understand you shooting back to Italy to visit your sick nan, but not for all that time. You obviously got cold feet. I ain’t no mug, so don’t lie to me. We don’t have a future unless you tell me the truth. Did you get cold feet? Or did you meet another geezer? There’s definitely something you ain’t telling me.’
Bella was sick of repeating herself. She’d guessed Michael would be peeved, but thought he would’ve been more pleased to see her. They’d not even kissed yet and he was as cold as ice. ‘I am not lying to you, Michael. My nana was at death’s door for a long while. Even the doctors were amazed she finally pulled through,’ Bella lied. What else could she do – admit that she’d fucked his brother senseless?
‘OK, so I believe your nan was ill. That still doesn’t explain you telling me you needed space. I thought we were a couple and I wanted to be there for you. That’s what people that love one another do, Bella. No matter how awful the situation, we’re meant to support each other. You were my rock when Adam died. I try to return the favour and you push me away like I’m some nuisance, a worthless piece of shit. I was still grieving an’ all, you know. I didn’t get over my son’s death overnight. Still bloody haven’t, and probably never will.’
Bella was a tough cookie, barely ever cried, but she finally broke down. She had been selfish, had not given Adam’s death a thought when she’d first blanked Michael’s calls, then ordered him to give her some space. How she hated herself for that now. But she’d been so consumed by guilt, she couldn’t think about anything other than what she’d done.
‘Well, say something then. Crocodile tears don’t wash with me.’
‘The truth is I was worried about the pace our relationship was developing. I love you with all my heart, Michael, always have done and always will. But to take on your two boys is a massive ask. Not so much from my point of view, but I have Antonio to think of – he is my world. Your sons are much older, and I’m not sure it would work out if we all lived together. No way will I risk my son’s happiness by rushing into anything, especially marriage.’
‘More lies, Bella? You were probably at it with some other geezer,’ Michael spat accusingly. He had no idea why he was being so horrible to her. Was it guilt because he hadn’t been able to keep his cock in his trousers?
When Bella began to sob and plead her innocence, he finally softened. Sitting next to her, he put his arms around her. ‘I’m so sorry, babe, I know you’d never cheat on me really.’
‘And I’m so sorry too.’
Michael held the woman he loved close to his chest. ‘Everything will be all right, Bell. Please don’t shut me out again though, that’s all I ask. My life was like an empty shell without you, and believe me, I’m no soppy bastard that usually comes out with such crap. But it was. I only feel whole when we’re together.’
Laughing and crying at the same time, Bella held Michael’s handsome face in her hands. ‘I swear to God, I will never shut you out again.’
‘Things will work out, you know. Perhaps I came on too strong, mentioning marriage and stuff? I know it’s not gonna be easy, us making a go of it with the three boys. So let’s make a pact to take things more slowly. There’s no rush for us to move in together. And even if we decide we want to, there’s certainly no rush for us to get hitched. We’ll make a fresh start. Go on some proper dates, and when the time feels right we’ll introduce the boys properly. Sound OK to you?’
‘I’ve missed you so much,’ Bella murmured, in her sexy half-English half-Italian drawl.
Michael breathed deeply, lust taking over every part of him. ‘I want you badly. I promise if you ravish me, I’ll return the favour.’
Bella unzipped the man of her dream’s trousers and took his penis in her mouth.
Michael Butler stared at Bella’s beautiful face as she pleasured him. She truly was his soul-mate and he knew it.
Katy Spencer and her friend Lucy Tompkins were in high spirits as they joined the pharmacy queue in Boots.
‘I’m so excited for you. When will you tell him – if you are?’ Lucy giggled.
‘As soon as I get him alone. I’ve never been a week late before, so I reckon I must be,’ Katy convinced herself.
‘I wonder if he’ll ask you to move straight in with him?’
‘Michael can be very romantic, so it wouldn’t surprise me. You should see the faces and hear the noises he makes when we have sex. He’s totally into me, Luce, I can tell. The only reason we’re not already living together is because he thinks it’s too soon for Lee and Daniel after Nancy. He loves me, I know it.’
‘He is such a catch, Katy. You are one lucky girl. Which reminds me: while we’re in Romford you must pop into Downtown and get that record. Every time I hear it, it makes me think of you and Michael.’
‘What record?’
‘The new one in the chart I told you about. It’s so you and Mr Butler.’
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
