by Karen Clow
Over the next few days he made sure that she rested, just as the doctor had ordered. Although she was bored shitless, she never moaned. However, she did tell him that if she rested she wanted to do lunch for their friends when they came down for the meeting on Thursday.
“Ok babe, I’ll allow it, providing you promise me you’ll rest afterwards.”
“Yes master and while you’re agreeing to let me do something, I’ll warn you, I will be taking the twins to school next Monday. There’s no way I’m going to miss their first day of school. I know what you’re going to say about the twins’ already asking mum, dad and Billy, but I want to be there.”
“Would I dare say no?”
“Not if you want to stay married darling,” she replied with a giggle.
CHAPTER 30
Thursday morning saw the arrival of Tony and Lenny slightly earlier than expected at half ten. After welcoming them and making the drinks, Maria was ordered back to bed. Mary said she would serve the lunch that Maria had prepared.
The men went into the dining room. Tony spoke the moment they sat down.
“I’m glad you’ve had second thoughts over Davy, just taking the fucker out was too good for him Mick. The bastard needs to know who he’s dealing with, we can’t have him taking the piss!”
“Yeah, I had the same conversation with my dad and Billy, but since then Maria’s health has taken a turn for the worse.”
“Is she ok, only I noticed you sent her off to bed?”
Mickey briefly filled them in on the details. Then he continued.
“Obviously this doesn’t mean Davy’s not going to get what’s coming to him; it simply means I’m putting it on hold. Although I have thought of something I think you’ll all like. Unfortunately it’s not something I can do myself, that’s where you come in Lenny.”
“What’s that then Mickey,” said Lenny.
“What are the chances of getting a camera into Davys bedroom?”
“Do I take it from that Mickey you’re looking for some gay porn action!”
“Yeah I’m turning queer Lenny and I’m hoping to pick up a few tips from Davy!”
“I think I could get that arranged for you, but it won’t come cheap.”
“That’s not a problem. I thought if we could get a film of Davy shagging the ballet dancer, it would be something we could use for blackmail. We all know he tries to keep it quiet that he’s an iron hoof. How much do you think a film like that would be worth on the black market, considering who the actors are?”
“It’s not really my field,” said Lenny “but I would hazard a guess around a hundred grand a copy, maybe more. It would depend on the buyers.”
“How much do you think Davy’s clubs are worth Tony?”
“Well if what we know about them is anything to go by, they’ve got to be worth somewhere around a million five, but as we all know Davy’s strapped for cash at the moment, he may have used them against a loan.”
“Precisely” said Mickey, “so I think we should arrange a big poker game and invite all the big boys, I might even go along myself.”
“I see where you’re going with this Mick.”
“So what about you Tony you’re a pretty good player, maybe we could get Colin Brett to put the word around? Davy won’t be able to say no if he needs the money and let’s not forget he’s like his granddad, he has a naturally competitive nature.”
“Do you know what son,” said Den “it just might work? You must get this devious streak from your mother.”
They all laughed.
“Let’s hit the bastard where it’ll hurt him most Dad. I want him to suffer, my babies are due around the end of March, by the time they’re a month old I want him dead! Unfortunately we’ll need to sort most of it over the phone. If I have too many meeting’s here Maria will get suspicious. I can get up to London a couple of times using Dixies and work as the excuse. I’ll tell her that you’ve arranged the poker game Tony; I’ll say it’s just a night out for the boys. Maybe I can work it so that George and Monica are here with her and Billy that night? I’ll tell her I’m staying over with dad.”
Lenny interrupted and asked when he wanted the video of Davy?
“The sooner the better Len.”
“It might take a couple of weeks; I’ll need to be certain Davy’s house is empty before I can set up.”
“Fine Lenny, just let me know how much you need. I’ll get Tony to drop the money off to you.”
“I’ll work something out Mick, I’d prefer to do it myself, but it just depends on what type of security he’s got. Some of those alarms can be a bit tricky, but I know someone who would be willing to help if I need him. Obviously your name won’t be mentioned. Which reminds me, what are we doing about Big Willy? He did help us and I know Davy has called him from the States about Nathan’s death; he seems to believe that it was an accident. He’s moved Danny Monk up the ranks to replace Nathan. He’s also asked Willy to help out if need be. I think to show willing I’ll give him the photos of him and Tiffany. I don’t think he’ll be of much use now anyway. Willy won’t work with Danny; he has no time for him, mainly because he’s a fucking head case! He as good as told me he won’t be working for Davy in the future so do we agree to cut him loose?”
They all nodded in agreement to giving Willy the photos. By two that afternoon, Tony and Lenny were on their way back to London.
***
The weekend passed without a hitch and finally, Monday morning arrived and by eight o’clock they were ready to leave, although not before their dad had taken several photos.
They arrived at the school around half eight where the head teacher met them at the main door. The weather was awful so the children were sent straight into the school. The parents watched from across the hall as the children were organised into pairs and told to line up. Madeline held her sister’s hand, stopping only to wave to the family. Her mum and her nanny both had tears in their eyes as they watched the lines of children in their little uniforms complete with hats, disappear from sight.
“Cor, some of them teachers are pretty!” said Billy as they walked back towards the cars, “how times change they all looked like old battle axes when I was a kid!”
Maria couldn’t wait for midday to arrive so they could collect them from school, but she was ordered by Mickey to rest until they left.
Finally the time arrived. The others stayed at the house, while she and Mickey drove to the school to pick the twins up.
All the way home in the car the twins talked about school, they had obviously enjoyed it. Their parents had to listen to it all again when they repeated everything to the others back at the house.
CHAPTER 31
(Two Months Later)
Both girls quickly settled into school and every day they eagerly told everyone what they had learnt. The first two weeks went like a dream, their parents were grateful that they didn’t have a problem with them and thankful that the kidnapping seemed to be slowly fading into oblivion. Max had definitely been a key figure in the twins’ recovery. She was still working with them and Maria, although Max felt that most of her problems were centred on her life with Jimmy rather than the kidnapping.
Slowly things were getting back to normal. The extra security had obviously helped give Maria some peace of mind; she had even seemed comfortable when Den had gone home for a few days that week. Yet despite all the positives, her blood pressure was still a cause for concern. Even with her resting every day, it was still not coming down as quickly as the doctor would have liked.
Monday morning was frantic as always with the twins getting ready for school. Mickey had suggested Maria going back to bed and letting him and Billy take them.
She would have protested, had the girls not have pleaded for her to let the two men take them. Billy was only too happy to go because he had spotted a little blonde party the previous week. Had he known that particular Monday she would be accompanied by her husband, he may not have been so keen to go
.
It was as they were getting into the car to drive back from the school, Mickey’s phone rang. It was Lenny.
“Alright Mickey, I’ve got the information on Davy’s security system at the house. From the looks of it I’ll be able to do the job myself. I’m looking at tomorrow, as I’ve heard Davy’s travelling to Manchester on business and he’s probably staying there overnight.”
“Sounds good Len, just be careful!”
“Careful is my middle name Mick, you know that!”
When the two men walked into the house, they heard Maria say, “That’s great I’ll see you within the hour.”
He asked her who was coming.
“George and Monica, they’re on their way down, apparently he wants to talk to you about something.”
“Did they say what?”
Maria shook her head.
“I thought you were going back to bed?”
“I promise I’ll sit in the lounge with my feet up, actually my ankles are a bit puffy today.”
Knowing that he would make an issue over her resting, she quickly changed the subject and told him Den and Mary were popping into Ashford was anything they needed. Both men shook their heads.
Billy asked where Rosie was. He hadn’t seen her since he got up and it was not like her to not to greet everyone.
“Funnily enough neither have I,” frowned Maria. “Can you two check the house, just in case she’s accidentally been shut in somewhere?”
While they were looking for the dog, his parents came downstairs. When Maria asked if they had seen Rosie, Den said she’d gone with him to the stables around half six, but he hadn’t seen her since. Thinking about it, he didn’t remember her coming back with him. Looking concerned he hoped he hadn’t shut her in the stables by accident. Billy would go and check. Den asked if they wanted them to stay and look for the dog. Mickey told him not to worry they would find her.
They waved out to Billy walking towards the stables as they drove away.
Billy returned ten minutes later.
“I think you two had best come with me, you’re in for a surprise!”
“Is she alright?” said Maria worriedly.
“Yeah, she’s fine.”
They noticed that Billy kept grinning as they made their way to the stables. Maria called out to Rosie as he opened the stable door. When she heard a whimper, Billy pointed to a pile of hay in the corner on the stable and there was Rosie lying down suckling five puppies.
“Oh Rosie, what a clever girl,” said Maria as she knelt down to stroke her.
“Come on girl,” said Mickey as he patted her “let’s get you and your family back to the house in the warm?”
Just as they were debating exactly how to move them, Mickey’s phone rang. It was Monica they had arrived and been ringing the bell.
A few minutes later, they heard George call out. Mickey called to them, seconds later their friends joined them. Monica went all soppy when she saw the puppies and said they were adorable. With the two women fussing over the pups, Billy said he would go and get his car to take Rosie and the pups back to the house. While they waited for him to return, Maria said they had no idea she was pregnant she hadn’t noticed any of the signs Reggie had mentioned. Monica was just about to reply when they heard Billy backing his car up to the stable door. Mickey grabbed a grooming blanket and laid it across the back seat and then he carefully handed the puppies one by one to the ladies, before letting Rosie into the car.
Taking Rosie’s bed through to the conservatory, Maria placed it near the radiator and then she put a thick blanket inside it. Next to it she placed her water and food bowl. Finally she called out to the others to bring the pups through. The moment Mickey opened the car door Rosie jumped off the seat and ran into the house, straight to Maria. It was as though she knew they were helping her as she laid down in her bed as they put her puppies next to her. Mickey suggested calling the vet out, just to check her. An hour later he arrived. After checking Rosie and her pups he said everything was fine mum and pups were doing well. Rosie was the proud mother of three boys and two girls.
After seeing the vet out, Mickey grinned and said the twins would want to keep them all.
“Actually, I really like that little bitch,” said Maria as she pointed to one of the puppies.
“I don’t think we should bring the boys down for the next six weeks” said Monica “not until you’ve homed all of them.”
“By then we’ll have adopted the boys and you’ll be at home all day,” said George “so there’s no reason why we couldn’t have a dog.”
“There you are Rosie,” said Maria with a giggle “that’s a good home for all of them!” Mickey frowned and asked what she meant.
“Don’t you remember Mickey? When we thought she’d been with that dog; we talked about the possibility of her being pregnant. Mum and dad said they would have one, so did Shaun and Ann, we’ll keep one and if Monica takes one.”
“That’s only four?”
“I know, but Sarah lost Bruno just before Christmas and I’ve heard the family are thinking of getting another dog, so I think she might take one. Of course like us, mum and dad would have to have a girl, if they’re going to move down here.” “Sounds like Doctor Doolittle’s got it all worked out!”
Everyone laughed.
Maria made tea, as they sat chatting she smiled at Mickey and asked him to call Reggie and tell him about Rosie. Knowing she wanted Reggie to know, he flicked through his phone and dialled the number. When Reggie answered he said Maria wanted to have a word with him. He passed her the phone.
“Hello Reggie, Rosie’s had five puppies, they’re all ok and we think we’ve already got homes for them.”
“That’s good news babe; can I come down and see them?”
“Oh I’d really like that Reggie and I know Rosie would love to see you.”
They had all been so preoccupied with Rosie, they hadn’t realised how quickly the time had passed. It was almost time to leave to pick the girls up. Monica asked if she could go with them to pick the twins up. Billy suggested he took Maria and Monica so that Mickey could stay and talk to George.
“Cheers Billy, but Maria is supposed to be resting. I’ll only agree on the strict understanding that she rests the moment you return.”
“Yes boss,” giggled Maria.
Twenty minutes later as they pulled up at the school. Monica joked about people probably thinking Billy was their minder.
“He is!” said Maria with a giggle.
“Yeah, I make a good bodyguard don’t I girls, it’s my Adonis physique and shaved head that impresses the ladies.”
“You’re right Billy and here come two of them now!”
The twins called out to him as he got out of the car ready to secure them in the back. Monica said how wonderful they both looked.
They talked none stop all the way home about school, it was the umpteenth time their mum had heard it.
In the hope of not having to listen to Monica being told everything about school, Billy looked at the twins in the rear view mirror and told them there was a surprise waiting for them back at the house. For the rest of the journey all they did was try and guess what it was.
Back at the house, Mickey was curious what George wanted to speak with him about, so as soon as the others had left he’d asked him.
“I’ve been thinking about that club in Maidstone, the one that’s coming up for sale Mickey. Were you serious when you said about us buying it?”
“As an investment yes, but surely George you wouldn’t really give up the force, would you?”
“In a heartbeat Mickey, tell you the truth the force is finished. There’s so much fucking red tape nowadays. It’s all got out of hand, kids carrying guns, people being beaten to death for their pensions. There is no fucking law and order, you’re frightened to do or say anything that isn’t politically correct. There’s no respect that’s for sure. Let’s face it, since meeting Monica my life has changed drast
ically, for the better I might hasten to add, but in a few weeks time I’m going to be a real dad. I’d like to be able to spend time with my family. I realise to start with I’d probably have to find another job and that does worry me, all I’ve ever known is the law, but I’d do something. I wouldn’t even entertain a night club if you weren’t interested. I certainly don’t know enough about them, but you seem to and you certainly seem to have done well from them.”
Mickey knew George was a decent bloke, so despite being a copper he decided to talk frankly to him.
“Are you sure this is for you George? It can be a dangerous game, it’s definitely not as glamorous as it seems. There’s probably more corruption in clubs than there is in the force.”
“Fuck me it must be bad then,” joked George.
“There would be things you would have to do George, which technically would be against the law. Take the licence for example, sometimes you have to persuade certain officials in that area.”
“What you mean like bribes? I know it goes on Mickey, like I know about the crime that goes with the club game, but like I said I want out of the force. I’ll do whatever I need to. I’m also looking at this as an investment for my sons. We’ve got money put away for our future so why not invest it? Having said all that, I would understand if you weren’t interested, but I just had to ask.”
“Actually, I am interested, in fact I’ve recently had the same conversation with Billy, maybe we should all think about it. As for you needing extra work to start with I could always use someone with a good knowledge of the law. You could be a kind of legal adviser in my firm, that’s if you’re interested. What does Monica think about it, she certainly wasn’t that keen before when I had clubs?”