The Rock'n'Roll Romance Box Set (Pam Howes Rock'n'Roll Romance Series) (22 page)

‘No, you’re not,’ Sammy said.
‘You’ve taken on a hell of a responsibility for your age. Everyone thinks
you’re wonderful for doing that. Especially after the way Eddie two-timed you
with Angie in the first place.
I
certainly couldn’t have done it.’

‘He’s more than made up for that,
Sammy,’ Pat reminded her.

‘Yes, I know he has. But while
he’s
out achieving his dreams, Jane’s the one tied to the flat and left holding the
baby, so to speak, and he isn’t even hers.’

Jane looked at them both and
muttered quietly, ‘Babies, Sammy! I’ll be left holding the babies.’

‘What babies?’

‘Our baby - mine and Ed’s. I
think I’m pregnant. That’s why I feel so sick and grotty all the time.’

‘Wow, that’s fantastic,’ Pat
said, giving her a hug. ‘A honeymoon baby!’

‘Christ,
you
don’t waste time,’ Sammy said, joining the hug. ‘Does Ed know?’

‘No, and it’s not a honeymoon
baby. I’ve been so busy lately that I didn’t realise I haven’t had a period
since the second week of September. I thought I must be due soon and that’s why
I feel off colour. Checked my diary earlier and it’s there in black and white.
I can’t believe it. Must have happened the night we decided to get married,
when we slept in Roy’s room. It’s
one of the only nights of peace we had before the wedding, and since for that
matter.’

‘I remember you feeling faint on
your wedding day,’ Sammy said. ‘No wonder, you must have been a couple of
months gone by then.’

‘I know,’ Jane nodded. ‘I felt a
bit grim at times while we were on honeymoon,
but I put that down to too much champagne.’

‘So why haven’t you said anything
to Ed?’ Sammy asked.

‘I’ll wait until I’ve seen the
doctor. When I know for sure, I’ll tell him. I don’t want to ruin his chance of
fame. He might not want to go on the tour if he knows. I want him to get the
contract signed and then he can’t back out. I know in the long run he’d find it
hard to forgive me if he missed out, and I won’t be responsible for that. He
never forgave Angie for his lost dreams.

‘It’s not that I don’t want
kids,’ she continued, ‘I do, and Ed definitely wants
more. But I wasn’t planning on getting pregnant so soon. I wanted
to wait until Jonny started school. It’s bad timing all round.’

‘Pat and I will help you all we
can,’ Sammy said. ‘I told you I’d stay when the lads are away, and if you
are
pregnant, then Roy and Tim should
move out when the baby’s born. The kids can have their room and you and Ed can
have some privacy.’

Jane smiled, feeling much more
cheerful for sharing her worries. ‘We’ll end up with a football team at this
rate. One good thing about sharing a room with Jonny, he’s an effective
contraceptive!’

Sammy laughed as she uncorked the
bottle of wine and poured them a glass each.

‘That’s one way of looking at
it.’

Jane took a sip and told them of
Cathy’s earlier visit and how she’d suddenly dashed away.

‘She’s always been strange,’
Sammy said.

‘She told Ed she’s thinking of
going to London,’ Jane continued.

‘Good luck to her,’ Pat said. ‘It’ll
do her good to get away and start a new life. She was always in Angie’s
shadow.’

The boys arrived home later that
night, a little the worse for drink.

‘Be quiet, you lot,’ Pat chided
as they rolled in singing. ‘Wake Jonny and Jane will have your guts for
garters.’

‘We’re really going to do it,’ Roy
slurred, bending to plant a beery kiss on Sammy’s lips. ‘We’re going straight
to the top!’

‘I’ll tell John tomorrow that I’m
leaving my job,’ Eddie said to Jane. ‘We’ll manage on the money I get from the
tour. There’ll be others, this is just the beginning.
You’re
working, Jane. We’ll be okay for money for the time being.’

Jane tried her best to look
pleased.

***

Eddie lay on his side gently
stroking Jane’s face. ‘You’re okay about me going away, aren’t you? Only I
thought you were a bit quiet earlier. You would tell me if something were
wrong?’

‘I’m just tired, that’s all.’
Jane smiled reassuringly. ‘Of course I want you to go. It’s the chance of a
lifetime. Go to sleep, Ed. We’ve got to get up early for work.’ She kissed him
goodnight and turned on to her side. He put his arms around her and snuggled in
behind.

Eddie fell asleep, snoring softly
while Jane lay awake all night, her mind working overtime. The following
morning he brought her a cup of tea, took one look and said, ‘Stay in bed, you
look awful. I’ll see to Jonny. Can you do his nappy for me though?’

Jonny ran into the bedroom and
leapt up beside her. She stripped off his pyjamas and wet nappy. ‘Carry him
into the bathroom and I’ll give him a wash,’ she said, climbing out of bed.
‘Get him some clean clothes and pass me a nappy.’

Jonny squirmed away from the wet
flannel as Jane tried to wash him. ‘Stand still,’ she ordered and he burst into
tears.

‘Why are you shouting at him,’
Eddie asked as he came back, his hands full. ‘Come here, son.’
 
He scooped Jonny up and frowned at Jane.

‘I wasn’t,’ she said, sitting
down on the side of the bath. ‘I feel faint. You’re going to have to do it
yourself.’

‘Just do the nappy then, please.
Come on, Jane. I’ve got to drop him off and I’m gonna be late for work. I need
to finish dressing.’ He put Jonny down and dashed out of the bathroom.

‘Lie down, Jonny,’ Jane said. He
wriggled as she fastened the right side pin and she stuck it in her finger.
‘Ouch! Now keep still while I do the other or…’ Too late, the pin jagged him
and he screamed.

‘For fuck’s sake! What the hell
have you done?’ Eddie yelled, running into the bathroom. Jane leapt up, pushed
past him, flew into the bedroom and slammed the door. She could hear him comforting
Jonny and then they appeared in the doorway, Jonny still sobbing.

‘What’s wrong, Jane?’ Eddie
demanded as he sat down on the bed and pulled Jonny’s sweater over his head.

She burst into tears. ‘Nothing,’
she said, turning her head into the pillow. ‘I feel lousy. Maybe I’ve got the
flu.’

‘That’s no reason to cry. I’m
sorry for shouting, but he was screaming as though he was being murdered.’ He
finished dressing Jonny then turned to look at her. ‘Will you be okay if I go
now? Call the shop if you need me. I’ll pop up at lunchtime and make you a
sandwich. Sorry I’ve got to dash. Bye, love.’ He bent to kiss her and left.

She sat up and sipped her tea,
wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Their first argument and it could
have been avoided if she’d shared her problem. But no - it would have to wait.

***

A visit to the doctor on Tuesday
confirmed Jane’s suspicions. The baby was due on Eddie’s twenty-second birthday
in June. Jane walked back to work, a half-smile playing on her lips, her mind
in a whirl. She tried to picture the look on his face when she told him the
news. She hoped he’d be pleased, remembering his horrified expression the last
time he’d been informed of impending fatherhood. Back at the shop she sent Sean
to make coffee while she called Sammy at work.

‘Well, are you?’ Sammy asked.

‘Yes, and it’s due on Ed’s
birthday,’ Jane said, grinning into the receiver.

‘Congratulations! I’ll come into
Pickford at lunchtime and we can go out for a sandwich to celebrate.’

‘Don’t tell a soul, unless Pat
phones you. I need to tell Ed first, but not until the contracts are safely
signed. I don’t mind you two knowing of course.’

‘Discretion’s my middle name. See
you in an hour.’

‘How do you feel about it now?’
Sammy asked later, over coffee and sandwiches in Redman’s.

‘Excited, nervous. I’m dying to
tell Ed. I hope he won’t go mad because of the timing with the tour.

‘He won’t, believe me,’ Sammy
assured her. ‘He’ll be thrilled to bits.’

***

The following week,
The
Raiders
signed their contract. On the Saturday night Eddie took Jane to a
restaurant in Westlow. It was the last full weekend they would spend together
before Christmas and Jonny was staying with Eddie’s parents for the night. The
tour was due to start the following week, and Eddie was currently working his
last days in the shop. John Grey had told him that he was welcome to work for
them in-between tours if he wanted to.

Jane was secretly relieved; she
was constantly worrying about them not having enough money to live on, while
Eddie kept re-assuring her they would. She’d have to give up working in March
next year, but of course he didn’t know that yet. They enjoyed their meal,
relaxing in one another’s company and halfway through the evening Eddie asked
the waiter to bring them a bottle of champagne.

‘What’s that for, and can we
afford it?’ Jane frowned.

‘To celebrate, of course, and
yes, we can,’ he said as the waiter opened the bottle with a loud bang.

‘Celebrate? Oh, the tour, you
mean?’ She took a sip and grinned as the bubbles fizzed up her nose.

‘Yes and our one-month
anniversary.’ He held his glass up to hers. ‘Here’s to us, Jane, and the
success of
The Raiders
.’

Jane drew a deep breath; it was
an ideal moment. ‘There’s something else to celebrate, too. It’s to do with
your birthday.’

‘Well that’s not ’til next June.
I think we can probably run to another bottle of champagne then, don’t you?
What is it? You look all secretive. Are you planning something special for my
birthday? A trip to Hawaii or
somewhere equally exotic?’

‘Well if I am,’ she said, ‘you’ll
be going on your own. ’Cos I’ll be too busy giving birth to our new son, or
maybe even our first daughter.’

She watched as his mouth fell
open. He put down his glass and took her hand.

‘You’re pregnant? Honestly? Oh,
Jane, that’s fantastic.’

‘You’re not upset or anything? I
thought you’d go mad, what with everything that’s happening at the moment.’

‘Why on earth would I go mad? I’m
over the moon. If I’m honest, I had a feeling you would be after the honeymoon.
It
was
pretty wild, wasn’t it?’ He
re-filled their glasses, grinning broadly.

‘It’s not a honeymoon baby,’ she
whispered, conscious of the stares they were getting from the middle-aged
couple at the next table. ‘Work it out, your birthday’s in June. I’m three
months gone.’

‘Ah, I see.’ He smiled as the
penny dropped. ‘Well it doesn’t matter, does it? We’re married now anyway. At
least I don’t have to go cap in hand and tell your parents that I’ve got you
into trouble, like I had to with Angie’s.’

Choking sounds came from the next
table.

‘Let’s go,’ Jane said, feeling
suddenly on top of the world. What did it matter what anyone else thought? They
were in love; they were happy and were expecting their first baby.

They bought bottles of cider on
the way home and let themselves into the flat. Their friends were sitting in
the lounge watching a film on TV. Eddie marched over to the set and turned it
off.

‘Get the glasses out, we’ve
something to celebrate,’ he announced as Sammy winked at Jane.

‘Oi! We were watching that,’ Tim
said.

‘I’ve an announcement to make.’
Eddie pulled Jane to his side. ‘We’re pregnant, well at least Jane is. But
without my small contribution it wouldn’t have been possible.’ He patted her
still flat tummy proudly.

Cheers rang out and they were
smothered in hugs and kisses.

‘When’s the happy event?’ Roy
asked.

‘My next birthday,’ Eddie said.

‘Oh boy, what a wonderful
present!’ Tim exclaimed.

Roy
looked thoughtful. ‘So, it’s not a…’

‘Honeymoon baby?’ Jane and Eddie
chorused helpfully.

‘No,’ Jane laughed, ‘it’s
pre
-honeymoon!’

‘You’ve done it again, Mellor,’ Roy
teased. ‘But at least this time you won’t deny it’s yours
and
she’s got
a ring on her finger.’

‘I wish you’d told me before I
signed up for this tour, Jane,’ Eddie said, on a more serious note. ‘I don’t
like the thought of leaving you on your own now. Will you be okay?’

‘Eddie, she’ll be fine. We’ll be
here for her, and we’ll look after Jonny too, don’t worry. Just as long as you
phone everyday and we know where to get in touch if we need you,’ Sammy
re-assured him.

‘You lot are the best friends
anyone could ever have. What on earth Jane and I would have done over the last
few years without your loyalty and support, I just can’t imagine,’ Eddie said,
smiling round at them all.

***

CHAPTER
TWENTY

DECEMBER 1964

Mark dumped the large pine tree
in the middle of the lounge floor. Tony followed him in, arms laden with boughs
of holly.

‘Know something, Tony – this is
going to be the best Christmas ever. No Maude getting in the way, barking
orders and hauling us off to fucking church.’

‘Too right,’ Tony said, ‘and I’ve
got tickets for The Roulette Club’s Christmas Eve bash.’ He dropped the holly
onto the rug in front of the fire and retrieved a sprig of mistletoe from his
jacket. ‘My mum wants you at our place for Christmas dinner. Sarah and Vicky
are having dinner with their families and they’ll join us here later.’

‘Are
The Raiders
playing on Christmas Eve?’ Mark asked,
taking the mistletoe from Tony and fixing it up on the door frame.

‘No. Rosa
said Stuart Green’s doing his DJ bit and Mario’s laying on a buffet, so it
should be a good night
.
Anyway,
The
Raiders
won’t be playing local
clubs anymore now they’ve hit the big time. It was in the Advertiser a couple
of weeks ago that they’re on a winter tour with Chris Montez and
The Hollies
.’

‘Fucking Hell! So Mellor’s gonna
be lording it that he’s a star. I bet Jane’s been put on a back burner now that
he’ll have his pick of women. No doubt he’ll be dumping her soon.’

He gave Tony a cigarette, lit one
for himself and flopped down on the sofa. He stared into the flames,
smiling. This was good news. With Mellor preoccupied, Jane would be alone for
Christmas. ‘So, is the group away at the moment?’ he asked, flicking ash into
the fire.

‘I don’t know,’ Tony said. ‘They
were, but they’ll probably have Christmas off.’

Mark nodded. ‘Do you happen to
know the current score between Mellor and Jane?’

‘Err, I’m not sure,’ Tony
replied, turning away from Mark’s piercing stare. ‘I haven’t seen them since
that night in The Roulette Club.’

Mark nodded and changed the
subject. ‘Are Vicky and Sarah looking forward to Christmas Eve?’

‘They certainly are. Big night of
the year for the girls. They’ve been talking about it all week. They’ve bought
new dresses, fancy shoes, and Sarah showed me her sexy new underwear last
night. Prancing around in front of me then had a go at me when I chucked her on
the bed.’

‘Bloody women,’ Mark snarled.
‘They’re all prick teasers! Flaunting themselves then saying no at the last
minute. They deserve all they fucking get.’

‘Hey, mate.’ Tony frowned.
‘What’s got into
you
? Sarah was just
larking around, that’s all. Lighten up. Has somebody in Chester
been giving you a hard time?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, you’ve been acting weird
since Jane dumped you, but even weirder since you stopped seeing that Beth
bird.’

Mark went cold at the mention of
Beth. He went to the drinks cabinet, poured a large whisky and knocked it back
in one. ‘Want one?’

Tony nodded and took a seat by
the blazing fire.

‘Sorry, Tony.’ Mark joined him on
the sofa and handed him a glass. ‘I think I’m fucked. I really need this
Christmas break.’

‘Yeah, you look tired,’ Tony
agreed. ‘Anyway, you never told me what happened to Beth. When I mentioned her
then you went really pale. What’s the story there, mate?’

Mark sighed and took another slug
of whisky. ‘I ballsed it up with her and we split.’

Tony stared silently at him.

‘What?’

‘Vicky told Sarah that Beth was
pregnant.’

‘Bitch! She had no right to say
anything.’

‘Then she said you told her it
was a false alarm.’

‘Yeah, that’s right it was. It’s
over. I don’t wanna talk about it.’

‘I don’t believe you,’ Tony said.
‘That it was a false alarm, I mean. Why would you even bother telling Vicky
there was a problem unless you were sure? Mark, talk to me, mate, it may help.
Was
Beth pregnant?’

Mark nodded, staring into the
fire. ‘She was. But being a good Catholic lad you won’t like what I’m gonna
say.’

Tony got up to refill their
glasses.

‘I asked her to marry me. She
turned me down. Didn’t want the kid either.’ Mark sniffed loudly. The whisky
was making him maudlin. It always did, but it helped blot out the nightmare of
the faceless baby who invaded his dreams.

‘She got rid of it?’ Tony
frowned.

‘Yeah.’ He took a slug of whisky
as Tony’s jaw tightened. ‘Backstreet affair. I won’t go into details, but it
was pretty grim. She really suffered and I wish we hadn’t done it. I just went
along with the idea because it seemed the easiest way out at the time.’

Tony topped up their glasses
again while Mark stared into the fire.

‘All I could think about while
she was going through hell was what if I’d married her and Jane changed her
mind. But I should have insisted Beth kept the baby. I should have married her.
Because of my feelings for Jane I allowed my kid to be destroyed. Never gave
the poor little bastard a chance.’

Tony stared at Mark, shaking his
head. ‘Beth didn’t want it anyway,’ he said gently. ‘And she refused to marry
you. So don’t blame yourself. I’m sorry you felt you had to cope alone.
Bottling things up like that can’t be good for you.’

‘I was ashamed of putting Beth
through all that. I couldn’t bring myself to talk to anyone, not even you. As
soon as I knew she was gonna be okay I walked and I haven’t been in touch
since. I’m not sleeping well since it happened and when I do I have these
bloody awful dreams.’

‘You should see your doctor while
you’re on leave,’ Tony said. ‘You’ve had a lot of stuff happen this year. You
might need a bit of help coping with things.’

‘I’m not going fucking loopy,
Tony, if that’s what you’re implying.’

‘I wasn’t, but you’re hitting the
bottle more than you used to. Since you split with Jane you’ve become a bit of
a piss artist.’

Mark sighed. ‘You’re right. I’ll
go and see my doctor after Christmas. Maybe he can sort me out.’

‘You do that,’ Tony agreed.
‘Right, let’s get some grub before the girls come round to help us decorate
that tree.’

‘Fish and chips?’ Mark suggested.

‘Fish and chips it is. I’ll nip
and get them.’

Left alone Mark lit another
cigarette. He dug into his pocket and pulled out Jane’s ring. He’d have it back
on her finger by New Year if it killed him.

***

‘Bloody hell, it’s crowded in
here,’ Eddie said. The Christmas Eve bash at The Roulette Club was in full
swing as he and Jane made their way to where the others were seated.

‘Thought you two weren’t coming,’
Roy yelled above the thumping
music. ‘You’re late. They’re about to serve the buffet.’

‘Jane needed a rest,’ Eddie said.
He handed Roy a five-pound note.
‘Get a round in while we have a quick dance.’ He took Jane’s hand and led her
onto the dance floor.
Baby Love
by
The Supre
mes
was playing.
‘Appropriate song.' He patted her tummy proudly.

She smiled and put her arms
around him and they swayed together. As the song ended, DJ Stuart announced the
buffet was up and running.

‘Let’s grab something to eat
before it all goes,’ Eddie said. ‘Roy’s
piling his plate up like there’s a ration due to start! He was the same at
school, winning the dinner ladies round with that sexy smile. They always gave
him more than anyone else.’

‘You eat as much as Roy;
you’re as greedy as each other,’ Jane said as they joined the queue by the
buffet tables.

‘Don’t forget you’re feeding two,
Jane,’ Roy said. ‘Pile it up. What
Junior doesn’t want, Uncle Roy will have.’

‘If Daddy doesn’t get to it
first,’ she quipped. ‘What time does your mum want us for dinner tomorrow?’ she
asked Eddie as they sat down with laden plates.

‘About one, but if we manage to
get up early I’d like to go and see Jonny open his presents. He was really
excited when I nipped round to see him earlier. He understands about Father
Christmas this year, so he’ll have Mum and Dad up at the crack of dawn. Mum
said she’d let him open a couple of parcels and then keep the rest until we
arrive.’ He sank his teeth into a
sausage roll, the crisp pastry flakes spilling down the front of his satin
shirt.

‘Let’s not stay too late here
then,’ Jane said; brushing his crumbs away. ‘Sammy, Pat and Tim are sleeping at
Roy’s place. Then they’re all going
to Tom and Molly’s for dinner, so we’ve got the flat to ourselves tonight and
most of tomorrow.’

‘Great! It’ll be good to have you
all to myself after being away. These sausage rolls are good,’ he said, eyeing
her plate.

‘S'pose you want mine?’ Jane
laughed, handing it over. She stood up, putting her hands on her back. ‘I’m
just popping to the ladies.’

‘Okay. Take your time. I’ll have
a fag while you’re gone.’

***

Jane fought her way through the
revellers, thinking how she was never off the loo lately.

Rosa, at
the coat check, called out. ‘Hi, Jane! Haven’t seen you for ages.’ She patted
the little bump and kissed her on both cheeks. ‘Congratulations. Bet you’re
over the moon.’

‘Thanks, Rosa,
we are,’ Jane said. ‘Bit of a shock at first, but we’re really excited now.’

‘What did your mum say?’

Jane rolled her eyes. ‘Oh, she’s
dead chuffed. There were a few little digs and she said it’s as well we’re
married. But she’s knitting for England,
so I know she’s looking forward to being a granny, and Ed’s mum and dad are
made up, too.’

She said goodbye, turned to walk
down the short corridor and bumped headlong into Mark Fisher.

‘I’m terribly sorry,’ he began,
putting out his hands to steady her. ‘Jane!’ he gasped, looking down at her
shocked face. ‘How are you?’

‘Fine thanks,’ she said as he
stared at her, head cocked to one side.

‘What have you been up to?’ he
asked. ‘I heard Eddie Mellor’s wife was killed.’

Jane nodded. ‘Yes, she was.’
Reluctant to discuss Angie she changed the subject. ‘How are you doing? You
still dating Vicky?’

‘I’m here with her tonight,’ he
replied. ‘Been for a drink with Tony and Sarah first.’ Jane nodded as he
rambled on. ‘I’m surprised
The Raiders
aren’t playing tonight.’ He
slurred his words and was swaying slightly.

‘
The Raiders
are on tour with
The Hollies
and
Chris Montez.
But they’ve got
Christmas off.’

‘So, what’s the score with you
and Mellor? Still seeing him, or is it over now he’s away touring?’

As he looked down at her, eyes
glazed, she realised he probably hadn’t a clue about her marriage. Maybe Vicky,
very wisely, still hadn’t mentioned it.

She cleared her throat.
‘Actually, Mark, Ed and I are married now.’ She clasped her hands over her bump
as his jaw dropped. ‘I’m expecting a baby.’

‘No, you’re not!’ he said, his
colour draining. ‘You
can’t
be
married to him?’

‘Well, I am,’ she said, frowning.
‘We’ve lived together since Angie’s death. Ed needed help with Jonny.’ She took
a deep breath to stop any further babbling. Why the hell was she explaining
herself? It had nothing to do with him and the way he was looking at her was
very unnerving.

She jumped as he grabbed her
upper arms, scowling. ‘
He
fell bloody
lucky, didn’t he? You’ll never learn, Jane, he’s a fucking user.’ He shook her
and brought his face up close to hers.

‘I suppose you’re stuck at home
minding his bloody brat while
he’s
swanning up and down the country, screwing for England!’

She beat her fists on his chest.
‘Let me go, you creep. And how dare you say that about Eddie. You don’t know
anything about him or what we’ve been through this past year.’

***

Eddie was about to ask Sammy to
check if Jane was all right, as she’d been gone ages, when he caught sight of
Rosa frantically signalling to him. He leapt up and made his way across the
room.

‘What is it?’

‘You’d better go and rescue Jane
from Mark Fisher. He’s giving her the third degree down near the ladies.’

‘What?’ he exploded. ‘Get your
fucking hands off my wife, Fisher!’ Eyes blazing he pushed Mark backwards. Mark
stumbled and released his grip on Jane. He glared at Eddie who squared up to
him.

‘Need some help, Ed,’ Roy
said from behind.

‘I’m okay thanks, Roy.
Just sorting this twat out.’ He put his arm around Jane’s shaking shoulders and
summoned Rosa who brought out a chair for her to sit on. ‘What’s going on,
Jane?’ he asked.

‘There’s nothing going on. Mark
didn’t know we’re married. I was telling him how happy we are about our baby.’

Eddie relaxed slightly, kneeling
down beside her.

‘I see.’ He laid his hand on her
stomach, looking up at Mark, a challenge in his eyes. For two bits he could
punch the living daylights out of the bastard, but not in front of Jane. ‘I
warned you to stay away from Jane, Fisher. Now I’m telling you again. If I see
you anywhere near either of us, I’ll kill you.’ He helped Jane to her feet.
‘Come on, sweetheart; I’m taking you home. You look fit to drop. See you, Mark,
oh, and by the way, Merry fucking Christmas.’

‘Fuck you!’ Mark growled.

***

Rage swept through Mark as Mellor
and Jane walked away with their arms around one another. He sat down on Jane’s
chair, putting his head in his hands. He’d been so certain he would find her
alone. All he’d thought about on his lonely nights in Chester
was him begging her to take him back and her saying, yes. He’d brought the ring
out with him, stupidly imagining the romantic scenario of going down on one
knee and proposing all over again.

He’d never dared allow the
thought Jane may be married to Mellor, let alone expecting his baby, to cross
his mind, But what was hurting the most was that while
his
kid
had been
carelessly conceived and disposed of, Jane and Mellor’s had been created in a
loving relationship and it marked the end of his dreams of any future with her.
Oblivious to his surroundings, he dropped to his knees, howling and beat his
fists on the floor.