by Karen Clow
Jess changed the subject saying, Billy was really nice and so funny.
“Oh yes Jess, he’s funny alright and the kids adore him as do the women. We just wish he could find the right girl and settle down. We all know he would love to have kids.”
“Has he got a girlfriend then?”
“No he sees a couple of women, but no one serious, why do you fancy your chances?”
She noticed Jess’s expression change and was quite shocked when she instantly replied.
“No, the last thing I’ll ever want is a boyfriend. I’d rather be on my own!”
It was at that moment; Maria knew something terrible had happened to her. Maria remembered back to when she had felt that way about all men because of Nick, but she never questioned her. Instead she suggested taking the supper through.
CHAPTER 48
Davy was at his club with Seb. He had told him to invite the dancers that he’d hired to work at his studio because he had been unable to meet them for lunch. Despite all his troubles, Davy was relaxed, possibly because he felt he would have luck at the game on Saturday.
The two females Seb had hired sat chatting for a while before they decided to go and dance. Marcus, the male dancer had stayed to talk to him and Seb. Like them he was gay. Davy thought that he had a great body and it was quite obvious that Marcus fancied him by the way he flirted. Seb was not impressed and by the end of the evening, he was thinking to himself that he may have made a mistake employing him. He was actually relieved when Danny appeared and told Davy that there was a call for him in his office.
After Davy had left the table to answer the call, Seb looked at Marcus and told him he was out of order flirting with Davy.
“Oh God, you’re not jealous are you Seb?” laughed Marcus “I can’t be doing with jealous queens. Anyway your boyfriend doesn’t seem to mind.”
“That’s because he wouldn’t want to cause a scene by being rude to you, as most of his associates here don’t even know he’s gay.”
“Why didn’t you tell me he’s in the closet?”
Seb took offence at his comments and snapped back.
“He’s not, but it could be bad for his business if he advertised it!”
Danny came over with another round of drinks for them, along with an apology from Davy, because he would be about an hour. Seb was just telling Danny that was ok, when two female dancers rejoined them. They sat chatting for a while then the girls hit the dance floor again. Marcus was looking slightly the worse for having drunk too much.
“You’ve had a lot to drink Marcus,” said Seb “would you like me to call you a cab?”
“Why, are you worried I’ll embarrass you if I get too drunk?”
“No, I was only offering.”
At that point he was thinking to himself, he really didn’t like Marcus very much, but he had already signed his work contract, so technically he was stuck with him.
Seb was happy when he spotted Davy making his way back to their table.
“Sorry about that, only it was a call from the States, so I had to take it.
Davy noticed that as the time passed, Marcus was getting more and drunk. Finally, he suggested Marcus going home. He would get one of his staff to take him.
“I’m not going anywhere;” slurred Marcus drunkenly “I’m just starting to have fun.”
They all noticed he was getting louder and louder and Seb could see that it was pissing Davy off, so tactfully he tried to get him to leave, but Marcus was adamant that he was staying.
Then Marcus made the fatal mistake of squeezing Davy’s leg.
“What’s up Davy” he said loudly “are you afraid that I’ll tell everyone you’re gay?”
The couple at the next table looked over at Davy. He waited until the couple got up to dance, then he leaned over and placed his hand around the back of Marcus’s neck, pulling him right up close to him as he put his other hand under the table and grabbed his balls.
“Now listen here you fucking cock sucker! If you don’t shut your fucking mouth, I’ll fucking shut it for you, ok?”
Marcus was in agony, he looked as though he was going to vomit. Finally, Davy released his grip.
“It’s time for you to go Marcus, I’ll get someone to take you and don’t ever bother coming back, you fucking piece of shit!”
Davy called Danny over.
“Get this piece of shit out of here Danny, I don’t want to fucking see him again!”
Davy gave Danny a sly nod as the big bruiser helped Marcus to his feet and led him away. Davy looked at Seb and told him Marcus was an arsehole, but before he could continue the two girls came back. When they asked where Marcus was, Davy told them he’d gone home slightly the worse for drink. They both giggled.
Danny returned to the club about forty minutes later. Seb thought he’d been gone a long time as Marcus only lived a ten minute drive from the club, but he never said anything. He did notice Danny leaned over and whispered something to Davy. Despite Seb’s naivety, he knew that something wasn’t right and that Danny had done something to Marcus, his feeling was he’d probably thumped him.
When the club closed around half two, Davy offered the two girls a lift. They thanked him, but said they were going for something to eat. They kissed him and Seb on the cheek, thanked them for a wonderful evening and then left.
Danny drove home. Seb was very quiet during the drive. Once they arrived at the house, Danny said unless Davy needed him, he was going to turn in for the night. Davy didn’t need anything. He said goodnight and that he’d see him in the morning.
Once they were alone, Seb apologised about Marcus and said on hindsight he wished he’d never hired him. Davy told him he didn’t have to worry about Marcus anymore.
“What do you mean Davy, Marcus has signed his contract.”
“Let’s just say as of tonight, you now have an opening for another dancer.”
Seb looked terrified, he knew that Davy had Marcus murdered. He wanted to confront him but he was too afraid.
Noticing the atmosphere was strained; Davy unzipped his fly and looked at Seb.
“Don’t you think a thank you is in order Seb, now you don’t have to worry about honouring his contract?”
“What if Danny comes back down stairs Davy?”
“Well he’ll see you sucking my cock then, won’t he?”
With that he put his hand on the back of Seb’s neck and forced his head down. Seb gave him a blow job, before Davy took him upstairs, so Seb could fuck him.
Seb lay awake all night thinking about Marcus. He was beginning to realise just how dangerous his lover was and it scared him.
CHAPTER 49
Jess helped Mary with the breakfast while Maria fed the triplets. When they finally sat down to eat, Maria asked Jess what time she thought she should return to her foster family.
“About two Maria, if that’s okay?”
“I’ll take you Jess,” said Mickey “I’ve got to drop some papers off at my office.”
Thanking him, Jess asked Maria if she could watch Rebecca after breakfast as she’d promised the twins she’d go with them to the stables. Maria was happy to watch her, stating she was a little poppet.
After lunch, Billy helped Jess put the things in the car that Maria had given to her for the baby. Jess looked tearful as she said goodbye, it was obvious to everyone that she wasn’t looking forward to going back. Maria tried cheering her up by saying they’d arrange for someone to pick her up the following week so she could spend the day with them.
“That’ll be lovely Maria. Thank you so much for having me and giving all those lovely things for Rebecca. I’m really grateful.”
She waved to the twins as they pulled away.
Mickey tried to make conversation with her during the drive, but she was clearly upset and not very talkative. Driving into the cul-de-sac where she lived, he asked which house it was. Pointing to a large detached house, she said “That one.” Mickey parked the car then began helping her w
ith the baby and her bags. Just as he put the last bag down she thanked him, but said there was no need for him to wait. The family’s car was there so someone was definitely home.
“If you’re sure you’re ok then, I’ll push off.”
“Yes I’m fine” she replied fumbling to find her door key, “thanks again for everything Mickey.”
“No worries babe. See you next week.”
Waiting until he walked back along the path she rang the bell, because she didn’t have a key to find. She had only told him that so he would leave. Just before getting into his car, he turned and asked if she was certain someone was home? Smiling she nodded.
Mickey had only driven a few yards when he noticed that she’d left a bag behind. Billy must have put it on the back seat and they hadn’t noticed it. Reversing his car back to the house, he noticed the front door open. Jess was still standing there and a man was shouting at her. She was crying.
Mickey assumed it was the foster father when he heard him say, “Where the fuck have you been? We had a midwife call round this morning to check on the baby; it made us look fucking stupid when we told her we hadn’t seen you! I knew you’d be trouble, all you fucking unmarried mothers are the same!”
Jess was just standing there, both she and the baby were crying. Mickey had heard enough. Getting out of the car he walked up the path towards them. The bloke looked at him. If Mickey had been dressed in a suit he would have looked official, but he was casual in jeans and a T shirt. Walking over to Jess Mickey asked if everything was ok.
“Who are you?” said the bloke arrogantly before she had time to answer.
“I’m a friend of Jess’s; she’s been staying with me while you were away.”
“Who are you then, the baby’s father? She should have come straight home from the hospital. We’re responsible for her!”
“Really,” said Mickey sarcastically and feeling pissed off by the blokes arrogance, “well from where I’m standing you don’t look very responsible. In fact I would say you’re well out of order treating her like this and no, I’m not the baby’s father!”
The bloke ignored what Mickey said, but glared at Jess and shouted.
“Get inside and take the baby upstairs, keep it quiet because Jen is having a lay down!”
“Don’t speak to her like that!” snapped Mickey.
“If you’re not the brat’s father you should mind your own business.”
Jess had started to move inside, when Mickey told her to go and wait in the car. She just stood there with tears streaming down her face.
“Just take the baby and wait in the car babe. I’ll bring the bags, I just want to have a chat with your so called guardian.”
“You had better get back here before I phone social services and tell them the trouble you’re causing!” said the bloke as she began walking back up the path with the baby.
“Yes I think that’s a good idea,” said Mickey moving closer to the bloke “why don’t you give them a ring while I’m here? Then I can tell them just what an arsehole you are. In fact don’t bother I’ll call them myself! And if I have anything to do with it you’ll never have another young girl living with you!”
“Mind your own fucking business or I’ll call the police!”
“Be my guest; tell them that Michael Mann is here. I’m sure they’ll recognise the name?”
“Oh I don’t doubt that, I expect they’ve had trouble with you before.”
“I’m a solicitor you fat prick! I will be contacting social services and no doubt you’ll be hearing from me. I’ll send someone over tomorrow to collect Jess’s things; might I suggest you have them packed and ready! I’m leaving now you ignorant piece of shit!”
Returning to his car and ignoring what the bloke was shouting at him, he drove off. Jess was crying.
“Don’t worry Jess, everything will be fine, I’ll sort everything out for you.”
Throughout the drive back to the house she never said anything, she just cried. Fortunately, the baby fell asleep.
Maria was in the nursery when Mary called up to her that they were back. Everyone assumed that one of them had forgotten something, but the moment Maria saw Jess in tears she knew something was very wrong. Walking straight over to her and putting her arm around her she asked what had happened.
Before she could reply, Mickey gave Maria the brief details of what had occurred.
Within minutes of arriving home, everyone had joined them in the kitchen. Maria asked the twins to go and play as Mary passed Jess a cup of tea.
Mickey finished telling them exactly what had happened.
“Do you want me to pop round and have a little chat with him Mick?” asked Billy.
“Not today Billy, but maybe some other time. First thing I want to do is speak to social services. Jess have you got a number for your social worker?”
She nodded and passed him a letter from her bag. It had a name and phone number on it.
“Don’t worry babe” he said as he took it, “I’m putting in a complaint about that family, especially your so called foster dad, the fat piece of shit!”
He was on the phone for almost an hour talking to Jess’s social worker. When the call ended, he told everyone that they could expect a visit later that day.
“What will happen to me now?” asked Jess nervously, “will they make me go back there?”
“No chance,” said Mickey “you can stay with us. We’ve got some property dotted about, I’m sure we can sort something out.”
The others just looked at him; they knew he was lying over having property, but everyone knew why he’d said it, especially Maria. Walking over to him she held his hand and smiled.
“Mickey’s right Jess,” said Maria “we’ll sort something out.”
Billy helped Jess upstairs with her stuff. In the bedroom, he told her not to worry. Mickey and Maria were good people and they’d sort it out for her.
“I didn’t want to cause them any trouble Billy” she replied tearfully “I bet they wish they’d never met me.”
“I can guarantee they won’t think that. From the sound of it, that bloke is lucky Mickey didn’t lump him one.”
“He’s horrible Billy, he scares me. I hope they don’t send me back there.”
“That definitely won’t happen babe, so stop worrying about it.”
They went back downstairs. Maria told them Jess’s social worker had rung, she was on her way over there.
Jess looked nervous.
“Just tell the truth Jess and if she asks if you want to stay here with us, just be honest and say yes.”
“When she arrives, I’ll take the twins outside to play” said Billy, “we can take Rosie and the puppies.”
Mary and Den said they would join him.
It was just after half four when the social worker rang the bell. Mickey opened the door a few minutes later, then offering his hand introduced himself and thanked her for coming.
“Phyllis Jarvis, pleased to meet you Mr Mann.”
She wasn’t what he expected, about fifty, tall and thin with shoulder length hair cut in a bob, long skirt, baggy top and ankle boots.
Taking her through to the kitchen, she smiled at Jess and looking at Rebecca said she was beautiful. Then Mickey introduced her to Maria, who promptly offered her a drink. Jess noticed Mickey acted very professional when he talked to Phyllis, but he wasn’t allowing her to say anything positive about the foster family. Although in truth, she didn’t really try. She actually seemed sympathetic towards Jess. She looked genuinely concerned when she told him that unfortunately there just weren’t enough families who were willing to take mothers with babies.
“I can appreciate that” said Mickey, “but have any other girls ever complained about that family?”
“I believe they have. We know not everyone is as good as we would like them to be, but when a young mum needs a safe place to stay, we have to do the best we can.”
They talked for almost two hours; Mickey wa
s relentless about not letting Jess return to them. Normally a family would have to be checked out and approved by social services before Jess could stay there, but considering that Mickey was a solicitor and Jess had already stayed for two nights Phyllis agreed in principle into letting her stay. The main factor being she had nowhere else to put her, other than a temporary B&B, which wasn’t the place for a young mum and baby, especially as the local council often used them for homeless people such as drunks and drug addicts. After making the decision to let her stay, she told Jess she would call back and see her. It was obvious to her that Jess wanted to stay there. Unbeknown to them, she didn’t like Jess’s foster family either. She had received several complaints over the years about them. Although every time they had been interviewed, they had always come across as kind and caring, but she had been a social worker long enough to know they weren’t. Before she left, she joked about Maria and Mickey registering as carers. Mickey laughed and said they already had their hands full. Although if Maria had her way she would have a children’s home built on the grounds.
“Just let me know if you ever decide to do that,” said Phyllis with a grin.
In a strange way, Mickey was pleased that Jess was staying there, it would help to take Maria’s mind off the poker game which was the following evening. Even though George and Monica would be there with his mum and Billy, the more people she had to occupy her, the better.
After all the kids had gone to bed that evening, Mickey called Shaun to double checking the plans for the following night. They arranged to meet him at the venue at eight. Tony was the next number he called.
“Everything’s sorted” said Tony “I’m taking Shane along as muscle. If there’s nothing else Mick I’m right in the middle of something.”
From the noises in the background, it was obvious that Tony was with a woman.
Jess helped Maria with the supper again; it was clear that she was feeling more at home. Maria noticed that she made the tea and coffee without asking where everything was. It was also obvious that she liked Billy, possibly because he was always making everyone laugh. It was around midnight when everyone finally went to bed.
