Kimberley Chambers - Tainted Love

Vinny leapt out of the car and dragged Dave into the graveyard by his neck. ‘Like knocking women about, do ya? Answer me, cunt,’ he yelled, kneeing Dave ferociously in the groin.

Michael gave Dave a sharp dig in the ribs. ‘Nobody hurts our sister and puts her in hospital. Understand what we’re saying?’

Eyes like organ stops, Dave fell to the ground and covered his head with his hands. ‘I’m sorry. Really sorry. I love Bren and it will never happen again,’ he stammered.

Crouching next to the terrified waste of space, Vinny took a flick knife out of his pocket. ‘Get your cock out.’

‘No. Please God noooo! I really am sorry, Vinny. Truly I am,’ Dave wept.

‘Do as I say or I’ll slit your throat,’ Vinny demanded. He loved terrorizing the less fortunate, got off on it completely.

Hands shaking so much he could barely unzip his flies, Dave Green somehow managed to do as he was asked.

Vinny held the blade against the loser’s manhood. ‘I swear to you, you ever lay a hand on my sister or upset her kids again, I will dismember this little tinkler. And you’re not going to mention to Brenda that you’ve been paid a visit. Comprende?’

‘Yes. Y-you have my word I will never upset Bren or the kids again,’ Dave gabbled. He’d never sobered up so quickly.

‘Let’s go,’ Michael urged.

Unable to help himself, Vinny stood up and stamped on Dave’s penis with all his might. He then did the same to the man’s stomach.

Not for the first time, Michael had to witness his brother losing his rag completely and with the help of Carl managed to drag him away before they had another murder on their hands. Vinny was such a loose cannon on occasions, he really was.

Vivian Harris stared forlornly at the television. Brookside , EastEnders , The Two Ronnies , This Is Your Life and Only Fools and Horses were just some of the programmes she and Queenie always watched together, and viewing them alone was no fun at all.

Pouring herself another sherry, Vivian sighed with discontent. Her and Queenie had been inseparable since they were kids. Their father had been a drunken bully who’d beaten their lovely mum up regularly, therefore she and Queenie had always sought solace in each other. They’d had some fall-outs over the years, like all sisters do. None more so than when it turned out Vinny had killed her beloved Lenny in that car crash. But they’d always managed to put things right between themselves, until now.

When the phone rang, Vivian guessed who the caller would be. She and Queenie had never needed friends. They’d always been content with each other.

‘How are you, love? Cheered up a bit today?’

‘I’m not too bad, thanks, Albie. I rung Little Vinny about an hour ago. Told him no way can I face the wedding. She’ll only go off on one again. Not worth the grief or spoiling that poor boy’s big day.’

‘Apparently, she’s told Michael if either you or I attend, she ain’t going. Ain’t it ridiculous, Vivvy? A load of fuss over nothing. The woman’s gone off her bleedin’ head. Bonkers!’

When Albie stayed on the phone chatting for the next half an hour, he cheered Vivian up no end. Unbeknown to anyone, she’d always had a soft spot for him, and he was the only friend she had right now.

As spring turned into summer, the Butlers remained in turmoil. Queenie still hadn’t spoken to Albie or Vivian and continued to insist that she wouldn’t attend her grandson’s wedding if either turncoat attended.

Today, Little Vinny had decided to visit his nan with Oliver in an effort to make her see sense. He was sick of all the childishness. It was spoiling what should be a happy time for him.

‘Ain’t he grown! Gonna be a tall ’un like you, your father and Michael. Give your nan another cuddle, Ollie. She’s far more important than that scruffy mutt,’ Queenie chuckled.

When Oliver tried to pull Fred’s tail, Little Vinny gently scolded his son, then ordered him to go and play nicely in the garden. ‘I bought you these, Nan,’ Little Vinny said, handing Queenie a box of Milk Tray and a bottle of Baileys.

‘Aww, bless you. But I’ve told you before to stop spending your bleedin’ money on me,’ Queenie said, secretly pleased with her gifts. Her grandson had been a selfish little sod in his youth, had never even bought her a card when he’d lived with her. He’d changed so much since meeting Sammi-Lou and having a child himself though. Turned into a real charming, generous, young man.

‘Nan, we need to talk about my wedding. All this silliness going on is upsetting me and Sammi-Lou. I will be devastated if you don’t attend. It will truly spoil my whole day.’

‘I’m not sitting in church with them two traitors, boy. Either you uninvite them or I won’t come. I would hate it to all kick off and your big day be ruined. What would Sammi’s parents think? Be shameful.’

‘You’ve got it all wrong about Granddad and Auntie Viv, Nan. They only popped in the boozer for a quick drink because Viv was upset about rowing with you and Granddad wanted to cheer her up. That’s all that happened, honest.’

‘How do you know? You weren’t bleedin’ there, were ya? Nosy Hilda swears blind they were holding hands and I for one believe her.’

‘Use your loaf. As if they would be sitting in the Grave Maurice, of all places, if they were having some kind of secret affair. You’re not thinking straight, Nan. As for Nosy Hilda, she’s an interfering old bat, and obviously as blind as one. I cannot understand how you believe her explanation over your own sister’s. Vivvy has been there for you through thick and thin. It’s ridiculous – Granddad and Auntie Viv? Don’t make me laugh.’

Queenie fiercely wiped away the tears. She knew she’d overreacted at the time, especially when she’d marched into the Blind Beggar, aired her dirty washing in public, and chucked a drink all over Albie. Whatever had she been thinking? However, it was a bit late to backtrack now. She knew in her heart that Vivvy would never fancy Albie, so why had she behaved so irrationally? Queenie had no fond feelings towards Albie whatsoever, bar him providing her with three wonderful sons. Shame about the daughter, but with Albie’s sperm she’d been fortunate to be blessed with what she had. The only thing she could put it down to was Vivian’s blossoming friendship with the man they’d both once despised. That grated on Queenie immensely.

Little Vinny sat next to his grandmother and put an arm around her shoulders. ‘I’ll speak to Granddad and Auntie Viv. I’m sure they’ll forgive you, Nan.’

Her grandson’s use of the word ‘forgive’ made Queenie see red again. ‘ Forgive me! For what? They were the two cosying up in the pub whilst I was sat at home minding me own bleedin’ business. I don’t wanna upset you, lad, but this is how it is. If they go to the wedding, I bastard-well don’t. The choice is yours.’

Another Butler having a meltdown was Vinny. Bella had sensibly stayed away from his neck of the woods, but every couple of weeks would invite his mum over for dinner at her gaff in Chelsea. Vinny would then have to endure his mother going on for hours on end about what a beautiful, classy girl she was. How wonderful her brat of a son was, and gloating over how fucking wealthy she must be because her apartment was straight out of the TV programme Dallas .

When Vinny failed to find a phone number he was looking for, and yanked the drawer out of his desk, emptying the contents all over the office, Jay Boy asked, ‘Is something wrong, boss?’

‘Yes. Fucking everything! Listen, I need to make a call. It’s private, so leave me to it.’