The Rock'n'Roll Romance Box Set (Pam Howes Rock'n'Roll Romance Series) (49 page)

  
‘She won’t find out,’
Roy
said smugly. ‘No one knows except
Livvy and you.’

  
‘Well
I
sussed you
out easily enough. While I think about it, where did you go last night? You
said you were tired and going home when you left me? Sammy said you came home
late and slept in the spare room.’

  
‘I went to John Grey’s,’
Roy
mumbled, lighting a cigarette and
offering one to Eddie.

  
‘And that’s what you told
Sam?’ Eddie lit the cigarette and drew deeply.

  
‘Yeah, it’s the
truth.’
   

  
‘John and Margaret are in
Portugal
. Have been for the last two weeks.
We got a postcard today by second post.
You’ll
probably get one, too, if
you haven’t already.’

  
Roy
’s jaw dropped. ‘Fucking hell! I
picked up the post this morning and threw it on the worktop. I didn’t bother to
look through it. If Sammy’s been home and seen it, she’ll know I lied about
last night. Ed what can I do?’

  
‘Go home, check if it’s
there. It may come by the late post, which Sammy probably won’t have seen. She
told me you slept in the spare room. To be honest with you, she also told me
you’d been at John’s and lost track of time.’

  
Roy
nodded. ‘I didn’t want to disturb
her. She’d have had a go at me for being so late back.’

  
‘So, I presume you went
to Livvy’s?’

  
Roy
smiled, his face showing no signs
of remorse. ‘She’s wonderful, Ed. Makes me feel alive again. We fell asleep
afterwards. That’s why I was late home.’

  
‘I don’t want to know.
What I don’t know I can’t lie about. How can I face Sammy now you’ve told me
this?’

  
‘For fuck’s sake, mate,
don’t say anything to Jane,’
Roy
pleaded.

 
‘I won’t. Now go home, see
if the postcard’s arrived and hurry up. We’ve got loads to do before the end of
the week. I’ll get everything set up in the music room. Ring Sam now before you
go.’ Eddie picked up the phone, dialled the factory and handed the receiver to
Roy
.

***

Sammy was on the factory floor chatting to Ruby when she heard
Jane calling that
Roy
was on the phone.
  

  
She ran into the office
and grabbed the receiver. ‘
Roy
, where the hell have you been? I popped home earlier to surprise
you. Thought we could spend some quality time together.’ She stopped as he
spoke. ‘Oh, right - and everything’s okay? Listen, do you fancy going out
tonight with Jane and Ed? - I’ll book us a table then. Italian or Indian? -
Okay, see you later. - Love you, too.’ She hung up and sat back on her chair,
smiling as Jane hurried back into the office.

  
‘Your mum’s gone. Didn’t
want to disturb you. She said goodbye and she’ll see you tomorrow. Is
everything alright?’

  
‘Yeah, he had a call to
go and see the accountant urgently. Something about a document that was missing
his signature from when the books were done. He’s with Ed now. He fancies
Italian tonight. Is that okay with you?’

  
‘Fine by me. Ed will eat
anything. I’ll call Jon. Ask if he’ll baby-sit tonight. Late nights are too
much for mum during the week.’

  
Livvy answered the phone
to Jane’s call. ‘Hi, Livvy, it’s Jane Mellor. Is Jon there please? Oh, right.
Yes, now I come to think of it, he mentioned he was going out. Damn!’ Livvy had
just told her that Jon had taken the afternoon off and he and Helen were going
to The Apollo to see
The
Eurhythmics
tonight. ‘It’s so chaotic in
the morning. I have trouble remembering my name, never mind anything else. I
was hoping Jon could baby-sit for us while we go out for a meal with Roy and
Sammy.’

  
‘Can
I
help? I’m not
doing anything tonight.’

  
‘Livvy, you’re an angel.
That would be lovely. We’ll pay you for your time of course. Will seven be
okay? Brilliant. See you later then.’ Jane said goodbye and hung up.

  
‘Jon got a date?’ Sammy
asked.

  
‘Yeah, but Livvy’s
offered her services. Wasn’t that nice of her?’

  
‘She’s a lovely girl,’
Sammy said. ‘I can’t understand why Jess doesn’t like her.’

  
‘Jess can be a funny
bugger at ti
mes
,’ Jane said. ‘She says there’s
something about Livvy that she doesn’t trust.
I
think she’s jealous because Nick pays Livvy attention.’

***

CHAPTER
THIRTEEN

Roy
hurtled through the front door.
Nothing on the mat. Damn! He heard loud music blasting from upstairs as he made
for the kitchen.
   

  
‘That you, Jase?’

  
Jason popped his head
over the banister. ‘Hi, Dad. Why are you all ponced up?’

  
‘I’ve been to the
accountant’s. Was there any post when you came in?’

  
‘Yeah, I’ve put it on the
worktop with the rest. There’s a postcard from the Greys and a few bills.’

  
Roy
dashed into the kitchen, grabbed
the card and shoved it in his inside jacket pocket. He ran upstairs to get
changed then popped his head around Jason’s door to say goodbye. Jason was
sitting on the floor, sifting through records. Jules was sprawled on the bed,
sporting a new hair style, dark brown with a blonde stripe down the centre.

  
‘Alright, Jules,’
Roy
said. ‘Nice hairdo! You’ve a look
of whatisname from
Kajagoogoo.’
 

  
‘Limahl,’ Jules said and
jumped up to shake
Roy
’s hand. ‘Thanks, Mr Cantello.’
  

  
‘
Roy
, please.’ He turned to Jason. ‘How
come you’re not at college?’
     

  
‘We’ve a couple of free
periods. We thought we’d come and listen to some sounds. Jules is a fan of
sixties music. I’m playing him some Raiders outtakes.’

  
‘I really enjoy your
music,
Roy
,’ Jules said politely. ‘Mum was a
big fan and I’ve grown up with your songs.’

  
‘Good stuff. Right, I’m
off to Ed’s. See you later, Jase; see you again, Jules.’

  
Roy
ran downstairs shaking his head.
Sammy was right. The New Romantics had a lot to answer for. Jules sported gold
earrings and he could have sworn his eyes were rimmed with kohl. The new
hairstyle was far more elaborate than Jason’s and that was saying something.

  
Mind you, he thought as
he got into his car and shot down the drive,
The Raiders
had sported shoulder length locks in the late sixties.
Not to mention flowery shirts and velvet flares. So who was he to criticise?

***

Eddie tapped his fingers agitatedly against his chin and paced up
and down the music room. He’d called Jane five minutes earlier, only to be told
that Livvy was baby-sitting for them tonight. Why was life so bloody
complicated? He might suggest they meet Sammy and Roy at the restaurant, but he
didn’t think the suggestion would go down well.

  
When they went out as a
foursome they always left from The Lodge in one car, coming back for a
nightcap. Best play it by ear, though God knew how he would be able to stop the
conversation from getting round to the Grey’s holiday and the post-card.
Margaret had written that they were welcome to join them at the villa if they
had a week free. There was no point in him hiding the card from Jane. Her mother
had been round when it arrived. She’d read it and would no doubt mention it to
Jane. So even if
Roy
had chucked his and Sammy’s card away, there could still be a
problem.

  
The Lamborghini screeched
to a halt.
Roy
leapt out and let himself in. He ran upstairs two at a time. ‘Got
it,’ he puffed. ‘I’ve hidden it in my jacket pocket. Right, let’s do some work
while we’ve still got time.’

  
‘There’s something you
need to know first.’ Eddie braced himself.

  
‘What now?’

  
‘Livvy’s baby-sitting for
us tonight.’

  
‘What?’
Roy
’s hand flew to his mouth. ‘Oh
fuck! Why not Jon?’

  
‘He’s out with Helen.
Livvy offered, Jane accepted. Nothing I can do about it. At least you’re
prepared.’

  
‘Yeah, but will Livvy be?
Does she realise we’re going out with you?’

  
‘I’ve no idea. This night
out has nothing to do with me. It’s Sammy’s doing and from what Jane was
saying, I think Sammy’s got more up her sleeve for you than just the meal. I
reckon you’re in for a special treat when she gets you home.’ Eddie grinned,
watching the colour drain from
Roy
’s face.

  
‘You bastard! You’re
enjoying this, aren’t you? I’m absolutely knackered. I couldn’t perform again
today if my life depended on it.’

  
‘Pretend you feel ill or
something. Anyway, you’ve always found the energy from somewhere. You and Sammy
shagged for
England
most days
and
nights!’

  
‘I was a lot younger
then,’
Roy
sighed.

  
‘Maybe this'll teach you
to stop messing around. Right, come on let’s get this bloody work done. We’ve
wasted enough time today as it is.’

***

Sammy put the finishing touches to her makeup. She felt relaxed
after a long soak and was looking forward to the night out. Later, when they
got home, she planned to leave
Roy
in no doubt as to just how much
she loved him. The more she thought about it the more she was convinced the
gulf between them was mainly of
her
doing.

  
When the boys were babies
she’d been so tired and was relieved that
Roy
was away for most of the time.
When he was home between shows she’d always made an effort, knowing that if
she
didn’t there were hundreds of girls who would. But when
The Raiders
disbanded he was under her feet all week.
 

  
He seemed oblivious to
the fact that their sons needed her attention, too. When she and Jane set up
Cantello Designs, Sammy had welcomed being out of the house. She threw herself
into the growing business and raising her boys and although she tried to juggle
everything, she was aware she was neglecting
Roy
. He rarely complained, but she’d
seen the looks of rejection cross his face when he’d pulled her into his arms
and she’d pushed him away, telling him she was too tired. What bothered her now
was that he’d stopped coming to bed until she’d fallen asleep.
 

  
Roy
walked out of the bathroom, dark
hair glistening from the shower. He dropped his towel on the floor in a heap as
usual. Sammy bit back the words, about not leaving damp towels lying around for
her to pick up. Instead she stared hungrily at his body. He was still sexy and
so handsome. He looked leaner lately and it was good on him. She shivered,
realising that if
she
thought he was
sexy then so would other women.

***

Roy
caught Sammy staring and grinned.
‘See anything you fancy, Madam?’ He walked over, pulled her to her feet and
into his arms. Her satin camisole was cool and smooth against his skin. He
rained soft kisses on her eyes, nose and lips. She responded, flinging her arms
around him. He slid the shoestring straps of her camisole off her shoulders and
let it fall. He pushed her gently onto the bed, lay down beside her and peeled
off her French knickers. Sammy caressed his instant erection and slid down the
bed to take him in her mouth. He moaned as her lips closed around and her
tongue teased.

  
‘Christ, Sammy,’ he
gasped. ‘I love you!’ Thoughts of Livvy left his mind as they made love with a
renewed passion, Sammy riding him like she used to.

  
Afterwards, as they lay
holding one another, she traced around his face with her fingertips. ‘I want to
carry this moment in my mind forever,’ she whispered. ‘I love you.’

 
 
Roy
kissed her tenderly. ‘Sam, I love
you, too, more than you know.’

  
‘Well don’t sleep in the
spare room again,’ she said. ‘It makes me think something’s wrong. I don’t care
about being woken up or whether you’re drunk, stoned or whatever. I want you in
bed with me. We spent enough nights apart when you were touring.’

  
‘We did, and I promise
not to do it again if
you
promise not to yell at me if I accidentally
wake you. We’d better get ready. We’re really late now. I’ll call Ed. Let him
know we’ve been delayed, while you re-do your hair and put your knickers back
on. Why are you blushing, Sam?’
          

  
‘You’re a bugger,
Cantello. But don’t ever change.’

  
‘And don’t you.’ He
lifted the receiver and dialled. Jane answered. ‘We’re running a bit late,
Jane. No, everything’s fine, honestly. Sam had to have my body before we left.
See you soon.’ He hung up, dodging the cushion Sammy lobbed at his head.

  
‘Swine!’ she muttered,
opening the wardrobe. ‘Wear your Versace, Roy, and that new black and cream
silk shirt I bought you last week. You’ll look nice in those.’

  
‘Black trousers as well?’

  
She nodded, slipping a
black and white silk dress, with a low cut neckline and gently flaring skirt,
over her head.

  
‘You look good in that
dress,’ he said, head on one side. ‘Mind you, you look good in anything.’
 

***

Roy
’s stomach looped as he pulled up
outside
Hanover
’s Lodge. Livvy’s Mini was parked
on the drive. He took a deep breath, stopped the car and leapt out to help
Sammy.
  

  
‘Evening, Jane,’
Roy
greeted her as she invited them
in.

  
‘Evening, yourself.’ Jane
kissed him on the cheek and hugged Sammy. ‘Go through into the lounge. Ed will
get you a drink. He called the restaurant and asked them to change the time of
our reservation. We’ve half an hour to spare before we need to leave. I’ll
finish getting ready.’

  
Sammy walked into the
lounge beaming. She greeted Livvy, Katie and Dominic, who were sitting on the
rug, playing a very intense game of Junior Scrabble, with Katie changing the
rules to suit.
   

  
Sammy flopped down on the
sofa and Eddie handed her a gin and tonic. ‘Well, that was a rush, to say the
least!’ she said, catching sight of Eddie’s raised eyebrows.
  

  
He smiled and held out a
glass of whisky to Roy who took it with shaking hands.

  
‘Sit down,’ Eddie
ordered, pushing him towards Sammy.

  
Livvy looked at
Roy
and smiled. ‘You look tired,
Roy
. Had a busy day?’

  
He nodded. Shit, why was
she asking him that in front of Sammy? She knew full well what sort of day he’d
had. He took a swig of whisky and avoided her eye.

  
‘Ed and I worked hard
this afternoon. So it’s been quite hectic. And you?’
     

  
‘Oh,
I’ve
had a lovely day. I worked this afternoon. But this morning I
was lucky.’ She looked pointedly at him. ‘I got to spend it in bed, catching up
on my sleep.’
 

  
Roy
could feel his cheeks warming. Was
it the whisky, the guilt or the frantic sex he’d just had with Sammy? He
signalled to Eddie with his eyes and sensing his friend’s discomfort, Eddie
came to his rescue.

  
‘Livvy, the backing
tracks are ready. Come over on your day off next week and we’ll get the songs
recorded. Not a word to Jess, please. Leave that to me, I’ll pick my moment.’

  
‘Okay, thanks a lot. Will
you be here too, Roy?’

  
‘Err, yes of course. I
can’t wait to hear you sing them.’
   

  
She nodded, holding his
gaze for a few seconds.

  
‘Ready to go, you lot?’
Jane popped her head around the door. ‘See you later, Livvy. Bye, kids. No
mes
sing about. You go to bed when
Livvy tells you.’

  
Katie, about to protest,
caught her dad’s eye. She sighed and turned back to the game of Scrabble.

  
Roy
stood up. ‘I’ll just use the loo.
You three wait in the car. Won’t be long.’ He shot upstairs, closed the
bathroom door and leant on the sink, staring at his flushed face in the mirror.
He needed a minute alone to catch his whirling thoughts. A light tap on the
door made him jump. He opened it slightly. Livvy pushed her way in.