Payback (25 page)

‘Good job your father isn’t here. I’m sure he’d have something to say about the boys gambling. So, do Queenie and Vivian go to the club every evening?’

‘They always come over for the bingo, but they don’t usually stay that late. They will be in the upstairs club tonight. Freddie Starr is appearing and they both love him.’

‘Oh well, if I bump into them at all, I will just ignore them,’ Mary said.

‘Mum, please don’t make things awkward for me. Queenie and Vivian have always treated me and the boys well.’

‘Yes, I know, and I’m grateful for that, even if I don’t like the women. Last time I saw them, they were scrapping like two fishmongers’ wives in our old café. Hitting your father and all sorts they were. Rough old malts, the pair of them.’

Nancy suddenly felt anxious. It had been her suggestion in the first place that her mum visited Kings and she only hoped her idea wasn’t about to backfire on her.

As the afternoon wore on, Vinny Butler became more and more annoyed with himself. The bird from last night had been a real stunner. Dark-skinned and dark-haired like himself, she’d had long legs, an ample-sized arse, big firm tits, luscious full lips and a voice as sexy as any he could recall.

Her name was Izzy, but other than that, Vinny knew sod all about her other than she enjoyed being raped.

Vinny tilted back his reclining chair, put his hand behind his head, shut his eyes and visualized the scene once again. When Izzy had asked him to pretend to be a rapist and take her by force, Vinny thought he had died and gone to heaven. He had immediately granted Izzy’s wish by grabbing her from behind, overpowering her then pinning her to the bed.

Izzy had fought back hard. She had bitten, kicked and even punched him, which had turned Vinny on to a point of no return. He had then tied Izzy’s arms and legs to the bedposts, shoved his big throbbing cock in her mouth, then fucked her senseless.

Tempted to return to the club where he had met Izzy to see if he could spot her or find out more about her, Vinny sat up, stared at the photo of Molly on his desk and immediately felt guilty. Shagging the odd prostitute to satisfy his warped sexual appetite was one thing, but to start up a full-blown affair was another.

Vinny knew just by the way he was feeling that Izzy had the potential to mess his head up. So perhaps it was for the best that she had sneaked out of the hotel room before he’d had the chance to exchange details with her? His brother had never been the same man since that Bella had ripped his heart to shreds, and no way was Vinny going to allow the same to happen to him.

The thought of Michael made him reach for the phone. ‘All right, bruv? You OK taking charge of the club for a couple of nights? Only I’m missing Molly and Mum and I fancy a couple of nights down at Kings.’

When Michael agreed to the idea, Vinny ended the call, then grabbed his car keys. He had been a proper bastard towards Joanna ever since she had mentioned her father was up for parole, and for the sake of their daughter if nothing else, he should try and make things right between them.

The Kings Holiday Park shop was extremely handy between visits to the nearest supermarket. It sold everything from eggs and bacon to postcards and lilos.

‘Right, I’ve got the cheese, ham, bread and butter. What else do we need?’ Vivian asked her sister.

Feeling a bit lost for words, Queenie pointed down the aisle. ‘What are they doing back here?’

Vivian was just as shocked as her sister to see Brenda and her new boyfriend strolling towards them with a basket full of groceries. ‘Well, I hope they don’t think they are staying with us again,’ Vivian hissed.

Quickly regaining her composure, Queenie smiled. ‘Hello, love. What you doing here? Where’s Tara and Tommy?’

Brenda pursed her lips. ‘Got nothing to do with you where the kids are. Last time you saw them you chucked them out of your bungalow, along with me and Scotty. Hardly grandmother of the year, are you? Oh, wait a minute – you are when it comes to Vinny and Michael’s kids. It’s just mine you can’t be arsed playing the doting nanny with.’

‘What you on about? Not been drinking again, have you, Bren? I only asked you to leave because Jo and Molly were on their way down here. It is Vinny’s bungalow, not mine, and there wasn’t enough room for us all. I love Tara and Tommy just as much as I love all my grandchildren, so there’s no call for you to go on the turn.’

‘I’m just stating facts, Mum. Anyway, Scotty has paid for our own chalet for the week, so you can stick Vinny’s bungalow up your arse.’

Queenie was immediately alarmed that Scott had paid for a chalet. There was something fishy about him that she had sensed from the very start. Was he undercover Old Bill, only hooking up with Bren because he knew who her brothers were? With his blond hair, tall frame, twinkling eyes and good looks he could do a damn sight better than her sullen, drunken, drama queen of a daughter. And Scott had no kids himself, so he said. So why on earth would he want to saddle himself with Brenda’s two?

‘Are you OK, Mrs B? Brenda didn’t mean what she said, did you, Bren? You only get one mum, darling.’

Queenie’s lips curled into a snarl. ‘It’s got fuck all to do with you, and if you call me Mrs B again I shall kick you right in the goolies. I’ve got your card marked, Sonny Jim. My daughter might be as thick as two short planks, but I bloody well ain’t. Come on, Viv. We’re leaving.’

Screaming abuse at her mother, Brenda went to chase after her, but Scott held her back. ‘Leave it, babe. We’re on holiday, so let’s just enjoy ourselves.’

‘She is so bloody rude, my mother. I hate her! No wonder Dean walked out on me. What was she on about? What did she mean, she’s got your card marked?’

Scott Mason had always been an opportunist. After meeting Brenda in a boozer he’d initially planned on having a one-night stand and then dumping her. However, as soon as he found out who her brothers were he had decided it would be worth his while to form a relationship with Brenda. What better way to see off all the people who were chasing him for the money he’d swindled them out of with his timeshare scam? They’d soon back down once they found out he was part of the Butler family. With a bit of luck he could smarm his way in with Vinny and Michael and land himself a job at their club. Brenda had told him they’d employed her ex, so why shouldn’t they do the same for him? Scott still had his fingers in a few pies, but none of them were paying too well at the moment and he was sick of looking over his shoulder for enemies and creditors. If he worked at the club with Vinny and Michael, then all his worries would be over. A regular income and serious back-up was exactly what he needed right now.

‘I have no idea what your mum was on about, Bren. Perhaps she was just in a bad mood, eh?’

‘But she had no right to talk to you like shit. I tell you, Scott, I’m fuming, I really am.’

‘Don’t worry about it – I’m not. Perhaps your mum is worried because of who your brothers are? She might think I’m undercover Old Bill or something? I think we should arrange a meet with your brothers, Bren, to put everyone’s minds at rest. What do you reckon?’

‘Can’t do any harm, I suppose.’

Christopher Walker was sitting at his desk filling in some forms when his phone rang. A chill ran down his spine as his colleague explained there was a man on the phone who insisted on being put through to him, yet refused to give his name. ‘He says he’s an old friend of yours, Chris.’

‘DS Walker. How can I help you?’ Christopher asked, desperately trying to keep the anxiety out of his voice.

‘I think it is me who will be helping you, Chris. Now, when we going to have this little meet?’

Feeling his stomach churn, Christopher knew the sooner he got this meeting out of the way, the better he would feel. Not knowing who the mystery caller was was doing his head in. ‘Do you know Hainault Country Park?’

‘Yep.’

‘Well, as you drive in, there are two car parks. I’ll meet you at the one furthest away from the entrance at eleven a.m. tomorrow. I’ll be in an unmarked car, a brown Ford Cortina. What will you be driving? Just so I know who I’m looking for.’

‘Don’t be concerning yourself about looking for me, Chris. I shall find you, but a word of warning, if you tell anybody else about our little meet and I learn of your betrayal, I won’t be a happy man. Please remember, I’m holding all the cards.’

When the mystery caller cut him off, Christopher put his head in his hands. He hated breaking the rules, but he could hardly risk confiding in a colleague. Lying to protect Vinny Butler had already cost him his childhood and there was no way he would allow it to cost him his career as well. No way, José.

After spending an hour in the amusement arcade, Queenie and Vivian took a slow walk back to the bungalow. Lots of the bungalows, chalets and caravans were privately owned, but the site always had its fair share of holidaymakers too. There was even an area over the back for touring caravans, and Queenie and Viv loved to have a nose around. ‘State of them curtains in that one, Viv. Look, they’re black. Dirty bastards, people are. Wouldn’t take ten minutes to take them down and wash them, would it?’

‘People have low standards in this day and age, Queen. Got no pride like us old school. ’Ere, is that your Vinny’s motor?’

Vinny had always been a fan of Jaguars and the previous year he’d bought himself a brand-new XJ6 in black. ‘Yep, that’s his number plate. Really glad he’s popped down. Still fuming about that Johnny Preston getting parole, I am. He needs to have a serious chat with Joanna. Over my dead body will Molly ever be in his company, let me tell you. All but killed my Roy, that bastard did. Took away his spirit, pride and personality. I’ll never rest until Preston gets his comeuppance, Viv. What goes around should come around.’

Albie Butler sipped his brandy and had a good old look around. It had been years since he had paid a visit to his son’s club and with the fluorescent spotlights in the ceiling, expensive-looking carpet and furniture, and gold wallpaper with a red velvet pattern, it looked top notch. ‘What’s them big silver things, boy?’

‘Disco balls, Dad. All the rage now, they are. We don’t have discos as such, but they still set the gaff off when people are dancing. Do you like the new décor?’

Albie nodded. The only thing that he didn’t like was the blown-up framed photo of Roy and Champ that was hung in the reception. He had welled up when he had seen it and still felt upset now. ‘Looks lovely, boy. What sort of entertainment do you have then?’

‘We’ve got a singer on tonight. Good he is, and lots of our punters get up and give a song. You should sing Al Martino, Dad. Got a great voice you have and I love you singing “Spanish Eyes”.’

Albie immediately shook his head. It felt strange being back in Whitechapel after so long, and too many local people knew about his cancer lie for him to get on stage. He could just imagine being pelted with eggs and rotten tomatoes.

Guessing what his father was worried about, Michael did his best to reassure him. ‘No one will say anything to you, Dad, and if they do, they’ll have me to fucking answer to. That cancer story is old news now, so hold your head high. If anybody says one bad word to you, I want you to tell me, OK? Because if they disrespect you, they’re dis-respecting me as well, and no fucker mugs me off in my own club.’

Pretending he had cancer years ago had been a stupid thing to do, and Albie had rarely set foot in Whitechapel since. ‘I’m not sure I’m ready for a night out, boy. I’d rather just go back to the house.’

Michael squeezed his father’s hand. ‘Look, I’ll make a deal with you. You spend tonight and tomorrow night at the club with me, then next weekend we’ll shoot down to Kings and spend some time with the boys, eh? What do ya say?’

Albie forced a smile. ‘I would like to spend some time with the boys.’

‘Right, now that’s sorted, I’m gonna pour us another drink.’

When his son walked up to the bar, Albie thought of Dorothy.
Hi-de-Hi!
,
Family Fortunes
and
Play Your Cards Right
had been Dorothy’s favourite TV programmes, and even though Albie used to joke with her that she only watched old crap, he would give anything to be sitting at home holding her hand and watching any of those programmes with her now, absolutely anything.

‘Daddy, can you sing me the rabbit song again please?’ Molly asked, as she took another lick of her ice cream.

Joanna chuckled. Queenie and Vivian had taught Molly the words to the old war song ‘Run Rabbit Run’ yesterday and Molly would not stop singing it. ‘Stop driving Daddy mad, Molly. He’s only just arrived.’

Vinny grinned, sung the words to ‘Run Rabbit Run’ once again, then as soon as Molly had finished her ice cream, lifted her up above his head.

‘Mind she’s not sick, Vinny,’ Joanna warned. She loved family moments like this, and had been thrilled when Vinny surprised her by turning up unannounced earlier.

‘Run rabbit, run rabbit, run run run,’ Vinny sang.

Molly loved her father. He always brought her lovely presents and made her giggle. ‘Can you buy me a rabbit, Daddy?’

‘Rabbits are naff pets. All they do is sit in a hutch all day and eat lettuce. Dogs are much better. One day when you’re older, I’ll buy you a little puppy.’

‘Don’t be putting ideas into her head, Vinny,’ Joanna warned. She knew what Molly was like. Very intelligent for her age and once she got a bee in her bonnet she would keep on about it.

‘Can I call the puppy Fred, Dad?’

Vinny grinned at Joanna. ‘She’s old before her time this one. Loves a war song and where did she get the name Fred from?’

Joanna laughed. ‘I have no idea, Vin. She doesn’t even know anybody called Fred. It might be because she overheard Queenie and Viv mentioning Freddie Starr. He’s in the upstairs club tonight.’

‘I want to go swimming now,’ Molly announced.

‘I’ll take her, Jo. You stay here with the stuff.’

Joanna smiled as Vinny gently lifted Molly into the children’s pool. She looked so cute with her pink swimsuit and armbands. Her blonde curly hair was even lighter than usual due to the sun and she really did look like a little princess.