CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Queenie Butler was up at the crack of dawn the following morning. She and Vivian had done the bulk of the cooking last night, but there was still plenty to do and prepare. Queenie wanted Ava’s first visit to her house to be perfect.
The sun was already peeping through the clouds, so Queenie opened up her conservatory door. She was so pleased that the weather was good as the kids could play in the garden.
About to walk back indoors, Queenie froze. One of the new neighbours was whistling ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and then she heard an English voice say ‘Look at Prince Charles and Her Majesty rolling on the grass. They love their new home, Mummy.’
Regaining the use of her legs, Queenie ran up the stairs to get a better view. She didn’t want to peer over the fence and be deemed nosy. ‘Gawd stone the crows!’ Queenie couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing. Lots of cats, some fat old bird in a wheelchair, and a bald bloke standing in front of her doing exercises.
Queenie couldn’t pick the phone up quick enough. ‘Viv, look out your bedroom window. We ain’t got Indians living next door. We’ve got fucking nutters!’
Bella D’Angelo was awoken by her over-sexed lover rubbing his finger against her clitoris. ‘Stop it, Michael. Antonio might be awake.’
Michael chuckled. Sex between himself and Bella was intense and magnificent, yet they could rarely let themselves go because of Bella’s paranoia over Antonio hearing them. They’d had a fantastic evening at a hotel recently though. Antonio had stayed over at his friend’s house and the sex that night had been wild and abandoned.
‘Michael, ring your sons to make sure they’re OK. It worries me, them being at your house alone.’
‘Yes, my lady. Seriously, you needn’t worry about my boys. They stick together like glue. The East End’s a tough area. Teaches you to man up at an early age. I should know, I was only about seven or eight when I was left on me Jacks.’
‘Seven or eight! Where were your parents and brothers?’
‘My mum used to clean posh people’s houses to make ends meet. The old man would’ve been down the boozer and I should imagine Vinny and Roy were out trying to earn a crust. Never did me any harm, did it? I’m now a very successful club owner with a bit of fluff to die for.’
Bella laughed as she put her hands around Michael’s throat. ‘You ever call me that again and I swear I will kill you.’
Daniel Butler shook his brother’s arm. ‘Wake up. We’re getting off next stop.’
Adam Butler rubbed his tired eyes. They’d been playing Pac-Man and Space Invaders until the early hours of this morning, then Daniel had woken him at eight and told him they were going to Dagenham market. ‘Why couldn’t we have had a lie-in until we had to go to Nan’s? I’m so tired.’
‘Because I wanna get that Fila tracksuit top. Stop whingeing, you tart.’
‘What time we gotta be at Nan’s, Dan? We’d better get Ava a present, hadn’t we?’ Lee suggested.
‘Dad said to get there by twelve. I think he’s bought Ava a present, but if we’ve got enough dosh left, we’ll get her something too. Look, that old bastard who had a go at us last week is working again. Let’s run past him and do wanker signs.’
‘Can’t we just pay the fare, Dan? I don’t feel like running. I’ve got a belly ache,’ Adam complained.
‘Probably that pizza you ate last night. I said it weren’t cooked properly when you took it out the oven. It was cold in the middle,’ Daniel reminded his brother.
The ticket inspector was busy giving someone directions as they approached, but as they broke into a run he looked up. Some of his colleagues might have let it go, but Ted Nicholson took his job very seriously. He’d been a train freak as a nipper and landing a job with London Underground had been like a dream come true for him. He was furious when he spotted the three boys who hadn’t paid their fare the previous weekend, and even more angry when they darted past him yet again.
Despite his arthritis, Ted gave chase, yelling, ‘If I ever see your faces again, I will call the police. Hooligans, that’s what you are!’
Grinning, Daniel treated the old boy to a hand sign, then urged his brothers to cross the road.
‘I reckon we should go to Nan’s via Dagenham East, Dan, in case he’s still working. Dad’ll go mental if we get nicked and miss Ava’s party,’ Lee said.
Daniel chuckled. ‘Nah. I like winding him up. We’ll get the train from ’ere. He can barely walk, let alone run. Ain’t gonna catch us, is he?’
Eyes hidden under over-sized sunglasses, Carl Tanner surreptitiously glanced at the other passengers taking their seats. He’d disguised himself well, but it was in his nature to be wary.
Watching the air stewardess explain the safety procedures, Carl clicked his seatbelt into place. After four and a half years living abroad, it was finally time to return to good old Blighty.
Carl sighed as the plane finally took off. Going back to England was a massive risk. One that could cost him his life. Could Eddie Mitchell save his bacon? Only time would fucking tell.
Shirley Preston opened her front door and was surprised to see her son standing there with a gigantic bouquet in his hands. She’d washed her hands of Johnny after Jamie got badly burnt, and a bunch of flowers wasn’t going to change that. ‘What do you want? Had a row with her indoors, have ya?’
Johnny sighed. After he’d picked up the gun yesterday he’d hidden it, then gone to the pub. Deborah had gone mad when he’d arrived home drunk, but he wasn’t about to admit to his mother they’d had a big barney. ‘No. I’ve not fallen out with Deborah. I come offering peace. It’s your birthday tomorrow and I wanted to see ya. Any chance of a cuppa?’
Begrudgingly, Shirley waved him inside. The last thing she wanted was the neighbours sticking their noses in. They all knew she’d broken off contact with her daughter Judy and she didn’t want them knowing she’d fallen out with Johnny too, else they’d all be gossiping about her.
Following his mother into the kitchen, Johnny put the flowers in the sink and asked how Jamie was.
‘Scarred for life, no thanks to you. But he’s much happier in Chelmsford. Not getting picked on any more. He’s got a new pal who takes care of him. As they say, you can choose your friends but not your family.’
Johnny sighed. ‘Mum, he did ring up the Old Bill and hamper the whole investigation. Don’t forget all the newspaper clippings that were found in your house an’ all. Jamie is hardly a fucking angel.’
‘He was a boy back then. A boy who hated Vinny Butler with a passion because of Mark dying and everything else that had happened. You were no angel when you were that age either. You burgled the Shrimptons’ gaff and poor old Lily died soon after through the shock of what you’d done. Does that make you a murderer an’ all?’
Johnny hung his head in shame. He’d liked old Lily Shrimpton and still regretted to this day what he’d done.
‘Want something to eat? I’ve got a nice bit of bacon in the fridge.’
Johnny smiled. He knew this was his mother’s idea of a peace offering. ‘Cheers. I’ll have a bacon sandwich. So who is this geezer Jamie’s palled up with?’
‘He’s a lot older than Jamie. I’ve met him on a visit. Lovely bloke. Glen Harper his name is.’
Johnny Preston nearly dropped the cup his mother had just handed him. His boss had often spoken about Glen Harper and his firm. They were the biggest drug barons in Essex and originated from the Basildon area. They also had a reputation of chopping up or shooting any poor bastard who upset them.
‘You OK, boy? You look a bit peaky.’
‘I’m fine, Mum. Just need that sandwich. I haven’t eaten since yesterday morning,’ Johnny lied.
Queenie Butler beamed as she opened her front door. ‘Welcome to Nanny’s house, Ava. This is your Auntie Viv. She’s been dying to meet you and give you a big cuddle.’
Vivian bent down and kissed the child. As much as she could never forgive Vinny for killing her Lenny
, she would never take her bitterness out on a little girl.
Clocking Nosy Hilda gawping, Queenie waved. ‘Come and meet Ava. She’s Vinny’s daughter.’
‘Don’t you be telling her nothing, Mum,’ Vinny hissed. With what he had planned for his shitbag of an ex and her bloke, the less the likes of Nosy Hilda knew, the better.
Swallowing the last of his cheeseburger, Daniel Butler counted the money he and his brothers had left. ‘We ain’t got enough. That doll we saw was six quid and between us we’ve only got four pound odd. I tell you what we’ll do. Me and Lee will distract the stallholder by knocking his display over, then you can snatch the doll, Adam, and we’ll meet you back ’ere.’
‘Why me? Can’t you nick it?’ Adam asked.
‘No. You’re smaller than me and Lee, therefore less noticeable. Take my carrier bag. Just slip the doll in there and walk off as soon as me and Lee distract the geezer. You won’t get caught, trust me.’
‘The man’s got cheaper dolls on his stall. Why can’t we just buy one we can afford?’ Adam argued.
‘Because Butlers don’t buy crap presents. When has dad ever bought us cheap shit, Adam?’
‘But we don’t normally buy presents at all. We didn’t even buy Mum or Dad a present last Christmas. We spent our shopping money on ourselves,’ Adam reminded his brother.
‘That is because I had a broken collarbone. Stop being a little prick and grow some balls,’ Daniel ordered.
Adam sighed. He’d stolen bits and bobs in the past, but never anything as big as that doll. ‘OK. I’ll do it,’ he said, wishing his dad were here so he wouldn’t have to.
Queenie Butler was grinning from ear to ear as she watched Ava and young Crystal playing nicely together in her garden. ‘Your daughter is beautiful, Jilly. She looks like a tiny version of you. How old is she?’
‘She was four in March. Have you got any daughters, Queenie? I did ask Jay Boy, but you know what men are like. He would rather watch the boxing than have a conversation with me,’ Jilly joked. Jay Boy was actually everything she’d ever wanted in a man and he was brilliant with Crystal. A massive improvement on her loser of an ex, who’d turned out to be the world’s worst partner and father.
Feeling too ashamed to admit to a nice girl like Jilly that her own daughter was an embarrassment and a lush which was why she hadn’t been invited today, Queenie was grateful when her new neighbour saved her having to answer by poking his head over the fence.
‘Howdy. I’m Norman, the new occupant of this property. I live here with my severely disabled mother. Say hello to our new neighbours, Mother.’
Queenie looked at Vivian in astonishment. Not only was Norman wearing a silly cowboy hat, his mother looked anything but severely disabled as she leapt out of her wheelchair and walked briskly towards the fence. ‘Pleased to meet you. I’m Doll.’
‘Are you having a party today? Only I’m a very good country and western singer, aren’t I, Mother?’ Norman beamed proudly.
‘What’ve I told you about being too forward?’ Doll scolded her son before smiling at Queenie and Vivian. ‘Yes, my Norman is very good. He has all the proper outfits and hats. Entered a competition at the Working Men’s Club last year and came sixth. Sung Johnny Cash, he did. I was so proud of him. He got a standing ovation.’
‘I do have other hobbies too. I like cats, exercising, the Royal family, old western films and Emmerdale Farm. What are your names and interests, if you don’t mind me asking?’
Unable to hold it together any longer, Queenie and Viv howled with laughter.
Bella felt she knew Michael well enough now to know when he had something on his mind. ‘Tell me what’s wrong,’ she insisted. ‘You’ve not been yourself since we got out of bed. Have I said or done something to upset you?’
Antonio was watching a cartoon so Michael gestured for Bella to follow him into the kitchen. ‘I know you’ll think I’m mad when I tell you, but I can’t get it off my mind.’
‘Try me.’
‘It’s what Nancy said when she came to the club to tell me she was leaving. She said something like if we want to split the boys, then she’ll take Adam because the other two are most definitely mine. That fortune-teller bird said she could only see I had two sons. Why would Nancy say that, unless Adam weren’t mine?’
‘I imagine she just meant that Lee isn’t hers and Daniel is very much like you. “A chip off the old block” – isn’t that what you always say? Obviously I don’t know Nancy, but she doesn’t sound the type to have cheated on you, Michael. I think you’ve taken her words out of context. As for Madam Lydia, just put her out of your mind. I’ve visited her every single year for the past eight or so, and even though I think she’s good, she does get things wrong from time to time. You must stop worrying about all this.’
‘How can you have visited her every year? You told me you were living in New York.’
‘Because I used to visit England a couple of times a year to catch up with friends. What is this? An interrogation?’
Michael held Bella in his arms. ‘Nah. I’m just upset you never came to visit me, that’s all.’
Vinny Butler sat on the doorstep and lit up a cigar. Things had gone very well the previous day with Gnasher Williams. The geezer was straight to the point and Vinny had liked him on sight. Gnasher wasn’t cheap, but money wasn’t an issue to Vinny. How the job was done was the most important thing. It had to look like a road accident; if bullets were involved fingers would inevitably be pointed his way. No way would Vinny ever chance going back inside. Not even the satisfaction of getting rid of Joanna was worth another long stretch.
‘You all right, mate?’ Jay Boy asked, sitting down next to his boss.
‘Yeah, good. Just mulling over things. Those roads that lead from Tillingham to Southminster are gonna be the best bet, you know. They’re very narrow and remote. Loads of ditches for a motor to be shoved into. I know that’s the way Jo drives to her parents’ from when I had her followed. She gave me her mum’s number today and told me to ring her there if I had any problems with Ava. I don’t think she’ll be able to stand staying indoors while I’ve got Ava. It’ll do her head in. I’ll know early next Sunday if her plans are the same. I want you to ring Gnasher tomorrow and arrange another meet.’ At the sound of childish laughter, Vinny turned to look down the garden. A smile lit up his face at the sight of his daughter enjoying herself with Crystal. ‘Ava’s so happy here, look at her. The quicker Mummy dies and she can come live with me permanent, the better.’
Deborah Preston shut the lounge door so Joanna and Darren couldn’t hear the conversation. ‘Where you been all morning? I’ve been worried sick. State you came home in last night, you must’ve still been over the limit to drive.’
Johnny Preston gritted his teeth. He was forty-seven years old and hated nothing more than being spoken to as though he were still a schoolboy. Unable to tell Deborah he’d just popped to the Halfway House to pick up some bullets for the gun he was going to use to shoot Vinny Butler, Johnny came clean about his other visit. ‘I went to see my mother, if you must know. It’s her birthday tomorrow so I took her some flowers.’
‘Why did you bother going to see that old cow? You know what she’s like. Rake up the “Jamie is innocent” story again, did she?’
Johnny glared at his old woman. ‘You really are a piece of fucking work at times, Deborah. My mother might not be perfect, but neither are you. Don’t bother doing me a dinner. I’m going down the boozer.’
‘If you walk out of this house, Johnny, then don’t bother coming back tonight.’
‘Fine! I won’t.’
When Michael and Albie arrived, Queenie ushered her family into the lounge to tell them all about the new neighbours.
‘Jesus. They sound like a right pair of fruitcakes,’ Michael chuckled.
‘He’s worse than her. She’s just a simpleton, but he’s completely off his rocker. You should’ve seen him exercising earlier. His gut was hanging over his shorts
and we were lucky we never caught sight of his dingle-dangle. I know people can’t help being born ugly but he abuses the bastard privilege. I’d put money on it he’s never had his leg over,’ Vivian roared.
‘What’s a dingle-dangle?’ Ava asked innocently. She was sat on her father’s lap and was thoroughly enjoying being the centre of attention. Her new family had bought her some lovely presents. Her favourite was the battery-operated dog that barked and wagged its tail.
‘A dingle-dangle’s a toy, darlin’. Bit like a yo-yo,’ Queenie lied, nudging Viv as a warning of what she should say in future. She didn’t want Ava going back to the Prestons using foul language. ‘Young ears,’ she hissed.
‘Oh, shut up, Queen. They’re gonna hear worse when they start school, eh, Jilly?’
Jilly smiled. She found Queenie and Vivian two of the most entertaining women she’d ever met. ‘Yous two should have your own TV show.’
Forgetting she’d just warned Viv to tone it down, Queenie poked Albie. ‘You’re quiet. If you’re bored, you can always go and offer the locals a portion of your helmet pie like you did in the old days. That’s if your oven still works,’ she cackled.
Albie smiled politely. It wouldn’t be Queenie if she didn’t have a dig at him. These days, rather than bite back he just let the old witch get on with it.
‘Can you imagine if my Lenny were still alive. How he would’ve loved living next door to those two! He’d have been in his element, God rest his soul,’ Vivian said, glaring at Vinny. She would never let that bastard forget what he’d done. Not ever.
Feeling awkward, Vinny picked Oliver up. ‘How’s my gorgeous grandson, eh?’ he asked, cradling the child.
Queenie stood up and clapped her hands together. ‘Right, who wants some grub? What time the boys getting here, Michael? I’ve cooked plenty, so they won’t starve.’
The Wronged Page 28
