by Nikki Ashton
“No Abs,” Tom interrupted with a sense of conviction. “This is down to me.”
“What the fuck is down to you, Thomas?” Jake’s jaw tightened as he folded his arms over his broad chest.
“Me and Abs, well…”
Before Tom had time to finish, the studio door swung open and Luke came barrelling in.
“You need to get upstairs, quick. We have a marquee situation.”
“Luke can it wait just a minute?” Tom asked.
“No!” Luke cried. “The fucking thing is in danger or blowing away, one of the goats from the petting zoo had been eating the ropes.” With that he disappeared through the door and thundered up the stairs.
Jake turned back to Tom and pointed down at his and Abbie’s hands. “This is not finished and we will talk later!”
“Jake,” Abbie groaned. “Please don’t be a jack ass about this.”
“I’m not talking about it now, Abs, and when I do it will be to that numb nut.” He glared at Tom and then stormed after Luke.
“Shit!” Tom groaned. “Every fucking time I build up the courage to talk to him something happens.”
“I know honey, I’m sorry.”
“We’d better get up there before Luke blows away with his tent.”
Abbie giggled despite her anxiety at what was to come, and followed Tom upstairs to the guests.
Chapter 16 – Christmas Day
It was early evening and the party was in full swing inside the marquee that was still standing. While everyone held on to the two half eaten ropes, Noah had rushed down the lane to one of the local farmers and managed to beg some ropes from him and the day was saved.
Thus, for the last two hours, residents of the village and Rickeby had been coming and going, enjoying the food and drink and generally having a great time. Despite Martha’s misgivings, the petting zoo was huge success with all the children, plus Guy had organised a magician and a face painter to keep them occupied while their parents enjoyed themselves.
“Hey Holly,” Martha cried pulling a curvy, dark haired woman into her embrace. “So glad you could make it, I thought you’d be busy with the hotel today.”
Holly Robertson and her husband owned a local hotel, Arlington Hall, and Liam her husband was good friends with Luke and Jake.
“We drew straws,” Holly replied with a giggle. “Mark lost, so he’s stayed behind with Mags, until our night manager arrives. We’re only going to be able to stay a couple of hours though, Ava is going through a really grizzly phase at bedtime.”
Martha looked in the direction of Holly’s gaze outside the marquee and saw Liam kneeling down with his daughter, Ava, in his arms and showing her the piglets.
“She’s beautiful, but I know your pain. Gigi is a little monster at bedtime unless Luke sings to her.”
Holly’s laugh tinkled in the air. “God, I hope for Ava’s hearing we never get to that stage. Neither Liam or I can sing.”
“Well, however long you stay, I hope you have a good time.”
“Thanks Martha, and thanks for inviting us.”
Martha moved away and found Abbie standing alone nursing a glass of juice.
“Hey Abs, you all alone? Where’s Tom?”
Abbie shrugged and chewed at the corner of her lip. “I don’t know, I haven’t seen him since he tried to talk to Jake.”
“Oh God, how did that go?” Martha gasped and moved closer to Abbie.
“It didn’t, Luke came down to the studio and told them they had to help keep the marquee in place.”
Martha’s eyes softened as she tucked Abbie’s hair behind her ear. “It’ll be okay, I’m sure of it. Tom’s probably practising his speech, or his boxing stance.”
When Abbie let out a whimper, Martha grimaced. “Sorry Abs, I didn’t mean that, I’m sure no punches will be thrown.”
Martha wasn’t really sure, but Abbie’s face was already etched with worry and she shouldn’t have caused her any more.
“I think there might be,” Abbie whispered. “Shit, it’s times like this I wish I drank alcohol.”
Martha gave her a quick squeeze and then turned when her name was called by Luke. “Will you be okay?”
Abbie nodded. “Yeah, I’ll go and sit with Stace for a while.” She nodded towards Stacey who had been deposited by Skins in a chair next to the food table.
“Okay, but if anything happens, come and find either me or Luke.”
“Will do. Now go and rescue Luke, Valerie’s a little squiffy and looks as though she’s going to eat him alive.”
They both turned to watch as Valerie walked her fingers up the front of Luke’s shirt. Martha turned to Abbie and grinned. “You know, I think it’s far more important that I talk to our guests, don’t you?”
“Hey, Freckles, have you seen Tom?” Jake asked as he deposited Hendrix into his wife’s arms.
“No.” Amber turned her attention to her son, trying not to look Jake in the eye. She hated that she was keeping Tom and Abbie’s relationship from him, but she’d made a promise and she had to keep to it. She only hoped that Tom finally told Jake tonight, because she was sure if she was the one to spill the secret, Jake would not be happy with any of them.
“I’m gonna look for him. It’s almost Santa time, although the little fu…idiot, says he’s not doing it.”
Amber smiled at this change of words in front of Hendrix. Getting Jake to tone down his language was an ongoing battle and they’d been extremely lucky that Eliza’s first word hadn’t been dickhead or fuck.
“Okay, baby but don’t force him if he really doesn’t want to do it. Noah has offered.”
Jake gave her a wicked grin. “Oh he’ll do it, don’t worry about that.”
As Jake walked away, chuckling to himself, Amber walked over to Betty who was talking to a tall slim girl with short blonde hair that was styled into an edgy quiff on top.
“Hey, Amber,” Betty cried joyfully. “Isn’t this great, I never thought Papa would pull it off, but he has.”
“Yes he certainly has. Hi,” Amber said to Betty’s friend. “Sorry to interrupt, but have you seen Tom anywhere?”
Betty looked around the throng of people and then back to Amber. “He was here, talking to Skins, but I haven’t seen him for about half an hour, maybe.”
“Okay, sweetie,” Amber replied. “Nice to meet you...”
“Oh sorry, I’m Summer.” She held her hand out to Amber who shifted Hendrix on her hip, took the hand and shook it.
“Nice to meet you Summer, Amber. Well I’d better go. See you later.”
Amber made her way around the marquee, greeting different residents and friends, all the time searching for Tom. She needed to speak to him and make sure he was going to tell Jake tonight.”
As Amber was about to make her second circuit of the marquee, she heard a bellow over by the magician. She swivelled and saw Jake standing with his hands on his hips staring down at Freddie Price and Eliza who were holding hands.
“Oh shit,” she muttered.
Quickly looking around, Amber spotted Lucia talking to an elderly couple.
“Auntie Lucia, could you take Hendrix for me, I think Jake is about to create a bit of a fuss over there.”
Lucia nodded and held her arms out for Hendrix, who reached for her quite happily. “It’s not Tom is it?” she asked.
“No,” Amber sighed. “Eliza is holding hands with a boy.”
Lucia smiled and nodded. “Off you go then.”
When Amber reached Jake, he was giving both Freddie and Eliza a lecture, but his steely gaze was firmly fixed on Freddie.
“Now listen Fredster, we had this conversation only yesterday, did we not?”
“Jake, what on earth is going on? I’ve just heard you from over there.” Amber hissed, pointing with her thumb over her shoulder.
Jake snapped his eyes to Amber. “They,” he said pointing at Freddie and Eliza, “are holding hands.”
“And?” Amber mimicked Jake’s stance; he
r hands on her hips.
“And, it’s not allowed.”
“Hey, what’s going on here?” Amber turned to see a gorgeous brown eyed man holding hands with a beautiful woman, who had a mass of perfect curls hanging down her back.
“Pricey.” Jake said with a curt nod.
“Jake, how’s it going? Been a while, how long is it since you left school.”
“Too long,” the woman replied before flashing a smile at Amber. “I’m Bets, Freddie’s mum. This is Tom, my husband.”
“Hi,” Amber replied with a giggle. “It appears my husband is concerned about your son’s intentions to our daughter.”
“He’s holding her hand!” Jake growled pointing at the offending hands. “Look.”
Tom started to laugh and high-fived his son. “Nice work Fred. She’s a beauty.”
Freddie grinned at his father and shuffled closer to Eliza.
“Tom,” Bets scolded. “Don’t encourage him. Freddie, why don’t you come with me and get some ice cream, or maybe we can go and find Uncle Niall? I think he’s taken Billy to see the animals.”
Freddie looked up at his mother with huge brown eyes and smiled. “Can Eliza come too, Mummy?”
Bets sighed and rubbed at her brow. “Well maybe we can find Eliza later. Billy has to go home soon, because Auntie Charlotte needs to go to bed.”
“Because she has a baby in her tummy?” Freddie asked.
“Yeah Fred, because the baby means she needs to peepee all the time.” Tom chuckled and then groaned as Bets elbowed him in the side.
Freddie looked at Eliza, then his parents and then turned back to Eliza.
“I got to go now Liza. Bye.”
As he leaned forward and kissed Eliza’s cheek, Jake let out a muffled groan as Amber slapped a hand over his mouth.
“Nice to meet you both,” Amber said as Freddie slipped his hands into that of his parents.
“Yeah you too,” Tom replied. “Probably see you again, seeing as it looks like we’ll be in-laws one day.”
With that Tom, Bets and Freddie walked away with Tom laughing and Bets grumbling at him.
“Over my fucking dead body,” Jake growled.
“Oh for God’s sake, Jake. Stop being so stupid.”
“Yeah Daddy,” a little voice called out. “Don’t be stupid.”
“Eliza, don’t call daddy stupid,” Amber chastised.
“Okay,” Eliza sing-songed back. “I go and find, Joshua now.” With that she skipped off.
“Who the fuck is Joshua?” Jake cried. “Can this night get any worse?”
His question was answered when suddenly the background music stopped and a groan echoed over the microphone.
Jake and Amber turned towards the small stage that had been erected for the band to perform on later in the night. Standing there, his legs trembling, the microphone shaking in his hand, was Tom and he was dressed as Santa, minus the beard.
“Oh my God,” Amber gasped. “What’s he doing?”
Jake grabbed Amber’s hand and pulled her through the crowds, closer to Tom. A couple of feet from the stage, Jake pulled them to a standstill, lowered his chin and stared at his friend.
“Evening everyone,” Tom said with a hint of a quiver in his voice. “I guess you’re wondering why I’m up here.”
“You were supposed to wear a beard,” Luke hissed from the side of the stage.
“Luke!” Skins snapped. “Leave him.”
Luke turned to Skins and looked at him quizzically. Skins shook his head and held a finger up, daring Luke to say any more. Seeing that Skins meant business, Luke shrugged and mouthed ‘okay’.
As Jake continued to stare at Tom, Abbie sidled up next to Jake and took hold of his hand.
“Jake please don’t be mad at him. This is a big thing for him, he’s petrified.”
“Really?”
“Yes, and not just of you.” Abbie let go of Jake’s hand and took a step closer to Tom. “Are you okay, baby?” Tears pooled in her eyes as she watched Tom’s hand continue to shake while he took deep breaths.
Tom lowered the mic’ and bent forward to speak in Abbie’s ear. “Just stay where I can see you; I’ll be fine if I can see you.”
“But Tom, the suit?” Abbie’s sob escaped and she slapped a hand against her mouth.
Tom reached forward and kissed her forehead. “I’ll do anything for you. Okay,” he said back into the mic’, straightening up and pulling back his shoulders. “Let’s do this.”
A wave of whispers spread around the marquee as everyone wondered what on earth Tom was going to say, and why he looked so scared at being on stage when he was such a seasoned performer. Tom stared back at them all and then focused on Abbie’s beautiful face. If he didn’t look down at the suit he could get through it without puking over everyone. Taking a huge breath, he lifted the mic’ once more and then turned his gaze to Jake.
“Jake, you know I love you like a brother, and I would never do anything to hurt you.”
Jake folded his arms across his chest and nodded for Tom to continue.
“You, the band, all the Dirty Riches family,” Tom said his voice slightly stronger now. “You mean everything to me and without all of you my life would have been so different. My parents love me, but they still think that after all these years I’m playing at this rock star thing, and one day I’ll get a proper job,” he said with laugh. “From as far back as I can remember, whenever they’ve talked about me it’s been with a sigh and shake of the head and I guess that rubbed off on me. I always thought I was ambling through life and had experienced some good luck to be your friend and end up in the band. At first I expected you to all eventually realise that I wasn’t that good and replace me…”
“Tom!” Luke said hoarsely, taking a step towards his friend. Tom’s words were far from the truth; he was one of the best bass players that had ever taken the stage.
“No Luke, let me finish, buddy.”
Luke nodded and took a step back to stand next to Skins.
“Like I said, I thought that you’d replace me one day, but you never did. While you take the piss out of me every day, you never ever forget to tell me how good I am at playing guitar. You all make me feel worthwhile and important as part of the band, and I can’t thank you enough for that.”
As Abbie started to sniff, Tom paused and looked at her. He smiled softly and pursed his lips to blow a kiss. Her face crumpled into a tearful smile and she mouthed ‘I love you’.
“So,” Tom said addressing his audience again. “You all know that for the last few years I’ve been the wild one, the one who likes to party.”
Laughter rippled around the crowd as everyone agreed with nods of heads and laughter.
“Well that all kind of changed a year ago. You must have all realised that I haven’t been in the gossip columns for a while. Well, that’s because a year ago a beautiful woman came into my life and turned it upside down.”
As Tom looked at Abbie, all eyes turned to her and watched as she swiped at the tears rolling down her cheeks. Jake moved to his sister, but Amber pulled him back.
“No baby, she’s fine,” she said softly.
Jake turned and looked at his wife and then nodded.
“Abbie Sinclair is the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met, and while what I’m about to say could lose me my oldest friend, and maybe even my career, I don’t care because it’ll be worth it.” Tom took another deep breath and pointed his stare at Jake. “I love your sister Jake and I cannot imagine a life without her in it, and will never allow that to happen. We love each other and want to be together, so if that means losing you and the band, then so be it. I know you think I was joking about being scared of wearing this suit, but I really am…” Tom’s voice broke and he blew out a breath before continuing. “But, I would do that for her. I would face my fears for her, because I absolutely fucking adore her. Shit, sorry about the language kids.”
A few titters of laughter tinkled, from both adults
and children around the room.
“Well, that’s it. I love Abbie, so if you’re gonna hit me then go for it.”
Tom pushed the mic’ to one side and held out his arms, his eyes never leaving Jake’s. Jake walked slowly towards the stage his eyes narrowed and his jaw set tight. As he reached Tom, he pulled back his arm, Abbie cried out, Amber gasped and Luke and Skins rushed forward. Before anyone could reach him Jake stopped in front of Tom and threw his arms around him and pulled him hard against his chest.
“You stupid fucker,” he muttered against his friend’s ear. “Did you really think you two could hide anything from me?”
“You knew,” Tom cried pushing Jake away.
“Of course I did. Don’t forget Freckles and I pulled the same damn trick; I know all the secret hideouts and excuses you used. I used them myself.”
Tom didn’t know whether to laugh, cry or punch the stupid smirk off Jake’s face. He supposed it was obvious really. Jake and Amber had conducted a secret relationship for a while, not wanting Luke to know, but he had; so what on earth made him think he and Abbie had been any more ingenious.
“Jake,” Abbie said tentatively. “You’re really okay about this?”
Jake turned and hugged his sister, rocking her from side to side. “I love you Abs, and just want you to be happy and I can see that this idiot makes you happy. I’ve seen it for the last year how you’ve changed. Your smile got bigger and you were excited about life, and while I didn’t realise it was because of Tom until about eight months ago, I was grateful for whatever it was that made you that way.”
“Eight months!” Tom bawled. “You’ve known for eight fucking months and not said anything. You’re always warning me off her.”
“Yeah, because I wanted to know how serious about her you were and I wanted you two to tell me. I knew you would in the end, when you were ready,” Jake said with a soft smile aimed at Abbie. “I also knew that when you told me it would be because you were serious about my sister. I wanted you to be sure you loved her because she made you happy, not because I might kill you if you hurt her; which still stands by the way.”
“Oh Jake,” Abbie cried and threw herself into his arms. “I love you.”