Tainted Lives

by Mandasue Heller

  Unable to cope with the disdainful look in her eyes, and the cold edge to her voice, Pete began to spend more time out of the house – which inevitably angered her even more. It was a lose-lose situation, and he was on the point of giving up when Vinnie rang.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Vinnie asked, picking up from Pete’s voice that something was amiss.

  Pete poured out the whole sorry saga.

  ‘I don’t know what to do, man. She hardly talks to me, and she won’t let me near her. She sleeps with Kimmy every night, and she’s stopped washing my clothes and cooking, and that. I know she’s got every right to be mad, but what am I supposed to do? My wages are crap. There’s hardly enough to buy food and fags, never mind pay bills.’

  ‘How much do you owe out?’ Vinnie asked when Pete finally stopped whining.

  ‘Too much to think about,’ Pete admitted. ‘If it wasn’t for me mates subbing me a few pints and spliffs of a night, I’d seriously think about topping myself.’

  ‘All right, look,’ Vinnie said, seizing the opportunity to put Pete into his debt and make it easier to keep in touch with Sarah. ‘I’m gonna bung you a few quid to get it sorted.’

  ‘You don’t have to,’ Pete murmured, trying not to sound too hopeful.

  ‘Don’t argue,’ Vinnie told him flatly. ‘We’ve known each other too long, and I know what it’s like being skint. Remember all them smokes you used to give me? Yeah, well, consider this payback. A grand do you?’

  ‘A grand? No way, man! I can’t take that much. I’ll never be able to pay you back.’

  ‘Did I ask you to?’

  ‘No, but . . .’

  ‘But nowt. I’ll bring it round in a bit.’

  ‘I’ve, er, arranged to go out,’ Pete said, glancing at his watch. ‘I’m supposed to be there in five.’

  ‘Is Sarah in?’

  ‘Yeah, but I’d rather you didn’t say anything to her about this. She’s really mad at me already.’

  ‘Don’t worry.’ Vinnie sounded confident. ‘You can’t exactly hide it from her, can you? She’ll only get more suspicious if you suddenly get the money to pay off your bills and don’t tell her where it’s from.’

  ‘You think she’d go for it if you told her?’

  ‘Course. You know me, mate – I can make anyone believe anything.’

  ‘I remember,’ Pete snorted, his spirits lifting by the second. Sarah was bound to stop ball-aching once they were back on their feet. ‘Tell you what, why don’t you call round tonight? You could have a chat to her – see if you can’t persuade her to stop treating me like a dog.’

  ‘I’ll try.’ Vinnie chuckled softly. ‘But it won’t be easy.’

  ‘Nah, she’ll listen to you. She knows you know me better than anyone. If you tell her that I’m really sorry and I’m absolutely crazy about her, she’ll know it’s true.’

  ‘I’ll do my best. Let me have a think about it and I’ll come round in about half an hour. I’ll say I turned up on the off chance. It’ll be easier if she doesn’t know we planned it.’

  ‘Thanks, mate,’ Pete murmured gratefully. ‘You don’t know what this means to me.’

  ‘I’ve just had a thought,’ Vinnie said. ‘I might have a way to help you out. Say no if you’re not interested, but how do you fancy doing a job with me?’

  ‘What kind of job?’

  ‘Nothing major, but it’ll give you a fair few quid. Interested?’

  ‘Too right!’ Pete exclaimed greedily. ‘When?’

  ‘Might take a couple of days. Let me sort things out my end and I’ll get back to you. But not a word to Sarah or anyone else, or it’s no go.’

  Putting the phone down, Vinnie shook his head. Pete was a tosser if he thought that Vinnie was helping him out for his sake. Whatever trace of respect or friendship Vinnie might have harboured for him was well and truly shattered when Pete accepted the offer of money so easily. Any man with a scrap of dignity would have put up a better resistance than Pete’s pathetically transparent attempt. No wonder Sarah was treating him badly. The guy was a disgrace.

  But it would all be sorted soon enough. The plan that had literally just come to him as they spoke could be the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one very heavy stone.

  Sarah was rinsing Kimmy’s hair in the bath when she heard knocking at the front door.

  ‘Just a minute,’ she yelled. ‘I’m coming!’

  Lifting Kimmy from the tub, she wrapped a huge towel around her and gently rubbed the soap from her face as she carried her up the hall. Whoever was knocking went into a fresh burst just as she got there.

  ‘For God’s sake!’ Sarah snapped, wrenching the door open. ‘I said I was com—’

  Stopping mid-rant, she looked at Vinnie and felt a blush creep up her neck. He looked as gorgeous as he had the last time she had seen him. And Sarah looked just as dowdy as she normally did when she wasn’t making the effort she had made that particular day.

  ‘Vinnie.’ She found her voice at last. ‘I wasn’t expecting you. You said you’d ring.’

  ‘Sorry. I was passing and thought I’d call. I can come back later if you’re busy.’ He nodded towards Kimmy, who was staring up at him wide-eyed.

  ‘No, it’s fine.’ Sighing, Sarah stepped back. ‘You might as well come in now you’re here. You’ll have to excuse the mess, though. I haven’t cleared up after madam yet.’

  ‘This is Kimmy, I take it?’ Vinnie followed them through to the living room. ‘She’s beautiful.’

  Sarah couldn’t prevent the proud smile.

  ‘Have a seat.’ She waved him to the couch. ‘I won’t be long. I’m just getting her ready for bed.’

  ‘Does she have to go right now?’ He smiled at Kimmy who was playing peek-a-boo with him now, giggling as she hid her face in Sarah’s shoulder. ‘I wanted to spend a bit of time with her – if you don’t mind?’

  Sarah relaxed a little. It was obvious that he was making an effort – and Kimmy certainly seemed to have taken to him.

  ‘Okay. I’ll bring her back when she’s got her jammys on. But not for long. She’s murder if she doesn’t get a good sleep.’

  Settling back when they had gone, Vinnie lit a cigarette and looked around the room. It was drab, but Sarah had obviously made an effort to make it cosy and keep it clean. It angered him to think of her living like this. She deserved better, and if – when – she was his woman, she’d get better.

  He smiled when they came back a few minutes later. ‘All dry?’

  Kimmy hid behind her mother’s legs, peeking shyly out at him.

  ‘Come out of there,’ Sarah chided, sitting down and swinging the child up onto her lap. ‘This is Daddy’s friend Vinnie. Say hello.’

  Murmuring ‘Hello’ in a tiny voice, Kimmy peered up at Vinnie through impossibly long lashes as Sarah brushed her hair.

  ‘She really does look like you,’ Vinnie said. ‘Bet you’re glad about that. She could have ended up looking like Pete.’

  ‘She’s got his nose,’ Sarah muttered, frowning. She was pissed off with Pete, but he was her husband – for better or worse – and she wasn’t about to be disloyal.

  ‘She’s got your eyes,’ Vinnie commented quietly. ‘They’re incredible.’

  Feeling a little uncomfortable, Sarah finished Kimmy’s hair and stood up. Hefting her daughter onto her hip, she said, ‘Say goodnight.’

  ‘Night night,’ Kimmy whispered, hiding again.

  ‘Night.’ Vinnie waved as Sarah carried her from the room.

  Coming back a few minutes later, Sarah reached for a cigarette. ‘Looks like you’ve got a fan. She says you’re funny.’

  ‘Nice to know I still have that effect on the girls,’ Vinnie quipped, sparking his lighter before she had a chance to reach for her own. Inhaling her scent as she leaned towards him, he felt a little light-headed. He wanted her so badly, but he knew her too well to leap straight in. He would have to be extremely careful how he went about things, or she would kick h
im out without a backward glance.

  ‘Where’s Pete?’ he asked as she sat down.

  ‘Out.’ Sarah flicked her ash sharply. ‘He probably won’t be back before two. He’ll be sorry he missed you.’

  ‘Don’t worry about it.’ Vinnie glanced at his watch. ‘I’m not staying long. I just wanted to give him something – but I can leave it with you, if that’s all right?’

  ‘Yeah, whatever.’

  Taking an envelope from his pocket, Vinnie handed it across. Feeling the bulky wad, Sarah knew instinctively that it was money and her suspicions were roused. Why was Vinnie giving Pete money? What had they been doing that Pete had conveniently forgotten to mention to her?

  ‘What’s this for?’ she asked, frowning.

  ‘It’s just something I owe him,’ Vinnie lied.

  ‘Bullshit!’ She thrust the envelope back at him. ‘He’s never had that much money in his life. How could he have lent it to you?’

  ‘It’s from a bet,’ Vinnie told her, knowing from what Pete had told him that the mention of gambling would piss her off, but banking on her believing it because of the mess Pete had got them into.

  ‘That figures,’ she snorted disapprovingly, reluctant to say anything more. It was no one’s business but theirs that Pete had a gambling problem.

  ‘Well, are you going to take it?’

  Sarah shook her head stubbornly. ‘No. I don’t want anything to do with it. It’s dirty money.’

  ‘It isn’t stolen. Honest, Sarah, it’s just winnings from the dogs.’

  ‘Oh, really?’ She gave him a disbelieving look. ‘He told me he goes for the horses, not the dogs.’

  ‘Yeah, now he does,’ Vinnie said, kicking himself mentally. ‘But it was always dogs when we were kids.’

  Sarah’s disbelief increased. ‘So you’re trying to tell me this bet was made when you were a kid?’

  ‘Yeah. That’s how come it’s so much now – the interest, and that.’

  ‘Nice try,’ she scoffed. ‘But you couldn’t have won it. They wouldn’t have let you put the bet on.’

  Vinnie smiled. ‘Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong. Come on, Sarah. You know I’ve always looked older than I am.’

  Sarah couldn’t argue with that.

  ‘It’s only a grand,’ he persisted. ‘Please, Sarah . . . I’m sick of having it hanging round my neck. How d’y’ think it makes me feel knowing I owe one of my oldest mates? I just want it done with.’

  ‘All right,’ she conceded, taking the envelope and putting it on the ledge behind her head. ‘But I’m still not happy. Something’s not right about this. I reckon you’re covering for Pete, but I don’t suppose you’re gonna tell me, are you?

  ‘Nothing to tell.’ He shrugged with his hands.

  Shaking her head, Sarah said, ‘Thought not. Anyway, can I get you a coffee, or anything?’ She didn’t really want to detain him, but it was the least she could do now that he’d provided a plug – however temporary – for the great yawning abyss that Pete had created in their finances.

  ‘I’d love one,’ Vinnie said, exhaling with relief.

  That was the tricky part over. Now he just had to work on getting her to like him. With any other woman that would have been the easy bit, but he and Sarah had history, and he would have to tread carefully to ensure the right response.

  ‘So, what did you think when Pete said I was coming round the other week?’ he asked when she carried the cups through.

  ‘I went mad,’ Sarah told him straight out.

  ‘Really?’ Vinnie drew his head back. ‘Why?’

  ‘Why so shocked?’ Drawing her feet up beneath her on the chair, she peered at him with a hint of amusement. ‘We were never exactly friends.’

  ‘Yeah, but that was years ago. I’ve grown up since then. I’ve changed.’

  ‘I can see that,’ she agreed. ‘I was quite surprised, actually. You’re . . .’ Pausing, she considered her words carefully. ‘Nicer, I suppose – less edgy. You always felt like you were on the make, but you look more laid-back now.’

  Nodding, as if giving her words serious consideration, Vinnie said, ‘I suppose I am. I never thought of it like that, but you’re right. I feel better about myself, like I don’t have to put on a show or kick off to get what I want.’

  ‘About time,’ she teased, realizing that he wasn’t as difficult to talk to now that she was actually making the effort. ‘So, what have you been doing with yourself? Pete said you were in the project in Hulme.’

  ‘Yeah, for about six months.’ Vinnie smiled wryly. ‘We didn’t see eye to eye, so they kicked me out. Anyway, what about you? Last I heard you were living in Moss Side. I called round there once, you know.’

  ‘Oh?’ She gave him a questioning look. ‘How come?’

  ‘I wanted to tell you about your mate. I didn’t know if you still spoke to any of them at Starlight, with you not coming back after you left, and that. But I thought you’d want to know what happened to him.’

  Sarah gripped her cup hard. It still hurt to think about Harry. Still racked her with guilt that she had not only been unable to prevent his suffering but had never laid eyes on him again after letting the police take him back that time. If she’d only tried harder to stay in touch it might never have happened, but, as per usual, she’d been too wrapped up in her own problems.

  ‘Thanks,’ she murmured. Then, ‘Sorry I didn’t keep in touch, but everything went a bit haywire after I left. Anyway, when did you go round to mine?’

  ‘The day I got out,’ Vinnie told her. ‘Some junkie blokes said you’d already left.’

  Sarah’s expression darkened even further at the mention of her former housemates. ‘They’re all dead now, you know,’ she said.

  ‘Serious?’ Vinnie gazed at her disbelievingly.

  ‘Yeah. It was in the paper a few months after I left. The house burned down in the middle of the night. The police reckoned it was arson, but they never got anyone for it.’

  Vinnie shook his head. ‘That’s terrible, but it doesn’t really surprise me. You make all sorts of enemies when you mess about with drugs, don’t you?’

  ‘Suppose so,’ she murmured, sinking into a gloomy silence at the mention of drugs and enemies. Harry and Chambers.

  ‘You all right?’ Vinnie asked.

  Looking up, Sarah was surprised to see concern in his eyes. It reminded her of what Harry had once said about Vinnie really caring for her.

  ‘Yeah.’ She nodded. ‘I was just thinking about Harry. I’m glad that bastard was sent down for what he did. I’d have killed him if I’d got my hands on him.’

  ‘I bet you would as well.’ Vinnie chuckled softly. ‘I’ve had a taste of your temper. Remember pulling that knife on me?’

  Smiling now, Sarah said, ‘Yeah, I remember. Guess I’ve grown up a lot since then as well, but I was really mad at you.’

  ‘Don’t blame you.’ He shrugged. ‘I was a real bastard back then. I’ve thought about it a lot since, and I’d never do anything like that now. It’s like you get these mad rages when you’re in care, and everyone cops for it except them who put you there in the first place.’

  Listening to the sincerity in Vinnie’s voice, Sarah remembered that Pete had said practically the same thing when they had met up again. She’d given him a chance to prove he’d changed, and that had paid off – for the most part. Maybe it was time to let go of the negative feelings she harboured against Vinnie.

  Sensing the shift in her mood, Vinnie decided to get out while the going was good. Glancing at his watch, he stood up.

  ‘I’d best get going. Thanks for the coffee. Tell Pete I’ll be in touch, and, I’ll, er, see you soon.’

  Showing him out, Sarah smiled when he thanked her for letting him meet Kimmy.

  ‘She liked you. And that’s an honour, let me tell you. You’ll be Uncle Vinnie before too long, if you’re not careful.’

  ‘I’d like that,’ he told her softly. ‘Coming from our background, our
mates are the only family we’ve got. Take care.’

  ‘And you.’

  Closing the door, Sarah leaned her back against it for a moment, thinking about what he had said. It was true, he was part of the family, and Pete would be made up that she had finally allowed him in.

  Pete Owens. Her husband. The father of her beautiful child. The man who screwed up everything he touched, but was completely without malice.

  Maybe it was the relief of knowing that thanks to Vinnie they now had the money to pay off their debts, but it suddenly occurred to her that whatever problems she and Pete were having, she should be helping him sort it out, not blaming him as she had been doing. He was good at heart, and she should be working at getting her marriage back on track.

  And that, Sarah vowed, was exactly what she would do from now on – however hard she had to fight the ridiculous attraction that she had begun to feel for Vinnie.

  29

  Vinnie became a regular visitor over the next few weeks, and Pete never failed to ask about the ‘job’ when he showed him out. Telling him to be patient, and reiterating that he mustn’t breathe a word to Sarah or it was off, Vinnie assured him that he was still working on it. Finally, almost two months later, he put Pete out of his misery. Calling him on his mobile to be sure that he rather than Sarah answered, he gave him the good news.

  ‘When?’ Pete asked in a whisper, going out into the hall.

  ‘Midnight tonight,’ Vinnie told him. ‘Can you get out without making Sarah suspicious?’

  ‘Yeah. Where should I meet you?’

  ‘You know where they used to have the Sunday market down the side of the Quays?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Well, just before that – down the back of the old railway sidings. Turn left on the tracks and keep going till you see me.’

  ‘On the tracks?’

  ‘Yeah, but don’t worry about it, they ain’t been used for years.’

  ‘Oh, right. Do I need to wear anything special?’

  ‘Just something dark, and keep your lights off. You haven’t said anything to Sarah, have you?’