Barking Boy Page 15

  “Because, I want you to know everything there is to know about me. That way, nothing’ll shock you if it ever comes out.”

  With her head on Tommy’s chest, Stacey closed her eyes tightly. “I don’t care about what you’ve done. It’s in the past now, isn’t it?”

  Tommy remained silent. It wasn’t in the past though, was it? And let’s face it, that was half the problem. The bank job just that morning had given him such a high. In fact, it had given him one of the biggest adrenalin rushes he’d ever experienced and he wanted to do it again. Not only that, but he was good at it, and couldn’t wait to begin planning out the next robbery. He’d actually found something he excelled in, and he wasn’t ready to put a stop to it, not yet anyway. “I did something today, that could have put me away for a very long time if I’d been caught.”

  Stacey’s heart began to beat faster. She placed her finger against his lips. “Don’t tell me, Tommy. I don’t wanna hear what you did. The less I know, the less I can repeat. Just promise me you’ll be careful if you ever do it again.”

  In the darkened room, Tommy nodded his head. He planned on being careful. He wasn’t looking to get his collar felt anytime soon. He had a wife and two kids to look after.

  Gary sat on the edge of Bethany’s bed. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “Yes.” Moving forwards, Bethany wrapped her arms around him.

  “You want us to tell everyone you’re pregnant at Liam’s christening?”

  Irritated, Bethany closed her eyes. “Yes, I want to announce it at the bloody christening.”

  “But my family has never even met you. Don’t you think we should wait until they’ve got to know you first?”

  Pushing herself away from him, Bethany crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, if you don’t want this baby, Gary, we can soon get rid of it.”

  Alarmed, Gary turned to face her. “Okay, I’m sorry. We’ll announce it at the christening.”

  “Good.” Feeling smug, Bethany began planning out her outfit. She needed to make sure she looked stunning when she stood beside Stacey. And more than anything, she needed to make sure Tommy wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off of her.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Stacey was adding the finishing touches to the finger buffet. The church service was at ten, and then everyone they knew had been invited to the christening party in Tommy’s parents’ back garden.

  With her hair in rollers, Stacey had had to slap Tommy’s hand away from the buffet on more than one occasion. “Leave it out,” she scolded. “There’ll be nothing left for the guests at this rate.”

  Laughing, Tommy looked down at the table laden with food. “Stace, you’ve got enough here to feed hundreds of people. One sausage roll isn’t going to hurt, is it?”

  Despite her stern expression, Stacey couldn’t help but laugh along. Tommy was right. There was more than enough food to go around. “I just want everything to be perfect, that’s all.”

  “And it will be, so stop worrying.” He pulled her into his arms. “Well, Mrs. Carter, you’d best get yourself ready. It’s nearly time to leave.”

  Patting the rollers in her hair, Stacey gasped. “I forgot I had these in. Give me five minutes to take them out, and then we can leave.”

  Tommy rolled his eyes toward Jimmy. “Women, bruv. Which reminds me, Gary’s bringing his little bird along today.” He popped a sausage roll into his mouth and chewed on it before swallowing. “Look at him, he looks like he’s shitting bricks.”

  Jimmy looked across to Gary and began to laugh. Their younger brother looked as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. “She probably looks like Quasimodo, that’s why he’s shitting it. Why else has no one even met her yet? He hasn’t even told us her name.”

  “True, bruv. Hey Gary! What’s your girlfriend’s name?” Tommy called out.

  Ignoring the question, Gary wandered back into the house, leaving his two elder brothers to laugh even harder. “Fucking hell. Young love, eh?”

  Dressed to impress, Bethany added a spritz of perfume to her neck and wrists. It was an expensive fragrance and had cost her dad a small fortune. She stood back now and admired herself in the full-length mirror. After much deliberation, she had chosen a long, tight-fitting black dress and a cropped white denim jacket. She turned sideways. She wasn’t showing yet, and the material clung to her curves in all the right places. She slid her feet into a pretty pair of diamante sandals. The diamantes matched the diamond necklace she wore around her neck. As a finishing touch, she placed a pair of sunglasses on top of her head. They would give her the perfect opportunity to watch Tommy, without anyone else knowing she only had eyes for him.

  A shiver of anticipation ran down her spine. Today, would be the first time she had seen him since she’d stood spying on him that day when he’d reopened the betting shop. It felt like a lifetime ago.

  She glanced down at her watch. Just an hour to go before Gary came to meet her, and then she would drive them to the party in her brand new Mini Cooper, yet another gift from her father. She smiled now. She couldn’t wait to see their faces, when Gary told them she was having a baby. Of course, she wasn’t keeping it. She’d have to think of something when the time came and she’d gotten rid of it. Maybe a miscarriage. She began to laugh out loud. Poor Gary. The silly sod really believed he was about to become a father.

  The christening had gone like a dream. Little Liam had cried in all the right places, and then slept for the remainder of the service. Proud as punch, Stacey and Tommy had posed for photographs with their little family.

  Janet held onto Frank’s arm as they walked through the churchyard back to their car. “Such a lovely service,” she smiled, “and little Liam was a star today.”

  “He’s a Carter, all right. I’ve got high hopes for that boy. Once he’s old enough, I’ll put him into the ring.”

  “You and your bloody boxing. You’ll do no such thing. It’ll be up to Tommy and Stacey what he does.”

  Frank screwed up his face. “If it’s left to Tommy, the boy will end up collecting debts.”

  “And would that be such a bad thing?” Janet implored. All of her sons, with the exception of young Jonny, worked for Tommy now, and they were all doing well for themselves.

  Frank shrugged his shoulders, remaining silent. In that instant, Janet’s heart went out to her husband. She’d always known how much he’d wanted a boxing champion in the family, and she patted his arm. “Let’s just see what the future brings, eh? Besides, you’ve got six sons to give you grandchildren.” She took note of the glance from her husband, and bit down on her lip. She’d forgotten about Jimmy. “Five sons,” she corrected, before changing the subject.

  With the drinks flowing and music blaring from the stereo they had set up in the garden, the party was underway. Stacey smiled, as her friends oohed and aahed over both the baby and little Karen, who looked adorable in her new party dress.

  “Tommy.”

  The alarm in Janet’s voice caused both Tommy and Stacey to turn toward her.

  His face drained of all colour. Tommy looked to his wife. He placed his hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes as he spoke. “I’ll take care of this, okay? Don’t let it spoil the day.” He could feel the anger begin to bubble inside of him. He’d only just managed to win Stacey back, and now Bethany had turned up. If he wasn’t careful, she would fuck everything up again and he would be back to square one.

  “Don’t let it spoil the day?!” Stacey’s voice began to rise, as she repeated back Tommy’s words, causing a few of the guests to turn their heads toward them. “I’m not having this. Who fucking invited her?” She stood with her hands on her hips and looked around her. “I said, who fucking invited her?”

  Tommy swallowed deeply before answering. He had no idea of what was going on. “I don’t know, Stace. Let me go and sort it out.”

  Stacey shrugged Tommy away from her, and marched toward Bethany, and a startled Gary, who stood bes
ide her. “You dare even look at my husband, and I’ll scratch your fucking eyes out.”

  Shocked, Tommy tore after his wife with Jimmy following closely behind him. “Stace, let me sort this out.”

  “What’s she fucking doing here?” Jimmy hissed.

  Shrugging his shoulders, Tommy pulled on Stacey’s arm. “Babe, let me deal with it.”

  “No.” Stacey shrugged her husband away from her. “I’ll deal with this.” Her cheeks were flushed, as she looked Bethany up and down. As always, her former friend looked stunning and Stacey had to hide the jealousy and insecurities, which began to ripple through her. “Why the fuck are you here?” she demanded. “And I’m warning you now, lady, keep your eyes off of my Tommy. You’re not wanted here, so go on, fuck off.”

  Stood with his mouth wide open, Gary looked to Bethany, then Stacey. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

  Stacey began to laugh. She could feel the hysteria begin to rise within her. “Do yourself a favour, Gary. Fuck off, and take this slag with you.”

  Gently pushing his wife out of the way, Tommy grasped hold of both Bethany’s and Gary’s arms in a vice-like grip, and dragged them through the house. Once outside, he rounded on Gary. “Why the fuck did you bring her here?”

  “What? This is my girlfriend.” Gary’s eyes were wide. He had no idea of what was going on, or why Bethany had caused such a reaction from his brother and sister-in-law.

  Feeling smug, Bethany had to hide her sly grin. “Tell him the rest.”

  Tommy turned toward Bethany. Hatred was clearly evident across his face. “What?” he demanded of Gary.

  Gary kicked a stone from underneath his foot. “She’s …”

  “For fuck’s sake, spit it out!” Tommy could feel the anger rise within him. He was scared, that was the truth of it, scared that he’d lose Stacey all over again.

  “I’m pregnant! Congratulations, you’re going to be an uncle.” And there it was, spread across her face, that wicked grin Tommy had grown to despise.

  Stunned, Tommy stared hard at Bethany and then to his brother. “You’re what?”

  “I’m having a baby. Gary’s baby.”

  Tommy shook his head. He couldn’t, for the life of him, take in what they were saying. He clenched his fist. He wanted to wipe the smug grin off her face. Instead, he lunged toward Gary. “Are you that fucking stupid? That you’d knock up this spiteful bastard. Don’t you know who she is?” He then turned toward Bethany. “He’s only seventeen. Are you sick and twisted in the head?” He pointed his finger toward his temple emphasizing his point. “Is that what this is all about? You couldn’t have me, so you went for Gary instead?”

  Crocodile tears sprang to Bethany’s eyes. She looked toward Gary. “Are you going to let him speak to me like this?”

  Gary could only look down at the floor. There was no way he was going to go up against his elder brother. Tommy would wipe the floor with him.

  “There’s your answer. Now, fuck off away from me and my family.” Tommy grabbed hold of her arm, and began to drag her down the street.

  Struggling to break free, a terrified Bethany began to cry. “Ow, you’re hurting me.”

  Out of earshot, Tommy pulled her to halt. “Get fucking rid of it. That kid will never be a Carter. Do you hear me? Get rid of it.”

  Anger spread across Bethany’s face. “Do you really think I want to keep it? Look at him,” she spat glaring toward Gary. “He’s fucking weak, and this,” she said, poking her finger into her stomach, “will end up just like him.”

  His expression one of pure disgust, Tommy snarled. “And God forbid it turns out like you. Get rid of it and stay away from me and my family.”

  “What did you tell her about all of us?” Tommy’s hand was grasped tightly around his younger brother’s throat. His free hand was curled tightly into a fist, ready and waiting to smash into Gary’s face.

  “Nothing.” Clearly terrified, Gary’s eyes blinked rapidly, as he cowered from his brother. “I ain’t said nothing.”

  “You’re fucking lying.” Tommy’s anger was so strong, he could practically taste it. “Just one word from her, and we’re finished. How much have you told her? Does she know about the robbery?”

  Gary began to stutter. The truth was, Bethany knew everything there was to know about them all.

  “Stop muttering and stuttering, and answer my fucking question. I’m warning you, gal, don’t play fucking games with me. What does she know?”

  Stepping in, Jimmy grasped his hand on Tommy’s shoulder. They would get nowhere like this. “Gal, we can’t sort this out unless you tell us what she knows.” His voice was strong, but not as irate as Tommy’s. And just like Tommy, he knew exactly what this meant for them, if Gary had told her about the robbery.

  “I …”

  Tommy had had enough now, and he drove his fist hard into Gary’s stomach. As his brother dropped to the floor, he kicked out toward his head. “I fucking know you’ve told her.”

  “Enough, Tommy. Not here, not in front of everyone, today of all days.” Jimmy’s voice was low, as he glanced sideways at the guests who’d began to congregate outside the house.

  Looking up, Tommy wiped his hand over his face. He had to calm down, he knew that. Now wasn’t the time to lay into Gary. “Shows over,” he stated, as he began to usher the guests back inside the house. “And as for you,” he said, stabbing his finger toward Gary. “I’ll deal with you later.”

  Gary swallowed deeply. To say he was scared was an understatement. He staggered to his feet, his hand clutching at his aching stomach. He wished he’d never opened his mouth now. He knew for a fact, Tommy hadn’t even started with him yet.

  Tommy pulled Stacey into his arms. The colour had begun to return to his cheeks. “Fucking hell, Stace, you’re a Carter all right. I thought you were going to swing for her.”

  Stacey’s expression was serious as she looked up at her husband. “I may be a Carter now, but don’t you forget I was a Williams first, and I ain’t taking no shit from anyone, Tommy.”

  Tommy nodded his head. He didn’t answer her. He didn’t need to. She’d made her point, one he wouldn’t forget in a hurry.

  Just as she always had, Bethany ran straight to her father. Wrapped up in a duvet, she lay on the sofa with her legs tucked underneath her. Feeling sorry for herself, she sobbed her heart out. It was more the fact that she knew Tommy Carter would never be hers that was making her so upset, not the fact that she had a tiny life growing inside of her, who was unwanted by both its mother’s and father’s family.

  “You’re keeping it.” Raised as a catholic, Dean Johnson’s word was final. He looked over at his daughter and felt nothing but anger. How could she be so careless and become pregnant by a Carter? For the life of him, he couldn’t understand. “The child will be a Johnson, and that’s it. No arguments.” There was absolutely no way he would ever accept a grandchild with the Carter surname into the family.

  Bethany looked up at him, she gasped. “But Daddy, I don’t want to keep it.”

  “Then you should have kept your fucking legs closed.” He took a step toward her, the anger was evident across his face. “Everything you’ve ever wanted, I gave you, and you repay me like this?”

  Bethany sobbed harder. “Please don’t make me have it, Daddy. I don’t want a baby,” she begged.

  “You’re fucking having it!” Dean roared. He looked around him at the vast room his late wife, Bethany’s mother, had decorated to the highest of standards. The pristine glass cabinets, which held the crystal glassware, glistened in the afternoon sun. The pureness of the crystals reflected off the walls, creating light shadows, the purity mocking him. He now knew for a fact he had raised a whore. In that instant, he threw open the cabinets, and with one arm he swiped the contents to the floor. Picking up the unbroken pieces, he hurled them through the air toward the glass patio doors.

  The sound of smashing glass caused Bethany to dive underneath the duvet for protection. Her
body shook as she cried in fear. Never had her father been so angry with her.

  Yanking off the duvet, Dean pulled Bethany to her feet. He dragged her toward the mirror above the fireplace, and with his hand grasped around her chin, he forced her to look at her reflection. “Look at yourself. You’re nothing but a whore.”

  In horror, Bethany closed her eyes tightly. She could barely breathe, the terror she felt was so strong.

  “A fucking whore is what I’ve raised.” Dean threw his daughter away from him and felt nothing, as she collapsed in a heap on the floor at his feet. He crouched down beside her. “Get upstairs and pack a bag of clothes. We go to Spain tonight, where I can keep you under lock and key in the villa until that baby is born.”

  Gingerly, Bethany staggered to her feet. Silently, she walked from the room, oblivious to the shards of glass which sliced into her bare feet.

  Placing his hands on either side of the mantelpiece, Dean bowed his head. He would do anything for his wife, Maggie, to be here now. She would have known exactly how to handle the situation. He looked up at his own reflection, and shook his head sadly. Of all the men in the world, it had to be a fucking Carter, he thought to himself bitterly.

  “She’s not even fucking keeping it. Are you that much of an idiot that you really believe someone like her could love anything other than herself?” In frustration Tommy kicked the door of the scrap yard office closed. For the life of him, he couldn’t get his head around how stupid and naive his brother could be. He was meant to be a Carter, not some dim-witted fool.

  Tears sprang to Gary’s eyes. Bethany wouldn’t get rid of their baby, he knew she wouldn’t. Tommy didn’t know her like he did.

  “Are you even listening to me?” Tommy took a step closer. “She told me herself she’s getting rid of it.”

  Gary glared at his brother.