deep-pile carpet, satin bedding, even the lampshades looked like they had cost a fortune. ‘Wow, isn’t it ace, Michael?’
‘Only the best for you, my darling,’ Michael said, truthfully. He usually shagged in the back of his car, or at the club. He had never spent this kind of money on any girl in the past.
Michael looked gorgeous in his dark suit, white shirt and black tie, and when he began kissing her passionately, Nancy felt the first stirrings of unrest. Michael made her feel alive and the thought of spending the whole night in bed with him was exciting, yet frightening at the same time.
Denise Thompson was amazed to see Vinny Butler’s posh motor parked near her house. She was even more amazed when he leapt out and asked to have a quiet word with her. Surely, he hadn’t got wind of her news? She had only found out herself yesterday and, apart from her best friend, had told nobody.
‘How are you, Denise? Are you still working at the telephone exchange?’ Vinny asked, being ultra polite, when Denise got into the car.
‘I’m fine thank you, and yeah, I’m still at the telephone exchange. What do you want? Has Michael sent you?’ Denise’s face was a picture of hope.
‘No, not exactly. I’ve come to see you of my own accord, as I have a little proposition for you.’
‘What?’
‘Well, firstly you have to promise me that this conversation will never be repeated, Denise. You’re a nice girl, which is why I would like you to get back with my brother, and you wouldn’t cross me, would you?’
With his jet-black hair, menacing eyes, and fearsome reputation, Vinny Butler was the last man Denise would ever cross. ‘No, I won’t say a word, I promise.’
Vinny smirked. He had never particularly liked Denise. She was tarty, tawdry, and he knew of at least three other men she had slept with before she had dated his brother. Nevertheless, anyone was better than Nancy Walker, hence his little visit. ‘I don’t know if you are aware, but Michael has a new girlfriend, Denise?’
‘Well, sort of. I’ve heard that he was seeing someone, but no-one’s really seen him about with her. What’s she like?’
‘Not a nice person by all accounts, which is why I’d like you to do me a little favour. It will be in your best interests too, especially if you want Michael back.’
‘What do I have to do?’ Denise asked.
‘Next Monday, I am holding a family party at my club. Michael will be there without his bird. I want you to turn up and tell him and the rest of my family that you are up the spout. A few weeks down the line, you can just pretend you’ve had a miscarriage, can’t you? I’ll pay you for your trouble of course. How does a hundred pounds sound?’ Vinny enquired.
Denise couldn’t help but smirk. She had only found out yesterday that she was actually pregnant with Michael’s baby, so being paid to tell him was just a bonus. Vinny could hardly ask for his money back afterwards, could he? And from what he’d just said, he would probably be thrilled by her real news anyway.
‘Well?’ Vinny asked, impatient.
‘OK, I’ll do it. But, can you pay me the money up front?’
Vinny took his wallet out and chucked five tenners on Denise’s lap. ‘Half now, and half when you’ve done it, OK? Oh, and turn up about ten.’
‘OK,’ Denise said, scrambling out of the car.
Vinny grinned as he restarted his ignition. ‘Bye-bye, Nancy Walker,’ he mumbled.
After eating her first ever Chinese meal and thoroughly enjoying it, it was Nancy who suggested they pop into a club on the way back to the hotel.
Watching his girlfriend sway her body seductively to Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Move On Up’, Michael noticed how he wasn’t the only guy unable to take his eyes off her. Nancy’s beauty shone out like a beacon and she looked incredible in her halter-neck catsuit. ‘Shall I get us another drink, babe? Or, shall we make tracks?’ Michael asked.
Grabbing her boyfriend around the neck, Nancy treated him to a big sloppy kiss. So what if he was a Butler? Nancy knew if she lived until she was a hundred, she would never meet another guy who made her feel the way that Michael did. ‘Let’s go and snuggle up in that big bed, shall we?’ she whispered, the alcohol playing a big part in her bravery.
Grinning like his Premium Bond numbers had just come up, Michael grabbed Nancy’s hand and whisked her out of the club before she had a change of mind.
Vinny smirked as he scanned his brother’s address book and found the phone number of Colleen’s parents. He and Roy had had words earlier over Ahmed being at the club more often, but Vinny didn’t give a shit what his brother thought any more. Roy should have stayed loyal to him and the business instead of putting birds at the top of his priority list. ‘Hello, is that Mrs O’Connell?’ Vinny asked politely.
The telephone conversation continued for a good few minutes, and when the O’Connells finally agreed to attend their daughter’s engagement party, even though it was at very short notice, Vinny couldn’t help but smirk. Colleen’s family hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting the Butlers yet, and he would make damn sure they never fucking forgot them in a hurry. If his plan worked, not only would Michael be single again, but so would Roy.
Donald Walker was totally incensed. He had warned his wife that he thought his daughter was going to ignore his orders and stay out all night, but Mary had insisted otherwise. ‘Ring that Rhonda, now,’ Donald ordered, his voice booming even louder than usual.
‘I don’t want to wake the girl’s parents up, Donald. It’s gone eleven, for goodness’ sake.’
‘I don’t care if it’s three in the bloody morning. I have every right to know where my daughter is.’
‘Dad’s right, Mum. Nancy could be lying in a ditch somewhere for all we know,’ Christopher added solemnly.
Mary snatched at the phone. Fortunately, it was Rhonda who answered and not her parents. Mary hated people ringing people late at night. She deemed it unthoughtful and rude.
‘Well?’ Donald asked, hands on hips as his wife ended the phonecall.
‘Rhonda said Nancy told her that she is going to their friend Katie’s birthday party and will be home tomorrow teatime.’
A police officer in the making, Christopher was the first to reply. ‘Their friend! Why hasn’t Rhonda gone to this make-believe party as well then? Nancy is pulling the wool over your eyes, Mum. Ever since she went to that fairground she has been acting strangely. I told you not to let her go there, didn’t I?’
‘And I told you that she shouldn’t be allowed to attend such events too. If our daughter is currently shacked up with some rebel in a seedy hotel room somewhere, I will personally hold you responsible, Mary,’ Donald added.
Mary sighed wearily. She needed Nancy disobeying her father’s orders like she needed a bloody hole in the head. She now believed that her daughter was probably with some lad, but she wasn’t about to admit that to Donald and Christopher. They could light a fire without a match or petrol, those two. ‘If our Nancy said she is going to her friend’s party, then that’s where she is. I trust our
