Amber hung up with a smile. She was going to need all the cash she could get if Mikey wasn’t going to be around to pay her an allowance.
CHAPTER 17
Jules turned up at her ex-husband Jackson’s house with Mikey and the boys in tow.
“Morning,” smiled Cindy, Jackson’s second wife, a beautiful blond with massive blue eyes that looked slightly too big for her head, her only flaw. Jules had been devastated to learn Jackson had slept with her when she was in a coma, getting the woman pregnant, a double blow as she was unable to have any more children. But, thanks to her wonderful relationship with Mikey, she’d reconciled herself to Jackson’s relationship with Cindy and the two couples were now good friends.
“Morning,” smiled back Jules, stepping inside, the boys following her in. “Looking gorgeous as usual Cinds.”
“Thanks, you too. Hi Mikey.” There had been a time when she’d thought Jules and her terrifying family would kill her for her fling with Jackson but these supposedly bad people had been nothing but welcoming. She was even grateful to have them in her life now she knew they were actually very caring, generous people once you got beyond what they did for a living.
“Hi Cindy,” he smiled back, closing the door behind him.
Jules’s daughter and only child Cara dashed out of the lounge and ran to her mummy to hug her, her younger half-brother Brandon trailing behind her. Jackson emerged too, carrying his second son with Cindy, one year old Devin.
“Hello sweetheart,” grinned Jules, picking her up for a cuddle. “How’s my big girl?”
Cara, the little blond angel with blue eyes was the image of her biological father - the deceased Jared Slattery, enemy of her family, killed by Katia. However Cara didn’t even know of his existence, she thought Jackson was her real father, which was fine by Jules.
“Good,” smiled Cara. “I’ve got guinea pigs now.”
“Wow, really? What are they called?”
“Squeak Bundle and Fur Bomb.”
“Awesome names. Can I see them?”
“Course,” she said.
Jules put her down and Cara smiled shyly at Zach and Josh before lunging forward to hug them, she adored both boys and they her, treating her like the pampered princess.
“Hi Mikey,” she grinned up at him before hugging his legs. She had the sweetest temperament, always full of smiles and joy, which Jules thought a miracle having herself and Jared Slattery as biological parents.
They followed her into the large utility room to find a large cage with two tawny-coloured guinea pigs snuffling round, Cara laughing with delight at the funny squeaks they made.
“They’re gorgeous,” said Jules, bending down to look. “I bet you take really good care of them sweetie.”
“I do,” Cara proudly announced.
“Excellent,” said Jules, ruffling her hair.
“Guess what else?” continued Cara.
“What sweetie?”
“Dad and Cindy are taking us to Disneyland.”
“Wow, fantastic. Florida or Paris?”
“Florida,” replied Jackson. “We’ve booked a three week package, we want to do some touring around the area too.”
“That’s great, I know that’s always been one of your dreams,” replied Jules. She looked back at Cara. “And you’ve always wanted to see the princess castle.”
“I can’t wait,” exclaimed the little girl, throwing her arms into the air.
Jules grinned at her daughter’s excitement.
It was then Cindy noticed the ring on Jules’s finger. “Are you two…”
“That’s what we came to tell you,” said Jules, smiling at Mikey, who smiled back and slung an arm around her shoulders. “We’re getting married.”
“That’s wonderful news,” smiled Cindy, kissing Jules and Mikey in turn. “Have you set a date yet?”
“June tenth,” said Jules, grin falling when Cindy and Jackson looked at each other. “What’s wrong?”
“We fly out to Florida on the eighth of June,” said Jackson.
“Oh,” she replied, downcast. She’d been hoping Cara would be a flower girl.
“We could see if we can change the date?” said Cindy. “Maybe fly out a few days later?”
“I’ll ring the tour company and see,” said Jackson, handing Devin to Cindy. “I’m sure we can sort something out.”
“I don’t want you ruining your holiday,” said Jules.
“It won’t ruin it,” said Cindy. “It doesn’t make much difference if we go a few days later. This is important.”
“Thanks,” she smiled.
The children went out into the back garden to play while Jules, Mikey and Cindy carrying Devin returned to the kitchen so they could keep an eye on them from the window. They chatted while Cindy made them tea.
Jackson returned a few minutes later, looking glum.
“They wouldn’t let me change the dates,” he said. “It’s fully booked. If we don’t keep the booking then we lose the holiday. I’m really sorry.”
Jules swallowed down her disappointment. “No, it’s okay. Keep your holiday. Cara will be so disappointed if she can’t go. And it’ll be more exciting for her in Florida than a big barn in Manchester.”
“Maybe we could change the date of our wedding?” said Mikey.
“It’s booked up too, it’s a really popular venue. We had to go for June the tenth as it was the only one they had available thanks to a cancellation. If we don’t then the boys will be disappointed, they’ve got their hearts set on it.”
“I read in a magazine that barn weddings are all the rage,” said Cindy.
“I’m doing something that’s in fashion?” said Jules.
Cindy smiled and nodded.
Jules shuddered. “Urgh. But we love the place,” she said sadly, looking at Mikey.
He took her hand. “Maybe when you all get back from Florida we could have a blessing, just something small, so you can still be a part of it?”
This cheered Jules. “I like that idea.”
“I feel terrible,” said Cindy.
“Please don’t,” said Jules, patting her hand. “It’s not your fault, you didn’t know we were going to spring this on you. Plus it’s a holiday of a lifetime. Go and have great fun. Please don’t worry about it. We’ll give Cara some spending money, Brandon too.”
“That’s very generous of you, thank you.”
They spent a couple of hours in the Driscoll household, chatting while the children played before leaving.
“You okay babe?” said Mikey once they were back in the car.
“Yeah,” she sighed. “I’m just disappointed Cara won’t be there.”
“That was very generous of you.”
“She would have started World War Three if she hadn’t been able to go to Florida and that may have made her resent us and the wedding. It’s for the best.”
His wife’s generous spirit always astonished Mikey. Despite her reputation, she had such a good heart. “Yeah,” he said, squeezing her knee. He wanted to cheer her up. “Look at it this way, we get two weddings.”
She smiled. “What a lovely way of looking at it,” she said, looking more cheerful already.
“There you go. How about we grab some lunch? We can go to that country pub the boys love with the play park?”
“Sounds good,” she grinned as Josh and Zach cheered. Her daughter might not be at the wedding but so many other people she loved would be. Plus she was marrying the love of her life. That was what mattered.
“Oh my God,” said Michelle. “This place is gorgeous. And huge.”
Rachel was showing her around the house they owned she thought would be suitable for Michelle and her children.
“So, you like it?”
“Course I do, it’s a bloody palace. I think I’ll turn one of the downstairs lounges into another bedroom, if that’s okay? Three of them are sharing one room at the moment. It would be good for Brett to have a room of his own, he’s sixte
en now and he’s shared with his younger brother his whole life. If that’s okay with you?” she hastened to add.
“Course it is. Do what you like with it.”
“Thanks. For a scary bitch you aint half kind.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said, switching on the kettle. “Fancy a brew?”
“Yeah, that would be good thanks,” she said, sinking down at the kitchen table, unable to believe this was her new home.
“So when will you tell Dominic and Duncan?”
“Soon. I need to get some stuff together for this place first. I can’t wait to drop that bombshell.”
“Want me to be there when you tell them, in case they get awkward?”
“I appreciate that but I can handle that pair.”
Rachel smiled as she recalled her bashing their heads together. “Yeah, I know.” She finished making the tea and placed Michelle’s mug before her, taking the seat opposite her and cradling her own mug. “There was something I wanted to discuss with you.”
Michelle froze, the mug halfway to her lips. “Don’t tell me you want to give me another bloody interview?”
Rachel chuckled. “No. I’m satisfied with regards to your abilities on that score. It’s about Jacob and Duncan.”
“What about them?”
“Did Jacob take the flak for Duncan’s crimes?”
Michelle sighed and gazed sadly into her brew. “I wish I’d never let that waster of a brother of mine near my son. Jacob went through a spate of scrapping and he used to idolise Duncan, who’s always been a bit of a bad boy, although I’d use the term arsehole. Duncan knows one more strike and he’s back in prison but he’s too lazy to keep down a proper job for long. So he keeps committing crimes and getting caught because he lacks the brain capacity. Jacob took the rap for him more than once. I did my best to persuade him not to, I even told the police he was covering for his uncle but he refused to change his statement and of course Duncan wasn’t going to admit the truth, the spineless shit so my boy got done for it. He’s so clever with such a good head on his shoulders. He got four months in a young offender’s institute, which ironically did him some good, made him realise he was on a bad path. It also stopped him hero-worshipping his uncle and he refused to take the blame for him anymore. My boy is so smart and he has a good heart. I’m determined he’ll make something of himself. Getting him away from Duncan is vital if that’s to happen.”
Rachel nodded, Michelle’s words confirming everything. “He is a good boy, you should be proud.”
“I am,” she smiled. “I’m so glad he met Leah, she’s made him even more determined to stick to the right path. They’re certainly smitten with each other, which is great because she’s a nice girl.”
Rachel beamed at this compliment to her daughter.
“You’ve given me and my kids such a chance,” said Michelle. “I’ll be grateful forever.”
“You’re welcome and you and Jacob have given us a chance too.”
“We have?”
She nodded. “Although we have good friends here some members of the community have shunned us, thinking we’re nothing but violent criminals. But you and Jacob have seen beyond that.”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that. Don’t let the opinions of others get you down. If they’ve got a problem with you then that’s their problem. And their loss.”
The two women grinned at each other as a firm friendship was established.
Rachel left Michelle arranging her new home and went straight to the police station to see Ashley.
“You’re wrong,” she said the moment she walked into his office.
“It’s not often I hear those words,” he smiled. “Apart from my wife.”
“The Wrights aren’t all they seem to be. The trouble comes from Dominic and Duncan. Jacob didn’t commit those crimes he was blamed for, Duncan did and he took the blame because he idolised his uncle and knew he’d get sent down if he was caught. But Jacob has seen the error of his ways and won’t cover for him anymore. He’s a good boy who is trying to make a life for himself.”
Ashley nodded. “I spoke to a couple of detectives in Exeter. That’s what they suspected. The evidence was circumstantial but supported by Jacob’s confession. Plus the CPS wanted to go for a prosecution.” He sighed. More proof the law was an absolute ass.
“Michelle has a good job now working for Battler and Bruiser, she’s moving her and the kids into a house we own. Hopefully you’ll be able to nick Duncan and Dominic for something so they’ll be free to live their lives in peace.”
“Hopefully. Everything wrapped up nice and neatly.”
“Just the way I like it,” she smiled.
Katia and Hayden were in Liverpool for another meeting with Andrew Clayton. They didn’t want him on their patch in case word somehow got back to Toni McVay. At least here they could keep their presence a secret.
“We are on,” announced Katia, taking a seat at the conference table. “We have the date, time and location of Mikey and Jules’s wedding reception. I’ve triple-checked the information and it’s legitimate.”
“Fucking beautiful,” smiled Clayton. “Now we can finally put a plan together.”
“I’ve scoped out the area,” said Hayden, taking out his phone and bringing up a series of images. “A hill on one side, woodland on the other with a single road leading up to the building. The nearest house is a mile away.”
“Bloody perfect place for an ambush,” said Clayton.
“The hill has a great view of the barn, so I propose stationing myself there with the sniper rifle, along with men in the woods armed with guns. We can mop up any survivors. Hopefully your men will take them all out though with the explosives.”
Clayton nodded at Nathan, who stepped forward to look at the photos Hayden had taken of the barn. “It’s hard to get a scale. How big is the building?”
“About sixty feet long.”
“Then we’ll need to plant bombs either side of the building, in the shrubbery surrounding it so they won’t be noticed. Your guns probably won’t be necessary. No one escapes my explosives.”
“Good,” said Hayden. “Still, I like to be prepared. The Maguires and Laws are slippery sods.”
“You’re not wrong there,” said Clayton.
“We need to get into position the night before,” continued Hayden. “I know how they operate, they’ll have security up there at the crack of dawn. They’ll notice anyone infiltrating the area.”
“Not a problem,” said Clayton. “The weather will hopefully be fine in June.”
“And I’ll set up a signal blocker,” added Hayden. “So no one will be able to call for help on a mobile phone.”
“Sounds like you’ve covered all bases.”
“So,” said Katia. “We’re all set?”
Clayton’s eyes gleamed. “You bet we are sweetheart.”
Katia’s insides twisted with excitement. Soon all her enemies would be dead. Finally she’d done Alex proud.
CHAPTER 18
TWO MONTHS LATER
“Don’t look so nervous,” Rachel told Jacob. “They don’t bite.”
“Well, Jules might,” said Ryan, smiling when Jacob looked even more nervous. They were in Manchester for Mikey and Jules’s wedding. Jacob and Leah were still going strong, so much so that Rachel and Ryan had happily agreed to him accompanying them on this trip.
The door was pulled open so hard it flew back and hit the wall.
“Big bruv,” exclaimed Jules, flinging her arms around his neck.
“It’s good to see you too,” said Ryan much more sedately but with no less feeling.
Rachel was hugged next, then Leah, then the boys and finally Jacob, who was almost knocked onto his back by the whirlwind who’d answered the door.
“So this is Jacob who Leah’s been telling me so much about,” grinned Jules, winking at her niece. “Wow, you’ve got good taste,” she told her. “He’s very cute.”
“Ca
lm down Jules,” said Ryan. “You’re scaring the poor boy.”
“He’s not a boy, he’s a man,” she purred.
Jacob’s eyes widened and he backed up a few steps.
“May I remind you that you’re almost a married woman?”
“Take it easy big bruv, I’m only playing. Come on in all of you, the boys can’t wait to see you.”
Ryan watched Jacob stagger inside, looking pale and startled. “She Julesed him,” he whispered to Rachel, who chuckled.
The boys greeted them with as much enthusiasm as Jules had, Rachel delighted to see what happy boys they looked. She hugged Mikey, the brother she’d never had, who also looked so happy, his eyes positively sparkling.
“It’s great to see you again Rach,” he said.
“And you. You’re looking great.”
“I feel it,” he said with his devastating smile.
“You excited about tomorrow?” She didn’t even need to ask, happiness positively flowed out of him.
“Too right I am.”
“We all are, aren’t we boys?” said Jules.
Josh and Zach threw their arms into the air and cheered.
“Have they still been seeing Amber?” Rachel asked Mikey while the boys started playing with Ethan and Aaron.
“She’s been spending time with them once a week,” said Mikey. “Regular as clockwork. I thought she’d have got bored by now but it seems not. They went to her flat yesterday for lunch. I even felt confident enough to nip around the corner to the café for an hour while they spent some time together.”
“I am surprised,” said Rachel. “How are the boys with her?”
“Zach’s okay. He’ll sit and play with her. Josh is more standoffish, he remembers more than Zach how she treated him. Jules is still their real mum and always will be,” he smiled, wrapping an arm around his fiancée’s shoulders.
Jules became concerned by how pale and quiet the boys were after Rachel and Ryan and the family had left to check into their hotel.
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