When Michael brought Bella, then himself to an orgasm, he temporarily forgot all his worries, Katy included. If only life could be like this every second of every day.
As usual when Vinny turned up at Queenie’s of an evening, Vivian was polite, but then chose to make a quick exit back to her own house. ‘I’ll leave yous two to catch up. Wanna watch me Darling Buds of May video, refresh the old memory before the Christmas special.’
‘Night, Viv. See you tomorrow, love,’ Queenie said, before hugging her first-born. ‘Want a sandwich or something, boy?’
‘No thanks, Mum. I’ve already eaten. Pour us both a drink. We’ve got a little something to celebrate.’
Queenie excitedly did as she was told. ‘Let me guess. You’ve found out where Jake Jackson is?’ she said, handing Vinny his Scotch.
‘No. But I have put the feelers out again. I’ve now offered George Geary twenty grand if he finds Jake.’
‘What we celebrating then?’
When Vinny explained all about the torture and torment Jamie Preston was currently enduring, Queenie clapped her hands together with glee. ‘Serves him right. What goes around comes around. I hope our Molly is watching him suffer an’ all. My little angel, she was.’
Vinny put an arm around his mother’s shoulders. ‘Mine too, but let’s not depress ourselves. All we can do for Molly now is make sure revenge is served up as cold as fucking ice.’
‘Yep. You’re right, boy. And we’re lucky we have Ava to focus on. Destiny’s spending Christmas with us now an’ all. Stinky Susan’s going to her mother’s and the little ’un didn’t wanna go.’
‘She’s turned out a good kid, her, and a nice friend for Ava. That’s spending time with us, that is. She’ll do OK in life now. Destiny’s destiny was obviously to be included in our family.’
‘Speaking of Ava has reminded me: I never showed you that photo. Proper uncanny me and Viv thought it was.’
‘What photo? Not a ghost in the background is there? You know I don’t believe in all that old flannel,’ Vinny chuckled.
Queenie took the photo out of the drawer and handed it to her son. ‘Don’t they look like brother and sister? And don’t he look like Little Vinny at that age?’
A bit taken aback, Vinny stared at the image. He could see Fred as a puppy in the background and guessed it must’ve been taken at his fortieth. ‘Blimey! Who is the boy, Mum?’
‘It’s Antonio. Bella’s boy. Don’t he look like a Butler? Then again, she’s Italian, isn’t she? Which would explain his black hair and dark skin. It was the eyes me and Viv couldn’t get over. Bella has blue eyes and Antonio’s are exactly the same colour as the males in our family. Freaky, eh?’
Unable to take his eyes off the photo, Vinny’s heart beat wildly as he managed to mumble, ‘How old is Antonio?’
‘Ten. Me and Viv went to his birthday party earlier this year. You look a bit pale, boy. You OK?’
Feeling dizzy and slightly sick, Vinny took some deep breaths. ‘I’m fine. When was his birthday party?’
‘Erm, now let me think. The weather was warm because we sat in Michael’s lovely garden. May, it was. Definitely May, because I remember it being near Molly’s birthday.’
Vinny couldn’t speak. Finding out Ava existed had been a shock, but nothing compared to this. He remembered the dates so well. August 1980 it was when he’d fucked Bella senseless. How could he ever forget? Not only had she been the most memorable sexual encounter of his entire lifetime, Molly had gone missing shortly afterwards.
Queenie put her hand over her mouth. ‘Oh dear Lord! Viv said she thought Antonio was Michael’s – he is, isn’t he?’
Legs trembling, Vinny stood up. ‘Nah. Antonio isn’t Michael’s. I’ve gotta go, Mum. Just remembered something I’ve forgotten to do.’
‘Vinny! Come back ’ere,’ Queenie ordered, when her ashen-faced son bolted from the house with the photo still in his hand.
Ignoring his mother, Vinny jumped in his Merc and drove off like a lunatic. He skidded around the corner, slammed his foot on the brake, then switched on the interior light. Vinny stared at the photo again, and as the bile reached his throat, swallowed it back down. He smashed his fist against the steering wheel. ‘You no-good, lying, Italian fucking whore.’
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
‘Viv, you awake?’ Queenie asked.
‘I wasn’t, but I bloody well am now. It’s not even six. Whatever’s wrong?’
‘Something terrible’s happened. Can you come in mine? I haven’t slept all night.’
Five minutes later, Vivian let herself in her sister’s house. ‘What’s the matter?’ Queenie was red-eyed and had clearly been crying.
‘It’s Antonio.’
‘Is he ill? Dead?’ Vivian asked, alarmed.
Queenie shook her head. ‘I think he’s Vinny’s son.’
Vivian looked at her sister, wondering if she’d gone mad. ‘Of course he ain’t Vinny’s son. Whatever would make you think that? You haven’t banged your head, have ya?’
Explaining Vinny’s reaction when he’d seen the photo, Queenie said, ‘It all makes sense now. I laid awake thinking about it all night. Vinny’s always hated Bella with a passion, will never be in her company, and he has nothing to do with Camila. I think he’s only seen that little girl twice, and don’t you remember he acted all weird when she was here with Michael that time? Me and you spoke about it. He couldn’t get out the house quick enough.’
Vivian sat next to her sister and squeezed her hands. ‘I really think you’re barking up the wrong tree, Queen. No way would Bella ever have anything to do with your Vinny. She’s far too classy, and clearly adores Michael.’
‘I know my own son, Viv, and I’ve never seen him go so pale as he did last night. He looked at that photo and it was like he’d seen a ghost. Then he started questioning me on how old Antonio was and what month was his birthday. That boy is his, I’d put my house on it. As for Bella, how could she do this to my Michael? That boy’s heart will be broken in a thousand pieces when he finds out.’
‘I still think you’re wrong, Queen. There must be some simple explanation, surely? But if what you’re saying is true, how could Vinny keep it from Michael an’ all?’
‘Vinny didn’t know the kid was his until last fucking night. That lying whore told everybody Antonio’s father was a yank called Clint. She’s driven a wedge between my boys for years, her. And now I know cunting-well why.’
‘So, what you gonna do? You can’t start having a go at the girl without actual proof.’
‘Oh, I’ll get proof all right. We’ll get a cab to Vinny’s now, me and you. Even ran off with the photo in his hands, he did. What more proof do I need?’
‘And if he admits it?’ Vivian asked.
‘Then he tells Michael, or I do. I will not have that boy lied to any more. As for that Iti slut, I’ll fucking kill her.’
Vinny poured himself another Scotch and stared at the photo again. He hadn’t slept yet, had been drinking and thinking all night.
Sighing, Vinny lay back on his pillow, hands behind his head. Michael could never find out Antonio was his, that was for sure. Such knowledge would destroy his brother and their relationship for ever. And if that meant Vinny never getting to know his son, then so be it. He’d never met Antonio anyway, would rather have his brother in his life than a child he did not know.
Bella had already ruined his and Michael’s relationship to an extent. For obvious reasons, they could do nothing as a family together. But if Bella was out of the picture, things would be different, like they used to be. For once he had the upper hand over the bitch. She either moved back to Italy with his son, or he would tell Michael everything and demand parental rights.
He was staring at the photo, wondering what Antonio was like, when the buzzer made him jump. Vinny decided to ignore it, but then it was pressed continually, so he leapt out of bed. ‘Who is it?’
‘Your mother. Let me in now, Vinny!’
; Vinny strutted up and down the flat with his unshaven face in his hands. If his mum had guessed the truth, he’d have to bluff his way out of it somehow.
Opening the door, Vinny was horrified to see his aunt as well. Both had faces like thunder. ‘What’s the matter? Has something bad happened?’
‘Viv, go in the kitchen and put the kettle on,’ Queenie ordered.
‘Spit it out then,’ Vinny demanded in a nonchalant tone.
‘Look at the state of you. Been drinking all night, have ya?’ Queenie remarked, pushing her son towards the sofa. ‘I’m not stupid, Vinny. I know.’
Slumping backwards on the sofa, Vinny mumbled, ‘Know what?’
‘That Antonio is your son.’
‘You’re having a laugh, ain’t ya? I’ve heard some bollocks in my time, but Jesus wept, that’s insanity. How is Antonio mine? I’ve never even met the kid.’
After a night spent praying that she had been wrong, one look in her son’s eyes told Queenie she wasn’t. She’d always known when Vinny was lying, even as a toddler.
If Vinny had been sober, he might’ve been able to lie himself out of the situation a bit better, but unfortunately for him he wasn’t. ‘I dunno who Antonio’s father is, but when I saw the photo, I thought he must be Michael’s, OK? That’s why I ran out your house. I wanted to get the truth out of Michael, but I ain’t been able to get hold of him yet.’
Insulting her intelligence was Queenie’s biggest pet hate, especially by one she’d given birth to. Unable to stop herself, she began slapping her eldest around the head. ‘A liar’s worse than a thief, I always drummed that into you. Now tell me the bastard truth.’
Like a rabbit caught in the headlights, Vinny punched the wall. ‘It was a fling, a one-night stand. And the slut told me her name was Izzy. I hate her, Mum. Fucking hate her.’
Unaware of the drama currently surrounding them, Michael and Bella were having an early-morning grope.
‘Stop it! The children will hear us, and say Camila walks in on us again,’ Bella giggled, when Michael’s middle finger made contact with her vagina.
‘Well, they’ve gotta learn how they were created one day,’ Michael joked. Yesterday was the first time he and Bella had made love in a few weeks, and it had reminded Michael of what they’d been missing. What with the kids and work, it was difficult at times. Then there was Katy. Michael had been so stressed over her constant demands, no wonder his libido had suffered.
‘If we’re to beat the Lakeside traffic, we should be getting showered now,’ Bella tormented, stroking Michael’s penis.
Michael was about to enter Bella when Camila burst into the room. ‘My toy duck is broke,’ she cried.
Michael’s erection deflated as rapidly as a burst balloon. ‘Happy days,’ he chuckled.
‘I’ll leave you to it. Gonna have a wander, find a paper shop,’ Vivian said. Vinny had only recently moved to a flash new apartment in Canary Wharf and she had no idea where she was heading. Anything was better than being around that no-good snivelling wreck though. Vivian’s heart went out to Michael, it really did. That poor bastard’s world was about to be blown apart, thanks to the evil one, just like hers had.
When the door slammed, Queenie slapped her eldest hard around the face. ‘Crocodile tears don’t wash with me, boy, so man up. I want to know everything, from the very beginning.’
Vinny took a series of deep breaths, before swallowing the rest of the black coffee his mother had forced him to drink. ‘I met her in a club up town. I remember exactly when it was, because it was shortly before Molly went missing. She was all over me like a rash, made it very clear what she wanted, so we headed off to some hotel. I hadn’t been happy with Jo for ages, so weren’t gonna look a gift horse in the mouth. She turned out to be a proper wild one. Wanted me—’
‘For goodness’ sake, Vinny! Spare me the gory details,’ Queenie interrupted. ‘When I said I wanted to know everything, I didn’t mean filth. When did you see her next?’
‘When I woke up in that hotel the following morning she was gone. Hand on heart, I never saw her again until Michael brought her to my fortieth. She bolted as soon as she recognized me. I only knew her as Izzy; turns out her real name is Isabella, which explains the confusion. I collared her outside when Michael went to get the car. Warned her if she ever messed my brother about I’d slice her up. I didn’t know what else to do. It was all such a shock, and me and Michael had only recently got back on track. It would’ve destroyed our relationship for good had I told him. I couldn’t do that. I love him way too much.’
‘You should’ve told me. I would’ve sorted it,’ Queenie retorted.
She was so very disappointed with Bella. She’d always liked her, thought she was so beautiful and classy, but deep down she was nothing more than a whore. Having only ever slept with Albie, Queenie hated loose women. It had been harlots like Bella who’d broken up her own marriage. ‘No wonder the slapper sodded off to Italy for months straight after your fortieth. Shame she ever came back. What contact have you and her had since? And don’t lie to me, Vinny.’
‘Very little. When Bella returned from Italy I made her meet me in a boozer. Did my utmost to get her out of Michael’s life for good, but she refused to leave him, said she’d rather tell him the truth and take her chances. So we agreed to stay out of one another’s way. That’s why she was supposedly ill when Little Vinny got married, and our paths never cross at any other family do’s. Michael was and still is so in love with her. How could I burst his bubble?’
Queenie pursed her thin lips. ‘Well, I can assure you Michael won’t be in love with that tart any more, not when he finds out she’s had hold of your dingle-dangle an’ all.’
Vinny was horrified. ‘We can’t tell him, Mum. Not ever!’
Michael and Bella were Christmas shopping. They’d driven to Lakeside early and sat in the car park for an hour sipping coffee to be the first in the doors and avoid the crowds.
‘Who the bloody hell’s that for?’ Michael asked, when Bella picked up an Arsenal kit. He wasn’t a massive football fan by any means, but he and Vinny always referred to themselves as Spurs supporters. They’d actually had a top day out at Wembley earlier this year, when Vinny had blagged some free tickets for the FA Cup Semi-Final in an executive box. Not only had Spurs stuffed the Arsenal, Gazza’s free-kick was the stuff legends were made of.
‘It’s for Antonio.’
‘But he doesn’t even like football.’
Bella chuckled. ‘He does now. His new friend Edward is an Arsenal fan, so Antonio told me he wants to be one too.’
Michael raised his eyebrows, and not having a clue how very apt his words were, joked, ‘That boy’s father must’ve been a proper wrong ’un.’
The journey home was a silent one. Both Queenie and Viv had always hated taxis of any kind. Cabbies were nosy bastards, and if they weren’t asking questions, you could guarantee they were earwigging.
‘Go in mine and put the kettle on. I’m gonna knock at Stinky Susan’s, make sure Ava got off to school OK,’ Queenie said, when the cab pulled up outside hers. She’d had to wake Stinky Susan up at dawn this morning. Ava had been fast asleep with Fred snoring beside her, so Queenie had left a note next to her bed saying she’d had to pop out. Ava was very grown up for her age, and quite capable of making her own breakfast. Leaving her sleeping blissfully was far better than letting the child know that something was dreadfully wrong, and Susan had promised to knock at Queenie’s to check on her.
Queenie shut the front door. ‘Ava was fine. She took Fred over to Mrs Agg’s before she went to school.’
‘What did Vinny have to say then? How could he keep something like that to himself, Queen? Poor Michael.’
‘I know. It’s such a bloody mess. Vinny’s begged me not to tell Michael, but he has to know, Viv. Gonna break his heart, but it’s better than living a lie with that scheming whore,’ Queenie said, before repeating Vinny’s version of events.
‘Are you g
oing to tell Michael? Or is Vinny?’
‘I don’t know yet. I’ve told Vinny to get some sleep then pop round later. No point trying to talk to him while he’s still half-pissed. I’ll cook him a roast or something, help soak up the booze.’
Vivian looked at her sister in astonishment. ‘You’re cooking him a roast! That’s his reward for shoving his todger up his brother’s other half, is it? Poor bloody Michael, that’s all I can say. Yet again Vinny has ripped this family apart, and yet again you forgive him.’
Unusually for Queenie, she burst into tears. ‘Don’t you think I’ve had a bad enough day without you starting on me an’ all? Of course Vinny should’ve said something. He should have told me after his fortieth. But he didn’t. He wanted to protect his brother. You can’t just blame him, Viv. What about her? She’s the one lying in bed with my Michael of a night knowing full well what she’s done. It takes two to fucking tango.’
Antonio had his own personal driver who took him to and from his private school, and as soon as her son arrived home, Bella urged him to take off his uniform, freshen up and put something smart on.
‘Why, Mum?’
Bella hugged her handsome son. Due to work commitments, it was rare she and Michael spent the whole day and evening together so they’d decided to make the most of it. ‘Because you’ve broken up from school, Michael and I thought we’d take you out to celebrate. I managed to book us a table at your favourite restaurant. Camila’s coming too.’
Antonio grinned. ‘Can I have lobster?’
‘You can have whatever you want.’
‘Bell, I’m just gonna pop outside to make a couple of business calls,’ Michael shouted out. He could hear Camila crying, so it was the ideal opportunity to excuse himself to ring the bitch.
Tainted Love: The gritty new thriller from the #1 bestseller Page 20
