The Rock'n'Roll Romance Box Set (Pam Howes Rock'n'Roll Romance Series) (47 page)

  
‘I’d love an antique ring,’ she enthused. ‘But can we afford it?’

  
‘Of course we can. I’ve just said; there’s plenty of money left in the
account Mum and Dad gave us. You shall have the exact ring you want,’ he
promised.

***

‘They want to what?’ Sammy gasped,
looking across the office she shared with Jane.

  
‘They want to get married,’ Jane repeated. ‘Jess called last night. Nick
proposed to her yesterday afternoon in some forest or other. It was very
romantic and she said yes. They tried to call you and Roy last night, but got
no reply.’

  
‘We went to see Roy’s mum
and dad and then for a meal. We must have missed their call.’ Sammy shook her
head in disbelief. ‘I thought they were happy enough living together? Why on
earth do they suddenly want to get married? Is Jess pregnant?’

  
‘Nope, she’s not.
I
also asked that and nearly got my head bitten
off. They love one another and want to make a commitment. They’ve decided on a
Christmas wedding and want us to make enquiries at Ashlea
Church for a free Saturday mid to
late December. Jess said to ask if you’ll design her dress.’

  
‘So, they want the full Monty? Church, white dress, the lot?’

  
‘So it would seem.’

  
‘Who would ever have thought it? The worst pair of rebels, Manor
Banks School
ever had through its portals, according to the Head,’ Sammy said. ‘Yet they’re
ready to settle down together. I must call Roy.
By the way, what did Ed say?’

  
‘He’s delighted, now he’s over the shock of course.’

  
Sammy dialed her home number. ‘You still in bed, Roy?
Right, well stay lying down while I tell you something. Nick and Jess want to
get married. He proposed to her yesterday afternoon. No, she’s not!’ Sammy
rolled her eyes at Jane and shook her head. ‘Why? Well because they love one
another of course. Why else? Yes, dear, I know it’s a shock. But it’s a nice
one, don’t you think? Okay, well I’ll talk to you later. Bye.’

  
‘What did he say?’ Jane asked.

  
‘Is she pregnant?’ Sammy grinned.

  
‘So did Ed. Aren’t we awful parents? Always expecting the worst from our
kids. It’ll be lovely to have a wedding between the families. We’ll be related,
just.’

  
‘Well we near enough are now,’ Sammy said. ‘You’d think Roy and Ed were
married to one another, the way they go on.’

***

Jess chose a pretty diamond set in
a circle of tiny pearls from an antique shop in Josselin. She couldn’t believe
her luck when Nick slipped the ring on her finger and it fitted perfectly.

  
‘It’s beautiful,’ she said, looking at her left hand with delight.

  
‘You want that one then?’ Nick looked at her, his dark eyes shining.

  
‘Yes please, it’s perfect,’ she said, tears of happiness running down
her cheeks.

  
Back at the farmhouse Jess showed off her ring to Jon, Helen and Jason.
Helen smiled with delight as she looked at Jess’s outstretched hand.

  
‘It’s lovely, Jess. I hope it’s not true what they say though.’

  
‘What’s that?’ Nick asked, frowning.

  
‘Well, pearls for tears.’ Helen chewed her lower lip as a flicker of
alarm crossed Jess’s face.
 

  
‘It’s a silly old-wives-tale, Jess, nothing more,’ Jon re-assured her. ‘Congratulations,
Sis, and you too, Nick. You’re a lucky guy. My sister is one very special
lady.’

  
Nick beamed and hugged his fiancé. ‘Course it’s an old-wives-tale.
There’ll be no tears for us, we’re so happy together.’

  
Jess glanced at Jon and tried to fathom the look on his face as his eyes
bore into hers. She shivered involuntarily, but smiled at him and pushed the
strange feeling that crept down her spine away. She was proud to be wearing
Nick’s ring and silently told herself that any doubts she had about their
future would be unfounded.

  
The remaining days of the holiday passed by in a haze of celebrations
and last minute gift shopping. On Friday morning the relaxed and suntanned
friends loaded the Jeep, said goodbye to Madame and Monsieur Delabres and set
off to St Malo to board the ferry to Portsmouth.

***

‘So, what do you think, Gran?’
Jess proudly stuck out her left hand.
 

  
Enid smiled, admiring the
ring on her granddaughter’s finger.

  
‘It’s beautiful, Jess, really beautiful. And you say it fitted without
having to be altered? Well that’s a good omen then, in spite of what they say
about pearls.’

  
‘What do you mean?’ Jess’s eyes widened.

  
‘Well, they do say, pearls for tears. That’s what we used to say when I
was younger.’

  
This was twice now that Jess had heard the tale relating to pearls and
tears. She sighed.
 

  
‘That’s a load of old wives’ rubbish, Gran. Nick loves me more than
anything in the world and he won’t let me down. Any tears shed for us will be
tears of joy, not sorrow.’

***

CHAPTER
TWELVE

AUGUST 1984.

By mid August, Nick and Jess’s wedding plans were well under way.
The church in Ashlea village was booked as was the reception at Mottram Hall,
and a three-week honeymoon in The Maldives, was a treat from both sets of
parents.

  
Sammy arrived at the
factory on Monday morning with a portfolio under her arm. ‘Hi, Mum,’ she
greeted Molly, already there checking invoices.

  
‘Hello, love, you’re in
earlier than I was expecting.’ Eyeing the portfolio Molly smiled. ‘Are those
the designs for Jess’s wedding dress? I’ll have a look when I’ve finished
these. I’ve just made a coffee, would you like one?’

  
‘Please, Mum, it might
wake me up a bit.’ Sammy removed her jacket and popped it over the back of a
chair.
   

  
‘You all right, Sam? You
look a bit pale.’ Molly handed her a steaming mug and went back to her desk.

  
Sammy sat down. ‘Yeah,
I’m okay. Didn’t sleep too well last night.’

  
‘That’s not like you. You
usually sleep like a log.’

  
‘
Roy
didn’t come home ’til the early
hours and he slept in the spare room. I popped my head round the door this
morning to see if he was okay. He was awake, so I sat on the bed talking to
him, or at least I tried. He was shifty, like he didn’t want me there.’ Sammy
paused and took a sip of coffee. ‘Ouch, that’s hot.’

  
‘Give it here, I’ll put
some more milk in.’ Molly reached for the mug. ‘Carry on with your tale.’

  
‘I asked why he came home
late. He said he popped in to see John and Margaret Grey when he left Ed at the
pub and lost track of time. When I asked why Ed didn’t go with him he nearly
bit my head off. Said they weren’t joined at the hip. I don’t know what’s wrong
with him lately. He’s so bloody moody.’
     

  
‘It’ll be the male
menopause thingy they talk about on TV.’ Molly passed Sammy’s coffee back to
her. ‘
Roy
’s coming up to that funny age. He
probably slept in the spare room so he wouldn’t disturb you. You’d have moaned
if he’d come crashing in worse for wear and woken you like he usually does. Perhaps
it’s finally dawned on him you need your sleep.’
 

  
‘Maybe,’ Sammy said,
running her finger round the rim of her mug. ‘We could do with spending some
time together. I’ve been so busy; we’re like ships that pass in the night. I
get the feeling he thinks I put the business before him. I’ll have this coffee
and call him. He said he’s spending the morning in bed then going to Ed’s
later.’

  
‘Why don’t you have a
night out with Jane and Ed? Go for a meal.’
    

  
‘Good idea, Mum. We
haven’t been out as a foursome for ages and I bet Jane would be glad of a
break.’

  
Leaving the portfolio for
her mother to browse through, Sammy carried her coffee into the adjoining
office she shared with Jane. She reached for the sketch of a jacket and placed
it on her easel. She swept a pile of fabric swatches to one side, picked up the
phone and dialled home. It was engaged. Roy must be talking to Ed. She dropped
the receiver back onto the cradle.

  
She wandered through into
the factory, greeting the happy band of machinists and pressers who were
already hard at work. Some of the girls were singing along to the latest
Wham
song playing on the radio. Grinning
at the bawdy comments she received from supervisor Ruby, about why she looked
so tired, Sammy walked to the finishing table. She picked up a small pink and
white striped dress that was waiting to be completed by the girl who did the
hand smocking.

  
Sammy had designed the
dress last year and it was one of her best sellers; a real
Little House on the Prairie
style. She’d longed for a daughter to
indulge all her ideas for pretty clothes. Instead, she’d had lads, one of whom
wore through the knees of the toughest denim in record-breaking time. Some days
she wished she’d not been so hasty in being sterilised after Jason’s birth, but
having two babies in just over nineteen months had made the decision easy at
the time.

  
Putting the dress back on
the table, Sammy returned to her office. She swivelled her chair round to face
her easel and picked up a pale green pastel from the box on her desk. Shading
in the colour on the jacket, she became totally absorbed.

***

As Sammy left for work
Roy
leapt out of bed and hurried
across the landing to their bedroom. His head thudded and he felt bad for
snapping at her. He’d made for the spare room when he got home because he felt
guilty for falling asleep in Livvy’s bed. God only knew how he’d managed to
wake up, but when he did and realised the time, he’d never moved so fast in his
life. Not even stopping to wash, he dressed, throwing sorry’s at Livvy, and was
out the door in seconds flat. He reckoned he’d successfully covered his tracks
by lying to Sammy over his whereabouts.
 

  
After showering and
shaving he splashed on after-shave, dropped the damp towel on the floor and
threw the T-shirt and boxer shorts he’d worn all night in the general direction
of the laundry basket. He sat on the bed and dialled Livvy’s number.

  
‘Hello.
’

  
‘How come you sound so
sleepy this morning, Olivia?’ He grinned into the receiver as he pictured her
lying naked, worn out from shagging, blonde curls fanning the pillows, exactly
as he’d left her.

  
‘
Probably because some thoughtless sod woke me up to go home!’

  
‘Well stay in bed and
that thoughtless sod will be over in an hour to make it up to you. I’ve a
couple of things I need to do here first.’
 

  
‘
Okay, sounds good.’
’

  
‘See you soon.’
Roy
hung up and pulled a black T-shirt
on. He picked up a pair of jeans from the back of the bedroom chair then put
them down again. Livvy had said the other day that he never wore anything other
than
Levis
and T-shirts. Well he’d show her.
He could look a real smoothie when he tried. He had a wardrobe full of designer
clothes, mainly chosen by Sammy. He only wore them when they went out, because
she liked him to look nice.

  
He took a pair of smart
black trousers from a hanger and put them on. They were a bit loose around the
waist, he must be losing weight, but they looked okay with the T-shirt tucked
in. Dare he wear his Versace jacket? It was just back from the cleaners, yet
again. Cream was not the best colour for him, although Sammy said it suited his
dark hair, but he never seemed able to keep it clean for very long.

  
There, he looked and
smelt good. All he needed now was a black coffee, quick fag and a couple of
tapes for Eddie that he’d recorded guitar solos on. He went downstairs, picking
up the mail from the doormat on his way to the kitchen. He tossed the post onto
a worktop without looking through it. They’d be mostly bills and Sammy usually
dealt with those.

  
He sat with his coffee
and fag and tried to forget Sammy’s earlier hurt expression. He felt guilty all
the time lately, convinced he would wake up one day with the word ADULTERER
tattooed across his forehead. But he couldn’t stop seeing Livvy, she was like a
drug. The more he had her, the more he wanted
and
needed her. All he had to do was keep his cool and not screw up
again like he’d nearly done last night.
 

  
He was leaving the house
as the phone rang out. ‘Oh, fuck it!’ he muttered. ‘It’s probably some bugger
selling double-glazing.’ He jumped into his pride and joy, drove down the long
gravel driveway and out onto tree lined

***

Roy
parked next to Livvy’s Mini and
leapt out. He pressed the intercom and she answered immediately.
‘Hello
.’

  
‘Hi, Babe, it’s me.’

  
‘
Come on up
.’ She released the lock; he hurried in and ran lightly
upstairs. Her door stood open. He strolled in and closed it.

  
She appeared in the
lounge doorway, a big smile on her face, blonde curls damp from the shower.

  
‘You look really nice,’
she said. ‘Pity they’ve got to come off!’ She reached up, winding her arms
around his neck and kissed him.

  
‘You shameless little
hussy.’ He enveloped her doll like frame in a bear hug.

  
Her oversize white
T-shirt rode up as she stood on tiptoe. He squeezed her bare arse and groaned
as the blood rushed to his groin. He scooped her up, carried her through to the
bedroom and dropped her onto the bed. He kicked off his boots, chucked his
jacket and trousers over a chair and lay beside her, kissing her. The way she
made him feel was unbelievable. He felt alive and ten years younger and there
was the weight dropping off him too. After last night he didn’t think he’d have
the energy to shag again so soon, but he was raring to go.

  
She tugged eagerly at his
boxer shorts and T-shirt.

  
‘Patience Olivia.’ He sat
up, and yanked off his T-shirt and hers.
 

  
She pushed his shorts
down and curled herself around him, kissing and caressing, then climbed on top,
straddling him. She threw back her head as he held onto her breasts while she
rode him. He watched her face, her changing expressions and then flipped her
onto her back. Her eyes were half closed and she gave a low moan as he rained
kisses down her front and searched with his tongue. He moved back up and she
arched to meet him as he slid inside. She moved in rhythm and tossed her head
from side to side. Her explosive orgasm sent
Roy
quickly to his own climax and he
cried out her name and held her close. He rolled off and lay back on the
pillows, eyes wide.

  
‘Jesus, Olivia that was
one hell of a fuck!’ He smoothed her hair from her face and kissed her again.
‘Oh, baby, I love you. I honestly didn’t think I could do that after last
night’s session.’
  

  
She smiled and stroked
his face. ‘I love you too,
Roy
. There’s still life in the old dog.’

  
He tickled her ribs and
she squirmed. ‘Little monkey;
I’m
no
old dog. You wait a while; let me get my breath back. I’ll show you how much
life there
is
left in me. I used to
shag all night, years ago. Bet I still could, given half a chance.’ He saw a
frown cross her face and realised he’d said the wrong thing. He sat up and
offered her a cigarette. She shook her head, announced she’d make coffee, and
slid out of bed.

 
 
He followed her cute arse across the room
with half closed eyes. God, she was fit. Tiny but perfect. He shouldn’t have
mentioned the shagging all night though. She didn’t want to know about his past
exploits. He felt a pang of guilt as his thoughts turned to Sammy. He lit a
cigarette and for the millionth time since the affair began, asked himself what
the hell he was doing.
 

  
Sammy was his life, his
friend, his soul mate and no one understood him better. He loved her more than
life itself, but felt neglected when she put the business, the boys and even
the bloody house before him. He took a long drag and blew a smoke ring. He
loved Livvy, too. Not in the same way he loved Sammy of course. But he couldn’t
be without her now. If Sammy found out about the affair she’d go mental, it
would be the end of their marriage. It was a crazy risk to be taking. He jumped
as the bedside phone rang. He heard Livvy pick up in the lounge. She came back
into the room, carrying two mugs.

  
‘That was Ed. He asked if
you were here. I told him I hadn’t seen you for a few days.’

  
‘Good girl. I wonder why
he thought I’d be here though.’ Since Ed had warned him off at Nick’s party,
he’d kept it from him that he and Livvy were still lovers. Ed wasn’t daft
though; he’d no doubt put two and two together. Oh well, he’d wait and see
what, if anything, Ed said later.

***

Jane strolled into the office carrying a small white box.
‘Chocolate éclairs,’ she announced. She took the box through to Molly who
helped herself and put the kettle on.

  
Back in the office Jane
took an éclair from the box. ‘What’s up, Sam? You look a bit glum.’

  
Sammy shrugged. ‘Did
Roy
call Ed this morning? Was he at
your place when you left?’