by Jacqui Rose
14
Julian Millwood sat listening carefully to Dr Berry. He’d aged badly over the years and had retired a long time ago from being a child psychiatrist, but his desire for young girls hadn’t waned.
Dr Berry’s voice was clipped and pompous. ‘I’ve been speaking to one of my contacts, Julian. They’re on the lookout for something special.’
Julian licked his lips, warming his hand on the side of his legs at the same time. ‘What?’
‘A blonde. Young. Very young.’
Immediately Julian shrugged his shoulders, slightly disappointed. There wasn’t anything special about a blonde, it was such a cliché; everyone wanted them, whether they were natural or not. And it was usually more trouble than it was worth.
With a hint of boredom in his voice, Julian answered as he slumped down in the chair.
‘Can’t you just dye the hair of one of the Thai girls? Save a lot of trouble.’
‘No, my contact doesn’t want that. He wants a real blonde. An innocent. Some of those Thai girls have been at it since before they could even talk. They’re born up for it. It’s in their DNA. Makes the whores down in Soho look like Cinder-fucking-rella.’ Dr Berry laughed nastily, stroking the head of the young Filipino girl who was curled asleep next to him.
‘So, can you help?’
Julian scratched his head, feeling the damp of sweat at the back of his neck. A real blonde. It was tempting to get involved, not to mention exciting, but the likelihood of being able to help was slim and it was also risky. Nevertheless, he liked the idea of it.
‘I’ll ask around, but I don’t think so.’
‘It’ll pay well, Julian. Very well. This one they want to have for keeps.’
Julian raised his eyebrows, sitting up straight in his chair again. ‘For keeps?’
Dr Berry’s eyes glinted, mirroring the look in Julian’s eyes. ‘That’s right. That’s why they want the real thing. Like I say they’ll pay well, so if you hear of anything or you can do something, let me know.’
Dr Berry turned away, focusing his attention back on the young girl who began to stir. Julian saw it as his cue to leave. Getting up, he walked out, leaving the judge to sit in the bare-roomed floor above the block of empty offices.
The bright sunshine hit Julian’s face as he walked out into the middle of Soho. He couldn’t get the doctor’s words out of his head. For keeps. In that line of business you didn’t often hear of such things. People talked about it and, like him, imagined it, but few actually managed to do it. It took a lot of planning, a lot of money and, to a certain degree, a lot of luck.
Dr Berry was right; getting any child for keeps was something special. And the more Julian thought about it, the more he wanted a part of it. Perhaps it wouldn’t harm to put a few feelers out – and he knew exactly the person to go to. Picking up the phone, Julian dialled a number.
Five people’s phones began to ring all at the same time. Teddy Davies’, Milo Burkov’s, Del Williams’, Alan Day’s and Alfonso Garcia’s – but it was only Alfonso who answered his phone.
‘Yes?’ Alfonso listened patiently then added, ‘I can’t hear you. The line’s bad. You’ll have to call back later.’ Clicking off the phone, Alfonso smiled through gritted teeth at Edith who was sitting with a box of empty Kleenex on the marble table in front of her. The tissues had finished a long while ago and now she was reduced to wiping her nose on the sleeve of her expensive blouse.
‘I’ll go and get a hanky or some more tissues, Edith; you’re ruining your top.’ As Alfonso went to leave, Edith grabbed his t-shirt.
‘Don’t leave me, Alfonso. Sit with me, I can’t bear to be on my own.’
‘Darling, I was only going to …’
‘Stay!’ Edith’s voice changed into a harsh order as she scowled at an impatient and exasperated Alfonso. The waterworks had been turned on all day; ever since she’d got up. And the wailing and whining of Edith around the villa was getting on Alfonso’s nerves.
‘How he has the bleedin’ gall to tell me to get out of me own house, I dunno. Do I look like a frigging waif? Do I look like I’d be happy to do a shit on the side of the road like a bleedin’ stray dog?’
Alfonso curled his lip. His facial expression was caught by Edith, who threw her arms up in an exaggerated gesture.
‘Oh, that’s right; pull a bleedin’ face at me won’t you? Turn on me when I’ve hit rock bottom.’
Alfonso gripped his fist under the table, but his smile was saccharin sweet. ‘Edith, you mistake my look. I wasn’t pulling a face at you my darling, it was at how your husband can treat such a …’ Alfonso stopped and stared at Edith’s ballooned body. ‘Such a beauty as yourself.’
Edith frowned suspiciously at him. ‘You really mean that, Alfonso?’
‘You know I do, darling.’
With the speed of a gazelle, Edith Williams grabbed hold of Alfonso, clinging onto him in a tight embrace, almost winding him.
‘Make love to me, Alfonso.’
Alfonso froze. He swallowed with a loud glug; his face rapidly draining of colour. ‘Now?’
Irritated by the lack of enthusiasm, Edith snapped. ‘Yes Alfonso; here. Right now.’
Without waiting for an answer, Edith began to unbutton her white Chanel blouse, exposing her gigantic breasts. They hung almost to her waist and she held them proudly, twirling her large nipples before quickly taking off her knickers – which were several sizes too small – to expose her red scorched sunburnt rolls of fat and a mass of dark brown pubic hair.
Edith grinned and winked at Alfonso seductively. ‘Take me. I’m wet for you, Alfy.’
Alfonso could hardly speak as he stared at Edith, feeling his stomach begin to churn. He blurted out his words rapidly.
‘I can’t.’
A frown came over Edith’s face and her eyes narrowed. She stopped caressing her nipples and folded her arms across her body. Her voice was tipped with angry hysteria.
‘What do you mean, you can’t?’
Alfonso tried to think quickly but he kept hold of his cool demeanour and smile. ‘I can’t … I can’t because … Because I just want to look at you. You’re so beautiful, I just want to look at your body Edith. Allow me to do that.’
Alfonso could feel his smile waning as he tried to hold it. He locked eyes with Edith, feeling the tension in the cool air-conditioned kitchen.
A huge grin spread across Edith’s face. She squealed in delight, clapping her hands like a child. ‘Well, why didn’t you say so? I thought for a moment you’d gone off me, Alfy.’ Edith pouted her lips, putting on the childish tone which Alfonso hated. ‘And I couldn’t stand that, baby.’
‘Of course not. Why would you ever think such a thing?’
Alfonso paused and slyly looked at Edith. ‘Have you ever thought about leaving Del? Have you ever thought about just you and me? Setting up somewhere together, alone, without having to worry about anybody else? What do you say, Edith?’
Edith threw her hand to the side as if she were wafting away a nuisance fly. She laughed in disdain. ‘Don’t be silly, Alfonso, how could I ever leave Del to come and live with you? It’s a nice thought, but it ain’t a very clever one is it?’
Alfonso absent-mindedly traced his finger in circles on the marble table. He was furious and he could feel the familiar rage, which he hid so well, climbing up the whole of his body. Bitch. Who did she think she was? He was expecting her to jump at the chance, not cut him down and laugh in his face.
His plan had been a simple one, but one he thought would work. Once he’d got her away from Del, little by little he’d make Edith totally reliant on him. Isolating her from her friends, breaking down her confidence and making her feel she couldn’t do without him, until he had total control of her life and ultimately, total control of her money. And once that happened it’d be adios senorita.
Alfonso tried again. ‘Is it about money, my darling, because I’m sure Del wouldn’t leave you short and I have a bit of money put aw
ay?’
Edith sniffed loudly, picking at the peeling skin on her chest. ‘Alfonso, I couldn’t possibly run off with you. What would people think? Me and the handyman. Bleeding hell, I’d be the laughing stock of the Costa, not to mention Soho.’
Alfonso stared at Edith, unable to hide the hatred in his eyes. This wasn’t how the plan was supposed to go and as Alfonso continued to stare, watching Edith walk across the room naked to pour herself a glass of fresh lemonade, he suddenly understood. Understood why Edith had never left Del. Edith Williams didn’t want half of any money. She wanted it all. And that all was nothing to do with the pound and euro signs piling up in the bank. That all was the status that came with being the wife of London’s number one gangster.
As much as he didn’t want to, Alfonso knew there was nothing else for it. He’d have to go to plan B. The good old-fashioned practice of blackmail.
It certainly didn’t fill Alfonso with pleasure at the thought of it. The problem was he valued his life – and Edith was cunning enough to try to turn it round and set her animal husband onto him.
Even if she didn’t manage to convince Del it was all a huge mistake, Alfonso knew as well as anybody else that the only reason Del stayed with Edith was because of the information she’d collected on him over the years, and Del would come down hard on anything that threatened to make Edith open her mouth. Which meant there was little Del could do to Edith, even if it meant him turning a blind eye to her porking every guy on the Costa.
The baggage Edith had on Del was enough to put him away for life – or if she chose to put the information in the wrong hands, it could see him without a life. Unfortunately for Alfonso, what Edith had on Del she wasn’t telling anybody else about. He’d tried to get little snippets out of her but she was as tight lipped as a choirboy’s arse.
She was as shrewd as anyone he knew. But Alfonso wasn’t going to be beaten. He was going to get his.
Edith walked back towards the table where Alfonso was still sitting. ‘Alfey baby. Don’t look so sad. You know I love you babes, but there’s just no way I could ever contemplate leaving Del, darlin’.’ She paused, adding. ‘I know what will put a smile on your face.’
Shuffling herself up on the marble table, Edith lay down and sprawled naked, pushing the porcelain bowl of grapes out of the way. She grinned, ‘Come on baby, give me some sugar.’
With a heavy heart, Alfonso Garcia stood up from his chair. He closed his eyes as he stood over her then felt himself being pulled down. As Edith began to writhe and moan underneath him, Alfonso swore to himself that no matter how long it took, he would get every last penny out of Edith Williams and make her pay, in more ways than one.
Julian Millwood put his phone back in his pocket. He never liked speaking on them; he always felt it was too dangerous even though there were code words he used and anyone listening in would hear it as just an innocent conversation.
Looking at his watch, Julian headed towards Alan Day’s office. He hoped the man had his money. He needed it. Once he had it he’d get out of the country. Even though Dr Berry had told him the blonde girl job would pay well, it was still only a pipe dream. Alan wasn’t. He had the means and the contacts to help him, and besides, Alan owed him.
Julian knew he had to play it carefully with Alan. As much as he had stuff on Alan, Alan had stuff on him and he didn’t want to push him too far into a corner and make him strike out. Alan was cold and clever and there was only so far the man would be cornered before he came out fighting. After all, he was an expert on getting people out of almost impossible situations.
Walking into the familiar offices, Julian was greeted by the same receptionist from the day before. ‘I’m here to see Alan.’
‘I’m afraid he’s not here. He was taken into hospital last night with a suspected heart attack.’
Julian’s face darkened. He stared at the receptionist in disbelief. ‘Well I need to see him. It’s urgent.’
‘Any urgent matters are being dealt with by the junior partner if you’d like to make an appointment with him.’
Julian shook his head and spoke through gritted teeth. He could feel himself beginning to sweat. ‘No, I don’t fucking want to see his junior, I want to see him.’
The receptionist began to become flustered. ‘I’m sorry, Sir, but there’s nothing I can do.’
Julian leant over the high walnut desk, picking up then slamming the phone down, which had just begun to ring. ‘No, but you can tell me where he’s been taken into hospital.’
‘I’m sorry, Sir, I can’t possibly do that.’
‘I don’t think you understand me. I’m not asking you, I’m …’
‘Is everything all right, darlin’?’
Julian Millwood swivelled round at the interruption and came face to face with the man who’d bumped into him the day before. His face sneered in contempt. ‘I don’t think this has anything to do with you, mate.’
Del Williams stared at the sweaty looking man. He’d seen his face before, but couldn’t quite place it. ‘One thing I hate is people talking to people disrespectfully, I reckon you owe the woman an apology.’
‘And I reckon you need to stay out of me fucking business.’
With a quick sweep of his arm, Del grabbed the man by the throat and was about to push him into the wall when he felt his shirt being pulled. ‘Dad, Dad, we’re going to be late for the cinema and I’ll be bubbling if I miss it.’
Del and Julian looked down at Star at the same time. In his rage, Del had forgotten his daughter was behind him. He smiled bashfully at Star, slightly ashamed she’d seen his temper exploding out of control yet again. He glanced at the man who was staring at Star before turning his attentions back to his daughter to try to make amends. ‘I’m sorry, darlin’, we’ll go in a minute, I just need to speak to Alan. Give me five minutes and I promise we’ll go.’
Star put her hands on her hips in a manner much more appropriate for someone older. Del couldn’t help grinning as his daughter looked up at him crossly. She reminded him so much of Bunny and even though she was only seven, she made her frustration known. ‘Bleedin’ hell Dad, the film starts in fifteen minutes and there’s no way I’m missing the first part of the film so I can stand in some stinky old office.’
‘Mind your language, Star, and the less you chew me ear off the quicker I’ll be.’
Julian Millwood watched this exchange as he stared at the girl. She was small and beautiful; exquisite. If he were to bet, he’d say she was aged about seven or eight, but more than anything she was blonde. Blonde and innocent
Julian licked his lips, taking in Star’s long white socks, denim skirt and diamante t-shirt. He looked at the way her blonde hair fell in waves almost down to the base of her spine. He wanted to reach out and touch her but he resisted the temptation and began to change tack instead.
As he spoke he was unable to keep his eyes off Star. His tone was quiet and oily. ‘I’m sorry, sweetie, it was my fault. I shouldn’t have been rude to your dad.’
Getting no response from Star, Julian looked at Del. ‘No hard feelings, hey?’
Del stood observing the man, who was reaching his hand out for him to shake. He didn’t want to take it, he didn’t have time for muggy cunts like him but then he supposed the man had backed down; not only that, he’d apologised to Star and in his book that went some way.
Taking a deep breath, Del made an effort to be cordial.
‘Don’t worry about it, pal, we all have our bad days. Anyhow what’s the score?’
‘This lady was just telling me Alan has had a heart attack and I’ve been trying to find out where he’s gone, but she won’t tell me.’
The receptionist smiled apologetically. ‘I’m sorry but it’s confidential.’
Del rubbed his chin. This wasn’t good. He needed Alan to draw some papers up to get him into Spain without the authorities knowing. Without them he’d be leaving a footprint of his whereabouts. Of course he knew some people who’d give him fa
lse passports but good ones took time and that wasn’t the same as having the official documents Alan always provided.
Turning on his charm he winked at the receptionist, who blushed, much to Julian’s disgust. ‘Listen darlin’, I need to see Alan as well. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you just gave us a squeeze. Why don’t you just write down on a piece of paper where he is, and then no one will be any the wiser. What do you say?’
‘No. I’m sorry, I couldn’t possibly.’
‘Dad! Dad! You said five minutes.’
Del turned to Star, who was pouting.
‘Okay, okay princess, I’m coming.’
Quickly, Del reached over for a piece of paper. He scribbled his name on it, before passing it over to the receptionist. ‘Have him call me. I don’t care if he’s tubed up. Tell him I need to speak to him. I need the travel papers sorted.’
Del walked out of Alan’s office with Star, leaving Julian standing in the middle of the reception room, watching them.
15
Teddy Davies lay on his bed with his shoes on. He couldn’t be bothered to kick them off; it was too hot and the action would require more energy than he had. Wiping his nose, he sniffed. The quiver had blocked it up, not allowing him to snort properly, which was pissing him off. He’d resorted to smoking a spliff, which had then resulted him in having to lie down.
Looking at the ceiling he thought about Del, then slowly his thoughts drifted to Bunny. Ever since he’d been to see her he’d been thinking about her. Screwing – quite literally – something Del held so dear, amused Teddy no end. Plus it certainly was an added bonus that Bunny was one of the most beautiful women he’d seen, with a body that made him go hard just picturing her.
The idea of sticking his cock into her whilst he thought of Del’s soon-to-be fall from grace would be certain to give him the biggest spurt off ever; Teddy was quite certain of that.
