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
