victim,’ Queenie chuckled.
‘Well, I really ain’t happy about it, Mum. That family fled the area because of what happened and I just don’t want them to be reminded of it. If the brother finds out that Nancy is involved with Michael, I bet he fucking tells her and his parents the truth. The police re-opening the murder case is grief I really don’t need.’
‘’Ere, before I forget, I’ve been meaning to tell you, Roy is organizing a surprise engagement party for Colleen and secretly inviting all her family over from Ireland. You’re gonna have to make your one just for Brenda and Dean. Roy will be furious if it’s a joint do, I know he will.’
‘The party is just a small family celebration, and if Roy wants to organize another big bash later in the year, then he can. There ain’t even fifty people going, Mum. It’s just us and a few friends, that’s it.’
‘OK, but if Roy isn’t happy, don’t say I didn’t warn you. As for Michael, you gonna confront him with your findings?’
‘No, I’ve got a better idea than that.’
‘What?’
Vinny grinned. ‘I’m gonna pay his ex-bird a visit to get her to pretend she is pregnant and it’s Michael’s. If that don’t make Nancy Walker run a mile, then nothing will. It will also teach Michael a lesson for dipping his wick so often. Don’t worry, it’s just a bit of fun, Mum. As soon as Nancy has scarpered, Michael will see sense anyway.’
Queenie raised her eyebrows. Her Vinny was as sharp as a razor, only he could think that one up. ‘You need to sort that Terry Smart out an’ all, boy. He’s gone and glassed Dean now. It doesn’t look good on us as a family if he isn’t dealt with. We don’t want people to think they can take liberties with us and get away with it, do we?’
‘We can’t be seen to be doing anything too rash, but Terry will be dealt with good and proper this time. Smart by name that prick is, but obviously not by nature,’ Vinny replied.
Knowing that dealt with good and proper meant dead, Queenie smiled at her son. She had never liked that Terry Smart anyway.
Johnny Preston was not in the best of moods. The engine of the van he and Graeme had purchased had blown up this morning, so they were now back to square one. Part of Johnny just wanted to risk shooting Vinny, then driving back to Dagenham on the bike, but he had to think of his kids’ welfare if he got a life sentence. He knew that he stood far more chance of getting away with his crime if he put the bike in the back of the van and made his escape that way, so as Graeme had insisted earlier, they just needed to be patient.
‘Right, I’m gonna pop out and see my daughter for a couple of hours,’ Graeme informed his pal.
Johnny nodded miserably. He wanted to get the job over with, then get back to his kids. He decided to call home. ‘Hello darling. What you been up to? I hope you’re looking after your mum for me while I’m away?’ Johnny asked his daughter.
‘You’ve got some front. I know your dirty little secret,’ Joanna hissed, her voice full of anger.
Johnny immediately felt his pulse start to race. ‘What?’
‘I’m talking about having sex with women behind my mum’s back.’
‘I wouldn’t do that to your mum, Jo. If someone has told you that, they are telling you lies.’
‘No, they aren’t. That lady whose house you stayed around last week is my mate Georgia’s mum. I haven’t told Mum, it will break her heart, but I really hate you, and I never want to speak to you again.’
When his daughter slammed the phone down on him, Johnny put his messed-up head in his hands. Sod the bloody van. The quicker he killed Vinny Butler and got back to Tiptree to sort out this terrible mess, the better.
Nancy Walker had never stayed in a hotel room in her life before, and she was amazed by how plush it was compared to her poky little bedroom. Soft beige deep-pile carpet, satin bedding, even the lampshades looked like they had cost a fortune. ‘Wow, isn’t it ace, Michael?’
‘Only the best for you, my darling,’ Michael said, truthfully. He usually shagged in the back of his car, or at the club. He had never spent this kind of money on any girl in the past.
Michael looked gorgeous in his dark suit, white shirt and black tie, and when he began kissing her passionately, Nancy felt the first stirrings of unrest. Michael made her feel alive and the thought of spending the whole night in bed with him was exciting, yet frightening at the same time.
Denise Thompson was amazed to see Vinny Butler’s posh motor parked near her house. She was even more amazed when he leapt out and asked to have a quiet word with her. Surely, he hadn’t got wind of her news? She had only found out herself yesterday and, apart from her best friend, had told nobody.
‘How are you, Denise? Are you still working at the telephone exchange?’ Vinny asked, being ultra polite, when Denise got into the car.
‘I’m fine thank you, and yeah, I’m still at the telephone exchange. What do you want? Has Michael sent you?’ Denise’s face was a picture of hope.
‘No, not exactly. I’ve come to see you of my own accord, as I have a little proposition for you.’
‘What?’
‘Well, firstly you have to promise me that this conversation will never be repeated, Denise. You’re a nice girl, which is why I would like you to get back with my brother, and you wouldn’t cross me, would you?’
With his jet-black hair, menacing eyes, and fearsome reputation, Vinny Butler was the last man Denise would ever cross. ‘No, I won’t say a word, I promise.’
Vinny smirked. He had never particularly liked Denise. She was tarty, tawdry, and he knew of at least three other men she had slept with before she had dated his brother. Nevertheless, anyone was better than Nancy Walker, hence his little visit. ‘I don’t know if you are aware, but Michael has a new girlfriend, Denise?’
‘Well, sort of. I’ve heard that he was seeing someone, but no-one’s really seen him about with her. What’s she like?’
‘Not a nice person by all accounts, which is why I’d like you to do me a little favour. It will be in your best interests too, especially if you want Michael back.’
‘What do I have to do?’ Denise asked.
‘Next Monday, I am holding a family party at my club. Michael will be there without his bird. I want you to turn up and tell him and the rest of my family that you are up the spout. A few weeks down the line, you can just pretend you’ve had a miscarriage, can’t you? I’ll pay you for your trouble of course. How does a hundred pounds sound?’ Vinny enquired.
Denise couldn’t help but smirk. She had only found out yesterday that she was actually pregnant with Michael’s baby, so being paid to tell him was just a bonus. Vinny could hardly ask for his money back afterwards, could he? And from what he’d just said, he would probably be thrilled by her real news anyway.
‘Well?’ Vinny asked, impatient.
‘OK, I’ll do it. But, can you pay me the money up front?’
Vinny took his wallet out and chucked five tenners on Denise’s lap. ‘Half now, and half when you’ve done it, OK? Oh, and turn up about ten.’
‘OK,’ Denise said, scrambling out of the car.
Vinny grinned as he restarted his ignition. ‘Bye-bye, Nancy Walker,’ he mumbled.
After eating her first ever Chinese meal and thoroughly enjoying it, it was Nancy who suggested they pop into a club on the way back to the hotel.
Watching his girlfriend sway her body seductively to Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Move On Up’, Michael noticed how he wasn’t the only guy unable to take his eyes off her. Nancy’s beauty shone out like a beacon and she looked incredible in her halter-neck catsuit. ‘Shall