by Karen Clow
“Yeah of course we can,” said Billy “if you’re sure you two don’t mind pushing me.
“No, you have to push us Billy we’re the kids,” replied Madeline.
“Good job I’ve had me spinach then!”
After watching her double check everything for the triplets, Mickey told her to go.
“I’m just making sure you’ve got everything you need for the triplets.”
“Babe, just go and see Jess, we’ll be fine. I’m sure between the three of us we can take care of the babies, so stop worrying and get your arse in gear or visiting will be over!”
“Sorry, it’s just I worry that’s all.”
“That’s an understatement babe. Now go and don’t forget to take those things for Jess.”
The things he was referring to were some clothes that Maria had asked Mary to buy on a shopping trip earlier in the week. She had wrapped them beautifully and everyone had signed the card.
Mickey walked out to the car with them and just as Billy was about to pull away, Mickey handed Maria a twenty pound note and told her to buy Jess some magazines or something.
“Thanks, you’re just a big softy at heart and that’s why I love you so much.”
It was clear that Billy was growing impatient when he jokingly said, “Do you think we could get going now you big old softy!”
Mickey smiled as he raised his middle finger at him. Maria giggled and told Billy she was ready.
After waving them off, Mickey went back into the house. His dad was waiting to speak to him. Mary was preparing the vegetables for the evening meal as the two men walked off into the lounge.
“I’ve set up an off shore account using a bogus name;” said Den “now all we need to do is call Davy and give him a couple of days to come up with the money.”
“Let’s do it now Dad while the house is quiet.”
Den had bought a new lap top and mobile phone so that neither could be traced. Having talked it through with Mickey, he knew exactly what he was going to say. Placing a handkerchief over the phone to muffle his voice, he called Davy’s mobile.
“Did you enjoy the film Mr Sheridan?”
“Who the fuck is this!” shouted Davy.
“I want five hundred grand by Monday Mr Sheridan, or the film goes global.”
Davy knew by that, he meant other people would receive a copy. His temper was raging and he wanted to say, ‘fuck you’ but he also knew that the caller had the upper hand.
“I’ll need more time to raise that type of cash.”
“Monday, I’ll call you then, it’s not negotiable.”
Den cut the call off. He told Mickey what Davy had said about wanting more time.
“I bet he’s been sweating for the last week Dad. Well he can fucking sweat some more! Are you sure he can’t trace anything back to us?”
His dad smiled and said, “Absolutely.”
At the hospital, Jess was sitting on her bed when she looked up and saw Maria, her expression made it clear that she was really happy to see her. Making her way to Jess’s bed Maria noticed that most of the other patients had visitors. She thought to herself how lonely Jess looked. They hugged each other, then Maria handed her the gifts she had bought for the baby. Jess was close to tears as she opened them. They were the only things she had been given since having Rebecca. She looked overwhelmed as Maria handed her a paper bag and said Mickey had asked her to get them for her. Inside the bag was a ten pound phone and TV card so that Jess could watch the TV over her bed, also a couple of magazines and some sweets.
“That was really kind of him, please thank him for me. You’re really lucky to have someone as nice as him.”
“I know he’s a wonderful husband and father. Can I ask why the baby’s father isn’t in the picture Jess?”
“He doesn’t even know I’ve had a baby.”
“Don’t you think he should know? Or is there a good reason why not?”
“He wasn’t my boyfriend; I’ve never had a boyfriend.”
Despite being shocked, Maria could see that she was getting upset talking about it, so she looked at her and smiled.
“Oh well whoever he is Jess, it’s his loss. Rebecca is absolutely gorgeous.”
They talked about the baby and when Jess would be taking her home. Maria could tell that she wasn’t looking forward to leaving the hospital.
“Will the people you’re staying with help you with the baby Jess?”
“I doubt it; I’ve only been living with them for three months since my social worker told me to. I don’t really have much to do with them except when we eat and when I do the housework and the ironing.”
Maria wasn’t happy with what she was hearing, those people were supposed to be helping her move on with her baby. Yet from the sound of things she was being treated like the maid. They hadn’t even sent her a card or been to see her.
“When I take the baby home Maria, will the taxi need to have a baby car seat?”
“Yes I think so, but won’t someone from your foster family be picking you up?”
“I did ask them, but they said I’d have to make my own way home.”
Maria had heard enough; trying not to show her anger she said when she was discharged, she would arrange for her to be picked up. Maria couldn’t say exactly who it would be, but it would be someone from the house.
“No that’s ok I’ll get a taxi Maria, I don’t want to cause any trouble.”
“It won’t be any trouble and with five kids in my house I’m pretty sure someone will be glad of an hour off!”
They both laughed.
“Thanks Maria, I’ve never met anyone as kind as you before,” said Jess with sincerity “well only my nan.”
“Oh that was a nice thing to say Jess. Sorry Jess I’ll have to make a move soon, Billy will be waiting for me.”
“Thank you so much for coming Maria.”
“It’s been lovely to see you Jess, once the phone line is operating, I’ll call you and sort out a day for me to visit again next week.”
Just as she was about to leave, she took a sheet of paper from her bag and handed it to Jess.
“I hope you’re not offended Jess, but I’ve made a list of everything I’ve got spare from when I had the twins. Just tell me if any of it is any good to you, if I’d had two girls instead of two boys, I’d use them myself, but I can’t see Michael or Martin in pink booties and bonnets can you? There are loads of things on there like bedding and a Moses basket. Mickey’s mum and dad bought matching ones for the triplets. Anyway take a look and let me know.”
Maria didn’t have the heart to tell her that while she had been in hospital with the triplets, Mickey and the family had bought all new things for the babies.
“I haven’t got very much for Rebecca, I tried to buy something every week out of my allowance, but it doesn’t go far.”
Maria lessened her embarrassment by saying it would be easier just to drop everything round to her, then what she didn’t want she could simply get rid of?”
Jess smiled and nodded her head.
Back at the house, Maria had spent all evening talking about Jess.
“Oh Mickey there’s such sadness about her, couldn’t she come to stay with us for a while?”
“No babe, we know nothing about her, don’t get me wrong I feel sorry for her, but I’m not about to let a complete stranger move into my house with my children.”
Seeing the shock along with disappointment on his wife’s face, he did humour her and say there were other ways they could help. He was just being cautious.
“Cautious about what Mickey, she’s just a scared kid.”
“I know babe, but we’re very wealthy and to a young girl with nothing we would seem very attractive.”
“You’re wrong Mickey, I don’t believe for one moment she’s like that!”
“Yes I agree with you in principle, but it pays to be careful.”
“I know what it’s like to be alone and afraid, you’ll never know how grateful I
was when Shaun used to look out for me when I belonged to Nick.”
Feeling a bit humbled by her words, he was relieved when the triplets woke for a feed. Although he knew she was right about Shaun, they knew nothing about Jess. Maybe he would look into her back ground when he had the opportunity. Obviously he wouldn’t tell Maria, because he knew she wouldn’t like it, but he wasn’t as trusting as his wife. If there was anything dodgy about Jess, he would prefer to know.
Maria was still talking about Jess when they sat down for breakfast the next morning. With all that had been going on, Mickey had forgotten to mention to his parents that a surveyor was coming round on Monday to look at drawing plans up for the annexe. Mary was thrilled, especially when he said she could tell the surveyor exactly what she wanted.
“Just remember whose paying for it;” joked Den “I reckon we could manage with two rooms and a shower cubicle?”
“Don’t be so tight Den!” said Mary as she pinched him.
As they talked, Mary asked if they could take the twins up to London with them for the day.
“Oh I don’t know Mum,” said Maria.
“I know it’s short notice and if it makes you feel happier Billy would be welcome to tag along.”
“Can I ask why and where you’re going?”
“We only decided to go when we woke up this morning,” said Den “although I think the chat your mum had with Ann last night on the phone for over an hour has probably got something to do with it?”
“Actually, it was Shaun who suggested us taking the twins,” said Mary “you know what he’s like. I expect he wants to show them off in the pub.”
“What do you think Mickey,” said Maria “Shaun will never forgive us if we say no.”
By that point the twins were virtually begging for their parents to say yes; even Billy liked the idea of going with them for the day, so after a quick debate they agreed to let the twins go.
By ten o’clock they were waving them off, with Maria calling to the twins “Behave yourselves, I love you.”
When they disappeared from sight, Mickey joked and said peace at last. Then he suggested having a coffee in peace, before the trio woke up?
“Oh, by the looks of things you’re going to be busy for a while darling,” said Maria with a grin “but I’ll put the kettle on.”
Frowning as to why he was going to be busy, she pointed to a large clump of shrubs to the left of the driveway, where four of the puppies were running in amongst them.
“Fucking hell, how did they get out!”
“It beats me darling; although I did hear the girls saying goodbye to them just before they left.
“Great, looks like they left the door open. I’ll be glad when next weekend comes and they go to their new homes.”
“Now you know you don’t mean that darling, you’ll miss them. Come on, I’ll help you catch them.”
Fifteen minutes later, all the puppies were back in the conservatory.
Maria and Mickey had a lovely day, although the house had seemed quiet. Maria was relieved when Shaun phoned them around eight to tell them they had just left.
The twins had slept all the way home, so Maria had put them straight to bed. From the sound of it everyone had a good time. It was just after eleven when Maria said she was going to bed. Her hope was to get a couple of hours sleep before the babies needed feeding. She was surprised when Mickey said he’d join her.
She noticed that Mickey turned the baby intercom off as he entered the bedroom. They had left it on downstairs earlier so they could hear the babies if they woke. He was in bed as she came out of the en-suite and she noticed him looking at her as she walked towards the bed. Throwing the duvet back, she also noticed that he was hard. They hadn’t had sex for a while due to the pregnancy and then the operation following the birth. Lying down beside him, he placed his arm under her neck; she knew that he wanted sex. Without wishing to upset him she reminded him what the doctor had said about abstaining from intercourse for at least six weeks after her op.
“Who said anything about intercourse, maybe I just want a cuddle, but it’s so obvious that you have a one track mind!”
Playfully she kissed him and pushed her hand under the duvet, taking hold of his cock.
“So what’s this for then,” she asked referring to his erection.
“Now how did that happen? I’m sure it wasn’t like that a moment ago, it must have just happened since you grabbed it.”
“You little liar Mickey, it was like that when I got into bed!”
“Well I never noticed, but as you’ve brought it to my attention maybe you should do something about it?”
Seconds later, she was kissing him passionately before making her way down his body. Moving down the bed she rolled her tongue over him. His breathing getting heavy with excitement as she seductively ran her tongue around the tip of his cock before slowly taking him into her mouth. She wasn’t surprised when he didn’t last very long. It was the first really intimate act they had for a while.
“God that was fantastic,” he said as she lay back down next to him.
They kissed and touched each other, until he unbuttoned her pyjama top.
“Be careful, remember I’m still breast feeding, I don’t want to start leaking.” Squeezing her breasts, he gently ran his tongue over her nipple before taking it into his mouth. Lying there she could feel him sucking on her, but unlike with breastfeeding it was arousing her.
Moments later when he kissed her she could taste the milk on his lips.
“God you’re beautiful,” he said as he held her “I’ve really missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, only another couple of weeks then we can have full sex. Can you pass me a tissue, I’m leaking milk.”
“I expect that was my fault babe?”
“Yes it was, but I’m only going to feed them for another couple of weeks then my milk will dry up and I won’t have this problem.”
“It’s not a problem babe, actually I could get used to it.”
Pinching him as she called him a pervert, he began tickling her.
Finally they decided to try and get some sleep before the babies woke up. Luckily, the trio slept until just after four the following morning. They were finally sleeping longer between feeds.
CHAPTER 44
Davy Sheridan was on his way up north for a meeting with the Turk. He needed to borrow money. When they’d spoken, Davy had used the ruse of a big drug buy. What he hadn’t told him was that he actually needed the money to pay for the tape which Mickey was blackmailing him with. Despite having two hundred and fifty grand, he was still short the rest. One thing he knew was the Turk would be reluctant to lend the money without some assurance that he’d get it back, so Davy had decided to use one of his clubs as insurance. He had also been coy with Danny as to what the meeting was about and had simply told him it was business and for him to keep his mouth shut should anyone ask.
After stopping at a hotel for dinner, they arrived at the Turks club an hour early. The Turk was already there with his bodyguard. The club was empty apart from the staff as it wasn’t open to the public until eight.
“So Davy,” said the Turk “what was so important that you drove all the way up here?”
“I would prefer to talk somewhere private.”
The Turk and his bodyguard stood up.
“I would rather it was just us Mehmet,” said Davy.
The Turk nodded at his heavy who sat back down with Danny.
The two bosses made their way to his office. As Mehmet closed the door behind them he looked at Davy.
“I’m listening Davy so tell me why you’re here.”
“I’ve got a proposition for you, but it will cost you two hundred and fifty grand. So if you’re not interested or you can’t raise the money tonight, just tell me now and I’ll take my business elsewhere.”
“You’re a cocky little bastard. You know I have the money, but until I hear the deal I cannot say whether I’m int
erested or not.”
“I’ve been offered a very good deal from an associate of mine back in the States,” said Davy lying through his back teeth “Normally I wouldn’t ask anyone to come in on it with me, but the deal they’re offering is a bit big for me at the moment. Unfortunately, I’ve recently invested quite a large sum of money into some property, along with other things which has left me a bit short of readies. The dealer has asked for one million. I’ve raised seven hundred and fifty grand but I’m short the rest. Street value on the goods is over three million. On a stake of two hundred and fifty, you could expect to double your money within a month, so just tell me are you interested or not?”
The Turk opened a cigar box on his desk, taking one before offering Davy one.
“No thanks Mehmet, smoking is bad for your health.”
“Many things are bad for your health, the worse one being taking me for a fool. When and where is this delivery happening, a quarter of a million is a lot of money. I need to know more about the people involved.”
Arrogantly, Davy stood up and offered his hand as a farewell gesture.
“Sorry I’ve wasted your time Mehmet; I hope this won’t affect our business arrangement next week.”
“Sit down you little prick. Do you think I don’t know that you’re a bad investment? Your grandfather was a shrewd business man with a certain class about him, yet you are just a loud mouthed small time criminal who gambles too much and then doesn’t pay his debts. Do you really think I don’t know the sort of people you owe money to?”
Davy resented his attitude and glared at him.
“I’m prepared to give you one of my clubs as assurance if the deal goes wrong Mehmet, so are you interested or not?”
The Turk cut the end off of his cigar and lit it, blowing the smoke at Davy.
“I don’t know if I can trust you Davy, it could be that you need my money to pay off a debt. Have you any idea what I would do to you if you tried to rip me off? I would have Emir cut your hands off and your tongue cut out for lying to me and then I would burn down everything you own. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“It’s a good deal, take it or leave it and don’t ever call me a prick again, or it could be your tongue that’s cut out. I came here tonight out of friendship, yet you’ve seen fit to bad mouth me and threaten me you Turkish bastard!”