Two-Faced, page 38
‘Pfft!’ Kim snorted, flapping her hand dismissively. ‘Not interested. She’s made her choice, and I’m not going to waste any more of my life wiping her backside.’
A flicker of concern in her eyes, Michelle said, ‘You won’t turn your back on her completely, though, will you, mum? I know she’s put you through hell, but if she gets clean and proves she means it . . .’
Kim gave her an incredulous look and shook her head. ‘You’re a right one, you.’
‘I can’t help it.’ Michelle shrugged. ‘She’s still my sister.’
‘Yes, I know,’ Kim said wearily, rolling her eyes in exasperation. ‘And, no, I won’t turn my back on her if she comes back. But she’ll have to really bloody prove she’s changed before I give her any more chances.’
A car pulled up outside just then. Liam glanced out when the horn sounded and said, ‘It’s Davy.’
Michelle nodded, and gave her mum another hug before turning to Sammy. Closing her eyes when he crushed her to his chest, she said, ‘You’d best look after her, or you’ll have me to deal with.’
‘Don’t worry, I intend to,’ he replied, kissing the top of her head.
‘Too flaming right you will!’ Kim scoffed. ‘It took you near enough three years to find your tongue; you’ve got a lot of making up to do.’
‘Mum!’ Michelle groaned.
Feigning shock, Kim said, ‘By God, you’ve got a dirty mind, lady! I only meant it’s took him that long to ask me out.’
Sammy blushed because he knew exactly what they meant, and ushered them towards the door.
Davy hopped out of the car when the front door opened and unlocked the boot for Liam to put the cases in.
‘Got everything?’ he asked. ‘Tickets? Passports?’
Patting his breast pocket, Liam nodded.
‘Man, I’m gonna miss you,’ Davy said, his perpetually red eyes clouding with emotion. ‘Too many bad men round here; we need more like you.’
‘There’s still some good ones around,’ Liam replied quietly, giving him a knowing look as he added, ‘Like the ones who cleaned that other lot off the street.’
Davy shrugged as if he didn’t know what Liam was talking about. Then, tilting his head to one side, he grinned at Michelle who was standing at the gate with her mum and Sammy. ‘Ah . . . here she is – the future Mrs Grant.’
‘Leave it out,’ Liam hissed, seeing Michelle blushing. ‘We’re not rushing into anything. And don’t you go putting her off, ’cos it’s taken ages to persuade her to come over to Dublin and spend a bit of time with me.’
A passing taxi screeched to a halt in the middle of the road just then and the back door flew open. A camp voice yelled out, ‘Don’t you dare get in that car, Mizz Thang!’
Glancing amusedly up at Liam, Michelle shrugged when a pretty, blond, heavily tanned young man, wearing skintight white trousers and a pink T-shirt emblazoned with the words Killer Queen! in diamante letters jumped out and marched around to stand in front of her with his hands on his hips.
‘So, Ms Blaze Cosmetics,’ Bruno spat, pursing his lips in mock anger. ‘A boy goes away for a few months to find himself a sugar daddy, and a girl can’t even be bothered to ring to let him know she’s become a fucking supermodel in his absence – what’s that all about?’
‘Sorry, that’s got nothing to do with me,’ she told him. ‘You’re mistaking me for my sister. My name’s Michelle.’
Feeling really good that she was finally able to be herself again, Michelle climbed into the back of Davy’s car.
‘Is she for real?’ Bruno gasped, looking at Kim in disbelief as the car drove away.
‘Oh, yes.’ Kim beamed, nodding proudly. ‘That’s my Michelle, all right.’
Looking at Sammy now, Bruno narrowed his eyes and said, ‘Don’t I know you from somewhere?’ Then, clapping a hand over his mouth when it came to him, he said, ‘Oh, my God! You’re Mia’s agent, aren’t you? I’ve been dying to meet you. You see, my agent’s really, really crap, and I need someone who can get me up there, like you did for Mia. I’m really good, and I—’
‘Sorry, son,’ Sammy interrupted, putting his arm around Kim. ‘As of this morning I’m officially retired. So, if you’ll excuse us, we have a pressing engagement with a luxury cruise liner. Kimberley . . .’
Grinning when he opened the passenger-side door of the Bentley for her, Kim reached behind her and closed her gate for the last time before climbing in – leaving Bruno watching in dismay from the pavement as they drove away, and Pam sick with jealousy as she stared out at them from behind her nets.
About the Author
Bestselling crime writer Mandasue Heller returns with her trademark mix of grit and glamour - perfect for fans of Martina Cole.
By the same author
The Front
Forget Me Not
Tainted Lives
The Game
The Charmer
The Club
Shafted
Snatched
Mandasue Heller, Two-Faced
