Читать книгу Kimberley Chambers 3-Book Butler Collection: The Trap, Payback, The Wronged - Kimberley Chambers - Страница 39

Vivian Harris was absolutely knackered thanks to a rotten night’s sleep. She had dreamt that her Lenny had died, and after she had awoken from her nightmare had been too traumatized to doze off again.

As usual on a Sunday morning, Queenie and Vivian had gone to visit their mother’s grave. From there they had gone straight to the hospital, which was always a tiring experience as well as stressful and upsetting. ‘Bleedin’ shattered, I am today. You don’t mind if I don’t come in yours now, do ya? I’ll pop in tonight after I’ve had a snooze,’ Vivian said, yawning.

Feeling drained herself, Queenie sighed. A houseful of people was the last thing she wanted or needed and she just knew Vivian was going to feel the same. But, what could she do now that Vinny had gone to the trouble of arranging it all? ‘Vivvy, you ain’t gonna fancy this any more than I do, but you’re gonna have to come straight in mine. The boys have got something planned for your birthday.’

Vivian stopped in her tracks outside the Blind Beggar pub. ‘Like what? It had better not be a surprise party, Queen. I hate surprises at the best of times. I also hate fucking birthdays. Who wants to celebrate being another year nearer to your bastard grave, eh?’

‘I know what you’re saying, Viv, but we’re gonna have to show willing. Vinny wanted to arrange it at the club but I said no, which is why he’s doing it at mine now. It will only be family and a couple of the boys’ mates. It’s nothing major.’

Vivian felt so tired and ratty, she couldn’t help but sound ungrateful. ‘It had better fucking not be, Queen. Because if it is, I’m walking out.’

With the bond between herself and the father of her child growing stronger every day, Karen had made a special effort to look nice today. Bell-bottomed halter-neck catsuits were all the rage at the moment, and the white one that Karen had treated herself to showed off her figure and dark skin to a tee.

‘Wow! You look fab. I love that outfit. Where did you get it?’ Nancy asked, when Karen walked into the lounge after getting changed upstairs. Nancy was wearing a catsuit too, but hers was denim.

‘Roman Road. I love shopping there. You get some real unusual bits,’ Karen replied, searching for Vinny with her eyes to clock his reaction to her new outfit. Unfortunately for Karen, there wasn’t one. Vinny gave her a half-smile and then turned his back on her to speak to his sister’s boyfriend.

Nancy had only met Karen briefly once before, and when Michael excused himself to go and have a chat with his pal Kevin, the girls seemed to hit it off instantly. Both were big fans of Marc Bolan and obsessed with fashion, but most importantly, they were both involved with men from the same notorious family. As usual, Lenny had taken on the role of being DJ for the day, and when he played Rod Stewart’s current chart hit ‘Maggie May’ Karen and Nancy both chuckled as Little Vinny appeared in front of them wiggling his tiny hips. ‘Aw, he is so gorgeous, isn’t he?’ Nancy gushed.

‘Not always. He can be a little sod at times, but can’t they all? Have you and Michael discussed having children yet? I’d like another one, but I don’t want them to have different fathers, and Vinny and I aren’t really together at the moment.’

‘We haven’t been together that long, so no, Michael and I haven’t really discussed kids yet,’ Nancy replied. She could hardly tell Karen that she had thrown her birth control pill down the sink this morning because she was planning on tricking him into marrying her.

‘Well, I think you’ve picked a good ’un. Michael is a lovely bloke, and if he has any sense it won’t be long before he pops the question. A girl as stunning as you could get any man she wanted.’

‘Thank you and I think you’re stunning too. So, are you and Vinny not, you know?’ Nancy asked. Vinny scared the life out of her with his blunt manner and evil eyes and Nancy was amazed that a girl as pretty as Karen had ever given him the time of day.

‘We aren’t sleeping together if that’s what you mean, but we are heading towards it, I think. We often go out for meals and spend time together as a family now, and Vinny has just rented me a lovely flat in Beckton. I’m moving in tomorrow, and I’m hoping once I do, mine and Vinny’s relationship might move onto the next level. There were a lot of bridges to build because of stuff that happened in the past, but we are getting there. I know we are.’

About to pry some more, Nancy was stopped by Brenda walking over to her.

‘Don’t ever repeat anything we speak about to Michael or anybody else, will you? Hardly anyone knows about my flat yet. Vinny wants me to surprise everyone when I move in,’ Karen whispered.

Nancy squeezed her new pal’s hand. ‘Don’t be daft.’

Vivian was not amused when she followed Queenie inside the house and saw not only three people she didn’t know, but also most of their neighbours. ‘Nothing major! I don’t even know or like half these cunts,’ Vivian spat in her sister’s ear.

Seeing his beloved mother appear, Lenny turned down the sultry tones of Elvis and picked up his microphone. ‘Happy birthday, Mum. I love you. Do you like your surprise? We did all this for you, and we’ve bought you a big cake.’

Forcing a smile, Vivian walked over to her son and hugged him close to her chest. ‘Of course I like my surprise, boy. It’s lovely,’ she lied.

Denise Thompson felt as jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof as she trudged along the Whitechapel Road with her mother beside her. She had wanted her best friend to go with her to confront Michael with the doctor’s letter, but her mum had insisted that it was her duty to accompany her. ‘I am the baby’s grandma and if that Queenie kicks off I shall give her a piece of my bleedin’ mind. How dare that boy get you in the family way, then call you a bloody liar? I’ll give him liar if he starts all that with me, let me tell you,’ Madge Thompson had told her daughter.

At the top of Michael’s road, Denise suddenly came over nauseous. She had heard through the grapevine that he was now living at Queenie’s with his new tart, and the thought of them playing happy families was all too much for her. She was also frightened that Vinny might be at the house like he usually was on a Sunday afternoon. Surely, he would go apeshit when he found out that she had taken his money even though she was actually pregnant?

‘What’s the matter with you, girl? Come on, keep walking. I didn’t bring you up to be a coward, did I?’

‘I can’t, Mum. I’ve done something really stupid, and I can’t face Vinny.’

Madge felt her heart begin to beat wildly. ‘Stupid! What do you mean, stupid? You better not have been hawking your mutton at Vinny an’ all, young lady, ’cause if that baby you’re carrying is his, then I’m disowning you.’

Denise burst into tears. ‘How could you say such a thing, Mum? I loved Michael and would never have betrayed him in such a way.’

‘Well, what you done then?’ Madge asked anxiously.

When Denise explained she had accepted money off Vinny to tell Michael she was pregnant, Madge shook her head in exasperation. Everybody who lived locally knew that Vinny Butler was a sandwich short of a picnic, and took no prisoners when people upset him. Unable to control her annoyance, Madge slapped her stupid daughter around the face. ‘Right, I’ll tell you how we’re gonna play this. You never, ever admit to anyone what you have just told me. If and when Vinny asks about his money, you say that you didn’t know you were pregnant when you took it off him and you spent it ages ago, OK? To be honest, if Vinny went to those lengths to split Michael up with that Nancy tart, then I should imagine he will be thrilled you really are up the duff. If he isn’t and threatens you in any way, then I’ll deal with it. I’m sure he won’t want his mother to know about his resorting to blackmail to ruin his brother’s relationship. Now come on, dry them eyes and let’s get this over with.’

When Karen had first re-entered her son and grandson’s lives, Queenie had all but hated the girl on sight. However, the more she saw of Karen and the way she was with Little Vinny the more Queenie had grown to like her.

Queenie had thoroughly expected Karen to barge her way into their lives and try to take over, but the girl had done no such thing. Karen had behaved impeccably towards all of the family, and there was a definite improvement in Little Vinny. Her grandson was no longer as tempestuous or violent as he had once been; having his mum around him seemed to have worked wonders. Queenie walked over to where Vinny was standing. ‘I need to speak to you for a minute, boy,’ she said, nodding politely at Ahmed. She had never really taken to Ahmed.

Vinny followed his mother up the stairs. ‘What’s up?’ he asked, as he sat on the edge of her bed.

‘Nothing really, love. I just wanted to have a chat with you about Karen.’

‘What about her? I haven’t forgotten about nipping things in the bud. Things are in hand, Mum.’

‘Well, this is what I wanted to talk to you about. I’ve changed my mind about her. Not only do I think she is a good little mum, I also think Little Vinny’s behaviour has improved dramatically since she’s been part of his life. I never thought I would hear myself say it, but I quite like the girl. She is ever so polite to me and Vivvy, and she hasn’t tried to take over in any way, has she?’

Absolutely livid, Vinny did his best not to show it. His plans were already in place and as much as he loved his mother, if she thought that he was going to change his mind at this late stage, then she had another think coming. ‘Listen, Mum. Karen’s an ex-stripper, and on top of that she’s a fucking druggie. I am not having my son exposed to that. As his father it’s my duty to protect him.’

‘A druggie! She don’t look like she’s on anything to me. What does she take then?’ Queenie asked, horrified. She had always been very anti-drugs, and had once nearly throttled her Michael when he was going through his Mod stage. She had found a packet of blue pills in his trouser pocket, and had threatened him with all sorts.

‘Karen don’t take anything in the day, which is why whenever you see her she acts normal. But, of a night, it’s a different story. I’ve seen her with her eyes rolling around in her head. Off her nut, she’s been. That ain’t no mother, is it? Would you ever act like that?’

‘No, I bloody well wouldn’t. I’m shocked, Vinny, I really am. I honestly had begun to think she was a really nice girl. Why ever did you give her a job then if you knew she was a druggie?’ Queenie asked, perplexed.

Vinny had always been a good liar, even as a young lad. ‘Because she’s the mother of my child. Like you, Mum, when she first turned up on the doorstep, I wanted rid of her. But then, I saw how good she was with Little Vinny too and thought I should give her a chance. She’s let me down big style. I’m really disappointed in her.’

Queenie was stunned. Karen looked so glamorous and healthy. But Queenie was interrupted from asking anything further by Vivian bursting through her bedroom door. ‘Whatever’s the matter?’ Queenie asked her sister.

‘You had better come downstairs. That Denise has just turned up with her mouthy mother. She has a letter from the doctor saying she’s got a bun in the oven. Nancy’s ever so upset. You need to sort it.’

When his mother dashed out of the room, Vinny couldn’t help but smile. Denise Thompson had more than earned his money.

‘You bastard. You lying bastard. You swore to me that it wasn’t true,’ Nancy sobbed, pummelling her fists against Michael’s chest.

‘It ain’t true. Ask me mum if you don’t believe me,’ Michael insisted.

‘Let’s sort this out in the back garden, shall we? Lenny, turn the music back up,’ Queenie ordered her nephew. She wished the neighbours hadn’t been invited. Most were nosy bastards and they would have a field day with this little drama. It was bound to be the talk of the street for the next few days at least. ‘Right, what the hell is going on?’ Queenie asked, after she’d shut the back door.

Barging her daughter out of the way, Madge waved the letter in Queenie’s face. ‘This is what’s going on. Read it, go on, read it. Your son has put my daughter in the family way, and that is the proof. My daughter might be a lot of things, but a liar she isn’t.’

Seeing his distressed girlfriend being comforted by Karen, Michael stormed back inside the house and grabbed Vinny roughly by the arm. ‘I know all this is your doing, so best you get in that garden and fucking sort it out. Pay a doctor to write a fake letter, did ya?’ Michael spat.

‘I have no idea what you are talking about,’ Vinny replied, his face a picture of innocence, as he followed his brother outside.

Queenie read the letter twice, then handed it to Vivian. It looked official enough, and she knew Dr Patak personally. He was once her deceased Aunt Edna’s doctor.

When Karen led Nancy upstairs to try to calm her down, Denise was about to speak up for herself when she saw Vinny swagger into the garden behind Michael. Putting her head down to avoid eye contact with either man, Denise shut her mouth and stared at her feet.

‘I know this is his doing, Mum, and so do you, so you might as well just admit it,’ Michael yelled, pointing at Vinny.

‘He’s talking out of his arse, Mum. I ain’t said sod all to you, have I? Why would I care if Denise was pregnant or not?’

Desperate to keep the peace, Queenie waved the letter in the air. ‘I will pay Dr Patak a visit tomorrow and find out the truth. Now, can we stop all this arguing and accusation for today? This is meant to be a birthday party, not a bastard soap opera.’

Madge knew she and Denise were being dismissed, and she was determined to have the final say. ‘So, what happens when you find out tomorrow that my daughter is telling the truth? I take it your son is going to fully support Denise and their child?’

‘As you well know, Madge, I have decent morals and have brought my sons up to be the same way. If what you are saying turns out to be true, then yes, of course Michael will be there to support Denise and his child. Won’t you, Michael?’ Queenie said, giving her son a sharp kick on the ankle.

Michael turned to his mother and despairingly nodded his head.

Upstairs, Karen was doing her best to comfort Nancy. ‘Things will sort themselves out, they always do. Chances are, that girl is lying just to split you and Michael up and even if she isn’t, it’s you he loves and wants to be with, isn’t it?’

‘I don’t want him if she has his baby. I want me and Michael to have children together. It won’t be the same if he already has one. What am I gonna do if Denise is pregnant, Karen? I’ll have to move back home.’

Before Karen could tell her new-found friend not to do anything rash, the bedroom door opened and Michael walked in. ‘Best I leave yous two to it. See you downstairs, Nancy,’ Karen said, making a quick exit.

When Michael tried to put his arms around her, Nancy flinched, then pushed him away.

‘Babe, it is you I love.’

‘Go away. Just leave me alone, Michael. I don’t want you anywhere near me ever again.’

Downstairs in the kitchen, Ahmed had just discreetly dropped two LSD tabs into a glass of champagne. ‘Do you want to give it to her? Or shall I?’ he asked Vinny.

‘Neither. Champ, ’ere a minute,’ Vinny shouted, as his nephew walked past him. Lenny had taken a break from his DJ-ing duties to use the toilet.

‘What’s up, Vinny? You do like my music, don’t you?’

Vinny ruffled his cousin’s thick mop of hair. ‘You’re doing an absolute brilliant job. I’ve poured a glass of beer for you, but if your mum asks it’s shandy, OK? And can you give that glass of champagne to Karen for me? She is standing right by your box of records.’

‘Yep, I’ll give it to Karen, and thank you, Vinny. I promise I will tell Mum that mine is a shandy,’ Lenny said, trotting away happily.

‘Well?’ Vinny asked his pal.

Ahmed grinned. ‘He has given it to her, and she is sipping it. Let the fun begin.’

A short distance away from the party, Colleen was sitting by her fiancé’s bedside, stroking his hand and chatting away to him like she always did when they were alone. Speaking to Roy normally, like he could actually hear her, was the only way Colleen could cope with what had happened, and today she had been telling him that the doctor had told her she was approximately three months pregnant. ‘So, I was thinking, Roy. Obviously, if it is a boy he will be named after you, but I quite like Jennifer for a girl, what do you think? Then again, I bet my mum and dad want me to chose a more Irish-sounding name.’

When she felt Roy’s hand move slightly, Colleen leapt out of her chair. She hadn’t imagined it. She was sure she hadn’t. Staring at Roy’s face, Colleen screamed when she saw his eyes start to flicker. ‘Nurse, nurse. Come quick,’ she yelled.

Vivian was amazed when Lenny played Johnny Kidd & the Pirates’ ‘Shaking All Over’ and Karen started doing a strange dance, which included throwing her arms in the air, in the middle of the lounge carpet. Queenie was busy trying to get rid of the neighbours, therefore had her back turned. When Karen put her arms seductively around Lenny’s neck, Viv ran over to her sister and prodded her in the arm. ‘Is she pissed, or what? Do me a favour and get her away from my Lenny. I don’t want to make a big scene in front of Vinny.’

When Queenie looked around, she was startled. Karen was behaving just as Vinny had described earlier. Her eyes were glassy. She looked on a different planet, and as she let go of Lenny and picked Little Vinny up to swing him around in the air, Queenie was worried for her grandson’s safety.

Vinny and Ahmed had been watching Karen for the past ten minutes, and had found the change in her hilarious, but when Queenie walked towards them they both pretended to be engrossed in their own conversation. ‘You all right, Mum? Want another drink?’ Vinny asked.

‘No, I’m not all right. You seen the state of Karen? She’s acting really weird. She better not have been taking that shit you told me about in my house, Vinny, because if she has, get fucking rid of her now,’ Queenie hissed.

Vinny looked around, then pretended to be shocked. ‘Oh for fuck’s sake. See, told you what she was like, didn’t I? Believe me now, do ya? I’ll take her home in a bit. Little Vinny can come with me for the ride.’

‘You ain’t taking Little Vinny with you if she’s off her head. Leave him here. Me and Vivvy will look after him. He looks upset to me. I think he’s trying to get away from her.’

‘Well, she won’t be working for me and seeing him for much longer, so best he knows the truth about her, Mum. At least if he sees her acting strange, then it’s easier for me to explain why she is no longer part of our lives.’

‘How you gonna get rid of her? Druggie or not, you can’t do anything bad to her, Vinny.’

‘As if I would, Mum. When I say get rid of her, I mean send her away to one of those special clinics to sort out her drug abuse. I have already spoken to my doctor about it, and he is looking into it for me.’

‘Oh my gawd, Vinny! What’s she doing now? Everyone’s staring at her, look. You’d better get her out of here now. She’s embarrassing herself and my good name.’

Watching Karen crawl along the carpet while mumbling something about big spiders, Vinny desperately tried to keep a straight face. The audience around her was getting bigger by the second. ‘I’ll just finish my drink, then Ahmed can help me put her in the car,’ Vinny said. He wanted to ensure that everybody had seen Karen in her current state. It was all part of his plan.

Snatching the glass out of her son’s hand, Queenie threw the contents down the sink. ‘When I say I want her out of my house now. I mean fucking now.’

Less than half an hour after Karen had left the house another drama occurred.

Big Stan had always hated One Eyed Harry ever since the drunken old bum had run over his beloved dog Shep, and when Harry made a derogatory comment about his wife’s weight and food intake, Big Stan saw red and demanded an apology.

‘I’m not saying sorry. Why should I? I’m only being honest and saying what everybody else is thinking. Never seen such a greedy fat beast in all my life. Six plates of grub I’ve seen her eat. I’m surprised she ain’t fucking burst,’ Harry said, in his usual blunt manner.

Big Stan draw back his right fist and hit One Eyed Harry so hard that he went flying backwards into Queenie’s beloved glass ornament cabinet.

‘Aw, my giddy aunt! He’s smashed me cabinet and all me fucking china,’ Queenie screamed.

Big Stan was mortified. ‘I’m so sorry, Queenie. I’ll try and pay for any damage I’ve caused. It was an accident, honest it was.’

Absolutely seething, Queenie picked up her china fruit bowl and began clouting Big Stan around the head with it. ‘You couldn’t afford to reimburse me for one of them ornaments let alone all of them, you great big lummox. Now, get out my house and take that gluttonous wife of yours with ya.’

When Big Stan and his wife left, Queenie snatched the mike off Lenny. ‘Right, that’s it. The party is over. Apart from family, you can all drink your drinks and fuck off home. The quicker you leave the better. Thank you all for coming.’

‘Fucking birthdays, I hate ’em. Let’s sit out in the garden and drink our sherry, eh? We can clear the mess up later,’ Vivian suggested, handing her sister a cigarette.

‘Good idea. I’ll tell you something, Vivvy, that is the last time I ever have a party here. Not only has my lovely home been smashed up, but what a fucking show-up with that Karen, eh? Kicking and screaming like a loony she was when Vinny tried to get her in the car. Nosy Hilda clocked everything. I’m gonna have such a go at Vinny for inviting all the bleedin’ neighbours. He knows we don’t really mix with them, and we like to keep our business private. What was he thinking, eh?’

‘Don’t ask me. The party was a shambles from start to finish. The only thing I liked was me cake, and some bastard knocked that on the floor. Such a shame about all your lovely china though.’

Sipping her sherry, Queenie suddenly saw the funny side and began to laugh. ‘Only last week I looked at that china cabinet and thought how dated it seemed. My Vinny can buy me one of them posh sideboards now. What a day eh, Viv? And what with Denise turning up with her pregnancy letter. What must people think of us? Talk about free entertainment.’

Vivian raised her eyebrows. ‘As for my Lenny showing me up again. Pissed in your rose bush he did because there was a queue for the toilet. Flopped his todger out right in front of poor old Ivy. She was out here having a fag.’

Queenie held her aching sides. ‘Do you know what, Viv, I’ve come to the conclusion that none of our kids are normal. Most families have one black sheep, but between me and you, we managed to breed a fucking flock of ’em.’

Debbie Ryan was amazed when she saw the state of her friend. Vinny had knocked on her door, explained what had happened, and asked if she would be kind enough to keep an eye on Karen for him.

‘Why is Mummy acting scary, Dad? She’s frightening me,’ Little Vinny said, clinging to his father’s leg.

Debbie had never met Karen’s son before and it was obvious the child was confused and upset. ‘Your mum isn’t well, love, but she will be better soon, I promise you that.’

‘Get away from him,’ Karen screamed, rocking to and fro with her head balancing on her knees.

Desperately worried about her pal, Debbie knelt down next to her. Many a time, Karen had babysat for her two kids and she was the most reliable, trustworthy and responsible person that Debbie knew. There was no way in the world that Karen would have jeopardized her relationship with her son, or her relationship with her son’s father. She wasn’t that bloody stupid.

‘Get them away from me. You know I hate spiders,’ Karen wept.

Debbie squeezed her friend’s hand. ‘It’s OK, mate. I’m here to look after you now. There are no spiders, I promise you that.’

‘Yes there are! I can see them,’ Karen shouted. She then got on all fours, crawled along the carpet, and hid behind the sofa.

Grabbing Vinny’s arm, Debbie led him into the hallway. ‘I think we need to call an ambulance, or the police. Karen isn’t drunk, and I know for a fact that apart from the odd spliff she doesn’t do drugs. I reckon someone must have spiked her drink or something.’

Not expecting Debbie to be so clued up, Vinny was slightly taken aback, but still managed to hold his composure. ‘There is no way that her drink has been spiked. We have only been at my mum’s house with family and a few of the neighbours. Look, between me and you I think Karen has a bit of a drug problem. On a few occasions, she has got out of her nut at the club and I’ve got a feeling she’s buying the shit off one of my other barmaids. You can’t start calling ambulances, or the Old Bill, because they will put on her record that she is a druggie and stop her from seeing Little Vinny. Break her heart and his, that would. They have become so close now.’

Debbie looked at Karen’s son’s tear-stained face and reluctantly agreed. ‘I don’t mind looking after Karen tonight. My kids are at their dad’s, so I can stay here with her. What if she takes a turn for the worse though? I can’t sit back and do nothing then.’

Vinny asked for a pen and paper. ‘I’m sure she’s over the worst. Whatever she’s taken is bound to wear off soon. I’m going back to the club now, and that’s the phone number. If by any chance you are really worried about her, ring me and I’ll pay for a private doctor to visit her. That way, it won’t go on her record. I would hate to see her looked upon as a bad mother ’cause she isn’t. I’m meant to be helping her move tomorrow, so I’ll be back first thing in the morning. If she still isn’t well enough, we’ll leave moving until Tuesday.’

After she’d seen Vinny out, Debbie shut the door and leant against it. Even though Vinny had seemed sincere enough, there was something about his story that just didn’t ring true.

Back in Whitechapel, Michael had finally managed to get his mother alone, and was just building up to giving her his father’s letter when the doorbell rang.

‘Auntie Queenie, Colleen wants you,’ Lenny shouted out.

Queenie pushed past Michael and dashed down the stairs. Colleen never visited the house alone, so it must be something important.

‘Where have you been? I’ve been trying to ring you for the past two hours,’ Colleen said, before bursting into tears.

‘There was a bit of a scuffle and the cable got pulled out the socket. We’ve only just noticed it and put it back in,’ Vivian explained.

Fearing that her son had lost his battle for life, Queenie clung onto the banister for physical support. ‘Please God don’t tell me Roy’s dead,’ she stammered.

Even though she was still crying, Colleen’s tears were ones of pure happiness. ‘Roy’s come out of his coma, Queenie. He’s awake!’

As usual on a Sunday, Terry Smart had spent the whole day abusing his liver. At ten p.m. he said goodbye to his pals and staggered out of the Grave Maurice pub and onto the Whitechapel Road. Seconds later, a white van pulled up, the back doors flew open and two foreign-looking men leapt out and grabbed him. ‘Get off me, you cunts. What the fuck you doing?’ Terry slurred, as he was bundled into the back of the van.

Instead of answering Terry’s question, one of the men grabbed a cosh, smashed Terry over the head with it and knocked him spark out.