The Rock'n'Roll Romance Box Set (Pam Howes Rock'n'Roll Romance Series) (98 page)

  
‘You’re all very welcome,’ Cathy replied. ‘To be honest, I think the
extra complication makes it easier for Jon to cope with.’

  
Jon nodded. ‘I couldn’t give a toss about Richard Price and his family.
My main concern has been for Jess. Now I know for sure that I’m not her
half-brother, we can go home and start planning a future.’
     

  
‘Well, good luck to you all,’ Cathy smiled. ‘Life’s never dull at your
place. How are things with Roy and Sammy, by the way?’

  
‘Oh, wonderful,’ Jane replied. ‘They’re together again. Roy’s
moved back to Jasmine House. They’re planning to retake their marriage vows
before Christmas.’

  
Jess and Jon stared at Jane. ‘We’ve only been away since Tuesday and all
this has happened, honestly? Jess asked.

  
‘Honestly, they’re really back together, thank goodness. Anyway, come
on, let’s go home and we can talk some more.’

***

CHAPTER
THIRTY-FOUR

DECEMBER 1984

Blinking back tears, Jane held
Eddie’s hand as they sat side by side in the front pew of flower-bedecked Ashlea
Church.
 

  
Roy, wearing a cream linen
suit and brown silk shirt, looked into Sammy’s eyes as he pledged his love.
Sammy, blue eyes shining, looked every bit the blushing bride in her long,
cream silk dress. A simple circle of cream rosebuds topped her shoulder length
hair. She held a small bouquet of matching roses.

  
Jane glanced along the pew at Dominic, who was quietly studying his
hymn-book. Katie, next to him, was fidgeting as usual and twiddling her hair.
Jess and Jon were seated either side of their siblings. Jane caught Jon’s eye
and he winked.
 
She winked back, noting
how happy and relaxed he looked. Jess, smiling wistfully, was watching Sammy
and Roy. On the surface, Jane thought Jess looked serene enough, but she knew
that in her daughter’s mind was the knowledge that next weekend she would have
been marrying Nick in this very church.

 
 
Three
weeks after the discovery of Angie’s diaries, Jon had revealed that Jess was
pregnant. At almost ten weeks she was blooming and had developed a very rounded
bump. Looking at her daughter’s profile now, Jane knew they had to tell people
the truth sooner rather than later.
  

  
Jane nodded at Bob and Irene Cantello across the church. Irene dabbed
her eyes and gazed proudly at the happy couple. Tom and Molly Mason were seated
behind them alongside Jason and Jules. Pat, Tim and their daughters, Cathy, Carl
and Phil, were silently listening to the vicar blessing Roy
and Sammy’s new rings.

***

As the guests filed outside,
cameras flashed and congratulations filled the air. Roy
took Sammy’s hand and they went to Nick’s grave. She laid her bouquet by the newly
engraved headstone and they stood quietly for a moment with their arms around
each other.

  
Roy brushed a hand across
his eyes and whispered, ‘You okay?’

  
She smiled through her tears and nodded.

  
‘Come on then. Keep smiling and make a beeline for the car.’
  

  
A crowd of press photographers were waiting by the church gates as they
ran to the vintage Rolls.

  
‘Can you tell us why you decided to retake your marriage vows, Roy,’
one called out, snapping away.

  
‘To show the world that I love my wife,’ Roy
replied as he climbed into the car.

  
‘Is it true you had an affair with a girl half your age?’ another
shouted.

  
‘No comment,’ Roy said as
the Rolls pulled away.

  
‘Cheeky sod!’ Sammy muttered as she sank back into cream leather luxury.
‘How the hell did he find
that
out?’

  
‘God knows. But don’t let it spoil our day.’

  
‘What if they know about the baby?’

  
‘How can they? Livvy’s been sworn to secrecy and only close friends and
family knows it’s mine.’

  
‘Ours!’

  
‘Ours.’ he echoed and took her hand. ‘You still sure about it?’

  
‘I can’t wait.’

  
Roy squeezed Sammy tightly.
His thoughts returned to the week he’d moved back in with her. They’d paid a
visit to Livvy. She made them coffee and outlined her plans. Afterwards Sammy
sat back on the sofa, mug halfway to her mouth while he dropped his on the
floor.
 

  
Livvy calmly mopped the carpet then sat opposite, fingertips together
and smiled.
   

  
‘Well, what do you think?’

  
Roy gathered his wits first.
‘Olivia, do you realise what you’re saying?’

  
‘Yes, and I’ve thought long and hard about it. It makes perfect sense.
Sammy and Jane suggested adoption. Who better than you two? You told me Sammy
regrets not having more children. It might be a girl. Roy
said you always wanted a daughter.’ She looked at Sammy.

  
White faced, Sammy nodded.
   

  
‘Well there you are then, and before you say anything, this isn’t a
whim.
I
can’t give it the upbringing
you two can. I’m going back to Glasgow
after the birth. I don’t want to take it with me. I’d rather it go to you than
strangers.’

  
Roy frowned. ‘For fuck’s
sake, Livvy, this is our kid we’re discussing, not a bloody puppy!’

  
‘Exactly,
ours,
yours and mine! No matter how hard it will be to
give it away, it will be harder still for me to raise it as a single parent.
Please, Roy, can’t you see? It’s
for the best all round.’

  
Sammy chewed her lower lip and looked at Roy.
‘We need to go away and think about it. It’s not a decision we can make on the
spot. I wasn’t expecting this at all. All
we
wanted to do was make sure
you’re okay for money and support.’

  
‘I’m fine for both, thanks,’ Livvy said. ‘I’m leaving this flat and
moving into Sean and Tina’s spare bedroom next week. Tina said she’ll take care
of me.’

  
‘I see,’ Sammy said. ‘You’ve got it all planned.’

  
‘I haven’t had much choice. You made that quite clear the other night. I
accept that you and Roy want another go at making your marriage work
. I
need the chance of a fresh start,
too.’

  
Roy took a deep breath and
stood up. ‘We’ll go now. Ed and Jane are expecting us for dinner. I’ll call you
over the weekend when we’ve had a chance to discuss things.’

  
Livvy nodded. ‘Fair enough. I’ll be here for a few more days and then
you can contact me at Sean’s or work. I’ll see you out.’

  
‘Well,’ Sammy muttered as they made their way to the car. ‘That’s a turn
up for the books!’

  
‘You can say that again. But it’s out of the question.
We
can’t
bring the kid up.’

  
‘Why not?’

  
‘Because it wouldn’t be fair on you. I’ve put you through enough. I
couldn’t expect you to raise the kid as well.’

  
‘I’d love to help you bring up your baby, Roy.’

  
‘What?’

  
‘You heard! If
she
clears off
back to Glasgow you’ll have sole
custody and we can bring it up together. If she stays around and expects you to
be a part of its life, then I’ll have no peace of mind.’

 
‘You’re really willing to do
that
for me?’ He pulled her close
and kissed her. ‘You’re one hell of a woman, Sammy Cantello! If you’re sure,
we’ll do it. But I want it all legal. I’ll see our solicitor and get him to
draw up some sort of document. One where she gives up all rights. We’ll make
her a one-off payment to help her get her life back on track. How does that
sound?’

  
Sammy nodded; eyes bright with tears. ‘Let’s go and tell Jane and Ed the
news.’

  
‘What about your business and how will you cope when I’m on tour?’

  
‘We’ll cross all those bridges as and when we come to them.’

***

Sammy turned to Roy
as the Rolls purred to a halt outside The Grand.

  
‘You were miles away then. Not having second thoughts already, are you?’
she teased.

  
‘Not at all,’ he replied. ‘I was just thinking about the honeymoon and
stuff.’

  
‘I can’t wait. Paris here we
come!’ Sammy grinned, as Roy helped
her out of the car.

  
‘It would have been nice to go further a field,’ he said. ‘But with the
tour coming up and recording the new album, it will have to wait for another
time.’

  
‘I don’t care. It will be so good to be away, just the two of us.’

  
‘I wonder if Sharon will be
on reception,’ Roy said as they ran
up the steps to the entrance doors.

  
‘What on earth will she make of all this!’ Sammy exclaimed as he swung
her up into his arms and pushed open the door with his backside.

  
‘We’ll soon find out. Here she comes.’

  
Sharon was awaiting the
wedding party in the reception hall and her eyes widened.

  
‘Sharon, how nice to see you
again,’ Roy greeted the bewildered
girl. He put Sammy down. ‘Meet the wife.’

  
‘Don’t be confused,’ Sammy laughed. ‘We’ve retaken our wedding vows. The
reception is booked under my maiden name of Hardy.’

  
Sharon’s right hand flew to
her breast. ‘Oh, Mr Cantello, err, Roy,
that’s so romantic. I’ll show you to your function room. If you’d like to
follow me.’
      

  
They followed her down a corridor and into a large room and Sammy’s eyes
lit up as she took in the elegant candle and floral displays that decorated the
centre of each table. Pine garlands, strung with twinkling fairy lights and red
and gold bows, festooned the top table. A large decorated tree took pride of
place in the corner of the room, beside a grand piano.

  
‘It all looks very beautiful,’ Sammy nodded. ‘We’re really lucky it’s
almost Christmas. We’ve got all the extra trimmings.’

  
Sharon smiled. ‘It looks
stunning, doesn’t it? I’ll leave you now and get back to reception to direct
your guests as they arrive.’

  
‘Thank you,’ Roy replied. He
turned to Sammy as Sharon departed
and took her in his arms. ‘Are you happy, Mrs C?’

  
‘Very,’ she replied. ‘But we mustn’t forget that next week would have
been Nick and Jess’s wedding day.’

  
‘I know,’ Roy nodded. ‘I
said a silent prayer for him and one for Jess, too. I wonder what was going
through her mind as she was watching us.’

  
Sammy swallowed and shook her head. ‘I honestly don’t know. She’s been
through the mill lately. But she’s got a good future with Jon. He adores her
and they’ve got the baby to look forward to. They’ll be just fine.’

***

‘Congratulations, you two,’ Jane
greeted the pair as she and Eddie strolled in with their family.

 
 
‘Thanks! Grab a drink,’ Sammy said, grinning with delight

  
Roy signalled to a waiter
who walked over with a laden tray and handed round glasses of mulled wine.
   

  
‘That was a lovely ceremony and
you
look gorgeous, Sammy, just like a real bride,’ Jane said, clinking glass’s with
her.

  
‘It
was
nice, short but sweet. You two should do it sometime.’

  
‘We might, one day. We have to sort out Jon and Jess first. They want to
marry at some point, don’t you, my love?’

  
Jess nodded. ‘Eventually, when I’ve given birth.’ She looked down at her
swollen belly.

  
Sammy smiled. ‘You’re enormous for your dates. Have you told your mum
and dad yet, Jane?’

  
‘No. I’m dreading it to be honest. Ed and I are a right pair of wusses!’

  
‘Well what’s done is done. Once you explain the facts to them they’ll
accept it, you know they will,’ Sammy said. ‘Think how hard it was for Jon and
Jess to tell you and Ed. Get it in proportion.’

  
‘Are
you
looking forward to
your
baby, Sammy?’ Jess asked.

  
‘I am, very. The time will fly, what with Christmas and the group away
recording and getting ready for the tour. Delivery day’s only ten weeks off.’

  
‘Well it doesn’t show,’ Eddie teased, playfully patting Sammy’s flat
stomach.

  
‘What a bloody bizarre situation we’re all in,' Sammy said. 'How did
life ever get
this
complicated,
Jane?’

  
‘We’ve Ed and Roy to thank for that. None of it’s our doing,’ Jane said
dryly.

  
‘Here come the mums,’ Roy
muttered. ‘Talk about something normal, like the weather or the price of eggs.’
He greeted his mother, mother-in-law and Enid and handed them each a glass of
mulled wine.

  
Enid, clutching her handbag
in one hand and her glass in the other, looked at her daughter and smiled.
‘That was a lovely little ceremony, wasn’t it, Jane?’

  
‘Yes, Mum, lovely,’ Jane agreed.

  
‘I hope they’ll both be very happy this time.’

  
‘Mum, they always
were
happy. It’s just this last year that’s
been difficult for them. What with the accident and…’ Jane trailed off as her
mum pursed her lips in time-honoured fashion.

  
‘They’ll be well rid of
that
little Madam! It’s very good of
Sammy to offer to bring the baby up for Roy.
Not many wives would do that.’

  
Jane stared at her mother for a long moment. ‘I brought Jon up for Ed.’

  
‘Yes, dear, of course you did. I haven’t forgotten.’ Her mum glanced
around as though to make sure no one was eavesdropping and lowered her voice.
‘I’ve been meaning to have a word with you about our Jess.’

  
Jane stiffened slightly. ‘What about her?’

  
Again, mum’s eyes darted from side to side and she whispered, ‘She’s
putting on a fair bit of weight!’