The Rock'n'Roll Romance Box Set (Pam Howes Rock'n'Roll Romance Series) (127 page)

  
‘Yeah, you remember Phil Jackson,
The
Raiders
self confessed love-machine!’

  
‘Oh, Phil. Of course I remember him. Who wouldn’t?’ Livvy said.

  
‘Would you like me to call him and arrange for you to view?’

  
‘Please, Jon. That would be lovely,’ she replied.

  
‘I’ll show you around the store while Jon makes his call,’ Sean said to
Daniel. ‘As you can see, it’s all CD’s, videos and DVD’s up here, but we’ve
some great guitars in at the moment. Follow me.’

***

Jon hung up, smiling. ‘Laura said
you can go anytime this afternoon. She’s gonna prise Phil out of bed and he’ll
show you around.’ He scribbled down the address and phone number and handed it
over.

  
‘So, where exactly is Apple Tree House in location to Hanover’s
Lodge?’ Livvy asked. ‘I presume your mum and dad still live there?’

  
‘They do. Mum says the only way she’ll ever leave The Lodge is in a
coffin!’ Jon laughed. ‘It’s a five minute drive.’

  
‘And how far from Manor Banks
School are we talking?’
 

  
‘Ten minutes, tops. Are you thinking of sending Courtney there?’

  
‘Yes. We’ve got an appointment to see the head tomorrow afternoon. Also,
while I think about it, do you know of a good solicitor?’

  
‘Not offhand, but Dad does. I’ll get you the number.’

  
‘Thanks, Jon. You may as well know. I’m planning to divorce Danny.’
 

  
‘Why? You seemed quite happy together just now.’

  
‘It’s all show. We’ve called a truce until he goes back. You should have
heard us arguing last night. He accused me of being an unfit mother. Said he
wants custody of Courtney. I wouldn’t mind, but
he’s
having an affair, except he won’t admit it.’

  
‘Why on earth would Danny think you’re an unfit mother?’

  
Livvy shrugged. ‘Because of Roy.’

  
‘What’s it got to do with Roy?’

  
‘We made love while Courtney was sleeping in the next room. I told Danny
last night.’

  
‘Jesus, Livvy, you must have a death wish.’

  
‘I love Roy, Jon. He loves me.’

  
‘Christ, history’s repeating itself.’

  
Livvy changed the subject. ‘How are things with you and Jess? She still
going on about fostering?’

  
‘Yep. Like a dog with a bone. She’s going to that meeting on Friday
night with Mum. But we’re off to Paris
on Sunday for four days, so I’m hoping to talk her out of it. I haven’t
mentioned the trip to Sheena yet, just in case you speak to her soon. She’s
calling me later, so I’ll tell her then.’

  
‘Okay.’ Livvy nodded. ‘Sheena won’t mind. Jess is your wife. You’re
entitled to take a break with her.’

  
‘Yeah, Sheena and me, well we’re just good mates at the end of the day.’
Jon smiled wistfully. ‘We had a bit of fun and maybe we will again.’
 

  
‘Well, as long as you both agree not to let it get out of hand.’
  

***

‘So, what do you think of the
place?’ Phil stifled a yawn and ran his fingers through his long blonde hair.

  
Livvy smiled. ‘Late night, Phil?’

  
‘Had a bit of a session with my sons,’ he said. ‘Hence the shades. Can’t
keep up the pace anymore. Getting too old for boozy nights and hangovers.’

  
‘I know the feeling,’ Daniel said. ‘Well,
I
like the cottage very much. It’s really spacious, perfect for
Livvy and Courtney. There’s room for Harley to stay over and a spare room for
when Livvy’s parents visit.’

  
Livvy looked out of one of the lounge windows at a couple of glossy
black Cocker Spaniels who were sitting staring at the closed front door,
expectant looks on their faces.

  
‘I like your dogs, Phil. They’re very cute. What are their names?’

  
‘Gene and Elvis,’ Phil said, grinning. ‘They’re Laura’s actually, but
they follow me everywhere. This place was originally three farm-labourers’
cottages. They were derelict when I bought Apple Tree House. We were gonna
demolish them then Laura had the bright idea of re-building and knocking them
into one big house. The last tenant was here for five years. Bit of a boffin.
Invented some sort of computer game. Made a fortune and retired to Switzerland
a couple of months ago.

  
‘You came at just the right time. We’ve had it all redecorated, fitted
new carpets, replaced the furniture and Laura was about to advertise it. Tell
you what, I’ll go back home, leave you two to have a good look round on your
own and then come on up to the house for coffee and meet Laura.’ Phil let
himself out, calling goodbye.

***

‘So,’ Daniel said, ‘you’re very
quiet, what do you think?’

  
‘That it’s perfect,’ Livvy replied. ‘I can see me making a home here. I
love the beamed ceilings and just look at that.’ She pointed to a herringbone
patterned brick fireplace built into the inglenook. ‘We can burn logs on cold
days.’

  
‘You might be back home when it’s cold,’ Daniel said. ‘Well Courtney will
be anyway.’

  
‘Hmm, we’ll see,’ Livvy said. ‘I’ll take another look upstairs. Why
don’t you make your way to Phil’s? I want to wander round on my own, get the
feel of it. I’ll join you in a few minutes.’

  
‘Okay, if you’re sure.’ Daniel let himself out and looked around
outside. There was nothing but trees and fields as far as the eye could see,
except for the roofline and chimney pots of Apple Tree House, tucked behind the
nearby incline. He took out his cell phone as he walked towards the house, and
called Jodie. ‘Hi, baby, good news. I’ll be home sooner than I thought. We’ve
found the perfect temporary home. Livvy’s parents are arriving at the weekend.
But once I’ve met them I can change my flight and head back. So expect me say,
Tuesday. I’ll call you tonight. - Love you too.’ He ended the call and with a
self satisfied smile, walked up to Phil’s front door.
 

***

Left alone, Livvy wandered from
room to room, taking in the far-reaching views from each window. The décor was
in keeping with the age of the cottage and Phil’s wife had a good eye for
detail. The huge sleigh bed in the master bedroom was tucked under a sloping
ceiling with a large central beam. Livvy recognised the traditional wallpaper
behind the bed-head as William Morris’s Golden Lily. The bed was covered with a
matching bedspread and piled high with co-ordinating cushions.

  
The second bedroom was pink and cream, had twin brass beds, stripped
pine furniture and an en-suite shower room, perfect for the girls. The third
was decked out with a blue and white Laura Ashley design and a double bed,
great for visitors. The smallest room was currently in use as a dumping ground
for tins of paint and left-over wallpaper.

  
Livvy stood in the middle of the floor and hugged herself. The room was
at the back of the house, overlooking a neat garden with lawns and colourful
flower beds and was crying out to her - nursery. She let out a long breath and
shook her head. She was almost bursting with excitement, but she mustn’t allow
herself to get too carried away with
happy
family
thoughts.
 

  
She wanted Daniel to think she was angry and hurt by his betrayal, but
deep down, it was the best thing that could have happened. Tomorrow, when she
collected Courtney from Roy’s,
she’d tell him and Sammy that she would think about donating an egg. That would
stop Roy mithering her for a while,
and keep Sammy off
his
back, too.

  
Next week she’d do a pregnancy test and take it from there. She peeped
into the Victorian style bathroom then went downstairs. They could move in
straight after the weekend, she thought, as she let herself out and made her
way to Apple Tree House. She wouldn’t need to buy anything other than linen and
towels. The lounge was comfortable, with pine furniture, two cream leather
sofas, a TV and a decent hi-fi system. The kitchen was well equipped with a
dining area overlooking the back garden. She was certain that Courtney would
love the cottage and couldn’t wait to see her face when she told her that it
was almost on Roy’s doorstep. The girls
could spend a lot of time together and she’d be on hand to help Roy
look after Harley.
   

***

 
Phil’s wife Laura, who, Livvy thought, bore
more than a passing resemblance to Jane Asher, led her into the spacious lounge
where Daniel and Phil were chatting amicably.
  

  
‘Sit down, Livvy,’ Laura invited. ‘I’ve got the coffee on, won’t be a
mo.’

  
Phil waved his arm in greeting and Livvy sat down next to Daniel. Phil
was stretched out opposite, feet up over the arm of the sofa. Laura came back
in with a tray and placed it on the coffee table.

  
‘Feet off the furniture, Phil Jackson,’ she said. ‘Honestly, you’re
worse than the kids. He makes more mess than
the six of them put together,’ she told Livvy.

  
‘Six kids!’ Daniel exclaimed. ‘Wow, you have your hands full.’

  
‘We do,’ Laura nodded. ‘Well we did, they’re all adults now
and
, I hasten to add, they’re not all
mine. They’re all
his
though,’ she
said, grinning. ‘And they still treat the place like a hotel.’
 

  
‘The product of two marriages,’ Phil said, sitting up and offering
cigarettes around. ‘Well three really, seeing as me and Laura are married for
the second time.’

  
‘I must have had a brainstorm agreeing to that,’ Laura laughed, refusing
a cigarette. Daniel and Livvy also shook their heads.
   

  
‘Oh well, if you’re not having one, I’ll do without, too. I’m trying to
give up.’

  
‘He’s been saying that since the day I met him,’ Laura said. She poured
four mugs of coffee. ‘Help yourself to cream and sugar. What did you think of
the cottage, Livvy?’

  
‘Oh, it’s fabulous, absolutely perfect,’ Livvy replied. ‘When can we
move in?’

  
‘Soon as you like,’ Daniel told her, waving a piece of paper under her
nose. ‘Here’s the lease. I’ve given Phil a cheque to cover the next six months.
All you have to do is sign this. I’ve explained our situation to Phil and
Laura; that I’m going back to The States soon, and you’re staying here for the
foreseeable future.’

  
Livvy nodded and felt obliged to peck him on the cheek. ‘Thanks, Dan. I
can’t wait to tell Courtney and Harley, they’ll be so excited.’

  
‘It will be lovely to have you as a neighbour,’ Laura said. ‘We can have
girly chats over morning coffee. Danny told us your mum and dad will be
reunited this weekend. How wonderful that you found your parents after all this
time, and that they found one another again, too.’

***

Afternoon break-time, Jack was
standing in a corner of the playground, keeping an eye out for teachers as
Nathan and Jamie Donahue passed a cigarette between them. He spotted Courtney
and her parents getting out of a taxi at the school gates.

  
‘Hey, Courtney’ he hollered, waving to catch her attention.

  
Jamie spun round, his eyes opening wide. ‘Fucking Hell, that woman looks
just like Livvy Grant.’

  
‘Hmm, she does a bit,’ Jack said winking at Nathan as Courtney, flanked
either side by her mum and dad, waved back. ‘I bet she’d do really well on
Stars in Their Eyes!’ No way was he letting on to Jamie that Livvy was exactly
who he thought she was. Nathan had also been sworn to secrecy.
  

  
‘Hi, Jack, Nathan,’ Courtney said, as they drew level with the boys.
Jamie hurriedly threw the cigarette over the wall and frowned.

  
‘Hi yourself,’ Jack said, a wide grin splitting his face as Jamie’s
puzzled expression grew. ‘Good luck.’

 
 
‘You
two know that girl?’ Jamie said, mouth hanging open as his gaze followed
Courtney into the school building.

  
‘She’s a relative of family friends,’ Jack told him as Nathan nodded.
‘They’re moving to the area, so hopefully she’ll be starting here next week.’

  
‘Well, she’ll certainly be an asset. Prettiest girl I’ve seen in a long
time, apart from Harls and Faye of course,’ Jamie said. Jack punched him
playfully on the arm as the bell rang signalling the end of break. ‘I can see
me dumping ’Tash this weekend,’ Jamie continued. ‘Perhaps we’ll catch up with
Courtney later.

***

CHAPTER
SIXTEEN

Gina Carter closed her book and
fastened her seatbelt as the British Airways 747 began its final approach to Manchester
Airport. Her stomach looped, her
legs felt like jelly and her palms were sticky. She hated flying and what with
the fear, coupled with the excitement of seeing Peter again
and
meeting their daughter, she’d got
herself into a right old state. She took several deep breaths and forced
herself to look out of the window as the green patchwork landscape quickly gave
way to toy town suburbs, liquorice strip roads and Dinky sized cars.

  
Her right hand crept into her jacket pocket and folded around a
dog-eared, black and white photo of herself, holding a tiny, shawl-clad baby.
The photo had been taken by one of the girls at the mother and baby home,
shortly before Marie had been taken from her. She’d kept it hidden from her
parents’ prying eyes for years and it was her most treasured possession. All that
pain she’d endured during the years that followed the adoption. The bottled-up
anger and hatred towards her parents, who’d placed her in a mental hospital for
months, claiming she was insane, when she’d been suffering post-partum
depression.

  
Their disapproval at her short-term marriage to bartender Jake at the
age of eighteen. She hadn’t loved Jake. The marriage was merely an escape from
her stifling home life. The longing for Marie and Peter never went away. Even
the birth of her son Joel didn’t quell the pain. She smiled as she looked at
the photo again. Her Marie – her beautiful girl. She couldn’t believe she was
about to see her again after all these years. Not only that, but she was going
to share the moment with Peter, the love of her life.

  
She was so lost in her thoughts that the gentle bumping of tyres on
tarmac went unnoticed as she continued to stare at the photo. The plane slowed
and taxied to a halt. She pushed the photo back into her pocket, gathered her
hand luggage and made her way to the nearest exit.
 

***

Livvy was beside herself with
excitement as she, Dad, Courtney and Daniel waited by the barrier, scanning the
faces of the passengers as they began to filter through. Dad’s flight had
arrived earlier and they’d passed the last hour drinking coffee.
 

  
‘I’ll recognise her as soon as I see her,’ Dad said. ‘It’s been years,
but I’ll know her.’

  
Livvy smiled at his animated face. ‘You’ve waited a long time for this.’

  
‘All my life, hen, all my life. You never forget your first love.’

  
Livvy caught Daniel’s raised eyebrows and wanted to kick his shins for
taking the piss out of her special moment. She wished he wasn’t with them, but
he’d insisted on coming and had hired a bloody big limo. It was waiting outside
to take them back to the hotel. Trust him to be OTT. She was sure her parents
would be far more comfortable in a normal taxi. Her breath caught in her throat
as a petite, blonde woman struggled through the doors with a laden trolley.
That surely must be Gina, she was her mirror image.

  
‘There she is,’ Dad called out, waving both arms and jumping up and
down. ‘There’s my angel. Gina, Gina, over here.’
   

  
Gina looked up and her face broke into a wide smile. Livvy felt that she
would capture that moment in her head forever. Gina let go of the trolley and
ran towards Peter who swept her off her feet and swung her round and round.
They were crying and laughing and gazing into each other’s eyes, oblivious to
the curious stares directed at them. Daniel retrieved the trolley and went to
stand beside Courtney.

  
Peter turned to Livvy and put his arm around her shoulders. ‘Livvy, this
is your mother.’

  
Gina held out her arms and Livvy melted into them, crying along with
her. ‘You have no idea how many times I’ve
imagined this moment,’ Gina whispered. ‘I can’t believe this is really
happening.’

  
‘Nor me.’ Livvy smiled through her tears. She beckoned Courtney
forwards. ‘Mom, this is my youngest daughter. Say hello to your grandma,
Courtney.’
 

  
Gina enveloped Courtney in a bear hug. ‘You’re so like your mother,’ she
said. ‘Where’s your other daughter, Marie, err, Livvy?’

  
‘She’s at home. You’ll get to meet her later today. As Dad’s told you,
she’s not too well at the moment, but I’ll explain everything when we get to
the hotel and you’ve had a chance to rest. You must be exhausted.’

  
‘A little,’ Gina admitted. ‘But then, I’ve been too excited to sleep
properly for days.’

  
‘Come on then.’ Daniel took charge. ‘Let’s go and get you settled in.’

***

Livvy smiled as Peter gazed around
the spacious suite, his mouth open.
 

  
‘Hen, this is pure luxury. Are you sure you can afford it?’

  
‘Dad, I intend to spoil the pair of you something rotten from now on,’
she said.
    

  
‘Well, this is a wonderful start.’ Gina ran her hand over the blue satin
drapes that hung from the mahogany four-poster. ‘I’ve never seen such opulence
in my life. And look, Peter, we’ve even got our own bathroom.’

  
‘It’s actually the honeymoon suite,’ Livvy said. ‘I hope you don’t mind.
I want your time here to be really special. The bath’s a Jacuzzi and there’s
champagne chilling over there.’

  
Peter grinned as Gina blushed prettily. ‘You little romantic,’ he said
to Livvy. He caught Gina around the waist and pulled her close. ‘I’m sure Gina
won’t mind sharing a room with me, unless of course you prefer to sleep alone?’
He raised an enquiring eyebrow.

  
‘Peter, I’ve spent too many nights sleeping alone. We’ve got thirty-odd
years to make up. Now go and run me a bath and I’ll have a glass of champagne while
I’m soaking in the bubbles.’

  
‘Yes, Madam, whatever you say. Still as bossy as ever,’ he called over
his shoulder as he went into the bathroom.

  
‘Start as you mean to go on eh, Mom?’ Livvy said, grinning.
    

  
Gina smiled and tweaked a curl behind Livvy’s ear. ‘You’re so beautiful,
but then I always knew you would be. I feel very proud that you’re my daughter.
When I saw you in concert at Maple Leaf
Gardens I never once considered
that you were my flesh and blood, and yet we look so alike. I can’t get used to
thinking of you as Livvy. To me, you’ve always been my little Marie. You’ll
have to forgive me if I get muddled on occasion.’

  
‘Oh, Mom, don’t worry. Call me whatever you feel comfortable with,’
Livvy said as Gina took her hand.

  
‘You and Danny have problems, don’t you? I sensed it right away. Do you
want to talk about it, honey?’

  
‘Later, Mom. I’m going to leave you and Dad to get reacquainted. We’ll
talk some more tonight. We’re taking Courtney shopping for her school uniform.
Then I’ll collect Harley and bring her back here for afternoon tea. We’ll meet
up at four in the lounge,’ she said as Peter announced the bath was ready.
‘Have a lovely time. You deserve it.’
    

  
‘I can never thank you enough for all this,’ Peter said, hugging Livvy
close. ‘I don’t just mean this fabulous room, I mean you finding us after all
this time. I feel like I’m dreaming some days. I’ll never be able to pay you
back.’

  
‘Dad, you will, just by supporting me over the next few months. I’ll
need you both during Harley’s treatment time and beyond.’
  

  
‘We’ll be there.’ Gina joined in the hug. ‘See you later, sweetie, and
thank you from the bottom of my heart.’

***

Livvy wiped away tears as she went
to her own room. If only she and Roy could be like her parents, getting back
together, forever. Still, she could dream and who knew what the future
held?
  

  
‘Mom, Roy called you,’
Courtney announced, tearing her eyes away from the TV. ‘He said to call him
back when you’re free.’

  
‘Thanks, honey. Where’s your dad?’

  
‘Gone to explore Manchester.
He’ll see you back here for dinner.’

  
‘
Will
he?’ Livvy tutted. ‘He
might at least have waited until I finished settling my parents in. We were
supposed to be shopping together.’ She went into Courtney’s room and closed the
door.

  
Sammy answered her call and in a clipped tone asked if her parents had
arrived safely then went to get Roy.
‘Hi, Roy,’ Livvy began. ‘How’s
Harley?’ She listened as he told her that Harley wasn’t too good. She’d had a
heavy nose bleed and complained of chest pains. She wasn’t up to being brought
into Manchester to meet her
grandparents.

  
‘
You could bring them to the house
tomorrow afternoon
,’ he suggested. ‘
Maybe
you
and Courtney could pop in for
half an hour later
.’ He was quiet for a moment. ‘
I don’t suppose you’ve given any thought to the egg donation?’
  

  
‘Erm, yes,’ she replied and took a deep breath. ‘I’m still thinking. I
need to know what’s involved. Could Sammy get some information and then we can
discuss the matter when my parents go to Glasgow
and Danny goes home.’ She heard him sigh and he put his hand over the receiver
for a minute, presumably while he spoke to Sammy, who, she was certain, would
be giving him no peace over the idea.

  
‘
Fair enough, Liv,
’ he said. ‘
We’ll see you later.’

***

‘Maybe you should let me talk to
her,’ Sammy said, as Roy replaced
the receiver. ‘I mean, it’s not something she should even have to think about.
It’s her daughter’s life she could be saving.’

  
‘Sammy, give it a rest, love, please. The more you push, the less likely
she is to say yes. And she’s quite right. You need to find out exactly what’s
involved, and that means, for you as well.’

***

Roy and Sammy said a tearful
goodbye to Harley on Monday morning. As their daughter lay on her hospital bed,
her face as white as the pillows, Roy
took her hand.

  
‘You’ll be fine, Princess. Be brave and it will soon be over. We’ll come
and collect you tomorrow morning and take you home for a few days.’

  
‘Now, you’ve got your book to read and all your toiletries for later,’
Sammy said, smoothing Harley’s hair off her face. ‘We’ll be in tonight to see
you, even if they only allow us five minutes.’

  
Harley nodded. ‘I just want to get on with it now then I can have my
life back. Where are you going when you leave me?’
 

  
‘Uncle Ed’s for coffee and then home,’ Roy
said. ‘I’ll call Livvy later, to let her know how you’ve gone on. She’ll come
and visit you tomorrow night when you’re at home.’

  
Harley smiled. ‘Ask her to bring my grandparents, too. They’ll be going
to Glasgow on Wednesday, so I won’t
see them for a while. I really like them; they’re so romantic with one another.
It’s such a shame they missed out on all those years and bringing Livvy up
together.’

  
Roy felt Sammy flinch beside
him and took her hand.

  
‘Mum, I’m sorry,’ Harley said. ‘I didn’t mean anything by that. I wasn’t
implying that Dad and Livvy should have been together to bring me up. You’ve
been the best parents in the world and I love you both so much.’

  
‘It’s okay, love. We love you too,’ Sammy said, her eyes filling with
tears. ‘We must go now before they throw us out.’ Sammy bent to kiss her and
backed out of the room, leaving Roy and Harley alone.

  
‘Don’t cry, Dad, please, you’ll have me at it in a minute. I’m trying to
be brave for us all.’ Harley looked up as a big tear slid down Roy’s
face and landed on her hand.

  
He wiped his eyes with the tissue she passed him and stroked her cheek.
‘I’ll do whatever it takes to get you well, Princess, no matter what. I’ll do
everything possible. You know that, don’t you?’

  
Harley nodded. ‘Give my love to Jack when he calls you later. He’s as
bad as you are. I had to dry
his
tears
last night.’
  

  
‘Well we men are not quite as tough as we think we are. But we do our best.’

  
‘I know you do, Dad. Now go, let me rest. I’ll see you later.’

  
Roy bent to kiss her and
left the room. Sammy was waiting in the corridor and took his arm.

  
‘She’s a fighter, Roy. She’ll get through it.’

  
‘I hope so, Sam. She means the world to me. I never thought I could love
a kid as much as I love her.’

  
Sammy’s face clouded and she pulled away from him.

  
‘Oh, Sam, I don’t mean that I love her more than Nick and Jason, of
course I don’t. It’s just that, well – considering I ordered Livvy to get rid
of her, which I’ve never stopped feeling guilty about, the love I feel for her
is incredibly protective. Maybe it’s because she’s a girl and more vulnerable.’

  
‘Or maybe it’s because Livvy is her mother and I’m not.’

  
‘Sammy, don’t start, please. Not today. I couldn’t handle it right now.’

  
‘Sorry, Roy.’ Sammy put her
arms around him. ‘I feel very insecure at the moment. And it doesn’t help now
that Livvy’s going to be a stone’s throw away and you’ll be taking Harley to
her house on a regular basis. And don’t you dare insult me by denying you still
have feelings for one another. It was written all over your faces the other day
when I walked in on you in the kitchen. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you
were lovers again.’