Get Even (51 page)

She passed away that night with her ever-present rosary clutched in her hands. She had a smile on her face and the nurses remarked that it looked like it had been a happy death.

Nunc scio quid sit Amor.

Now I know what Love is.

Eclogues,
Virgil (70–19
BC
)

‘You look amazing, Sharon!’

She laughed at the awe in Gerry’s voice.

‘Not bad for a couple of old dears, are we?’

Gerry was glad to hear the deep laughter of her dear friend. It had been a long time coming and she was pleased to see her enjoying her life for once. Kathy was smiling at them all – she knew she looked beautiful, so she didn’t need any reassurance. Her boyfriend, a money broker from Camden, was looking at her like he had never seen a woman before, and that made Sharon smile to herself.

‘Who would have thought we would be here today, eh? Look at all the people who have turned up for it. Times have certainly changed. Every Face in the country’s here, by the looks of things.’

Sharon smoothed out the peach silk dress she was wearing, and adjusted the matching hat. She was looking forward to this wedding. She didn’t know why, but it felt like the start of something new for them. She had finally started to live a life of sorts, but it was a different one now – a calmer, happier existence for her. It was hard visiting the boys in prison; they had got seven years each and they were in separate nicks. But they would be out before they knew it. Kathy had grown up, and what had happened to her had given her plenty of food for thought. Sharon wasn’t too worried about her any more. Annie had passed away shortly after Ray’s funeral. And what a funeral it had been! She shuddered as she thought of it and pushed the memories from her mind. This was a happy day and she was determined to enjoy it. Knowing Annie was in the gatehouse had always made her feel safe somehow. She missed her.

A white Rolls Royce pulled up and everyone cheered as Reggie and his intended got out, smiling widely. Both were in morning suits and they made a beautiful couple. Reggie had met this man and fallen in love on a holiday in Mykonos. Geoff Tranter was tall, handsome and absolutely gorgeous. He was also a hard man. He was from Liverpool and he was fifteen years younger than Reggie. They were a perfect match, and Sharon adored him. It was funny, but she and Reggie had become very close and now she really relished his friendship and his humour. He was the number one now that Jack had passed away, and he was wearing his crown well. She wished him all the best.

The sun was shining brightly and, as they made their way into the registry office, Sharon felt the first ripple of excitement she had felt in years. It was as if, with Reggie’s wedding, his obvious happiness had rubbed off on her. She knew one thing for sure: she never wanted another man. Never put your happiness in someone else’s hands. She had read that recently and she had felt a strange urge to cry. There was such a truth in it that it had hit her like a thunderbolt.

What she wanted now was to live her own life to the full. She had money, she had property and she had her family. First stop was Australia with Gerry, and then they were going to see where the fancy took them. One thing she knew was that no matter what happened to you, no matter how bad life got, happiness – true happiness – was a state of mind. She had paid out everyone who had ever hurt her and now her new mantra was quite a simple one:
don’t get mad, get even
.

Have you read all of Martina Cole’s phenomenal bestsellers?

No one thinks a seventeen-year-old girl can take on the hard men of London’s gangland, but it’s a mistake to underestimate Maura Ryan: she’s tough, clever and beautiful – and one very dangerous lady . . .

George Markham has a nasty little hobby, which erupts into an orgy of vicious sexual depravity. In charge of the case, DI Kate Burrows fears she’ll lose everything she’s ever cared about to . . . the ladykiller.

Cathy Connor’s miserable life as a prostitute’s child changes for ever when she is forced into care. When she crosses paths with ruthless Eamonn Docherty she’s an equal match for him. And nothing’s going to make her run away . . .

Brutalised throughout her marriage, Sue Dalston smashes her husband’s skull with a claw hammer in a final act of desperation. Celled up with murderess Matilda Enderby, their fates become inextricably linked. And no one could have predicted the consequences . . .

One by one, children are being abandoned. Thankfully, they’re rescued from harm. Then one victim is not so lucky, and DI Kate Burrows knows she’s in a race against time to save lives . . .

Eleven years ago Marie Carter was convicted of killing her two best friends. Now she’s being released from prison. But some people out there are watching her – they know that Marie Carter wants retribution.

Maura Ryan was once the queen of the criminal underworld. But enemies from her past are closing in and they’re about to learn that the dangerous lady is back and she’s as lethal as ever . . .

When her eleven-year-old daughter Kira disappears, Joanie Brewer’s darkest fears are realised, and her obsession to uncover the truth threatens to destroy her entire family.

Nick Leary couldn’t say what kept him awake that night. When he heard footsteps downstairs, his instinct was to fight. But what happened was the start of something he could not stop . . .

Families should stick together, but behind closed doors, jealousy and betrayal fester until everyone’s life is infected. For the Jacksons, loyalty cannot win out. In their world everyone is on the take.

Patrick Brodie and Lily Diamond are determined their children will have everything they didn’t. But when the unthinkable happens, Lily is left on her own in a world where you can trust no one and where your sins will find you out . . .

Danny Cadogan’s ruthlessness doesn’t stop at his front door. He rules his wife Mary and his children, with an iron will – and his fists. But for a Face at the top of his game, there’s only one way to go. Down . . .

When Mary Dooley’s husband is killed, she has to watch her daughter Imelda’s life spiral into a vicious, hate-fuelled cycle of drugs and prostitution, whilst her adored grandchildren fight for survival – against all the odds.

When a prostitute’s body is found lifeless, mutilated and brutally raped, DCI Annie Carr and retired DCI Kate Burrows are determined to put the killer behind bars. But whoever it is won’t be easily caught. And they are just warming up . . .

Phillip Murphy worships his mum and loves his wife Christine with a vengeance. To Phillip, family is everything. But he has rules, and he expects loyalty. Once you’re in the family, you’re in it for life.

To the outside world, Cynthia Tailor is someone to envy. But behind closed doors, her family see her for the cruel woman she really is . . . and, for her children, the pain she causes them will stay with them forever.

Gangster brothers Peter and Daniel Bailey rule London’s East End and it seems that no one can touch them. Daniel’s daughter Tania is shielded from the Life, but when a terrible tragedy occurs, she is forced to make an irrevocable choice about her future . . .

No one would dare challenge Michael Flynn. He rules his criminal underworld empire with an even but fierce hand. Then the unthinkable happens – and Michael must learn that without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness of sins.

Cain Moran wants Jenny Riley more than he has ever wanted anyone or anything before in his life. Jenny cares nothing for Cain’s hard-man reputation – she just wants to be with him. But Cain is not a free man and there are greater trials ahead than any of them can foresee.

Nothing can keep Sharon Conway and Lenny Scott apart. She doesn’t question his business dealings and it isn’t long before they are living the good life. But one night Lenny is found murdered – and Sharon never knows why. Now, twenty years later, she has found out the truth, and such a crime cannot go unpunished.