Mickey's Way

by Karen Clow

  “Oh fuck me, I did wonder,” said Mickey.

  “It’s obviously playing on her mind Mickey, as is the kidnapping. I remember how ill she was when she lost her first baby; I’m concerned the same thing is happening again.”

  “I’m worried about her too. I know she’s not strong, but as for me wanting a mistress she’s everything I want.”

  “Yes I know that, but she knows you were unfaithful to me and she thought you loved me at the time. There’s also the fact that Jimmy couldn’t be faithful if his life depended on it. I know she says things about wishing she was on her own, but that’s because deep down she’s terrified of losing you.”

  “It’s good that you’re here babe, I really appreciate it. I’ve never really told you how sorry I was for standing you up all the time and as you’ve pointed out today being unfaithful, so I’m sorry.”

  “Forget it Mickey, it’s all water under the bridge now and I’ve been lucky, I’ve got George, he makes me happy and I love him, as for us, we should never have got married in the first place. Let’s be honest, you only asked me because I got shot, but it’s not important now. Maria is the important thing. Would it be ok if I spoke to Max about her, obviously I won’t go into details, it’s just that I know she’s seeing the girls, perhaps it would be a good idea if Maria talked to her?”

  “That’ll be great babe, I’d appreciate it.”

  He wanted to tell her that he loved Maria more than anything and that he had never felt that way about any woman, but he felt it would be inappropriate with her being his ex wife.

  Maria was still asleep at four o’clock so Monica told the men that she would prepare the vegetables for the dinner. Den and Mary would not be back from London to eat with them.

  When Maria was still asleep at half five, he decided to call her. Sitting on the edge of the bed he gently stroked her face. Slowly she stirred before opening her eyes and smiling at him. He told her the time and that Monica was cooking dinner. Pulling back the duvet, he gently kissed her tummy.

  “We’ve bought your mum a present” he said talking to her bump, “shall we give it to her?”

  Gently resting his head on her tummy, with his ear pressed against her, she was grinning as he lifted his head and said, “Yes they agree.”

  Reaching into his pocket he handed her a small box. Maria looked tearful as she opened it.

  Inside was a beautiful gold and diamond pendant in the shape of two hands clasped together. As she admired it he told her to read the inscription on the back, it read, ‘You will hold my heart for eternity’.

  “It’s beautiful Mickey, but you didn’t have to buy me anything.”

  “I know, but I wanted too. I know things have been hard for you lately babe, but they will get better, I promise and no matter whatever happens I never want you to doubt my love for you.”

  With his words she couldn’t hold back from crying. Lifting the duvet he told her to move over.

  Resting her head on his chest, she never said anything; she just held him and cried. Gently embracing her he tried to reassure her that everything would be ok. Ten minutes passed before she said they should go downstairs.

  Once she dressed they headed down stairs. Immediately on entering the kitchen she apologised to Monica, about her having to cook the dinner. Just as they dished up the vegetables, Billy appeared.

  “Fuck me Billy,” laughed Mickey “you’re like a fucking blood hound; they’ve only just started dishing up!”

  “All I’ve had since breakfast is a couple of pork pies; I could eat a nun’s crutch through the convent railings!”

  “Billy that’s disgusting, not to mention impossible,” grimaced Maria “you’d get your head stuck.”

  “I hope you’re referring to the railings?”

  “You’re wicked!” she giggled.

  “Yeah I know, but I’m banking on you getting me into heaven babe.”

  Before she could reply, George appeared with all the kids.

  Madeline ran at Billy shouting his name. Scooping her up, he kissed her on the cheek and said, “Blimey I’ve only been gone a few hours, have you missed me that much?”

  “Yes we have!”

  Maria asked the kids to go and wash their hands as dinner was ready. A few minutes later they were sitting round the table, watching Mickey carve the joint.

  Maria just picked at her dinner, but nobody mentioned it, because she had looked tearful since sitting down to eat.

  Monica looked on in amazement as to the amount that Billy ate and at one point she jokingly said he must have hollow legs.

  “I need to eat this much to keep my sex drive at maximum.”

  Then he nearly choked as Madeline asked if he’d got a new car.

  She obviously thought when he said sex drive; he was referring to driving a car. Everyone tried not to laugh.

  “No babe, but I’ve been thinking about getting one!”

  “Be careful what you say Billy,” said Mickey “she’s not known as onions for nothing.”

  Everyone laughed, because he was referring to the fact that she repeats everything.

  After dinner Mickey and Billy took all the kids to lock the ponies up for the night, while Maria helped George and Monica order the boys riding equipment.

  When the kids returned, George said they would have to be going as it was a long drive back. It was obvious that neither boy wanted to leave, or return to their foster parents, but it was when Harry said, “Please Dad can we stay?”

  That everyone knew just how he felt about George. The ladies had tears in their eyes, as George replied, “Not this time son, but soon we won’t be going back to your house and you’ll be with us all the time.”

  Fifteen minutes later they were waving from the car as they pulled away. Mickey put his arm round Maria as they walked back inside.

  The twins were both in bed asleep by eight and the adults were enjoying some peace and quiet sitting in the lounge. Mickey was just about to put some more logs on the fire when his parents returned. Maria was almost asleep on the sofa as they walked in, but immediately she offered to make them a hot drink. Mary thought she looked pale and asked if she was feeling ok. She was fine, just tired and she had a headache that wouldn’t go away, she’d had it for days. Mickey frowned and questioned why she hadn’t told him. Maria dozed off again as the evening passed and they talked, Mary suggested to him that it might be an idea to make an appointment at the doctors, if Maria wasn’t any better in a couple of days. Nodding he agreed. Mickey had to wake her, to say that everyone was going to bed as it was almost midnight. Looking embarrassed that she had fallen asleep again, she apologised. Mary told her to get good nights sleep. Billy let the dog out and then locked up when Rosie came back in.

  Mickey was in bed as Maria came out of the bathroom. He put his arm around her as she got in beside him. Snuggling up, he told her to get some sleep. Lying on his back with her head on his chest, she was asleep within minutes. He thought about what she had said to Monica and he was worried about the pregnancy, because she wasn’t eating properly. His mum’s words echoed in his head, he decided that he would take her to the doctors, even if she felt better, but he would leave it for a couple of days.

  CHAPTER 20

  Monday started early with the workmen arriving at seven. The day passed quickly with Mickey calling into his office later that morning. He had insisted Maria accompanying him, purely to get her out of the house for a while. For lunch they settled for fish and chips at a country pub on the way home.

  Like the previous meals, he noticed that she left almost half of hers, but when he mentioned it she said she was cooking a curry for dinner and was looking forward to it.

  On the way home, he unexpectedly pulled over into a lay by. Leaning over he pulled her close and kissing her passionately, told her how much he loved her. She told him how much she loved him, but what she said next came as an even bigger shock, when she asked if he’d ever take a mistress. If he did she would rather he just t
old her and she would leave.

  “I’ll never take a mistress babe, I’ll never need one. I just wish you would believe me babe, I’ve never been unfaithful to you I love you.”

  They kissed again then headed for home.

  As they turned off the road and headed up the drive, they noticed that the gates were being put up, there was a man standing talking to the foreman.

  When they parked, the two men walked towards them and the foreman introduced the other man to them, he was Roy the electrician.

  She heard the house phone ringing. It was Max. She wanted to check if she could see the twins earlier than arranged the following day as Shane was bringing her because he was coming down to Mickey’s for the meeting. Maria said that would be fine.

  Mickey was in the kitchen talking to Roy. Ten minutes after Maria joined them he was bringing his tools and equipment in from his van. After telling Mickey his alarm system was very dated. Mickey asked him to renew it.

  Maria could hear the others returning from the ponies, as they entered the kitchen she thanked Mary and the others for looking after the girls. Mary said Maria looked tired and suggested she went for a lie down. Mickey thought it was a good idea and offered to join her for an hour. They headed for the bedroom.

  Within minutes, he’d striped down to his boxer shorts and jumped in to bed. They snuggled down in the bed. With her head on his chest, he ran his hand up and down her back, she was surprised that she too was beginning to feel aroused, possibly because he never made any demands on her. She felt relaxed as she ran her fingers over his chest before slipping her hand into his shorts. It was obvious from his body’s responses that he wanted her as she fondled him. They kissed passionately before he made his way down her body, kissing her all over. Seductively and slowly he pulled her panties off. Finally he was lying between her legs, her hands firmly guiding his head. Their timing was perfect just as she called out his name through pleasure, Roy started drilling downstairs.

  When he lay back down beside her, she expected him to pull her onto him, but he didn’t. He made love to her from behind, gently pushing himself into her, holding her in his arms as he fondled her. Slowly he ran his hand down her body, touching her intimately. Her body was arching and pulsing as he moved inside her, she enjoyed sex that way it was gentle and passive. When they had finished they just laid there cuddling. Within a few minutes they fell asleep.

  It was almost half four when he woke up. They dressed and made their way downstairs. Roy greeted them by telling them that he had just finished the wiring and that the monitor was up and running. Looking at the monitor screen, they could see the foreman standing at the gates. Roy called him on his mobile, moments later he was talking to him through the intercom.

  Roy showed them which buttons to push so they could operate and open the gates from there. Mickey noticed that she seemed happy with the added security. After Roy left, she asked Mickey to check on the kids, because she was going to sort the curry out. Five minutes later he returned, the kids were fine; they were both sitting on Billy’s lap watching Mary Poppins. They both laughed.

  ***

  Tuesday saw Maria up early cooking sausage rolls and chicken drumsticks, ready for when all the men arrived. She also made two large coffee and walnut cakes, one for the meeting and one for the workmen.

  By half nine everything was ready to serve and placed in the fridge. Den and Mary had taken the girls to feed the ponies while she finished the last minute tidy up before everyone arrived.

  Max and Shane had just arrived as Roy pressed the intercom on the gates to go in. Maria went to the door to meet them. Max hugged her; Shane kissed her and asked where Mickey was. No sooner had he asked when Mickey appeared with Billy.

  They sat in the kitchen and talked while they waited for the others to turn up. Maria was surprised when Tony arrived and handed her a huge bouquet. Thanking him, she said they were beautiful, but he didn’t need to bring her flowers.

  “I know that babe, but Mickey tells me you’ve been a bit under the weather lately and me and the boys just wanted to say thanks, especially Reggie because he eats more than anyone else!”

  Reggie looked embarrassed and told him to fuck off! Maria smiled at him and said she liked a man with a healthy appetite. She had something for him to take home when he left. It was obvious that Reggie wasn’t someone who was used to having things given to him when he coloured up as he smiled and nodded back at her.

  Mickey looked at the flowers and jokingly said, “Good job I trust you Tony, or I might think you were making a play for my wife.”

  “If I thought for one minute she’d be interested believe me I would Mick!” Maria remembered the conversation about Tony’s mistress.

  “Unlike you men Tony, I’m content with my husband he’s everything I want and more. If the time ever comes when he’s not then I would do the decent thing and tell him. I certainly wouldn’t go behind his back. I wonder how all you men would feel if the boot was on the other foot. Take your Isabella for instance, she’s a very beautiful woman, how would you feel if she found someone else?”

  “The only dilemma I would have babe would be which one to kill first, her or him.”

  Mickey could tell that she was being sarcastic, he had a bad feeling about where the conversation was going, so walking over to her and in front of everyone he kissed her and said he’d never want anyone else, because it didn’t get any better than this. She knew why he had done it, but she didn’t care, hopefully she got her message over to Tony.

  The intercom rang; Mickey went to answer it. A few minutes later, Maria was happy to see Shaun and Ann. The big Irishman kissed her and said he thought he’d surprise her by bringing Ann along; she’d been dying to see her and the girls. Maria was thrilled as she hugged Ann. No sooner had she spoke when she heard Rosie barking.

  The dog rushed into the house and headed straight for Reggie, who within seconds was rolling about on the floor play fighting with her, much to everyone’s amusement. The twins were right behind her, running towards Shaun and Ann. Madeline practically hurled herself at him. Holding Madeline in his arms he told her Aunty Ann had got something for them. Ann produced two gift wrapped boxes and handed one each to the girls. Everyone watched as they opened them.

  They each had a lovely musical jewellery box with a ballerina that danced as the box opened. Both girls hugged Shaun and Ann as they thanked them.

  Mickey suggested the men adjourn to the dining room. Maria would bring tea and coffee through in about an hour. The men made their way to the dining room as the ladies went back to the kitchen. Max was keen to start the twins’ counselling session, starting with Madeline while the others occupied Melanie. After an hour, Max swapped the girls and worked with Melanie. When their sessions finished Max joined the ladies in the kitchen for a cup of tea.

  The twins were playing back in the playroom. Max sipped her tea and asked Maria if she could see Maria after lunch. Max knew she would be reluctant, but she was determined to see her, especially when Mary backed her up.

  At one o’clock the ladies started taking the food into the dining room, all the men commented on how good it all looked. Maria noticed that Billy was the first one to help himself, before she’d even put the tray down he’d grabbed two chicken drumsticks.

  Everyone laughed as Lenny said, “Alright, Porky Stuff a Lot!” joked Lenny, “let the poor girl put it down first!”

  Billy winked at her and said “Maria knew he couldn’t resist her cooking.” She laughed.

  The ladies and the twins sat in the kitchen to eat their lunch, as soon as they finished Max talked Maria into seeing her. Once they’d left, Mary talked to Ann about the way Maria had been acting lately and that they were all worried about her.

  “Well let’s face it Mary, things have been tough on her and now she’s been told it’s triplets that’s another big responsibility to take on board.”

  Despite the fact that Maria was reluctant to talk to Max, once they started she fou
nd it easy to tell her everything that was bothering her. Possibly because at last she had someone who was willing to listen and not treat her as though she was a child.

  Before she knew it, almost two hours had passed. Throughout the session she had cried most of the time, yet ironically she was feeling better by the time they rejoined the others.

  In the dining room, Mickey was also feeling confident that things would work out well.

  “I’ve been hearing rumours about young Davy Sheridan running up debts with some of the big boys” said Shaun; “he’ll need to watch his back if he tries to fuck them over.”

  It confirmed what Colin Brett had told Tony, so now they needed a plan because taking Davy out would not be easy, he always had people around him. To ensure that there were no mistakes they needed someone on the inside, Big Willy was to be the man they were thinking about.

  “Apart from the one criminal act of violence, there’s nothing on Big Willy, which is a fucking shame,” said Lenny “because if he was dirty it would have been easier to convince him to help us, but where there’s a will there’s a way and there are other options open to us. One springs readily to mind, that’s where we set him up for something nasty. Take photos of the crime and just by chance show him.”

  “Fuck me Lenny, that’s a long way round, why don’t you just say blackmail!”

  “I like to be politically correct actually Tony.”

  Everyone laughed. Mickey asked what Lenny had in mind.

  “Well we could set him up with a lady and then let me take it from there. I think that’s where we should start, but before I go into details, you’ll be looking at paying around three grand for the young lady’s services in the matter.”

  “That’s peanuts, what does she do for three grand?”

  “Well, she’ll get to know Big Willy for starters, then she’ll take him back to his flat for a bit of rumpy pumpy, she’ll drug him then she’ll strip off to make it look as though they’ve had sex. Once he’s out cold she’ll take some photos of him, a mobile snap shot usually works best they’re more convincing. Then I’ll take it from there. If we need to use him, I’ll pay him a visit and spin him a yarn about her. I tell him that I’m working for her husband who just happens to be a very violent man with serious criminal connections. If Willy’s not buying, I’ll drop a line about something important been taken from her bag, which her husband wants back. I usually say it’s a little book or diary, works every time! Once I’ve convinced him that the show is for real, I offer him a deal for some information. I could let him have the photos. When he asks me why I’m doing it, I’ll just tell him that another client that I’m working for is ten times worse than the one that’s looking for him and he’s the client paying for information about Davy. I’ll even tell him that I can point the finger at someone else, if need be.”