The Traitor (45 page)

Ethel had a forlorn look about her and, as Stanley picked her up to stroke her, he could have sworn he saw tears in her eyes. Ernie had been her mate and Stanley was worried that without him, Ethel would pine and probably die too.

‘What am I gonna do, Joycie? Ethel looks ill. I think I’m gonna have to bring her indoors so I can keep me eye on her.’

Joyce didn’t need one of Stanley’s dramas this morning. She was due to meet Eddie at lunchtime and had enough on her plate without worrying about some poxy pigeon. She turned to her husband. ‘I ain’t having them dirty bastard birds in here. Stick Ethel in with one of the others. Put her in with Willie.’

Stanley shook his head furiously. ‘Ethel and Ernie were two of a kind, Joycie. She loved him like I did. She hates Willie. She tried to tear his feathers out once.’

‘Well, she’ll have to tear ’em out again, ’cause she ain’t bleedin’ coming in ’ere, shitting and stinking.’

Stanley flung open the kitchen door, turned around and glared at his wife. ‘You are one nasty, cold-hearted woman at times, do you know that, Joycie? Anyone else would be sympathetic, but not you. You’ve got a heart of fucking stone.’

Joyce winced as he slammed the door behind him. If Stanley was annoyed by the lack of sympathy she had shown to his dead pigeon, good job he didn’t know who she was meeting today.

Feeling on edge, Joyce took the bottle of brandy out of the cupboard and poured a small shot. Whatever the outcome of today, Stanley must never find out that she’d met up with Eddie. If he did, there’d be murders.

Frankie gave a half-smile as she handed the tape recorder to Kerry. Kerry’s sister had gone shopping in Basildon and had taken the boys with her, so it was just the two of them, along with Harry, who was busy playing with his teddy bear.

Kerry stared at the play button. ‘I dunno about you, Frankie, but I need a glass of wine first. Do you want one?’

Feeling her stomach churning, Frankie nodded. Both girls sipped their drinks in silence.

‘So what are you gonna do if you find out that Sammy is the father of Julie’s baby? I had a chat on the quiet to my brother Gary the other day about your predicament. He reckons that if Sammy goes to court, you’re gonna have to give him access to the boys, whether he’s got a secret family or not,’ Frankie said, breaking the ice.

Kerry nodded. ‘I know that, but I still need to know the truth. The thing is, Frankie, I have a lot on Sammy. I know loads about his dodgy dealings and stuff. If I find out that that kid ain’t his, then I’ll probably let him see the boys once a week. But if that kid is his, then he ain’t seeing ’em and if I have to, I’ll resort to blackmail.’

‘What exactly you got on him, then?’

Not wanting Harry to hear what she was about to say, Kerry turned up the volume on the TV and moved closer to Frankie.

‘Sammy and Jed ain’t what you think they are, Frankie. They rob people, mainly old people.’

Frankie looked at her in horror. ‘What do you mean, they rob old people?’

Kerry shrugged. ‘I’ve overheard ’em talking. I confronted Sammy once and he sort of admitted it. All I know is they target old people who live alone and then they con them out of their life savings. They call it grunting and I think, apart from selling the odd horse or ringing the odd motor, that’s how they earn all their money now.’

Frankie was appalled. ‘I can’t believe it. How could anyone be so callous?’

Kerry put an arm around her friend. ‘Surely you must have had your suspicions? I know I did. I mean, Sammy and Jed have always got plenty of dough, and all these weekends they say they’re working away, you can bet your bottom dollar they’re out partying and shagging. Apart from conning people, I don’t think they work at all now, Frankie. They used to, but I think the gavvers started sniffing around that yard they were renting and Jed’s dad urged ’em to lay low for a while.’

Thinking of her own grandparents, Frankie shuddered. What sort of bloke was she living with? ‘So, how do they rob ’em? They don’t burgle them or beat ’em up and stuff, do they?’

Kerry shook her head. ‘I think they tend to target people who ain’t got no close family. They befriend ’em and do odd jobs for ’em and stuff. Sammy admitted to me that one old boy signed his house over to him and Jed recently. There was another one that died last year and left them all of his money. I think they’d made him write a will.’

‘Mummy, I’m thirsty.’

Frankie was in shock as she picked up her son. ‘Let’s get you a drink and you can play in the garden,’ she whispered.

Frankie left the back door open and returned to the living room. ‘Why didn’t you tell me all this before?’

Kerry held her arms out in protest. ‘I’m sorry, Frankie. You were so happy with Jed and I was happy with Sammy; there seemed no point in telling you. I also thought that you probably knew but, like me, you never said anything out of loyalty. Things are different now, though, aren’t they? It’s me and you against the world.’

Desperate to find out exactly what sort of animal Jed really was, Frankie picked up the tape recorder and pressed play.

Joyce sat nervously in the Bull in Romford. Part of her now wished that she had never arranged to meet up with Eddie, as all she could think about was Jessica.

Jessica had once been Joycie’s reason for living. Desperate for her daughter to lead a life of luxury and not end up in a council house like she had, Joyce had been overjoyed when Jessica first brought Eddie home.

Eddie was everything that Stanley wasn’t. Tall, handsome, rich and exciting, from the first moment Jessica had met him, Joyce had binned all her Mills & Boon books and had lived her daughter’s romance with her. Everything had been perfect until that tragedy of all tragedies and now, sitting alone in the pub, her daughter’s murder was all she could think about. Overcome by sad memories, Joyce didn’t notice Eddie stroll towards her.

‘Hello, Joycie. What would you like to drink?’

As Joyce came face to face with Eddie for the first time in years, she found she could barely breathe. Prison hadn’t altered him. He was dressed stylishly, was as handsome as ever and the only sign of his life behind bars was the odd grey fleck in his short, dark hair.

Joyce’s voice shook as she answered him. ‘I’ll have a glass of white wine, please,’ she whispered.

Eddie got the drinks, returned to the table and gave her an awkward peck on the cheek. ‘You look ever so well, Joycie. How’s Stanley these days?’ he asked politely.

Joyce took a very large gulp of wine to help her find her voice. She could see that Eddie also felt apprehensive and she wanted to put him at ease.

‘Brain damage he is. Done my bleeding head in this morning, he did. Do you remember that pigeon you bought him? He called it Ernie.’

Eddie nodded. ‘I bought him two and he called the other one Ethel, didn’t he?’

Joyce nodded. ‘Well, Ernie croaked it last night. Anyone would think it was me that had popped me clogs, the way Stanley’s behaving this morning.’

Eddie laughed. He had also been nervous about seeing Joyce again and was pleased she had broken the ice. ‘Are you hungry? Shall I get us a menu?’

Joyce shook her head. ‘I’m not hungry, but I wouldn’t say no to another glass of wine. Then we’ll have a chat, there’s stuff we need to talk about.’

Frankie and Kerry stared at one another. Both their faces were filled with frustration as neither could believe that their wonderful plan had failed.

‘What a waste of fucking time that was. Where did you hide it, Frankie?’

‘In the back, behind the plastic interior on the door.’

Kerry let out a deep sigh. They had just listened to ten minutes of silence, half an hour of muffled voices, of which they couldn’t understand a word and then twenty minutes of Tammy Wynette. The only clear thing they had heard was Tammy singing ‘Stand By Your Man’, which seemed kind of ironic, considering the circumstances.

Agitated, Kerry poured herself another glass of wine. ‘You’re gonna have to do it again, but this time you need to put it in the front of the motor.’

‘I can’t do that. Jed’s bound to find it in the front. He tried to strangle me the other night, Kerry. Can you imagine what he’d do if he knows I’ve set him up?’

‘It’s a chance you’re gonna have to take. We’re never gonna find out the truth if it’s hidden behind the bloody interior. It’s too far away to get a clear recording, Frankie.’

Frankie shrugged. ‘The only place I can think of in the front is the glove compartment, and I can’t put it in there, as Jed is always opening it.’

Kerry’s eyes shone as she picked up Harry’s teddy bear and waved it at Frankie. ‘Take out some of the stuffing, put it in here and then shove it under the passenger seat. Jed will just think Harry’s left one of his toys in the car; he won’t clock on, I know he won’t.’

Frankie felt uncomfortable. ‘How am I gonna fit it in there?’

Kerry ran out to the kitchen and returned with some scissors and a needle and cotton. ‘Give us it here. I’ll do it and I’ll leave a small gap so you can put your hand in to press “record”.’

Frankie said nothing as her friend cut open Harry’s teddy bear. Once Kerry got a bee in her bonnet there was just no stopping her.

Eddie Mitchell felt emotional and uncomfortable as he apologised to Joycie. He couldn’t not mention Jessica’s murder, he had to say something.

‘I am so sorry, Joycie. I loved Jessica just as much as you did, you know that much is true.’

Seeing the sad expression in Eddie’s eyes, Joyce squeezed his hand. ‘It’s OK. I know it was an accident. Let’s not talk about it, eh?’

Relieved to be able to change the subject, Eddie asked Joyce about Frankie. ‘Have you seen her or spoken to her lately?’ he enquired.

Joyce shook her head. ‘I haven’t heard from her for a few weeks. Between me and you, Eddie, I don’t think she’s happy with that Jed. She won’t admit it, but I can tell and, as for the kids, have you seen Georgie since you’ve been out?’

‘No. Why?’

‘I’m sure there’s something wrong with her, Ed. She hates being indoors, gorges on food and then doesn’t eat for days, and whenever she stays with me and Stanley, she never sleeps of a night. Last time she stopped over, I never slept a wink. I’m sure she’s got issues, or maybe it’s just the bloody gypsy in her.’

Eddie was bemused. Gary and Ricky had also mentioned Georgie’s unusual behaviour recently, but he hadn’t taken too much notice of their comments. When Georgie was a baby, Frankie had brought her up to visit him in prison, but towards the end of his sentence, she had only come alone or brought Harry with her.

‘How’s little Harry doing?’

‘He’s a lovely little boy. He’s got such a sweet nature and with his blond hair and blue eyes, he reminds me so much of Jess and Joey when they were his age. Haven’t you seen Frankie since you got out, Ed? Why haven’t you visited the kids? Is it because of Jed?’ Joyce asked.

‘Frankie ain’t talking to me, Joycie. I was gonna pop round there this weekend to try and sort things out with her, but Jed’s there, apparently. If I come face to face with him, I dunno what I might do and I don’t wanna end up back in nick, do I?’

Joyce took a sip of her wine. The sadness she’d felt earlier had now faded and she was rather enjoying Eddie’s company. It was good to be able to discuss her grandchildren with somebody other than Stanley. Her husband was often more interested in his poxy pigeons than he was in his family.

‘So, why have you fallen out with Frankie? Last time I saw her she said that you and her were getting on well.’

Eddie shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He was dreading telling Joycie about Gina, but he knew it would be better coming from him than Frankie or somebody else.

‘Last weekend, Gary and Ricky organised a meal for me up in Canning Town. It was no celebration, just a family get-together for me old aunts, brothers and uncles. Anyway, I took a woman with me. It’s not what you think, Joycie. Gina her name is, she stood up for me in court and she’s been a really good friend to me since. Well, to cut a long story short, Gary and Ricky never told me that Frankie was coming. If I’d have known she was gonna be there, I wouldn’t have taken Gina in the first place. Course, Frankie’s walked in and kicked off good and proper. You know what a temper she’s got on her, don’t you? Fucking embarrassing it was. She called my friend Gina an old tart and all sorts. Actually, the night was a disaster from start to finish. Paulie kicked off, Ronny got pissed and fell out of his wheelchair. A usual Mitchell night out, if you know what I mean.’

Joyce gave a half-smile. The mention of Gina had thrown her a bit, but she had agreed to meet Eddie because there was something important she wanted to discuss with him.

‘Do you know the main reason why I came here to meet you, Eddie?’

Eddie clicked his fingers at the barmaid. ‘Can you bring us over another bottle of wine, sweetheart?’ he asked.

He had a feeling that he wasn’t going to like what Joyce had to say. He turned to face her. ‘What’s on your mind?’

Joyce held his stare. ‘After everything that’s happened, I want you to do something for me.’

‘What?’

‘I want you to make things up with Joey.’

Eddie looked at Joyce as though she was mad. ‘No way. I’ve disowned him. That boy is no son of mine. The thought of what he is makes me wanna puke every time I think of it. I can’t stomach it. I’m sorry, but I can’t handle it, Joycie.’

Joycie had pre-planned her speech in bed last night and as she leaned towards Eddie, she didn’t hold back. ‘If I can forgive you for murdering my only daughter, why can’t you forgive Joey for being gay? He is a wonderful boy, Eddie, a real credit to you. His boyfriend Dominic is a lovely lad and also has a heart of gold. They are always round at ours and, without their support, I don’t think I would have ever got over Jessica’s death. Being gay isn’t a crime. Them two boys love one another and if you won’t do it for my sake, I want you to do it for Jessica’s memory. Jess loved that boy and she would be so upset by your behaviour, Ed, she really would.’