Little Vinny finished his drink and was signalling to the barman for another when he noticed the bloke standing next to him at the bar. He was wearing white trousers and a Hawaiian shirt and looked a complete and utter tosser. About to start mocking the chap, Vinny felt a tap on his shoulder, turned around and froze. He hadn’t seen Stephen Daniels since his school days and had no desire to.
‘How’s it going, Vin? Sorry to hear about Ben. No hard feelings, eh?’
Stephen was the ring leader of the gang who’d terrorized Ben Bloggs at school. The bullying had only stopped when Little Vinny had borrowed his father’s gun and scared the life out of Daniels and his cronies. ‘Get out my fucking club, you druggie cunt,’ he snarled.
‘Chill, Vin. I only said hello. I’ve not even taken no drugs.’
Nobody batted an eyelid as Stephen was dragged past them. The punters were far more interested in chucking themselves about to Black Lace’s ‘Agadoo’. It was the latest silly chart craze.
‘What’s going on?’ Jay Boy asked.
‘You fucking thick, or what? Look at the junkie prick. Do you honestly think we allow this type of clientele in our club?’
‘Give me a break, Vin. It’s my first night and I’ve been stuck out here on my own for most of it. Sorry if I didn’t get a chance to check the customers’ arms for needle marks.’
Ignoring Jay’s sarcasm, Little Vinny marched Stephen outside the club and into the alleyway where the bins were kept. He then slammed his head against the brick wall. ‘Proud of picking on Ben now he’s dead, are ya?’
‘Look, I don’t want no agg, Vin. Let me grab me mates and we’ll leave,’ Stephen pleaded. Little Vinny threatening to shoot him had been the scariest moment of his life, and no way did he ever want to endure a repeat performance.
Eyes blazing with temper, Little Vinny lost it completely. ‘How dare you have the front to turn up ’ere, knowing Ben was dead. I’m gonna fucking kill ya,’ he yelled, grabbing an empty bottle from the bin and repeatedly striking Stephen over the head with it.
Hearing the commotion, Jay Boy quickly stepped in. He’d only known Little Vinny half a day and could already tell he was damaged goods. The kid was an idiot and nothing like his father.
‘Get off me, you Scouse prick,’ Little Vinny yelled, trying to break free from Jay’s firm grasp.
Jay lessened his hold on the boy. ‘Shut your trap, you little shit. Just do one will ya, before the bizzies arrive. I’ll sort this mess out – and believe me I’m not doing it for you, I’m doing it for your old man.’
Aware that there were now a few revellers watching, Little Vinny decided to take his dad’s pal’s advice. He took one last look at Stephen, who was lying motionless on the ground, then legged it.
The man stood facing the hospital smoking a cigar.
When Michael Butler appeared with his three sons, the man frantically clicked away with his camera.
He felt no emotion whatsoever that the boys were surely destined to be fatherless soon. In his line of work you needed a mind of steel and a heart of stone.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
‘So, how long am I gonna get the silent treatment for, eh, Nance? Or are you just planning on moving back in with Mummy and Daddy like you always do if things don’t go your way?’
Blanking her husband, Nancy loaded up the dishwasher. She was furious Michael had taken the boys to the club against her wishes, and even more livid that they had got into an altercation with some older boys while roaming the streets of Whitechapel. Was Michael incapable of even looking after his sons?
‘Do you know what, you were more mature at sixteen when we first started dating than you are now. Why can’t you just say what’s on your mind like any other normal human being would, eh? It beats acting like a sulky child.’
Nancy glared at her husband. With his thick dark hair worn lightly Brylcreemed to the side and his smart designer suits, Michael was just as handsome as he’d been the day they first got together. But there was a thin line between love and hate, and Nancy often swung from one emotion to the other. ‘OK. I’ll tell you what’s on my mind. The more I think about it lately, the more I realize what a shit father you are, Michael. One day I ask you to perform your parental duties, and look what happens: two of our sons end up needing hospital treatment.’
‘You can’t blame me because a couple of older boys jumped ’em, Nance. They were bored at the club and asked if they could go out and play football. They’re not fucking five any more. We can’t wrap ’em up in cotton wool for ever. I know what happened is unfortunate, but that’s life. They’re home now, so there’s no real harm done. Myself, Vinny and Roy were always getting into scraps when we were kids. It’s what boys do.’
Nancy looked at Michael as if he were from another planet. How could he say no real harm had been done when both boys had stitches and one had been left with a broken collarbone? The doctor said Daniel would have to wear a sling for a month at the very least until the fractured clavicle healed. ‘I really don’t understand how your brain works at times. Our sons are going off the rails and you truly think that is normal. When will you wake up and smell the coffee, eh? When one of them gets stabbed, or shot, or ends up in borstal? Then again, in that family you come from, that’s normal, isn’t it?’
‘Why do you always have to slag off my family every time we argue? My mum and aunt have been nothing but kind to you over the years. You knew what I was when we first got together, Nance. You knew exactly what you’d signed up for, so don’t play the innocent victim with me. I’ve been a good husband to you and a brilliant father to our sons. When have any of yous gone without, eh? I even bought you a Porsche – which you refused to drive, you ungrateful cow,’ Michael yelled. The car he was currently driving about in was actually Nancy’s unwanted birthday present.
‘You know I’ve never been a confident driver, so why buy me such a fast car in the first place? To make yourself look good, probably. And as for you being a brilliant father and good husband, don’t make me fucking laugh! We do nothing together as a family and you spend hardly any time whatsoever with me or the boys. I spoke to my old school friend Rhonda the other day. Her husband takes her boys to judo, swimming and football. You do sod-all with ours, which is why they probably keep getting in bloody trouble. And Rhonda and her husband have regular family days out and holidays. When was the last time we did anything as a family, Michael?’
‘I offered to take the boys to a boxing club last month, Nance, and you said no. Vinny was right about you. You’re a definite psycho.’
She was about to retaliate when Adam wandered into the kitchen. ‘We’re all awake now, Mum. Can you make us some bacon sandwiches?’
Nancy snatched her handbag off the kitchen counter. ‘Mummy’s got to go out, but I’m sure if you ask your brilliant father, he’ll be more than happy to oblige.’
Vinny Butler was deep in thought as he made his way towards the visiting area. He knew Ahmed had something of extreme importance to tell him and had been unsuccessfully racking his brains as to what that might be.
Ahmed grinned as his so-called friend sat down. He couldn’t wait to see Vinny’s reaction when he told him the life-changing news. ‘You’re looking well, my friend. Still training, I take it?’
Vinny hated being kept in any kind of suspense and had never been one to beat around the bush. ‘What was it you couldn’t tell me over the phone?’
‘I have made a very interesting discovery on your behalf, Vinny. A very interesting discovery indeed.’
‘Spit it out then,’ Vinny ordered, furtively glancing around to check that nobody was listening.
Ahmed leaned forward. ‘You have a daughter. Her name is Ava and she looks just like you.’
Vinny’s face drained of colour. He felt as though the room was spinning around in front of his very eyes. ‘Nah. That can’t be right.’
‘You are my friend, and no way would I drop a bombshell on you like this if there was any doubt. I even hired a private detecti
ve to—’
‘Who’s the mother?’
‘Joanna. She was obviously pregnant with Ava when yous two split up. What an evil woman, eh? Fancy denying a child its father. She has probably told little Ava that you are dead.’
Vinny was shell-shocked. During the time they’d been together he’d done more shagging with prostitutes than he had with Jo. ‘How did you find this out?’
Ahmed explained that Johnny Preston worked for a friend of a friend, and told him how Ava’s existence had been stumbled upon.
‘I just can’t believe it. I’m still not convinced the kid’s mine. Jo might have met someone else,’ Vinny stated. His stomach was churning. Part of him wanted the child to be his, but he’d feel disloyal to Molly if it was. No way could he ever love another little girl the way he’d loved her. Molly had been the most special child ever.
‘Ava is most definitely yours, Vinny. She’s the right age and is the spitting image of you. You wait until you see the photos of her. There will be no doubt in your mind then.’
‘Where are the photos? I need to see her.’
‘Obviously I couldn’t just walk into this visit with photos in my hand, but I can post them to you if you wish? I wasn’t sure you would want me to, though. You know, in case of any repercussions.’
Vinny’s head felt mashed. He couldn’t even think straight. ‘Does Ava look anything like Molly?’
‘Apart from the bright green eyes, no. Ava has olive skin and hair like you. She’s a very striking child, Vinny. It’s such a shame you’ve missed the first few years of her life.’
‘Don’t post the photos. It’s too risky. I want you to put them in an envelope and give them to Michael. Old Frank will sneak them in ’ere for me. Have you got Jo’s address?’
Sensing that he could wind Vinny up a bit more while screwing money out of him at the same time, Ahmed shook his head. ‘No. Do you want me to ask the private detective to find that out?’
‘Yeah. Michael will square you up, dosh wise. I’ll have a word with him and explain all. Who you told about this discovery?’
‘Only Burak.’
‘Well, keep it that way. I am more than fuming, Ahmed.’
Vinny was cracking now. Ahmed could see that psychotic glint in his piercing green eyes, so he decided to stoke the fire even more. ‘You were a fantastic dad to Molly. The best father that child could have wished for in her short life. That’s what annoys me. What right has that slag Joanna got to prevent you being the same to Ava?’
Glancing around to check none of the screws were earwigging, Vinny leaned forward. ‘I’ll tell you something, Ahmed. If what you’re saying turns out to be true, I will kill that deceitful whore and her cunt of a father. I swear to ya, if Ava is mine, then mine she shall fucking be.’
Nancy and Mary were at the hospital again. Freda was over the moon that her cats were being well looked after and seemed happy in their new home. ‘You’ll never guess who turned up ’ere to visit me this morning!’
‘Queenie and Viv?’ Mary replied.
Freda chuckled. ‘I’d have them two old bats evicted by security if they ever tried to visit me. Keep this to yourselves obviously, but my Dean came to see me.’
‘Oh my God! I thought Dean was in Glasgow. Nobody recognized him, did they?’ Nancy asked worriedly.
‘No. I didn’t even recognize him myself at first. He drove down from Scotland on his motorbike and was dressed in leathers with one of them bleedin’ big helmets on. Good disguise though, I have to say.’
‘Aw, I bet you were so pleased. What a nice surprise for you,’ Mary said.
‘I was thrilled to bits. He looks so well and I’m so bloody proud of him. He employs thirty-five men now to work for him and is minted. Just bought himself a four-bedroom house he has, showed me some photos of it. I’m so glad he got away from those Butlers and made something of his life. It just goes to show you, crime doesn’t pay. My Terry would still be alive if he’d gotten away from the underworld.’
Mary squeezed Freda’s hand. ‘I know how you feel. Myself and Donald are ever so proud of what our Christopher has achieved. It’s a lovely feeling, isn’t it? Makes your heart swell.’
‘It sure does. Open that drawer, Nancy. Dean left a letter in there for you. I dunno what it says, he wouldn’t tell me. Shame I never had a kettle in here. I could’ve steamed it open. He’s always held a torch for you, you know.’ Freda chuckled.
Nancy blushed and put the letter in her handbag. ‘I’ll read it when I get home,’ she said. It didn’t seem fair on Dean to open it in front of her mother and Freda. If he hadn’t told his nan the content, then Dean obviously wanted whatever he’d written to remain private.
‘Don’t take it home with you, in case Michael finds it. Dean gave strict instructions for you to read it inside the hospital then rip it up in little pieces and bin it. That boy swore to me that he’d abide by my wishes and not attend my funeral, but if that letter says any different, Nancy, then I want you to tell me. I need to be able to rest in peace.’
Nancy nodded, made her way to the nearest toilet, then opened the envelope. The letter was short and straight to the point.
Hi Nancy,
I would really like to see you while I’m down South. I’ll be in the Merry Fiddlers pub in Dagenham tonight (Wednesday), tomorrow and Friday at eight p.m.
Get a cab and I will give you the money for it.
Please turn up.
Dx
PS Don’t order a cab from home. Call from a phone box or somewhere.
PPS Make sure you rip this letter up.
Nancy sighed as she carried out Dean’s instructions. She would love to catch up with him, but if Michael found out it would most certainly end her marriage. Decisions, decisions …
Joanna Preston could not wipe the smile off her face as she sang along to George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’. She’d gone out with Darren again last night. He’d taken her to a lovely Italian restaurant, then they’d gone back to hers and made love for the first time.
Unlike Vinny, who had never enjoyed kissing, Darren made Jo feel sexually desirable and wanted. He was the first man she’d slept with since Vinny and it had felt so right. Darren was loving, gentle, romantic and very eager to please. In fact, he was the total opposite to Vinny in every way imaginable.
Parking the car on her mother’s driveway, Jo let herself in with her own key. ‘Hi, Mum. I got you these to say thanks for looking after Ava. Darren gave me the money to buy them. He’s such a gentleman. I just know you and Dad will really like him.’
Thanking her daughter, Deborah put the flowers in a vase. She hadn’t told Jo that Johnny was currently staying at his mother’s as Jo would insist on knowing why.
‘Where’s Ava?’
‘Upstairs, having a nap. Been a right little madam today she has. Played me up something chronic,’ Deborah complained.
‘What’s she done?’
‘Just wouldn’t stop whingeing. I hate to say this, but I reckon Ava takes after him. Molly had your sunny …’
‘Don’t say stuff like that, and don’t ever mention him again, Mum,’ Jo butted in. ‘All kids are different. Ava’s an angel compared to that boy next door to me. Horrid little rascal he is. I don’t like it when you keep comparing Ava to Molly. It’s not right. As for saying she’s like him, that’s a vile thing to say.’
Deciding a change of subject was needed, Deborah apologized and asked about Darren.
‘He’s just so lovely, Mum. We went to a pub on Monday night, then last night he took me to a really nice Italian restaurant. We’re gonna introduce the kids on Saturday and have a family day out. We’re not going to bother with the zoo now. Darren said we should make the most of the hot weather, so we’re taking them to Southend for the day. Shane sounds like a nice little boy so I’m sure he and Ava will get on well. He’s only a year older than her.’
‘Oooh, this sounds serious. You’ve got a glow about you today an’ all. What you and Darren be
en up to?’
Joanna immediately felt herself blush. She was close to her mum, but no way was she discussing her sex life with her. Nancy was the only person she had those types of chats with. ‘Nothing, Mum. I’m just happy, that’s all. I felt so insecure at times with Vinny, but Darren’s changed all that. He’s always saying nice things to me and I feel like I’ve finally got my confidence back. I really want you and Dad to meet Darren. How about Sunday? We could have lunch at that pub we went to last week?’
‘I think your father has other plans on Sunday, love.’
‘Like what? Yous two haven’t fallen out, have you?’
Knowing that it would break her daughter’s heart in two if she told her the awful truth, Deborah had no option but to lie.
A week had gone by since he’d last seen his girlfriend, so Little Vinny had decided to make a special effort today. That’s why he’d brought her to the big Top Shop in Oxford Street and told her to pick whatever she wanted and he’d pay for it.
‘All I want is this, Vin. I can’t see anything else I like,’ Sammi-Lou said, handing him the item she’d chosen.
Little Vinny looked at the clothing in disgust. It was one of those baggy T-shirts that Wham had made famous with the words CHOOSE LIFE printed across the front. ‘What d’you want that shit for? It’s naff. Why don’t you pick out some nice dresses? You wanna look good for your mum’s party.’
‘Nah. I’m not really in a shopping mood, to be honest. My feet are hurting in these shoes and I’m hot. Let’s go and get a cold drink and something to eat instead.’
Throwing the T-shirt down in annoyance, Little Vinny grabbed his girlfriend by the hand, marched her out of the shop and into a nearby pizza place. Once seated, he said his piece: ‘I can’t believe I’ve brought you all the way up ’ere to your favourite shop and you’re still acting weird. If you’re gonna finish with me, Sammi, then just do it, ’cause I don’t need this shit any more. I might not be the perfect boyfriend, but I’ll take some beating. How many other geezers my age are gonna take you shopping every week and foot the bill for whatever you want, eh?’
Kimberley Chambers 3-Book Butler Collection Page 103
