Katy answered within seconds. ‘Remembered me and Nathan exist then, have you? I’ve been trying to call you all day, but your phone’s been switched off. Our son has been ill.’
‘I’m sorry. My battery was out of juice. What’s wrong? Is Nath OK now?’
‘No, he isn’t. I had to keep him off school. Been vomiting all day, and he has a high temperature,’ Katy lied. Her son was actually asleep on her lap and as fit as a fiddle.
Having had a wonderful twenty-four hours with Bella, all Michael’s worries came flooding back. Feeling guilty, he promised to visit Nathan the following day.
Yelling, ‘Only if you can be bothered,’ Katy smiled and ended the call.
Nathan opened his eyes. ‘You OK, Mummy?’
Katy stroked her son’s hair. ‘Fine, darling. Daddy’s coming to visit us tomorrow, and we’re going to tell him a little fib. If we pretend you haven’t been well, then Daddy will stay with us longer, won’t he?’
‘You shouldn’t have gone to the trouble of cooking for me, Mum. My stomach’s in knots and I don’t feel a bit hungry,’ Vinny said. He was actually quite surprised by his mother’s reaction to the latest drama in their lives. He’d always been worried that, if the truth came out, she’d disown him and side with Michael.
‘Just eat what you can. Starving yourself ain’t gonna solve this particular problem.’
Vinny did as asked, then sat opposite his mother in the armchair. ‘I’ve thought of a plan. I’m going to tell her I know and try and force her to go back to Italy. That way Michael need never know.’
Queenie was horrified. ‘You will do no such bloody thing. That bitch has denied me a grandson for years and no way is she taking my granddaughter away from me as well. Sometimes I wonder if there’s a brain in that head of yours. How heartbroken would your brother be if she sodded off back to Italy with his only daughter, eh? Use your loaf, for goodness’ sake.’
‘It’s better than Michael knowing the truth, Mum. He’ll never forgive me, or her, I’m telling ya. If you wanna split our family in two, then go ahead and tell him.’
‘This family is already split in two, don’t you see that? That manipulative whore has driven a wedge between you and your brother for years. How often do you socialize with Michael now?’
‘I had a drink with him about a month ago. He didn’t stay long though.’
‘My point exactly. Look, Vin, it’s obviously going to be a massive shock to Michael and he’s going to hate you at first. But he’ll hate her more. I cannot believe she’s been lying in Michael’s bed all this time after what she’s done. A cold, calculating, heartless old tom, that’s what she is. And to deny you a son and me a grandchild is truly despicable.’
Vinny put his head in his hands. ‘Call me a coward, call me whatever you like, but I can’t be the one to tell Michael, Mum. You’ll have to do it.’
After her earlier show of weakness, Queenie was back to her usual tough-as-old-boots self. ‘Neither of us are gonna tell Michael. Let that slut look him in the eyes and tell him what she’s done. Arrange to meet her in a pub or somewhere where nobody knows us. I’m coming with you to confront her.’
‘She’s bound to deny Antonio’s mine.’
‘Then we demand proof. A DNA test will shut the slapper up. Whether she likes it or not, Antonio is your son and you’re his father. Only got herself to blame. Should’ve kept her legs shut and her hand on her ha’penny.’
‘So, how was your last day at school? Did you do Christmassy things?’ Bella asked. She and Michael had gone to watch Antonio in his nativity play a couple of weeks ago. He’d played one of the three kings and they’d both been so proud of him. He’d been very self-assured on stage, a natural.
‘We did Christmassy things this afternoon, but this morning Mr Abbot wanted us to make a list of three professions that we would like to do when we’re older, then we had to stand up and tell him why.’
Michael ruffled Antonio’s hair. ‘You never said Old Bill, I hope,’ he joked.
‘Who is Old Bill, Daddy?’ Camila asked innocently.
Bella kicked Michael under the table, before asking Antonio what his answers were.
‘I said I would like to be an accountant because I’m good at maths, or a bookmaker. I told Mr Abbot only silly people bet and they always lose their money. I didn’t know what else to write, so I put vet and said because I enjoy cutting the dead mice and rabbits up in science.’
When her mobile phone burst into life, Bella excused herself. ‘I must call Rupert back, Michael. That’s the third time he’s rung me today. Bound to be some drama at the office.’
Bella made her way outside before making the call. ‘What’s happened now? And please do not tell me Melanie failed to turn up for today’s shoot? Because if she’s let me down again, she is so sacked.’
Rupert chuckled. ‘Melanie was absolutely fab today, darling. Blew their socks off. The reason I’ve called you – and it’s probably nothing important – is Michael’s brother Vinny is trying to get hold of you. He rang the office at lunchtime and again before I left. He said it’s urgent. Probably some surprise Christmas present for Michael, is my guess.’
Experiencing that same horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach she always did when Vinny tried to make contact, Bella replied, ‘Yes. Bound to be some surprise for Michael.’
‘Dad, I know you’ve probably got all my presents already, but I’ve seen one on an advert called “Puppy Surprise” that I want. Get it for me,’ Ava demanded brazenly, before putting her arms around her father’s neck and hugging him.
Queenie stood up. ‘Off to bed now and you’ll get what Father Christmas brings you, and I’m sure that’ll be far more than most poor children. Get off your dad’s lap. Come on, chop-chop.’
Ava leapt off and put her hands on her hips. ‘I’m not stupid, Nan. I knew Father Christmas didn’t exist when I was five! Come on, Fred, we’re going to bed. Oh, and make sure you get him a doggy stocking an’ all.’
Queenie slapped her granddaughter lightly on the bottom. ‘Please! Have you never heard of the word, please? Out of my sight now, before I ring up Battersea Dogs’ Home and get them to pick Fred up.’
As much as he had on his mind, Vinny couldn’t help but smile as he heard his daughter giggling all the way up the stairs. Ava truly was a chip off the old block.
Unable to speak freely in front of Ava, Queenie hissed, ‘The whore hasn’t rung you back yet then?’
‘Nah. But she will. Tell me about Antonio, Mum. What’s he like?’
‘Give me five minutes and I’ll find some recent photos. Pour me another Baileys, boy, and get yourself a drink. No Scotch though. You need a clear head right now. Have a lager instead.’
Antonio focused intently on the lobsters swimming around the tank. He pointed towards one. ‘I think that’s the one we will enjoy eating the most,’ he told Michael and the waitress.
Michael winked at the waitress. ‘You’ve had your orders,’ he said, before ushering Antonio back to their table.
Bella was deep in thought while stroking her sleeping daughter’s hair. Because of the awkwardness surrounding the whole sorry situation, Bella had given Vinny her mobile number ages ago. Rupert, her PA, was incredibly nosy, so Bella had urged the man she loathed so very much to call her personally regarding family events. Bella had even stored Vinny’s number as Virginia, so surely if he had something drastic to tell her he would have called her, not the office?
Michael kissed Bella on the forehead, before sitting back down himself. ‘You OK, babe?’
Bella smiled broadly. ‘I’m fine, Michael. In fact I’m better than fine.’
‘So you bloody well should be. You get to wake up with me every morning.’
Vinny Butler studied some more recent photos of the son he had never met. When he’d first seen a photo of Ava whilst in prison, he’d immediately known she was his, and he felt exactly the same about Antonio. ‘He looks more like me now than Little Vinny. Gonna b
e tall an’ all. I’m amazed you, being as clued-up as you are, never spotted the likeness before, Mum.’
‘How was I to know that slag had enticed you into bed an’ all? I often thought Antonio could’ve been Michael’s. I actually remember Michael telling me once that people thought he was his. Strangers and that.’
‘So what’s he like?’ Vinny asked.
‘A nice boy. Speaks a bit posh, but has lovely manners. He’s a bit serious for his age, that’s probably because of that uppity private school the whore sends him to.’
Still staring at his son’s image, Vinny asked, ‘What interests has he got?’
‘I don’t know, to be honest, but he’s good with Camila. Very protective of his little sister. When you meet him, you can ask him stuff for yourself.’
‘That bitch ain’t gonna want him spending time with me, is she? And what about Michael? He’s virtually raised Antonio, so I can’t go steaming in like a bulldozer.’
Thin lips pursed, Queenie announced, ‘Oh yes you can! And you will. No father should be denied the right to spend time with his own flesh and blood. Well, apart from yours.’
On the journey home from the restaurant, both Michael and Bella were quiet.
‘Have you two had an argument?’ Antonio enquired.
Michael chuckled. ‘Course we haven’t. Hark at your sister, she’s snoring,’ he said. Camila was sound asleep on his lap.
Bella put an arm around her son’s shoulders. ‘Well, I thought that was a lovely evening. We must take time to go out for family meals more often, don’t you think, Michael?’
‘Definitely, babe. We’ll have to take your mum and dad out to a few restaurants over the holiday period. Juanita can have a couple of days off then, eh?’
‘Juanita flew back to Spain this morning, Michael. She’s spending Christmas with her family. I told you that last week.’
‘Did ya?’
‘Yes, twice. I’m sure you don’t listen to a word I say at times.’
‘So who’s looking after the kids tomorrow while you’re out all day and evening?’
‘Their father, Michael. You! I told you that last week as well. Has your brain gone on holiday as well as Juanita?’
‘But I’ve got an important business meeting tomorrow. There’s no way I can get out of it,’ Michael lied miserably.
‘I’m very sorry, but you are going to have to rearrange. Not my fault if you don’t listen,’ Bella snapped.
Sighing, Michael stared out the window at the bright lights of London. Ever since Bella had made him watch that film Fatal Attraction, he’d been even more wary of Katy. She reminded him of a young version of the bird who had boiled the bunny. And Michael actually liked having his bollocks where God had intended them to be.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Jamie Preston sidled up to the only screw he truly trusted. Black Bob had been on Glen Harper’s payroll and was more than happy to risk his job for the right price. ‘I need you to get hold of a tool for me. No blades – a sharpened screwdriver. I ain’t gonna do anything too silly with it. I want it for self-protection. Glen’ll settle up with you on the outside.’
‘Leave it with me.’
‘As soon as possible, OK?’ Jamie muttered, before walking away.
Spotting Richie Woods glaring at him from the other side of the yard, Jamie smirked. If he used the screwdriver to gouge Richie’s eyes out, the tosser wouldn’t be able to glare at anybody in the future.
‘Calum, Regan, if you don’t do as your mother asks, neither of you will be going to see Father Christmas, understand?’ Little Vinny bellowed.
‘Don’t care,’ replied four-year-old Calum.
When two-year-old Regan giggled, Little Vinny grabbed both his sons by the wrist. ‘I’ll take you round to Nanny Meg’s then. She can look after ya while Ollie and Toby visit Santa.’
Regan threw himself face down on the floor. ‘Nooo! I want to see Father Christmas,’ he cried, kicking the carpet repeatedly with both feet.
Lip wobbling, Calum announced, ‘I want to see him too, Dad.’
‘Well, this is your last chance to let Mummy wash and dress you. Five minutes I’ll give ya, and if you’re not ready, you’re not coming.’
When the ‘terrible twosome’, as Sammi-Lou referred to them, finally did as they were told, Little Vinny picked his eldest up and swung him in the air. ‘Who’s going to be seven next week? Big boy now, aren’t you?’
‘Will Father Christmas bring my birthday presents down the chimney with him as well, Dad?’
‘I should imagine so. You’ll have to ask him.’
Oliver grinned and put his arms around his father’s neck. ‘I love you, Dad.’
‘Not as much as I love you. You’re the bestest boy in the whole wide world.’
Michael waved Bella off, then scrolled through his phone. Daniel and Lee hadn’t come home last night, which was nothing unusual as they often stayed at the club after working late.
‘Aw, Jesus. What time is it?’ Daniel mumbled, on hearing his father’s voice.
‘Nearly eleven. Look, I know this is short notice but I need a massive favour. Bella’s out until this evening, and I forgot Juanita’s in Spain. I urgently need to be somewhere soon, but I can’t take Camila with me. Could you and Lee pop over and keep an eye on her for a few hours? I’ll definitely be back before teatime.’
‘Sorry, Dad. No can do. Me and Lee have got plans ourselves.’
‘Can’t you cancel ’em?’ Michael asked abruptly.
‘No. We can’t. We ain’t even bought any bastard a Christmas present yet, and we’ve arranged to meet a couple of fit birds. Don’t worry though; we’ll be back at the club for the late shift. I take it you won’t be showing your face again this evening?’
‘I pay you and Lee more than enough so I don’t have to show my fucking face and listen to that racket yous youngsters call music these days. Please, Dan, I’m begging you. I’ve got an important business meeting and I can’t let the geezer down.’
Wide awake now, Daniel chuckled. ‘You and your mysterious business meetings eh, Dad? Me and Lee reckon you’ve got a bit on the side. What’s her name?’
Yelling, ‘Don’t talk bollocks and thanks for nothing,’ Michael ended the call.
‘What-a matter, Daddy?’ Camila asked, her big innocent eyes full of concern.
Michael scooped the child up in his arms. ‘Nothing, sweetheart. Let’s watch some cartoons, shall we?’
Having cancelled going out with the school mums in favour of spending time with Michael, Katy Spencer was busy getting glammed up.
‘You look beautiful, Mummy. But your boobies are showing,’ Nathan giggled.
Katy smiled. Michael had been a big fan of her breasts when they’d been together, which was why Katy always liked to remind him of what he was missing.
‘Can I answer it?’ Nathan asked, when the phone rang.
‘If it’s Daddy, don’t forget to tell him you’ve not been well. You kept being sick yesterday,’ Katy reminded her son. She’d actually kept Nathan off school this morning telling him he looked flushed and had a temperature. It was only a half-day anyway and the children were told they were allowed to take in games to play with. Katy was worried Nathan would slip up and tell Michael he had been playing games, hence her white lie.
Smiling as Nathan told Michael exactly what she had said, Katy was handed the phone by her son. ‘You on your way yet? Our wounded little soldier is so looking forward to seeing you.’
Michael sighed deeply. It made him feel so guilty when Nathan was ill and he couldn’t be at his side. ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t get there today, Katy. Our housekeeper’s on holiday, Bella isn’t around and there’s nobody else to look after Camila.’
‘You are kidding me, right? Our ill son has been staring out of the window for the past hour awaiting your arrival. Bring Camila with you. Nathan would love to meet her.’
‘Don’t be daft. Cami’s bound to say something to Bella. I’ll spen
d some quality time with Nathan either tomorrow or Sunday. I promise you that faithfully.’
‘Your promises are totally worthless,’ Katy screamed. ‘Daddy’s not coming to visit you after all, Nathan. He has better things to do.’
Hearing his son sobbing, Michael hissed, ‘You bitch. Why couldn’t you let him down gently? Put him back on the phone to me.’
‘No. He doesn’t want to talk to you and neither do I. As for worrying about Camila telling Bella, if I was you I’d start upping your parental game otherwise it’ll be me blurting out your dirty little secret. And believe me, I’m not joking. I am seriously on the edge. Get here by five, Michael, or else. I’m warning you.’
As they neared the front of the enormous queue in Harrods, Little Vinny gave his sons a warning. ‘Don’t forget to say please and thank you to Father Christmas. Once upon a time I wasn’t very polite to him and I didn’t get any presents that year.’
Smiling when her boys’ eyes widened and they began to question their father, Sammi-Lou nudged her best friend as Finn bent down to speak to his son. Toby was threeand Finn was no longer with his mother. ‘He has a nice bum and you two seemed to be getting on very well earlier,’ Sammi whispered.
Charlene playfully slapped her friend’s arm. ‘Will you stop it! You sound like that Cilla Black on Blind Date. Yes, Finn is very easy on the eye, but his ex was a glamour model and that I am not. He’s not going to be interested in me, Sam.’
‘I think he likes you. I can tell,’ Sammi-Lou insisted.
Charlene’s face reddened. ‘Behave yourself and please don’t be saying anything to Little Vinny. I’d feel too embarrassed to be in Finn’s company again if you did that.’
‘I won’t. I swear. I do think you’d make a great couple though.’
‘You go first then, Ollie. Don’t forget to tell Santa what presents you want,’ Little Vinny urged.
What Little Vinny did not realize as he cheerfully ushered his eldest son into the grotto, was that amongst the chaos of the Christmas post, the package containing his taped confession had finally been spotted by an eagle-eyed postman and was now on its way to the address it should’ve been sent to in the first place.
Tainted Love: The gritty new thriller from the #1 bestseller Page 21
