The Rock'n'Roll Romance Box Set (Pam Howes Rock'n'Roll Romance Series) (141 page)

  
‘It hasn’t. But things are
taking a turn for the better at last.’

  
‘Good.’ He kissed her. ‘I love
you, Mrs Green.’

  
‘Who?’ Sammy looked over her
shoulder with a mock puzzled expression.
 
‘Oh - you mean me!’ she teased. ‘I keep forgetting I’m Mrs Green now.’

  
Stuart laughed and raised his
eyebrows. ‘Do you indeed? Then maybe I can think of a way of reminding you!’

***

Livvy flapped her hands in the air to dry her nails. She wished she’d
opted for something simpler, but the nail artist had suggested decorative
diamond chips and the glue was taking a while to set. She wondered how Jess was
getting along, looking after Daniel. She was sure he’d be fine, but her arms
ached for her baby boy. It was hard to believe now that she’d rejected him. She
loved him so much. Jess had insisted she take him for the day and keep him
until tomorrow so that Livvy and Roy could have an undisturbed first night of
marriage.

  
Roy
had booked the
honeymoon suite of a hotel in the
Cheshire
countryside
and Jane had told her that she and Eddie spent their honeymoon in the same
place thirty-eight years ago. Well those two had been blissfully happy all
their married life, so Livvy was hoping it was a good omen. They’d hardly spent
a night together since moving into the new place. Daniel was a light sleeper
and
Roy
woke him constantly,
coming to bed late, banging around and snoring. She planned on putting Daniel
in his own room soon; otherwise,
Roy
was going to
be getting fed up of being packed off to the spare room. She couldn’t believe
that she was about to become Mrs Cantello, that she’d got him at last. It was a
dream she’d carried since she’d first met
Roy
in 1984.
    

  
Her sister Leanne popped her
head around the door, a big grin splitting her face. She was followed by
Sheena, also grinning. Both bridesmaids were dressed in full length, jade-green
silk, hair and makeup immaculate

  
‘Wow, you two look fabulous!’
Livvy exclaimed.

  
‘We’ve come to help you get
dressed,’ Sheena announced. ‘Harley and Courtney are ready. Your Mum’s all
sorted and the men are ponced up in their suits, except for
Roy
. Bit of a
nightmare, reminding them who’s supposed to be where and who’s doing what, but
I think they’ve got the gist.’

  
‘Is
Roy
okay?’ Livvy
asked, wondering why he hadn’t got his suit on.
   

  
‘Haven’t seen him for a while,’
Sheena replied. ‘Think he’s gone down the garden to his music room. Thought
we’d leave him in peace. He looked like he could use a wee bit of space.’
    

  
Livvy frowned. ‘Why?’

  
Sheena shrugged. ‘Don’t know. He
was talking on the phone for ages then he called for Harley and disappeared.’

  
Livvy felt a shiver run down her
spine. ‘Was he speaking to Sammy?’

  
‘Not sure. I didn’t stay in the
room with him.’
 

  
Livvy told herself not to be
stupid. What did it matter if he
had
spoken to Sammy? He was hers now, well almost, and Sammy was no threat, married
to Stuart, and far away in
Portugal
. She went back
to talking wedding plans. ‘Yeah,
Roy
’s got to
escort Harley first, then take his place as a bridegroom and then Dad’s
escorting me and taking
his
place as
bridegroom. It’s simple enough for Jack, he’ll already be there and waiting.
The rehearsal went okay the other night, so fingers crossed. The one thing I’m
sad about is that I can’t watch Harley walk down the aisle on
Roy
’s arm, because
I’m next with Dad, and
Roy
can’t see
me
until then. Ah well, I’ll have to
watch the recordings.’

  
‘Who’s first for the ceremony?’
Sheena asked as she lifted Livvy’s ivory silk dress from the hanger.

  
‘Jack and Harley, then Mum and
Dad and Roy and me are last.’ Livvy took off her bathrobe and Sheena and Leanne
slipped the dress over her head. They fastened the row of tiny covered buttons
down the back and stepped away to look. The full-length gown had a sleeveless,
tight fitting, boned bodice, a straight skirt at the front and a fish-tail
train at the back. ‘Oh my God, you look fantastic,’ Sheena said.
 

  
Livvy looked in the mirror and
put her hands over her mouth. ‘I look like a princess,’ she whispered, close to
tears. ‘Oh, don’t let me cry. I’ll ruin my makeup. Tell me something funny.
Make me laugh.’

  
But Sheena and Leanne were lost
for words and just stood there smiling.

  
‘Why aren’t you and Roy getting
married before your Mum and Dad,’ Leanne broke the silence, smoothing out the
fish-tail train. ‘Like - youngest first, oldest last.’

  
‘Because Hello wants us to be
last,’ Livvy replied. ‘And actually,
Roy
is
the oldest. Right, that’s me ready.
Just need a few minutes to myself, if you don’t mind.’

  
‘Not at all,’ Sheena smiled.
‘We’ll go and get Jason to organise his dad. He’s just arrived with Jules and
Daisy. Have you got your something borrowed, something blue, etcetera?’

  
Livvy nodded. ‘Yep. See you
soon. Shout me when the cars arrive.’

  
As Sheena and Leanne left the
room Livvy hurried into the en-suite. She glanced in the mirror and fluffed out
a couple of soft curly tendrils around her face. She reached on the windowsill
for a white plastic stick, lifted her skirt, and slipped the stick down the
side of her blue garter.
Roy
would have
such a surprise when he found it later. Her little bit of something blue. Not
only would they be celebrating their first night together as Mr and Mrs
Cantello and the knowledge that their daughter was in remission, but also the
fact that Roy Jnr was on his way.
  

***

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Roy
rolled a fat
joint and sat with his feet up on the mixing desk, his favourite position for
thinking. He shouldn’t be doing this. He was supposed to be getting dressed up,
but stuff it. He took a long toke and closed his eyes, waiting for the hit.
Speaking to Sammy earlier had left him feeling very unsettled. Perhaps as well
she’d refused her invitation to Harley’s wedding. Seeing her again, and on
Stuart’s arm, would have been too much to cope with. He’d got enough on his
plate. Strange that,
his
wedding day
too, but the only invite to go out to Sammy and Stu was from Harley and Jack.
Livvy refused to add them to their list of friends.

  
His mind went over the few weeks
since they’d moved into Ashlea Grange. The girls had settled well, loving the
freedom of having their own sitting room. Arrangements for the triple wedding
had taken precedence over everything. Livvy had turned into wedding-planner
obsessive, constantly on the phone to dressmakers, caterers
and
her mother. And if it wasn’t the
wedding plans it was seeing to Daniel.
 

  
He was feeling a bit neglected
and surplus to requirements. Whenever he’d made a suggestion she’d smiled
sweetly and told him it was all in hand. He’d been sent to the spare room a lot
lately. Livvy had told him that his snoring kept her awake and disturbed
Daniel. He’d suggested Daniel be put in his own room with a monitor, but Livvy
said he was too young.
Roy
couldn’t ever
recall Nick and Jason in the same room as he and Sammy. But he’d been on the
road a lot when they were babies, and maybe Sam had shipped them out to their
own rooms on the rare nights he was home. Sammy had never complained that he
snored, or made him sleep alone, except at the start of his affair, years ago.
He could picture her now, all excited, getting ready to have Harley and Jack to
stay. She should be here. She had as much right as Livvy to be here. All
daughters’ needed their mum’s on their wedding day.

  
He rooted in his desk drawer and
took out a framed photo of him and Sammy as teenagers, dressed in jeans and
matching leather coats, taken after a local gig. He refused to part with it,
but kept it out of Livvy’s sight. Sammy, her waist length hair hanging down her
back, was looking lovingly into his eyes, and he had his arms around her. He
took another lengthy drag and smiled. Sweet bliss. First dope he’d had since
moving in with Livvy, and boy, did he need it. He’d spent a lot of time lately
with Ed and the lads, and plans for the final tour were complete. The first
gig, at Manchester Arena, was the charity gig to raise funds for leukaemia
research. He couldn’t wait to get back on the road, and wished now that it
wasn’t for the last time.
     

  
He’d been dying for a good
reason to call Sammy this week, just needed to hear her voice. This morning’s
news about Harley had been the perfect excuse. When she didn’t pick up his call
he’d wondered if she was ignoring him on purpose. She’d almost ignored him at
Daisy’s christening and that had hurt. But then she’d called him back and it
had taken him by surprise. He’d felt a bit strange talking to her at first.
Weird that, how he could feel awkward, talking to a woman whose every inch he’d
kissed, explored and loved for over forty years.

  
He sometimes felt like he wanted
to run screaming into her arms, just to get away from all this responsibility.
It was too much at his age. Not that he didn’t love Livvy and the kids; they
were very important to him and he was pretty sure Livvy was pregnant again.
He’d heard her throwing up a couple of times and she had that certain look
about her. Although she hadn’t said anything to him yet, all being well,
Harley’s match was on the way. He’d fulfilled his responsibility on that score,
at least.
   

  
Probably wouldn’t matter a jot
to Livvy now if he slept in the spare room for the rest of his life. She’d got
what she came for. Sammy had been right in her assumptions, even though Daniel
had arrived instead of Roy Jnr. There’d been a bit of a change in his and Liv’s
relationship when he’d asked her for the truth a few weeks ago. He felt
betrayed in a stupid sort of way and had sulked for a while and started smoking
again, although he’d forgiven her eventually, because he couldn’t stand
atmospheres.
  

  
As the cannabis worked its magic
he picked up an old acoustic and began to strum. His eyes filled with sudden
tears as he realised he was playing the opening chords to
My Special Girl.
His phone rang out and he glanced at the screen
and saw Ed’s name.

  
‘Hi, mate,’ he said, picking up.

  
‘You okay, Roy? You sound a bit choked. I called the house and Livvy’s
dad told me you’re in hiding. Poor guy sounds like he needs some space
too.’
                   

  
‘I’d ask him down here,’
Roy
said. ‘But I’m
chilling with a joint and I don’t think he’d approve.’

  
‘I’d come and join you, but we need to be making for the church
shortly. Jane’s just upstairs talking to Sammy on the house phone.’

  
‘
I
spoke to Sammy this morning,’
Roy
said, a
strange feeling creeping down his spine. ‘I miss her like crazy, Ed. I can’t
tell anyone else that.’

  
Eddie was quiet for a moment, as
though considering his reply. ‘
I’m sure
you do. But she’s fine and seems happy enough with Stu. And you’re gonna have a
stunning new wife in less than a couple of hours. So cheer up, mate and stub
that joint out. It’s making you maudlin. You don’t wanna be stoned, walking
your daughter up the aisle. Go back to the house and wait for the cars. I’ll
see you at the church and before you ask, yes, the rings are in my pocket.
 
Strange really, I never thought I’d be best
man to you again.’

  
‘No, quite,’
Roy
said softly.
He said goodbye, feeling even more despondent as he thought back to his and
Sammy’s wedding day, all those years ago.
The
Raiders
had just finished their first European tour and Sammy had been
pregnant with Nick. They’d been totally in love with so much to look forward
to. Now he was due to marry Livvy in the very same church where he’d married
Sammy, and then buried Nick, eighteen years later. He’d also re-taken his
marriage vows there that same year.
   

  
Why on earth had he allowed
Livvy to book the same church? Had she done it on purpose? Mind you, there
wasn’t another church for miles, so maybe not. But it was a bit insensitive if
she had. He should have put his foot down and insisted that he got more
involved with the plans. Too bloody late now. He took another couple of lengthy
tokes and stubbed the end out in the ashtray. He shoved it on a high shelf out
of reach. Hide the evidence from Livvy, or she’d be giving him earache,
something Sammy never did. He’d better stop this comparing or he’d drive
himself nuts. His shoulders shook and tears ran down his cheeks. Everything was
his fault and it was impossible now to put it all right.
 

  
There was a gentle tap at the
door and Jason popped his head around.

  
‘Dad, what’s wrong?’ Jason moved
to his side and put an arm around his shoulders.
        

‘Are you feeling okay? You look really pale.’

  
Roy
looked up
through his tears. ‘I don’t know that I can do this, son. I need your mum.’

  
Jason shook his head and wafted
his hands in the air to dispel the smoke. ‘Oh, Dad, come on, pull yourself
together. You shouldn’t have had a spliff. It won’t help your state of mind.
Mum’s married to Stu now. You’ve got to let go. She’s moved on. It’s time
you
did too. Livvy loves you and
Harley’s waiting for you to escort her to church. Wait until you see her, Dad,
she looks amazing. You’ll be so proud of your little girl. ’

  
At Jason’s words
Roy
sat with his
head in his hands, his body convulsed with sobs.
  

  
Jason continued. ‘Come on, Dad,
please. You can’t let them down. Come indoors and put your suit on.’
   

  
Roy
got unsteadily
to his feet and allowed Jason to lead him inside the house by the side door.
Jason took him upstairs and pushed him into the spare room where his
morning-suit was hanging.

  
‘I’m going to go and find Jules
and Daisy now,’ Jason announced. ‘You get ready and I’ll come back in ten minutes.
Wash your face first; you’re all red and blotchy.’ His phone began to ring. He
dug it out of his jacket pocket and glanced at the screen. ‘Mum,’ he said,
rejecting the call. ‘I’ll call her back downstairs.’

  
‘Let me speak to her,’
Roy
said.

  
‘No, Dad, not a good idea. Now
get dressed. The cars will be here at one, you’ve got fifteen minutes.’

  
As Jason left the room,
Roy
flopped down
heavily on the bed. There was a bottle of single malt hidden away in the
bedside cupboard and he grabbed it and took a long swig. He wiped his mouth
with the back of his hand and sighed. Must be suffering those wedding-day
nerves they talk about. He couldn’t cope completely sober. A bit pissed and
slightly stoned, that was the way to do it. Minty mouthwash and plenty of
aftershave and no one would be any the wiser. He stared at his suit, hanging on
the front of the wardrobe. He’d look ridiculous in it, like a fucking penguin.
He didn’t do formal, never had. Why couldn’t he have just got married in linen
or leather, like he’d done before? Well, there was no way he was wearing that
bloody top-hat. He threw it on the floor and stamped on it.
     

***

Jason went back outside and called his mother. ‘Hi, Mum. Yeah,
everything’s fine. Harley looks just amazing. I haven’t seen anyone else yet
except for Livvy’s friend Sheena who let us in. – Well yeah, I’ve spoken to
Dad. He’s busy getting ready. – No, he’s fine. Coping well. You know Dad,
take’s it all in his stride. I’ll call you tomorrow; tell you how it went. I’d
better go now and see to Daisy. Love you, Mum.’
    

  
Jason ended the call and went
back indoors. He had this strange feeling, deep-down, that he should have told
her Dad wasn’t coping at all. But what was the point in upsetting her? Jason
knew that Mum wasn’t as happy as she should be. He really wished she’d not
rushed into marrying Stuart. What on earth had she been thinking?

  
Stu was a lovely guy, but not
the right one for Mum to spend the rest of her life with. It was almost as
though she’d wanted to prove to Dad that she could get along without him and
that Livvy was welcome to him. If it hadn’t been for the baby, Mum probably
wouldn’t have started divorce proceedings in the first place. She’d have
forgiven Dad for cheating on her eventually and blamed everything on Livvy. And
to cap it all, the bloody baby, when it arrived, hadn’t even been Dad’s, yet he
still acted as though he was responsible. Ah well, Dad was old enough and daft
enough to sort himself out.
 

  
‘You okay, Jason?’ Jules
interrupted his thoughts.

  
Jason nodded. Jules was holding
Daisy, who looked a picture in her tiny, blue silk bridesmaid’s dress and
matching headband. Courtney was going to carry the youngest bridesmaid down the
aisle, following Harley. Daisy gave Jason a wide gummy grin and held her arms
out. He took hold of her and said a silent prayer of thanks, that although
unconventional, he, Jules and Daisy were the happiest little family he
knew.
       

***

Sammy put down the phone and
poured another glass of Cliff Richard’s wine. The bottle was almost empty now
and she felt quite pissed. Why didn’t she believe Jason’s insistence that Roy
was okay? She had a gut feeling that he was far from right. Stuart had gone off
to play a round of golf with John and Margaret Grey and wouldn’t be back for
hours. As soon as Sammy was alone she’d called Jane who told her that Roy
had been a bit odd lately. Nothing she could put her finger on, Jane said, but
he wasn’t quite himself. That was why Sammy had called Jason, guessing he and
Jules would now be at Roy’s
place.
 

  
She couldn’t settle to doing anything and got out her laptop. A quick
check showed that there was a flight from Faro to Manchester
in two hours. She could be in Manchester
for
six pm
. She booked a return
journey. Whether she’d use it or not was anyone’s guess, but she dug her
passport out of the kitchen drawer, scribbled a note for Stuart, saying she was
going home for a couple of days, and hurried to the bedroom to pack an
overnight bag. She called for a taxi then sent a text to Jane.

***

Roy
heard Sheena calling, ‘The cars are here.’ Then, ‘Right Harley, you go out on
the landing and your dad will be at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for you.’