The Rock'n'Roll Romance Box Set (Pam Howes Rock'n'Roll Romance Series) (120 page)

  
‘Who’s that?’ Sheena was standing beside a small table that held a
collection of silver-framed photographs. She pointed to a large photo of a
young couple wrapped in one another’s arms, looking lovingly into each other’s
eyes. ‘They’re a very handsome pair.’

  
‘It’s Nick and Jess,’ Livvy said. ‘Taken the night of Nick’s party, just
weeks before he died.’

  
‘Poor wee man,’ Sheena said. ‘Jess is very beautiful. No surprise Jon
fell in love with her.’

  
‘Yes, she is,’ Livvy agreed. ‘Mind you, that photo was taken in 1984.
She may have changed a bit since then.’

  
‘Nick was extremely good looking.’ Sheena smiled. ‘The image of his
father.’

  
‘You like him then? His father, I mean?’

  
‘I’ll say I do. He’s even nicer in the flesh. I can’t believe I’m
standing in Roy Cantello’s lounge and my best friend is the mother of his
daughter. It’s so weird.’

  
Livvy grinned and pointed to another photograph of two university
graduates attired in caps and gowns. ‘That’s Jason and Jules. They must have
got their degrees after I left. And see that other photo at the back there;
that'll be the joint christening. There’s Jon and Jess and their twins and Roy
and Sammy with Harley. That was the last day I spoke on the phone to Roy
until this very week.’

  
‘Admiring the rogues’ gallery?’ Roy
said, coming into the room carrying a laden silver tray.

  
‘I was just explaining to Sheena who everyone is,’ Livvy replied,
smiling at him.

  
‘Well take a seat and we’ll have some tea.' He put the tray on the
coffee table. 'I think Harley must have gone to her room. She was rummaging
through boxes of photographs this lunchtime and she’s made an album for you.
She’s probably applying the finishing touches before she brings it down.’ He
looked up. ‘Ah, here’s Sammy. Come on, love.’ He patted the seat beside him as
Livvy and Sheena settled on the opposite sofa.

***

‘So, how are you, Livvy?’ Sammy
smiled tightly as Livvy smiled warily back.

  
‘I’m fine thank you, Sammy. Err, this is my friend Sheena.’

  
Sammy nodded politely and busied herself pouring tea. She’d been
dreading this moment for years and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t
rid herself of the mental picture of Roy
romping naked with Livvy. The thoughts of him kissing her, running his hands
through her hair, making love and creating a child were torturous.
  

  
Bile rose in her throat and she swallowed. Her cool gaze took in Livvy’s
immaculate white linen trousers, neat, grey leather jacket and her tumbling,
blonde curls. She looked so young still. Sammy was suddenly aware that Livvy
was speaking to her and that Roy
was taking a cup and saucer from her shaking hands as the room started to spin.

  
‘Sammy, are you okay, darling?’ Roy
was now looking worriedly into her eyes.

  
‘Actually no, I’m not. Would you excuse me please?’ She rose unsteadily,
aware that all eyes were on her. She left the room, ran up the stairs and into
her bedroom. Leaning against the closed door she felt a fool for running away.
This just wouldn’t do. She needed to be stronger, showing solidarity with Roy,
not giving Livvy a chance to see any chink in their relationship.

  
‘Why can’t I be more cool and collected, like
her
,’ she muttered as she flung herself across the bed. She’d have
been better going out to Pat or Jane’s, showing that she could cope with Roy
and Livvy together, and wasn’t a clingy wife who was scared of losing her man.
Truth is, what Harley had said this morning, about the girl at school having a
bone-marrow transplant from the stem cells of a new sibling, had bothered her
and when Roy came into the kitchen
to collect the tray, she’d seen a light in his eyes that wasn’t there
before.
  

***

‘We shouldn’t have come here,’
Livvy said to Roy. ‘You could have
brought Harley to Tina’s. If the boot was on the other foot I’m quite sure I
wouldn’t like it.’

  
‘You’re right,’ Roy said.
‘I’m an insensitive bastard. She’ll want a bit of space. I’ll go up to her when
you’ve gone. Have you decided what you’re doing tomorrow?’

  
‘I’m going to Glasgow for
the weekend. I’ll fly back here on Monday with Courtney and take it from there.
I want to be around when the test results come through.’

  
Roy went to sit next to
Livvy. He reached for her hand. ‘We’ll get through it. We all need to pull
together. Sammy will be fine once she gets used to you being around. Whatever it
takes, getting Harley well is what matters most.’

  
Close to tears, Livvy nodded, loving the feel of his hand on hers.

  
Harley walked into the room, clutching a large red scrapbook. On the
front she’d stuck letters cut from shiny gold paper, stating
THIS WAS MY LIFE - BY HARLEY
NICOLA CANTELLO
. The title struck a cold
fear in Livvy’s heart, but she kept a bright smile on her face as Harley spoke.

  
‘See, Livvy, it’s like
This Is
Your Life
from the
TV. It’s some
of the bits of me that you’ve missed. I thought you could show it to my sister.
Then when we meet, I won’t be such a stranger to her.’

  
‘Oh, sweetie, it’s so thoughtful of you.’ Livvy touched Harley’s cheek
as Roy, his eyes moist, gathered
the cups and saucers and carried the tray out of the room.

  
‘I’m glad he’s gone.’ Harley lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘I want to
show you something.’ She hitched up her short skirt, exposing her thigh. ‘See,
my tattoo. It’s a J for Jack, but it’s fading now. What do you think, Livvy?
Cool or what!’

  
Sheena stifled a giggle as Livvy raised her eyebrows.

  
‘Err, yes,’ Livvy spluttered. ‘Very cool.’ She frowned at the bruises on
Harley’s thighs. ‘Are those bruises painful?’

  
‘No, they’re not actually. But they look awful, don’t they? Dad tickled
my ribs last night and I’ve got them there now. You know I have to have a bone
marrow test tomorrow? The doctor said I might have leukemia.’

  
Livvy nodded. ‘Your dad told me. I have to go back to Glasgow
tomorrow. I'll be back on Monday and will bring Courtney with me. We’ll both be
here for you when the test results come though.’

  
‘Oh, cool! That will take my mind off things. I can’t wait to meet
Courtney. I’m amazed that I’ve got a half-sister.
You
can meet Jack later; he’ll be here when we get back from Tina’s.
You’ll love him, you really will. He’s gorgeous with dark curly hair and big
blue eyes and he smiles like this.’ She did an impression of Jack’s lop-sided
grin and burst into fits of giggles. ‘And look.’ She pulled out the chain and
ring from down her sweater. ‘We’re secretly engaged. Mum and Dad know, but
Jack’s parents don’t yet.’

  
Livvy smiled at Harley’s enthusiasm and the fact that she was clearly
smitten by young Jack Mellor. She gave her a hug. ‘Umm, I guess congratulations
are in order, then.’

  
Roy strolled back into the
room. ‘Ready to go, girls? Give my love to Aunt Tina,’ he said to Harley. ‘See
you all later.'

***

CHAPTER
ELEVEN

Jack lolled against the playground
wall, kicking the heel of his shoe against the old sandstone. He couldn’t stop
thinking about Harley. He wished it was home time. If everything went according
to plan at the hospital today, he’d be able to see her tonight. He looked up.
Someone was calling his name and he saw Faye Blackwell and Jamie Donahue
walking towards him. ‘Hi, Faye, Jamie.’

  
‘You okay, Jack?’ Faye asked.

  
‘Yeah, err no, not really.’

  
‘You thinking about Harls, mate.’ Jamie patted his arm sympathetically.

  
Jack nodded, blinking hard.

  
‘Aw, Jack, she’ll be okay.’ Faye gave him a hug. ‘Are you seeing her
later?’

  
‘Hope so,’ Jack said.
 

  
‘I’ve got a card and a little gift for her in my desk. I’ll give them to
you after school.’

  
‘Yeah, err, I’ve got her some chocolates,’ Jamie said.

  
‘Thanks,’ Jack said. ‘She needs all the cheering up she can get at the
moment.’

  
‘C’mon.’ Faye linked her arm through his. ‘Let’s go find Nathan and get
ourselves a hot drink and a biscuit before break finishes.

***

‘Sheena, are you ready to go?’
Livvy asked. ‘The taxi will be here soon. We need to be waiting in reception.’

  
‘Yeah, I’m ready,’ Sheena replied, and dragged her case into the
corridor. A passing porter stopped and took their bags and they followed him
into the lift. ‘Do you think I should call Jon and say goodbye?’

  
‘Why? What’s the point if you don’t want it to go any further?’

  
‘I know – but – well, I can’t bear the thoughts of not saying a final
goodbye to him.’

  
‘Call him then,’ Livvy said as the lift came to a halt and the porter
took their cases to the reception desk. She settled their bill and turned to
Sheena who was dithering by the revolving entrance doors.

  
‘Here.’ She handed her the mobile phone. ‘Press number two. It’ll take
you straight through to the shop.’

  
‘Oh, I can’t.’ Sheena handed the phone back.

  
Livvy tutted and pressed number two.

  
‘Hi, Sean, it’s Livvy. Is Jon there, please? Oh, okay, well say bye to
him from Sheena and me. Thanks again for a lovely afternoon yesterday. I’ll see
you next week.’ She ended the call and looked at Sheena. ‘Jon’s popped out for
a few minutes.’

  
‘Oh!’ Sheena’s face fell. ‘It wasn’t meant to be then.’

  
The uniformed doorman called their names
and announced the taxi was waiting. The porter took the luggage out to the
black cab. Sheena was about to clamber into the back when someone tapped her on
the shoulder.

  
‘Were you really going without saying goodbye?’

  
She spun round. ‘Oh, Jon.’ She threw her arms around him and gave him a
quick kiss. He gave her a squeeze and turned to Livvy, giving her a hug and a
kiss too.

 
 
‘So -
this is where you popped out to?’ Livvy said. ‘I just called the shop to say
goodbye.’

  
‘Ah, well I called here and they told me your leaving was imminent, so I
nipped out. I wanted to wish you a safe trip and I’ll tell Jess I’ve spoken to
you, see if she’ll agree to your staying with us. Hope things go okay for
Harley this morning.’
  

  
‘Thanks, Jon. I’ve booked a couple of nights here next week for Courtney
and me, so I’ll be in touch sometime on Monday.’

  
‘I’d better get back to work. Goodbye then.’ He waved and walked
away.
 

  
‘Well?’ Livvy looked at Sheena. ‘That wasn’t as awkward as you were
expecting. Jon seems to have put your moment of madness behind him.’

  
‘He does,’ Sheena replied and climbed into the taxi, staring wistfully
at Jon’s departing back.

***

‘We’ll see you later, Princess,’ Roy
said.

Harley lay on the trolley in her
blue hospital gown, a white blanket tucked around her legs. He squeezed her
hand as her anxious eyes searched his face.

  
‘You won’t go home, Dad, you promise?’ she said, clinging to him as she
fought back tears.

  
‘I’ll be right here. We’ll have a bit of lunch and then we’ll be waiting
in your room when you come back.’

  
‘I
will
be able to come home
tonight, won’t I? I’m really scared now.’

  
‘Yes, darling, they did say that,’ Sammy said, fighting back her own
tears. ‘Don’t be scared, sweetheart, they’ll look after you, or they’ll have
your dad and me to answer to.’ Sammy tried to make Harley smile. She smoothed
her hair from her face and kissed her forehead. ‘Now be a brave girl and we'll
see you later.’ She waved as a porter pushed the trolley away.

  
Roy stared after her.
‘Please let her be alright,’ he muttered.

  
‘C’mon, Roy. Let’s get some
lunch.’ Sammy steered him towards the lift.

  
‘I don’t feel very hungry,’ he said as they entered the busy hospital
restaurant. He stopped by the door. He couldn’t handle being stared at today,
prying eyes and people whispering behind their hands.

  
‘Have a coffee and Danish Pastry,’ Sammy suggested. ‘You need to eat
something. You didn’t have breakfast and you’ve chain-smoked all night. You’re
going to make yourself ill at this rate.’

  
‘Okay.’ He kept his eyes on the floor and made his way to a table at the
back while Sammy joined the queue. He felt he really couldn’t get his head
around anything. Sammy had been strong for him during the last few hours and
for that he was grateful.
    

  
Sammy carried a tray to the table. ‘Got you an apple and cinnamon
Danish, your favourite.’

  
‘Thanks, darling.’ He sighed wearily. ‘This brings back a time almost
sixteen years ago,’ he said. ‘Sitting around drinking coffee and waiting.’

  
‘Nick?’ she whispered as his face crumpled. She reached for his hand,
fighting back her own tears.

  
‘How can this be happening to us again, Sam?’ he choked. ‘Have I been so
bad that I deserve to lose two of my kids?’
 

  
‘Roy, stop. This isn’t
helping either of us. It’s nothing to do with how good or bad you’ve been. If
the diagnosis
is
leukemia, Harley has
a
very
good chance of survival. You
need to have hope, Roy, we both
do.’ She cleared her throat and swallowed. ‘Think how bad Livvy must be feeling
right now, knowing she can’t be here.’

  
He nodded. ‘You’re right. I’ll call her tonight with an update.’

  
Sammy sipped her drink and squeezed his hand.
    

***

‘There’s Gerry and Courtney.’
Livvy pointed as she and Sheena made their way through the busy arrivals hall.
She waved as Courtney leapt up and down and waved back.
 

  
‘Welcome home, girls,’ Gerry said and bent to kiss Sheena. ‘I’ve missed
you,’ he whispered to her.

  
‘Missed you too,’ she said, blushing slightly.

  
Courtney flung her arms around Livvy. ‘Oh, Mom, I’m so glad you’re
back.’

  
‘Aw, and me too, honey,’ Livvy said, hugging Courtney tight.

  
Gerry loaded the luggage onto a trolley and they followed him out to the
car.

  
‘Dad’s coming,’ Courtney said, beaming from ear to ear.
  

  
‘Coming where?’ Livvy looked at Gerry.
  

  
‘Danny called this morning,’ he said as he lifted the cases into the
boot of his Ford Mondeo. ‘He’s flying in Wednesday.’

  
‘Oh!’ Livvy’s jaw dropped.

  
‘Thought you’d be pleased,’ Gerry said as they climbed into the car.

  
‘Well, yes, I suppose I am. But I wish he’d discussed it with me first.
Something’s come up and I have to go back to Manchester
on Monday. I’m taking Courtney with me.’

  
‘I see.’ Gerry raised a surprised eyebrow. ‘You’d better call him and
tell him your plans. He could change his connection then. No point in coming up
here if you two aren’t around.’

  
‘I will,’ Livvy said quietly, staring out of the window as the scenery
passed by in a blur. Damn. Having Danny around was the last thing she needed at
the moment. She was bracing herself to tell Courtney about Harley tonight, and
that
wouldn’t be easy.

  
‘By the way, Cassie’s off school,’ Gerry said as they pulled up outside
the house.
 
‘She’s been coughing all
night. I left her in bed, but she’ll probably get up now you’re home.’ He took
the luggage indoors and pecked Sheena on the cheek. ‘I’m nipping out to see a
client about a kitchen. Back in a couple of hours. Your mum made chicken
casserole. It’s in the oven on low. See you later.’
    

  
‘Okay, thanks, Gerry,’ Sheena said. ‘I’ll pop up and see Cassie. Make
yourself at home, Liv.’
  

  
Livvy kicked off her shoes. Gerry left and Sheena disappeared upstairs.

  
She was back in minutes. ‘She’s okay and asking for
you
, Courtney. Fancy a cuppa, Liv?’ she asked as Courtney went off
to see Cassie.

  
‘I could murder one.’ Livvy followed Sheena into the kitchen. She sat
down on a bar stool and gazed out of the window at Fred and Sandy who were
sleeping by their kennels, tails flicking and paws moving as though running in
their dreams. Sheena filled the kettle and stood with her back to Livvy,
seemingly staring into space. ‘Penny for them?’

  
‘What? Oh - they’re not worth a penny.’ Sheena turned and smiled. ‘I’m
beginning to understand how you feel about Danny now. When Gerry put his arms
around me, I felt nothing. For the first time ever - I felt nothing. I can’t
get Jon Mellor out of my mind.’

  
Livvy shook her head. ‘What did I tell you?’

  
‘Ah well, it’s my own stupid fault. I’ll get over it.’ She brewed two
mugs of tea and handed one to Livvy. They sat in companionable silence for a
while.
 

***

‘Why can’t they stay at the
hotel?’ Jess said, taking a sip of wine. They’d just finished dinner and Jon
had asked if Livvy and her daughter could stay with them for a few days. ‘We
haven’t got a spare room for starters. Where do you propose we put them?’

  
Jon shrugged. ‘I thought they could have the boys’ room and they could
sleep over at dad’s place. It would help if Courtney had somewhere to stay
while Livvy visits Harley.’

  
‘Well she could take her to Sean and Tina’s, surely.
They’ve
got the space to put them up.’

  
‘Okay. I just thought it would be a nice gesture to show a bit of
support to Livvy. But if you’re going to be unreasonable, forget it,’ Jon said.

  
‘I’m not being unreasonable.’ Jess frowned. ‘Why are you being snappy
with me?’

  
‘I’m not.’ He lit a cigarette and stared at the ceiling. ‘Bit of
compassion’s all I asked for. No need to get tetchy about it.’

  
‘I’m not getting tetchy. Don’t try and guilt trip me.’ Jess slammed down
her wine glass and pushed back her chair. ‘I’d feel I was betraying Sammy for
one thing. I don’t know what’s wrong with you this week. You keep picking
arguments.’ She grabbed her car keys and made for the door.

  
‘Where are you going?’

  
‘To collect Jack from Roy’s
place. Didn’t you notice his absence at dinner?’

 
 
‘I’ll go for him,’ Jon said,
stubbing his cigarette out.

  
‘You’ve had too much wine and you knocked back that large brandy when
you came in.’ She left the house and slammed the door.

  
Jon followed her outside and watched as she clambered into the Jeep and
sped off down the lane. Guilt at sleeping with Sheena was making him snappy,
and although it would never be repeated, he still couldn’t stop thinking about
her. He strode across the gardens towards his parents’ place. Might as well
have a drink with Dad and put the world to rights.

***

Harley smiled as she looked across
at the beautiful vase of roses Jack had brought.
 
Before his mum had picked him up they’d had a
kiss and cuddle in her room that was bathed in a soft glow from the scented
candle gift from Faye. They’d also devoured Jamie’s chocolates. Jack had told
her that no matter what happened he would always be there for her and they’d
made the decision that she would now wear her ring on her finger, except at
school. He was going to tell his mum and dad tomorrow that they were engaged. A
gentle tapping at the door brought her back to the minute. ‘Come in.’

  
‘Hi, Princess,’ Dad said. ‘I’ve brought you a cup of tea and some
biscuits. How are you feeling?’

  
‘A bit tender on my backside, but otherwise okay. Has Livvy called
yet?’
   

  
‘No, love, but I’ll ring her later if she doesn’t call in the next
hour.’

  
‘Do you think she’ll be telling Courtney about me tonight?’