Chapters (48)
- Cover
- THEFEUD
- Dedication
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- PROLOGUE
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
Jed put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a penetrating stare. ‘You didn’t know what you wanted, so I bought you the lot. Anyway, I’ve got loads of wonga. Next weekend, I’ll take you shopping and buy you some gold. Whaddya want? Earrings? Bracelet? A chain? I’ll even buy you a diamond if you want one.’
About to eat a chip, Joey clocked his sister’s gooey expression. She was putting him off his lunch. In fact, he felt physically sick. As the happy couple locked tongues once more, he voiced his opinion. ‘You’re so embarrassing – the whole pub is looking at us. Instead of mauling one another in public, go and get a fucking room.’
Back in Wanstead, Larry savoured the last mouthful of lobster and wiped his mouth with a serviette. He waited for Eddie to finish his meal, then cleared his throat. ‘The reason I asked you to meet me here today is because I have something to tell you, Eddie.’
Delving into the inside pocket of his jacket, Larry handed him a letter. ‘Your dad gave me strict instructions that you were to read this. He told me to leave it a certain length of time before I gave it to you. I need to pop outside to make a few phone calls, so I’ll leave you alone for a few minutes.’
Eddie tore the letter open. His dad’s handwriting had never been the best and he hoped he could understand the bastard thing. As luck would have it, it was typed.
Dear Eddie,
Obviously, if you’re reading this, it means I’ve popped me clogs. Sorry if this letter feels like I’ve come back to haunt you, but there are a few things I need to tell you, son.
Firstly, I want to tell you how much I love you and how proud I am of you. Paulie and Ronny never quite made the grade and, even from an early age, I knew you were gonna be the star of the show. You didn’t let me down. Everything I had worked so hard for, you improved on, and that pleased me more than you’ll ever know. You may wonder why I’m telling you this, now I’m brown bread, but I couldn’t say it while I was alive. I was never very good with words and, apart from when I was with your mother, I’ve never been able to show my feelings.
Aware of getting emotional, Eddie paused and took a sip of his drink. He took a deep breath, then continued to read.
The second thing I want to say to you son, is don’t end up alone. You and Jessica are the equivalent of me and your mum. Look after her, boy, and don’t ever let her down.