Karen was stunned by her pal’s little speech. Whatever was she insinuating? ‘So, what you saying, Deb? You don’t think Vinny is trying to poison me or something, do you?’
‘I really don’t know, mate. Look, I’m gonna have to go now, I’ve got to pick the boys up from school. Just be careful, Kaz, and any time you’re worried just ring me and you can come and stay here.’
‘Do you honestly think I’m in that much danger?’ Karen asked, her heart pounding nineteen to the dozen.
‘I don’t know, but watch your back, Kaz, just in case.’
When Colleen’s relations turned up at the hospital, Queenie and Vivian decided to make themselves scarce. Colleen had been as devastated as anyone about the scan results and seeing as her family had just arrived from Ireland again, Queenie thought it only right that they should spend some time alone together.
Queenie’s earlier sorrow had now been replaced with feelings of bitterness. Her Roy had always been a good lad. He was kind and considerate, so what the hell had he done to deserve such appalling injuries?
‘’Ere you go, get that down your neck. I’ve poured myself one an’ all. Think we can do with a drink after the day we’ve had, don’t you?’ Vivian stated.
Queenie snatched at the glass and knocked the sherry back in a couple of gulps. ‘Can’t believe how cruel life can be, Vivvy. There definitely ain’t no fucking God, you know. Makes me sick that you’ve got all them kiddy-fiddlers and wicked bastards roaming the streets who never catch as much as a fucking cold. Why do bad things happen to decent people like us, eh?’
‘I know what you mean, Queen. I was bitter for a long time after my Lenny was born with his difficulties. I thought, why me and him? Why not some other bastard’s child? Look what an awful mother that Old Mother Taylor was. Dirty whore, and them poor little mites of hers were brought up in squalor. Nothing ever happens to people like that old cow though. Tragedy always strikes good souls such as you and I.’
‘I wish my Roy was dead, you know. Would have been much kinder if he had croaked it as soon as he’d been shot,’ Queenie said, in her usual blunt manner.
‘Aw, don’t say that, Queen. It is early days. With the right sort of treatment, Roy still might be able to lead a half-decent life, and he’s gonna be a dad for the first time. I know it don’t seem like it at the moment, but there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. It just might take a while for it to start shining your way.’
‘Light! Don’t make me fucking laugh. I gave birth to that boy and I can see the look of confusion and horror in his eyes. Why do you think he cries every time Colleen’s pregnancy is mentioned, eh? He don’t want his kid to have a fucking spastic for a father, that’s why. My Roy’s life is over, Viv, and the quicker we all accept that, the better. All he has got left to look forward to is endless hospital appointments, and sitting in his own piss and shit for the rest of his days,’ Queenie spat.
Just as Vivian was about to reply, the doorbell rang and she leapt up to answer it. ‘What the hell! Where do you think you’re going? Get out of here,’ Vivian yelled.
Freda Smart barged past Vivian and marched into the lounge. She then pointed her fat forefinger in Queenie’s face. ‘I know it’s your Vinny that’s had my Terry done in, which is why I have just been to the police station and given a statement. I hope you’re proud of yourself, Queenie Butler, for raising such a fucking monster. Now, where is my grandson?’
Dean had been upstairs playing records with Brenda when he had heard his grandmother’s booming voice. ‘What’s up, Nan? Has Dad come home?’ he asked hopefully, as he ran down the stairs.
‘No, he ain’t, and he never will come home again, boy. You dad’s dead, I can feel it in my bones. It’s her evil bastard of a son that’s killed him. That psycho needs hanging from the gallows.’
Queenie leapt out of her chair. The gossip-mongers had already been in overdrive about Terry Smart’s disappearance and even though she’d guessed that her Vinny was responsible in a round-about way, she would defend her son’s innocence to the hilt. ‘I am sick of my family being blamed for everything bad that happens in this area, and I ain’t putting up with it no more. For your information, the night your Terry went missing my Vinny was up the hospital with me. Roy had come out of his coma and we were there all night long. Ask the fucking doctors and nurses if you don’t believe me, you deluded old bat. Now, get out my house and don’t you ever come back.’
When his nan started to argue her point, Dean grabbed her by the arm. ‘Come on, Nan, let’s get you home. I’ll stay at yours tonight. We haven’t spent much time together recently.’
Brenda was furious. ‘And what about me? I hope you don’t think once the baby is born, you can walk out every time she has a tantrum, because I won’t put up with it, Dean,’ she shouted, pointing at Freda.
Thinking what a selfish bitch his fiancée was, Dean led his nan outside and slammed the front door.
Wormwood Scrubs prison wasn’t the best holiday resort that Johnny Preston had ever visited, but for the first time since he had been banged-up, he had a spring in his step again.
Roy waking up from his coma had been a massive weight off Johnny’s shoulders. His brief had told him that he would now only be up for attempted murder, plus a firearms charge, and if he were lucky, could be out in eight or ten years. Billy One Ear being banged-up on his wing had been another plus. Billy was from his old stamping ground, and they had often drunk in the same pubs together in South London back in the day. Billy had been given a ten stretch for armed robbery, and he was the daddy of the wing. Johnny, being his pal, was now shown massive respect by the other lags which suited Johnny’s ego no end. It also made prison life a damn sight easier.
The third reason why Johnny was in such a chirpy mood was because of the letters he’d received today. His daughter had written to him to apologize for speaking out about his fling. She had asked Johnny to write back to her and told him that she forgave him and would always love him no matter what.
The other letter had been a real bolt out of the blue. It had been from his sister who he hadn’t spoken to or seen for years since a family argument. Judy was also keen to build bridges. She had given him her new address and wanted to visit him.
Johnny re-read his daughter’s letter. He was amazed by how mature she suddenly sounded. Joanna had always been good at English, but seeing as she had only just turned thirteen, she wrote as well as any adult he knew. Perhaps she might really make something of her life one day and become an author or a journalist?
Grinning from ear to ear as he read the PS line at the bottom again, Johnny folded the letter carefully and put it under his mattress for safe-keeping. Joanna had asked for a visiting order, she wanted to see him, and while he had his daughter’s love, Johnny could handle anything else that prison life might chuck his way. The old Preston spirit was back with a bang.
Feeling like a condemned man on death row, Michael trudged up his mother’s stairs. ‘You all right, babe? What you doing?’ he asked his girlfriend. Nancy was sitting on their bed with her suitcase by her side.
Nancy had promised herself that she would not cry, but looking at the bewildered expression on her boyfriend’s face, she could not help her tears. ‘I am so sorry, Michael, but I am moving back to my parents. I love you and always will, but I want to have my own children. I don’t want to raise somebody else’s.’
Michael sat down on the edge of the bed. ‘Nance, if I could change Denise getting pregnant, then I would, babe. Yes, I will have to support the child, but I swear I will have fuck all to do with her. She trapped me, why should I? It’s you I love and you I want kids with.’
Nancy shook her head. ‘You say all that,