‘Whaddya mean?’ Jed asked her, knowing full well what she meant.
Sally smiled at him. She had to tread carefully. If she started putting pressure on him, it could go against her. ‘Sorry, I’m being soppy again, aren’t I? We’ve had such a nice day today. I loved spending time with your mum and dad, and I just wish it could be like this all the time. You know, we could be proper family.’
Jed kissed her on the forehead. ‘We will be one day, babe, I promise. Just bear with me, eh?’
Jed glanced slyly at his watch. ‘I’m gonna have to go and pick Sammy up in a minute, babe. We’ve gotta pick some wonga up from a geezer in Barking.’
Sally nodded understandingly. ‘When will me and Luke see you again?’
Jed smiled as he stared at his sleeping son. ‘Me and Sammy are gonna tell Kerry and Frankie that we’re working away next weekend.’
He threw fifty quid at her. ‘Treat yourself to summink to wear, and sort out a babysitter for Friday night, so we can go out for a nice meal or something.’
Sally threw her arms around Jed’s neck. She loved the thought of having him all to herself for the weekend.
Jed gently released her arms from around his neck. He stood up and strolled over to the front door. ‘Bye, babe. I love you.’
With all three boys snuggled up in bed together, Kerry handed Frankie a glass of wine. ‘So, what happens now?’
Frankie nervously chewed on her lip. ‘We’re gonna have to spy on ’em again, see if we can catch ’em red-handed.’
Kerry shrugged. Frankie might be adamant that Jed was cheating on her, but Kerry trusted Sammy with her life. He had always been a wonderful boyfriend and father and she had never had any reason to distrust him.
‘I still think you’ve got it all wrong, Frankie. I don’t think either Jed or Sammy would cheat on us.’
‘Well, how do you explain Jed’s Shogun being there, then? Remember, Stacey told me she saw him and that slag in Romford looking all loved-up.’
Seeing Frankie’s eyes well up, Kerry hugged her. ‘I really don’t know, mate.’
Jed was well prepared as he walked into Sammy’s trailer. He knew Frankie would have her suspicions about his motor being outside his parents’ house.
‘All right, girls? How was the party?’
‘It was good. The kids loved it, didn’t they, Frankie?’ Kerry said nudging her pal.
Frankie sipped her drink and glared at Jed. ‘Georgie wasn’t well, so I took her to your mum and dad’s house. I told ’em you’d pick her up tomorrow. Anyway, enough about our day, let’s talk about yours. Been working hard, the pair of yous, have ya?’
Jed had always prided himself on being clued up. Frankie was on to him, he sensed it. ‘So, what was a matter with Georgie?’ he asked brightly.
‘She ate like a pig and then was sick everywhere. You ain’t answered my question yet. I said, have you been working hard?’
Jed glanced at Sammy. He needed to come up with a story, and he needed to think of one fast. He smiled at Frankie. She had seen his motor at Sally’s; it was the only thing he could think of. He cleared his throat.
‘Actually, we knocked off work early. Billy was driving, so we came back to Rainham and had a few beers. Look, Frankie, I don’t wanna lie to you, so I’m gonna tell you the truth. Sally rang me earlier. Luke was ill and she was really worried about him. I dropped Sammy off at the pub on the way home and shot round there. I didn’t stay long, but I had to pop round there to check he was OK. You do understand, don’t you?’
Kerry breathed a huge sigh of relief. ‘Of course she understands. Don’t you, Frankie?’
Frankie nodded dumbly. Jed was a convincing liar, she knew that from past experience, and even though she wanted to believe his story, but when she saw him smirk at Sammy, she knew she couldn’t trust him.
Over the next few days, Jed was torn between the devil and the deep blue sea. Frankie definitely had his card marked, there were no two ways about that.
As Sammy sat beside him on the cart, Jed made a clicking noise with his mouth. ‘Trot on,’ he shouted, as he clumped his horse’s arse with the reins.
‘What am I gonna do?’ he asked Sammy. ‘I can’t let Sally down this weekend – she’ll be heart-broken, yet I can’t chance Frankie snooping around there, can I? If she catches me red-handed, she’ll leave me and take the kids with her, I know she will.’
‘We’ll just have to be careful from now on. If Frankie did see your motor the other night, then you can’t park it outside Sally’s any more,’ Sammy said.
‘I think I’m gonna buy a cheap truck or car that Frankie don’t know about, ’cause even if I park the Shogun in a road opposite Sally’s, chances are she’ll fuckin’ spot it,’ Jed replied.
‘You don’t even know for sure if Frankie saw your motor or that she knows where Sally lives. She might have had the hump over something else you’d said or done. Georgie ain’t grassed you up, has she?’
Jed shook his head. ‘Georgie ain’t said sod-all. Frankie saw my Shogun at Sally’s, I’m sure of it. I saw the look of relief on her face when I admitted I’d been there. She must have done some detective work and some cunt’s told her where Sally lives. I can’t take no chances, Sammy, so do us a favour and ring that car-dealer mate of yours. See if he’s got a cheap old van of some kind. I don’t want nothing decent, ’cause I’m gonna leave it parked up on me dad’s land over in Tilbury.’
Sammy smirked. He liked to think of himself as a cunning character, but Jed always seemed to beat him hands down. ‘Has anyone ever told you that you are one slippery bastard, Jed O’Hara?’
Whipping his horse on the arse once more, Jed laughed. ‘You ain’t exactly Snow White yourself, you cheeky fucker.’
On the following Friday, Jed put on his work clothes, kissed the kids goodbye and gave Frankie a cuddle. ‘I really don’t wanna go to work. I wish I could stay ’ere with you and the chavvies,’ he lied.
Frankie smiled politely. She didn’t believe for a moment that Jed was going to work, but she had to play it cool, otherwise she would never find out the truth. ‘What time will you be back on Sunday?’ she asked.
‘About lunchtime. I thought we could take Georgie and Harry out to a carvery. Sammy and Kerry’ll probably come as well.’
‘That’ll be nice,’ Frankie said, forcing a smile.
As soon as the boys drove off, Frankie dragged the kids into Kerry’s trailer. ‘I’m gonna go for a little drive and I want you to look after my babies for me. I can’t take Georgie with me, she’s too clued-up,’ Frankie whispered.
Georgie’s ears pricked up. ‘You going out, Mummy?’
‘I’ve just got to pop over Nanny Joycie’s to pick something up. You’re staying here with Harry. I need you to look after him for me.’
Georgie jumped up and down. ‘Can I come too?’
‘No, you can’t. Nanny Joyce isn’t very well today. I won’t be long and if you behave yourself for Kerry, I’ll bring you and Harry back a Happy Meal.’
‘Can I have a Big Mac and nuggets?’ Georgie asked innocently.
‘No, you bloody well can’t!’ Feeling anxious, Frankie picked up her keys and slammed the trailer door.
Jed O’Hara was on edge as he stared out of Sally’s living-room window. His sixth sense had convinced him that Frankie was on the prowl and he didn’t want to leave Sally’s flat in case he bumped into her.
‘Daddy,’ Luke giggled, clinging to his leg.
Jed moved away from the window. He lay down on the floor and lifted his son up in the air above him. There was no way Frankie would find his motor, as he’d left it in Tilbury. Sammy’s pal had got him an old Datsun truck for two-hundred quid and he’d driven to Sally’s in that.
Sitting up, Jed lay his head against Sally’s bare legs. ‘Who’s meant to be babysitting?’ he asked.
‘Me mate, Lisa. She’s coming round at eight.’
Jed looked at Sally with pleading eyes. Instinct told him it would be un
wise to go out tonight. ‘I don’t fancy going out for a meal, babe. Let’s get a takeaway, cancel the babysitter and have a drink indoors. I wanna spend some quality time with you and Lukey boy, and later I’m gonna rip them knickers off and give you a right good seeing to.’
Sally nodded happily. As long as she was with Jed, she didn’t care what they did.
Frankie felt incredibly nervous as she drove her car around Rush Green Gardens – it was only 7.30 and still light. Jed’s Shogun was nowhere to be seen and she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Knowing how crafty her boyfriend could be, Frankie pulled out of the estate and drove up and down the roads nearby. If Jed had any inkling that she was on to him, the first thing he would do was hide the motor elsewhere.
About to make her way home, Frankie decided to have one last look around Rush Green Gardens. She drove onto the estate, and gasped in disbelief as she spotted Sammy walking along with a pretty blonde girl. The bird was holding his arm and they had a kid with them in a pushchair.
Blinded by panic that her car would be spotted, Frankie quickly reversed out onto the main road. Seconds later her mobile rang. Praying she hadn’t been caught, Frankie shook as she held the phone to her ear.
‘It’s only me, Frankie. Pick up some more wine on the way home. Well, is Jed’s motor there?’
Unable to break her friend’s heart over the phone, Frankie quickly ended the call. ‘I won’t be long. I’ll get some wine, and we’ll talk when I get back,’ she said.
As soon as Frankie walked into her trailer, Kerry knew that something was amiss.
‘Where’s the kids?’ Frankie whispered.
‘In bed. What’s the matter?’
Frankie’s eyes filled up with tears. ‘I didn’t see Jed or the Shogun, but I did see something. I’m so sorry to have to tell you this, Kerry, but I saw Sammy walking along with a bird and a kid. The bird was holding his arm, and the kid must be young ’cause it was in a pushchair.’
Kerry looked at her incredulously. ‘No, you must have got it wrong. Where did you see him? Are you sure it was Sammy?’
‘I saw him in Rush Green Gardens and I’m a hundred per cent sure it was him. I quickly reversed out the turning. I didn’t want him to recognise me car.’
Kerry’s heart started to quicken. ‘If it’s true, I’ll kill him, Frankie. Where do ya reckon he could have been going?’
Frankie shrugged. ‘Either back to the bird’s place or what about that little social club we saw on the estate? In fact, he was walking towards that.’
Leaping off the sofa, Kerry rushed towards the bedroom.
‘What you doing?’ Frankie asked her.
‘Waking the kids up. We’re going to find the bastard, Frankie.’
Unaware that his girlfriend was on the warpath, Sammy was sitting with one arm around Julie and the other holding his son on his lap.
The Rush Green Community Centre was cheap and cheerful and, considering it was just a minute’s walk away from Julie’s flat and kids were welcome, it was a handy little number. Tonight there was a disco on, and as the DJ put on the Robin S dancefloor hit, ‘Show Me Love’, Sammy began singing the words in Julie’s ear.
Pulling up in the car park, Frankie grabbed Kerry’s arm and opened the car door. Kerry had drunk a whole bottle of wine on the journey and there was no way Frankie could allow her to go into the club alone.
‘Hang on, the kids are all asleep. I’ll lock the doors – I’m coming in with ya.’
Sammy was so busy serenading his bit on the side that he didn’t notice Kerry and Frankie walk into the club.
‘There he is, the cunt,’ Kerry screamed as she stormed over to the table with the empty wine bottle in her hand.
‘You can’t come in here with that, love,’ a man said, grabbing her arm.
Pushing the man away, Kerry broke into a run and lunged towards Sammy. ‘You fucking bastard. I’m gonna kill you, you cunt,’ she screamed, as she lifted the bottle and smashed it as hard as she could over Sammy’s head.
Julie screamed as the glass shattered over both her and Tom. She grabbed her son and ran over to the bar. ‘Help me! Call the police!’ she screamed.
With blood pouring down his face, a dazed Sammy fell to the floor, holding his head. ‘Stop it, Kerry. I can explain. It ain’t what you think,’ he mumbled.
Seeing Kerry was about to cut Sammy to pieces with the jagged edge of the bottle, Frankie snatched it out of her hand. ‘You’ll get nicked. He ain’t worth it,’ she urged her friend.
Sobbing with temper, Kerry aimed her right foot into the side of Sammy’s face. ‘Your kid, is it? You cheating, no-good bastard. I want you out of my life, for good, do you hear me?’
Frankie did her best to pull Kerry off him. ‘Come on, let’s go. We can’t leave the kids in the car.’
‘Let’s go? I ain’t fucking going nowhere. Right, where’s that old slag gone?’
Petrified for the safety of Julie and her baby, the barman had hidden both of them behind the bar.
‘Leave her alone,’ Frankie shouted, as two men grabbed hold of Kerry’s arms and tackled her to the floor.
‘I’ll kill that wanker and her. I’m gonna kill the fucking pair of ‘em,’ Kerry sobbed.
Desperately trying to free Kerry so they could both get away, Frankie had no choice but to kick and punch the two men holding her friend. Seconds later she was also restrained, but unfortunately not by more punters. As two police officers handcuffed her and Kerry, Frankie started to cry.
‘You can’t nick us. Our kids are outside in the car,’ she sobbed.
The policewoman shoved her towards the exit. ‘Tough shit. You’re both nicked.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Frankie and Kerry were released at 10 a.m. the following morning. They had both spent a sleepless night in a cell at Romford police station. One phone call each was all they’d been entitled to. Kerry had rung her sister to come and collect Sammy Junior and Freddy, and Frankie had contacted Joey and Dominic to pick up Georgie and Harry.
‘Let’s walk into Romford and get a coffee and some breakfast,’ Frankie suggested. Kerry was in a really bad way and Frankie was worried about her.
‘I’m not hungry. What the hell am I gonna do, Frankie? It’s as though my whole life with Sammy was just one big fucking lie.’
Frankie linked arms with her best friend. ‘Let’s get a hot drink down us and we can discuss what we should do next.’
With tears in her eyes, Kerry looked at Frankie. ‘I can never forgive him for what he’s done to me, Frankie. I can’t go back to that trailer. You’re gonna have to pick up mine and the kids’ stuff for me. Me and Sammy are history. I hate him, and I hope he dies of terminal cancer.’
Over in South Woodham, Joey and Dominic were having problems of their own. Ever since they had picked the kids up last night, Georgie had not eaten or slept.
Seeing his niece was about to chase Madonna once more, Joey picked up the dog, put her out in the garden and locked the back door. He turned to Dominic. They had planned to go to a friend’s house for lunch, but there was no way they could take the kids with them.
‘You’ll have to ring Rob and tell him we can’t make it today,’ Joey said.
‘Can’t you ring Jed, see if he can pick the kids up?’ Dominic replied.
Joey shook his head. ‘Frankie said he’s working away this weekend and she made me promise not to call him. Let’s just find a pub with a kids’ play area or something. I don’t know exactly what trouble Frankie’s in, but they have to release her soon, surely?’
Dominic picked up Harry. ‘Do you want to go out to play?’
As Harry giggled and hugged Dominic, Joey went into the kitchen and knelt down to speak to Georgie.
‘If I take you out to play, will you promise me you’ll eat some lunch at the pub?’
Georgie was bored with being stuck indoors. ‘I promise I’ll eat all my lunch, Uncle Joey,’ she lied.
Frankie thanked the waitress as she
brought over her jumbo sausage in a roll and two mugs of steaming coffee. Unlike Kerry, Frankie was ravenous.
‘So what exactly did they charge you with?’ Frankie asked her friend.
‘ABH. They said Sammy had needed twelve stitches in his head or something.’
‘What did you tell them? Did you admit to it?’
‘I said it was a shame the bastard didn’t need twelve-hundred stitches. To be honest, Frankie, that woman who nicked us was quite nice to me once she heard the full story. She said she’s gonna speak to Sammy and if he agrees not to prosecute, the charges will probably be dropped.’
Frankie nodded. ‘They just gave me a caution for affray. I think them men that grabbed hold of you told the Old Bill I was kicking and punching ’em. I ain’t gotta go back or nothing.’
As Frankie munched on her roll, Kerry drank her coffee in silence.
‘So, what you gonna do now? I ain’t gonna be able to handle living in Wickford without ya. Where you gonna go?’ said Frankie.
‘Somewhere where Sammy can’t find me. My sister’s just moved to Pitsea. I’ve only been to her new house once and Sammy ain’t got the address, so I might stop there for a bit. There’s no point me going to me mum’s, as he knows where she lives and I don’t wanna cause her no grief. If I give you my key, I need you to grab my clothes, the kids’ clothes and some of their toys for me. I can meet you somewhere or you can bring ’em to my sister’s house if you want, but be careful you ain’t followed.’
Frankie nodded as Kerry handed her the key to her trailer. Living on that remote piece of land without Kerry was going to be lonely and boring, especially when Jed was at work, but she couldn’t burden Joey and Dom, and apart from her grandparents, she had nowhere else to go.
‘I wonder if Jed was round at Sally’s and if that bird Sammy was with is one of her friends. I mean, Jed had to be involved somehow, it’s too much of a coincidence that both old slappers live on the same estate.’
Kerry nodded. ‘I’d like to know where they parked the motor. Surely Jed never dropped Sammy off then went to work on his own. After what’s happened lately, I hate both of ’em, Frankie. My family warned me not to get involved with a travelling boy, they said they were bad news, and they were so bloody right.’
The Traitor Page 29
