and everything else are gonna stink of curry and whatever other shit they eat.’
Johnny Preston had arranged to meet Black Joe at the Halfway House along the Southend Arterial Road. They’d met in prison and Johnny knew Black Joe could be trusted.
‘It’s under your seat – don’t worry, it isn’t loaded. I know your track record when it comes to misfiring, so will drop the ammo off tomorrow. I don’t li
ke carrying both together.’
Johnny’s hands were shaky and clammy as he put his hand under the car seat. He unwrapped the cloth and stared at the 9mm pistol. Just looking at it scared the living daylights out of him. He’d mugged himself right off when he’d accidentally shot Roy Butler instead of Vinny many moons ago. ‘It’s perfect for the job,’ Johnny said, handing Black Joe the agreed price in an envelope.
‘I’ll meet you here same time tomorrow with the ammo, OK? Do you want me to bring a sports-bagful, in case you wanna have a little practice first?’
Johnny Preston couldn’t help but smile. Black Joe had actually been christened Joseph Jesus Harvey. His mother was a deeply religious woman and Joe was a big believer in God too. ‘Piss off you cheeky bastard. Go and pray for your sins.’
Chuckling away, Black Joe zoomed off.
Eddie Mitchell welcomed his dad’s old pal warmly. ‘Long time no see. You’re looking well. Fancy a brandy or a cuppa?’
‘I’ll have a small brandy, please, Ed. I saw your Gary and Ricky recently. First time I’ve seen ’em in years. Big strapping lads, eh? You must be ever so proud of the way they’ve turned out.’
‘I am. They’re good boys. How’s your family doing?’
‘The wife and kids are fine. But my brother’s not well. Your dad would remember Stan, but I doubt you would. Been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Given him a year, tops. That’s part of the reason I need a favour.’
‘So, how can I help?’
Eddie listened intently while the situation was explained in detail to him. His ears pricked up when he learned of Vinny Butler’s involvement. He wasn’t overly surprised. Not much went on in the underworld that he didn’t get wind of.
Eddie thought deeply, this was going to be a fucker to deal with but deal with it he would. ‘What I want you to do is get your nephew to pen a letter to Vinny. Tell him to keep it short and sweet, hint that somebody was trying to set him up and arrange a meet. Bring the letter to me and I’ll hand it to Vinny personally. I’ll also have a quiet word in his shell-like saying you’re a friend of the family, blah blah blah. I won’t mention your name, so don’t worry.’
‘Do you think Vinny will listen to you?’
Eddie Mitchell chuckled. ‘Obviously, I can’t promise you anything. But he’d be a silly boy if he didn’t. A very fucking silly boy indeed.’
Mary Walker was still furious, but doing her best to act normal in front of Nancy and Donald. Her daughter seemed slightly calmer today and she wouldn’t tell her about Michael’s appalling behaviour until the time was right. Nancy’s health and state of mind came before anything else.
‘Where did you go when you went out earlier?’ Donald asked, peering suspiciously over his newspaper.
‘Round the shop to get your bloody papers.’
‘But you were gone ages.’
‘Gawd blimey, Donald. I thought it was our Christopher who was the policeman, not you. I bumped into a couple of people and had a chat. Is that OK?’
‘You didn’t go and see Michael, did you?’ Nancy asked, concerned.
‘No. Course not,’ Mary replied, squeezing her daughter’s hand while glaring at her husband.
‘I’m definitely not going back to him this time, Mum. I’ve seriously had enough. Obviously, when I’m feeling a bit better, I’ll make proper arrangements for the boys.’
‘Here we go again. If I had a pound for every time I’ve heard you were never going back to that villainous husband of yours, I’d be rich,’ Donald piped up.
Leaping off the sofa, Mary snatched the newspaper out of Donald’s hand and hit him over the head with it. ‘Do yourself a favour and go and mow that lawn. Looks like a bloody jungle out there and the Robinses are coming for dinner tomorrow.’
When Donald begrudgingly did as he was told, Nancy allowed herself a little giggle. ‘I do love you, Mum.’
‘And I love you too, more than words can say. You really have got to move on from Michael this time though, Nance. It’ll be better for your state of mind and those boys.’
‘It’s over, Mum. I’ve had a gutful and I can’t take no more. I’ve decided that I’m going to insist Adam lives with me. He’s such a sweet boy, and the older two lead him astray. There’s still a chance for him in life if I get him away from that environment. Michael’s bound to refuse to split the boys up, but he can go fuck himself. You don’t mind Adam living here until I sort myself out my own place, do you? I’m sure you’ll be able to talk Dad round.’
‘I’m not sure it would be fair to take Adam and leave Daniel behind, love. They’re ever so close, and both your sons.’
‘But I don’t want Daniel. He reminds me of a young Little Vinny. I do love him, but I don’t like him very much. Does that make sense to you, Mum?’
Desperate to lighten the strange conversation, Mary chuckled. ‘It makes perfect sense to me. I feel exactly the same about your father.’
Little Vinny was shitting a brick. He and Sammi-Lou had been engaged a whole week now, yet she still hadn’t told her parents. He’d begged her to tell them when they’d popped round the other day while he was at work. But instead she’d taken her ring off and insisted they told her parents today, together.
‘I’ll unclip Oliver out of his seat, Vin. You take the stuff out the boot.’
Little Vinny nodded. ‘Your father will probably put this over me head,’ he mumbled, waving the champagne bottle in the air.
‘Shush. Mum and Dad are coming,’ Sammi-Lou hissed.
Little Vinny handed Meg Allen the big bouquet and kissed her politely on the cheek.
‘I wish you’d stop bringing gifts every time you visit, Vinny. It’s ever so generous, but there’s really no need. I’d rather you spend the money on Oliver.’
‘Ollie doesn’t go short of presents or anything else, Meg, trust me. I could open a toy and kids’ clothes shop with what he’s got indoors.’
Hearing the back-end of the conversation, Gary Allen chuckled. He’d been the same with Sammi-Lou and Millie. Had bought them far more than they ever needed, and still did.
‘Dad’s in a good mood. Tell them straight away,’ Sammi-Lou whispered.
‘Shouldn’t it be you who tells ’em?’
‘No. Dad will be far more impressed if you say it.’
Little Vinny felt like a cat on a hot tin roof as he walked inside the house.
‘Can I play with Oliver, Vinny?’ Millie asked excitedly.
‘Course you can,’ Little Vinny replied.
Thankfully Sammi-Lou’s younger sister no longer freaked him out. It must have been paranoia and guilt that made him think of Molly every time he saw her at the start of his and Sammi’s relationship. Since Ollie had been born he’d come to realize that the only real similarity was the blonde curly hair.
Clearing his throat, Little Vinny turned to Meg, then focused on Gary. He was great at lying, but got tongue-tied when it came to telling the truth. ‘I asked Sammi to marry me and she said yes. I know I should’ve asked your permission first, Gary. But it was a spur of the moment thing,’ he blurted out.
Having more than forgiven Little Vinny for his past misdemeanours, Meg Allen had tears in her eyes as she hugged the happy couple. ‘Congratulations! I’m so pleased for you both, and won’t it be lovely for Oliver if his mummy and daddy are legally married, Gary?’
‘Can I be bridesmaid? Please can I?’ Millie yelled.
Gary grimaced. Little Vinny had surprised him by turning things around, and there was no denying that he currently made Sammi-Lou very happy. The lad was also a wonderful father and generous to a fault, but Gary still had his doubts. They were teenagers, not adults, and marriage wasn’t something to be taken lightly. ‘Let’s have a man-to-man chat in the kitchen, Vin.’
Feeling like a dog that was about to be put down, Little Vinny followed Gary into the kitchen and then winced as he slammed the door. ‘Too fucking right, you should’ve asked me first! And what do you mean, “spur of the moment”? Marri
age is for life, not something you do on a cunting whim.’
‘I know that, Gary. If you want the truth, ever since Oliver was born proposing to Sammi had been on my mind. I love her and that little boy so much; I want us to be a proper family. Last weekend we went to my cousin’s birthday party and I just sort of blurted it out. I’ve never been that good with planning stuff or words.’
Gary Allen was a big, strapping bloke and as he approached and put his face just inches away from his own, Little Vinny feared the worst. ‘I’m telling you now and I’m a man of my word: you ever hurt Sammi-Lou or my grandson in any way, shape or form, I will fucking kill you with me bare hands. Understand?’
‘Totally, Gary.’
Gary Allen slapped his future son-in-law on the back. ‘Good, lad. Now let’s crack open that bottle of bubbly, shall we?’
Loaded up with carrier bags, two of which contained nothing but air fresheners, Queenie and Vivian stood open-mouthed as they reached their abode. Instead of the finest net curtains like they had, the new neighbours had hung what looked like two old bedsheets that were obviously once white but now looked grey at the windows.
Queenie clutched her sister’s arm, then pointed. ‘What’s that thing poking its head out behind the sheet? Is it a toy?’
Vivian looked upwards. Her eyes were only marginally better than her sister’s, but both women were too proud to wear their glasses outdoors, seeing it as a sign of old age. ‘Oh my gawd! It’s moving! I think it’s a cat, Queen. Look, there’s another one staring at us an’ all.’
Needing a brandy more than ever, Queenie dashed inside her house. She was bemused, to say the least. ‘I didn’t think Indians had pets. Don’t they eat cats and dogs in their country?’
‘No, it’s them Oriental types who eat dogs – I watched a programme about it once. Not sure if Indians eat cats. I suppose they might.’
Queenie downed her brandy in one. ‘Trust our luck, is all I can say. We’ve either got Indian moggy lovers for neighbours, or those two poor little bastards we saw looking out the window are about to be skinned alive and eaten in tomorrow’s curry.’
Kimberley Chambers 3-Book Butler Collection Page 118