The Traitor
Kimberley Chambers

Copyright

Published by HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd The News Building 1 London Bridge Street London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk

First published in Great Britain by Preface Publishing 2010

Published by Arrow Books 2013

This edition published by Harper 2017

Copyright © Kimberley Chambers 2010

Cover layout design © HarperCollinsPublishers 2017 Cover photographs © Rekha Garton/Arcangel Images (woman); Silas Manhood (background).

Kimberley Chambers asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

Source ISBN: 9781409051084

Ebook Edition © Jan 2017 ISBN: 9780008228682

Version: 2016-12-05

Dedication

In memory of Alf Roberts

(703 legend)

Epigraph

Farewell, ungrateful traitor!

Farewell, my perjured swain!

Let never injured woman

Believe a man again.

The pleasure of possessing

Surpasses all expressing,

But ’tis too short a blessing,

And love too long a pain.

John Dryden

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Epigraph

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-One

Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Three

Chapter Forty-Four

Chapter Forty-Five

Chapter Forty-Six

Chapter Forty-Seven

Chapter Forty-Eight

Chapter Forty-Nine

Chapter Fifty

Acknowledgements

Keep Reading …

About the Author

Also by Kimberley Chambers

About the Publisher

PROLOGUE

1988

Eddie Mitchell stared at the handwriting on the envelope. He knew who it was from but, unable to take any more pain, he couldn’t face opening it.

Ever since that fateful night in Tilbury, Eddie had shed enough tears to fill a swimming pool. Nothing was going to bring her back, so what was the point of crying any more?

Stuffing the letter under his mattress, Eddie lay back on his bunk and stared at the ceiling. He’d give anything to turn the clock back, fucking anything.

The bullets he had fired had been meant for somebody else, not his beautiful wife. To make matters worse, Jessica had been pregnant at the time with their third child. The unborn baby hadn’t stood a chance, God rest its soul. The newspapers had had a field day writing about Eddie’s faux pas, the headlines screaming ‘Gangland boss in double slaying’.

As soon as Eddie had realised his fatal mistake, he’d immediately tried to take his own life. Unfortunately for him, Jessica’s brother Raymond had lunged at him and knocked the gun away. Eddie had still managed to pull the trigger, but the bullet had whizzed through his shoulder, not his brains, as he’d intended it to.

Waking up in hospital and realising he was still alive was the worst moment of Eddie’s life. Jessica was his world and he just couldn’t live without her.

Consumed by grief and guilt, Eddie immediately admitted what he’d done to the filth. Seven days he’d then spent in hospital under police guard. Once well enough to leave, he’d been carted off to Wandsworth nick.

Eddie was shoved into a cell with an Indian guy who introduced himself as Raj Malik. Company was the last thing Ed needed or wanted. He couldn’t even eat, let alone talk.

The screws must have read Eddie’s mind when they put him on suicide watch. The pain caused by his blunder was unbearable, and if he could have found something to top himself with, he’d have done it without a second thought.

Eddie had been with Jessica for over seventeen years, and from the moment he first clapped eyes on her, he’d known she was destined to become the love of his life. She was everything a man could want in a woman. She was beautiful on the outside and had a soul to match.

Overall, their marriage was an extremely happy one. Like most contented couples, they’d had their ups and downs over the years, but their love for one another had always remained intact.

Tall, with dark hair and a rugged complexion, Eddie had looked like a scar-faced giant beside his pretty, petite wife. They’d looked good together, though. Everybody used to comment on what a striking couple they made.

Jessica had fallen pregnant within months of them meeting. Eddie married her weeks later, and even though he already had two sons from a previous relationship, he had never felt as content as the day Jess had given birth to their twins.

Frankie and Joey were sixteen now and Eddie knew that he’d lost their love and respect for ever. How could he even consider contacting them when he’d so brutally wiped out their mother’s life?

Feeling a shiver go down his spine, Ed sat bolt upright, hugged his knees and laid his head against them. He was forty-eight years old, his life was all but over, and he wished he was fucking dead.

That fateful night would haunt him for ever. It was on his mind every second of every day. Even sleep didn’t release him from his burden, because his nightmares replayed the tragedy over and over again.

As the screw opened the flap to check on him again, Eddie snapped out of his trance. Knowing the letter was under the mattress was doing his head in. He ripped open the envelope and began to digest the words.

Hi Ed,

This is probably the hardest thing that I’ll ever have to write and you’ll ever have to read.

Before I begin, I just want you to know that I don’t blame or hate you for what happened. If anyone knew how much you loved Jessica, that person was me.

Anyway, I thought it only right to inform you that the police have now agreed to release Jessica’s body. All the funeral arrangements are now in place, and Jess will be laid to rest at 2.30 p.m. next Wednesday in Upminster Cemetery.

Dad wanted Jess to be buried next to his father over in Plaistow, but Mum didn’t want her to go there. She insisted that the happiest days of Jessica’s life were spent in Rainham, so her resting place should be as near to there as possible.

I know with everything that’s happened, it’s impossible for you to attend the service, but I want you to know that I’ve ordered a beautiful wreath on your behalf. I’ve enclosed the card, in case you wanted to write it personally. Don’t worry if you’re not up to it, as I can write one for you.

Mum and Dad have temporarily moved into your house. I hope this is OK with you. Let me know if it isn’t. It was Mum’s idea. She said that her house wasn’t roomy enough for the kids and they’d had enough upheaval without moving them away from their friends. She also said that living at yours makes her feel closer to Jessica.

I’ve been keeping an eye on Frankie and Joey and both seem to be coping in their own way. They’ve barely left the house, so hopefully Frankie might be tiring of Jed.

I hope you don’t think badly of me, but I really ain’t up to visiting you at the moment. I know Gary and Ricky have been to see you and they’re coming again next week, so I know you’ve got visitors. What I’ll do is wait till all the press interest dies down, and then I’ll pop up and see you.

I know what happened is awful for you, but you must try and be strong for Jessica’s sake. My sister loved you very much, and she’d want you to hold it together for the sake of the twins, Ed.

I know it must seem impossible, but try to keep your chin up, mate.

Thinking of you, Raymondo

As he stared at the condolence card, Ed was overcome by grief. ‘In deepest sympathy’ it said. Screwing the card and the letter up, he let out a painful sob.

With visions of his wife’s mutilated body firmly in his mind, he leaped off the bed and, overcome by grief, repeatedly smashed his head against the cell wall.

‘Jessica, Jessica’ he shouted, as blood began to trickle down his forehead.

As two prison officers ran in, Eddie lashed out at them. He didn’t want to be restrained, he wanted to end his misery once and for all.

Two more screws suddenly appeared out of nowhere and, finally overpowered, Eddie sank to his knees.

‘I don’t wanna live any more. Please just let me fucking top meself,’ he screamed.

CHAPTER ONE

Joycie Smith finished off her outfit by adding the black netted hat, then studied her appearance in the full-length mirror. She was so glad she’d bought the new black dress and jacket. It looked very smart and she was determined to do her daughter proud. Moving closer, Joyce noticed how red raw and puffy her eyes looked. She’d had a good old cry this morning – in private, of course. There’d be no tears in front of Stanley and the twins. She had to be brave for their sake.

Joyce put on her tinted glasses and headed downstairs. The flowers had just started to arrive, and she wanted to arrange them neatly. She had to keep herself busy, it was the only way. Not only that, she was determined that her daughter would have the best send-off ever.

Stanley sat in his newly built pigeon shed and stared at his beloved birds. He was all ready – he even had his new suit on – but he’d rather leave Joyce to deal with the tributes.

Putting his head in his hands, Stanley broke down for the third time that morning. The flowers arriving made everything seem so final.

Jessica’s death had torn a huge hole in all of their lives. What had happened that night was nigh on impossible to understand, and living hell were the only words Stanley could find to describe life since. There wasn’t a parent in the world who imagined outliving their children, and he was no different.

Stanley had disliked Eddie Mitchell from the word go, but now he despised him with a resentful passion. Living in his house was a constant reminder of the murdering bastard, but it was Joycie’s decision and he’d had very little say in the matter.

As his two favourite pigeons, Ernie and Ethel, both cooed at him, Stanley lifted his head, wiped his eyes and smiled sadly. Seconds later, he heard his wife’s dulcet tones.

‘Stanley! Get your arse out that shed. Raymond and Polly have just arrived.’

Taking a deep breath, Stanley stood up. He was literally dreading the day ahead and it would be a miracle if he got through it at all.

Frankie was sitting on Joey’s bed. As her brother offered her a cigarette, she gratefully snatched it out of his hand. Being a couple of months pregnant, Frankie knew she shouldn’t really be smoking, but the sound of people arriving downstairs filled her with dread.

Her mother’s death and the circumstances surrounding it had created the biggest underworld talking point since the Brinks Mat robbery. The press had had a ball, they’d milked it for all it was worth.

‘Gangland boss kills wife in jealous rage’, ‘Gangster finds wife in bed with daughter’s boyfriend’, ‘Mitchell’s moment of madness’ were just some of the headlines Frankie had seen.

Most of what had been written was just awful, vicious lies. A couple of the more sensible papers had got the story right, but the ones at the lower end of the scale had written absolute trash just to sell their papers.

Both Frankie and Joey had barely left the house since their mother’s death. Frankie had sneaked out a few times to meet up with Jed, but on the last occasion the press had seen her climbing over the back fence and plastered her picture all over the papers.

‘Picture of innocence’ had been the sarcastic headline.

Frankie was mortified. All her friends had seen it and had called her on her mobile. Instead of being a victim, Frankie felt like the accused.

Things at home had been no better. Her nan and grandad had moved in to look after her and Joey. Jed wasn’t allowed anywhere near the house and every time Frankie mentioned his name, everyone in the room went quiet.

Frankie missed her mother dreadfully, but what had happened was neither her nor Jed’s fault. She hadn’t asked her father to turn up at Tilbury with a gun, had she now?

As her brother dissolved into tears yet again, Frankie hugged him. Joey wasn’t as strong as her, and he wasn’t coping very well at all.

‘Listen, Joey, in a minute we’ve got to go downstairs and face everyone. You’ve got to be brave for Mum’s sake.’

Joey threw himself on his bed. ‘I can’t go to Mum’s funeral. I just can’t face it. Let me stay here, Frankie. Tell Nan and Grandad I’m not well.’

Frankie stroked her brother’s back. Joey had been as close to her mum as anyone had. That’s why Frankie hadn’t already moved in with Jed: she couldn’t have lived with her guilt if she had left Joey at home with her grandparents. They were twins, had been inseparable, even in the womb; no one could look after him like she could.

‘Come on, Joey. Put your suit on, and we’ll go downstairs. You’ll never forgive yourself if you don’t go. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life.’

Joey sat up. ‘It’s all right for you. You’ve got Jed to look after you. Mum’s dead, Dad’s in prison and Nan and Grandad do my head in. I’ve got nothing and no one, Frankie, and I know you’re gonna be moving out soon. What am I gonna do then, eh?’

Frankie squeezed his hand. ‘I’ll only be living down the road, Joey. And what about when I have the baby? You’ll be an uncle for the first time, and I know you’ll be the best uncle ever. All you have to do is stop blaming Jed for everything, then you can be part of our lives.’

As she finally persuaded Joey to get dressed, Frankie made a mental note to ring Dominic the following day. Her brother had barely spoken to his ex since their father had found out Joey was gay and threatened Dom, but now Eddie was banged up, he could ruin her brother’s relationship no more. Joey was desperate for love and support and Frankie needed him to be OK before she could move on with her own life.

Downstairs, Joycie was keeping herself busy. She’d chatted to all the mourners, kept their drinks topped up, and managed to convince herself that she was over the worst. No amount of sobbing would bring her beautiful Jessica back from the dead, so she just had to get on with things.

It had been kind of her friends, Rita and Hilda, to come to the house, instead of just turning up at the service. They’d been her neighbours at her old house in Upney for over thirty years, and had known Jessica since she was knee-high.

‘So, what do you think of the house?’ Joyce asked them brightly.

Rita and Hilda glanced at one another. Joyce liked to act as if she was as tough as old boots, but they both knew that she wasn’t. Her behaviour today, considering what had befallen her, was strange, to say the least.

Gary and Ricky, Eddie’s sons from his previous marriage, had just turned up and, seeing them in deep conversation with Raymond, Stanley eyed his son suspiciously. Joyce might have forgotten about Raymond’s involvement on the night of Jessica’s murder, but Stanley most certainly hadn’t. If it wasn’t for Joyce, he could have quite easily washed his hands of the boy, but his wife had given him a lecture.

‘Now, you listen to me, Stanley, and you listen bloody carefully. I’ve lost one child and if you think I’m having the other banished from our lives, you can think again. Our son had nothing to do with what happened. He wouldn’t hurt a fly, that boy. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He loved every hair on our Jessica’s head, did our Raymond.’

Joycie wasn’t one to argue with, and Stanley had little choice other than to agree and reluctantly forgive his son. Trouble was, deep down he hadn’t – it was all pretence.

As the twins appeared, there were lots of emotional condolences. Vicki, Jessica’s heavily pregnant best friend, sobbed as she clung to Frankie. ‘I loved your mum so much. She was such a wonderful woman. I’ve already told Dougie, if we have a little girl, I want to name her Jessica.’

Tears were streaming down her face, but Frankie forced a smile. ‘Mum would have been honoured,’ she whispered.

As more and more people arrived, Stanley became increasingly anxious. All he’d wanted was a quiet send-off for his daughter and already it was turning into a bloody circus. The driveway was packed with people he didn’t know and Stan was furious that Eddie’s brothers had shown their faces. It would have been bad enough if they had turned up at the church, let alone coming to the house beforehand. Surely they were aware of what Eddie had done? Didn’t they have any remorse or guilt whatsoever?

By the time the hearse arrived, the driveway was a mass of beautiful flowers.

As she cuddled her grandchildren, one on either side, Joyce couldn’t bear to look at the coffin she’d so carefully chosen. It just didn’t seem possible for Jessica to be inside that box. Trying to suppress her emotions, Joyce took a deep breath. She had to keep it together in front of all these people. Stanley was in a terrible state and somebody had to look after the twins. Aware that the undertaker was ready to take Jessica on her final journey, Joyce led Frankie and Joey outside.

Seeing his father almost collapse with grief, Raymond held Stanley’s arm to support him. ‘I’ve got you, Dad. Just hold my arm and walk with me,’ he told him.

Joyce had insisted they just have the one family car. She’d never got on with her parents – she hadn’t even seen them for years – and they were going straight to the service. Jessica’s other grandparents, on Stanley’s side, were both dead.

Joyce, Stanley, Frankie, Joey, Raymond and Polly sat in the hearse behind the coffin. Everybody else was to make their own way to the cemetery. In normal circumstances there would have been at least three or four cars laid on for Eddie’s sons, brothers and family. However, the circumstances surrounding Jessica’s death were anything but normal.

As the chief undertaker walked in front of the hearse, the cars crawled along behind him.

Stanley was furious as he saw how many reporters were taking pictures on the road outside. ‘Couldn’t they have left us alone for just one day?’ he mumbled.

Raymond put a comforting arm around his father’s shoulder, but it was quickly brushed away.

Noticing the young reporter who had given her a wonderful write-up in the Daily Mirror, Joyce gave a solemn wave. Stanley went apeshit. ‘Our daughter is lying in that coffin in front of us. Show some respect, you stupid woman. Fucking parasites, they are.’

Raymond put his other arm around his mother. This was as hard a day for her as anyone and acting normal was just her way of coping.

Frankie and Joey clung to one another throughout the short journey through the lanes. Neither could believe that they would never see or hear their mother again. As she stared at the coffin, Frankie thought of her father. Throughout her childhood, Frankie had always been a daddy’s girl. She had his dark features, fiery temper and impulsive nature. Joey looked nothing like Frankie or their dad. He was blond, mild-mannered and a clone of their mum.

‘Do you think Dad knows that Mum is being buried today?’ she whispered to her brother.

Joey looked at her in horror. ‘Don’t mention his name. How could you Frankie, today of all days?’

As the rest of the journey continued in silence, Polly studied Raymond’s family. They were a funny bunch, to say the least, especially his parents. Polly’s own parents had been horrified when Jessica’s murder had made all the nationals. They’d known that Raymond worked with Eddie and they were worried about what she’d got herself involved with.

‘I know you’re very keen on Raymond, but there’s plenty more fish in the sea. Why don’t you walk away while you still can?’ her father had urged her.

Polly had taken no notice of her mum or dad. They weren’t exactly whiter than white themselves. She was besotted by Raymond, in a way that a woman could only dream of. She wasn’t stupid – she’d always known that he was a bit of a rogue, but even so, the circumstances of Jessica’s murder had frightened the life out of her.

Raymond had recently made a promise to her. He’d sworn that he would give up the job he was doing and find a normal nine-to-five number.

‘Are you OK, Ray?’ Polly asked, squeezing his hand.

Raymond nodded, but said nothing. Obviously, working with Eddie over the years, they’d seen and been responsible for many a dead body. Remembering how Jessica had looked, Raymond felt physically sick as he stared out of the window. The sight of his sister’s bullet-torn corpse would prey on him for the rest of his life. There wasn’t an hour that went by when the death of Jessica didn’t enter his thoughts. His sister had been one of life’s beautiful people. Thinking back to when they were kids, Raymond nervously bit his lip. Life without her was pretty much unbearable, and he was dreading doing his speech.

When Joyce stepped out of the hearse, she was surprised by the number of people already at the church. They’d tried to keep the funeral small and private, and she was thrown by the crowd of mourners that had turned up. Grabbing the distraught Joey and Frankie, Joycie bowed her head as she led them into the church.

Raymond had instructed all of Eddie’s family to sit well away from his parents. ‘I know none of this is your fault, lads, but because Eddie did what he did, it ain’t appropriate for you to sit near the front.’

Eddie’s sons from his first marriage, Gary and Ricky, were devastated by Jessica’s death. They’d loved her immensely, and over the years she’d been a better mother to them than their own. Seeing their dad in prison had broken both boys’ hearts. They knew how much Jess had meant to their old man, and what had happened was the tragedy of all tragedies.

Eddie had only agreed to see them the once. He was a broken man, a shadow of his charismatic former self, and had sat opposite them in bits. Neither Gary nor Ricky had known what to say or do. It was a surreal situation that had devastated everybody. The only words of comfort they could offer their father were to promise to continue the family business and do him proud.

‘All right, Gal? Packed innit?’ their uncle Ronny said in a loud voice, as the boys now entered the church.

Seeing that Ronny’s eyes were already glazed, Gary put his finger to his lips. The service was about to start, and a drunken Ronny causing havoc in his wheelchair was the last thing the vicar needed.

The vicar cleared his throat. He was a seasoned professional, but this particular service was difficult, even for him. ‘Today we are here to commemorate the life of Jessica Anne Mitchell,’ he said.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as parts of Jessica’s life were remembered. The twins and Stanley were inconsolable. Joyce couldn’t look at them; if she did, she’d break down, so she ignored their sobs and stared at the vicar.

‘Can we open our hymn books at page twenty-one?’

As the congregation stood up, Raymond had to once again physically support his father.

All things right and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful:

The Lord God made them all.

Jed O’Hara entered the church and stood quietly at the back. He held the hymn book in his hands, but couldn’t sing because he couldn’t read properly.

Jimmy O’Hara put an arm around his son’s shoulder. Jed was a good boy and had been determined to attend Jessica’s funeral, so he could keep an eye on Frankie. Not wanting his son to become raw meat in a starving lion’s cage, Jimmy had insisted on coming with him. Jed was worried about Frankie; she was carrying his child and he had every right to be there in her hour of need.

Jimmy knew what losing a child was like. His wife, Alice, had been pregnant up until a couple of weeks ago, when she’d suddenly miscarried.

As the hymn came to an end, Ronny Mitchell decided he was busting for the toilet. Being stuck in a wheelchair, he was unable to hold himself like other people could. Nudging his brother, Paulie, he urged him to take him outside.

‘I need a shit. I’ve gotta find a bog,’ he said in an extremely loud tone.

As Raymond stood up to give his speech, an embarrassed Paulie also stood up. Ronny was a nuisance with a capital N at times.

‘Jessica was the most wonderful sister a brother could wish for,’ Raymond began.

While Paulie wheeled his brother towards the exit, a nosy Ronny scanned the mourners. The church was full of villains, most of them mates of Eddie, his father and his uncle Reg. Spotting Jimmy O’Hara’s ugly mush, Ronny did a double take and slammed the brake on his wheelchair.

Because he was staring at the piece of paper he’d so carefully written, Raymond didn’t notice what was happening at the other end of the church and, with tears rolling down his face, carried on with his speech.

‘The day Jessica gave birth to her twins, Frankie and Joey, was the happiest of her life. Even though she was no more than a child herself, she quickly adapted to become the most wonderful …’

Raymond’s speech was stopped in its tracks by Ronny’s drunken voice. ‘Get out of here, you pikey cunts! Hit ’em, Paulie. Go on, fucking do ’em,’ he yelled.

Shocked by the commotion, every mourner turned around to see what was happening.

Jimmy O’Hara held his hands up. ‘Look, we don’t want no trouble. I’ve only come here to support my Jed. He has every right to be here. Jessica was his future mother-in-law and would have been grandmother to his chavvie.’

When Paulie lunged at Jimmy O’Hara, the vicar pleaded for order. ‘Can we stop this awful nonsense? Please respect the deceased and also the house of God,’ he shouted over the loudspeaker.

Uncle Reg eventually broke up the fracas and, with the help of Paulie and a couple of Eddie’s pals, they threw both Jed and Jimmy out of the church.

‘Frankie’s having my chavvie – we’re getting married. Tell ’em Frankie, tell ’em,’ Jed screamed, as he was roughly pushed out of the door.

Frankie went to run to her boyfriend’s aid, but Raymond put his arm out and stopped her. ‘You stay there. It’s your mother’s funeral, and you’re partly to blame for all this,’ he reminded her coldly.

Traumatised, Stanley and Joey clung to one another and, seeing their anguish, Joyce was unable to keep it together any more. Bursting into tears, she fell to her knees. ‘The least my baby deserved was a good send-off. Why us, God? Why?’ she screamed.

CHAPTER TWO

As a distraught Joyce was led from the church by Stanley, Raymond urged the vicar to round the service up. Jessica’s funeral had been completely ruined and the quicker it was over, the better.

Raymond sadly shook his head. Like most men, he was sceptical about the idea of life after death, but if by any chance it did exist, his sister would be horrified by what had just happened.

The vicar quickly wrapped up his speech with a prayer, then led the mourners outside for the burial.

Joyce had all but collapsed and was now sitting on a chair, sipping water and being comforted by friends and the curate. ‘I can’t watch my baby being put into that grave, I just can’t face it,’ she wept.

Urging Stanley to walk on ahead, Hilda and Rita crouched down either side of her. ‘You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Joycie. Jess knows you’re here and that’s all that matters,’ Rita said kindly.

Jimmy and Jed had now disappeared, but Ronny was still there. Ray caught up with him and gave him a sharp dig in his shoulder. ‘Did you have to kick off in the middle of my speech? Ain’t you got no fucking sense? Why didn’t you wait till we all got outside?’

Looking remorseful, Ronny shrugged. ‘I know me and Paulie fell out with Ed, but he’s still me brother, Ray. When I saw them pikey shitbags there, I just lost it. How dare they fucking turn up?’

Raymond sighed. He felt the same as Ronny did himself. The difference was, he had a brain, so would have handled things better.

As Ronny held out his right hand, Raymond unwillingly shook it. ‘Look, no hard feelings, but I think it might be best if you don’t come back to the house afterwards. Me mum’s proper upset by what happened in the church and it ain’t fair on her.’

Ronny glanced at Paulie. He hated missing out on a free funeral piss-up. ‘I ain’t gonna upset your mum,’ he slurred.

Realising Polly had now caught up with him, Raymond linked arms with her and said no more. Ronny could have a full-scale argument with an ant, and Ray just wasn’t in the mood to row with him.

Joey broke down completely as his mother’s coffin was lowered into the ground. ‘I want her back, Frankie, I really want her back,’ he sobbed.

With tears streaming down her own face, Frankie cuddled him. ‘I want her back as well, Joey.’

Overcome by grief himself, Stanley led the twins away. ‘Let’s go and find your nan,’ he told them gently.

The mood in the hearse on the journey back to the house was extremely sombre. Annoyed with herself for breaking down inside the church, Joyce was the first to pull herself together. ‘Look, I know the service never went as well as we planned, but let’s see if we can give Jessica a good send-off back at home. It’s what she would have wanted, I know it is,’ she said brightly.

Admiring his mother’s strength, Raymond squeezed her hand. ‘I’ll second that. Let’s do our Jessica proud.’

Over in south London, Eddie Mitchell was also having an extremely difficult day. The knowledge that his wife was being buried and that he wasn’t able to attend had torn his heart to shreds. He had been in solitary confinement for five days now, serving his punishment for lashing out at the screws. In solitary, Ed had had very little contact with anyone, and the silence suited him just fine.

The other prisoners did his head in and he couldn’t give a shit about exercising or watching the telly. Nothing mattered any more, his life had all but ended. Chewing his lip, Eddie guessed what the time was. The funeral must be all over now, it had to be. Wondering how the service had gone, Ed wiped the sweat from his brow. His Jessica, his beautiful wife, was probably now lying six foot under and it was all his bloody fault. Hearing the jangle of keys, Eddie looked up as two screws walked in.

‘Up you get, Mitchell, you’re being moved early,’ the tall one said.

Eddie looked at the two guards in amazement. He had another two days to do in solitary yet. ‘Why am I being moved?’ he mumbled.

As the two guards grinned at one another, Eddie knew that his already awful day was about to take another turn for the worse.

Over in Rainham, the house had become packed to the rafters, so Stanley escaped to the serenity of his pigeon shed. Fifty per cent of the mourners were probably villains and he couldn’t be doing with any of the dodgy bastards, he’d rather be sitting on his own.

‘You in there, Stan?’

Recognising his best pal Jock’s voice, Stanley opened the door. ‘Come in, mate. I’ve stocked up with bitter; let’s have a beer in here, eh?’

Jock followed him in and sat on the wooden bench. His heart went out to his pal, Stanley and, having a daughter himself, he couldn’t begin to imagine how the poor bastard must be feeling. Cracking open a can, Jock studied the pigeons.

‘I think you should breed Ethel with Willie rather than Ernie next time,’ he said, trying to cheer Stan up.

Stanley shook his head. ‘Ethel hates Willie! Her and Ernie are inseparable, he’d be heartbroken, like I am now,’ he replied, bursting into tears.

Jock moved towards his pal and awkwardly put an arm round his shoulder. ‘Go on, Stan. Let it all out, mate.’

‘I miss Jess so much, Jock. What am I gonna do without her, eh?’

Jock had no answer to Stanley’s question. ‘I don’t know, mate.’

Inside the house, Joyce was knocking back yet another glass of brandy. She studied the people in the living room. She’d been so distressed at the cemetery earlier that she’d barely recognised anyone. Mary, Ginny and Linda, who had been friends with Jessica since childhood, were all there, and lots of the twins’ friends had come to pay their respects as well.

As she stared at the three older ladies with Gary and Ricky, Joycie suddenly remembered who they were. Ed’s auntie Joan, his aunt Vi, and his father Harry’s lady friend, Sylvie. Most families would have been appalled by the heavy presence of the Mitchell clan, but Joycie wasn’t. Being old school, she saw it as a mark of respect, not a fucking liberty.

Feeling smothered by people’s condolences, Joey and Frankie went out in the garden with their friends. Joey was pissed, but Jed had insisted that Frankie only had a couple of drinks. ‘I really fancy another vodka,’ she said to her pals.

Stacey smiled at her. ‘I’ll go and get you one. I’m sure another weak one won’t hurt the baby, Frankie.’

As Demi and Paige followed Stacey into the house, Frankie pretended to Joey that she was going to the toilet.

‘I’m busting to go meself, so I’ll come with you,’ he said.

Frankie was annoyed. ‘For fuck’s sake, Joey, leave me alone for five minutes, will ya?’

Running up the stairs, Frankie shut her bedroom door. She was desperate to ring Jed, to make sure he was OK.

Jed answered immediately, and then launched into a torrent of abuse. ‘I swear on our chavvie’s life, Frankie, if you don’t get your arse down to my trailer in the next hour, I’m gonna come round to yours and fucking drag you down the road,’ he ended.

Not for the first time that day, Frankie began to cry. ‘Please Jed, it’s my mum’s funeral and I can’t leave, not yet. I promise, as soon as today’s over, I’ll sort things out with my family and then we can be together. I’m sorry for what happened earlier with my uncles, but that’s not my fault. Please be patient, Jed. I can’t leave Joey on his own, not tonight. He’s not ready.’

Jed seldom lost his temper, but when he did, he lost it big style. ‘I’ve had enough of this now, Frankie. I know what happened to your old girl was awful, but don’t treat me like a fucking dinlo. I know you’ve had a drink, I can hear it in your voice, and I ain’t having it, not when you’re carrying my chavvie. I’m telling you again, if you ain’t back within the hour, I’m coming round there. I’ve had a gutful of your family and, as far as I’m concerned, all of ’em can go fuck their grandmother.’

As he cut her off, Frankie slumped onto her bed. Joey, who had followed her upstairs anyway and heard her side of the conversation, opened her bedroom door. ‘When are you going to realise that Jed’s an arsehole and he’s no good, eh?’ he said, as he held her close.

‘What am I gonna do if he turns up here? Raymond will kill him, I know he will,’ Frankie sobbed.

For once, Joey was the strong one out of the two of them. ‘Listen to me. There’s Raymond, Paulie, Uncle Reg, Uncle Albert and all Dad’s mates here. Jed won’t turn up here today, trust me. He’s bluffing.’

As he dried her eyes with his handkerchief, Frankie forced a smile. Jed had never spoken to her like that before and she was furious with him. How could he treat her like that, today of all days?

Joey held his sister’s hand. ‘Come on, let’s go back downstairs, and you can sort things out with Jed tomorrow.’

Having finally been enticed out of his pigeon shed by Jock, Stanley was horrified to see his wife not only inebriated, but also laughing and joking with Eddie’s aunts and uncles. Spotting Joycie’s parents, whom he had always liked immensely, Stan sidled towards them. Ivy and Bill were both well into their eighties now and neither looked the picture of health.

‘I’m so sorry I never got much of a chance to talk to you earlier. It was just such a difficult day and I didn’t really know if I was coming or going,’ Stan apologised.

Ivy hugged her son-in-law. Stanley was a lovely man, but her Joycie had never truly appreciated him. That’s why she and her daughter had never really seen eye to eye. Joycie had always blamed her mother for encouraging her to marry Stanley; the silly little cow had always thought she was worth more.

‘I’m so sorry, Stan. Me and you knew all along what that Eddie was capable of, didn’t we? Do you remember Jessica getting married to the bastard? I told you at the reception that he had them eyes – you know, cold and calculating. I’ll never forget it, that man sent shivers down my spine and I just knew he’d ruin her bleeding life.’

Keeping half an eye on his wife, Stanley nodded. ‘I remember that conversation, Ivy. I told you that his eyes reminded me of dead fish.’

Hearing his old woman screech with laughter, Stanley decided enough was enough. Storming over to where she was standing, he roughly grabbed her arm and yanked her into the kitchen.

‘What do you think you’re doing? You senile old bastard!’ Joyce yelled at him.

For once in his downtrodden life, Stanley had the bottle to give her what for. ‘How can you stand there laughing and joking with Eddie’s relations when we’ve just buried our daughter? What is the matter with you, eh? Your parents are disgusted by your behaviour and so am I, and I’ll tell you something else, shall I? If you think I’m living in that murdering bastard’s house one day longer than I need to, you can think again, Joycie.’

Shocked by Stanley’s outburst, Joyce did her best not to show it. ‘Move, then, if you don’t like it. You go back to that pokey council house of ours, see if I care. I’m staying here, ’cause it makes me feel close to my Jessica.’

Aware of Eddie’s sons, Gary and Ricky, staring at them, Stan led Joyce out on to the front drive.

‘You must think I’ve just stepped off the banana boat, Joycie. When we first found out Jessica had been murdered, you couldn’t agree with me enough about Eddie and his family. You soon changed your mind when you moved in ’ere though, didn’t you? All you’ve ever wanted is a nice, big house so you can show it off to your friends. I’m not as shallow as you, Joycie. I know exactly what you think of me and the home I’ve worked my bollocks off for over the years. I even bought it for you off that right-to-buy scheme ’cause you begged me to and I’ve bought you new furniture at your every whim. Well, I’ve had enough of it now, and tomorrow I’m going back home. You can do as you please. Stay ’ere on your own, for all I care.’

Joyce was gobsmacked. Stanley had rarely raised his voice to her throughout the whole of their marriage. As he walked away, she stood open-mouthed, and for once she said nothing.

Eddie Mitchell was agitated as he sat on the bunk in his cell. He’d known by the attitude of the two prison guards that he was in for a nasty surprise. They’d been laughing and joking as they took him down a corridor he’d never seen before. ‘Ain’t I going back to me old cell?’ Ed asked, bewildered.

The shorter guard grinned at the taller one. ‘No, Mitchell. The guvnor decided you and Malik weren’t suited and you needed better company, so he’s found you a new home with a nice friendly English cellmate.’

Ed had been in the cell for what seemed like four hours now and he still didn’t have a clue who he was sharing with. Apart from a few belongings, there was no sign of the geezer.

When he heard the key slot into the lock, Eddie picked up his book and pretended to read it. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he felt his heart leap into his chest as he recognised his new cellmate.

After her argument with Jed, Frankie had necked at least four more vodkas. Her hormones were having a field day, and she was tired, depressed, lonely and tearful. She and Jed rarely argued. On the odd occasion when they’d had a lovers’ tiff, it had always been immediately resolved.

Seeing Dougie and Vicki, her parents’ friends, heading her way to say goodbye, Frankie forced herself to be polite. About to get Vicki to take her mobile number so when she gave birth they could swap baby talk, Frankie heard a commotion coming from her left.

‘Get out of here, before I kill yer,’ she heard somebody yell.

Looking around, Frankie dropped Vicki’s pen in shock. Jed was sitting on a nearby wall, telling her uncle Reg where to get off.

Reg hobbled towards Jed. ‘Do yourself a favour, son, and get the fuck out of here, before you get hurt,’ he warned, his eyes bulging.

‘I’m going nowhere without my wife-to-be. You do whatever you have to, you senile old grunter. Frankie belongs to me and she’s coming with me right now.’

Aware that Gary, Ricky and Raymond had all run out of the house, Frankie began to scream. ‘Don’t hurt him. Please don’t hurt Jed,’ she begged.

Jumping off the wall, Jed showed no fear as Raymond went for him. ‘Frankie’s my woman,’ he screamed, as Raymond caught him straight on the chin.

Watching Jed fall to the grass, Frankie intervened and chucked herself on top of him. Seeing his uncle trying to manhandle his sister, Joey also joined in the fracas.

‘Leave Frankie alone,’ he shouted, as his weak punches landed nowhere.

Having been told that it was all kicking off in the garden, Joyce flew into action. ‘Oi, whaddya think you’re doing?’ she screamed, as she lost her footing and stacked it in one of the flowerbeds.

As all hell broke loose, Frankie decided enough was enough. She needed to make a decision, and if she was ever going to leave home, that moment was definitely now.

CHAPTER THREE

Stanley’s alarm clock went off at eight the following morning and he immediately got out of bed.

After the mass brawl in the garden the previous evening, he’d sodded off upstairs without saying goodnight to a single soul. Jessica’s funeral had been a catastrophe from start to finish, and Stanley would never forgive the bastards that had ruined it. Animals, that’s what the Mitchells were, and he was just glad that Jock had already left when the whole wake kicked off.

Pulling his suitcase out from under the bed, Stanley began to pack his clothes. The quicker he got out of this cursed house with its awful memories, the better.

Hearing her husband banging about in the room next door, Joyce lifted her head off the pillow. She felt as sick as a parrot, and as she burped, she heaved. All she could taste and smell was brandy, and she vowed there and then never to touch the poxy drink again.

Joyce got up and put on her dressing gown. Her recollection of the previous evening was vague, to say the least, but she could sort of remember a big fight happening. Noticing a large bruise and cut on her leg, she winced as she touched it. Surely she hadn’t fallen over in front of all the mourners? Desperate to get rid of the taste of brandy, Joyce made her way downstairs to make herself a coffee. Gagging for some fresh air and to rid the house of the smell of stale smoke, Joyce opened the conservatory door.

‘Christ almighty,’ she mumbled in complete astonishment.

Jessica’s once-perfect garden looked as if a bomb had hit it. All the furniture was smashed to pieces. The wooden table was lying upside down and the chairs had no legs left on them.

Shuffling outside, Joyce put her hand over her mouth as she noticed that all the beautiful flowerbeds had been trampled on. Seeing shards of glass by her feet, she turned to her left. The three smashed windows were the final straw for Joyce, and she ran back into the house.

‘Stanley! Stanley!’ she screamed.

When Stanley marched down the stairs with a suitcase in his hand, Joyce looked at him in bewilderment. ‘What are you doing? What’s with the case? You seen the state of the garden? Everything’s smashed to smithereens.’

Dropping his case, Stanley ran out the back. He’d locked the pigeon shed, but what if it had been smashed or the birds had died of fright? Fearful for the safety of his babies, Stanley shook as he put the key in the door.

‘Thank God,’ he said, as all four cooed at him. ‘Daddy’s here now and he’s taking you back home, away from this loony bin.’

‘What are you gonna do about cleaning this mess up, Stanley? I think I’ll ring Raymond, he’ll know a glazier. The twins can help an’ all. I mean, we don’t ask ’em to do much, do we?’

For once in his life, Stanley felt like a man as he spoke. ‘You ask who you like, Joycie. I won’t be here. I told you yesterday, I’m moving back home.’

Joyce remembered bits of what Stanley had said the previous day about leaving, but she thought it had been one of his little tantrums. ‘Don’t be silly, Stanley. You can’t leave me here on my own.’

‘Come with me then, Joycie. I told you last night, I cannot live in this house one minute longer, and I meant it. There’s too many memories, and it’s making me ill.’

Joyce had waited all her life to live in a luxury property and she wasn’t about to walk away from it without a fight. Turning on the tears, she begged her husband to stay. ‘Please don’t go, Stanley. It makes me feel close to Jessica, living here. I can almost feel her presence at times. And what about the twins? You can’t leave them. They need both of us.’

Stanley shook his head. It was obvious Joyce didn’t remember that Frankie had done a runner last night. ‘Cor, you must have been well gone, love. Frankie left home last night. Don’t you remember the gypsy boy turning up here for her? That’s what started the fight. I bet you don’t even recall falling arse over tit in the flowerbeds, do you, dear? No, well you wouldn’t, would you? I’m off, Joycie. Jock’s coming round in an hour with the van. He’s gonna take the pigeons back for me.’

As he walked back out to the garden, Joyce glared at him. Stanley had always done just as she had wanted throughout their entire marriage, and she couldn’t understand what had suddenly got into him. Remembering what he’d said about Frankie, she went up the stairs and knocked on Joey’s bedroom door.

‘Joey, it’s Nan. Can I come in?’

‘Just leave me alone. Go away,’ Joey shouted.

Desperate to know exactly what had happened the night before, Joyce tried the handle. The door was locked. After the morning she’d had, Joyce quickly lost her temper and screamed at her grandson.

‘Open this door now, Joey, else Raymond will kick the bastard thing down. He’s on his way over, you know. He’ll be here in five minutes,’ she lied.

Her fib worked, and as Joey unlocked the door, Joyce stormed in. As she clocked the state of her grandson’s bruised face, Joycie’s temper melted.

‘Oh my God! What happened, love?’ she asked, as she sat on the edge of his bed.

Joey just burst into tears. ‘I tried to help Frankie, and Raymond caught me with his elbow. It was an accident, he didn’t mean it. Frankie’s gone, Nan. What am I gonna do without her? We’ve never been apart before.’

Joyce held him tightly. ‘You listen to me, Joey. That won’t last with that gypsy boy. Different breed, that mob are. Wicked bastards, I should know. One of ’em put a curse on me years ago. Frankie’s young, headstrong, but that boy’ll show his true colours, and when he does she’ll come back.’

‘I don’t think she will, Nan. She loves him. It’s as though he’s cast a spell on her. And what about the baby? She won’t leave him if she’s got his kid, will she? I hate him, Nan. He’s wrecked our entire family. I mean if it weren’t for Frankie getting with Jed, Mum would still be alive, wouldn’t she?’

Desperately wanting to put a smile back on Joey’s face, Joyce thought of the dogs. Buster and Bruno, the twins’ Rottweilers, had been living at Pat Murphy’s since the night Jessica died. Joyce didn’t like dogs very much. Bleeding nuisance they were, pissing and shitting all over the place. ‘I tell you what. Why don’t you get yourself dressed and go and pick Buster and Bruno up? I’m sure they’d love to come home and they’ll be a bit of company for you, Joey.’

Joey sighed. Buster and Bruno were no replacement for his sister, but at least they’d give him something to focus on.

As he got out of bed, Joycie played her ace card. ‘Before you trot off to Pat Murphy’s, I need you to do me a favour. Your grandad’s having one of his funny turns, says he’s moving back into our old house. Go and talk to him, love. Don’t tell him I sent you, but beg him to stay. If he says no, start crying, Joey.’

‘OK,’ Joey said sadly. He really didn’t want his grandad to leave. The house would feel so empty with just him and his nan rattling about.

Stanley was sitting on the sofa drinking a mug of tea. As Joey walked into the room, Stan put his mug on the table and stood up.

‘Please don’t go, Grandad. I don’t want you to leave. I love you,’ Joey begged.

Joyce smiled as she stood earwigging in the hallway. Joey was that good an actor, he should have gone to drama school, and as for Stanley, the silly old goat, he certainly wouldn’t have the guts to walk away from his distressed grandson.

When the doorbell rang, Joyce nigh on jumped out of her skin. ‘Oh, it’s you. I don’t think he’s leaving now,’ she confidently told Jock.

About to tell him to go back home, Joyce was shocked to see Stanley walking towards her with his case in his hand.

‘Put that in the van, Jock, while I sort out the pigeons. We’ll dismantle the shed and take it at the weekend,’ he said.

Joyce gawped at him. ‘You can’t go now, Stanley. Look how upset Joey is. You can’t leave him like that – you’ll break the boy’s heart. And how would Jessica feel? If she’s looking down, that girl would be disgusted by your behaviour.’

Stanley had no intention of changing his mind. How dare she use their dead daughter as blackmail? ‘I’ve spent my whole life doing things to please other people, Joycie, and it’s about time I started looking out for myself. Joey can come and stop with me whenever he wants, I’ve told him that.’

Aware that nothing and no one was going to change her husband’s mind, Joyce let rip at him. ‘You nasty, selfish old bastard. Go on then, get out and take them disease-ridden fucking birds with ya. I should have divorced you years ago, Stanley Smith. You’re nothing but a waste of space that’s dragged me down all my life and I’ll be better off without ya.’

While Jock stood open-mouthed, Stanley went off to the shed to collect his babies. He didn’t want Joycie to see him cry; he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

As Barry Macarthy was let back into the cell, Eddie tried to shut out the sound of his droning voice.

Macarthy, better known as Big Bald Baz, was a total head case and Eddie had had ructions with him years ago, when they were just teenagers. He had been about eighteen at the time and had been enjoying a quiet drink in a boozer in Mile End one evening. All of a sudden there was a fracas a few feet away, and Eddie had watched in horror as Baz smashed a glass straight into some girl’s face, ripping her cheek in half. Ed had always hated blokes who roughed up women, so, being a gentleman, he’d immediately intervened and got a damn good hiding for his troubles.

Eddie had stood no chance that night. Big Bald Baz was at least eighteen stone back then, and two of his mates had joined in as well. Even at the tender age of eighteen, Eddie wasn’t one to forgive and forget. Six weeks later, he’d returned to the same boozer with his dad, brothers and uncle and they’d given Big Bald Baz and his pals the hiding of their lives.

From that day onwards, Baz and his mates had given the Mitchells a wide berth. Ed had seen him about and heard plenty of stories about the fat bastard over the years, but they’d never spoken since.

Ed now knew why the screws had been laughing at him. Big Bald Baz was looking at a life sentence for murdering his old woman. Eddie had read all about it in the newspapers. The evil scumbag had even chopped off her hands and pulled out her teeth to hide her identity. The police had enough evidence to charge Baz, even though they didn’t have him bang to rights, and the case had made front-page news.

‘You’re quiet, Mitchell. I ain’t gonna lamp you one again, if that’s what you’re worried about,’ Baz said, laughing.

Eddie ignored him. He hadn’t spoken to the fat, arrogant prick since he’d first entered the cell yesterday and he wasn’t about to start now. Turning the pages of his book, Ed pretended to be engrossed. He wasn’t, of course. All he could think about was Jessica.

As Stanley slammed the front door, Joycie glanced at Joey. ‘Go on, love, go and pick the dogs up,’ she urged him.

As soon as her grandson had left the house, Joyce ran to the kitchen and poured herself a large brandy. ‘So much for not drinking it again,’ she mumbled when the sickly taste hit the back of her throat.

Taking the bottle into the lounge with her, Joyce slumped on the sofa and topped up her glass. She had to tidy up at some point. The house was still littered with dirty glasses, cans and overflowing ashtrays, but for once she didn’t know where to start. Knowing she’d be ill if she didn’t eat something, Joyce walked over to the table where the half-eaten food lay. She grabbed a sausage roll and heaved as she nigh on swallowed it whole. Two more brandies later, the realisation of what had just happened suddenly sunk in.

‘How could you be so callous, Stanley? How could you leave me at a time like this?’ she said between sobs.

By the time Joey returned with Buster and Bruno, Joyce had drunk half a litre and was screaming the house down. Wary of the nutty old woman, the dogs immediately flew out to the garden to get away from her.

‘You sound ever so drunk, Nan. Don’t drink no more,’ Joey said worriedly.

Joyce rarely showed her emotions, but when she did, there was no stopping her. ‘Thirty-six years of my life I gave to your grandad, and this is how he treats me,’ she screamed.

Joey felt uncomfortable as he tried to hug her. ‘Why don’t you go and have a lie down? You might feel better if you get some sleep, Nan.’

‘Sleep? Sleep? I want revenge. Revenge for all them years I wasted on that bastard.’

As his nan stood up and staggered towards the kitchen, Joey sat frozen to the spot. He could hear her rummaging about in the big cupboard, but didn’t have the guts to ask what she was looking for. Hearing the kitchen door slam, he crept over to the window. He gasped as he saw his nan zigzagging down the garden with his dad’s big hammer in her hand.

‘Shit!’ he shouted as he ran outside. Surely she wasn’t going to hurt the dogs.

Joyce had had little to smile about for weeks, but as she lifted the hammer and smashed it through the side of Stanley’s beloved pigeon shed, she began to laugh. ‘You fucking bald-headed old bastard,’ she shrieked, as she let fly again.

Wishing they were back at Pat Murphy’s, Buster and Bruno cowered next to the fence.

‘Nan, stop it. What are you doing?’ Joey yelled.

‘Your grandfather deserves all he gets. Shame he’s took them pigeons home with him. I could have killed ’em and cooked ’em in a nice pie,’ Joyce cackled.

Petrified by the look of madness on his nan’s face, Joey ran back into the house. If only Frankie was here, she’d know what to do. At the sound of more wood splintering, Joey knew he had to do something. Dashing upstairs, he grabbed his phone. ‘Please answer, please answer,’ he said out loud.

Thankfully, his wishes were answered. ‘Uncle Raymond, you need to come to the house quickly. Nanny’s gone loopy, she’s smashing Grandad’s pigeon shed up with a big hammer. I don’t know how to stop her. Please hurry up. Please.’

CHAPTER FOUR

Frankie felt nervous as she followed Jed into his parents’ house. She’d spent many a night in Jed’s trailer but, apart from a few hellos and goodbyes, she’d had very little contact with his parents, Jimmy and Alice.

‘Hello Frankie, you come and sit down ’ere next to me,’ Alice told her warmly. ‘You know what these men are like, all they wanna do is talk business,’ she said, laughing.

Frankie was surprised to see the table laid.

Noticing her expression, Alice smiled. ‘Didn’t Jed tell you? We’re having a nice family meal. Billy and Marky, Jed’s brothers, will be here soon with their wives and chavvies. Now you’re living here and having my grandchild, we gotta introduce you to the family, ain’t we?’

Frankie felt like a fish out of water. She had been nervous enough officially meeting Jed’s parents, let alone his brothers and their wives.

While Alice waffled on about baby names, Frankie studied the decor in the house. It was decked out in china and some of the ornaments were like those Jed had in his trailer.

‘What are you looking at – the china? Or my Jimmy’s brass collection?’

‘Both,’ Frankie said, embarrassed.

‘I’ll take you upstairs later and show you me handmade dollies. Beautiful they are, Frankie. All we need now is for you to have a little girl, so we got someone in the family to appreciate ’em. Did Jed tell you that I was pregnant and recently lost a baby?’

Frankie nodded. ‘I’m sorry, Alice.’

Alice’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Rushed to hospital bleeding to fuck I was, and do you know the worst thing about it?’

Incredibly uncomfortable, Frankie wished Jed would reappear. He’d gone into the other room with his dad. ‘What?’ Frankie asked awkwardly.

‘The nurse asked me if I wanted to know the sex of it. I said yes and she told me it was a girl. All I ever wanted was a daughter, and although I was blessed with three beautiful boys, I still crave one. Billy and Marky have got three kids between ’em and they’re all boys as well. The doctors say it’s too dangerous for me to have another one now, so I need you to produce me a little granddaughter, Frankie. Do you think you can do that for me?’

Frankie nodded dumbly. She wasn’t usually lost for words, but Alice was very loud and overpowering.

As soon as Jed and Jimmy returned, Alice went off to prepare the dinner. Jed was engrossed in deep conversation with his father, so Frankie amused herself by studying her new family.

Jimmy was tall and very broad-shouldered. He had dark brown hair that was greying round the edges and his nose was flat and was squashed towards the right side of his face. He was certainly no looker – Jed didn’t resemble him one little bit, thank God. Glancing towards the kitchen, Frankie watched Alice peel the potatoes. Apart from their eye colour, Jed didn’t really look like his mum either, as she was plump and short with long black hair. Alice had always considered herself to have a sixth sense, and without even turning around, she knew Frankie was watching her.

‘If you’re that interested in what I’m doing, come out here and peel these carrots,’ she chuckled.

Frankie was mortified as she slunk towards her. ‘I was just looking at your kitchen. It’s very pretty,’ she said apologetically.

Alice handed her a strange-looking object. ‘Peel from the top downwards,’ she ordered.

Frankie had rarely prepared or cooked anything in her life. Her mum had been the boss in the kitchen, and Frankie barely knew how to boil an egg.

Alice snatched the scraper out of her hand and showed her exactly how to use it. ‘One golden rule, Frankie. You need to be a good cook to keep your mush happy. A good-looking boy like my Jed could have any filly he wanted. You don’t wanna lose him now, do you?’

‘No,’ Frankie whispered.

Alice smiled. ‘Well, that’s settled then. From tomorrow while Jed’s out grafting, you come to me and I’ll teach you how to cook.’

The doorbell saved Frankie from replying.

‘Go back and sit at the table. That’ll be one of Jed’s brothers, and his wife will need some female company.’

Like a scolded puppy, Frankie sidled into her seat.

Sitting at the table alone, Jed smiled at her. ‘How you getting on with me mum?’ he asked.

‘Great,’ Frankie lied. She could hardly tell Jed that his mother frightened the living daylights out of her.

Jimmy reappeared with a fattish lad, who had the same piercing green eyes as Jed, and a tarty-looking blonde girl. Jed nudged Frankie and urged her to stand up.

‘Frankie, this is my brother Billy and his wife, Shannon.’

Frankie politely shook hands, disliking both Billy and Shannon on sight. Billy had a slobbery kind of look about him and Frankie noticed him staring at her breasts. Shannon was just hideous. Her hair was dyed a yellowish blonde, showing at least two inches of dark brown roots. She was dripping in gold jewellery and her outfit consisted of a denim skirt so short that it barely covered her buttocks, a pink boob tube that looked far too small, and knee-length white plastic boots. Considering she was obviously about five months pregnant, she didn’t look good, to say the least.

A sulky-looking dark-haired boy ran into the room and Shannon grabbed him. ‘This is Billy Junior, but everyone calls him Mush.’

Frankie smiled politely as little Mush kicked his mother in the shins. ‘He’s lovely,’ she lied. ‘When is your other one due?’

As soon as the room fell silent, Frankie knew she’d said the wrong thing.

‘Shannon isn’t pregnant, Frankie,’ Jed said, embarrassed.

Frankie was mortified. ‘I’m so sorry.’

Shannon glared at her, then at Jed. ‘Trust you to end up with some dinlo gorjer,’ she said nastily.

In a huff, Shannon stomped out to the kitchen to see Alice. ‘I’m sorry, Jed, you know what Shannon’s like, she didn’t mean what she said,’ Billy mumbled, as he followed his wife out of the room.

‘Don’t worry, she’ll be OK in a minute,’ Jed soothingly told Frankie.

‘What’s a gorjer? I’m sure you told me once before, but I’ve forgotten,’ Frankie asked. She already knew from Jed’s expressions that dinlo meant stupid.

‘It just means a non-gypsy girl. You sit ’ere a minute while I go and sort it out,’ Jed said.

As Frankie sat alone in the dining room, she put her head in her hands. Apart from Jimmy, who didn’t say very much, Jed’s family were just awful, and for the first time since she’d met Jed, Frankie had doubts as to what she’d let herself in for.

Another person in the middle of a crisis was Raymond, who was currently pacing up and down his deceased sister’s living room. It was Polly’s mum’s birthday that night, and he was meant to be taking them to a select West End restaurant.

‘You ain’t gonna leave me here on my own with Nan, are you, Ray?’ Joey asked solemnly.

Shaking his head, Raymond sat on the sofa. His fucked-up family were doing his head in lately, and all their dramas certainly weren’t doing his relationship any good. Ray picked up his mobile. Polly was sure to be well pissed off when he told her he had to cancel yet again.

Desperate for a bit of privacy, Raymond told Joey to take the dogs out for a quick walk. As soon as the door slammed, he made the call.

‘I’m sorry, babe, but I don’t think I can get there tonight. Me mum’s ill; I’m round there at the moment. The doctor’s upstairs with her as we speak.’

‘Oh Raymond, you must come. It doesn’t matter if you get there late. What’s wrong with your mum? Is she really ill or is it just flu or something?’

Raymond rubbed his tired eyes. He loved Polly and would be devastated if she grew sick of his problems and binned him. He debated whether to tell his girlfriend the truth, but quickly decided against it. How could he tell her that his father had fucked off and his mother had taken a hammer to the old man’s pigeon shed? Polly’s parents had their faults. Her mum was a big drinker and her dad was a bit of a know-all but, compared to his own parents, they were reasonably normal.

‘I think it’s all the grief caught up with her. She had a funny turn today and fainted. Joey’s here on his own with her. I can’t leave him, Polly.’

‘Where’s your dad?’ Polly asked. ‘Can’t he look after her?’

‘No, he’s got a few problems of his own, so he’s had to go away for a few days. I’m so sorry, Polly. I’ll make it up to you, I promise, babe.’

Polly, for once, wasn’t so understanding. ‘I’m furious, Raymond, absolutely furious,’ she screamed, as she slammed the phone down.

Pissed off with events, Raymond went into the kitchen and poured himself a large Scotch. To say his life had been difficult recently was a huge understatement. Polly was the only thing that even got him through the days, and he knew it was time to reward her patience and perhaps propose.

Ray took a swig of his drink as he heard the doctor coming down the stairs. ‘Well?’ he asked hopefully.

‘I’ve sedated your mother and she seems comfortable. She’s probably just suffering from a mixture of stress and grief. Losing a child affects people in different ways and it might have caused a minor breakdown. I suggest we see how she is in the morning and go from there. I’ve done all I can for now, but she might need to be hospitalised for a short period. I know a very good psychiatrist and I’ll leave you his card just in case you need to contact him.’

Raymond thanked the doc and showed him to the door. Polly and her parents would be well impressed if they knew that his mother was on the verge of being shoved in a loony bin.

When Joey returned with Bruno and Buster, Raymond spoke to him gently. ‘Listen, mate, Nanny’s fine. The doctor’s given her something to calm her down. Now I think the best thing I can do is shoot over to your grandad’s and see if I can sort things out between them. You don’t wanna be stuck here with your nan and neither do I. If Grandad comes back, he can take care of her.’

Joey looked scared. ‘What if she wakes up while you’re gone? You’ve seen what she’s done to the shed, Ray. What if she goes off her head again?’

‘She won’t,’ Raymond said confidently.

Approximately half a mile down the road, Frankie’s night was going from bad to worse. Shannon was now extremely drunk and kept throwing nasty little digs her way. Jed was oblivious to what his sister-in-law was up to. He was too wrapped up discussing business with his dad and brother. As the three men stood up to leave the table, Frankie’s heart lurched. Surely he wasn’t going to leave her alone with his mum and Shannon.

Noticing her look of despair, Jed called her into the hallway. ‘What’s a matter, babe?’

‘Where you going?’ Frankie asked him fearfully.

Jed put his arms around her and squeezed her buttocks against his groin. ‘I won’t be long. I’m only going in the lounge to have a game of cards with me dad and Bill.’

‘Please don’t leave me on my own, Jed. Your sister-in-law really doesn’t like me. Ever since I said I thought she was pregnant, she’s been saying horrible stuff and giving me daggers. I feel like a gooseberry with her and your mum. I don’t really know ’em that well, so can’t I just go back to the trailer?’

Jed pulled away from her. ‘No, you can’t, Frankie. Me mum’s just cooked you dinner and if you fuck off, it’s rude. We’re living together now, so you’re gonna have to get used to our way of life. It’s the norm in travelling families for the women to sit chatting and the men to go off and do other stuff. You’ve gotta learn to mix better. If Shannon gives you a hard time, then give it to her back.’

Frankie’s eyes welled up, but in seconds tears were replaced by fire. ‘OK, I’ll be polite, but if she keeps getting on my case, then I’ll tell her her fortune. And as for your mum telling me she needs to give me cooking lessons otherwise you’ll leave me, if she starts again, I’ll tell her an’ all.’

Frankie went to walk away, but Jed violently yanked her back by the arm. ‘Say what you like to Shannon, but don’t you ever disrespect my mum, else you’ll have me to deal with.’

Shocked by the way he’d grabbed her and the look on his face, Frankie lowered her eyes. ‘Of course I won’t, Jed. I’m sorry.’

As Jed kissed her and went off to play cards, Frankie wandered back into the kitchen.

‘There you are,’ Alice said, patting the seat next to her.

Shannon glared at Frankie. ‘Now you’re back, gorjer girl, I’m going outside for a smoke.’

Alice smiled as Shannon left the room. ‘Between me and you, I’ve never liked Shannon that much. Old shitty drawers is my nickname for her. Jimmy’s great-great-grandfather was Irish, but why my Billy married an Irish tinker, I’ll never know. They ain’t decent travellers like us English ones. Scum, they are. Take no notice of her behaviour. She’s just jealous because you’re prettier than her,’ she whispered to Frankie.

Shocked by Jed’s mother’s kindness, Frankie was lost for words. She didn’t want to involve herself too much in family business she knew nothing about, and Alice had been all over Shannon like a rash earlier.

‘Where’s Jed’s other brother, Marky?’ she asked Alice.

‘Oh, Marky can’t make it. Rang up over an hour a go, he did. His youngest chavvie, Teddy boy, fell over. Got a big gash down his leg, he has, and they’ve taken him up the hospital.’

Frankie didn’t know how to react. ‘Will he be OK?’ she whispered.

Alice laughed. ‘Teddy’s a tough kid. He’ll be fine. You just worry about yourself and that grandchild of mine, Frankie. I dunno if Jed’s told you, but I can see the future. My grandma was the same, and her mum before her. It’s a gift that’s been passed down through the generations. You know I told you earlier that the nurse asked me if I wanted to know the sex of my child when I miscarried. Well, I already knew it was a girl. Jimmy didn’t believe me – that’s why I wanted ’em to confirm it. I also knew that my pregnancy was cursed. I kept telling my Jimmy, but he wouldn’t listen.’

Alice smiled sadly and held Frankie’s hand. ‘I know you’re having a little girl, Frankie. I can sense it, in fact I’ve never been so sure of anything in me life.’

Frankie’s eyes were as big as flying saucers. ‘But, how do you know?’ she asked. Alice was staring at her and completely freaking her out.

Alice chuckled. ‘Because I do. Now listen to me, I know you ain’t got your own mum to help out, but I want you to know I’ll be there for you every step of the way. I’ll teach you everything you need to know, and between me and you, that little girl will want for nothing.’

Frankie nodded dumbly.

Alice took another gulp of wine, then continued. ‘If you ever wanna talk to your mum, you just ask me, and I’ll sort it. I speak to the dead on a regular basis, you know. People come from all over to see me. It’s a gift, Frankie, a special gift.’

When Shannon walked back in, Frankie was actually pleased to see her. ‘I won’t be a minute, I’m just going to the toilet,’ she said as she ran out the room.

Frankie locked the bathroom door and put her head in her hands. Alice had given her the heebies. Thinking of her own mother, Frankie began to cry. She had never truly appreciated her when she was alive, but she did now. Feeling extremely disturbed by Alice’s comments, Frankie stared at the ceiling. ‘Mum, if you’re up there and you can see or hear me, I just want you to know that I miss you and I love you very much,’ she whispered.

Jed’s arrival stopped her from saying any more. ‘You in there, Frankie? Are you OK?’ he shouted.

‘Won’t be a sec,’ Frankie replied.

Wiping her eyes with toilet paper, Frankie quickly pulled herself together. Her mum was dead, her dad was in prison, and there wasn’t anything she could do to change that. As she unlocked the bathroom door, Jed took her in his arms.

‘I’ve finished playing cards now, so shall we go back to the trailer?’

Frankie clung to him. The whole get-together had been horrific from start to finish. The company, the conversation, and even Alice’s lamb stew had all left a bitter taste in her mouth. Jed’s family were not her type of people and, to put it bluntly, Frankie couldn’t get away from them quickly enough.

Raymond checked his watch as he sat in the restaurant with Polly and her family. He couldn’t be too long, it wasn’t fair on Joey. He had popped in to see his dad earlier and had begged him to return to the house in Rainham, but Stanley was having none of it.

‘You should have heard the things she said to me, Raymond. I hate to say it, but your mother is a wicked, vicious woman, with a tongue like acid. I want no more to do with her. She’s never supported me, all she’s ever done is put me down, and if it weren’t for her encouraging Jess to marry Eddie in the first place, your sister would still be alive.’

Surprised by the change in his usually mild-mannered father, Raymond had left shortly afterwards. Polly was ignoring his calls, and he needed to make things OK with her. His girlfriend had been delighted when he’d turned up unexpectedly at the restaurant. He’d been too late for the meal – they’d already eaten – but even so, Polly had made a real fuss of him.

Squeezing Polly’s hand now, Raymond smiled at her. ‘I’m gonna have to make a move soon, babe. I can’t leave Joey alone with Mum for too long.’

Polly was well over her earlier strop. ‘I understand, but thanks for coming, Ray. It means such a lot to me.’

Raymond said his goodbyes to her family and urged Polly to follow him outside, where he kissed her tenderly. ‘Keep Saturday free. I’ve got a nice surprise for you,’ he whispered.

Polly smiled. She just loved Raymond’s surprises.

Aware of his nan screaming obscenities and her footsteps plodding down the stairs, Joey was frozen to the armchair. His uncle Raymond said he wouldn’t be long, but he’d been gone for almost three hours.

As Joyce threw open the living-room door, Buster and Bruno cowered in the corner. They might be Rottweilers, but they were no match for Joyce.

Seeing the look on his nan’s face, Joey’s voice shook. ‘Are you OK, Nan?’ he stuttered. ‘What’s the matter?’

‘OK? OK? Do I look fucking OK?’ Joyce screamed.

Petrified, the dogs legged it out of the room, quickly followed by Joey. His hands were shaking as he dialled his uncle Raymond’s number. Unfortunately, for Joey, Raymond’s mobile was switched off.

‘Stop it, Nan, stop it,’ he screamed, as he heard the glass and china being smashed.

Joey peeped round the door and saw that she was trashing the room. ‘Please don’t do that, Nan. You’re really frightening me,’ he begged.

Joyce took no notice. Her eyes were glazed and she was away with the fairies. ‘Look at this photo, with your grandad and your father in it. Both arseholes!’ she screamed, jumping up and down on the frame.

Worried for his own safety and that of the dogs, Joey picked up the phone and dialled 999.

‘You have to help me. My nan’s smashing the house up, she’s gone loopy,’ he cried.

CHAPTER FIVE

Eddie Mitchell sat alone in the prison canteen. He was fully aware that he was the centre of attention and that a lot of the lags were gossiping about him. He didn’t care, though, they could say what they liked, as long as they left him alone.

‘Do you mind if I sit ’ere, Ed?’

Ed looked up and nodded at Bertie Simms to sit down. Bertie had been good friends with Ed’s dad, Harry, and Eddie remembered him coming to the house regularly when he was a kid.

‘How you doing, Ed? I’m so sorry to hear about what happened.’

Eddie nodded and carried on eating his breakfast.

‘How’s Gary and Ricky doing?’ Bertie asked, not knowing what else to say.

‘All right. They’re coming up to see me later today. They’ve took over the business for me. They’ll do a good job, they’re good lads.’

Seeing Big Bald Baz and his cronies sniggering at them two tables away, Bertie leaned forward and spoke in a whisper. ‘Listen, Ed, I think you should know that Baz, your cellmate, has been taking the right piss out of ya behind your back. He’s been telling everyone that you’ve lost the plot, mate. Reckon’s he’s gonna do you in the shower room with a tool, he does. I heard him saying some terrible stuff about your Jessica the other day, and he was also taking the piss about your old man being murdered.’

Eddie digested the information, but said nothing. Inside he was fuming. How dare anyone say stuff about his beautiful wife, or his poor old dad? Couldn’t people just let them rest in peace?

‘We go back years me and you, Ed. I know what happened must be fucking awful for ya, but I also know you’re no man’s fool. Don’t let some shitbag like Baz mug you off. If you do, we both know that there’s many others in here waiting to jump on the bandwagon. Take my advice – sort it out before it’s too late.’

Eddie’s eyes wandered to the table where the laughter was coming from. He briefly locked eyes with Big Bald Baz, then quickly looked away. It was in that split second that Ed felt the fire return to his belly. He’d get through his stretch – he had to. He was Eddie Mitchell, for fuck’s sake.

Frankie sat nervously in the Albion pub. She hadn’t seen Joey since the night she’d left home, and she was both anxious and excited. She’d rung the house this morning praying that her brother would answer and, as luck would have it, he had.

‘Can you talk? It’s me,’ she’d asked cautiously.

At the sound of his sister’s voice, Joey had burst into tears. ‘It’s been awful here without you, Frankie. Nanny’s gone off her rocker and I’m so unhappy.’

Frankie told him to meet her at the pub at one o’clock and to pack some of her clothes in a sports bag. She also told him to charge up her mobile and bring the phone and her charger with him. ‘Oh, and Joey, don’t forget my new trainers, the Adidas ones.’

Because his uncle Raymond had come into the room, Joey abruptly ended the phone call. ‘I’ll see you at one then, Wesley,’ he’d lied. Raymond would have gone apeshit if he had known Joey was helping Frankie out. He blamed her and Jed for Jessica’s death and everything else that had happened since.

As soon as Joey walked into the boozer, Jed stood up.

‘I’ll leave yous two to it. Ring me when you want picking up,’ he told Frankie.

As Jed left, Frankie and Joey clung to each other.

‘I’ve missed you so much,’ Joey said, his eyes brimming with tears.

Aware that some of the pub regulars were staring their way, Frankie pulled away from her brother and sat down.

‘Did you bring everything I asked for?’ she asked, nodding towards the sports bag.

‘The only thing I couldn’t find was your Fila tracksuit top. I brought everything else, though.’

Frankie thanked him and went to get them both a drink. ‘Where’s my phone?’ she asked, as she handed Joey his vodka.

Joey found it for her, then launched into the story of their nan. ‘She just went bananas, Frankie. You wanna see what she did to Grandad’s pigeon shed. The doctor came and sedated her, but while Raymond was out she woke up again. She started smashing up the house and I was petrified.’

‘How is she now?’ Frankie asked genuinely concerned.

‘I don’t really know. I rang the police and they rang an ambulance. Ray had come back by the time the paramedics arrived. She was like a woman possessed, lashing out at everyone. She wouldn’t get in the ambulance, and I think they had to hold her down and give her an injection. I wasn’t there when they took her. I got a bit upset, so Ray sent me upstairs with the dogs.’

‘So, who’s staying with you now?’ Frankie asked. She was feeling more guilty by the minute for leaving Joey.

‘Ray and Grandad have been taking it in turns to stay at the house with me. Grandad wants me to live in Upney with him, but I don’t wanna leave the house. I hate Upney and I’ve got no friends over that way.’

Frankie nodded understandingly. She couldn’t believe that her grandparents had split up after all these years and, as for her nan going mad, the whole situation felt surreal. ‘Go and order us some more drinks and some food. I’ll have a quarter pounder with cheese and chips,’ she told her brother, handing him one of the twenty-pound notes Jed had given her.

As he walked away, Frankie grabbed her phone. Joey needed help and support, and if she couldn’t be there for him, maybe Dominic could. She punched in Dom’s number and held the phone to her ear. He answered on the second ring.

‘I read what happened to your mum in the papers. I’m so sorry, Frankie. I was going to call Joey, but I was afraid he wouldn’t want to talk to me,’ Dominic said.

‘Joey still loves you, Dominic, and he needs you. I know what my dad did to you was awful, but you haven’t got to worry about him now, he’ll be locked up for years to come.’

Dominic didn’t know what to do for the best. He still loved Joey, but was petrified of his father, even though he was inside. Eddie Mitchell had given him many a nightmare. Suppose he had spies on the outside and they tried to finish off what Eddie had begun? ‘I’m not sure, Frankie. Say your dad gets someone to finish off the job he started the last time?’

‘He won’t,’ Frankie replied confidently. ‘My dad’s life is in tatters, Dom. You and Joey’s relationship are the least of his problems right now.’

Aware that Joey was being served at the bar, Frankie knew she had to hurry things up. ‘Listen Dom, Joey and I are having lunch in the Albion as we speak. Can you meet up with us?’

Dominic’s feelings for Joey were far too strong for him to decline. ‘OK, I’ll order a cab and be there within the hour.’

Raymond and Stanley sat in a relatives’ room at Warley Hospital. The name of the place made it sound normal, but both Ray and Stan knew it was anything but. The wails and screams coming from different directions were enough to let anybody know that the place was actually a nuthouse.

Joyce had been admitted only yesterday. She’d originally been taken to Oldchurch Hospital in Romford, but the nurses hadn’t been able to control her mood swings. In the middle of the night, Joyce started shouting and bawling and, after numerous complaints from the other patients and their families, she had been moved over to Warley.

As Ray and Stan sat opposite one another, neither of them spoke. Both were deep in thought and neither had much to say to the other.

‘Mr Smith, the doctors have examined your wife now, so you can go and sit with her if you want. If she’s woozy, don’t worry, it will just be the medication she’s been prescribed.’

Stanley walked into the room where Joyce lay, and was immediately consumed with both anger and guilt. His Joycie was usually glammed up to the nines, and would never be seen dead without her lippy on. Today she looked old, pale and thin, a shadow of the woman he knew so well. Leaning towards her, Stanley clocked her vacant expression.

‘Hello Joycie. Raymond and I have brought you some fruit and some chocolates,’ he said.

Joyce stared at the ceiling. Her body was OK, but her mind had drifted off to another planet. Turning her head, she looked blankly at Stanley, then turned away again. With one tear running down her cheek, Joyce shut her eyes and went back to sleep.

Eddie walked into the visiting room and spotted Gary and Ricky at once. ‘All right? How’s tricks?’ he asked them.

Both Gary and Ricky immediately noticed an improvement in their father’s manner and appearance.

‘We’re fine, Dad. Business is booming. What about you?’ Ricky asked.

Eddie shrugged. ‘I’m OK. Just gotta get on with it, ain’t I? How did the funeral go?’

Ricky nudged Gary. ‘Yeah, OK. Ray sent some lovely flowers from you and a lot of your old pals showed up to pay their respects. All in all, Jessica had a lovely send-off,’ Gary lied. He could hardly tell his old man that Jed and Jimmy O’Hara had turned up, causing Ronny to kick off and the service to be cut short. That would do his father’s improvement no good at all.

‘How’s Joey and Frankie?’ Eddie asked.

Ricky glanced at Gary. They’d already decided to come clean about Frankie moving in with Jed. Gary looked at the floor as he spoke. ‘Frankie’s gone, Dad. She’s living down on O’Hara’s land with Jed. Do you want us to have a chat with her? See if we can make her see sense?’

Eddie shook his head. Everything that had happened was down to his daughter’s stupidity. Frankie had made her own bed, so let her fucking lie in it. ‘Leave her be. She’ll realise her mistake one day and come crawling up here to visit me with her tail between her legs.’

‘Joycie ain’t well. Ray rang up last night. She’s gone off her rocker, by all accounts,’ Ricky said.

‘Whaddya mean?’ Ed asked, surprised. He’d always liked poor old Joycie. She’d stuck up for him over the years, especially to Stanley, who had always despised him.

‘Apparently, she just went loopy all of a sudden. It all started on the day of the funeral, I think. Ray said Stanley left her the following day and that was when she lost it completely,’ Gary chipped in.

Eddie felt terrible. There was nothing he could do to bring Jessica back, but he had to try and make amends to Joycie somehow.

‘Listen boys, I want you to do me a favour. I want you to go and see Joycie and tell her how sorry I am for what has happened. I know she’s been stopping at the house and I’m gonna sign it over to her as a way of apology. Tell her I’ll sort a solicitor out, I’ll have a word with Larry. He’ll deal with the legal stuff and I’ll sign the deeds over to her.’

‘Are you sure, Dad? The house is worth a fortune,’ Ricky asked him, perplexed.

‘What about the twins?’ Gary said agitated.

Ed couldn’t even bring himself to think about the twins. Frankie was now shacked up with O’Hara’s scumbag son, and Joey liked sucking men’s cocks.

‘Fuck the pair of ’em,’ Eddie said bluntly. ‘And so what if the house is worth an arm and a leg? I’ve got all your grandfather’s money for when I get out, ain’t I? I ain’t mucking about, lads. I’ve made my mind up and I want Joycie to have that house.’

Back in Rainham, Frankie had just eaten dessert and her eyes were firmly fixed on the door.

‘Whaddya keep looking at? Jed ain’t coming back yet, is he?’ Joey asked, annoyed. He hadn’t seen his sister for Christ knows how long and she wasn’t even listening to him properly.

‘No, Jed’s not coming back. I promised you that he wouldn’t be here with us and I meant it,’ Frankie said honestly.

Joey smiled. ‘So, how are you getting on, living together? Have you met all of his family yet?’ Joey pried.

‘I’m happy living with Jed, he treats me really well. As for his family, his dad’s OK, but I’m not sure about the rest of them. His mum’s very overpowering – she does my head in. I met one of his brothers the other night and I didn’t like him at all. His name’s Billy, and he’s married to this girl called Shannon, who was just awful. I put me foot right in it, Joey. She had this massive fat gut, and I only asked her when the baby was due.’

‘So?’ Joey said, urging her to carry on.

‘Well, it turns out that she was just fat and wasn’t even pregnant. She hated me from that moment onwards.’

‘So, why don’t you like his mum? What’s overpowering about her?’

Frankie was about to answer, when she clocked Dominic and waved.

‘Who you bloody waving to? Frankie, I’m talking to you,’ Joey said, annoyed.

As soon as Dominic arrived at the table, Frankie excused herself. ‘I think yous two have stuff to talk about, so I’m going outside to make a few phone calls.’

Joey looked up and immediately felt his body shake. Dominic was gorgeous, even sexier than he’d remembered. ‘All right? Let me get you a drink, Dom,’ he said awkwardly.

Noticing that Joey’s hands were unsteady. Dominic offered to do the honours for him. ‘You sit there. I’ll order us a bottle of wine.’

Outside the pub, Frankie was an interested spectator. The boys had been laughing and joking for over half an hour now. Frankie smiled as she ended the phone call to her friend Stacey. Dominic had just held Joey’s hand, which meant her plan was obviously working.

Back inside the pub, Dominic stared into Joey’s innocent eyes. ‘It can’t be like before, Joey. If we’re gonna make a go of this, I’d like us to move in together.’

Joey was ecstatic. Dominic was the only person in the world who could help him recover from the trauma of his mum’s death. ‘I’ll move in with you tomorrow if you want me to,’ he told Dom.

Dominic suddenly remembered Eddie Mitchell again. ‘What about your dad though, Joey? I know he’s in prison, but say he sends one of his henchmen around the flat? He might even send your uncle or your brothers round to finish off what he tried to do last time.’

Joey clenched Dominic’s hand. ‘I’m finished with my dad and so is Frankie. I can come out now he’s locked up. Everything about us can be out in the open. My dad won’t bother us again, I just know he won’t. How could he even say or do anything, after what he did to my mum?’

‘Are you sure? I really don’t want any more trouble,’ Dominic said cautiously.

‘I’m absolutely positive.’

Dominic leaned forward and, not caring about anybody else in the pub, gently kissed Joey on the lips. ‘I’ve missed you so much,’ he said to the beautiful blond boy who had stolen his heart.

Over at Warley Hospital, Stanley was sitting alone with his wife. Raymond had left a couple of hours ago, which had given him plenty of thinking time. Joycie was still fast asleep, and as Stanley checked her breathing yet again, he smiled to see her chest rise in a steady rhythm.

Deep down, Stanley knew that he would always love his wife, whether she loved him or not. As she opened her eyes, Stanley gently held her hand. ‘How are you feeling, Joycie? You’ve had a nice long sleep, my love.’

Joyce indicated that her throat was dry, so Stanley held the paper cup to her mouth and urged her to sip some water. As she laid her head back on the pillow and stared at the ceiling, Stanley spoke honestly and kindly to her.

‘I’m so sorry for leaving you, Joycie. This is all my fault, darling, but I want you to know that I still love you and from now on, whatever happens, I’ll look after you and help you get better.’

Joyce turned towards him. She was too weak to sit up properly. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered. ‘I’m ever so sorry for smashing up your pigeon shed, and even though I don’t always show it, I do love you too, Stanley Smith.’

CHAPTER SIX

Joycie seemed to recover quickly after her reconciliation with Stanley, and a month later the doctors gave her the go-ahead to return home. She had suffered some kind of nervous breakdown, which the doctors said wasn’t uncommon after the death of a child.

Joyce spent her last morning at the hospital sitting on an armchair by the window reading the Daily Mail. Stanley and Raymond were coming to collect her and were due to arrive soon. As the sun beat down through the glass, Joyce put down her paper and sat deep in thought. She still missed her daughter dreadfully, but after her recent illness, she knew that her own life had to go on. She felt much better mentally and physically since the doctors had taken her off those awful bloody tablets. They had turned her into a zombie, and the more her dosage was reduced, the better she had started to feel.

Watching two sparrows splashing about in a bird bath, Joycie smiled. She couldn’t wait to get back to the house in Rainham and its beautiful garden, soon to be her own. Gary and Ricky had come to visit her last week, explaining Eddie’s wishes.

‘Me dad is in bits and he can’t apologise enough for what happened, Joycie. He loved your Jess and he’ll never forgive himself for the awful mistake he made. Anyway, he wants you to have the house. He said signing it over to you is the least he can do,’ Gary told her.

Joyce had been stunned and hadn’t known what to say or do. ‘I need to discuss this with my Stanley and Raymond. Can you pop back tomorrow, boys? And I’ll let you know my decision then,’ she said.

Stanley had gone apeshit. ‘Can’t you see what the bastard’s trying to do, Joycie? He’s trying to ease his own guilt by buying us. Tell him to stick his house where the sun don’t shine.’

Keen for his parents to have a better life, Raymond disagreed and had a long chat with his father. ‘Look, Dad, your ex-council house must be worth a fair old lump sum. If you take Ed up on his offer, you can sell that and live the life of Riley. I know how you feel about Eddie, but for once you wanna think about your own well-being. For all Ed’s faults, we both know that he adored Jessica, and he didn’t mean to do what he did. If you let him sign the house over to Mum, you and her will be set up for the rest of your lives. You’ll never have to worry about money again. Even though you don’t agree, you’ve gotta think of Mum. She loves that house and it makes her feel close to Jessica. Knowing that she owns it will help her recovery no end.’

‘But what about all the memories, Raymond? Every time I walk in the kitchen, I picture Jessica standing at that cooker.’

Raymond put a comforting arm around his father’s shoulder. ‘Decorate the place so it don’t look the same. Take my advice, Dad, take Eddie up on the offer.’

Joycie was snapped out of her daydream by the arrival of her husband and son. ‘There you are. I’ve been ready and waiting for you for over an hour.’

Stanley smiled. Joycie’s moaning only proved to him that his wife was on the mend. ‘Hold me arm, Joycie,’ he ordered her.

Joyce glared at him. ‘I’m not an invalid, you silly old goat. I’m quite capable of walking, you know. Now pick up that case, Stanley, and hurry up and get me out of this godforsaken loony bin.’

Eddie Mitchell smiled as he placed the file in his sock. Tomorrow was the big day, and he couldn’t wait to wipe the smiles off the faces of Big Bald Baz and his dickhead mates.

Ed had found an inner strength over the last few weeks, and had eased himself into the prison system. He’d even made friends with a young screw called Johnny, who was easily won over.

Obviously, he never stopped thinking of his beautiful wife, but as the weeks had passed, the tears and pain had now turned into anger and a stomach full of revenge. One day Jed O’Hara would pay for what he had made him do, Eddie would make sure of it.

Ed didn’t allow himself to think of Jessica’s murder at all any more; instead he concentrated on all the good times that they’d had. Holidays, Christmases, parties, that kind of stuff, but most of all he pictured himself and Jessica lying in bed together. Those were the very special times, when no one else in the world, not even the kids, had existed.

As soon as Big Bald Baz stopped snoring, Eddie prepared himself for the usual claptrap out of the fat prick’s mouth.

‘All right, Mitchell? You’re not thinking of that night you did your wife in again, are you?’

While Baz chuckled, Eddie did his best to keep hold of his temper. He’d been desperate for weeks to shut the ponce up, but he wasn’t about to do it in the cell. Eddie loved a bit of impact, so to have Baz in front of his cronies was the only way forward.

Pretending to scratch his foot, Eddie smirked as he ran his fingers along the file that Johnny had managed to smuggle in. He’d doctored the thing himself by rubbing it endlessly against the brick wall. Sharp as a razor the fucker was now, with a point like the Eiffel Tower.

When Baz let out one almighty fart, Eddie picked up his book. The geezer was filth, an utter animal, and Ed couldn’t wait to get rid of his oversized carcass once and for all.

Unaware that her dad was up to his old tricks again, Frankie stood awkwardly in Alice O’Hara’s kitchen. Unfortunately for her, it was time for another cooking lesson.

‘Now, don’t stand there doing nothing. You’re never gonna learn how to be a good wife if you don’t do stuff with your own hands. Wash that liver under the cold tap, then roll it in the flour,’ Alice ordered.

Frankie had been relatively lucky with sickness during her pregnancy. She’d had a couple of bouts of it in the first few weeks, but since then she’d been OK. Until now, that was.

Picking up the liver, Frankie quickly slung it back down on the worktop. ‘I can’t do it. It feels horrible,’ she said.

‘Don’t be such a dinlo,’ Alice said, picking the liver up and waving it in front of her nose.

Feeling under duress, Frankie tried to touch it again. Without warning, she immediately heaved and slung her guts up all over the kitchen floor. Feeling embarrassed and scared of Alice’s reaction, Frankie began to cry.

‘Now, stop all that. You can’t help it, you’re pregnant,’ Alice said kindly, as she led her into the lounge.

While Alice went off to clear up the mess, Frankie felt extremely sorry for herself. She missed her own family terribly. Joey, her mum, Nan, Grandad and, even though he’d done a dreadful thing, she even missed her dad.

Living with Jed was turning out to be not as much fun as Frankie had hoped. She loved the evenings when they were alone and all cosied up in the trailer, but when Jed was out grafting, she hated it. Alice taking a special interest in her potential homemaking skills wasn’t exactly helping matters, either.

Frankie spoke to Joey virtually every day and she knew that her nan was much better and was moving back into the house with her grandad. The trouble was, Jed had made her promise that she would have no more to do with her family, and, each day that passed, Frankie missed them that little bit more.

‘When we get wed, you’ll be an O’Hara, Frankie. Look at the way they’ve treated you and me. You’re my girl now, we’re having a chavvie together, so you’ve just got to forget about ’em.’

Although Frankie had originally agreed with Jed, she didn’t now. She wanted to go and see her grandparents, try to build some bridges. Knowing Jed would strongly disagree, Frankie decided that if and when she went, she wouldn’t tell him. Hopefully, if she was careful, he would never find out anyway.

Joey punched the air in delight as he spotted Dominic waiting for him in reception. Dom had got him an interview in the building where he worked and Joey had just been offered the position. It was nothing special. He’d be working as a post boy/courier, and would spend half of his day in the post room and the other half delivering mail and parcels in and around the City.

Dominic hugged him. ‘I take it you got it, then?’

Joey dragged him into a nearby pub. ‘Of course I did. Let’s celebrate.’

Dom ordered a bottle of champagne and they sat down at a quiet table. ‘Is everything still OK for tomorrow?’

Joey nodded. His nan had come out of hospital only this morning and insisted that he bring his new friend round for one of her special roasts the following day. Ever since they’d got back together, Joey had spent most of his time staying at Dominic’s flat. Dom had been keeping him financially, as since his mum had died and his dad had got locked up, he’d been completely brassic.

‘Once I get my first wage packet, I’ll pay you back all that money I borrowed,’ Joey said happily.

Dom shook his head. He had a high-powered job and certainly wasn’t short of a few quid. ‘I didn’t lend it to you, Joey, I gave it to you. I tell you what you can do though, when you get that first pay packet – you can take me out for a nice slap-up meal. The works, I want.’

As Dom left the table to answer a business call, Joey grinned. His boyfriend was one in a million, and the only downside to his life was that his mum wasn’t able to share his happiness with him.

Joey rarely thought consciously of his dad any more. Now and again he dreamed about him, but other than that, he’d completely erased him from his mind and his life.

When he saw Dom walk back inside the pub, Joey smiled. Uncle Raymond and Polly were also going to his grandparents’ for dinner tomorrow and Joey felt that perhaps the time was right to tell his family about his and Dom’s relationship.

It might come as a shock to them at first, but the quicker he and Dominic were accepted as a couple, the happier Joey could be.

Joycie felt content as she sat on the bench in the garden. Raymond and Stanley had worked wonders while she had been in hospital. They’d repaired the broken furniture, assembled a new pigeon shed, replaced the trampled flowers, and the house itself was absolutely spotless. As Stanley handed her a cuppa, Joyce urged him to sit down next to her.

‘Where’s Joey?’ she asked.

Stanley shrugged. ‘I think he said he had an interview or something. To be honest, Joycie, the last few weeks he’s hardly been here. He’s got that mate, Dominic, ain’t he, who lives in Islington, and he’s been stopping over at his. He did pop in the other day, mind, and he seems much brighter and happier.’

‘Well, who exactly is this mate? I’m sure I ain’t met no Dominic,’ Joycie said suspiciously.

‘Joey says we have met him before. He said he came to his and Frankie’s birthday party earlier this year. You gotta remember he’s sixteen, Joycie. If Joey wants to stop at his mate’s flat, we can’t do much to stop him.’

Joyce pursed her lips. ‘Well, good job he’s bringing this Dominic around for dinner tomorrow. At least we can check him out, make sure he comes from a good home. For all we know, he could be a druggie, Stanley.’

Just a short distance down the road, Frankie had felt tired and depressed all day, so had taken herself off to the bedroom for a catnap. On awakening, still bleary-eyed, she stumbled into the lounge. The reek of aftershave hit her nostrils immediately, and she was shocked to see Jed spruced up in a shirt and trousers.

‘What’s happening? Why you all dressed up? Are we meant to be going out?’

Jed kissed her on the forehead and laughed. ‘I’m going out, you’re staying ’ere, Frankie. I told you the other day I was going to a stag night. You know my cousin, Sammy? Well, his mate Donny’s getting married at the weekend.’

‘You never told me anything,’ Frankie said stubbornly.

‘I did. Your mind’s all over the place at the moment. It’s because you’re borey – that means “pregnant” in Romany – before you ask. Anyway, you don’t have to feel left out, ’cause I’m taking you to their wedding reception over in Kent.’

Frankie moved away from him and flopped onto the sofa. ‘Do you have to go to his stag night, Jed? I’ve been stuck here on my own all day and I’m so bored.’

Sitting down next to her, Jed squeezed her hand. ‘Of course I have to go. You don’t want me to look like a dinlo, do ya? Why don’t you go next door and watch telly with me mum and dad?’

At the mention of Jed’s mother, Frankie burst into tears. ‘I want my own mum, not someone else’s,’ she sobbed.

Making sure that her tears didn’t ruin his Ralph Lauren shirt, Jed put an arm around her. ‘Look, no one can bring your mum back, Frankie. I know what happened was rotten, but you’ve got your cuntsmouth of a father to blame for that. We’re gonna be parents ourself soon, so you gotta pull yourself together. How you gonna take care of our chavvie properly if you’re upset all the poxy time?’

Frankie stared at him in horror. Her mum had only been dead for two months, so surely she was allowed to grieve. ‘Just go, Jed,’ she said angrily.

Jed stood up. He was gagging for a good night out and he wasn’t going to let Frankie spoil it for him. ‘I’ll try not to be late. Why don’t you have an early night? You look ever so tired,’ he said gently.

Frankie wanted to tell him to fuck off, but didn’t have the guts to. If she was still living back at home, she would have told him where to go, but what was the point now when she was so reliant on him?

‘Love you,’ Jed said, as he slammed the trailer door.

Over in South London, Eddie Mitchell reread the letter he’d received today from Paulie. He didn’t usually receive a lot of post, but today he’d had mail from Raymond, his Uncle Reg and his eldest brother.

Raymond’s letter was pretty brief, but he’d asked for a visiting order to be sent, which had pleased Ed no end.

Reggie’s letter had been pleasant, but long-winded. He’d spoken in detail about Auntie Joan, Auntie Vi, Uncle Albert, but had said very little else of interest.

It had been Paulie’s letter that had been the real eye-opener. A, Ed hadn’t expected to ever hear from him again after the fall-out they’d had earlier this year, and B, no other fucker had told him that Jed and Jimmy O’Hara had turned up and ruined Jessica’s funeral.

To say Ed was livid was the understatement of the century. It wasn’t just the fact that the bastards had had the front to turn up, it was also because no one had felt fit or brave enough to tell him about it. Eddie was especially annoyed with Gary and Ricky. He could understand people not wanting to tell him what had happened by letter, but his sons had been to visit him week in, week out.

Folding up Paulie’s letter, Ed shoved it under his pillow. Even his own flesh and blood obviously believed he’d lost the plot that fucking much he couldn’t handle any more bad news.

Turning on his side, Eddie stared at his vulgar cellmate. Big Bald Baz was in his usual position, lying flat on his stomach, snoring and farting like an unadulterated pig. Ed didn’t smile much lately, but tonight he couldn’t help but grin. All them arseholes that thought he was a sunken ship would think differently after tomorrow. He had mourned as much as he could mourn, cried as many tears as he could cry, and now he couldn’t wait to prove his doubters wrong. From tomorrow onwards, Eddie Mitchell was back with a bang.

CHAPTER SEVEN

At 6 a.m. the following day, Frankie got out of bed. Jed still wasn’t home and she had barely slept a wink all night.

She debated whether to go and wake his parents, but decided against it. She was worried that he’d got drunk and had an accident in his truck, but his mum and dad would probably accuse her of overreacting. She tried Jed’s mobile again, but the phone was still switched off. About to ring her brother for advice, she heard an engine nearing and ran over to the window.

When the headlights turned into the drive, Frankie was relieved, but also angry as she spotted Jed’s truck. Hearing loud voices, Frankie peeped through a gap in the curtains. Recognising Jed’s cousin Sammy, she ran back into the bedroom.

Eddie Mitchell took a slow walk towards the shower room. He knew Big Bald Baz and his cronies were already in there, as his pal, Johnny the screw, had given him the nod.

Johnny was a good lad and Ed had noticed, within weeks of arriving at the prison, that he had little respect for the many scumbags residing there. Today Johnny was on duty with another screw called Fred. Fred hated Big Bald Baz, because on many occasions the fat bastard had tried to terrorise him. Baz could sense weakness in people and Fred wasn’t like most of the other screws. He was meek and a bit of a loner and people like Baz tended to cause him no end of aggravation.

Nearing his destination, Eddie smiled as he heard Big Bald Baz laughing. He bent down, took the file out of his sock and slipped it up his sleeve. The dirty stinking animal wouldn’t be laughing for much longer, that was for sure.

Frankie darted into the bedroom, curled back up under the quilt cover and turned off the light.

Jed and Sammy were obviously slaughtered and she was fuming that Jed had driven home in such a state. She knew they were still drinking, because she could hear the cans being opened. She could also smell cannabis wafting through the crack in the door. She listened intently. They were giggling about some girls they’d met. She heard Jed mention the name Sally, but he then lowered his voice and she heard footsteps heading her way.

As the bedroom door opened, Frankie shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep. She couldn’t wait to give Jed a piece of her mind, but she wasn’t going to show herself up in front of his cousin, Sammy.

Jed sat on the edge of the bed and kissed her on the cheek. ‘How’s my girl? Been looking after that chavvie for me, have yer?’

Frankie ignored him. Jed stank of booze, fags, and his clothes smelt sweaty and stale. She was livid with him and didn’t want him anywhere near her.

‘I know you’re awake,’ he said cockily.

Frankie opened her eyes. ‘Leave me alone, Jed, I’m tired,’ she said angrily. ‘Go and have fun with your cousin. You can talk about what girls you pulled.’

‘We never pulled no girls, Frankie. Me and Sammy knew you were awake, we saw the light go off as we drove in. We’ve been winding you up, you dinlo.’

Unable to stop her eyes welling up, Frankie turned away from him. ‘I was worried sick. I thought you’d had an accident. Why was your phone switched off all night?’

Jed lay down next to her. ‘’Cause me battery ran out. Don’t have the hump, Frankie. Stag nights go on for hours and I ain’t had a night out with the boys for ages, have I? Surely you don’t begrudge me a good time once in a while?’

As his arms went around her waist, Frankie moved away from him. She could feel his hard-on, but he smelt like a tramp and sex was the last thing she fancied, especially with Sammy in the next room. ‘I need to get some sleep, Jed.’

Annoyed, Jed stood up. ‘I’ll speak to you later,’ he said, as he slammed the bedroom door.

Over in South London, Eddie was ready to strike like a viper. As a grinning Baz put the towel around his extra-large midriff, Eddie made his move.

‘You fucking fat cunt, take that,’ he shouted, as he came at Baz from the side and aimed the file straight at his right eye.

As luck would have it, Eddie had taken Baz completely by surprise. His aim was spot on and as the big man fell to the floor in agony, Ed pulled the file out of one eye and aimed straight for the other. ‘That’s what you get for slagging off my family, you fat piece of shit.’

As Baz’s three mates ran towards him, Ed stood up with the file pointing their way.

‘Help me! I can’t see. I’m blind, I’m fucking blind!’ Baz screamed hysterically.

Baz’s mates saw the state of his face and stopped, rooted to the spot. There was blood pouring from both his eyes, and it looked as if he was crying red tears.

As Eddie walked towards them, all three of Baz’s friends took a step backwards. ‘You saw nothing, you mugs, and I swear if you say one word, you’ll have no fucking eyes left as well.’

The three men all held their hands up. ‘We didn’t see anything,’ they repeated one after the other.

Knowing that it was time to leave, Ed couldn’t resist a closer look at the bleeding, screaming mess he’d just attacked. He lifted his foot and kicked Big Bald Baz as hard in the bollocks as he could. ‘You grass me up, or ever say one more word about my wife or dad, I’ll cut your fucking heart out next time, got me?’

‘I can’t see. For fuck’s sake get me some help,’ Baz screamed in agony.

Eddie washed the blood off his hands, smirked, and sauntered out of the shower room.

Joey was a bundle of nerves as he and Dominic headed towards Rainham in a taxi.

‘You haven’t got to tell them tonight if you don’t want to,’ Dominic said kindly.

‘I want to. If me and you are gonna be truly happy, we can’t live a lie.’

Admiring his boyfriend’s strength of character, Dominic squeezed his hand. ‘Why don’t we stop off and get a couple of drinks inside us first.’

Joey shook his head. ‘No. My nan’s expecting us at six and we don’t wanna be late. I won’t tell them straight away. We can eat our dinner, have a few drinks, and I’ll break the news towards the end of the evening.’

Dominic nodded. It was Joey’s family, so the decision was entirely up to him.

Raymond and Polly had just arrived at Joycie’s house.

‘Take Polly’s coat and pour our guests some drinks,’ Joyce said to her husband in her posh voice.

Stanley smiled as he obeyed his wife’s orders. Joyce was properly back to her old self; so much so, it was hard to believe that she had ever been ill in the first place.

Raymond thanked his father for their drinks and politely asked about his pigeons. Their relationship had been difficult after Jessica’s death, but his mother’s illness had helped to heal the rift between them.

Joyce checked on the roast potatoes, shut the oven door, then made her way into the lounge.

‘So lovely to see you again, Polly,’ she said, kissing her son’s girlfriend.

As the dogs ran into the living room, Joyce shushed them out. Buster, the slightly bigger of the two, was having none of it. He’d taken a shine to Joyce since she had come out of hospital and rid herself of her madness. As Buster clung to her leg and tried to hump her, Joyce screamed in mortification.

Realising that the dog was very excited and rubbing his masterpiece against Joycie’s best dress, both Stanley and Raymond burst out laughing.

Joyce was furious. Talk about embarrass her in front of Polly. ‘Get this dog away from me now. Put them out the back,’ she yelled at Stanley.

Trying to stifle his laughter, Stanley ushered Bruno out, then managed to untangle Buster from Joycie’s leg.

‘I feel grubby now, so I’m going to get changed again. Now that Joey’s rarely here, I’m sending them slobbering, filthy creatures back round to Pat Murphy’s,’ Joyce said haughtily.

Once she left the room even Polly started to laugh. Joycie’s face when Buster had got a hard-on had been an absolute picture.

Joyce quickly changed her dress and when the doorbell rang, ran downstairs to answer it.

‘You must be Dominic?’ she said to the tall dark-haired lad who stood next to her grandson.

Naturally polite, Dominic handed Joyce the bouquet of flowers he’d bought. ‘Thank you for asking me for dinner. These are for you.’

Joyce immediately liked the look of Dominic. He was obviously older than Joey, but seemed polite and sophisticated.

‘Thank you so much – they’re beautiful. Take Dominic into the living room, Joey. Your grandad will get you both a drink while I put these in water.’

Raymond shook Dominic’s hand and was immediately aware of Joey’s nervousness. Ray still remembered clearly the night in the Flag earlier this year, when Ronny had blurted to Ed that Joey had a boyfriend.

While Dominic chatted away happily to Polly, Raymond studied him. Ed had never mentioned the incident again, or said anything about Joey’s sexuality since that day, but Raymond was now in no doubt that Ronny had been telling the truth.

Less than a mile away, Frankie was bored stiff. After rejecting Jed’s advances this morning, her fiancé had gone out again with his cousin Sammy and still hadn’t returned. Knowing that her family were having a get-together down the road was hardly helping matters. If she had known that Jed was going to do a disappearing act, she could have sneaked off to see them.

Frankie felt incredibly sorry for herself as she sat down to watch Coronation Street. To say she felt lonely was putting it mildly – she felt utterly desolate.

Jed finally arrived home during the commercial break and when she heard the door open, Frankie kept her eyes glued to the telly.

‘I got us a takeaway. Cheered up now, have we?’ Jed said, slamming the trailer door.

Frankie could see immediately that he’d been drinking again. Full of pent-up emotion, she spoke clearly, but with venom. ‘I’ve had a lot of time to think today, Jed. I’m not happy living here, so I’m going to move back in with my grandparents.’

Jed threw the Chinese on the side and walked over to her. ‘You can’t do that. We’re meant to be getting married, and what about our chavvie?’

He sat down next to her and Frankie was glad that he looked upset. ‘I won’t be treated like shit, Jed. You was out on the piss all night and again today, while I’m sitting here like some idiot. I wasn’t brought up to be treated like a fool.’

‘I’m sorry, Frankie. It won’t happen again. Don’t leave – I love you, you know I do.’

Knowing she had him by the gonads, Frankie carried on. ‘It’s not just about you going out last night and today, Jed. There’s other stuff that I’m unhappy about as well.’

Holding both her hands, Jed knelt in front of her. ‘What? Just tell me and I’ll sort it.’

‘Your mum, for a start. I’m sick of the cooking lessons every day. I know she’s only trying to help, but some days I don’t feel well and I don’t fancy bloody cooking.’

‘I’ll have a word with me mum. Leave it with me.’

Frankie nodded then continued. ‘I also want to be able to visit my nan and grandad as well. I ain’t got me mum and dad now and I miss having no family.’

‘You’ve got your brother, ain’t ya? I worry about you going to that house because I don’t trust your uncle Raymond,’ Jed argued.

Frankie shrugged. She was determined to get her own way. ‘How about if I see my nan and grandad away from the house? I could meet ’em for lunch, or go shopping with me nan.’

Jed wasn’t happy, but was desperate not to show it. ‘Look, we’ll work something out, I promise ya. Why don’t me and you take your grandparents out for a meal next weekend? Tell ’em it’s my treat.’

Frankie smiled. She was getting somewhere now. ‘There’s one more thing, Jed.’

‘Go on,’ Jed said sarcastically. He was getting bored with this shit now.

‘I know if we have a son you’re desperate to name him after your grandad, but I really hate the name Butch. Can’t we choose a name that we both like, instead of just you deciding?’

Jed stood up before he lost his temper. She was really beginning to get on his nerves, the silly tart. ‘Our dinner’s getting cold. Let’s eat that and we can discuss names later,’ he said coldly.

As he began to dish the Chinese up, Frankie smiled. She’d said her piece, stood up to him and her threat to leave – seemed to have worked.

Unaware that Frankie was missing her so much, Joycie had just cleared away the dinner plates and was now sitting back at the table sipping a glass of wine. Her roast chicken had gone down a treat. Everybody had cleared their plates and there wasn’t so much as a baked parsnip left.

Raymond held his glass aloft. ‘That was lovely, Mum. Cheers, everybody,’ he said.

Joycie cleared her throat. Obviously Raymond knew that Eddie was signing the house over to her, but she was yet to tell Joey. Frankie wasn’t even in touch, so she could hardly tell her.

‘Joey, there’s something I need to tell you which I hope you won’t be upset about.’

Joey looked up in shock. He wanted to announce that he was gay himself, surely she hadn’t clocked his sexuality and was about to do it for him?

‘When I was in hospital, Gary and Ricky came to see me. They said that your dad was devastated by what had happened and that he wanted to sign the house over to me.’

‘I don’t understand. You haven’t forgiven him, have you, Nan?’

Joyce shook her head. ‘No, I haven’t, darling, but I do think in his own way your dad is very sorry and he’s trying to make amends.’

Seeing that his mum was struggling, Raymond took over. ‘To put it bluntly, Joey, your dad has given the house to Nan and Grandad. None of this will affect any inheritance due to you in the future, as you’re gonna outlive your grandparents and when anything happens to them, you will get the house.’

‘What about Frankie?’ Joey asked immediately.

Raymond shrugged. ‘Well, obviously, your sister will get left something, too.’

‘Even if she’s still with that pikey toerag, we won’t leave Frankie out, Joey. I’ll make my will according to what your mum would have wanted,’ Joyce assured him.

Joey eyed his grandad suspiciously. ‘You ain’t all gonna forgive my dad, are you?’

Stanley shook his head. ‘Don’t look at me, Joey, I wanted to tell your father to shove his offer up his arse.’

‘So will you sell the house, or live here?’ Joey asked his nan.

Aiming a kick at Stanley under the table, Joyce carried on. ‘We’re staying here until we die. I will never sell the house, because of your mum. She loved it here and while I live here, I can still feel close to her.’

Joey nodded. ‘OK, so do you and Grandad actually own it now?’

Joyce shook her head. ‘Your grandad doesn’t want his name on the deeds, so it will be signed over to me. Your dad’s solicitor is coming round tomorrow to finalise all the paperwork.’

Joey looked at Dominic for support. He wasn’t very good at anything formal.

‘Well, it all sounds OK to me. Now, who fancies a top-up?’ Dom said, cleverly changing the subject.

As the drinks flowed and the mood lifted, Raymond decided the time was right for his own announcement. ‘Well, I’ve got some good news for once. After all that’s happened this year, I decided it was time I got myself an honest career. Polly’s dad came up trumps and I’m gonna go and work with him in the jewellery business. I dunno exactly what I’ll be doing yet, but I’m sure he won’t make me sweep the floors.’

Stanley was the first to leap up and shake Raymond’s hand. For once, his son had done the right thing. ‘Good on you. I’m proud of you,’ Stanley said, choked up.

Raymond turned to Polly. ‘And,’ he continued, ‘last Saturday, I decided that the time was right to ask this beautiful woman here to marry me.’

Joyce jumped up from her seat and clapped her hands together. ‘Go on, don’t keep us in suspense,’ she yelled.

Raymond winked at Polly. ‘Well, after kneeling on the floor for what seemed like an hour, Polly said I was such a catch there was no way she could refuse.’

Joyce was ecstatic. A wedding to organise was just what she needed. ‘Now Polly, you must invite your parents over to the house to meet me and Stanley. We need to start making arrangements.’

‘Hold your horses, Mum, we ain’t even set a date yet,’ Raymond said, laughing.

Polly smiled politely. She had always found Raymond’s family quite strange, so said very little in their company.

Grinning at Dominic, Joey stood up. Everybody was so happy and jolly, it was perfect timing to give his own speech. ‘I’ve got some news as well. Nan, Grandad, are you listening?’

Joyce was feeling a bit light-headed. It was the first proper drink she’d had since she had fallen ill and the wine had gone straight to her head. Staring at Polly, she was too busy picturing how she would look in a wedding dress to listen to Joey.

Stanley poked her in the arm. ‘Joycie, Joey’s talking to you.’

Snapping out of her trance, Joyce smiled at her grandson. ‘Sorry, darling,’ she said.

‘Well, yesterday I got my first job. I’ll be working as a courier-type of post boy in an office in the City.’

‘That’s fantastic,’ Stanley said proudly.

‘Well done,’ Joyce said, giving him a hug.

Feeling confident, Joey continued. ‘And I’ve got something else to tell everyone.’

‘Go on, don’t keep us waiting,’ Joyce said laughing.

Glancing at Dominic, Joey took a deep breath. ‘Well, you know I’ve been staying at Dominic’s flat?’

Raymond nudged Polly. He sort of knew what was coming next.

‘Spit it out, Joey,’ Stanley urged him.

‘I think it’s time you all knew the truth. Dominic isn’t my friend – he’s my boyfriend.’

Stanley and Joyce glanced at one another. Whatever was the boy trying to say?

‘Whaddya mean, boyfriend?’ Joyce said, frowning.

‘I’m gay, Nan. Dominic and I are a couple like you and Grandad are.’

‘Oh my gawd,’ Joyce said, feeling faint.

Not knowing what to say or do, Stanley stood up. ‘Excuse me. The pigeons need feeding.’

Unaware that her brother had just come out of the closet, Frankie was snuggled up to Jed, discussing baby names. After her earlier outburst, Frankie had enjoyed the rest of the evening. Jed had been really attentive, had got himself showered and then made passionate love to her.

‘What about Rocky? That sounds well cool, Rocky O’Hara,’ Jed suggested.

Frankie screwed her nose up. Girls’ names, they could agree on, but Jed had the most awful taste in boys’ names.

Yawning, Jed shut his eyes. Frankie had got on his nerves today, so he pictured what he’d done to her grandfather and smiled.

‘What you looking so happy about?’ Frankie asked him.

Jed opened his eyes and propped himself up on one elbow. ‘How ’bout if we have a boy, we call it Harry in memory of your grandad? At least then the name’s got meaning.’

Frankie had never been particularly close to her grandfather, so was initially unsure. ‘Harry O’Hara,’ she repeated over and over again.

She smiled at Jed. ‘Actually, I quite like it. It has a certain ring to it.’

Jed winked at her. ‘Well, that’s decided, then. If it’s a boy, Harry O’Hara it is.’

Thrilled by Jed’s thoughtfulness, Frankie kissed him gently.

‘Night, babe,’ Jed said, as he turned the light out.

Picturing Sammy’s face when he told him the choice of name for his unborn child, Jed struggled not to giggle. If Frankie ever found out what he’d done to her grandad, she’d muller him.

There was little chance of that, though. Jed was far too clever for even the Old Bill, let alone some simpleton like Frankie.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Joyce and Stanley sat in silence over the breakfast table. Both were still in shock over Joey’s revelation the previous evening and neither knew what to say to one another.

Knowing that it was usually her job to break the ice, Joyce swallowed the last mouthful of her beans on toast, then broached the subject. ‘We need to talk about Joey, Stanley.’

Stanley threw his knife and fork down onto his plate. ‘I’ve nothing to say going the boy, Joycie.’

Joyce sighed. Her husband could be such a stubborn man at times. She wasn’t exactly thrilled about the situation herself, but she wasn’t going to lose her grandson over it.

As Stanley stood up, Joyce ordered him to sit back down. ‘I need to see to me pigeons, they’ll be starving,’ Stanley said sullenly.

‘Them poxy birds will have to bloody well wait for their grub for once. They eat more than I bleedin’ well do. They’re getting that fat, I’m surprised they can even bastard well fly!’

Stanley sighed as Joyce continued. ‘Now, you listen to me. When you stormed off last night, like you always do in a crisis, our Joey carried on talking. He told me and Raymond that Jessica knew all about his relationship with Dominic. He said that she was happy that he’d found love and she fully supported his sexuality. If that’s the case, and I believe Joey was telling the truth, then we have to support him, too. He’s not a nonce or a murderer, Stanley, he just likes boys rather than girls. If our Jess is looking down, she would want us to accept him for what he is.’

Stanley averted his eyes from his wife. He’d never really known any homosexuals before and the subject made him feel extremely uncomfortable. ‘I know what you’re saying, Joycie, but a bloke fancying a bloke ain’t natural, is it? Can’t you have a chat with Joey, see if you can try and fix him up with a girl or something? I mean, imagine Jock and me mates at the pigeon club finding out? It’s embarrassing.’

Joyce pursed her lips. ‘Ain’t natural, ain’t fucking natural! What about you and them bleedin’ mates of yours? Spend half your life talking about your hens and playing with your cocks. Love them poxy birds more than anything, the lot of yous do, and that ain’t bloody natural. Like it or not, Stanley, I’m gonna support that boy. Joey’s my grandson and I love him dearly.’

Stanley nodded, got up and opened the back door. If Joycie had decided to stand by Joey, he knew he had little choice other than to agree with her decision.

Flanked by a prison guard on either side, Eddie Mitchell walked confidently towards the guvnor’s office. He didn’t know either of the two screws who had summoned him there. As for Johnny and old Fred, Ed still hadn’t seen either of them since yesterday morning.

The taller screw out of the two tapped on the guvnor’s door and shoved Eddie inside.

‘Ah, Mr Mitchell,’ the guvnor said sarcastically.

The guvnor was a lot older and shorter than Eddie had imagined him to be. He had grey, curly hair, was probably in his late fifties and had the look of a judge or a magistrate.

Eddie stood tall, arched his shoulders back and made strong eye contact with him.

‘Yesterday morning, at approximately 7 a.m., your cellmate, Barry Macarthy, was viciously attacked in the shower room. You were seen within the vicinity, Mitchell, so what can you tell me about this unfortunate incident?’

Eddie didn’t flinch as he stared the guvnor straight in the eye. ‘Nothing whatsoever, sir. I do remember seeing Barry Macarthy in the shower room, but I left before him. There was certainly nothing wrong with him while I was there, as I remember hearing him laughing and joking with his mates.’

When the guvnor started to pace up and down the room, Ed knew he had nothing on him. The mug was just fishing, that’s all he was doing.

‘This is a very serious offence, Mitchell. The doctors have already had to remove one of Macarthy’s eyes and at this precise moment they’re desperately trying to save his sight in the other.’

Eddie shrugged. ‘I’ll be honest with you, sir, I was no fan of Barry Macarthy, but what happened to him was nothing to do with me. The best thing you can do is ask him who’s responsible.’

The guvnor eyed him suspiciously. ‘Barry Macarthy was attacked from behind, so he says. Whether that is true, Mitchell, is for him to know and me to find out.’

‘Well, if I hear any rumours, I promise I’ll let you know, sir,’ Eddie said calmly.

As he was led away from the office, Ed wanted to laugh. For blatantly obvious reasons, he suppressed his urge to do so.

Jed O’Hara had been on his best behaviour all morning. Firstly, he had cooked Frankie breakfast and now he’d just suggested that he take a day off work so they could go out and buy some stuff for the baby.

‘Oh Jed, that’s wonderful. If we buy any clothes we’ll have to get white though, won’t we? Shall we look for a cot and a pushchair as well?’ Frankie asked excitedly.

Jed smiled. Frankie might have forgotten about yesterday, but he most certainly hadn’t. He hadn’t been put on this earth to be pushed around by a woman and he wasn’t tolerating Frankie’s demanding ways for much longer. He’d have to play things cleverly, of course. He’d let her think she had him under the thumb, the silly girl.

‘Can you speak to your mum before we go shopping, Jed? You know, to tell her what I said about the cooking lessons and stuff.’

Jed nodded. ‘I’ll go and talk to her now.’

Alice O’Hara was mopping the kitchen floor as her son strolled in. ‘Don’t walk in ’ere with them muddy boots on,’ she screamed at him.

Telling her to put the mop down as he needed to talk to her, Jed removed his boots and gave her a big hug. ‘I need to have a chat with you about Frankie, Mum.’

‘What’s a matter? Is she OK? It ain’t the baby, is it?’ Alice asked, concerned.

Jed shook his head. He loved his mum more than anything and was desperate not to hurt her feelings. ‘It’s just that Frankie’s tired a lot lately. I dunno if she’s up to all these cooking lessons.’

Alice snorted. ‘She’s having a chavvie, not dying of cancer. Anyway, I’m only trying to help her, Jed. She’s one lazy little whore at times.’

Jed decided to try a different tactic. ‘It ain’t just that, Mum. She’s been a bit upset over her mother again. I think she needs time to grieve and stuff, if you know what I mean?’

‘I was only trying to help,’ Alice said, obviously hurt.

Jed smiled. ‘I know you were, Mum, but do me a favour, leave her be for now. Once the baby’s born, she’ll be crying out for your help.’

‘Do you think so? I know it’s a little girl, Jed, I do,’ Alice said excitedly.

Jed laughed. ‘Well if it is, I’m relying on you to bring it up for us, Mum. My Frankie’s only young, she won’t have a clue.’

Watching her son walk away, Alice beamed. Sod the cookery lessons, they meant nothing compared to bringing up a child, especially when that child was a beautiful little girl.

As Jed walked back inside the trailer, Frankie smiled at him.

‘Well?’ she asked expectantly.

‘Sorted. Now why don’t you give your grandparents a ring and tell ’em about the meal next weekend? Don’t forget to tell ’em I’m paying,’ Jed said.

‘I’ll ring me nan tomorrow,’ Frankie said immediately. She wanted to speak to her alone, not with Jed listening to her conversation.

Jed handed her her mobile. ‘I’ve just spoken to me mum for you, so now I want you to ring your grandparents for me.’

Frankie felt awkward as she dialled her old home number. She hadn’t spoken to either her nan or grandad since the night of her mum’s funeral.

It was Joyce who picked up the phone. ‘Oh, it’s you,’ she said as she heard Frankie’s voice.

‘How are you, Nan?’ Frankie said nervously.

‘I’m fine now, thank you. And to what do we owe this pleasure?’ Joyce asked sarcastically.

Frankie took a deep breath. ‘I’m sorry I never visited you in hospital, Nan. I’ve really missed you and Grandad and I was wondering if we could meet up?’

Joyce’s voice softened. ‘That would be nice, Frankie. Have you spoken to your brother today? Has he told you about the house being signed over to me?’

Frankie hadn’t spoken to Joey since yesterday, so had no idea what her nan was on about. ‘What do you mean the house has been signed over?’

Annoyed with herself for presuming that Joey had spoken to Frankie, Joyce explained what had happened. ‘So it was all your dad’s idea, Frankie. But as Raymond told your brother, when anything happens to me and your grandad, you and Joey won’t go short of a few bob. Anyway, forget all that. When are you coming to see us?’

‘Actually, I wasn’t going to come to the house. Jed wants you and Grandad to come out for a meal with us. Jed’s paying, of course. We was thinking maybe next weekend, if that’s OK with you?’

Joyce felt her blood start to boil. In her eyes the little bastard Frankie was with was the cause of Jessica’s death. ‘That won’t be possible, Frankie. Your mother would still be alive if it weren’t for that boy. Me and your grandad want nothing to do with him.’

Frankie looked at her boyfriend. She could sense he knew that the conversation wasn’t going too well and it was her duty to stick up for him. ‘How can you say stuff like that, Nan? It was Dad that murdered Mum, Jed ain’t done nothing wrong.’

As Joyce slammed the phone down on her, Frankie burst into tears.

Jed took his girlfriend in his arms and rocked her from side to side. ‘See what I mean, Frankie? You’ve gotta forget about your family. They’re not nice people and we don’t want our chavvie getting involved with the likes of them, do we? I love you, you know that. I’ll always look after you. You don’t need anybody else.’

Frankie clung to him. Jed was right, her family were no good. Wiping away her tears, Jed kissed her on the nose. ‘What was your nan saying about the house, babe?’

Still snivelling, Frankie shrugged. ‘It’s nothing important. She just said that my dad felt guilty about what had happened, so he signed the house over to my nan. Her and grandad can stay there for ever now, I suppose.’

Jed laughed. ‘You’re so naive, Frankie. That’s your family’s way of erasing you out of their lives. Can’t you see that?’

As Frankie shook her head, Jed continued. ‘They hate you, Frankie. That’s your dad, nan and grandad’s way of telling you to fuck off. It’s obvious they blame me and you for everything, ain’t it?’

‘I suppose so,’ Frankie agreed. She hadn’t really thought of it that way.

‘Now I want you to promise me something. I want you to promise me that you’ll never contact them arseholes again. I’m not having you upset like this, Frankie, it ain’t good for your pregnancy.’

Frankie clung to her hero. ‘I promise, Jed. I’ll still speak to Joey, but other than that, it’s just me, you and the baby from now on.’

Jed held her tightly. ‘How do you know you can trust your brother? He might be in on it with ’em. I bet that cunt of an uncle of yours is something to do with it as well.’

Shocked, Frankie pulled away. ‘My brother would never betray me. You don’t know Joey like I do, Jed, he’s not like them. Anyway, he’s not even living there any more.’

‘Where’s he living then?’

‘With his friend, Dominic. He’s living in Islington,’ Frankie replied.

Jed chuckled. ‘Why don’t you just admit to me that he’s gay? I ain’t no dinlo. The first time I met Joey I knew he was as queer as a nine-bob note.’

‘So what if he is? It don’t make him a bad person, does it, Jed?’

Deciding it was time to be nice again, Jed reverted to the softly-softly approach. ‘Why don’t we invite your brother and his boyfriend round for dinner one night, eh? Or if you’d prefer, we can take ’em out. I’ll pay, of course.’

Wiping her eyes with her sleeve, Frankie managed a smile. ‘I’d love that, Jed. I promise I won’t have no more to do with the others, but if I still see Joey at least I’ve got some family left.’

Jed pushed her hair out of her eyes. ‘Go and sort your face out, then let’s do that shopping. I’ll take you out for a meal when we’re done, then tomorrow you can ring your brother and arrange a night for us to see him.’

As Frankie started to walk away, she glanced back at him. ‘I love you, Jed.’

Winking at her, Jed smiled as she disappeared into their bedroom. From his point of view, the conversation she’d had with her nan couldn’t have ended any better.

Yesterday, when she’d threatened to leave him, Jed had seen the fire in her eyes. He hadn’t liked it, not one little bit. Now she had nowhere to go once more and that suited Jed O’Hara down to the ground.

Eddie Mitchell acted like cock of the walk as he strutted into the canteen. Clocking Baz’s friends, he ordered his food and sat on the end of their table.

‘All right, lads?’ he asked boldly.

The three petrified men nodded simultaneously. They’d all seen what Eddie Mitchell was capable of and were truly shit-scared of him. As Ed munched away on the dry bit of bread-crumbed cardboard that the authorities had the cheek to call fish, he decided to mutter a few special words.

‘Get word to your mate, if he grasses me, I’ll kill him, then I’ll kill you,’ he said threateningly.

Seeing a screw clocking him, Eddie smiled.

‘He won’t say a word. We’ll make sure of it,’ the shortest guy insisted.

When the three men hurriedly made their excuses and left the table, Eddie began picking at their dinners. All the more cardboard for him. For the first time in ages Ed felt incredibly hungry and he was thrilled that his appetite had finally returned. If he was to make a success of his time in nick, he needed every ounce of strength he could muster.

With her anguish from earlier now long forgotten, Frankie felt extremely happy as Jed pulled up outside the trailer. Their shopping trip had been a great success. They’d bought babygros, toys, a highchair, a pushchair and Jed had insisted on buying her some ultra-modern maternity clothes for when she got bigger.

‘Choose what you want, Frankie. You’re showing now and, another couple of weeks your clothes won’t even fit you,’ he told her.

Frankie giggled as Jed struggled to unload all the bags from the truck.

‘Shall I make us a cup of tea?’ she asked.

Jed dropped the bags, grabbed her hand and pulled her close. ‘Why don’t we go in me mum and dad’s for a cup of tea? Me mum would love to see all the baby stuff we’ve bought.’

Frankie agreed. She knew that she had to start making more of an effort, for Jed’s sake.

Alice O’Hara was in her element as she pawed over the purchases for her unborn grandchild. ‘Look at that little suit, Jimmy. Ain’t it pretty?’ she said to her husband.

Jimmy nodded, cracked open a couple of cans and handed one to Jed.

With his mother and Frankie sitting on the carpet rabbiting about babies, Jed couldn’t help but smile. Once his mum and girlfriend bonded properly, his life would be a damn sight easier and he could go out partying more.

Just lately Frankie had become too clingy for his liking. He loved her and all that, but hated feeling trapped, and that’s how Frankie had made him feel recently. He felt like a poxy bird stuck in a wire cage. It was for that reason and that reason only that he’d copped off with that pretty little filly the other night.

Sally was her name. She was twenty-one years old, a right little goer and, as Jed thought about her, he could feel his cock rising to attention in his trousers.

Watching his mum look at his dad like a lovesick teenager, Jed smiled. He’d only been a nipper when his mother had caught his dad knobbing some bird in his salvage yard, but he remembered it like it was yesterday. At the time he was too young to understand, so he’d sided with his mum, but years later his dad had explained the situation and given him a good man-to-man talking-to.

‘Jed, take my advice. Find yourself a good woman, a loyal one. Once you’re sure she’s the one for you, chain her to the cooker and the bedroom. Whatever she cooks for you, even if it tastes like shit, tell her how nice it is, then, once she gives birth to your chavvies, that woman is yours for life. Never forget to enjoy yourself though, son. Us men are grafters: we put the food on the table, therefore we’re entitled to have some fun. A travelling man will always be a travelling man, in more ways than one, boy.’

As his dad handed him another can of beer, Jed again clocked his mother looking adoringly at his father.

‘Cheers, Dad,’ Jed said, clicking cans with him.

‘To you and Frankie,’ Jimmy said.

As Frankie squeezed his hand, Jed smiled. ‘To me and Frankie,’ he repeated.

CHAPTER NINE

As visiting time approached, Eddie felt his stomach start to churn. He hadn’t seen Raymond since the night he’d murdered Jessica, and even though he was desperate to see him, he was also incredibly nervous. Ed knew that Raymond understood what had happened was a pure accident. Ray had sent him quite a few letters and there was no sign of anger or blame in his words.

‘You OK, Ed?’

Eddie smiled at his young cellmate. ‘Not bad, Stu. I’m a bit apprehensive, I suppose.’

‘Don’t worry. Ray’ll be fine with you, mate, I just know he will.’

It had been just over two weeks since Eddie had attacked Big Bald Baz and got away with it. Five days after that, young Stuart Howells had become his new cellmate. Ed hadn’t particularly wanted to share with anybody, but he’d somehow taken to Stuart immediately.

At twenty-two years old, Stuart was only a nipper compared to Eddie. He was from Hackney and was awaiting trial for stabbing a black lad who had later died.

Within days of Stuart’s arrival, both cellmates had opened up to one another.

‘The police tried to make out it was racial, but I ain’t like that, Ed. Jonesy had it coming to him and there was no way I was letting him get away with it. I had him as soon as the police released him on bail,’ Stuart admitted.

Eddie admired the kid’s morals, attitude and bravery. Stuart had been with his girlfriend, Carly, for two years when she had been dragged into a block of flats on the way home from a night out and brutally raped.

It had taken the police six months to find the culprit. They finally arrested and charged a local lad called Michael Jones, whom they later released on bail.

Stuart’s girlfriend, Carly, had been petrified when she found out that her attacker was back on the streets. She was afraid to go out of the door, and she couldn’t bear Stuart coming anywhere near her. Sex was a definite no-go. The rape had been so violent it had left Carly with severe internal injuries.

With their relationship inevitably breaking down, Stuart decided to get his own back for his girlfriend. It had taken him two weeks to find out exactly who Michael Jones was and where he hung out of a night.

Armed with a six-inch blade, Stuart headed to the bar on a Friday night with his pal, Dan. The bar was small inside, played reggae music, was full of black guys, and Stuart didn’t have a clue if he’d be able to spot his girlfriend’s attacker amongst the crowd.

As luck would have it, he recognised him within minutes. Michael Jones was standing with another black guy talking to two white girls on the edge of a very small dancefloor.

Telling his mate Dan to stay at the bar, Stuart approached Jones from behind. Overcome by the need for revenge, Stu pulled the knife out of the inside of his jacket and repeatedly stabbed the bastard in the back.

‘That’s for my Carly, you cunt,’ he screamed, as her rapist fell to the floor in a pool of blood.

Stuart had tried to run away from the bar, but was held on to by a crowd of black geezers until the police arrived. They kicked and punched him and called him every white motherfucker under the sun. He was badly beaten by the time he was arrested, and if the police had arrived any later, he’d have probably been killed himself. Dan had tried to help him, but Stuart had told him to leg it. He didn’t want his pal getting banged up as well. This was his problem and he wanted to sort it alone.

Michael Jones had clung to life for almost a week. He had many internal injuries and was rushed straight into intensive care. Stu was informed eight days later by a police officer that he had died. He felt no remorse whatsoever.

After Stuart had opened up about his arrest, Eddie told him his own story. He explained in detail about that fateful night in Tilbury, leaving no stone unturned.

The two cellmates had somehow formed a bond for life. Ed adored Stu – he was like another son to him – and Stuart adored Eddie. Stuart had never had the pleasure of having a father figure around, his own dad had fucked off when he was a toddler and he’d never seen him since.

As soon as the screw unlocked the cell door, both Eddie and Stuart stood up. Stu’s mate, Dan, was coming to visit him and he hoped that Ed would be sitting nearby so he could introduce them.

Stuart slapped Eddie on the back. ‘Good luck, mate,’ he whispered.

Over in Rainham, Frankie had just heard a car pull up. Full of excitement, she flung open the trailer door and ran outside to greet her brother and Dominic. She couldn’t wait to show Joey how happy she and Jed were. She’d got all the baby stuff out to show him and Jed had promised that he would take them for a ride on the horse and cart later.

It had been Jed’s idea that they visit her at home. ‘You want your brother to see where you’re living, Frankie. He needs to know that I’m looking after you properly. Let him come here, then later on we’ll all go out for a nice slap-up meal. My treat, of course.’

Joey hugged his twin sister tightly. He’d missed her immensely and it was great to see her again.

‘Look at you! The baby’s really showing now,’ he said, patting her tummy.

Frankie giggled. She was now almost five months gone and had put on tons of weight since she’d last seen Joey. While Frankie turned her attention to Dominic, Jed stepped outside the trailer. He held his right hand out to Joey.

‘Good to see you again. It’s cold out ’ere – come inside and we’ll have a beer,’ he said awkwardly as they shook hands.

Glancing around the land surrounding the mobile home, Joey clocked a goat staring at him and heard some dogs barking. ‘Look at all these animals. It won’t be safe to bring a kid up here, will it?’ he whispered to Dom.

Dominic shrugged. His boyfriend’s father had once attacked him and nearly cut off his manhood, and since that had happened he tried to keep his nose out of any business that involved Joey’s family.

When Joey sat down he was surprised but pleased by how clean the trailer was inside. ‘Do you do all the housework yourself, Frankie?’ he asked, impressed.

Jed answered the question for her. ‘Don’t be silly – me muvver does it,’ he said laughing.

Frankie squeezed her brother’s hand. Joey looked so well, he was almost glowing. ‘So how are things going? What’s it like living together? Do you two ever argue?’

Dominic put an arm around Joey’s shoulder. ‘No, not at all. We get on really well, don’t we?’ he said lovingly.

Jed smirked as he took in the scene in front of him. He considered himself to be a red-blooded male and he found the whole situation highly amusing.

While Frankie chatted to Joey about his new job, Jed looked at his watch. He’d ordered Sammy to ring him at two on the dot and he hoped his cousin hadn’t forgotten. Jed wasn’t silly, of course. He had already got himself spruced up earlier.

‘You look lovely. Why have you put your good clothes on in the daytime?’ Frankie asked suspiciously.

Telling her how much he loved her, Jed had taken her into his arms. ‘I did it for you, babe. This is the first time your brother has come to our home. I know how important it is to you, so I wanted to make an effort.’

Frankie clung to him like a leech. ‘I really do love you, Jed O’Hara,’ she whispered.

Willing his phone to ring, Jed was relieved when it finally did. He spoke loudly so everyone could hear him. ‘Whaddya mean he’s had a bad accident? Is he OK? What happened?’

On the other end of the phone, Sammy was pissing himself laughing.

‘OK, Sammy, give me half-hour,’ Jed said, pretending to be upset.

‘Was that Sammy? What’s up?’ Frankie asked as Jed snatched his truck keys off the table.

‘Me little cousin Billy, Sammy’s brother, has been involved in a bad car accident. It’s touch and go, apparently. I’m gonna have to go and see him, Frankie.’

Frankie’s eyes welled up. ‘Oh, Jed, that’s awful. Shall I come with you?’

Jed shook his head. ‘You stay ’ere with your brother and Dominic. I don’t want you getting upset, not in your condition. I also don’t want to spoil your day.’

‘Take your phone, Jed, so you can let me know how he is,’ Frankie urged.

Jed picked up his mobile. ‘If Billy’s really bad, I might have to stay with Sammy tonight. I’ll call you and let you know the score. Bye Joey, Dominic. Sorry about all this.’

‘It’s not your fault, babe,’ Frankie shouted, as he bolted out of the trailer.

Jed started up his truck and drove away at top speed. Smiling, he then punched in Sammy’s number.

‘Well, did she fall for it?’ his cousin asked.

Jed burst out laughing. ‘Of course she fucking did.’

Eddie was a bundle of nerves as he sat down opposite Raymond.

Raymond guessed how he must be feeling, so quickly tried to thaw the situation. ‘Good to see you, mate. You’re looking well. Gary and Ricky said you’d lost a load of weight the last time they saw you, but I can’t notice it.’

Ed took a deep breath. Seeing Raymond brought everything back to him and he could feel his heart pounding through his chest. ‘I did lose a lot of weight at first, but I’ve put some back on now. I’ve been going to the gym, I was losing all me muscle and, well, there’s fuck all else to do in here but read or get fit.’

Raymond didn’t know how he felt, looking at Eddie. The crime Eddie had committed was, in most people’s eyes, despicable, but even though he was Jessica’s brother, Ray couldn’t hate Ed. They’d been through too much together.

Unbeknown to Ed, Raymond had also been nervous about the visit. He had no idea how he would react to seeing Eddie again, but however bad he might have felt, he knew he had to take the chance and come. ‘Shall I get us a drink?’ Ray asked.

Ed smiled. ‘Get us a coffee and a Mars bar as well.’

Watching Raymond walk away, Eddie relaxed a bit. Because he was on remand, he was allowed more visits than a convicted inmate. It was the old cliché of being innocent until proved guilty.

Raymond sat back down and handed Eddie his coffee. ‘So, what’s going on with Gary and Ricky? They’re really upset, Ed, ’cause you won’t let ’em visit you at the moment.’

Eddie shrugged. ‘They never told me about the O’Haras turning up at Jessica’s funeral. I’m fuming with ’em, Raymondo. What do they think I am? Some mug? I’d rather have heard it from their mouths than in a letter from cunting Paulie.’

Knowing how much the boys thought of Eddie, Raymond stuck up for Gary and Ricky. ‘They thought you was in a bad way, Ed. Them boys both worship the ground you walk on and they thought by not telling you, they were doing the right thing at the time. You’ve gotta send ’em a VO. They’re devastated, mate.’

Eddie rubbed his hands over his short hair. For some reason, Raymond always had the ability to make him see sense. What a tragedy he hadn’t listened to him on the night that Jessica had died.

‘OK, I’ll write to ’em tomorrow and send ’em a VO,’ he mumbled.

Ray nodded. ‘Have you heard my news?’

Ed laughed. ‘Yeah, someone told me you’re now a jeweller.’

Raymond felt embarrassed. He hated his new job with a passion. ‘I hate it, Ed. I did it for Polly. Her dad offered me the job, but it ain’t me, mate. It’s so fucking boring and I’m surrounded by pricks all day long. Whaddya think I should do?’

Feeling sorry for his pal, Eddie spoke seriously. ‘I know you wanna go straight, Ray, and I don’t blame you for that, but you’ve gotta find something that suits ya. You’ve got dough: why don’t you set up a business and let some mug run it for you?’

Raymond shrugged. ‘Like what? Apart from being a butcher when I was a kid and working in your salvage yard, I’ve never had a normal job.’

Eddie had no idea what to suggest. Pub protection and loan-sharking was all he really knew and that was all he’d taught Raymond. ‘Look, Ray, I know what happened that night was all my fault, but it was nothing to do with our work, was it? It was family stuff that went wrong. I know the old sharking can get a bit violent at times, but why don’t you go back to work with Gary and Ricky? Let them do the dirty work, you can take a step back.’

Raymond shook his head. ‘I’ve proposed to Polly. We’re getting married. I can’t go back to that life, not if we’re gonna have a family.’

‘Congratulations,’ Eddie said, his eyes welling up. He could remember the day he’d proposed to Jessica in his gold Merc, as if it was only five minutes ago.

‘You must have some idea of something I can get into, Ed?’ Ray asked, obviously worried.

Eddie shook his head. ‘I really don’t know, mate. The trouble with men like me and you is we ain’t led a normal life. From working with me to selling fucking jewellery is nigh on impossible. I don’t know what to advise you to do, Ray. The only thing I can say is that Polly must have known what sort of bloke you were when you met her and if she loves you, she’ll stand by you whatever career path you take.’

Raymond nodded. Eddie was right, as per usual.

‘What you should do is go home and have a long, hard think about things. I can have a word with Gary and Ricky. If you go back to the firm, I’ll guarantee you, you won’t have to get your hands dirty no more.’

Raymond said nothing. He’d loved his old job, but needed to speak to Polly before he could even think of going back to it.

Eddie pointed out his new pal, Stuart, and spoke highly about what he’d done to get revenge for his girlfriend. With neither man wanting to be reminded of that awful night in Tilbury, they stuck to general chitchat for the rest of the visit. As the bell rang, Ed leaned forward. ‘There’s something I need to ask you, something important. My dad’s old brief, Larry, has taken over my case. He reckons he can get my murder charge dropped to manslaughter. I won’t let him do it unless you agree, Ray. I loved Jess, you know I did and I’m willing to do life for what I did, if that’s what you and your family want.’

‘Come on, Mitchell, move,’ shouted a prison guard.

Raymond didn’t particularly understand the situation. Eddie hadn’t meant to kill Jessica, but had owned up to it, so how could he not be convicted of murder?

Aware that a screw was approaching, Ray stared at Eddie. What had happened was a case of mistaken identity, so why should his pal do life if he didn’t have to? ‘Go for it, Ed. Tell your brief to go for it. I’ll speak to Mum and Dad,’ he said.

Over in Tilbury, Jed O’Hara and his cousin Sammy were having the time of their lives. They were in the salvage yard where Jessica had been murdered, doing a bit of entertaining in the new trailer Jimmy O’Hara had recently bought.

‘Does that feel good? You like it rough, don’t ya?’ Jed asked, as he thrust his cock forcefully into Sally’s arse.

‘Oh yeah, I love it, Jed. When you gonna leave Frankie?’ Sally replied, groaning.

Jed winced, then smiled as he shot his load up her harris. Sally was a good fuck, a dirty little whore, but he had no intention of leaving Frankie for her.

As he pulled his manhood out of her anus, Sally turned over and repeated her question. ‘Are you gonna leave her, Jed?’

Taking a plastic bag out of his pocket, Jed opened it and handed Sally another ecstasy pill. ‘Get that down your neck. I’ll leave her soon, I promise,’ he lied.

Jed stood up, zipped up his trousers and went in search of his cousin. ‘Oi, oi, saveloy,’ he shouted, as he saw Sammy’s bare arse bouncing up and down on Sally’s best friend, Julie.

Sammy laughed as Jed walked over and handed them both an E. Jed took a swig of water and swallowed another himself. He’d had two earlier, so already felt out of his nut.

When his phone burst into life once again, Jed suddenly thought it would be funny to answer the bloody thing. Frankie had been ringing for the past couple of hours and he, Sammy, Julie and Sally had had a right old laugh over the story he’d told his girlfriend earlier.

‘Sssh, shut up a sec,’ he said, as he put the phone to his ear.

‘Jed, is everything OK? I’ve been so worried. How’s your cousin?’ Frankie asked in a panicky voice.

Drugged up to the eyeballs, Jed wanted to laugh, but somehow managed to stop himself. Turning away from the others, who were all giggling, he spoke seriously. ‘Billy ain’t too good, Frankie. He’s in intensive care now. The doctors reckon they might have to take his leg off.’

With her hormones all over the place, Frankie burst into tears. ‘Oh Jed, that’s terrible. Whereabouts are you? Joey and Dominic are still here and they said they’ll bring me up in a cab if you need me there.’

‘No, Frankie. You stay there with your brother and his boyfriend. I’m fine, honest, all my family are here. I might not get home tonight, but I’ll see you tomorrow, babe.’

Usually Jed would make a reference to the baby, but on this occasion he couldn’t, as he hadn’t told Sally that Frankie was pregnant.

‘Take care, Jed. I love you,’ Frankie said solemnly.

‘I can’t hear you. The battery’s going now,’ Jed said, switching the phone off.

Turning back to the others, Jed burst out laughing. He picked up his mobile, opened the door and threw the phone outside.

‘Come on then, let’s party,’ he screamed.

CHAPTER TEN

Eddie sat down opposite Larry Peters, his brief. Larry had represented Ed’s father many times over the years and was an expert at swinging a jury.

‘So, have you thought about what I said?’ Larry asked.

Ed nodded. ‘I had a chat with Raymondo. I needed his approval, Lal. Jess was his sister, after all. Anyway, he told me to go for it.’

Larry smiled. He had been great friends with Eddie’s dad, Harry, and had been devastated when poor old H had been murdered. The police had never found the bastards who’d killed him and Larry was forever trying to uncover new information on the case. The Old Bill might have put Harry’s death on the back burner by now, but he most certainly hadn’t.

Larry leaned forward and lowered his tone. ‘I went over all the paperwork again yesterday. Don’t get me wrong, Ed, this isn’t going to be easy, but I know that with the right judge and jury you can get acquitted of murder and instead be charged with manslaughter.’

‘What about my original statement, though? I admitted what I’d done when I woke up in hospital. I told the filth that I’d gone there to shoot Jed and I admitted I’d shot Jess by mistake.’

Larry waved his hands in the air. He had a habit of doing this when he got overexcited about something. ‘Forget about that original statement. You were ill, in shock, drugged up on medication. You didn’t know what you were saying, that will be my argument. The positive thing, Ed, is that apart from that one admission, in every other interview you said, “No comment.” Now, we can’t get out of the fact that you went to Tilbury with a gun. But what we can say is that all you wanted to do was put the frighteners on Jed. You said in your statement that you didn’t know Jessica was there. My argument will be that Jed did a runner as soon as you got there. You wanted to scare the lad, so you sprayed bullets round the trailer. You had no idea that your wife was there, which is true, and you were heartbroken when Raymond turned up and you found out what you’d done, which is also true.’

Even though none of it was funny, Ed gave a slight chuckle. ‘It sounds a bit far-fetched, Lal. I wouldn’t believe that bollocks if I was on the jury. Would you?’

Larry waved his hands in the air once more. ‘Look, there isn’t going to be many people as cute as you and me on that jury. At least fifty per cent of the general public are a sixpence short of a shilling. What you need is a few middle-aged women that take a shine to you. Give them the eye and that killer smile of yours. Once they hear what a good husband and father you were, you’ll have them eating out the palm of your hand. We need to pray that we get some blokes on the jury who have daughters themselves. Many a man has gone apeshit because some awful chap has knocked up his teenage daughter and that would earn you the valuable sympathy vote.’

Larry’s enthusiasm was contagious and Eddie found himself believing, for the first time, that he could get away with murder. ‘If I only get a guilty for manslaughter, how long do you think I’ll get?’

Larry shrugged. ‘Six, eight, ten. It all depends on the judge. You’re bound to cop a separate lump for being in possession of a firearm. I’m no mind-reader, Ed, but at a guess, I reckon put the two charges together and you’re looking at a twelve to fourteen stretch. You’ll then do two thirds of that, providing you behave yourself, of course, and your time spent on remand will also be taken off.’

Ed worked the figures out. ‘So, if I’m lucky, I could be looking at as little as a seven?’

‘If you’re lucky,’ Larry said bluntly.

It was two o’clock the following afternoon when Jed finally arrived back home. He’d had a great night over in Tilbury. Sex, drugs and acid house – what more could a man want?

Sammy, Julie, Sally and himself had been up all night shagging and dancing, but he’d managed to get his nut down for a couple of hours this morning.

‘All right, Jed? How’s your cousin?’ Frankie asked, rushing out of the trailer towards him.

‘Not too bad. He’s better than he was. They managed to save his leg,’ Jed lied, remembering his fable.

Noticing how tired and deathly white her boyfriend looked, Frankie decided he needed some pampering. ‘Why don’t you jump in the shower and freshen up? I went to Tesco with your mum and dad earlier and I bought sausages, bacon, eggs, mushrooms and a crusty loaf. I’ll cook you a nice breakfast, if you like.’

Jed grabbed her arse and pulled her towards him. ‘Don’t burn it like the last one you cooked, will ya?’ he said, laughing.

As Frankie hugged him, she could smell perfume on his shirt. She said nothing. It would be awful to make a scene when his cousin was so ill.

Jed stripped off, left his clothes in a heap on the bedroom floor, then jumped into the shower.

Frankie waited until she heard the water running, then crept into the bedroom. His shirt was staring her in the face. Unable to stop herself, she picked it up to inspect it. She held it to her nose and breathed in deeply. It was definitely a feminine scent and not aftershave. Jed only ever wore Kouros and it certainly wasn’t that. As Frankie looked closely, she could see signs of lipstick and possible foundation. Her heart turned over. Surely Jed wouldn’t be unfaithful to her. How could he have been up to no good when he’d been stuck at the hospital all night?

Realising the water had stopped running, Frankie threw the shirt back onto the floor and dashed into the kitchen area to make a start on the breakfast.

‘You ain’t ate much. What’s a matter?’ Jed asked, as he finished his last mouthful. Frankie knew she had to say something. She wasn’t the type to stay schtum and brush things under the carpet. She needed peace of mind.

‘I need to ask you something, Jed, and please don’t lie to me.’

‘What?’ Jed asked, as he leaned across her and nicked the sausage off her plate.

‘I know you were at the hospital last night, but did you go out afterwards?’

‘Whaddya mean? I had a beer back at Sammy’s with my family. Spit it out, what’s the problem, Frankie?’ Jed said, acting annoyed.

Frankie began to cry. ‘I was going to put your clothes in the washing machine, when I noticed your shirt smelt of women’s perfume. It’s covered in lipstick and make-up as well.’

As bright as a spark, Jed had an answer within seconds. ‘You silly cow. I told you all my family were at the hospital last night, didn’t I? There was loads of me aunts and girl cousins there that I ain’t seen for years. Because Billy was in such a bad way, everybody was hugging one another and crying. The lipstick and whatever else you thought you saw or smelt obviously belongs to either an aunt, a cousin or both.’

Frankie felt incredibly stupid as Jed took her into his arms. He’d been sitting at his sick cousin’s bedside all night and she felt awful for doubting him. ‘I’m sorry, Jed. I think because I feel so fat and ugly at the moment, I’m worried you’ll go off with someone else.’

Jed smiled. The baby weight didn’t suit Frankie, but even though she looked far less attractive than when they’d first met, he still fancied her.

Feeling himself harden, he unzipped his jeans and unleashed his penis. He put Frankie’s hand on it and spoke gently to her. ‘I love you Frankie, but you can’t go around accusing me of stuff I ain’t done. My cousin nearly died last night. Watching Billy suffer like that was awful, really awful.’

Frankie sank to her knees. Jed loved her sucking him off and she had some serious grovelling to do. Jed held Frankie’s head and thrust himself as far as he could down the back of her throat. As she began to choke, he grinned. That’d teach her to fucking snoop.

Joyce took the last of the sausage rolls off the baking tray and carefully arranged them on the silver platter. She had been cooking, baking and preparing all day and at last she was finally finished. Joyce prided herself on her homemaking and culinary skills. Today she had made a special effort because her friends, Rita and Hilda, were coming over.

The house had now been officially signed over to Joyce. Even though the circumstances were horrific, Joyce was thrilled finally to own such a wonderful property. Of course, she’d swap it for her old house in Upney tomorrow if it brought her Jessica back, but Joyce had to face facts: Jessica was gone for good, bless her soul.

Joyce had added her own touches to the property in the last couple of weeks. She had painted the hallway a different colour, replaced the kitchen table for a smaller one and she’d had a beautiful picture of Jessica blown up and framed, which now took centre stage on the main wall in the lounge.

Glancing at the kitchen clock, Joyce decided it was time she started getting ready. Not only were her friends coming tonight, but also Joey, Dominic and Stan’s mate, Jock.

After the initial shock of discovering that her grandson was gay, Joyce had now embraced the fact. So what if Joey was different? There were many actors, singers and politicians who were the same way, and even one of the Kray twins was rumoured to be gay.

Joyce had purchased a book, read up on the subject, then digested and accepted homosexual culture. She hadn’t told Stanley that Joey and Dominic were coming tonight. Her husband was an old-fashioned old fart and if he’d known their grandson was bringing his boyfriend over, he wouldn’t have invited Jock.

Joyce smiled as she admired her new red frock. Tonight she would show off her new house and also tell everybody that Joey and Dominic were a couple. Being open was the only way forward and Joyce was sure that once her friends accepted the boys’ sexuality, then so would Stanley.

Eddie, Stuart and Bertie Simms were glued to the screen. An old western was on the telly and the film was the bollocks. Bertie nudged Ed as he spotted one of Barry Macarthy’s mates heading their way.

It was now common knowledge among the lags that Big Bald Baz had completely lost his eyesight. It was also common knowledge that he was seriously depressed and suicidal.

Annoyed that he’d been interrupted while watching such a good movie, Eddie glared at Baz’s mate. ‘What?’ he asked sarcastically.

‘I thought you should know – Baz’s dead. He slit his wrists this morning with a razor blade.’

Eddie nodded, then casually looked back at the telly. As Baz’s mate left the room, Ed turned to Stuart and Bert. ‘It’s a miracle the fat cunt could find the razor blade or his fucking wrists. I thought he was meant to be as blind as a bat,’ he said in a deadpan voice.

Tickled by Ed’s comments, both Stuart and Bertie Simms burst out laughing.

Frankie smiled politely at Jimmy O’Hara as he explained to her that he was breaking in a new horse. She didn’t have a clue what he was talking about so, rather than be rude or come across as thick, she decided to nod her head at appropriate moments.

‘You need to be brutal with ’em, Frankie. Show ’em who’s boss. Did you know that a horse has a brain the size of a pea?’

When Alice and Jed walked into the room, Frankie was relieved. It was obvious that Jimmy had had a couple of beers too many and he was nigh on boring her to death.

Alice smiled as she put the plate of sandwiches in front of Frankie. ‘Help yourself, darling.’

‘Oh, I’m fine thanks, Alice. Me and Jed went to Pizza Hut this afternoon. I still feel stuffed.’

‘You’re eating for two, Frankie. You need to keep your strength up for that chavvie of yours. Now, eat,’ she demanded, as she lifted the plate off the table and thrust it in front of Frankie’s nose.

Not at all hungry, Frankie felt obliged to take a couple of sandwiches and nibble at them. Even though Alice had stopped the cookery lessons, Frankie still found her very domineering and scary. She hadn’t mentioned this to Jed. At the end of the day, Alice was his mum and she would hate to hurt his feelings.

Jed and Jimmy were now deep in conversation so, swallowing a mouthful of her sandwich, Frankie desperately tried to think of something to say to Alice. Not having much in common with the woman, she decided to concentrate on the terrible car accident that Jed’s cousin had been involved in the day before.

‘Terrible news about Billy, wasn’t it, Alice? Jed’s been so upset,’ she said.

Alice was confused. ‘What, my Billy? What you on about?’

Frankie shook her head. Names were very confusing in travelling families, as they always seemed to call their children by the same few. Billy, Tommy, Stevie, Jack and Sammy seemed to be the most common. Jed had at least twenty members of his family with those names.

‘Sammy’s brother, Billy. You know, the one who’s in intensive care, who nearly lost his leg,’ Frankie said innocently.

Clocking the words ‘Billy’, ‘leg’ and ‘intensive care’, Jed grabbed Frankie’s arm and quickly dragged her from the room.

‘Jed, you’re hurting me. What’s the matter?’ Frankie asked bemused.

Away from his parents’ eyes and ears, Jed turned to her. ‘Me mum and dad don’t know about me cousin Billy, Frankie.’

‘What do you mean they don’t know? I thought you said that all your family were up the hospital with you. I knew your mum and dad weren’t, as I saw their lights on last night, but surely someone must have told them.’

Jed paused. He was good at making up stories and quickly thought of his answer. ‘Me cousin Billy ain’t on me mum’s side of the family. We wanted to tell her and Dad, but because we thought that Billy might die last night, we decided it was best not to. You gotta remember, Frankie, it weren’t long ago that me mum miscarried and lost the chavvie. You weren’t living here at the time, but her and me dad were distraught. Billy being at death’s door would have brought it all back to them and I love my parents, Frankie, I can’t have ’em upset again.’

Frankie couldn’t apologise enough. Jed was the most thoughtful person she had ever met and she had such a big mouth. ‘I am so sorry,’ she said, as she clung to him.

Jed kissed her on the forehead. ‘It ain’t your fault, babe. I should have explained the situation to you. Don’t worry, I’ll make up some story to me mum, she won’t be none the wiser.’

‘Are you sure she won’t know, Jed? I’d feel terrible if I’ve put my big foot in it. I wouldn’t upset your mum or dad for the world.’

Jed looked at Frankie’s worried expression and smiled. When they’d first met, Frankie had thought she was a match for his cleverness. She’d obviously rated herself far too highly, bless her.

Joycie had had a wonderful evening. Joey and Dominic had both been entertaining and charismatic. Hilda and Rita were gobsmacked when she’d given them a full guided tour of the house, then told them it was now all hers. They’d seen the house on the day of Jessica’s funeral, but they’d never seen the upstairs before and they were really impressed with the size of the bedrooms.

Jock and Stanley had talked pigeons most of the night, but this didn’t bother Joyce for once. She was a bit tiddly, happy in a strange sort of way, and decided it was each to their own. The words hen or cock usually grated on her, but they didn’t seem to bother her at all this evening.

Returning from the lavatory, Joyce sat back down in her chair. Joey and Dominic looked really happy together and now she’d got her head around their unusual situation, she was thrilled for them. She topped up her glass and stood up.

‘I have an announcement to make, everybody,’ she said, tapping her glass with a spoon.

Stanley, who had been busy talking to Jock, quickly realised that his wife was drunk. ‘Sit down, Joycie. Don’t make a show of yourself,’ he said, tugging the sleeve of her dress.

Joycie ignored him. She’d read up on homosexuality and she was ready to give her speech on the matter. ‘I want to tell you about my grandson, Joey,’ she said proudly.

Hilda, Rita and Jock all nodded. Guessing what was coming, Dominic squeezed Joey’s hand under the table.

Stanley stood up. ‘Come on, Joyce, let’s get you to bed, love,’ he said, thoroughly embarrassed. It was obvious where this conversation was leading.

Joyce pushed his hand away. She smiled at Joey and Dominic before continuing. ‘Last week, or was it the week before – I can’t remember? – but my grandson Joey brought Dominic over here for a meal.’

As his nan paused to slurp some more wine, Joey looked nervously at his grandad. Joey was extremely proud of what he was, but he hadn’t expected this showcase.

With her glass now empty, Joyce poured a refill and carried on. ‘I want everybody here tonight to know something very important. My grandson Joey is a gay man and I couldn’t be happier about it.’

Hilda, Rita and Jock sat open-mouthed as Joycie ordered both Joey and Dominic to stand up. ‘Tell ’em you’re gay, Joey. Go on Dominic, tell ’em you’re both homosexuals,’ she ordered.

Extremely embarrassed, Joey and Dominic looked at one another in horror.

‘Go on tell ’em. I’ve been reading up on the subject and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. One of the Krays was gay and so was that John Inman, you know, he was in that programme, Are You Being Served? Then there was Larry Grayson and Rock Hudson. You tell ’em, boys; there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.’

Dominic was the first to speak. ‘Yes, I am gay,’ he said awkwardly, not knowing where to look.

Joyce patted Joey on the arm. ‘Come on, love. Stand up and be proud. Tell ’em you like a bit of willy.’

‘For fuck’s sake, Joycie,’ Stanley shouted. How could she show him up like this in front of Jock?

Joyce ignored her husband’s pleas and began to cackle. She’d just thought of something extremely funny. She pointed at both Stanley and Jock.

‘Yous two have more in common with these boys than you think. All you ever do is talk about your cocks. And you’re always playing with one another’s.’

As Stanley bolted from the room, Joycie pulled her grandson out of his chair. ‘Now that miserable old goat’s sodded off, you can tell everyone, Joey.’

By this time Joey was as red as a beetroot. ‘I’m gay,’ he whispered.

Clapping her hands with delight, Joyce broke into song. ‘Congratulations and celebrations,’ she sang gleefully.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

‘You’re popular, Mitchell,’ the screw said as he waved a pile of letters in front of Eddie.

The post had been up the creek for well over a week now and all the inmates had been up in arms about it. At a time like Christmas, receiving cards and letters was the only thing to keep some of the lags going. One poor sod had hung himself two days ago because he hadn’t heard a word from his wife.

Ed snatched at the letters. ‘Now, now, Mitchell. Where’s your manners? Say thank you.’

Desperate for some correspondence with the outside world, Eddie begrudgingly mumbled the word ‘thanks’. He hated Carter, the new screw on his wing. He was a cocky fucker and seemed to get a kick out of winding the inmates up. Unfortunately for Ed, he hadn’t seen young Johnny or Fred since the day he’d attacked Big Baz. Word had it that both had been suspended, then moved to another wing.

Eddie had the cell all to himself as Stuart was at a meeting with his brief. Feeling excited, Ed studied the envelopes and put the letters in order. He knew who most of them were from by the handwriting or postcode, but there were two or three he didn’t recognise at all.

He read the two sent from his uncles first. Neither Reg nor Albert ever seemed to have much of interest to say, but he still enjoyed receiving their letters. In prison, any contact with the outside world was better than none.

Eddie immediately recognised the handwriting on the next two he opened. Both his Aunts, Vi and Joan, had become a bit shaky in their old age and their writing stood out like a sore thumb. Ed laughed out loud as he read what Joan had written about her recent visit. Reg had brought her up to see him last week and Eddie had happened to mention how much he hated Carter, the new screw on his wing.

When the bell rang, Carter had picked on Eddie first.

‘Come on, say goodbye, Mitchell. Visiting time’s over,’ he yelled.

‘Why don’t you fuck off? I ain’t going nowhere until everyone else has gone,’ Auntie Joan shouted back.

Furious, Carter tried to grab her arm and march her out. Auntie Joan was having none of it. ‘Don’t you dare touch me! Get off me, you fucking nonce-case,’ she screamed, as she booted him in the shin.

‘You keep your chin up, Ed, don’t let these bastards grind you down,’ Joan yelled, as she marched out of the building with her head held high.

All the other lags had pissed themselves laughing. None of them liked Carter and they thought Eddie’s Auntie Joan was the bollocks. Joan had been the talk of the prison for the next few days. Ed was only a nipper when his mum died, and his aunt had all but brought him up. Joanie had always been a real card, and Eddie had great pleasure entertaining the other lags with stories of his childhood.

Putting Joan’s letter back in its envelope, Ed opened the next one. It was from his pal, Dougie.

Hi Ed,

I hope you’re doing OK, mate. Sorry I haven’t been in touch for a while, but as you can imagine, life gets pretty hectic this time of year. Anyway, I wanted to be the first to tell you that Vicki gave birth to a little girl last weekend. She was adamant we call her Jessica – I didn’t get a say in the matter.

As Ed’s eyes welled up, he screwed up the letter. He couldn’t read the rest; it was far too upsetting for him. Jessica would have been blooming herself by now and they would have had a wonderful Christmas this year. Jess was so full of plans for the new baby, God rest her soul. Overcome by emotion, Ed turned over, lay flat on his mattress and sobbed his heart out.

Over in icy Rainham, Joyce was all of a fluster as she prepared for the arrival of Polly’s parents.

Raymond and Polly had arranged their wedding for June next year and, with the parents not having yet met, Raymond had reluctantly agreed to Joyce inviting her soon-to-be in-laws over on Christmas Eve.

As soon as her husband walked into the room, Joyce put her hands on her hips. ‘What have you got on? You’re not wearing that, Stanley. I thought I told you to put your nice grey suit on. Polly’s parents are upper class, for goodness’ sake!’

Stanley for once argued his point. ‘This is my best shirt and trousers, Joycie. I feel ridiculous wearing a suit indoors. Can’t I just wear this?’

Joyce shook her head vehemently. ‘I won’t have you embarrassing me in front of Polly’s parents. Now go and put that suit on. I’ve bought you a new red tie, so make sure you wear that as well.’

Annoyed, Stanley punched the wall as he trudged upstairs. ‘I preferred you when you were ill, you fucking old bat,’ he mumbled.

A few hundred yards down the road, Frankie’s day was going from bad to worse. Jed’s father always threw a big party on Christmas Eve and Frankie was absolutely dreading it.

‘Frankie, take these sandwiches into the other room and then you can help me prepare the meat platters,’ Alice ordered.

Aware that his girlfriend had barely said a word all day, Jed followed her into the lounge. ‘What’s up? You’ve had a face like a smacked arse since you woke up this morning.’

‘I don’t feel up to this party, Jed. Do you mind if I go back to the trailer and have an early night?’

Jed grabbed her arm roughly. He was getting sick of Frankie’s black moods. ‘You’re my girlfriend and you’ll stay ’ere and make an effort with my family and friends. My mum and dad have fallen over backwards to make you feel welcome and all you do is throw their kindness back in their faces. Well, I ain’t putting up with it no more, so you’d best start pulling your fucking socks up.’

As Jed let go of her arm and stormed from the room, Frankie ran to the toilet and locked the door. She felt so lonely. She couldn’t even ring Joey, because he was at his work’s Christmas party. Frankie sat on the toilet seat and cried. Memories of Christmases with her mum and dad came flooding back and she wished she could go back in time.

Her mum had always made such a big fuss about Christmas. Frankie used to love it as a child, but over the years she’d felt too old and cool to bother with the preparation or the big day itself.

Frankie guiltily put her head in her hands. Last year, her mum had asked her and Joey to help her with the Christmas shopping and she’d begged them to decorate the tree and the house with her. Both she and Joey had laughed in Jessica’s face. Neither had known it would be their mum’s last Christmas and Frankie now felt full of remorse. She hadn’t appreciated her family life at the time, but after living with Jed’s parents, she bloody well did now.

Her reminiscing was ended by her boyfriend’s angry voice. ‘Frankie, get out ’ere now. You’re meant to be helping my mum,’ he yelled.

Frankie took a deep breath. ‘I’ll be out in five minutes. I’ve just been sick, Jed,’ she lied, as she pulled the chain.

Hearing his footsteps walk away, Frankie checked her eyes in the mirror. They weren’t red and there were no signs that she had been crying. She unlocked the bathroom door. The guests had started to arrive, and their loud, coarse voices could be heard a mile off.

Determined to make Jed happy, Frankie plastered a smile on her face and walked into the kitchen. ‘Sorry about that, Alice, I came over a bit queasy. Now, what can I do to help you?’

Alice patted her arm. ‘You go and sit yourself down with Jed,’ she said kindly. ‘I’m all done here now.’

Jed was sitting in the lounge talking to a couple Frankie had never seen before. ‘You all right, babe?’ he asked, nodding at her to sit down on the sofa next to him.

Frankie smiled and sidled up to him. ‘I feel much better now.’

Jed cuddled her. ‘About time too,’ he whispered sarcastically.

As the Bentley pulled on to the gravel, Joyce clapped her hands in glee. ‘They’re here! Oh, my God, look at the car, Stanley. Thank Christ I made you hide yours.’

Stanley said nothing while Joyce first checked her appearance in the mirror, then ran to answer the door. She looked ridiculous in the full-length blue dress she was wearing. She looked like she was going to a fucking ball. As for making him leave his car at Dougie and Vicki’s house, Stanley was lost for words.

‘We can’t have Polly’s parents thinking that we have no money, Stanley,’ she said. ‘That Sierra of yours is an utter embarrassment, you’ll have to get rid of it for the day.’

As his mother opened the front door, Raymond looked at her in horror. Not only was she speaking like she had a plum in her mouth, she was also dressed as though she was going to a film premiere.

‘Welcome to my home. Do come in,’ Joyce said, adding a little curtsey.

‘Hello. Pleased to meet you,’ Polly’s mum said.

‘All right, sweetheart,’ said Polly’s dad.

Overcome by her own self-importance, it wasn’t until Polly’s parents stepped inside the house that Joyce noticed their clothes. Polly’s dad, Dickie, was the spitting image of the character Boycie out of Only Fools and Horses.

Dickie was wearing blue jeans, tan shoes and a tan leather jacket and instead of sounding extremely upper class, which Joyce had imagined, his voice had a strong south London lilt to it.

Jenny, his wife, also had jeans on. With her knee-high boots, short fur jacket and short blonde hair, she reminded Joycie of the famous singer, Lulu.

Joycie was mortified. She and Stanley were all done up to the nines and Polly’s parents were dressed as if they were off to some seedy strip club.

‘Now, would you like a drink or something?’ Joyce asked in her ultra-posh voice.

Dickie slapped Joyce on the arse and winked at Jenny. ‘I’ll have whatever’s on offer, you little raver!’

Back in south London, Eddie waited until he heard Stuart snoring before he opened the rest of his letters.

It was Johnny, his little mate the screw, who had got hold of a torch for him. Ed wasn’t a great sleeper at the best of times and the torch had proved to be a lifeline for him, because he sometimes read under the covers well into the early hours.

The letter from Dougie earlier had upset Eddie immensely. Doug’s wife, Vicki, had been Jessica’s best friend. Ed had introduced them years ago at a party and they’d been inseparable ever since.

Truth be known, Eddie was honoured that Vicki was naming her child in memory of his wife, but seeing it written in black and white brought everything back that he’d tried so hard to move on from. Over the last couple of months, he’d hardly thought about Jessica’s death, but reading that letter had done him up like a kipper.

Eddie put his hand under his bunk. He’d Sellotaped the torch underneath, so nosy screws like Carter couldn’t find it. He could see that one of the envelopes contained a Christmas card, so he opened that first.

Hello Ed.

Hope you’re doing OK, bruv? I hate the fact we’ve fallen out. We went through so much together and I want to make things right between us. Please send me a VO so I can visit you in the New Year.

Happy Christmas,

Ronny

Ed looked at the front of the card and smiled. Ronny had always had the brains of a rocking horse and only he could send a card with the words ‘May your Christmas be jolly’ scrawled across the front whilst Eddie was sitting in clink for murdering his wife.

Everybody else had just sent letters, apart from two, who had sent cards inscribed ‘Thinking of you’.

Eddie was down to his last two letters now. He knew from the writing and the air-mail sticker that one was from Gary and Ricky, who were currently on holiday, and he decided to save that until last. He loved hearing from his sons. He’d had a right go at them for not telling him that the O’Haras had turned up at Jessica’s funeral. Raymond had made him see sense and Ed had soon after made it up with both of them.

In prison, lots of things got blown out of proportion. Living your life in a goldfish bowl wasn’t exactly easy and lags had far too much time on their hands to mull things over and get paranoid. That’s why that poor sod had hung himself recently when he hadn’t heard from his old woman. The unfortunate bastard had convinced himself that she was having an affair with his brother.

Ed put Gary and Ricky’s envelope to one side and studied the other. The handwriting was kind of unique and professional and the postmark was from Southend-on-Sea. Eddie ripped it open. He had no idea who the letter was from, but guessed by the handwriting that it had to be a woman.

Hi Eddie,

I hope you don’t mind me writing to you, but I just felt that I had to.

Firstly, I would like to say how upset I am by what has happened to you. I understand your predicament more than most as, in a way, I obviously played a big part in it. I have read all the press coverage and I would really like to help you. I am willing to stand up in court on your behalf. I would love to come and visit you so that we can have a proper discussion about this. If you do not want my help and do not reply, I will not think any less of you.

My thoughts are constantly with you.

Take care,

Mrs Smith x

Eddie knew immediately who the letter was from. He’d called himself Mr Smith when he’d hired Gina, the private detective, and he knew that by using the same name, she was talking in code.

He read the letter again. Gina had fancied him rotten – he had known that at the time.

Eddie lay back on his bed and smiled. He couldn’t wait to ring Larry, his solicitor. Gina had been, and obviously still was, under his spell and if Ed could keep her sweet, she could be the difference between him doing fifteen years or seven.

Frankie stood in the corner of the O’Hara’s living room. Apart from her dad’s old friend Patrick Murphy, she didn’t know a soul and she felt as out of place as a cat in a dogs’ home.

Even though she loved Jed, Frankie wasn’t at all comfortable with the gypsy culture. In her opinion, the women were rough and common, spoke in a language of their own and there had already been one big punch-up. One youngish mum had accused another bird of stealing her gold and, seconds later, had started walloping her with her baby buggy.

As the argument between the two women started up again, Frankie’s eyes scanned the room for Jed. He was nowhere to be seen, as usual.

Suddenly all hell broke loose and, frightened for her own safety and that of her unborn baby, Frankie ducked a flying glass and ran from the room, screaming. Visibly shaken, she finally found Jed in the garden. He was talking to his cousin Sammy and two scantily dressed girls.

‘What’s up?’ he asked as she fell into his arms.

‘Everybody’s fighting in the lounge, Jed. I nearly got hit in the face by a glass.’

Winking at Sammy and the two birds, Jed led Frankie towards the trailer. ‘Let’s get you to bed, babe. I’m sorry for shouting at you earlier. This Christmas must be really difficult for you and sometimes I’m such a dinlo, as I forget what you’ve been through this year.’

Frankie put her pyjamas on and smiled as Jed handed her a cup of hot chocolate. ‘Thanks,’ she said gratefully.

Jed insisted that Frankie got into bed and then sat on the edge as he tucked her in. ‘You don’t mind if I go back to the party, do ya?’

Frankie shook her head. Just because she didn’t feel part of the gypsy way of life, it didn’t mean to say that Jed shouldn’t enjoy himself. Frankie kissed him on the lips. ‘You go and have fun,’ she told him.

As Jed shut the trailer door, he smirked. Have fun he most certainly would.

Still unable to sleep, Eddie switched on his torch again. He’d wanted to save Gary and Ricky’s letter, so he had something to look forward to on Christmas morning, but his insomnia had made him change his mind. Ripping open the envelope, Eddie grinned. Now he had banished the twins from his world, Gary and Ricky were his life.

As much as Ed had loved Jess, what Frankie and Joey had done was unforgivable in his fragile mind, and even though they were all he had left of his beloved deceased wife, he no longer cared about either of them. One had turned out to be a poof and the other had fallen in love with the gypsy son of his biggest enemy, so the pair of them were now history as far as he was concerned.

Ed chuckled as he began to read the letter. Both Ricky and Gary were fuckers for the birds and they always filled him in on their escapades.

The paragraph at the bottom was the moment Ed’s smile turned into an angry snarl:

PS You told us not to keep anything from you, so here goes. Rumour has it that Joey is gay and he has a boyfriend called Dominic. He turned up at …

Eddie’s pride wouldn’t allow him to read the last line. If the lags found out about Joey, he’d be the laughing stock of the poxy prison.

Ripping the letter into shreds, Ed turned off his torch. His son repulsed him, and as for that fucking Dominic, if he ever saw him again, he wouldn’t just threaten him, he would bastard well kill him.

Back in Rainham, Joyce had a look of disappointment etched across her face.

Polly’s parents were nothing like she had envisaged at all. Dickie was flash, loud and loved the sound of his own voice, and his wife Jenny was bordering on alcoholic, and was drinking her and Stanley out of house and home.

As Jenny stood up and started dancing around the room, holding her glass aloft, Stanley nudged Joyce.

‘I can’t believe you made us dress up like a pair of prized pricks to meet these two,’ he hissed.

‘I didn’t know they were going to behave like this, did I?’ Joyce hissed back.

‘I think it’s time for a toast to the happy couple. Have you got any champagne in the house?’ Dickie said in a loud, annoying voice. He didn’t just look like Boycie, he sounded like him as well.

Joyce scuttled out into the kitchen. She had been so desperate to impress the in-laws, that she’d spent over fifty quid yesterday on just two bottles of champagne.

‘Here we are,’ she said proudly, handing one to Dickie.

Dickie looked at the label on the bottle and laughed. ‘We can’t drink rubbish like this. I had to drink this shit at a party recently and it tasted like bloody antifreeze. Jenny, go to the car and get the champagne we brought out of the boot.’

Extremely drunk, Jenny picked up her husband’s keys, lost her balance and fell straight on top of the coffee table.

‘Are you OK, Mum?’ Polly asked in an unconcerned voice. She was used to her mother getting in these states. The falling over was nothing she hadn’t seen a hundred times before.

Raymond stood up. ‘Let me help you, Jenny,’ he said politely, as he picked her up off the table.

Joyce was mortified. She looked at Stanley. ‘I don’t fucking like ’em one little bit,’ she whispered.

Stanley squeezed his wife’s hand. ‘My sentiments exactly, dear.’

Less than a mile down the road from Joyce and Stanley, Frankie was unable to get off to sleep, due to the loudness of the music. She wasn’t that bothered she was just glad to be in the safety of the trailer, away from the brawling guests.

As Tammy Wynette’s, ‘Stand by your Man’ was played for about the tenth time, Frankie smiled. She had known very little about country and western music until she met Jed. ‘Stand by your Man’ was their favourite song and they’d agreed that when they finally got married, they would choose it as their first dance.

As the song came to an end once more, Frankie pulled the quilt over her head. She and Jed had certainly had their ups and downs, but she still couldn’t wait to become his wife. Frankie O’Hara had a certain ring to it, and with a bit of luck once they got married, they could buy their own place and get away from his parents.