‘Do you reckon she will tell Johnny immediately?’
‘Well, Jo reckons they are now on really good terms, so I should imagine so.’
Ahmed started to laugh. ‘I wish I were a fly on the restaurant wall.’
Vinny grinned. ‘Let the fun begin, eh?’
Nancy Butler stretched out on her sun-lounger, then nigh-on jumped out of her skin as she heard the doorbell ring. Michael had gone to visit his dad down in Ipswich, and she always made him take the boys with him now. They hadn’t been told that Albie was their granddad, as Michael was afraid of his sons telling the rest of the family he was in contact with his father.
Nancy felt anxious when she tip-toed into the hallway. Her mum had moved back home a couple of weeks ago, and even though she was due to pop around later, she had her own key. ‘Who is it?’ Nancy asked, cautiously.
‘It’s me, Dean.’
If it had been anybody else knocking at the door, Nancy probably would have made an excuse not to let them in. However, she liked Dean. He was a nice lad, and she could always sense his discomfort at family gatherings, and knew he could sense hers too. ‘What’re you doing here? Michael’s not in,’ she said, as she opened the door.
‘It’s not Michael I’ve come to see. It’s you, Nance. I heard through the grapevine that you’ve been feeling a bit low, and seeing as I’ve been feeling exactly the same, I thought a good chat might do the pair of us good. I bought you these to cheer you up,’ Dean said, handing Nancy a big box of Milk Tray.
‘Aw, thanks. Come in then. Do you fancy a glass of wine? I was just about to pour one for myself.’
Dean grinned. ‘Yes please. I’d love one.’
Albie Butler had adored every second of all three previous visits he had spent with his grandsons and today was no different. Obviously, the only downside was he could not tell the boys he was their granddad, but he still enjoyed spoiling them nevertheless.
‘So, have the boys mentioned me in front of the family yet? You know how suspicious Vinny and your mother can be,’ Albie said.
‘I’ve got it covered, Dad. The boys think you’re Nancy’s uncle. Anyway, I’ve not seen much of the family since Vinny bought that place in Eastbourne. Mum and Auntie Viv haven’t even come home at all for the past week or so.’
Ablie took a gulp of his pint of bitter. ‘How is Roy? Have you visited him lately?’
‘No, I haven’t had a chance, Dad. Nancy isn’t right still, and what with running the club, I’ve had a lot on my plate. Mum has been visiting him regularly.’
‘Did you ever give him that letter I wrote him, son?’ Albie asked.
‘No. The time has never seemed right, Dad. As much as I will always love Roy, he is a hard fucker to visit. He is just permanently miserable, and nothing I say can cheer him up. I’m quite relieved he has moved to Eastbourne actually. I found going to see him too upsetting. He is nothing like the old Roy.’
Albie waved at his grandsons who were playing happily together on the slide, and then grasped his youngest son’s hand. ‘Your brother needs you, Michael, especially if he is unhappy. I want you to go and visit him and read or give him my letter. Will you do that for me?’
About to make an excuse, Michael clocked the anxiety in his father’s eyes, and found himself agreeing to the task. ‘OK. I’ll drive down to Eastbourne on Monday.’
Nancy Butler had a smile on her face for the first time in ages. Not only was a day without the kids heaven in itself, Dean Smart was ever so comical and she had thoroughly enjoyed his company. Both had spoken about the problems in their lives and marriages, and Nancy had found it extremely theraputic to be able to chat to someone that, like her, had married into the clan, but wasn’t a Butler by blood.
‘I’d best be getting going. I left Tara with my nan. She wanted to spend some time with Tara before she goes in for her operation next week.’
‘What is actually wrong with your nan, Dean?’
‘She has stomach cancer. I’ve been so worried about her. She’s lost tons of weight.’
A bit merry from the amount of wine they had drunk, Nancy felt quite comfortable throwing her arms around Dean’s neck to give him a big hug. That was soon torn away when Dean suddenly locked lips with hers. ‘What’re you doing? I’m Michael’s wife and you’re Brenda’s husband,’ she reminded Dean, pushing him away.
Mortified that he had got the wrong end of the stick, Dean stood up. ‘I’m so sorry, Nance. I’ve liked you for ages, you must have known that?’
The knock on the door saved Nancy from any more embarrassment. ‘Hello, Mum. Dean’s here, but he’s just about to leave,’ she said bluntly.
‘Hello, Dean. How are you? Are Brenda and Tara keeping well?’ Mary asked.
‘Brenda and Tara are fine, thanks, Mrs Walker.’
‘Go in the lounge, Mum,’ Nancy ordered, pushing Dean towards the front door.
‘You won’t say anything to Michael, will you?’ Dean asked, sounding as anxious as he felt.
‘No. Michael would kill you. Now, just go, and don’t come round here any more.’
‘I am really sorry, Nance,’ Dean whispered, before running down the path.
Nancy slammed the front door, and leant against it. For a split second, she had very nearly responded to Dean’s kiss, and was so thankful she hadn’t. Whatever had she been thinking?
After visiting Roy, Queenie and Vivian headed back to Kings and were currently sitting outside the bungalow sipping a cold lager each.
Vivian nudged her sister. ‘Look, the notrights have just pulled up.’
The people who owned the bungalow next door but one were an odd couple to say the least. ‘Look at them fucking sandals and long socks he’s got on. What does he look like?’ Queenie mumbled.
‘Looks like silly-boy-got-none. I’m sure he’s a fucking pervert. He’s got them tight swimming trunks on again,’ Vivian replied.
‘She’s scoffing a bag of chips again, an’ all. No wonder she’s so fucking fat. I’ve only ever seen her get out of that car once when she hasn’t been stuffing her big moon face,’ Queenie added.
‘Oh Christ. They’re waving now. Quick, let’s go inside and pretend we ain’t seen ’em. I’m sure he gets a thrill out of standing in front of us with his cockalockie on show,’ Vivian said, grabbing her sister’s arm.
Giggling like two naughty school girls, Queenie and Vivian darted inside their bungalow, and quickly locked the front door.
Vinny could feel pure adrenaline running through his veins as he sat down in the restaurant next to Joanna. He had purposely got there a bit early, and he could barely wait for the fun to begin. ‘You OK, darling?’
‘Not really. My stomach is churning. Shall we pretend you’re a bit younger? How about if you say you’re twenty-eight?’
‘No, we can’t lie. Honesty is the best policy in life, always remember that, Jo. Anyway, if we’re gonna have a future together, then lying to your mum is a definite no-go.’
‘So, will I be living at the club with you when I move down to London?’ Joanna asked, absolutely thrilled that Vinny had mentioned them having a future together.
‘I don’t want you living at the club, babe. It’s no place for a stunning chick like you. I was thinking of pushing the boat out and buying us a trendy house nearby. That way, Little Vinny can move in with us, and you can take care of him while I go to work in the evenings.’
‘But I thought I was going to be working at the club with you?’ Joanna asked, clearly dismayed. She hadn’t spent much time with Little Vinny, and certainly wasn’t ready to become his full-time guardian yet.
‘You will be working at the club with me, but in the daytime. I want you to be my personal secretary. Gotta have someone I can trust, and who better to hand such a prestigious position to than my girlfriend, eh?’ Vinny said, planting a gentle kiss on Joanna’s lips.
‘Oh my God! My mum’s just walked in. I hope she didn’t see us kissing,’ Joanna gabbled seconds later.
Seeing the look of shock appear on the faces of Joanna’s mum and her friend, Vinny stood up. ‘Hello. I’m Joanna’s boyfriend. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Joanna has told me lots about you, all good may I add. Now, what would you two beautiful ladies like to drink? They do a good selection of wines here. Shall I order us a bottle of red and white?’
‘Yes, that would be nice, wouldn’t it, Deborah?’ Sandy replied, nudging her pal. Vinny looked about the same age as them. He had a dark suit on, was very handsome, and reminded Sandy of something out of the movies.
Deborah glared at her daughter as she sat down opposite her. The boyfriend had a London accent and was dressed and looked like a bloody gangster. ‘Kept this a bit quiet, didn’t you, dear?’
Vinny put an arm around Joanna’s shoulders. He was enjoying himself now. ‘We wanted to make sure that our relationship was going to work before we made a big song and dance about it. We are now completely sure that it will, so we thought the time was right to tell you. Joanna is moving to London next month. We are going to live together, and she will also be working as my secretary. I can assure you I will look after your lovely young daughter, Mrs Preston, and you are welcome to visit us whenever you wish.’
Deborah gulped back the glass of wine she had just been poured as though it were water. ‘I think you should slow down a bit, mate. My daughter is seventeen years old, and if you think I’m letting her go off gallivanting around London with some shady-looking stranger who looks double her age, you can bloody well think again.’
‘Mum, don’t be so rude. I am old enough to do exactly what I like, and there is nothing you can do to stop me.’
‘We’ll see about that, young lady. I’m sure your father will have something to say about this. He isn’t going to be very happy, I can assure you of that.’
‘’Ere you go, mate. Have another drink,’ Sandy said, topping Deborah’s glass again. She wasn’t family, so felt a bit awkward and unable to comment on her friend’s obvious distress.
‘I’m sure once your husband learns of my assets he will be more than happy for me to take care of your daughter,’ Vinny said, with a hint of playful sarcasm in his voice.
‘I couldn’t care less if you own the crown jewels, mate. How old are you? And what exactly do you do for a living? You haven’t even told us your bloody name yet,’ Deborah replied, treating Vinny to an evil stare.
Vinny grinned. He had been waiting weeks for this precise moment and wanted to savour every second of it. ‘I am thirty-one years old, and I own a very popular nightclub in Whitechapel. Oh, and my name is Vinny. Vinny Butler.’
As the realization of who Joanna’s new boyfriend was hit home, Deborah opened her mouth wide, but no words would come out. She suddenly felt sick, dizzy, and the restaurant seemed to be spinning around before her very eyes.
Aware that her mother had gone a deathly shade of white, Joanna clasped her hand. ‘What’s the matter? Are you OK, Mum?’
Deborah was anything but OK. Her body went limp, as the shock made her lose consciousness and she hit the floor with a thud.
‘Oh my God! Mum, are you OK? Do something, Vinny,’ Joanna cried out.
‘Do you want me to call you an ambulance?’ asked one of the waiters.
‘No. It’s OK, mate. She’s fine now,’ Vinny said, when he saw Deborah’s eyes flicker open.
With Sandy’s help, Deborah sat up, and the waiter held a glass of water to her lips.
‘What happened, Mum? Have you been ill?’ Joanna asked, clutching her mother’s hand.
Deborah snatched her hand away, and scowled at Joanna. ‘You stupid, stupid girl. He doesn’t love you. He’s just using you as bait to get back at your father.’
Joanna looked at Vinny, her face a picture of confusion. ‘Why is Mum saying that, Vinny? You don’t know my dad, do you?’
‘Of course he knows your father, you naïve fool. And I thought I’d raised you to be intelligent,’ Deborah hissed, as the waiter helped her onto a chair.
‘How would I know who your dad is? You have never even told me his name,’ Vinny said, holding his arms outwards to signal his innocence.
‘My dad’s name is Johnny Preston. He comes from London originally. Well, do you know him?’
Clocking the contorted look of anger on Deborah’s face, Vinny wanted to laugh out loud. Instead though, he feigned surprise. ‘I can’t believe it, Jo. Yeah, I do know your dad and we’re hardly what you can call the best of friends. I swear on my own father’s life that I didn’t know who your father was though. You’d barely even mentioned him. It’s just pure coincidence. What a small world we live in, eh?’
‘You lying no-good cunt,’ Deborah screamed.
Feeling embarrassed because every other diner in the restaurant was now looking their way, Joanna begged her mother to calm down.
‘Calm down! You want me to calm down? You are sleeping with the man who put your father in prison, you daft little mare.’
‘Come on, babe. Let’s go. I’m not having you spoken to like this. You don’t deserve it,’ Vinny said, grabbing Joanna’s arm.
‘If you choose that low-life over me and your father, I will never forgive you, Jo,’ Deborah spat.
Vinny leant towards his girlfriend and spoke softly in her ear. ‘Please, Jo, let’s get out of here. Everybody is staring at us and it’s a proper show-up. You can talk to your mum in a few days when she’s got over the shock. She’ll be calmer then. It’s pointless trying to have a sensible conversation with her while she’s ranting and raving.’
Frightened if she didn’t do as Vinny said he might finish with her, Joanna turned to her mother. ‘I have to go now, Mum, but I promise we’ll speak again soon.’
Donald and Christopher Walker were on their way to the pub for a pint when they heard a lady scream and a commotion going on over the other side of the road.
‘It’s a robbery. He’s got a gun,’ somebody yelled.
Even though he was off-duty, instinct kicked in and Christopher ran across the road to try to foil what seemed to be a raid on a betting shop.
Fearing for his son’s safety, Donald dashed across the road as well. ‘No, Chris! Be careful,’ he shouted, as he saw his brave son tackle the man brandishing the gun. The gun flew out of the man’s hand along with a cloth bag stuffed with money and Christopher looked to have saved the day until the man’s accomplice leapt off a motorbike waving a large knife.