Mickey's Way

by Karen Clow

  Snuggling her head into his chest, he pulled her closer to him. In a calm way she asked what would happen now and begged him to be honest. She wanted their lives back and didn’t want to go through the pregnancy constantly worrying about everything.

  “Babe there’s only one thing I can do to put an end to this. I’m going to take out Davy Sheridan, he’s the last in his line so there won’t be anyone to follow him or to even the score it’s the only way.”

  Suddenly she felt a panic run through her; she had buried one husband because of the Sheridan’s, she didn’t want to make it two. To lose Mickey would be more than she could bear, but she had asked him to be honest and he had been.

  “God Mickey, surely there has to be some other way. If anything happened to you I would just want to die.”

  “Babe nothing’s going to happen to me. Obviously I will check everything out first, but it’s the only way and it’s a matter of honour now. Jimmy was one thing; my family are another. I will take every precaution to keep it simple. I may need to go up to London for a meeting with Tony and the boys. There’s one good thing in our favour though, that’s the fact that Davy doesn’t know that I know and Dudley isn’t going to tell him, that’s a certainty. If I know Sheridan, finding Dudley will be his priority at the moment. So we can take our time and plan it so there are no mistakes.”

  Feeling her trembling, he fully expected her to say something but she didn’t, she just hugged him. Knowing in his own mind that although she wouldn’t have liked what he had said, she knew it was the only way of putting an end to this feud with Davy Sheridan which was why she had remained silent. Kissing her neck, he tried to change the subject by reminding her they were alone in the house and the others wouldn’t be back for at least another couple of hours, which meant if she wanted to take advantage of him and make hot passionate love to him she could.

  Pushing her down gently on the bed, they kissed passionately for several minutes, but still trembling from their conversation; he could sense that she was anything but relaxed. Undoing her top he slid his hand inside and fondled her breasts, as he continued he could feel that she was slowly calming down.

  While they kissed and touched he called her sexy and told her that she was beautiful. She certainly didn’t feel beautiful and definitely not sexy. Leaning across her, he took to lengths of silk from the bedside cabinet and then he proceeded to tie her wrists to the bed head. When he’d finished tying her loosely to the bed, he laid next to her kissing her neck as he told her to relax. She didn’t answer him, she just nodded. He touched her body as they kissed. Despite not wanting sex, she wanted to hold him, but she was restrained. He kissed and sucked her nipples; gradually her body began to respond, especially when he moved his tongue slowly and purposely over her body. When he moved down her tummy kissing her and licking her, she made a noise. It was a sigh of enjoyment, he knew then she was going to give herself to him. Moving down the bed he slowly worked his way down her body, kissing her thighs, before gently pushing her legs apart to accommodate him. Still kissing her he felt her body arch with pleasure, she wanted to hold his head and guide him to exactly the right spot. Her restraints only heightened her pleasure, because she had to lift her body up and push it against him, to get the desired effect. Taking things slowly he didn’t rush; he kept kissing her just short of what she wanted. Finally his tongue found her, she gasped as she called out his name, lifting her buttocks to increase her pleasure as his tongue flicked her.

  “Oh God Mickey don’t stop!”

  Having achieved his goal, he continued until her body relaxed. Then he slowly made his way back up to her head, kissing and touching her. By the time he kissed her nipples she was desperate to hold him, she wanted him inside her.

  “Untie me Mickey; I want to make love to you.”

  Taking the pillows and propping them up against the bed head, he laid back into them, half lying half sitting as she straddled over him and gently lowered herself down. Now it was him who wanted more, he pulled her closer so he could kiss and suck her nipples. Pushing himself back onto the pillows, he asked her to touch herself. He watched as she cupped her breasts in her hands then guiding them to his lips. She moved back, still fondling her breasts, he wanted to watch. Slowly she moved her hand downwards, her fingers touching him as she felt herself, he was almost at the point of no return. Squeezing her buttocks to increase the pleasure, her fingers now frantically moving; suddenly he jerked and held her down on him. Lifting her body with his as he came, she began shaking and jerking, grabbing his head and pushing it against her breasts. Moments later they were silent, their breathing slowly returning to normal as they lay holding each other. Lying on him kissing him she gasped, “God Mickey.”

  “I know I was terrific, but you don’t have to refer to me as ‘God,’ just Mickey will do!”

  Tickling him she asked if they could just forget about the last twenty four hours?

  “Actually babe if the events of the last twenty four hours brought about this, then I might start making a habit of it, especially if this is going to be the result.”

  CHAPTER 16

  Monday morning everyone was up early. Max had spoken to Maria on the phone and arranged to drive down to Kent to speak with the girls. She was expected around eleven that morning. Shane was going to drive her, because Mickey had arranged a meeting with some of the others. He would have preferred to meet in London, but due to Maria having a bad time over what had happened at the weekend, Tony had suggested them meeting there. Lenny and Reggie were travelling down with him. Obviously not everyone could attend because of other commitments, but they could be filled in with the details later. Terry had a delivery of drugs arriving, so he had elected for Reggie to go, especially as he knew he’d want to see Rosie.

  After breakfast Billy and Den had taken the twins and Rosie for a walk, stopping to feed the ponies en route. Mickey had spent most of the time in his study on the phone. Maria was glad to be alone with his mum, because she wanted to apologise to her for her outburst at the weekend.

  Sitting together drinking tea, Mary said she understood and quickly told Maria to forget all about it and told her a story about when Mickey and Fay were kids and how even the best parents in the world have bad things happen.

  “I was always aware of the threat to us because of Den and the people he worked for, love. In fact, I was just like you. I remember when Mickey was about five, we’d taken the kids to London zoo for the day. We were watching the monkeys, it was packed with tourists and I’d made sure that both kids held our hands. Mickey wanted to stand with his dad as we watched the monkeys. A few moments later, I looked over and he was gone. I was hysterical, screaming and shouting everyone was looking at me. Den was trying to be rational, telling me that he couldn’t have gone very far. He told me to stay there, in case Mickey came back and then he went to look for him. People were staring at me because I got myself in such a state. I think they thought I was mad. Anyway five minutes later, Den returned with him. I cannot tell you how relieved I was to see him, but instead of hugging him and kissing him, I smacked him several times. Which was out of character for me, I rarely hit the kids. Fay was crying because I was screaming and smacking her brother, everyone was looking at us, but I did it out of relief, because every terrible thought imaginable went through my head in those few minutes. I never even considered that he had simply followed a group of kids who were there on a school outing. I was convinced in my mind that someone had taken him because of Den’s connections. It was as a result of that day, I realised you can’t allow your family to live in fear of what might happen. It took me a long time to accept that bad things do happen, but not always for the reasons you believe. I was so happy when Mickey moved here, because every day I worried about something happening to him, especially after Jimmy died, but even here this terrible thing happened. I worry all the time about Fay and her family living in America with all the drive by shootings and things. One thing I’ve learnt though, all the worrying
in the world doesn’t change anything. So enjoy what you have love, life is just too short.”

  Maria wiped her face and looked at her, ironically Mary had made her realise what she had said was true. No one was expecting her to forget what happened, just accept it and move on from it.

  “I just want you to know love, we’re all feeling the strain of what happened. It’s a bit like people who ride horses; I’ve heard it said that when they take a bad fall they have to remount straight away. If not they will always have that fear and they won’t enjoy riding anymore.”

  “I wish it were that simple Mum, but this thing won’t go away until Mickey puts an end to it and I worry that something will happen to him, then where would I be?”

  “I take it from that you’re referring to Davy Sheridan? I’ve spoken to dad about it and it’s the only way love, but I know my boy, he won’t take any unnecessary risks and he won’t be alone.”

  “I can’t believe we’re sitting here, discussing my husband killing someone. This is the type of thing you read about in novels.”

  “Books are only make believe love, this is the real world and men like Davy Sheridan are dangerous. He’s power hungry and that makes him even more dangerous. So Mickey and the others have to do the right thing and put an end to it, or it will never be over. Now shall we have another cup of tea?”

  “Yes please, pour Mickey one as well please Mum, I’ll take it in to him.”

  Moments later she was tapping on the study door.

  They heard a car pull up. Maria looked out of the window; she could see Shane and Max getting out of their car. Hearing him call out to someone she recognised Billy’s voice immediately.

  Within fifteen minutes of them arriving, Tony and the others pulled up. Rosie made a bee line for Reggie. As the dog licked Reggie all over the face, Shane sarcastically asked him when the wedding was. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that from the look on Reggie’s face had the twins not have been there, he would have replied with something rude.

  Maria offered everyone a drink and then Mickey took them through to the dining room. The three women sat in the kitchen, while the twins played in the playroom with Rosie. They talked about the girls and how they had been since the kidnapping. Everything that Maria told her she would have expected. Max would prefer to speak to the girls separately at first and then let them both join in. Telling Maria she’d heard about the pregnancy, she congratulated her and asked how she was.

  Maria was truthful about how everything had affected her and that she had taken most of it out on Mickey. Max smiled, that was normal and she felt Maria would benefit from some counselling with her. Mary instantly agreed it was a good idea. Maria nodded, she would think about it.

  Five minutes later while Max talked to Melanie in the play room, Madeline was doing a puzzle with her Nan while Maria was busy cooking. Almost an hour had passed, when Melanie and Max came back into the kitchen. Max was smiling as she said how well Melanie had done, but now she’d like to see Madeline. Unexpectedly Madeline said she’d rather stay with her mum and sister. It was out of character for her, normally she would have jumped at the chance to impress someone with her drawing skills. Max smiled and shook her head to let Maria know that she didn’t want to push the issue. For the next ten minutes she sat with Madeline and gently coaxed her into going with her.

  An hour later they returned. Maria thought that Madeline looked quite happy. Everyone stayed for lunch. Maria and Mary began to take some of the food trays through to the dining room. Leaving the food they returned to the kitchen.

  “Fuck me where do you start,” said Reggie “this is like a fucking banquet!”

  The spread was indeed superior; there was everything from prawns, to cream cakes, sandwiches to sausage rolls.

  “You wanna try living here Reggie,” said Billy “I’ve already gone up a trouser size. Maria certainly spoils us.”

  “Well if you get fed up, you can always work the docks Billy and I’ll move in.”

  “Fuck off; I’ve never had it so fucking good, anyway you’d frighten the kids, especially first thing in the morning!”

  “He’s got a fucking point Reggie,” said Mickey.

  Everyone started laughing. Shane almost choked on his food, Lenny patted him on the back and said, “Don’t put so much in your fucking mouth next time Billy Bunter!”

  Everyone saw the funny side of what he’d said, including Shane. Thirty minutes later, despite all their joking, they set about discussing business.

  “I’ve been checking out Big Willy since Monica told us about his finger print,” said Lenny “apparently he’s been working for Davy Sheridan on and off for the last year. He’s currently working for Fat Benny. One of Benny’s regular blokes got himself banged up for three months. I think we should start with Big Willy as we know his print was on the needle that killed Spider and his whore. So it’s safe to assume that he’s involved, but we can’t assume that Davy told him about you Mickey, or that he knew anything about the kidnapping. So I think we need to have a little chat with Big Willy, but I’m not sure whether he’ll run straight back to young Davy, especially if we roughed him up a bit. At the moment Davy doesn’t know that we know and I think it would be best to keep it that way, at least for now.”

  “What we need is some insurance,” said Tony “it would be handy to have someone on the inside. We need to know everything about Big Willy. There’s always a skeleton in the closet, we just need to know what his is.”

  “Leave it with me” said Lenny, “I’ll see what I can find out. If not, there’s always the other option of setting him up and giving him a skeleton.”

  “I’ll ask Monica to see what information she has on Big Willy,” said Mickey. “We can trust her, don’t get me wrong she’s a typical detective, but this involves my kids, she’s kosher.”

  They talked until four that afternoon and arranged to meet again in a week’s time to discuss their options. By then they should have enough information to make a decision. Leaving the dining room, they joined the ladies in the kitchen. Kissing Maria on the cheek and thanking her for lunch, all the men except Shane left.

  Mary went into the dining room and cleared the crockery. As she put them down in the kitchen, Maria noticed they were all empty, instantly she asked Shane and Billy if there had been enough food.

  “God there was more than enough,” said Billy “we couldn’t eat it all, Reggie took the rest home with him. Mickey found some plastic bags in the dining room sideboard.”

  They heard Mickey close the front door from seeing the others off. Their friends stayed until five and Max arranged to see the twins the following week. Maria hugged her and told her how grateful she was, Mickey kissed her on the cheek and asked how much they owe her. Refusing any money Max said it was her pleasure to be able to help.

  After they left, Maria wanted to start the vegetables for dinner. She suggested the men taking the twins over to lock up the ponies for the night.

  Mickey was the last one up to bed that night, he had been on the phone ‘til midnight talking to Shaun.

  CHAPTER 17

  Tuesday started much the same as every other morning, but this day was going to be a special day, because today they would meet the midwife. The morning passed quickly with her and Mary making tea for the builders, then preparing the vegetables for dinner in case she was late back from the midwife.

  As the time approached twenty to three, Maria suggested they left; she didn’t want to be late.

  They thanked the others for watching the twins, then kissed the girls and left for the appointment.

  They had only just walked into the doctor’s surgery when a young midwife called their name. Introducing herself as Julie, she took them through to a side room. After taking some details of the pregnancy, it was clear to her that Maria wasn’t entirely sure when she conceived. Julie said she would like to examine her. Maria got up onto the bed, pulling her top up and her trousers down. Julie felt her tummy and then she listen
ed for the heartbeat.

  When Julie stopped talking and her face took on a baffled look, Maria asked if everything was alright. Julie removed the stethoscope from her ears and said everything seemed fine, but she’d like the doctor to take a look at her. Maria looked worried; Mickey interrupted and bluntly asked if something was wrong. Julie smiled nothing was wrong; she just wanted the doctor to confirm something for her.

  She returned a few minutes later with doctor Atwood. The children in the village really liked him and so did their mums and he was really quite handsome. He shook hands with Mickey as they hadn’t met. Then he spoke to Maria and said he’d like to examine her. The doctor put his stethoscope on her tummy.

  “Julie thought she could hear two heartbeats,” said the Doctor “so she wanted a second opinion. Sometimes it’s just the way the baby is laying, which causes an echo effect. Although on this occasion I think she’s right. There are two babies in there, but I’ll send you for a scan to confirm it and I also agree with Julie that you’re probably about fourteen weeks pregnant.”

  Mickey looked thrilled, but Maria was still in shock.

  Doctor Atwood said he would have to go because he had another patient waiting. They thanked him as he left. Still coming to terms with what the doctor had said, Maria asked Julie if it was unusual to have two sets of twins. It was unusual yes, but often twins ran in families. Julie thought it would be a three week wait for the scan.

  They thanked her then left. Mickey couldn’t wait to tell his parents, all the way home he kept saying it was probably two boys this time. Although he agreed in principle to keep it quiet until after the scan, the moment they walked into the house he told his parents, the twins and Billy.

  The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, it was almost seven by the time they sat down for dinner. When everyone talked about the prospects of another set of twins, Mickey noticed that Maria seemed a bit quiet. Mickey asked if she was ok.