Letters - Michael Gray

Married Life

Michael and Valarie had been married for three months, they were so caught up in married life that they still felt like they had just got married.

Valarie loved Birmingham. She loved living with her husband and she was close to his family. She even had a job at the betting shop, but she couldn't help but miss London and her dad. Nearly everyday Valarie spoke to her dad, if she didn't speak to him it was because he was doing business. However, as soon as they spoke again hearing his voice would always make up for missing a call.

It was Good Friday and Michael, along with his cousins, had gone out for the day leaving the woman, including Valarie, to work in the betting shop.
"It's not fair. They're off drinking and shooting rifles as we sit here. Listen to the mugs swearing and spitting on the bloody floor for us to fucking wipe up" said Esme who was sat next to Valarie and Lizzie. It was at that moment Polly entered the betting shop. She didn't even acknowledge her daughter in law, which was an unusual thing for her to do.
"Without men here, they'd be like dogs pissing up the wall. I was just saying it's not fair. The men are down there like lords" continued Esme. She was waiting for a reaction from someone but she wasn't going to get one any time soon.
"Esme, just ... get on with it" Polly finally gave Esme a reaction but not the one she wanted.
"I'm bloody five months gone" moaned Esme before she sniffed cocaine. Valarie knew it wasn't her place to say anything to Esme about it because she would just get angry with her, which caused John to get annoyed, which then caused Michael to get defensive over his wife. So, instead Valarie sheared a brief look with Lizzie.

"Forgot the combination" said Polly taking Valarie away from her thoughts.
"24-8-22" replied Lizzie
"How do you know the paper cash combination?" questioned Polly
"Tommy talks in his sleep" joked Esme. Valarie felt uncomfortable at her joke.
"Shut up Esme" retaliated Lizzie
"He's changed the combination" said Polly making Lizzie go to her to see for herself.
"You've put it in wrong" said Lizzie as soon as she saw the safe.
"No I haven't" Polly was getting defensive.
"Your hands are shaking" said Lizzie as she opened the safe for Polly.
At the same time Esme sniffed more cocaine making Valarie shoot her a nastily glare without Esme catching her.

"And actually I am sleeping with Tommy, okay?. Now and then because he wants to, now and then. When the mood takes him. Except we don't sleep. It's hard to sleep bend over a desk, isn't it. Happy?" said Lizzie as she walked back over to Valarie and Esme. Although Valarie and Michael has been intimate with each other many times but, the topic of it always made Valarie feel uncomfortable.
"None of it's fucking fair" said Esme as the door started to bang "can't wait to part ways with their money, stupid bastards"

"It's alright it's me" said Lina as she walked into the betting shop. Valarie got on well with Linda compared to the rest of the family however, she still got on Valarie's nerves sometimes.
"Arthur said you'd be short staffed today because they are on a works outing" said Linda
"Piss-up actually" joked Esme, Valarie laughed at that as she knew Linda wouldn't like the joke.
"I brought sandwiches and this lemonade I made myself. I'll make tea and empty ashtrays but I won't handle money or slips. Arthur says what you do here is illegal, but not immoral" said Linda. Valarie felt like speaking up but she knew better so instead she excused herself and went to the toilet.

When Valarie came back she was shocked to find everyone putting on their hats and coats.
"What's happening?" questioned Valarie
"We're going to the Bull Ring to march" replied Polly "are you coming?"
"Well I'm not gonna stay here on my own they'd eat me alive"
"Hurry up then we don't want to be late" And before she knew it Valarie was linking arms with Polly and Lizzie walking down Watery Lane.

Later that night Michael has just got back from his day with Tommy while Valarie was cooking. She was so busy that she didn't hear him come through the door.
"Hello love" said Michael as he gave his wife a peak on the cheek, scaring her.
"I didn't realise you were home. Have you just got back?" questioned Valarie
"Yea. I couldn't wait to see you. How was your day?"
"Bizarre. Linda came to the shop and mentioned some march at the Bull Ring then next thing I know your Mum's pissed and giving a speech" laughed Valarie along with Michael.
"That's my Mum for you" said Michael.

He seemed distant and Valarie could tell that there was something that was bothering him.
"Are you alright?" Valarie asked her husband but Michael didn't answer, he was sat at the table staring into space "Michael?"
"What?, oh sorry love" Michael finally got out of his trance "what did you say?"
"I asked if you were alright you seem distant"
"Oh yea, I'm fine don't worry"
"Well I will worry you're my husband. Please tell me what's wrong I might be able to help you" begged Valarie
"It's not something you would want to hear" said Michael
"I don't care, I love you" said Valarie and she sat next to her husband and took his hands and held them to reassure him that everything would be alright.
"Well you know that Vicar that Tommy's been doing business with" said Michal while looking at the floor.
"I've seen him yea, but I've never spoken to him"
"Well I need to kill him" Michael couldn't bring himself to look his wife in the eyes
"Why?" asked Valarie timidly with tears in her eyes. The news of her husband needing to kill someone was too much for her.
"Well when I got took away, I got put into an orphanage and he worked there and ..." Michael couldn't even bring himself to continue but Valarie could guess what he was going to say and just hugged him while they both cried. Valarie had never seen Micheal like this before he was so vulnerable, she had seen him cry but only tears of joy.

Michael had only told two people why he was gonna kill Father Huges. Valarie and Tommy. Even when he told Tommy he didn't cry. This was partly because he knew that if he cried then Tommy wouldn't let him do it.

"Do you still love me?" asked Michael after what seemed like forever. Valarie didn't even know what to say. How could he think this?.
"What?, how can you think that?" asked Valarie while she tried to look her husband in the eyes but he wouldn't let her "I will never stop loving you, no matter what. I moved away for you and practically married into a gang. I want all my life with you. I've always imagined us with two kids and little boy and girl and a house in the country but not too far away. I love you so much" after Valarie had spoken she cried even more. Michael just stood up and got himself a glass of whiskey and quickly drank it then walked over to his wife.
"Are you sure?" he finally asked
"I'm certain" said Valarie
"I love you so much" said Michael as he hugged his wife as they cried in each other's arms until the early hours of the morning.