Mickey's Way

by Karen Clow

  “Don’t these kids’ families look into things Jeff?”

  “Truth is George, money is very tight in places like the Ukraine and families are hungry. Sex traffickers are very clever; they send money every month along with photos and letters that they’ve forced the kids into writing. They think their children are happy, so they don’t look into it! When the kid dies which is normally about a year to eighteen months from when they arrive. They send the family a letter saying how sorry they are to inform them but their child has been killed in a traffic accident. They put a few hundred quid in the envelope, along with the lie that they had a decent burial, end of story”

  “What’s the world coming to, something somewhere has got to be done.”

  “Well, hopefully young Sergei can help us bring down this group. I’ve spoken to the detectives who are taking over the case and they said the man known as Ivan is a known trafficker. They’ve been after him for some time now, but until Sergei, nobody would say anything for fear of reprisals against their families. Ivan’s name is Kaminski; he’s Russian and by all accounts not someone to mess with. He’s heavy duty. With the help of Sergei we’re one step closer to catching him, even I don’t know where Sergei has been taken. They’ve told me is he’s with a foster family at the moment. Hopefully once all this is sorted out, he will be able to return to his own family.”

  “Let’s hope so Jeff, I don’t think they’ll get anything out of Davy, he’s refusing to say anything about the boy or Ivan, other than they were people he met at his club. Which reminds me, Davy is being moved tomorrow to prison, he definitely won’t be getting bail this time? He’ll be there quite a while I would imagine. I wouldn’t think this case is going to happen quickly. There are too many loose ends, the murder of Sebastian Arnold and then the so called suicide of Danny Monk. On top of that, he’s now connected to a known trafficker who he paid for sex with a young boy. If I was Davy Sheridan, I would be very worried about my future.”

  “That’s assuming he’s got a future. Realistically if those two in custody testify against him for kidnapping, he could go down for twenty years.”

  CHAPTER 77

  Lenny had kept Mickey up to speed as to what was happening in London. Even Mickey thought that the evidence against Davy was enough to put him away for a long time. At last he felt the threat to his family was over. He even thought about telling Shaun he could go home, although he would need to convince Maria first. He decided to take her out for dinner that Friday, but he would wait until then to tell her because he knew that she would try to find an excuse not to leave the kids. His plan would be to take her to Maria’s restaurant. Whilst there, he would say about Shaun leaving. He would have preferred to stay in London overnight, but he knew she wouldn’t agree to that.

  ***

  Friday morning arrived with all the usual hustle and bustle. It was almost lunch time when he found the right time to mention it to her. They had just finished lunch when he casually told her they were going out that night. Curiously she looked at him and asked where.

  “We’re driving up to London to have a meal at your restaurant; I’ve booked the table for eight.”

  “It’s a lovely thought Mickey, but what about the kids and everything?”

  “Everything’s sorted babe, dad’s going to drive into the village about six to get everyone fish and chips. As for the kids, I think there are enough people here to look after them, don’t you?”

  “Aye you ought to go darling,” said Shaun “it’ll do you both good and don’t go worrying about these babies they’ll be fine!”

  “It doesn’t look as though I’ve got any say in it, does it? I’d be quite happy to stay here and have fish and chips.”

  “You can have fish and chips at the restaurant because I want to take my beautiful wife out, is that so bad?”

  “Don’t embarrass me Mickey, we’ll go ok!”

  Maria was panicking over the time as she heated the triplet’s bottles for their feed. It was almost quarter to six and she hadn’t even showered. Shaun walked over to her.

  “Come on lass; give us those bottles we’ll feed them for you!” suggested Shaun

  Mickey and his mum were upstairs bathing the twins. Jess was busy feeding Rebecca.

  “No it’s ok Shaun; Mickey should be down any minute. We’re never going to get to the restaurant by eight! Perhaps we should cancel, we could go another time?”

  “Aye it’s a good job you’re already beautiful,” he said taking the first bottle from her, “otherwise it could take you hours to get ready. Now off you go, leave these three to us.”

  Billy had already passed Martin to Den, before picking Melissa up to feed her. Maria smiled as she kissed Shaun on the cheek and thanked him.

  Forty five minutes later she appeared downstairs. Two of the babies were asleep in their relaxer chairs and Melissa was asleep on Billy’s chest. The twins were sitting at the table with Mary doing some drawing. The three dogs were asleep in the conservatory and Den was apparently on his way back home with the fish and chips. Jess was in the kitchen sorting out the drinks and the condiments ready for when dinner arrived.

  “Now don’t you look a picture me darling,” said Shaun.

  “Do I look ok, only I couldn’t ask Mickey he’s still in the bathroom and I wasn’t sure what to wear.”

  “Why don’t we leave him in the bathroom and me and you hit the town babe,” said Billy “you look fantastic!”

  “You’d die if I said ok Billy, but thank you anyway.”

  “Aye he’d die alright,” piped Shaun “that husband of yours would kill him!”

  “We’ve been together a long time Shaun, I doubt he would even notice I’d gone.”

  “Oh I’d notice babe” said Mickey’s voice from behind her, “make no bones about it. Billy’s right you look fantastic and yes Billy, Shaun was right I would kill you!”

  “Now, now children” joked Maria “you can fight over me later, because we’ve got to go now.”

  “I’d fight for you anytime babe,” said Billy with a grin.

  Finally they left. It was just after seven. As they pulled away she told him not to drive like a maniac.

  “No point having a Ferrari if you drive like a snail babe!”

  They arrived at the restaurant three quarters of an hour later. Jeremy was so pleased to see them, especially Maria. Even Leon came out of the kitchen to see her.

  As they ate their starter, she noticed Mickey kept looking at her, so she stopped eating and asked if everything was ok.

  “Better than ok babe, at last I’m alone with my wife.”

  “Keep your voice down Mickey, people will hear you.”

  “So what if they do, we should do this more often babe, it’s nice to be out on our own. God, you look so beautiful, I think I’ll have you for dessert.”

  “Sshh, you’re embarrassing me.”

  “Why on earth would you be embarrassed?”

  “Because I’m nearer to thirty than twenty, we have five children and we live in a mad house, plus I’m sure I found a wrinkle today.”

  “Oh no not a wrinkle, how on earth will we cope?”

  Pinching his leg under the table, she laughed and told him to be quiet. Gently he took her hand.

  “You look about twenty, you’ve got the most incredible figure, you’re a fantastic wife and mother and without a doubt the sexiest lady I’ve ever met!”

  “Thank you, you’re the only man I know who would say that and really mean it, that’s why I love you so much.”

  Leaning over he kissed her. In that moment, she didn’t care if people were watching them.

  “Babe I think Shaun should go home at the weekend” he said as they ate their dessert, “Davy’s banged up so he’s not a threat to us. Perhaps we should think about Billy going as well?”

  He could tell that she wasn’t keen on the idea of both men leaving, but she could understand why. Truth was Mickey was right, they should think about trying to live like a norm
al family again.

  “I know you’re right darling. Maybe when Monica and George move down to Kent you should think about going back into the office to work; especially as George will be working for you in a legal capacity. I know it’s been hard for you working from home, perhaps we should all try and get on with things. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life worrying about someone threatening us. I feel confident that once Davy is sentenced, we can have a normal life and mum will be there to help me with the kids.”

  “We’ll tell Shaun and Billy when we get home tonight.”

  “Just promise me three things Mickey? If by some stroke of fate Davy is released, you’ll get us protection again?”

  “Of course I would babe, you know that, what was the other things?

  “When Melissa won’t take her feed or go to sleep, you’ll let Billy move back in?”

  “Yes she has taken a shine to him, hasn’t she? What’s the last thing?”

  “Can we have sex in the car while the others are still living with us,” she giggled “then if we get caught and arrested there’ll be people to look after the kids until you get us out?”

  “Shall we get out of here babe,” he said sliding his hand under the table and slowly running it up her leg “the cars parked outside.”

  “I would imagine it would be impossible to have sex in your car, I was thinking more on the lines of mine.”

  “Well we won’t know until we try. I’ll park in one of the small laybys down one of the lanes near home and then if it’s too cramped I’ll have the option of laying you across the bonnet.”

  She laughed, until she looked at him and realised he was serious.

  Jeremy was surprised they were going so soon, he had hoped to be able to chat to them after serving the last customers.

  “Sorry Jeremy” said Maria “but we’ve got to get back. We’ve got babies to feed and house guests to look after.”

  By quarter to eleven, Mickey was pulling into a layby about seven miles from their house. Maria was nervous, what had seemed like a good idea was now less appealing, especially as they began to kiss and cuddle and two cars drove past them. Mickey was not deterred, if anything the thrill of being seen was having a rousing effect on him. Even she was finding it exciting, despite her theory on sex in a Ferrari being correct. No matter how they tried, it was virtually impossible for them to have full sex inside the car. Finally, he asked her to get out. He was at fever pitch, he wanted her so badly. Fortunately it was quite mild that evening, it was also relatively dark, due to the absence of the moon which was shielded by clouds.

  Standing in front of the car they kissed and touched each other. Then he laid her on the bonnet, her panties were already off, they were in the car.

  Nervously she kept giggling when every time he tried to enter her, she slipped down the bonnet. In sheer desperation, he rolled her over onto her front so her feet were touching the ground, then he thrust himself into her.

  “Mickey stop I can hear a car!”

  Pushing her down onto the bonnet, he lay on top of her, moments later a car passed them. It had barely turned the corner when Mickey thrust into her hard, he couldn’t wait a moment longer he was coming. After pulling his trousers up and she’d straightened her dress, he pulled her to him and kissed her passionately.

  “Fuck me babe, was that great or what?”

  “I must admit it was exciting Mickey!”

  “Exciting, it was amazing, we should do that again!”

  Everyone was still up when they arrived home. Maria was happy to hear that there hadn’t been any problems with the kids. Although she had blushed profoundly when Den asked them how the drive back was.

  “Yeah it was good Dad” said Mickey with a grin “we only saw a couple of cars.”

  Mary and Jess turned in around half twelve, leaving the others talking downstairs.

  “Davy is going to prison,” said Mickey “so it looks like you two will be leaving us. I would like to say though how grateful we’ve been to have you here.”

  “Aye it’s been a pleasure, but I must admit it will be good to be back with my Ann.”

  Maria noticed that Billy didn’t say anything, he just sat there.

  “I expect you’ll be glad to get back to London for some peace and quiet Billy” said Maria, “I’m sure all your lady friends will be pleased to see you?”

  “I promised the twins I’d take them out tomorrow. What time did you want me to leave?”

  Mickey could sense he wasn’t as keen to leave as they’d imagined.

  “You don’t have to go tomorrow Billy;” he said “the girls will never forgive you if you break a promise. Actually mate, I’m a bit surprised I thought you’d be chomping at the bit to get back to London?”

  “Tell you the truth Mick this place has grown on me. I really missed London at first, now if I’m honest I like the idea of being part of a family. I was hoping to stay until we bought the club. Then I was going to move here anyway, still I suppose you’re right, I’d best go back, I’ve been here long enough.”

  Mickey looked at Maria; he knew what she was thinking. The new club was only a few weeks away from being theirs. Billy was great with the kids, he fitted in with everyone and he didn’t have a family to go back to.

  “To be honest Billy we would prefer you to stay on, just to be on the safe side, but we felt it only fair to let you go home, if you wanted to.”

  “I’d be only too happy to stay, just to be on the safe side. Anyway don’t forget you two have got your weekend away yet, the triplets sleep all night now, so there’s no reason why you couldn’t go? Probably be best to do it before we take on the new club?”

  “Well now that’s settled and Billy’s staying,” said Maria “I’m going to bed. So unless I can get anyone anything, I’ll say goodnight.”

  Making her way to the door, she turned and said, “Just out of curiosity Billy, where are you taking the girls tomorrow?”

  “Pirates of course, where else, actually Mary suggested Jess coming along. She thought it would give her a break from the baby. That’s if it’s ok with you and Mickey?”

  “I think it’s a great idea, mum’s right, it’ll do her good.”

  She looked over at Mickey and grinned, they both knew that along with the kids, Billy definitely had a soft spot for Jess.

  Maria had only been in bed for ten minutes when Mickey came in. She looked surprised; she thought he’d be downstairs talking for hours?

  “Actually babe I’m knackered!”

  “Must have been that country night air?” she giggled.

  Once he was in bed, she snuggled her head into his chest. They talked about Billy and how they’d both noticed how reluctant he had been about leaving.

  “My theory is since his mum died he’s missed being part of a family,” said Maria “even when he does move out I will still have him over for dinner and until he has his own family I’d want him to stay over at Christmas. What do you think darling?”

  When Mickey didn’t reply she raised her head to kiss him, he was fast asleep. As she snuggled back down she thought to herself that Billy was just like her, he needed a family. Within minutes she too was asleep.

  When Mickey told the twins over breakfast that Shaun was leaving that morning they were both upset, especially as they wanted to show him how they could do the jumps with their ponies. They had intended to surprise him when Sarah came over.

  As Shaun looked at their little faces he said “Aye well, I don’t suppose Ann will be any less surprised if I turn up this morning or this afternoon.”

  “Haven’t you told her,” asked Maria.

  “I thought I’d surprise her.”

  “Uncle Shaun can watch you another time girls, Auntie Ann hasn’t seen him, he needs to go home.”

  “Oh please Mummy we’ve been practising.”

  “Aye they’ve been practising. I wouldn’t dream of not watching them. I’ll push off when they’ve shown me. A couple of hours won’t make any
difference one way or another.”

  “I don’t know whose worse Shaun,” said Mickey “you or Billy. You can say no to them you know?”

  “Easier said than done mate!” piped Billy.

  Shaun finally left around one after the twins had talked him into staying for lunch. By two o’clock they were on their way to Pirates with Billy and Jess.

  CHAPTER 78

  The next six weeks passed without any real problems. Mickey had decided to start work on the annexe for his parents since hearing from Lenny that Davy was definitely staying in prison. The case was being moved forward as quickly as possible because of the threat to Pinky and Jake. If they met with an accident the case would collapse, so the justice system was keen to get the case heard and settled. Davy had employed the services of Alistair Fulton Monroe; word was that he had used his club as security to pay for him. Lenny kept Mickey and the others informed of how things were going. He’d heard from a reliable source that Davy was scared. The Turk was now the owner of one of Davy’s clubs as he had been unable to pay the debt. There was also the threat from Rodney Hopper, which according to Lenny’s snitch, Davy was taking very seriously. However, Davy’s biggest concern was from the man he knew as Ivan, the police still hadn’t caught him.

  Sergei was in protective custody under a new name, apparently with foster carers who lived somewhere in the south east. Davy knew better than to open his mouth about Ivan, he also knew Ivan wasn’t going to leave anything to chance. Davy had to watch his back constantly; despite bribing some of the prison guards there were still times when he was vulnerable. Within the first two weeks he had taken a beating from a couple of real bruisers, reason being word had spread through the prison like a bush fire that he liked to fuck young boys. Child molesters and paedophiles could virtually guarantee a harder time that the average criminal even in custody.