Mitchells And O'Haras: The Traitor Part 42

f.u.c.k the horse and f.u.c.k you,' Jed snarled.

Over in Orsett, Stanley was beginning to feel extremely light-headed. He had been so upset this morning over Ethel pa.s.sing over to pigeon heaven that he hadn't eaten any breakfast.

So, have you buried Ethel yet? What did you do with Ernie?' Pat asked him.

I've buried them both in the garden. I'm gonna make a nice little cross and get a plaque made for 'em. At least they're together again. Inseparable in life and death, eh?'

Pat leaned over and pecked him on the cheek. That's a lovely burial, Stanley. And you are such a lovely man.'

Seeing Brian look his way with a big grin on his face, Stanley stood up. I suppose I'd best be getting home, Pat. I feel a bit tiddly, to be honest, I'm not used to drinking early in the day any more.'

Pat grabbed his arm and forced him to sit back down. Why don't you come back to my house first and have a look at my squabs? I'll do you a nice bit of lunch and you can have a couple of coffees to sober yourself up a bit.'

Oh, I don't know. I really should be getting back,' Stanley replied nervously.

Pat smiled. She had a very pretty smile that lit up the whole of her face. There's no need to be afraid of me, Stanley. I think you're a charming man and I want us to be good friends, that's all.'

Stanley immediately relaxed. OK, then, let's go back to yours.'

In Wickford, Frankie and Kerry were busy filling up black bin bags with the kids' toys.

Where's your teddy, Harry?' Frankie asked her son.

Harry ran into his bedroom and came out clutching the bear in his arms. Put it in that bag, there's a good boy,' Frankie urged him.

Can I take my dollies with me?' Georgie asked.

Frankie stroked her daughter's hair. Of course you can. Be a good girl and put them in one of these bags for Mummy.'

Kerry had spoken to her sister on the way and she had kindly offered Frankie a place to stay for a few days. After that, Frankie had no idea where she was going to live or what she was going to do, but she didn't have time to worry about that now. Getting away from Jed was all that mattered.

Where's the tape? Have you still got it?' Kerry asked, grabbing her arm.

Frankie pointed to her handbag. Don't worry, I won't lose it, it's zipped up.'

Did you name him after your grandad, Frankie?' Kerry asked pointing at Harry.

Frankie went cold and dropped the bag she was holding. She had been so stunned earlier by the contents of the tape that she hadn't given a thought to her son's name or who had chosen it for him.

Are you OK, Frankie? What's the matter?'

Frankie shook her head. Jed named Harry after my grandad. How evil is that? I wanted to call him something else, but he insisted we call him Harry and now I know why.'

Kerry shuddered. He's an animal, Frankie. He's one sick b.a.s.t.a.r.d and you should tell the police about that as well. Now, hurry up, we need to get going. It's giving me the creeps being back here.'

Frankie opened her wardrobe door. She wouldn't be able to take all her clothes all she needed was enough to get her by.

Put the other bags in the car while I pack my stuff,' she shouted out to Kerry.

Kerry ran in and out to the car with the bin liners. Go and get in the car and don't touch the handbrake,' she ordered the kids.

The Fiesta was small, so was the boot, and with the kids inside, there was very little room for so many bags.

Frankie, you're gonna have to leave some of this stuff here, I can't fit it all in,' Kerry yelled.

Frankie ran out of the trailer and began taking certain bags out of the boot. As long as I've got the kids' stuff, I ain't so worried about mine,' she said.

About to run back inside, Frankie heard the distinct noise of a diesel engine approaching. I think Jed and Sammy are back,' she cried.

Kerry ran over to her and pushed her inside the trailer. It might not be them. It could be someone else.'

No one else comes here, you know they don't,' Frankie wept.

Huddled together for support, the girls shook like leaves on a windy day as they stared through the net curtains. Their fears were confirmed as the horse-box pulled into sight with both Jed and Sammy inside. Petrified for their own safety and that of their children, both Frankie and Kerry let out piercing screams.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO.

Daddy, Daddy!' Sammy's boys screamed as soon as they spotted their father.

Frightened that Sammy would kidnap his sons, Kerry flew out of the trailer and ran towards them. Get back in the car now,' she yelled, as she came face to face with Sammy for the first time since she had found out about Julie.

Frankie felt physically sick when Jed walked inside the trailer. He spotted the black bags immediately, glanced inside, then turned to her. Going somewhere nice, are we?' he said, his eyes sparkling with danger.

Frankie didn't know what to do or say. She didn't want Jed to kick off in front of the children, but she could hardly deny she was leaving him.

I'm going away for a while. I'm not happy with you any more and I need to get my head together.'

As Georgie ran inside and clung to her father's legs, Jed lifted her into his arms. In the last few days he had got his head around the news of Sally's pregnancy, and if Frankie wanted to leave, he would move Sally in.

Go on, then, f.u.c.k off, but don't think you're taking my kids with ya.'

Frankie could hear Kerry and Sammy shouting at one another outside. She heard Kerry scream and ran to the door. Kerry was lying on the ground holding the side of her face.

Get away from her, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d,' Frankie screamed, as she pushed Sammy out of the way and stood guarding her friend.

Get in the horse-box, kids. All of ya, now,' Jed yelled.

When Frankie grabbed hold of Harry, Kerry stood up and picked up Sammy Junior. They ran back inside the trailer and ordered the kids to stay in the bedroom.

Where's Georgie and Freddy?' Frankie cried.

Georgie and Freddy were already inside the horse-box and as Jed and Sammy ran back towards the trailer, Frankie and Kerry tried desperately to shut and lock the door.

What are we gonna do?' Kerry wept, as Jed and Sammy began kicking it. Knowing that the door would be caved in within seconds, Frankie unlocked it. She was petrified and could hear the boys crying in the bedroom.

Kerry was beside herself. Sammy had turned on her, had punched her hard, but there was no way she was allowing him to take her kids away. Kerry was more aware of the travelling way of life than Frankie was and she knew that if Jed and Sammy drove off with their kids, there was every chance that they'd disappear into thin air with them. Gypsies were very loyal to their own, they never gra.s.sed and Jed and Sammy could easily find a place to hide on a remote site miles away, where they would never be traced.

As Frankie and Jed started to argue again, Kerry noticed Sammy go into the bedroom. She spotted Frankie's iron on the side and immediately picked it up. She had to stop him.

Sammy was stunned by the whack over the back of his head. He turned and tried to grab the iron, but when Kerry hit him again, he fell to the ground clutching his head. Unable to stop herself, Kerry went on hitting him.

Sammy Junior screamed when he spotted his father covered in blood. Stop it, Mummy! Stop hitting Daddy,' he cried.

Hearing the commotion, Jed ran over to the bedroom. You evil f.u.c.king b.i.t.c.h! You've f.u.c.king killed him, ain't ya?' he yelled, knocking the iron out of Kerry's hand.

Frankie pushed Kerry out of the bedroom. Get out of here and take the kids with you,' she whispered.

As Jed bent over Sammy and tried to wake him up, Kerry clung to Frankie. I can't leave you here. Say Jed really hurts you?'

Don't worry about me, just take the kids with you. Do it for me, I beg you. I'll get rid of Jed and meet you at your sister's. As soon as you get away, ring the police and tell 'em Jed's gone off his head. Send 'em here, but don't say nothing about the tape yet.'

Jed was too concerned over his cousin's well-being to notice that Kerry had crept outside with the children. She put them in Frankie's car and ran over to the horse-box. Quick, get in the Fiesta,' she yelled at Georgie and Freddy.

Her youngest immediately obeyed her orders, but Georgie was paralysed by fear at what she'd seen.

This is important, Georgie. You have to come with me,' Kerry said, grabbing the child's arm.

Hearing Georgie screaming blue murder, Jed left Sammy's side and bolted outside the trailer. Seeing Kerry manhandling his hysterical daughter, he lunged at her, fists flying.

You f.u.c.king wh.o.r.e, leave her alone,' he screamed, as he whacked Kerry in the side of the head.

Frankie followed Jed outside and screamed as he grabbed hold of Georgie. She picked up a brick and ran towards him.

Let her go. Kerry, quick, grab her,' she shouted, as she hit him over the head with the brick.

As quick as lightning, Kerry picked Georgie up and shoved her inside Frankie's motor. She jumped in the driver's seat and, as she turned on the ignition, she saw Jed running towards her, clutching his head. Petrified for her friend's safety, Kerry froze.

Drive, just f.u.c.king drive,' Frankie screamed.

Totally traumatised by what they had witnessed, the kids were all screaming.

As Jed yanked open the driver's door, Kerry put the Fiesta in gear and rammed her foot on the accelerator. Jed clung onto the door for what seemed like ages, but in reality was only seconds.

Daddy, Daddy,' Georgie wept, her tearful face pressed against the window.

I'm gonna kill you, you f.u.c.king slag,' Jed screamed, finally losing his grip on the metal doorframe.

As her boyfriend hit the ground with a thud, Frankie dashed back inside the trailer. Sammy was still out cold and she had no idea whether he was alive or dead.

Frankie knew that for her own safety she had to get away. The problem was, she had no idea where she had put her handbag and it still had the tape inside. Wis.h.i.+ng that she'd given the bag to Kerry, she searched frantically for it. Where she was going to run to, she had no idea, but all she had to do was find the bag, get away and call the police.

Jed was feeling extremely battered and bruised. The Fiesta had been travelling about fifteen miles an hour when he'd lost his grip and hit the ground. His shoulder was killing him it felt as if it was dislocated and his head didn't feel much better. Frankie had hit him three times with a brick and he had blood pouring down his face to prove it. Dishevelled, he staggered back towards the trailer.

Come back 'ere, you stupid b.i.t.c.h,' he screamed, when he saw Frankie run off in the opposite direction.

Holding his shoulder, Jed immediately forgot about his pain and broke into a sprint. Frankie was dicing with death. Once he caught her, he might just kill her for the amount of grief she'd caused him.

Stanley was sitting in Pat the Pigeon's conservatory sipping a steaming cup of coffee. Her house was small, smart, clean and homely and Stanley had just chosen a squab, which he'd arranged to collect the following week.

She's a real beauty, ain't she, Pat? I've already got a small c.o.c.k to keep her company,' Stanley said seriously.

Pat the Pigeon burst out laughing and when Stanley realised the error of his wording, his face turned the colour of beetroot. Noticing this, Pat diplomatically changed the subject.

So what you gonna call her then, Stanley?'

Stanley smiled. He was bowled over by Pat's kindness.

She has a pretty face, just like the lady that bred her, so, if you don't mind, I thought I'd call her Patricia, after you.'

Pat felt herself come over all sentimental. She had been very lonely ever since her husband, Vic, had died. She had known as soon as she looked at Stanley that he had that very rare, special something about him.

Tell me about Joyce, your wife. Is your marriage a happy one?'

Stanley sighed. He didn't like speaking badly of Joyce to people he barely knew, but he felt as though he had known Pat for years.

Joycie's a difficult woman to understand at times. She's always been very materialistic, whereas I'm not and we don't have a great deal in common, to be honest. Our daughter Jessica's death brought us closer together for a short time, but over the past couple of years we've drifted apart again. Joycie is very set in her ways and she's always made me feel that I'm not good enough for her.'

Oh, my G.o.d! That's awful, Stanley. I didn't know you'd lost your daughter. What happened to her?'

Stanley's eyes welled up. It's a long story, but to cut it short, she got murdered by her villainous b.a.s.t.a.r.d of a husband. It was Joyce that encouraged our Jessica to marry him in the first place; I was totally against their relations.h.i.+p all along. And do you know the thing that Joycie did that hurt me the most, Pat?'

Go on, you can talk to me about anything, Stanley.'

She accepted the house that we now live in from the b.a.s.t.a.r.d that murdered her. It was obviously compensation for our daughter's death. Blood money, I call it, and I'll never forgive my Joycie for that.'

Pat moved across the room, sat next to Stanley and hugged him tenderly. If you ever need a friend or a shoulder to cry on, you know where to come,' she told him.

Stanley smiled at her and as their lips brushed, he quickly snapped back to reality. He immediately stood up. In all the years he had been married to Joycie, he had never so much as looked at another woman and he was too old to start all that philandering malarkey now. He hadn't tried his bits and bobs out for years and he probably wouldn't be able to stand to attention, anyway.

I'd best be going now, Pat. Thanks for the chat and the coffee. I'll pop back and pick up the squab next Sat.u.r.day, if that's OK?'

Pat nodded and stood up to see Stanley out. Look after yourself and remember, if you ever need to talk, just knock on my door.'

Stanley smiled gratefully. Thank you, Pat. I truly appreciate your kindness and it's been a pleasure meeting you, my love.'

Back in Wickford, Jed had just caught up with Frankie. He'd clumped her and was now marching her back to the trailer with his hand clasped around her neck.

What you gonna do to me? Can't we just sort this out like adults?' Frankie pleaded.

Shut it, you dinlo,' Jed said, as he roughly shoved her inside their once happy home.

Sammy was awake now, but was still concussed and confused. What happened? I can't remember anything,' he said weakly.