CRUEL SECRETS Read online

  “Here’s ya camera, Eddie. So, what was it ya wanted?” asked Tommy.

  Eddie was twitching; he frowned and then looked at the man as if looks would kill. “You fucking what, Tommy?”

  Nervously, Tommy stepped back and smiled. “Sorry, Eddie, I am tired. Anyway, here’s the camera. I’ll be off.”

  Without a please or thank you, Eddie snatched the camera and slammed the door shut. He wasn’t in the mood for this low life, as he saw him. High on his success, he was already planning his next leap to Spain. All his assets including the gem were locked in the safe under the stairs now. He rubbed his hands together and turned on the computer to check out mansions for sale in Spain. There were a few old cronies living in Marbella, drinking buddies, who would be more than happy to chew over the fat. As he scrolled down, his excitement escalated. The multimillion-pound mansions were out of this world. He would be a king in his castle, surrounded by staff, beautiful women, and … He paused his thoughts. He should have included his family but did he want to? Slowly, he got up from his chair and picked up the camera. The digital screen at the back of the camera showed all the photos Tommy had been busy photographing. Once he had pulled the connection cable from the drawer and transferred the pictures to his computer, his euphoria quickly diminished. There, staring back at him, stood a beautiful woman: his daughter. His emotions were so mixed up. One photo particularly grabbed his attention. She was standing by the door of a crumbling Victorian house with a Primark bag in each hand. He looked around his huge lounge, with every top-of-the-range gadget and luxury furnishing, and then back at the scruffy house she called home. He tried to console himself with the idea she was a nasty bitch, who accused him of abusing her, who turned her back on him on a visit. She didn’t want to know him. Well, good riddance; she would have been a pain in the arse anyway. Then he stopped at the photo of her walking a dog, smiling, and she looked like a child again.

  He’d taken her from her real mother, just to shut his wife up. He didn’t want people to think he was a jaffa; his mates had kids, and he didn’t want to be the butt of their jokes – Eddie can fire bullets but they are blanks.

  Kelly was a beautiful baby and she had loved him; her big green eyes lit up when he walked in the room. By the time she was four, they had what he thought was an unbreakable bond. But all that was history. He’d seen the look of hostility in her eyes that day on the visit to the prison. Not used to being rejected, he had certainly never expected it from his own daughter. Straightaway, he had a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach, and it was a sensation new to him: it was guilt. He didn’t like it at all and it made him angry. He threw the camera across the room and went to the drinks cabinet to pour a large brandy. “Fucking kid, who does she think she is!” he shouted out aloud. He knocked it back and cringed at the bitterness. As he walked back to pour another, he caught his reflection in the mirror. He stopped and had a closer look, smoothed back his hair, and then he smirked. In doing so it hit him – that look of satisfaction – he’d seen it before. In a blind panic, he returned to the photos displayed on his computer screen. He scrolled through and stopped at the photo of Kelly standing on a step with the Primark bags, large ones too. He zoomed in and looked at her expression. She was facing the camera and smirking; he recognised that look. Well he would, wouldn’t he; it was his trademark expression. He shuddered at his daughter’s smile – she was definitely mocking him.

  He pulled the bill of sale from his pocket and looked at the date and then at the date of the photo. They were the same. That sarcastic ‘up yours’ grin, spread across Kelly’s face, was meant for him. He scratched his head. It didn’t make sense. He had the diamond and she was carrying two poxy Primark bags. But he felt his heart pounding and an eerie feeling crept over him, like he was staring at a ghost. Something wasn’t right. She didn’t seem the type to shop in Primark and those oversized bags looked odd. Finally, the penny dropped and from a great height. Fuck! He leapt like a caged animal from the seat, unlocked the safe, and pulled out the diamond. His hands were shaking and beads of sweat covered his brow. He walked over to the mirror and ran the edge of the diamond along the glass – nothing, not even a small scratch. Alarmed, he tried again. Nada. He held the diamond up against the light and frowned; it certainly shone like a rare gem, but it should have sliced straight through that glass. He dropped the stone onto the tiled floor and then stamped on it. He felt the stone break but registered it should have been unbreakable. As he slowly removed his foot, he glared down in horror at the shattered mess. It was no diamond: it was just a piece of cheap crystal, and he’d been had over, he, Eddie Raven. It would be funny, if it wasn’t so outrageous.

  Eaten up with anger, he smashed the computer off the table and looked for his car keys. He would have his hands round Kelly’s throat for treating him as a mug. The only time he had ever felt insane anger was when he’d found out that Maureen had grassed him up, sending him down for twelve years. This latest piss-take though had all the hallmarks of a right royal cunt stunt.

  He would teach his daughter how to show respect – she would be begging for forgiveness.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Friday morning, Betty had arrived early by taxi. The driver helped her with her suitcase up the steps. “Cor blimey, love, ya got another person in ’ere,” he laughed. Inside, there was a buzz of excitement. Lippy had agreed to take the medication prescribed by the doctor because Rudy demanded she take it or there would be no holiday for her. It was doing her the world of good. She was more alert and had more energy. The boys laughed at her new hairdo: the purple was gone and in its place were strands of silver. She did look so much like the passport photo, it was uncanny. Kelly had helped her pack her suitcase, ensuring everything was washed and ironed. Then Rudy appeared with his luggage half the size of anyone else’s. Kelly laughed, “Going for a weekend, Rude?”

  Rudy squeezed her cheeks. “It’s too hot for clothes out there, ya nah.”

  A large taxi minibus arrived. It was time. Phoenix, Solly, Ditto, and Reggie lined up in the street to say goodbye and wave them off. Betty was full of excitement; she had last used her passport years ago, and luckily, it was still valid. Kelly handed over a bulky envelope and hugged her. “Aunt Bet, listen, there’s money in there. I want you to have a really good time and also please make sure Lippy has everything she needs, no matter what it costs.”

  Betty looked down at the brown packet. “Oh, Kel, are ya sure?”

  Kelly nodded, walking with her to the front door. “You two enjoy, don’t think about the money, please.” Betty hugged her tightly and walked happily down the steps towards Ditto.

  Wearing a summer floral dress and a hint of pink make-up, Lippy looked radiant. She stood in the hallway, and when everyone was in the car, she turned to face Kelly. “You have made an ol’ girl very happy, Blue.”

  Kelly had seen that look before. Lippy was overwhelmed and the younger woman couldn’t help but let the tears flow. She embraced Lippy for a while, holding back the grief. She knew it may well be a forever goodbye. “I love ya, Lippy, like as if you are me mum. You are how a mum is meant to be.”

  As Lippy held her away, she gazed into her eyes. “Bluey, you are the daughter I never had. You be strong and look after me boys and yaself. You a good chil’ and I’m gonna miss me sweet pea.” Huge tears trickled down Lippy’s cheeks and she swallowed hard. “Goodbye, Bluey, me angel.”

  As soon as Kelly closed the door, she fell to her knees sobbing; saying goodbye had hurt like she could never have imagined. Clutching herself, she rocked; it would never be the same in the house again. Lippy was the matriarch, the woman who was the hub of it all: she was the linchpin of the household, who fed everyone, no matter what time of day or night; she would dazzle and charm everyone with her outrageous clothes and coloured hair; and she was a loving ‘mum’ to Kelly and the boys. In short, she was priceless.

  Legend crept out of her bedroom and nudged her hand. She looked up and smiled, wiping her tea
r-stained cheeks. She could hear the boys opening the front door, and not wanting them to see her in this state, she went to the room to sit on the bed. The baby wipes were on the side, so carefully she removed one and cleaned away the make-up that had run and given her two black eyes.

  Ditto was arranging some pickups from the beauticians; he felt he should be in charge while Rudy was away. This amused Kelly who smiled to herself. The boys were good friends and at least she had them to keep her entertained. She heard the door shut and then Phoenix, Solly, and Reggie were gone.

  “Blue!” called Ditto.

  She reappeared and entered the lounge. “All right, Ditz?”

  He nodded but he too looked sad. “D’ya think Lippy will come back?”

  Kelly had to bite her top lip, to stop herself from crying again. “I really don’t know. I just hope she finds everything she wants over there.”

  Ditto checked out her genuinely sorrowful expression and hugged her. “You gave her something we couldn’t. You got her that ticket home and the passport. The only thing she weren’t too keen on was the grey hair. It made her look old,” he giggled.

  “I would have made her look like Elvis Presley, if it got her on the plane!”

  Each found humour in a sad situation, like old times. In the midst of their banter, there was a sudden loud banging at the door. They both stared at each other. No one banged that hard unless it was the police. Ditto crept behind the curtain and peeked through a small gap.

  He turned with a look of horror on his face. “It’s Eddie Raven! What’s he want?”

  Kelly took a deep breath, flaring her nostrils. “Ditz, you go upstairs and I’ll answer the door. I don’t trust him.”

  “Nah, man, I’m staying with you.”

  Kelly wasn’t having any of it. “Ditz, please go upstairs. If it gets ugly, then call someone, but leave him to me. He won’t hurt me.”

  Ditto ignored her and headed straight for the door. Kelly shouted, “Stop!” but it was too late. He opened it and was faced with an enraged man: Eddie Cako Raven.

  Before he had the chance to stop Eddie, he was pulled out of the house and thrown down the steps. Her father then stepped inside and shut the door, locking it from the inside.

  Kelly, maintained her ground, with a scowl on her face.

  “Ya got some fucking front, bullying your way in ’ere!” she spat.

  Eddie’s pulse was racing and a white foam gathered at the corners of his mouth. He wanted to punch her in the face, but he was looking at a mirror image, and it shocked him to the pit of his stomach.

  “But, Eddie fucking Raven, you are a bully, ain’t ya!” She inclined her head and stared in defiance.

  He laughed with a bitterness that screwed his mind. He didn’t know whether to lunge at her and stab her in the heart or hug her. “Where’s the fucking dough, Kelly? No games, no riddles. I want me money. Now, you best get it or—”

  “Or what, you’ll shoot me? Stab me? Scoop me fucking eyeballs out?” She looked down at her feet and shook her head. “Or fucking what, Eddie?” she screamed like a woman possessed, causing Eddie to jump.

  Eddie never expected her to be so bold and aggressive with her words. Little did he know though, she hated him more than the devil.

  *

  Outside, Ditto was shaking, aghast at what he could hear, but he was able to dial Keffa’s number and prayed he would answer.

  “Yo, Ditz, how’s it hanging, man?”

  “Keffa, it’s Eddie Cako. He’s here in the house, with Kelly. Please, Keffa, come over! I dunno what to do. He pulled me out and locked the fucking door.”

  A chill ran down Keffa’s back at the thought of what that evil psychopath might do to Kelly. He rifled through his bottom draw, pulled out a gun, checked it was loaded, slipped it down the back of his jeans, and left. He’d had his throat cut by Eddie, and he wasn’t going to let him hurt his girl.

  *

  As Eddie slowly stepped forward and waited for her to look scared or anxious, Kelly adopted the opposite approach – she just stared at him with contempt.

  “Don’t play big girls’ games, ’cos big girls get hurt!” he said, in a low, menacing tone.

  Kelly sneered. “See, there you go again with ya threats and bullying tactics. That’s all you do in life, ain’t it, ya take from the weak. Ya manipulate, coerce, and fucking intimidate, but Mr Fucking Cako, you don’t scare me, because let me tell you a few facts, shall I?”

  Her sarcastic tone stopped him in his tracks: he needed to hear this, as it might explain why she had no respect for him. He flicked his head for her to continue.

  “There ain’t nuffin you can do to me that could cause me more pain than what I have had to endure in my life.” She stepped closer, glaring with fire in her eyes. “Ya see, me so-called muvver tied me to a cross. She stripped me bare and scarred me naked flesh and left me there hanging.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “I was eight, fucking eight years old the first time, and it never stopped there. She continued torturing me in more ways than you, ya fucking hard-man gangster, would ever imagine. And it was all your fault. You turned Maureen into a monster. Ya fucking destroy people’s lives, and you made sure you destroyed mine.”

  Eddie’s shoulders were sinking like a deflating balloon.

  “When I told the court you abused me, I weren’t lying. You stole me from me real muvver and handed me to a God-fearing raving lunatic …”

  Eddie gasped. “You what?”

  Kelly put her hands on her hips. Red-faced and angry, she leaned forward. “Oh, come on, Eddie, don’t you play Mr Nice Guy now. I know the truth. So, as for playing big girls’ games, I was never even a little girl. I didn’t have that fucking privilege.”

  Eddie was lost for words; he had no idea she knew about Naomi, but then, he didn’t know the extent of Maureen’s cruelty either. He was there for one thing only – to get his money back. Motivated by his greedy need, he pushed the guilty feelings aside. She wasn’t his daughter: his daughter was four years old, a sweet, wide-eyed, and doting child, who looked at him with adoration, not a grown woman, with hate engraved on her face.

  *

  Keffa swerved the traffic and skidded to a stop, a few doors up from the house. He saw Ditto in a panic. “Okay, mate, where is she?”

  Ditto pointed to the house. “He looked so angry, Keffa. What if he hurts her?”

  Keffa’s face was tight with fury. “I won’t let that bastard lay a fucking hand on her. Is the back door open?”

  Ditto shook his head. “Nah, we keep it locked.”

  “Where’s the nutty mutt?”

  Ditto had to think. “He must be in Kelly’s room, ’cos he’s quiet, and he would have bitten Eddie’s head off by now.”

  Keffa crept up the steps and leaned across to Kelly’s window, sliding his long fingers under the frame and lifting it up. Then he turned to Ditto. “That beast is gonna bite me, ain’t he?”

  Ditto nodded. “I’ll go in. He’s all right with me. I’ll open the front door. It’s next to Kelly’s bedroom.”

  Keffa stopped and listened. “I can hear her.”

  “What’s she saying?” whispered Ditto.

  “Giving him a mouthful, but I don’t trust that cunt.”

  *

  Unexpectedly, Eddie lunged forward and grabbed her hair, twisting it around until she was on her knees, surprised by the fact she didn’t scream. “You are one stupid little girl. Ya think what I did was cruel, eh? Well, I fucking know what you did, Kelly Raven. I was there. Strange, ’cos ya saved me the job.” He expected her to look shocked but instead she just sneered at him defiantly.

  “Where’s the fucking money, or, I swear, I’ll slit ya throat?”

  Kelly was bent at an odd angle, with Eddie’s hands around her neck and her hair pulled back. He shook her, tightening his grip, but she said nothing and continued her act of defiance.

  The tension between the two of them was like an elastic band, ready to s
nap: it was as if time stood still.

  But the stillness of the moment was cut short. Legend barrelled his way towards Eddie, his huge mass descending on the man like a car trapped on a level crossing with an express train approaching. Eddie froze for a second – that was all it took for Keffa to get his gun up, fast and personal, in Eddie’s face.

  Ditto, like a ferret, ran between them, grabbing Kelly and pulling her away from immediate danger. He was shaking all over. Kelly took hold of Legend, as she watched the interaction between Keffa and her father.

  Eddie recovered quickly, like the professional arsehole he really was, giving Keffa a smug look. “You should have learned your lesson the first time. Now, you know what happens when you fuck with me. Ya get hurt, don’t ya!”

  Kelly watched as Keffa smiled, this time unperturbed by Eddie. It was different now; he wasn’t afraid for himself, he was afraid for Kelly. No one was going to hurt his girl, no one.

  “Yeah, Eddie, I do know what happens. I still have the scar. But you ain’t gonna hurt her. I won’t let ya.”

  “So, pull the fucking trigger, Jackson, ’cos, if ya don’t, ya know I’m coming back for ya, and next time, I will make sure I cut your head right off.”

  Kelly could see the sudden anguish on Keffa’s face and then the realisation hit her. If Keffa killed Eddie, he would serve time. She looked at Legend, who was snarling and salivating, itching to get at his target, with his eyes transfixed on Eddie. “Seize, Legend, seize!” she screamed.

  Instantly, the dog leapt and sank his teeth into Eddie’s arm, pulling him down. Kelly could see Eddie trying to pull something from the back of his jeans, whilst being dragged about by Legend. At that moment, she feared for her dog: a knife versus Legend would not end well for her beloved friend. The man had no feelings.

  “Legend, stop!” She screamed and rushed to his side, pulling him off before Eddie could get a grip of whatever was shoved down his back.