A Family Divided (Dividing Line #3)

by Heather Atkinson

  “All we want is the chance to start afresh,” Jan eventually said.

  “Why Manchester? I understand you have connections in Liverpool and Newcastle. Why not go there instead?”

  Jan’s face was so stony Rachel thought if she blinked it would crack. “Because I don’t want to run to them begging. I want to forge a path for us.”

  Rachel’s eyes narrowed. She was definitely concealing something. “There’s no path for you here. Do yourself a favour and find somewhere else.”

  “Where do you suggest? Wherever we go we’ll be stepping on someone’s toes.”

  “Perhaps you’d be better off going back down south, which you know and understand?”

  “There’s nothing left for us down there.”

  “Why not? You’ve still got all your boys.”

  “Because our so-called friends backed our enemies when my husband died. If we returned we’d be annihilated.”

  “But you expect the Maguires to welcome you with open arms, offer you their businesses. If our families’ positions were reversed, would you be so generous?”

  Jan’s lips pursed tighter.

  “You wouldn’t, would you?” pressed Rachel.

  “We could have come here and started carving up the city,” spat Chris, “but we did things the right way, asked nicely and look what we fucking get for our trouble. Disrespect.”

  “Watch your mouth boy,” growled Battler.

  “What are you going to do about it old man?” he said, strutting up to him, all lairy attitude and testosterone.

  When Battler got to his feet he towered over Chris, who refused to back down. He put Rachel in mind of a silly little yapping dog. However she was more interested in Nick, who was giving his mother a hard look. It appeared all was not harmonious in the Jordan camp. He caught Rachel watching him and smoothed out his expression.

  “Shut up Chris,” said Jan. Although she spoke quietly he obeyed instantly and returned to his position leaning against the wall, attempting to look menacing but in comparison to Battler and Bruiser he failed miserably. Nick ignored him completely, his eyes connecting with Rachel’s and she got the impression he was trying to tell her something, but she had no idea what that was.

  “I’m sorry about him Rachel, he’s young, enthusiastic and has a short fuse.”

  “That’s alright Jan. I’ve had plenty of experience with testosterone-overloaded males.”

  “I bet you have,” retorted Chris.

  Jan’s head snapped round in his direction. “Not one more word from you. Do you understand?”

  He appeared to be embarrassed about being admonished like a child. “Yes,” he mumbled sulkily.

  Jan glared at him before settling back in her chair. “Once again, I’m sorry.”

  “Think nothing of it. I don’t,” Rachel smiled sweetly. She felt like she was getting back into the stride of things, taking control. “Back to business. Alex asked me to relay that he can’t give you what you want. He respects you and your family but it’s just not possible. This city is sewn up tightly and he will allow nothing to upset the balance. Take my advice and move on, while you still can.”

  Chris opened his mouth to retort but Jan raised her hand and he remained silent. Rachel was impressed by the level of control she had over her men.

  “Are you threatening us Rachel?” she said, those cunning eyes boring into her.

  “No, Alex is. His patience is notoriously short and he’s almost at his limit. If you don’t leave the city then things will get nasty and you really don’t want to see the bad side of a man who enjoys sanding off people’s faces.”

  “Oh yes, your ex-boyfriend. I heard about that. The men of your family go out of their way to protect you and you’ve married Ryan Law, a long-time enemy of the Maguires and now all seems harmonious. How does it feel knowing your first husband murdered your second husband’s brothers?”

  “If Ryan can get over it then I can.”

  “Your family’s worst enemy, who killed members of the Maguire’s crew, is welcomed into the fold. Yet us, who have never done a bad thing to you, aren’t. How does that work?”

  “A fruitless war was being fought with losses on both sides. It was bad for business.”

  “So that’s the secret is it, start a war? I should have asked to meet with your husband instead, he could have given me much better advice.”

  “He’s out of the life too. We run our legitimate businesses and that’s it.”

  “Why do you persist in this lie? You must be deluded.”

  “It’s not a fucking lie.”

  The two women stared at each other hard across the table, both unwilling to look away first. Rachel’s temper was up. Jan was arrogant and over-confident. What right did she have to come here and start demanding things as though they were owed her?

  Rachel got to her feet, careful to keep her gaze on Jan. “You’ve got two days to leave the city. No amount of talking is going to alter that. We’re done here.”

  “And if we refuse to go Mrs Law?” Jan called after her. “What the fuck are you going to do about it?”

  Rachel paused and turned with a sardonic smile. “It‘s not me you have to worry about. You’re no match for Alex, he’ll tear the lot of you to pieces.”

  “Bitch,” spat Chris.

  “Put your little dog on a leash Jan before he gets neutered,” said Rachel.

  When he started to advance on her, Battler and Bruiser put themselves before Rachel but they needn’t have worried because Nick grabbed his arm and pulled him back, his face still unreadable.

  Rachel only let her composure slip once she was in the back of Battler’s BMW and they were pulling away from the restaurant.

  “I really messed that up,” she sighed.

  “It wasn’t your fault Rachel,” said Battler from the front. “I think her head’s so far up her own arse she couldn’t hear you.”

  “Very succinctly put,” she smiled.

  She’d agreed to drive over to The Wherry Tavern to let Alex know how the meeting had gone. When she walked into the office she found not only Alex, Mikey, Declan and Jez, but Ryan too. She gave him a look that said, what are you doing here? He returned it with one that replied, don’t even go there.

  Wearily she explained the conversation she’d had with Jan Jordan.

  “Sorry, I fucked up big style,” she said when she reached the end of her story.

  “No you didn’t. The stupid cow is beyond reason,” said Alex.

  “That nephew of hers, Chris, is a hothead,” said Battler. “She’s got him on a tight leash but if she gave the word he could be dangerous.”

  “I think there’s dissent between Jan and her eldest boy, Nick,” said Rachel.

  Alex appeared interested. “In what way?”

  “I got the impression he doesn’t like her methods and she’s lying through her teeth. I don’t think she has come here to start her own business.”

  “Then what?” said Mikey.

  “She could be working for her relatives in Newcastle or Liverpool.”

  Declan nodded in agreement. “They could want Manchester too and the Jordan’s are just here to stir things up.”

  “She talked about the truce between the Maguires and the Laws,” continued Rachel. “She was very interested to know how it had held so well. Then I told her she had two days to get out of Manchester.” Rachel saw Ryan flinch and knew he was pissed off at her again.

  “Right that’s it, we’re leaving. She’s done your dirty work Alex,” said Ryan. “Don’t ever ask her to do it again.”

  The two men stared at each other much as Jan and Rachel had done earlier.

  “I already said I wouldn’t,” retorted Alex.

  Ryan took Rachel’s hand and led her to the door, Rachel casting the Maguires an apologetic look over her shoulder as they left.

  “Did you have to be so bloody gung-ho?” said Rachel as they exited the pub.

  “I just wanted to be clear.”

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nbsp; “I’m amazed you didn’t piss all over the room, you were so territorial.”

  He stopped in his tracks and regarded her angrily. “Have you any idea what you did today? You threatened a very dangerous family.”

  “Not me, Alex.”

  “Do you think they recognise the difference?”

  She remained silent. There was nothing she could say. She’d messed up big time and dreaded the repercussions.

  “Course they don’t. This isn’t over. I just hope Jan Jordan takes it out on Alex and not you.”

  They climbed into his Range Rover and Ryan slammed the door shut so hard the car rocked.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered, lower lip wobbling.

  “Don’t try tears on me this time because it won’t work.”

  Instantly the lip wobbling ceased and she sighed and folded her arms across her chest. “I just thought I was doing what was best.”

  Ryan stared hard at the steering wheel. “Why couldn’t you do what was best for us and not the fucking Maguires? Why do they always come first?”

  “They don’t, you do.”

  He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “You don’t understand what you’ve done today Rachel. This is only the beginning.”

  His words shot a chill down her spine. “Don’t be so dramatic.”

  “I’m not. This isn’t over, not by a long way,” he said quietly, starting the engine.

  CHAPTER 12

  Alex left the Wherry Tavern feeling extremely pissed off. Ryan’s lairiness was getting beyond a joke. How much of that bastard’s mouth was he expected to take? The meeting had gone down exactly how he’d expected it to. Jan had refused to back down and Rachel had lost her temper. He didn’t expect the Jordans to go quietly, even though they’d had the meeting they requested.

  Beth was pleased to see her husband home so early, he’d been spending more and more time away from them and he was looking increasingly stressed.

  “Hello,” she smiled. “Are you in for the night?”

  “No. I’m off again in an hour.”

  “Oh,” she replied, downcast. “I haven’t seen much of you lately.”

  “Sorry Babe, things are hectic at the moment.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes. Why shouldn’t they be?”

  “I worry about you in your line of work.”

  He hugged her, kissing the top of her head. “Everything’s fine, just busy. Don’t worry.”

  “Holly’s cutting her first tooth, I think that’s why she’s been so grouchy lately.” While her husband was out all hours, Beth had been coping with the three children alone on hardly any sleep. Alex agreed with his mother on au pairs and refused to hire one, even though he was leaving Beth with all the work.

  “Is she? That’s great,” he replied distractedly as he rummaged through the fridge. “Where’s the bloody orange juice?”

  “We’ve run out, I haven’t had time to go shopping yet.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because Holly didn’t get any sleep last night and neither did I,” she said, getting annoyed. “We both fell asleep after I dropped the boys off at school and nursery. We only woke a couple of hours ago and I’ve had chores to do.”

  He appeared chastened. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” she said, forcing a smile. “I could really do with some help tonight, I’m so tired.”

  “I don’t know what time I’ll be back, I’ve got a lot to sort out.”

  “Please Alex, if I don’t get a decent night’s sleep I think I’ll go mad.”

  “Why don’t you ask someone to babysit? Mum would be happy to do it, or Rachel.”

  “Rachel’s pregnant with three kids, it’s not fair to ask her and your mum’s got her own life. She does her bit but I can’t keep asking her, not when you won’t pull your weight,” she said bitterly.

  “If you hadn’t fucking noticed I’m busy putting food on the table so you don’t have to work.”

  “That’s not fair Alex. I had a career but you insisted I gave it up when we had Alfie. I’ve worked since I was sixteen so don’t you dare make me out to be some sort of scrounger.”

  “What do you do all day anyway? The house is always a tip and you used to look after yourself, make sure you looked nice but you’re always in the same jeans and jumper, your hair stuck in a bun. Why don’t you put in some effort and I might have an incentive to come home.”

  Beth stared at him with hurt and astonishment. He’d never spoken to her like that before. “I’m lucky to get two hours sleep a night, I don’t have the time or energy to paint my nails and do my hair. I’m exhausted Alex, I need you here but you don’t seem to want to be with us anymore. What have we done to you?” She screamed these last few words in his face, tiredness and frustration pushing her to her limit. There came the sound of crying from the front room as her shouting disturbed Holly.

  “Oh well done. You woke her you can deal with her,” he said, picking up his car keys.

  “Don’t you dare walk out. Alex. Alex,” she yelled when he ignored her and stormed out.

  Beth swore she felt something inside her snap and she sank to the floor sobbing, her daughter’s cries cutting through her skull.

  Rachel found her this way half an hour later.

  “Beth, what happened?” she demanded.

  Beth couldn’t reply, she was too choked up. Seeing she wasn’t in any danger, Rachel hurried into the living room to tend to Holly, whose cries were very distressed. The baby was bright red, face streaked with tears, her nappy soaking wet.

  “It’s alright baby girl,” said Rachel, picking her up and cradling her gently. The physical contact had an immediate effect and she stopped crying, although she still grizzled quietly.

  Rachel carried her into the kitchen to find Beth was quieter too now the baby had stopped crying.

  “Are you okay?” Rachel asked her quietly.

  “I can’t do it anymore, I’m so tired.”

  “Oh Love, why didn’t you tell me?”

  “You’ve got enough on.”

  “I’ve always got time for you. Get yourself to bed, I’ll watch her.”

  “The boys need picking up soon,” she said, the prospect of stepping outside the door overwhelming.

  “I’ll do that too, don’t worry about the kids. Go and get some rest, you’re dead on your feet.”

  She started to cry again but they were tears of gratitude. “Thank you.”

  “It’s okay,” Rachel said gently. She watched Beth wearily tramp up the stairs and was furious. How had Alex let things get to this?

  “Come on baby girl, let’s get you changed,” said Rachel, carrying her into the lounge.

  After changing Holly and giving her a feed, Rachel had a tidy up, toys, clothes and dirty crockery everywhere. Holly lay in her bouncy seat kicking her legs perfectly calmly, watching Rachel move about. She thought half the problem was that the baby was picking up on her mum’s distress. Rachel knew what it was like living with a man in Alex’s position. Sometimes business kept them away from home, coming in at all hours, exhausted. But Danny had always made sure he had time for his family and certainly wouldn’t have allowed her to get into the state Beth was in. The whole house screamed unhappiness. Rachel felt guilty, she’d got so caught up in her own life that she’d neglected her best friend. Well she wouldn’t let her down again, so she pulled out her phone and called Adela.

  Beth woke naturally and not in response to a screaming baby and it felt heavenly. She could hear Rachel talking downstairs, the boys responding in unison. The house for once felt calm and organised. She wished she had her friend’s strength. Nothing phased Rachel.

  Beth enjoyed a quick shower before wrapping herself up in her cosy pyjamas and dressing gown and padded downstairs to find a black-haired woman she’d never seen before cooking in her kitchen.

  “Hello?” frowned Beth.

  The woman turned and gave her a big smile. “Hello, you must be Mrs Mag
uire. I’m Henrieta, a friend of Adela.”

  “Adela? The girl who works for Rachel?”

  Henrieta smiled and nodded before turning back to the hob, which was emitting a heavenly smell.

  Rachel walked into the kitchen carrying Holly, trailed by the two boys, both of whom adored their godmother. “You’re up. Feeling better?”

  “Much thanks. I’ve just met Henrieta.”

  “She works for you now. She’s here to help.”

  “She’s making pancakes,” said Archie excitedly.

  “That’s very nice. Did Alex hire her?” she said hopefully, thinking he’d felt guilty after their row.

  “No, I did.”

  Her heart sank. “He won’t agree to this.”

  “He bloody well will,” said Rachel firmly, putting her in mind of the old Rachel, her voice cold and eyes hard. “You can’t go on like this Beth.”

  She hung her head and nodded, feeling like a failure at being a mum and a wife. Why couldn’t she be one of those domestic goddesses who can cope with anything? Maybe they didn’t exist in real life?

  They all sat down at the table together to enjoy Henrietta’s pancakes. Beth liked her, she was sweet but spunky and not very attractive, which was good because her own confidence was at an all-time low and she couldn’t have borne some beauty strutting about the place, making her feel like shite.

  Once they’d eaten, Henrieta took the children into the lounge, leaving Beth and Rachel to talk.

  “Why didn’t you tell me how low you were feeling?” said Rachel, reaching across the table to take her hand.

  “Because you’ve got your own family to worry about and, truth be told, I was ashamed that I couldn’t cope.”

  “Is Alex not supporting you?”

  “He’s hardly here. It’s the nights that are the hardest with Holly cutting her teeth. She cries and cries and won’t let me sleep. I know it’s only a phase but it feels like it’s going on forever and the boys are so boisterous and take so much running round after. I spend the day tidying up and cleaning, trying to stop the place falling apart completely then Alex comes in, demands something to eat and messes the place up again. Then he has a go at me for not being Anthea Turner.” She started to cry. “I can’t cope with it anymore.”