Tainted Love: The gritty new thriller from the #1 bestseller

by Kimberley Chambers

  ‘Oh, Viv. Something terrible has happened. You not heard? Come and have a look. Been bawling me eyes out, I have.’

  Wondering what the hell was wrong, Vivian dashed into the front room. Her sister, Ava, Roxanne, Alex and two girls Viv did not recognize were all staring solemnly at Sky News. ‘Whatsa matter?’

  ‘Look! The Twin Towers in New York have been hit by planes. Flew straight into ’em they did, Viv. The poor people who work there have been jumping out of windows and all sorts. There must be loads dead. I reckon it’s got to be a terrorist attack of some kind. One plane could’ve been an accident, but not two. It’s truly sickening. I can’t believe what I’m seeing.’

  Taking in the horrific scenes on TV, Vivian put her hand over her mouth. ‘Oh, dear Lord! Those poor souls.’

  Along with the rest of the nation, Daniel, Michael, Lee and Little Vinny watched the horrendous scenes unfold with an expression of shock on their faces.

  ‘One’s smashed into the fucking Pentagon now!’ Little Vinny exclaimed, spotting the breaking news at the bottom of the screen.

  ‘London’s being evacuated – well, the City is anyway. They reckon the bastards that did it might strike here next,’ a stranger shouted out.

  Daniel Butler looked at his family and friends in dismay. The boozer had an eerie atmosphere and there was no way they could go on a rowdy pub crawl with this atrocity occurring. It wasn’t appropriate at all.

  At Queenie’s the mood remained extremely sombre and Roxanne was beginning to get restless. She had never heard of the Twin Towers before today, or the Pentagon, and she didn’t want to spend the whole of her hen party watching distressing scenes on the television.

  Alex nudged her friend. ‘You OK, pet?’

  Roxanne nodded, then took off the silver crown with a veil attached that Queenie had handed her on arrival. The room was decorated with banners and balloons, but it felt more like a funeral than a celebration. Why did such an awful thing have to happen today? She only hoped it wasn’t a bad omen for tomorrow.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  ‘Wakey-wakey, boy. Rise and shine. You’re getting married today, remember?’ Michael announced, as he yanked open the heavy curtains.

  Feeling like crap, Daniel sat up and put his hungover head in his hands. ‘Get me some water, Dad. I’m dying of thirst.’

  ‘Serves you right. I did warn you and Lee that having a shot-drinking competition wasn’t the wisest idea in the world, but you two were on a mission. Your brother’s ill an’ all. Been chucking his guts up since six,’ Michael smirked.

  Daniel managed a smile. There was only so much horror and tragedy one could watch, so yesterday had turned into a bit of a stag party after all. And the last memory of it Daniel had was of him and Lee belting out Wham’s ‘Bad Boys’. ‘I dunno whose idea it was to get the karaoke machine out, but it certainly wasn’t mine.’

  ‘It was Kev’s. You know he always turns into a Rasta and thinks he’s Bob Marley after a few,’ Michael chuckled.

  ‘I still can’t believe Chas and Dave are performing ’ere tonight. Gonna be a belter of a reception. Cheers, Dad.’

  Michael sat on the bed and fondly ruffled his son’s hair as he had when he was a nipper. Daniel had been a bastard as a child, but Michael had always known he’d turn out OK. ‘I’m not getting all soppy, but just want you to know how proud of you I am. Roxanne’s a lovely girl, and you two were made for each other. I’m not gonna show you up later by talking a load of sentimental old bollocks, so have kept my actual speech light-hearted. I felt it only right to give your mum a decent mention though. You OK with that?’

  ‘Yeah. Course. Mad, ain’t it, Dad? I can’t believe I’m about to get hitched. Never thought I’d meet a bird to tempt me down the aisle.’

  An image of Bella flashed through Michael’s mind. ‘Enjoy every minute. True love only comes around once in a lifetime.’

  ‘Wow! You look wicked. Better than any bride I’ve ever seen before,’ Ava Butler said in awe. She and Roxanne had only met one another for the first time a few weeks ago, but had immediately clicked and swapped phone numbers.

  ‘Do you think Daniel will like it?’ Roxanne asked, her blue eyes shining with excitement. Her outfit wasn’t your traditional wedding get-up. She’d chosen a square-necked scarlet satin number with big puffy sleeves; the front of the dress was knee-length, and the back was long and trailed along the floor. She’d teamed it with clunky high-heeled silver sandals and studded earrings, necklace and bracelet. Roxanne felt a million dollars. She’d always had her own unique style ever since she could remember and had once been described by her art teacher as ‘a young Paula Yates in the making’. That had pleased Roxanne no end as she’d loved Paula. It had been awful when she’d been found dead last year. Roxanne had cried her eyes out, but took comfort that she’d finally be reunited with Michael Hutchence. They’d had a Romeo and Juliet type thing going on, just like her and her Daniel.

  ‘Daniel will love it! He’s a very lucky man. I’m so happy for the pair of you, I really am. I hope one day I get to meet the man of my dreams. Not going to be easy with my father, though. He wants me to be a spinster. Even Noel and Liam he’d find fault with,’ Ava laughed. She was an Oasis fan and had snuck off with a pal to see the Gallagher brothers perform at Knebworth back in ’96. Her dad had gone apeshit when he’d found out. He’d had to drive all the way to Knebworth to pick her up the following day, and had promptly grounded her for a month.

  Alex barged into the room with a bottle of champagne. ‘Whey-aye, pet! You look incredible! Do I look OK? I had to get away from that youngest bridesmaid. No disrespect, Ava, I know she’s family. Camila’s lovely, but that Ellie is a spoilt little diva if ever I did meet one. She’s driving that poor lady doing our hair up the wall. Her whinging voice has gone right through me head – so much so, I need a bevvy.’

  Ava laughed. ‘Don’t be worrying about upsetting me. I barely know the child and feel exactly the same way about her.’

  Roxanne sighed. When Katy had found out Camila was going to be a bridesmaid, she’d kicked up that much of a stink with Michael that he’d asked Daniel if it was OK for Ellie to be a bridesmaid too. Roxanne felt she had no choice but to agree. Michael was paying for the wedding after all.

  ‘Don’t look so glum. I’ll keep me eye on the brat,’ Ava said.

  ‘What a shame we never met earlier. I would have insisted you be a bridesmaid. I want this day to be perfect.’

  ‘Well, if past family weddings are anything to go by, you’re in for a rough ride, Roxy. So tighten your seatbelt, girlie,’ Ava joked. ‘Bound to be something that goes Pete Tong. There always is with us Butlers.’

  Michael Butler pinned his carnation on to his lapel. His son had opted for a coat-and-tail look in the end. All the Butler males would be turned out in black suits, white shirts, black shoes and bow ties.

  ‘You’re quiet, Dad. What’s up?’ Lee asked. After chucking his guts up earlier, he was now raring to go again. The ‘hair of the dog’ had worked its magic this morning.

  ‘I’m OK. But I wish Katy wasn’t coming. She’s done us no favours, not allowing Ellie and Cami to build a relationship without her being present. When I picked Ellie up earlier she was fine, then as soon as Cami got in the car the atmosphere was dreadful. They’re like strangers, not sisters. Makes it so awkward on occasions such as this.’ Michael would actually have preferred neither Katy nor Ellie attend his son’s wedding. But Daniel wanted Nathan to be part of it, so he’d had no choice other than to invite both and ask if Ellie could be bridesmaid.

  ‘The limo’s ’ere, lads,’ Albie shouted out.

  Lee put an arm around Daniel’s shoulders. ‘I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye this past year, but I want you to know I am truly happy for you and Roxy, bruv. You make a great couple and you’ll make blinding parents.’

  Daniel gave Lee a hug. Everyone had predicted the nerves would kick in today, but he felt no anxiety whatsoever. Only a str
ong desire to marry the girl who had stolen his heart. He clapped his hands. ‘Get those drinks down ya, boys. I will not keep my beautiful bride waiting.’

  Dressed in smart skirt-suits – Queenie’s being pale blue and Vivian’s emerald green – the two sisters were again glued to Sky News. What had happened in New York yesterday would stay with them forever more. Hundreds had been confirmed dead and there were Christ knows how many more still unaccounted for. ‘I reckon the death toll will hit two or three thousand, ya know. The sight of those poor souls jumping out those windows will haunt me for the rest of my days, Viv. What a choice to make: jump or burn. God bless ’em and their heartbroken families,’ Queenie said, shaking her head in despair.

  ‘They’ll be lucky to find any more alive now. Bastard terrorists want stringing up,’ Vivian spat.

  ‘Can we turn that off, please? This is meant to be a happy occasion and the bride-to-be is ready to show you how amazing she looks,’ Ava announced, switching the TV off before her nan and aunt had a chance to reply.

  Alex and Ava hummed ‘Here Comes the Bride’ as Roxanne swanned into the room. The hairdresser had suggested she tone her wild hair down a touch, but Roxanne was having none of that. With the massive scarlet flower she’d bought to match her unusual outfit, Roxanne knew she’d stumbled across perfection.

  ‘Gawd stone the crows! You can’t get married looking like that,’ Vivian exclaimed.

  Ava laughed. ‘Don’t be so old-fashioned, Auntie Viv. I think Roxy looks incredible and if I ever get married I want her to come dress-shopping with me.’

  ‘Aren’t brides meant to get married in white?’ Ellie asked.

  ‘Not when they’re already up the duff,’ Vivian mumbled.

  ‘I love your outfit. It’s so different,’ Camila sighed.

  Queenie hated it, but wasn’t about to admit that. She absolutely adored the ground Roxanne walked on, had taken the girl to heart. ‘I think you look beautiful, dear. Different, but dynamic.’

  Vivian looked at her sister in absolute amazement. She’d never heard the silly old cow use the word ‘dynamic’ in their lifetime. Wait until later when she’d had a few sherries. She would absolutely cane her. What an arse-licker!

  Daniel Butler felt the first stab of nerves as he stood at the front of the Registry Office. He’d just remembered he’d sent an invite to Mary and Donald, but could see no sign of them, thankfully. He and Roxanne had opted to ask only close family and friends – all of whom were his – apart from Alex and a couple of the barmaids Roxy had got friendly with. They’d also attended her hen party round at his nan’s yesterday.

  Stamping their own personal touch on their big day was something both Daniel and Roxanne had agreed on. As well as old films, Roxanne loved old-time songs and she wanted to walk down the aisle to the Al Jolson version of ‘For Me and My Gal’ rather than the traditional ‘Here Comes the Bride’. She reckoned the song was perfect for them. They’d also written a few words of their own to say at the altar.

  Michael was sitting next to Katy, who was chewing his ear off as usual. ‘I do not understand why I had to make my own bloody way here. Felt a right idiot, turning up all by myself. I should’ve arrived with the bride, your family and our daughter. I do hope Ellie’s OK. She doesn’t know your family that well.’

  ‘And whose bastard fault is that?’ Michael hissed. ‘I’ve already told you the reason why I wanted Ellie to get ready at my mother’s without you smothering her. So she could get to know the rest of the bridesmaids before the wedding kicked off. Cami hasn’t got her mother here, has she?’

  ‘I shouldn’t think so, seeing as Bella slept with Ava’s father,’ Katy hissed back.

  ‘Shut it and be glad you’re invited at all. Today’s about Daniel, not you or Ellie.’

  Aware of the unrest, Albie tapped his son on the shoulder. ‘Fancy a quick smoke outside, boy?’ Both he and Michael had given up cigarettes a long time ago, but still enjoyed the odd cigar on special occasions.

  Glaring at Katy, Michael followed his father. Sophie, his latest fancy-piece, he’d finally binned a few weeks ago, but she was having none of it and had been stalking him ever since. Why did he always seem to attract nutty women?

  Once out in the fresh air, Albie gave his son a cigar and some words of wisdom. ‘Anybody can see how unhappy you are with Katy, son. Why don’t you cut your losses and move on? If I was you, I would swallow my pride and live my days out with the woman I truly love. I know she hurt you badly, but life’s too short to hold grudges and it’s obvious she still loves you too. A very pretty woman like Bella would’ve moved on years ago if she didn’t.’

  Michael took a long pull on his cigar and leaned his head against the wall. ‘I dunno, Dad. If only it was that easy to forgive and forget. I still love her though and that’s what hurts the most.’

  Thanks to Queenie spilling a cup of tea all over her outfit and having to get changed, the bride’s limo was running behind schedule.

  ‘I hope Daniel isn’t worried. He knows how much I love him and would never let him down. You don’t think it’s crossed his mind I’m having second thoughts, do you?’ Roxanne asked Viv.

  ‘Nah. Got nerves of steel has Danny Boy. We’ll be there soon and his eyes will light up big time when “Here Comes the Bride” plays and he sees you walking towards him in that gorgeous outfit.’

  ‘We’re not having “Here Comes the Bride”. I chose a different song.’

  ‘Different song! Whaddya mean, different song?’ Vivian asked, perplexed.

  ‘I’m walking down the aisle to “For Me and My Gal,” Roxanne announced proudly.

  ‘Aw, my gawd!’ Queenie mumbled. She’d had an eerie feeling yesterday when the terrorists had struck that this wedding was doomed. Now, her grandson was going to greet his wife to the very same song as she and Albie had chosen for their first dance as a married couple.

  Aware that her sister was remembering her own wedding, Vivian could not help but smirk. She’d had designs on the handsome Albie Butler herself back then, but unlike Queenie, she was too young for him. It might have taken many years, but now Albie was her man, nobody else’s.

  Vinny Butler breathed a sigh of pure relief as he and Eddie Mitchell shook hands with the owner. They’d searched high and low across certain parts of Essex to find the right location to pursue their joint venture, but such was Eddie’s natural caution, Vinny had begun to think it would never happen. But it finally had. And to happen today of all days could not be a better tonic for Vinny.

  Already gutted that he was the only family member not attending his favourite nephew’s wedding, Vinny had been well pissed off earlier when his son had rung to inform him Michael had booked Chas and Dave to play at the reception. Vinny knew how much his mum and aunt adored them, and even though his aunt no longer loved him, he still loved her, and would kill to see the look on both of their faces. He was also pissed off with Michael. He and Roy had built that club up from nothing when Michael was no more than a wet-behind-the-ears kid. Was this yet another form of his brother paying him back for his fling with Bella? Or was it a genuine gesture of his love for the family?

  Eddie Mitchell slapped his pal on the back as they walked away from the premises. He knew Vinny was having a tough time of it today, and he’d been through hell himself this year. Eddie had never disclosed to anybody – Vinny included – what exactly had happened that fateful day when his feud with the O’Haras had come to a messy end. But he’d lost a son in the battle and gained two grandchildren who were as untamed as the wildest of wolves. ‘I think a celebratory drink is in order, don’t you, Vin?’

  Vinny grinned. ‘Not arf. This is the start of something truly special, mate. The Butlers and the Mitchells – what a fucking force to be reckoned with.’

  With Al Jolson belting out the words to ‘For Me and My Gal’ Daniel Butler had tears in his eyes when Roxanne walked towards him holding Alex’s arm. She’d wanted her pal to give her away, said if it wasn’t for Alex bringing
her to his club that night, they’d probably never have met.

  ‘You look so beautiful, babe. I love you,’ Daniel whispered, squeezing Roxanne’s hand reassuringly.

  ‘She isn’t what I expected at all. Looks ever so young,’ Sammi-Lou whispered in her husband’s ear.

  ‘Shush,’ Little Vinny ordered. ‘And tell Calum to put that game away and sit up straight,’ he added. He liked Roxanne and knew, once Sammi was introduced to her properly, she would too.

  ‘Can I please use the toilet? You won’t start without me, will you?’ Ellie Butler asked politely.

  Jenny, the registrar, glanced at her watch. The bride had already turned up forty minutes late and she had another wedding at two. However, being a local woman herself, she was aware this was a Butler wedding and wasn’t about to say no to any request. The other couple would just have to wait. ‘Go on, lovey. Be quick,’ Jenny said.

  Roxanne smiled at Daniel. He looked so handsome in his smart suit, and she could not believe he was about to become her husband. ‘Ask them to play our song again,’ she whispered in his ear.

  ‘Oh, for crying out loud,’ Queenie moaned, when Al Jolson came bashing out the speaker once more.

  ‘What’s the matter? Something dynamic occurring?’ Vivian asked, tongue in cheek at her sister’s earlier turn of phrase.

  Albie was sitting in the row opposite, next to Michael, and Queenie couldn’t help but glare at the side of his head. ‘Don’t want to keep being reminded of past mistakes, that’s all,’ she spat.

  When Albie glanced across and treated her to a cheeky wink, Vivian smiled. If only she’d been the older sister and got her claws into him before Queenie. Life would have turned out so very differently.

  ‘Cheers, business partner,’ Eddie Mitchell said, holding his glass aloft. He wasn’t dumb, knew how long Vinny had craved this particular partnership. But Eddie was very cautious and savvy. And as much as he got on with Vinny, some of Mr Butler’s past shenanigans left a lot to be desired. That was why Eddie had not wanted to leap into a joint venture of any kind, until he was totally sure his pal had mended his once violent ways. Killing men who had wronged you was one thing, but strangling brasses was another and Eddie could not have tangled himself up with that type of shit. Apart from accidentally blasting his beloved wife to pieces, Eddie was a gentleman when it came to women, whatever their profession.