Takedown by Heather Atkinson (latest books to read txt) 📕

had been in Manchester Prison with Vance. After Alfie had threatened Faith, Vance had rammed nails into his face and hands to teach him a lesson and Alfie had thirsted for revenge ever since but had been incapable of taking it against Vance, who was far more physically powerful. Carol, wanting payback for what had been done to her slug of a son, had been the one to threaten to reveal the truth about Vance and Faith’s relationship. Rose had neutralised that threat by telling her that if one word passed her lips then Alfie would be the one to suffer. Carol was keeping her mouth shut but Rose got the impression she was biding her time. Just as Vance and Alfie were deadly enemies, so now were Rose and Carol but, like her son, Carol wasn’t up to the challenge. There weren’t many people who could take on a Chambers.

“How are your kids Rose?” said Ginny.

“Oh, good thanks.”

“They’re real entrepreneurs now with their nightclub and restaurant.”

Ginny was the only one who hadn’t realised exactly what business Rose’s children were involved in.

“They don’t own them,” said Rose. “They only run them.”

“It’s still wonderful. I wish my kids had the same. My boys are still moving from job to job, never settling down or building a career.” She sighed. “I wish they were more like your children.”

Rose thought if Ginny knew what her kids really got up to she’d soon change her tune. “Your boys do all right.”

“I’ve decided it’s time to face up to the truth. My children are idiots.”

Agatha spluttered into her tea. “What?” she laughed, wiping the hot liquid from her chin on the back of her hand.

“They’re really stupid. Dennis can barely look after himself. He needs me behind him all the time otherwise he wouldn’t even get dressed on his own or tie his shoes and Jeremy, well, he’s more interested in getting drunk and chasing girls. He brought two home the other night at the same time.”

“Oh, that’s terrible,” said Rose. “So disrespectful of your home.”

“You should kick the pair of them out,” barked Agatha. “My Warren wouldn’t dare behave like that. He does the hoovering and washing up and he washes his own clothes.”

“I suppose I’ve only myself to blame,” said Ginny. “I was too soft on them when they were younger.”

“You should throw them out, like Agatha said,” interjected Mary. “Look at Rose’s Caleb. He’s been living alone in his own flat for a few months and he’s still alive. He hasn’t broken his arm trying to make the bed or cut off a finger while cooking.”

“You should see his flat,” chuckled Rose. “I don’t think he’s once tried making the bed.”

Mary leaned in to whisper in Rose’s ear. “If looks could kill.”

“Sorry dear?”

“Carol. She hasn’t stopped glaring at you since you walked in.”

Rose looked back at Carol, who was still staring at her.

“She’s got a screw loose that one,” said Mary. “It’s where her son gets it from.”

“I’m afraid she’s taking the feud between Vance and Alfie out on me.”

“Don’t you worry Rose love,” said Agatha, turning in her seat to glare at Carol. “Everyone likes you a lot more than her. You’ve got all our support if she starts getting nasty.”

“I don’t think she will,” said Rose with her twinkly smile. “She’ll behave.”

“Oh yes?” said Agatha. “What did you do to her?”

“Nothing.”

“Hmm, I’m not so sure.”

Rose was relieved when the next game began and the conversation was dropped. A mutinous groan filled the room when Agatha won again.

“How on earth are you doing that?” Mary demanded of her.

“It’s just my lucky day,” she smiled, ignoring the muttered curses and scowls of the other players. She turned to look at the rest of the room. “Anyone got a problem?” she called out.

As Agatha intimidated most of the women who came to the bingo hall, no one said anything outright, although all their beady eyes remained locked on her as she claimed another winning voucher.

Rose sat out the next game and went up to the small café bar at the back of the room on the pretext of wanting a cup of tea when she saw the very person she wanted to speak to. Sally-Ann’s son worked for Faith doing the less than legal jobs.

“Hi Sally-Ann,” said Rose, standing behind her in the queue.

“Rose,” she replied, turning to her with a smile. “Lovely to see you. How are you?”

“I’m grand thanks. You?”

“Very good. My Bob got his early retirement and a very nice pay off, so we’re buying that bungalow in Freckleton.”

“That’s wonderful news, I’m so happy for you, although it will be sad that we won’t get to see you as much.”

“Freckleton’s only ten miles away. I’ll still come back for visits.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” she smiled. “What do your children think of you moving away from the town?”

“Well, Jennifer’s a little upset, we’re very close but I think Patrick’s pleased because he’ll be staying in our house.”

“You’re not selling up?”

“No. It needs some modernising before selling and he’s going to do all the work so he can stay there rent-free. When it’s finished he said he might buy it off us, at a reduced rate of course.”

“Of course.”

“He doesn’t want to say goodbye to his childhood home,” said Sally-Ann, eyes twinkling with fondness. “And he’s enjoying working for your family.”

Rose smiled inwardly. She hadn’t even needed to steer the topic of conversation in that direction. Sally-Ann had done it for her. “I’m glad to hear that. They’re very pleased to have him working for them. Faith did say what an asset he is.” She’d never said any such thing. In fact Faith thought Patrick Prentiss was rather lacking in brains, suitable only for the donkey