“Oh yeah,” he replies only half listening. His mind is still reeling with thoughts of what he's going to do to Stan.
“I'm pregnant.”
He pauses, the glass halfway to his lips. Anxiously she watches as he lowers the glass onto the table and turns to look at her.
“What?”
“I said I'm pregnant.”
“Are you sure?”
“Course I am. I took a test.”
“Where is it? I want to see it.”
“Okay,” she says slowly.
He follows her into the bathroom and she takes the test out of the medicine cabinet and hands it to him. He stares at it, stupefied.
“Are you sure you did it right?”
“It's pretty difficult to get it wrong,” she replies wryly.
He continues to stare at the stick in disbelief and she shifts uncomfortably. This does not bode well.
“How did this happen? You're on the Pill.”
“Yeah but I swapped to a new one a few months ago. Obviously its not worked.”
“But...but we said we wouldn't have kids yet.”
“What can I say? These things happen.”
He just gapes at the test and she starts to get irritated. “This isn't just down to me you know? It took both of us.”
“But you’re on the Pill,” he repeats.
Tears prickle her eyes. Obviously he is not happy with this news. “What's the problem? We're married, we've plenty of money. Why are you freaking out?”
“I'm not. It's just a shock. How far gone are you?”
“I think about two months. I've missed a period but we won’t know for sure until the first scan.”
He finally notices the tears in her eyes. “Oh I'm sorry Babe, come here.” He cuddles her and kisses the top of her head. “I'm being a prick aren't I? It's great news.”
She looks up at him hopefully. “Really?”
“Really.”
Rachel smiles and snuggles into his broad chest, which heaves for breath. He feels as though the walls are closing in.
The Maguire men are waiting for Ryan and Jez in a room in the Maguire warehouse. It’s the morning of the Ashton House robbery and Frank is beaming with happiness, unable to contain himself when Ryan and Jez arrive.
“We've some news,” he proudly begins.
“Oh yes?” says Ryan.
Frank claps a huge hand on Danny's shoulder. “Go on Son, tell him.”
“Rachel's pregnant,” he says quietly.
“Really?” replies Ryan. He is curious to realise that he’s disappointed. He had hoped she would have seen through this oaf by now. “Congratulations,” he says, shaking Danny's hand.
Although Danny’s smiling Ryan notices it does not reach his eyes. Danny does not seem to be the proud father. Frank on the other hand is ecstatic, he’s been looking forward to having grandchildren. He passes the cigars and drinks around like there's no tomorrow.
“This is a double celebration. A toast to our new business venture and the latest addition to the Maguire family.”
They all raise their glasses, Ryan watching Danny like a hawk.
“Now, let's get down to it,” says Frank, eagerly clapping his hands together.
Terry hands round the weapons. A revolver each and a couple of sawn off's to add to the fear factor, not that they’re expecting much resistance. Terry’s done his reccy carefully and is satisfied the only person they will encounter is the doddery old security guard, who will be trussed up and stuck somewhere out of the way. They won’t harm him. The revolvers come with silencers to take care of the dogs. Terry feels a pang of guilt about that part of the plan. He likes dogs more than he likes people.
Frank watches them all prepare with a twinge of jealousy. He used to love the armed robberies, the tension, the anticipation and wishes he was going with them. But he has a meeting with Derek Jones to try and persuade him to build his houses now that the war with the Laws has been resolved. He notices Danny's sullen face and sedate spirits and knows his son is not happy with the prospect of becoming a father. Frank can't think why, he had thought he would be over the moon but Danny has the condemned look of a man on death row. Frank reasons he will come round to the idea once the shock has worn off. At least, he hopes so.
“Good luck boys,” calls Frank as he leaves. “Let me know when it’s done.”
The door to Terry's Removal Warehouse opens and a white transit van backs in, guided by Terry himself. The warehouse is filled with row after row of large metal containers all locked and marked with a three digit number. The containers are used by people between homes or just needing storage. They can then be shipped to wherever the client wants them to go, be it home or abroad. The proceeds will be stashed here until the heat dies down. The warehouse is the perfect place to hide the goods as it’s so enormous and the containers so numerous that it makes a police search nigh on impossible.
The van comes to a stop beside a container in the centre of the room and the team jumps out and begins offloading the contents from the van into the container.
Frank is there to greet them. “Bloody good work lads. I reckon that haul is closer to twenty million. Don't worry, you'll all get your cut in the next five days and I have more good news. I managed to convince Derek Jones to build those houses for us.”
They are all pleased with themselves, laughing and joking as they work. Even the Laws join in the good natured banter. All except Danny who still looks miserable, which rankles Terry. Not many people earn two million quid for a couple of hours work but he is determined to put a smile on his nephew’s face. He makes sure Frank isn't watching when he pulls Danny to one side.
“What the fuck's up with your face?” demands Terry. “Cheer up for Christ's sake.”
“I'm fine,” mutters Danny.
“You don't look it. Take this, it'll make you feel better.” Terry shoves a small plastic bag containing cocaine into Danny's coat pocket.
“What the hell are you doing? I don't touch the stuff. Well, only now and then.”
“Lighten up will you? We're celebrating. It'll help you relax.”
Danny hesitates then pushes it deeper into his pocket.
“Good lad,” smiles Terry.
They file into The Wherry Tavern triumphantly to find Rachel and Beth sat at a table talking.
Alex sits beside Beth and she gazes up at him starry-eyed, unaware of what they’ve just done but Rachel knows.
“I hope that's not alcohol in there,” says Frank, indicating Rachel's glass.
“Just lemonade.”
“Good girl. You've got to look after my little grandson.”
“What makes you think it's a boy?”
“I just know.”
Rachel beams at her father-in-law. If her husband was half as excited as Frank then she would be very happy.
“You alright?” she asks Danny, who has flopped into the seat beside her.
“Yeah not bad.”
“Not bad,” frowns Ryan. “You should be over the moon. You have everything.”
Ryan's eyes settle on Rachel and she looks away, feeling uncomfortable. Danny puts a possessive arm around her and pulls her close. Everyone detects the frosty atmosphere and Frank hastens to lighten the mood.
“You two come with me,” he whispers to Rachel and Danny. “There's something I want to show you.”
Frank parks the car outside a large detached house in the suburbs and switches off the engine. Danny is sat beside him in the passenger seat and Rachel in the back.
“Well?” says Frank.
“Well what?” replies Danny.
“What do you think of the house?”
They both look up at the property, a large detached Victorian villa with beautiful bay windows and a huge garden.
“It's lovely,” says Rachel, a little confused.
“Yeah, very nice,” agrees Danny.
Frank grins and opens the car door. “Come on then.”
Danny and Rachel gi
ve each other a puzzled look and follow him up the gravel drive. He takes a set of keys out of his pocket and tries one. It doesn't fit. They have to wait until he eventually finds the right key and pushes the door open. Rachel gasps when they are greeted by an elegant staircase with wooden rails sweeping up to the first floor. The living room is large with polished hardwood floors and the original fireplace. Rachel falls in love with it instantly.
“Wow,” says Danny.
“You like it?” says Frank, pleased with their reactions.
“It's stunning,” breathes Rachel.
“Well I'm glad because it's yours.”
They both gape at him.
“What?“ cries Rachel, astonished.
He drops the keys into her hand. “I bought it for you.”
“What?” she repeats, unable to form any other word.
“The Henley is no place to raise children.”
Rachel flings her arms around his neck and kisses him on the cheek. “Thank you, thank you.”
When she has freed him Danny shakes Frank’s hand warmly. “I don't know what to say Dad.”
“Why don't you have a look around and discuss it while I make a brew?”
Excitedly Danny and Rachel tear around the house, exploring. There are two sitting rooms, a study, a large kitchen with a huge Aga, a conservatory running the length of the house and a hot tub.
All four bedrooms are massive but there is one in particular that captures Rachel's imagination. It overlooks the large rear garden, which is in full bloom. The walls are a gentle rose colour and the whole room has a warm cosy feeling about it.
“This will make a lovely nursery,” she enthuses.
Danny flinches and hangs back in the doorway.
“Don't you think?” she adds when he doesn't respond.
“Yeah.”
Once again she is disappointed by his lack of enthusiasm. She regards him steadily with her dark eyes. “You're not ready for a baby, are you?”
The directness of the question disconcerts him. “No...err...I..”
“Don't lie. I know.” She keeps her voice low and calm, aware that Frank is downstairs.
Danny has the grace to hang his head.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
He looks at her with his wide blue eyes. “Because I didn't want to risk losing you.”
“Well we can't go on like this.”
He rubs a hand over his face. “I know, I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me.”
She takes his hands and presses them to her belly. “In there is our child, your son or daughter. Can you honestly tell me that you feel nothing?”
He gazes into her dark eyes and is overwhelmed by a variety of emotions; love, excitement and a strong urge to protect but fear overrides them all. The responsibility, the danger. What would happen if Rachel was attacked again but next time she was heavily pregnant or had a child to defend? He could lose them both. Guilt washes over him at what she has already suffered because of their relationship. Is it fair to inflict that on a child too? Here she is before him, his Rachel, his love, expecting him to look after them both when he knows he just isn't up to the job. She deserves better, as does the baby.
“Of course I feel something,” he sighs.
She takes this to be a positive expression and he hasn't the heart to correct her, she looks so pleased. She kisses him gently, softly and for the first time since she fell pregnant he starts to feel aroused. She senses this and her natural playfulness encourages it. Pressing herself against him she is pleased to feel the hardness between his legs.
“Come here,” he says, leading her to the bed.
“We can't do this here,” she whispers. “That's someone else's bed and your dad's downstairs.”
“He'll understand,” he says, kissing her neck.
She sighs with pleasure, not wanting the moment to end. She had been afraid he would never touch her again so she is reluctant to stop him now they finally seem to be making some progress.
“Hey you two, are you nearly done?” booms Frank's voice up the stairs.
They both sigh. “Yeah, we'll be down in a minute Dad,” yells Danny.
“Well at least he didn't barge in this time,” she laughs.
He kisses her again very tenderly, running his fingers through her hair. “To be continued.”
“Definitely.”
It’s as though the house has worked some kind of magic on Danny. In the car on the way back to the pub he sits in the back with Rachel, his arms wrapped around her. Frank watches them in the rear-view mirror and smiles, glad to see them back where they belong, in each other's arms. He'd had a good feeling about that house the moment he saw it.
Back at the Wherry Tavern they break their news to everyone and a celebration of epic proportions ensues. Danny is a lot more attentive to Rachel and she seems happier for it.
“Hey Danny,” slurs a drunken Joe, clapping him on the back. “I wanted to congr...to contr…con…”
“Congratulate,” finishes Danny with a grin.
“Yeah that.” Joe burps and Danny wafts his hand to dispel the horrible smell. “You'll be a fucking great dad mate, I know you will. That's one lucky kid.”
Danny's face falls and his heart pounds in his chest. He glances at Rachel laughing and joking with Beth. She looks so happy, so strong. Why can't he be like that?
Danny extricates himself from a swaying Joe and nips to the bathroom. As he stares into the mirror he feels the panic start to rise in his chest again and the walls close in. He locks himself in one of the cubicles and takes out the wrap of cocaine Terry gave him. Ordering it into a neat line he snorts it in one go. Instantly the panic subsides and he is filled with self confidence. He feels invincible, as though he could take on the world. When he strides back out into the bar Rachel’s good mood evaporates. No one else might be able to tell but she knows instantly that he's been at the coke again. He'd taken it a couple of times before and she'd asked him not to do it, she hates drugs as much as Frank and he‘d promised her he wouldn’t. Somehow Danny's eyes seem to lose their lustre and take on a dull, vacant look. She grits her teeth in annoyance. Just when she thought they were okay he goes and does this.
“Why do you keep spoiling things,” she hisses in his ear when he retakes his seat beside her.
“Do what?”
“You know exactly what I'm talking about. Why do you have to take that shit?”
“It relaxes me.”
His eyes are wide, his breathing rapid and his hands clench and unclench themselves involuntarily. He doesn't look very relaxed to her.
“When did you become so weak?” she spits.
He is shocked by the disgust on her face. She has never looked at him before with anything but love and the contrast scares him.
“I'm going home,” she says getting to her feet and snatching up her bag.
“I'll come with you.”
“Right now Danny I don't even want to look at you.”
He watches as she says her goodbyes to the family, feigning tiredness. The panic wells in his chest again as he watches her leave and he hurries back to the toilets.
Rachel is woken by a loud crash from the living room followed by the sound of Danny muttering to himself. She sits up rubbing her eyes and squints at the clock. It’s half two in the morning. She turns onto her other side and snuggles into the duvet. The bedroom door opens and closes then there’s a thud as Danny stubs his toe on the bed leg and he curses under his breath. The bed dips as he climbs in and the stench of alcohol is almost overpowering. Rachel pulls the duvet over her nose to try and block it out. She hopes he goes straight to sleep but to her chagrin he snuggles into her and kisses her back.
“Not now Danny,” she says, trying to shrug him off.
“Why not?” he slurs.
“Because I'm tired and you're pissed.”
“You've never turned me down before.”
“Yeah well there's a first time for everything.�
��
His hand slides up her thigh and tries to hitch up her nightie.
“No Danny.”
He ignores her protests and continues his unwanted attentions so she yanks back the covers and jumps out of bed.
“I said no,” she yells, eyes blazing.
“You were up for it earlier,” he says sulkily.
“You weren't drugged up and stinking of booze then. Believe me Danny, it’s not an attractive combination.”
She stalks to the door.
“Where are you going?”
“I'm sleeping in the spare room tonight and I will be locking the door.”
She leaves him sat there, astonished.
CHAPTER 18
Two weeks pass and Danny’s behaviour continues to spiral out of control and no matter how much Rachel pleads with him, she can’t get through to him. She tries to keep how bad the problem is quiet but eventually she grows so desperate she just has to confide in someone so she meets Beth in town for lunch and some shopping. She sits facing her friend across a table in a cafe sipping tea, face fraught with worry.
“I'm worried Beth. Danny doesn't want this baby.”
“Course he does. It's just your hormones.”
“It's not. He's shown no interest. He came to the first midwifery appointment. All the other dads were happy and excited. He just looked like he couldn't wait to leave. He's not ready.”
“But he's bought you a big house in the suburbs, away from the estate.”
“He didn't buy it. Frank bought it for us.”
“Oh.” There's a pause as Beth tries to think of something reassuring to say but she can't think of anything. She's noticed Danny's lack of interest, as has Alex.
“Has he said anything to Alex?”
“If he has then Alex hasn't told me.”
“He's staying out at the club later and later. When he comes in he goes straight to bed. I hardly see him.”
“I'm sure he'll come round once the shock's worn off. He adores you.”
“You don't know the worst thing.”
Beth frowns. “What's that?”
Rachel looks shamefaced and this worries Beth. She grasps her friend's hand and squeezes it reassuringly. “You can tell me Rach.”
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