Free The Good Life by Martina Cole

She also recognised that without a firm hand Caroline would push and push and push until her husband walked away from her.
    Jane loved her daughter, but Caroline could be a serious pain in the arse. She loved drama especially when she was at the centre of it. Jane used to joke that her daughter was the star of her own life story, and it was true. Even as a child Caroline had been subject to tantrums, fits of pique and had displayed almost murderous rages. When she lost it, she really went for it. Caroline created scenarios and she acted them out. She had grown into an argumentative woman, with a very elevated opinion of herself. Jane knew that if she wasn’t curtailed, Cain would eventually walk because he wasn’t a man who enjoyed the aggravation of having a wife who needed continual reassurance and validation.
    Now Jane was lying dead and her daughter had lost not only the real constant in her life, but also the only person who could actually keep her under control. Caroline Moran had suffered the worst blow of all. And she was not handling it well.

Chapter Thirty-One
    ‘Well, Elvis, we did see this coming – we thought it would just have been Micky Two Fags who tried his hand. I admire Jimmy, though, for going to the main players. It displays a cunning I didn’t think he possessed.’
    Elvis shrugged at Cain’s words. ‘He’s a cunt. Micky’s bad enough, but Jimmy Boy? He is like a leech, you know? Sucks the life out of everyone around him.’
    Cain and Johnny nodded in understanding.
    ‘So we’re all getting shot, are we?’ Johnny Mac’s voice was full of humour at the thought and Cain laughed with him.
    Elvis was nervous but it didn’t show. He had come to them to prevent a bloodbath, but it wasn’t just because he liked these men. Elvis was interested in keeping the peace and keeping hold of what he had. He had an ulterior motive though – one he felt Cain Moran and Johnny Mac would understand. He was already willing to give up fifty per cent of his club – why wouldn’t he? He would get his money back and more besides. He was also the supplier of most of the puff in the South East so, in many ways, it would benefit him in the long run.
    ‘It seems we need to take out Jimmy Boy and those ponces Richie and Micky. On the upside, I don’t think Lily Law will be investigating their disappearance, which is exactly what must happen, I think. They need to disappear. The others concerned aren’t cunts. They realise the significance – and they won’t be offered the fifty per cent ownership after this little display of temper, that’s for sure. I’ll take the clubs off them and teach them a valuable lesson in life: never bite the hand that feeds you.’
    Johnny nodded his agreement. ‘I have just the place for them, Cain. I know a geezer who has a business providing industrial acid. He’s into us at the bookies for a good wedge. What better way to get rid of them permanently?’
    ‘Sounds perfect, my old mate. That’s that sorted then. I’ll get a few lads to pick them up and you arrange the rest.’ Cain looked at Elvis and smiled. ‘Don’t worry, you did the right thing. I can’t see this as grassing on your mates – none of those ponces are anyone’s mates. Except I always liked Denny Gunn. I’m glad he agreed with you on the best step to take. He is a hard old fucker. But Jimmy was always his own worst enemy.’
    The phone on his desk rang and he picked it up quickly. ‘All right, all right, calm down, Caroline. I am on my way now . . . For fuck’s sake, darling, I swear I am on my way . . .’ Cain stopped and looked at Johnny. His face had lost all its colour, and Johnny was immediately on red alert.
    ‘What’s up, Cain?’
    Cain shook his head in amazement as he said seriously, ‘It’s Jane, Caroline’s mum. She’s dead. Totalled her motor on the A13.’
    All three men were silent for a few seconds before Johnny Mac jumped up and said, ‘Come on, mate. I’ll drive you