Tainted Love

When Lucy began singing the words to Atlantic Starr’s ‘Secret Lovers’ Katy felt a warm glow inside. She put her hand on her stomach and as she neared the front of the queue, prayed silently to God that she was carrying Michael Butler’s baby.

Ava Preston launched herself at her father’s legs and nestled her head against them. ‘Fred did naughties to Auntie Viv, Daddy.’

Vinny Butler knelt down to stroke Fred, who was also vying for his attention, then picked his daughter up and swung her in the air. Apart from Teddy (the mutt’s toy) the only thing Fred ever wanted to shag was Viv’s leg and Vinny found that highly amusing.

‘You all right, boy? I was worried when I couldn’t get hold of you last night. What’s the point of having a mobile phone if you don’t bleedin’ answer it?’ Queenie asked, hands on hips.

‘Sorry, Mum. I had a business meeting with Eddie Mitchell and we got on the Scotch. You know how it is,’ Vinny winked.

Queenie batted her eyelids, then grinned. Both she and Viv lusted after Eddie Mitchell even more than they did that Dirty Den in EastEnders.

‘I was thinking, it’s about time we changed Ava’s surname, legally. Best to get it done before she starts school. Whaddya reckon?’

‘But I like my name being Ava,’ the confused child mumbled, pouting.

Carrying Ava into the lounge, Vinny placed her on the sofa, and sat next to her. His mum had enrolled her in nursery school, but that hadn’t turned out too well. Not only had Ava been devastated over leaving Fred at home, she’d also punched two of the other children in her first week and had left by mutual agreement. ‘You’ll still be called Ava, but instead of Ava Preston, you’ll be Ava Butler,’ Vinny explained gently.

‘Why is my name Ava Preston?’

Queenie crouched down. ‘Because when Mummy registered your birth, she forgot to put your father’s name on the birth certificate. Fred’s registered at the vet as Fred Butler, so you want to have the same surname as him, don’t you?’

‘Yes, but will Mummy be upset if the angels tell her?’

Queenie stroked the child’s hair. ‘No, love. Mummy’s dead. She won’t be able to speak to the angels where she is.’

Katy Spencer put the arm of the record player on repeat, lay down on her bed and daydreamed of her future. Lee and Daniel already adored her, she knew that much, and if her test came back positive, her and Michael would most definitely live happily ever after. Picturing what their baby would look like, Katy sang along with ‘Secret Lovers’. Lucy had been right. This song was written for her and Michael.

Taking the test out of her handbag, Katy smiled as she read the instructions. The pharmacist had told her to do the test first thing in the morning before she’d had anything to eat or drink. Patience had never been Katy’s virtue, so she ripped open the box.

The Enemy met his pal in the Eastbrook pub. Dale Grainger and himself had been best mates whilst locked up. In addition to being his drug supplier, he was also going to give him an alibi if and when needed. Dale had no idea what the alibi was for and that’s the way the Enemy liked it. The Butlers were very well known, even in Dagenham, and the less anybody knew the better.

Two drinks and twenty minutes later, the teenager had attracted the attention of two extremely drunken, much older women. ‘You’re handsome, you, ain’t ya?’ the ginger woman slurred, nudging her equally awful mate.

Dale nudged his pal. ‘Ignore them, otherwise we won’t get rid. A nightmare they are, proper alkies. Been barred from the Keys, Bull and the Railway. The ginger one goes out with Brett Carpenter, the biggest knob-end in Dagenham. The other one’s shacked up with Dave Green, another prick. You should see ’em perform down the Roundhouse of a weekend when the bands are on. It’s hard to believe she’s Vinny Butler’s sister.’

‘Who is?’

‘The one with the frowsy blonde hair. That’s Brenda Butler. Minging, ain’t it?’

Nodding in agreement, the Enemy stared at Brenda and pictured her covered in blood.

‘Michael! Stop it! I really do have to get home to Antonio. I promised my friends I would pick him up before noon, and it’s nearly that now,’ Bella explained.

Obligingly moving his finger away from Bella’s clitoris, Michael propped an elbow on the pillow beside her and rested his head on his hand. ‘When am I gonna see you again? And the little man? Missed him big time an’ all.’

‘I’m very busy the next couple of days. I have a lot of work to catch up on and meetings to attend. How about Saturday? I’d like to introduce you properly to my friends who run my favourite Italian restaurant. That’s where Antonio stayed last night. Will you be able to take time away from the club?’

Michael grinned. ‘You bet I can.’

‘Fabulous. But you still haven’t answered my earlier question,’ Bella reminded him.

‘What?’

‘I asked you did you date anybody else while I was away?’

‘Of course I didn’t, you daft mare. Not unless you count my old mucker, Black Kevin. I took him out a couple of times to cheer him up. Split up with his old woman, poor sod. And I can assure you we’re not gay.’

‘I believe you, many wouldn’t,’ Bella chuckled.

Feeling edgy all of a sudden, Michael leapt out of bed. ‘I’ll put the kettle on, babe. You hungry?’

‘No. A coffee will do just fine, thanks.’

Instead of the kitchen, Michael made a beeline for the sitting room. He’d switched his mobile off last night, then turned his landline and answer phone on to silent. Seeing the black machine flashing away like a good ’un, Michael sighed deeply. He would bet his club on who the calls were from and he had to get rid of her now, fast.

Vinny Butler was in a filthy mood. He’d been trying to get hold of Michael since early this morning, and had a vision of why his brother still wasn’t answering his phone.

‘I thought you were going to take Ava out for the whole day, boy?’ Queenie questioned.

‘Nah. Not today, Mum. I took her to the café and we’ve taken the mutt out for a run. Ava’s happy here, playing in the garden.’

‘It doesn’t give me much of a break though, does it, Vinny? I’m going down the Roman all day on Saturday with Viv, so best you up your fatherly duties by then.’

‘Glad you and Auntie Viv are OK. Who made the first move?’

‘Don’t change the bloody subject. I know you love Ava, but you can’t put on me so much. I haven’t had a chance to tidy upstairs properly and change the bedding since Tara and Tommy left. I’m no spring chicken now. I might look like one still, but me bones ache some days and I get tired in the afternoons.’

‘When did Tara and Tommy leave?’

‘The day Bren came out of hospital. I told you yesterday. Whatever’s wrong with you lately? It’s like talking to a silly boy, and you’ve got a face like a smacked arse.’

Rather than admitting to his mother that he’d spent most of the day visualizing his brother fucking Bella and wishing it was him, Vinny stood up, waving his hands. ‘I’m going now. Can’t be doing with you when you’re in one of these moods. And you shouldn’t be coming out with insults such as “silly boy”. Champ wasn’t exactly bright, was he? How would Auntie Viv feel, hearing you saying that?’

‘Me and Viv both call him next door “silly-boy-got-none”. Unlike you, Viv hasn’t had a personality bypass,’ she sniffed. ‘Sod off then, and don’t bother coming back until you’re more cheerful. Or on Saturday, when you will be looking after your daughter for once.’

Without saying goodbye to Ava, who was in the garden with Fred, Vinny slammed the front door behind him.

Driving off like a maniac, he immediately regretted his actions and punched the steering wheel. Out of all the birds in the world, why did Michael have to fall in love with that cunt?

As soon as Bella left, Michael Butler listened to the messages on his answer machine. There were nine in total – six from Katy and three from Vinny.

Pacing up and down the room, Michael wondered what to do for the best. Katy was young, worked for him, so was it fair to sack her over the phone? It had to be wiser to do so in person. He should blame her dismissal on the boys’ recent bad behaviour and pay her off with a wad of money. Surely that would keep her sweet? And quiet, regarding him and her.

Before he could pick up the phone and ask Katy to meet him, the buzzer disturbed Michael’s pre-planned speech. Nobody else was at the club, so he answered it himself. It would be proper handy if it was Katy. Save him a journey.

‘It’s Vinny,’ came the gruff voice over the speaker. ‘Where the fuck you been and why aren’t you answering your phone?’

Michael ran down the stairs and flung the door open. ‘Sorry, bruv. I had a visitor last night – Bella. She’s back from Italy and we’re gonna give it another go.’

‘How very romantic! And did it not occur to you that me and Mum might be worried if you wasn’t answering your phone?’

A bit taken aback by Vinny’s obvious anger, Michael shrugged. ‘I’m a grown man, Vin, give me a break. I had to switch both phones off in case Katy rang. Good job I did: she’s left tons of messages.’

‘I’m not interested in your fucked-up love life, Michael. If you’re silly enough to take a bird back who has already dumped you, that’s your lookout. What I wanna talk about is Dagenham Dave. He needs to be taught a bit of a lesson. Brenda might be a pain in the arse, but she’s still our sister.’

‘But she threatened you with the Old Bill, Vin,’ Michael reminded his brother.

‘So what. It’s a direct piss-take at us, him clumping Bren. We won’t kill him, but he needs a stern warning. People will think we’re mugs otherwise.’

‘What people?’ said Michael, wondering why Vinny was getting in a lather. ‘Bren and Dave had a punch-up. Big fucking deal. They’re back together now and everybody knows what a nightmare Brenda is.’

‘I was out with Eddie Mitchell yesterday. Even he agreed that Dave needs a good hiding. I’ve done a bit of research and heard through the grapevine that he serves up in the Cross Keys at the weekends. Barred from there is our Bren, she’s down the Roundhouse. So, we’ll stalk the Keys at the weekend, take Carl with us to entice the cunt outside. There’s a graveyard opposite. The perfect place for Dave to be taught who not to mess with in the future.’

‘I can’t make Saturday. I’m seeing Bella.’

‘Business before pleasure, Michael. And family before whores. Always remember that, bruv.’

As Vinny turned his back and walked out the premises, Michael wanted to give him a slap; disrespecting him was one thing, but having a dig at Bella was another. Instead he punched the wall. Vinny was obviously in one of his Jekyll and Hyde moods and until he snapped out of it, he was best left alone.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Michael Butler put the boys’ breakfast on the table.

‘Ain’t you having none, Dad?’ Lee asked.

‘Nah. And I need yous two to pop out for hour or so about half eleven. Someone’s coming round and I need to talk business, in private.’

‘Who’s that then?’ Daniel enquired.

‘Nobody you know,’ Michael lied. Today was the first chance he’d had to talk in private with Katy and he was absolutely dreading telling her that there’d be no more her and him, and he didn’t need her taking care of the boys any longer. A thousand pounds he planned to give her as a pay-off, and he only hoped that would soften the blow.

‘But I thought we were grounded?’ Daniel questioned suspiciously.

‘You were until today. Can’t keep you locked indoors for ever, can I? Just learn to behave yourselves in future. And keep away from Donald and Mary’s café. If I hear you’ve been within a hundred feet of that joint, I swear I’ll send you both away to a bloody boarding school. Understand me?’

‘If we’re not grounded any more, does that mean Katy will be coming back to look after us?’ Lee asked.

‘No. Katy won’t be coming round any more.’

Daniel pushed his plate away and leapt up. ‘Why? What’s she done wrong? We like Katy looking after us, don’t we, Lee?’

‘Yeah. We like Katy a lot,’ Lee added.

‘Tough shit. Anyway, you’ve only got yourselves to blame. I wouldn’t have got rid of Katy if yous two had behaved. That was the whole point of her being here.’

Eyes blazing, Daniel punched the table then locked eyes with his father. ‘Don’t fucking lie! You’ve been shagging her, I bet.’

Grabbing hold of his brazen son by the throat, Michael pushed him up against the wall. ‘Katy’s nearer your age than mine. What do you take me for, eh? You ever spout such crap or speak to me like that again, you’ll know all about it, for sure.’

Upset because he was probably never going to see the bird he’d had wet dreams over again, Daniel Butler burst into tears.

‘Get off! I mean it! Leave me alone, you filthy little ratpig,’ Vivian squealed, as Fred clung on to her leg and rubbed his little dingle-dangle against her brand-new nylons.

Queenie tried not to laugh, but couldn’t help herself as she picked up Fred and put him in the back garden.

‘Disgusting bastard creature. Look, it’s laddered me bleedin’ tights. New on today, these were,’ Vivian complained.

‘Go and change ’em, but hurry up. We’re running late,’ Queenie said. For years it had been a ritual that Saturdays were spent visiting their loved ones’ graves, before getting glammed up to spend the rest of the day at the Roman. Roman Road market was the place to be seen on a Saturday these days and most of the women who came from far and wide to shop there got done up to the nines.

Spotting a bit of dust on the television, Queenie took the duster out the drawer. Both she and Vivian were the envy of their neighbours with their pristine homes and posh furniture. China and family photos were Queenie’s pride and joy and her lounge was brimming with both.

Vinny had turned up early this morning to pick Ava up. He’d apologized for being short-tempered the other evening, explaining that he had something on his mind and he’d tell her what once he’d sorted it. ‘Don’t worry, Mum. It’s nothing to worry about. Quite the opposite, in fact,’ he’d assured her with a wink.

‘Ready, Queen?’ Vivian bellowed.

Queenie stared at herself in the mirror, flicked her dyed-blonde hair and sprayed on some more lacquer. Looking perfect down the Roman was a must, especially on a Saturday. ‘Yep. Let’s knock ’em dead, Viv.’

Katy Spencer was anxious, excited, scared yet buzzing, all at the same time. She hadn’t seen Michael all week. Daniel and Lee were being punished for misbehaving, which was why Michael had given her a fully paid week off work. He’d also insisted she wasn’t to visit him at the club, saying he’d had some business to attend to up north. Katy hadn’t quite believed his story, so she’d driven past his house and club a few times and there’d been no sign of his car. She’d even got her mate to ring the club three times and the staff had said he wasn’t there.

Pulling up outside Michael’s house, Katy had the biggest butterflies ever as she turned off the ignition.

Peeping through the curtains and wishing this moment was already over, Michael Butler opened the front door before Katy had even got to it. He’d been a proper Lothario back in the day, had more birds than hot dinners, but even then he’d been as kind as he could when dumping them. The stalkers he’d acquired along the way were few and far between. However, he had this awful feeling that Katy might turn out to be his biggest one yet. If Bella found out about his stupid fling, she’d probably chop his cock off. And the thought of losing her over something so meaningless did not bear thinking about.

‘I’ve missed you so much,’ Katy beamed, slinging her arms around Michael’s neck as soon as the front door was shut.

When she tried to stick her tongue in his mouth, Michael swerved his head to the side, then gently prised her wrists away from his neck. ‘We need to talk, babe,’ he said, kissing her politely on the cheek.

Following Michael into the kitchen, Katy felt a feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. She sensed from his coolness that he was going to dump her.

Having already prepared a story, Michael pulled a chair out for Katy, sat opposite her then squeezed both her hands in his. ‘You know how much I think of you, don’t you?’ Michael began.

Tears in her eyes, Katy nodded. ‘You’re going to finish with me, aren’t you?’

Wanting to tell the girl there was fuck-all to finish, Michael instead smiled politely. Treading on eggshells was a necessity at times, especially when it involved his beloved Bella, the love of his life. ‘We’ve got a bit of a problem, Katy. The boys clocked there was something going on between us and were pretty upset about it. You know what teenagers are like. I actually think they have a bit of a schoolboy crush on you themselves. Anyway, as much as it pains me, I’m gonna have to let you go. You’ve been absolutely brilliant all round and I can’t thank you enough, but I do feel it’s best you don’t turn up at the club any more either. A clean break would be best for both of us.’

‘What do you mean, let me go?’

‘I mean you can’t work for me any more and neither can we see one another. It’s too soon after Nancy’s death for me to be dating again. I have to put the boys first, that’s my duty as a father. You’re young, Katy, and I’m far too old for you anyway. You’re a beautiful girl who deserves far more in life than being stuck with some old git who has two unruly teenagers in tow. You can do so much better.’

Sobbing, Katy jumped up, darted around the other side of the table and flung her arms around Michael. She might be young, but she knew in her heart that she would love this man for the rest of her life. ‘I think the world of Daniel and Lee. They’re great kids. And I don’t care about the age gap. I love you so much, Michael. Please don’t finish with me. We can see one another in secret, if you want?’

Not knowing what else to do, Michael stood up and hugged the girl. He stroked her hair. ‘I’m so sorry, Katy, but it’s not just the boys. I’m not ready to move on from Nancy yet either,’ he lied.

‘But wouldn’t you like to settle down again one day and have more children?’ Katy wept.

‘Not yet, babe. Not for a long while. It was only the back end of last year Adam died. It’s far too raw for me to even think about having more kids. Perhaps one day? And who knows, one day when you’re older our paths might cross again. You never know what the future might hold.’ Michael wasn’t trying to give Katy false hope. He only wanted to soften the blow.

Katy stopped crying and smiled. ‘Can we still keep in touch via the phone?’

Michael shook his head. This was proving every bit as difficult as he’d expected, but it was his own fault for poking someone so young. ‘Look Katy, I really like you and that is why I don’t want you to contact me. If I didn’t think a lot of you, I wouldn’t care if you came to the club or rang me. I need some time on my own to sort my head out. It’s been all over the place since Adam died and Nancy committed suicide. You do understand, don’t you?’

Secretly thrilled that Michael was that obsessed with her he couldn’t bear the thought of hearing her voice or seeing her, Katy nodded. ‘I won’t come to the club or phone you, I promise. I’ll wait for you to contact me. Can I ask you a question?’

‘Of course.’

‘Do you love me, Michael?’

Hating giving her false hope, but knowing there was sod-all else he could do to get rid of her, Michael winked. ‘You know I do. Now you’d better get going because the boys will be back soon.’

‘How did they find out about us? What did they say?’ Katy questioned.

‘They’re not stupid, probably clocked the way we were with one another. Daniel was more upset about it than Lee. Anyway, as I said, they’ll be back soon, so best you make tracks. Look after yourself, sweetheart, and I wish you all the luck in the world for the future. This is for you,’ Michael said, handing Katy an envelope.

‘What is it?’

‘A grand. Call it a month’s wages. I thought you could treat yourself to a holiday. It’ll do you good to get away, babe. Clear your head, and you might even meet the man of your dreams.’

Throwing her arms around Michael’s neck, Katy savoured his touch and the smell of his aftershave. She knew what scent he wore and would buy a bottle tomorrow out of the money he’d given her. ‘I love you, Michael. I will wait for you, I promise.’

The Enemy was munching on a sandwich outside Percy Ingle’s when he spotted his prey. He’d heard the two old witches shopped at the Roman every Saturday, which was why he was donning his nerd disguise once again.

Watching the two women laughing and joking with a stallholder, he fought the urge to stab both there and then. He wasn’t stupid though. He would only be able to get away with stabbing one of the women, and if he did so, it would have to be in the middle of the market where it was jam-packed. Queenie was the one he wanted to suffer the most, so perhaps he could knife Vivian in the back, then duck behind one of the stalls before anybody realized what had happened.

When Queenie and Vivian began to walk away from the stall, the Enemy pulled the woolly hat over his head and adjusted the glasses on his nose. He’d spotted a few old faces he recognized earlier, but no way would anybody recognize him. Firstly, they wouldn’t have seen him since he was a child. And secondly, he was far too clever.

‘Daddy, I don’t like it here. It smells,’ Ava sulked. Her father had brought her to some stupid farmyard in Essex to see the animals and Ava was extremely bored.

Vinny picked his daughter up. ‘Look at those little piggies. They’re playing,’ he pointed out.

Ava turned her head in the opposite direction. ‘No. Don’t like ’em.’

‘Shall we go to that boozer I told you about, Dad? They have a good play area for kids. Me and Sammi often take Ollie there. He loves it,’ Little Vinny suggested.

Vinny nodded. Ava was a difficult child to please at times. Happy as a sandboy at home playing with Fred, but enjoyed very little outdoor activity. His mother had even tried her with Sunday school and that had ended in disaster. When the teacher had asked who Jesus was, Ava had replied ‘A cunt.’

Half an hour later, Vinny was sitting next to his son in the boozer, relieved that Ava seemed to be enjoying herself in the play area. ‘Look after Ollie,’ he shouted.

‘Yes, Daddy,’ Ava beamed, holding her nephew’s hand.

As proud as Vinny was at the way his son had turned out, he did currently have one issue with him. ‘We need to have a chat.’

‘About what?’

‘The wedding suits. You might be happy to prance around looking like a pansy all day, but no way am I wearing that creation. I’ll be the laughing stock of the East End.’

Little Vinny was slightly taken aback. ‘The suits are smart and modern. What’s wrong with ’em?’

‘What’s right with ’em would be an easier question to answer. For a start, they’re bastard-well white! You ever seen me walking round looking like Whitechapel’s answer to Larry Grayson?’

‘Who’s Larry Grayson? And the suits aren’t white, they’re cream.’

‘It don’t matter. I’m not wearing it.’

‘For once this isn’t about you, Dad. It’s mine and Sammi- Lou’s big day and we want it to be special. The bridesmaids are all wearing crimson and the males cream suits. You told me to choose what I wanted, so I did. Please don’t ruin this for me. The photos will look ridiculous if you’re the only one of us wearing a different suit.’

‘It’s got a fucking turtle neck an’ all,’ Vinny winced.

‘If you hate the suit that much, you can change it before the reception. Please wear it, Dad, for the actual wedding. Michael said he liked his.’

‘Michael’s secretly gay,’ Vinny replied sarcastically.

Oliver Butler toddling over stopped the discussion getting any more heated. Vinny scooped the child up and sat him on his lap. Unlike the rest of the Butler males, Oliver was blond, but he’d inherited the trademark piercing green eyes. Vinny adored him, but still couldn’t get his head around being called Granddad. He felt far too young to be addressed as such, so had taught Oliver to call him Vinny.