Bounding upstairs, Chelle thanked God for the lucky escape she'd just had. Knocking back the last drop of wine she'd taken with her, she held her glass aloft. 'Cheers, Paddy, you old bastard, you couldn't have picked a better day to go, mate. In fact for once in your sad, miserable life you've done something useful.' This situation was absolutely brilliant. Not only was she needed at the moment, it also gave her an excuse to behave like the perfect wife. Whatever old tart Terry had on the go certainly wasn't going to look after his miserable old cow of a mother, she was certain of that.
No, for the moment she was needed, and being needed made Michelle a very happy woman indeed.
FIVE
In the days that followed his father's funeral, Terry was stressed out beyond belief. He couldn't understand how anybody could hate the sight of their old man and become upset the moment he kicked the bucket. After barely speaking for years, he now felt guilty that he hadn't tried to bury the hatchet while Paddy was still alive. His mother was becoming another headache; Terry had fully expected that Pearl would want to move back into her own home once Paddy's funeral was over and done with, but much to his dismay, she hadn't.
'I can't go back to that bloody house on my own, there's too many memories,' Pearl had said adamantly. Terry didn't know what to do about the situation. He could hardly sling her out on the street, could he?
His relationship with Jade had recently begun to suffer. Babysitting his mum in the evenings, he only got to see Jade at work and the situation was driving him mad. Jade also seemed distracted, as if she had something on her mind and Terry was really worried about her. She'd called in sick on numerous occasions, which was really unusual, as Jade would normally have to be dying not to make work. Terry had begun to think that she was getting pissed off with the whole caboodle and was trying to avoid him. He decided there and then to turn up uninvited at her flat that evening and find out what the bloody hell was going on.
Flicking through the TV channels, Jade tried but was unable to concentrate. She knew she had to tell Terry the news, but the thought of broaching the subject filled her with dread. What if he dumped her, called it a day? Even worse, he may swear blind that she was trying to trap him. Why, oh why did this have to happen now? They'd planned their future so precisely and this hadn't been part of the plan. Everything was ruined now and it was all her fault. Feeling the tears roll down her cheek, she angrily snatched at the tissues. The thought of losing him was too awful to contemplate and all she could do was pray that he understood the predicament she found herself in.
Billie was having her own problems with the new lodger and had temporarily decided to stay at Tiffany's. Ever since her grandad had died, her nutty nan had started taking an interest in her, asking her personal stuff about her love life and questioning her morals with boys.
The quotes she kept repeating, over and over, were alien to Billie.
'Always remember, Billie. The five is the trump card, you should always hang on to the five.'
'Why would a man buy a cow, when the milk is delivered on the doorstep?'
'Billie, never trust a man until he's seven days dead. Even then, if you open the coffin, his thingy would still be standing upright.'
Driven mad, Billie had spoken to her dad, packed her bags and headed for some sanity around her friend's house.
* * *
'Get me another cup of tea, Michelle, I'm thirsty. There's a good girl.'
Chelle looked at her mother-in-law with pure hatred. The greedy old cow had about thirty cups a day and expected her to keep jumping up and making them. 'No problem, Pearl,' she said through gritted teeth.
It was two weeks now since Terry had first brought Pearl home and Michelle's patience was wearing thin. She loved having Terry home again every night, but it was the daytime bit that was getting on her tits. The old bag expected to be waited on hand and foot and Chelle wasn't sure she could take much more. If only she hadn't mugged herself off at the wedding, she wouldn't have had to suffer any of this.
Having to lick arse and act like the perfect daughter-in-law just wasn't Chelle's scene and she knew it would take just one little thing to push her over the edge. The final nail in the coffin came when the phone rang.
'All right, Chelle, it's me. Is everything OK? How's Mum?'
Chelle swallowed a mouthful of vodka, took a deep breath and went into cheerful mode. 'I'm coping, Tel, I've just taken a cup of tea and a piece of cake up to the bedroom for her. What about you, are you all right? Will you be home early again?'
Terry had been home by eight o'clock every single night for the last two weeks and Chelle was thriving on it. Deep down, she knew that it wasn't her he was rushing home to, but she could live with that. He was back where he belonged and that's all that mattered. She was sure whatever old floozie had been on the scene had now been well and truly discarded.
'Actually, Chelle, that's what I rang to tell you. I'm gonna be home late tonight. I've got to pick up a couple of cars from an auction in Cambridgeshire. I might be really late so don't bother waiting up for me.'
Cutting him off, Chelle poured herself another drink, a large one. She knew the bastard was lying. Auction my arse, he was meeting up with his old slapper and she'd just about taken all she could take. If he thought she was sitting here looking after his old cunt of a mother while he was out whoring, he had another thing coming. After ringing Hazel and organising a night out, Chelle had a bath, sorted through her glad-rags and spruced herself up. No-good bastard, she'd had a gutful of him and his fucking mother. Bollocks to the pair of them. For all she cared they could both rot in hell!
Hazel had advised her weeks ago to hire a private detective to catch Terry out. At least that way she could put herself out of her misery once and for all, but Chelle was too frightened to follow it through. She'd thought about it, she really had, but the thought of being handed photos or a videotape with some ravishing beauty on the other end of it filled her with dread. She'd probably end up topping herself if that were to happen.
Chelle had met Jade on numerous occasions over the years when stomping into her husband's car lot for this, that or the other. Describing her to her friends as the blonde gofer with the Pam Ayres voice, Chelle would have had a cardiac on the spot if she'd realised that the girl she'd always mocked and spoke to like shit, was not only shagging her husband, but had also won his heart. This was perhaps Chelle's downfall. She was never able to see further than the end of her nose. Because Jade had a country accent, wore long skirts and didn't walk around with her tits hanging out, Chelle judged her as a nothing, a no-mark. The Essex girl that Chelle was could never understand the sex appeal of someone like Jade.
Deciding to wear a low-cut top, jeans, scarf and Armani blazer, Chelle admired herself in the mirror. She'd recently lost a few pounds and thought she looked good for it. Hearing the front door slam, she galloped down the stairs. Maybe Terry had had a change of heart, binned the old tart and had come home to her after all.
'All right, Mum?' Billie Jo stood at the bottom of the stairs.
'I'm fine, Bill,' Chelle replied dejectedly.
Billie noticed her mother's look of disappointment and was unable to stop her own sarcasm. 'It's so nice you seemed as pleased to see me as usual, Mum, considering I haven't been home for days. You make me feel so wanted, not.'
'Look after your nan for a while, Bill, I've got to pop out, it's an emergency.' Chelle could lie for England when it suited her.
'Do I have to, Mum? I've got school tomorrow and loads of homework to finish.'
'Just do it, Bill. Daddy's on his way home. Just look after her till he gets here.' With her nose growing longer by the second, Chelle shot out the door, leaving her daughter to it.
Terry arrived at the flat at six o'clock and was let inside by an ashen-faced Jade.
'What's up, babe? You look awful. Have you been crying? What's the matter?'
Jade fell into his arms and sobbed like a baby. 'I'm OK, Tel, I think I've had a touch of t
he flu or something.'
Terry stared intently into Jade's eyes. He knew when she was lying. For a split second he felt his veins run cold. Had she been attacked or threatened or something? 'Don't fuck with me, Jade. What's the matter? Has someone touched you or done something to you, or what?'
Jade looked at him and knew she had to tell him the truth. 'I'm so sorry, Terry, I'm pregnant. I've been taking the pill, I promise you. I swear I would never try to trap you, not in a million years. I don't know how it happened and if you want me to get rid of it I will. It's up to you, Tel. Whatever you decide, I'll do it.'
Terry sat deep in thought for a couple of minutes. Jade looked at him, her face full of concern, and was relieved to see a big smile spread across his face.
'Get rid of it, are you mad or what? It's brilliant news, unbelievable. I want us to have a baby, more than you'll ever know. We'll have to keep it under wraps until my divorce is finalised. If anyone asks, just make up a story that you've got a new boyfriend or something. As soon as I've got rid of Chelle and paid her off, the world is ours, girl, ours and our baby's and we can shout it from the bloody rooftops.'
Jade sat down next to him and knew in an instant that he was telling the truth. 'I was too frightened to come into work, Tel. I kept having morning sickness and when the doctor confirmed it, I didn't know what to do for the best.'
'I can't believe you, Jade. Whaddya think I am, some kind of monster?' Terry took her into his arms and squeezed her tightly. 'I love you so much and don't you ever forget that. Me and you are gonna be so happy, Jade, you got that?'
'Oh, Terry, I love you so much.'
'Not as much as I love you, girl. And I promise you, whatever happens in life, I will look after you and our baby until the day I take my last breath.'
SIX
The weeks that followed the announcement of Jade's pregnancy filled Terry with both joy and guilt. House-hunting with Jade and planning his future around her and his unborn child filled him with a happiness he had forgotten existed. Lying to Billie Jo and deceiving her indoors made him feel like a complete and utter bastard.
Chelle had been extra nice recently and that had made the situation he was in even harder. If she was her usual, drunken, arrogant self, he could've handled it. Unfortunately for him, that wasn't the case and he felt a tinge of sorrow for the woman that he'd once loved and would shortly be walking away from.
His mother had returned to Ireland, to stay with her sister Bridie, and Terry was glad to be relieved of the burden. Unluckily for him, she'd promised to come back, for Christmas. He hadn't had the heart to say no, so he'd extended the offer to Bridie too. With a bit of luck they'd keep one another company and allow him a bit of leeway.
'All right, babe?' Terry let himself into the flat with his own key and was quickly dragged into the lounge by an excited Jade.
'Look at all this stuff, Tel. I've been shopping for the baby.'
Terry smiled at the furry pair of boots she was holding.
'They're all right, Jade, for a girl. If we have a boy, I'm telling you now, he ain't being dressed in any of that shit you keep buying. No son of mine is going to look like a fucking poof.'
Jade giggled at his words. He was such a man's man and she'd guessed his reaction even before he'd given it.
Winking at her, Terry pulled her close. With his hands firmly on her backside, he pressed himself against her.
'Let's go to bed, eh?'
Smiling, Jade took his hand and led him towards their love-nest.
After viewing several properties, Jade and Terry finally settled on a four-bedroom house in a little village called Stapleford Abbotts. Terry was overjoyed that it wasn't too far away. He'd been desperate to stay close to his business and hadn't wanted to drag Billie Jo too far away from her friends.
The area they had chosen met all of their requirements, so Terry had arranged a cash deal with the owner and had secured the place for a fair price. He temporarily stuck the property in Davey Mullins' name. He knew the shit was going to hit the fan and it was something else Chelle wouldn't be able to get her grubby paws on. Terry had told no one about the baby other than Dave, who could be trusted more than life itself. He knew his secret and his money that Dave was looking after for him were as safe as houses. After his divorce was over, Terry would put the house jointly into his and Jade's names.
As the nights darkened, he had the new house redecorated. They hadn't yet bought any furniture or moved anything into it as they didn't want it sitting empty with all their stuff inside. They had great plans for the room they'd chosen as the nursery. Jade was adamant that she didn't want to know the sex of the baby until it was born, therefore they planned to do it up after the birth.
Terry was desperate for the baby to be a boy to spare Billie's feelings and had convinced himself that it would be. Jade didn't care what sex the baby was, as long as it was healthy. Jade felt comfortable in her little flat and wanted to stay put until after the baby was born. Terry was pleased, as he didn't want her rattling about in the new house all on her own.
The only worry he had now was about Billie's re action when she found out Jade was pregnant and was going to be moving in with them. He expected her to throw a tantrum, but he hoped that once she'd got over the initial shock, she'd come round. This was another reason why he was praying for the baby to be a boy. He didn't want Billie's nose to be pushed out of joint if they had a little girl.
The plan was to move into the new house with Billie in July. A month later, he would gently break the news about the baby and Jade moving in.
Terry was dreading this year's festive season. The millennium was a fantastic excuse for Michelle to be comatose for at least a week. Terry had made no plans for the big event. He would rather stay indoors than suffer going out with Michelle. Every New Year's Eve she made a total cunt of herself and he was determined to take a rain-check on this particular celebration.
His mother was returning on Christmas Eve, along with his aunt. Unfortunately, his mum had only gone and invited his pisshead brother, John, to spend Christmas Day with them. Spending the day with one alcoholic was bad enough, but being saddled with two didn't bear thinking of. Terry just knew without a shadow of doubt that it was gonna be the Christmas from hell.
'What are you doing, Mum? Have you lost something?'
Billie Jo stood in the doorway of the spare room where her dad slept, wondering why her mum had it upside down.
'I've lost my credit cards and I think your dad had them in one of his pockets,' Chelle fibbed.
Smiling, Billie left her mum to it and went to the safety of her own room. She knew her mum was lying and sparks would shortly start to fly. Lying on her bed, Billie picked up her book and hoped that the tears and the Patsy Cline CD wouldn't ruin her evening.
Cursing herself for having been caught, Chelle took a sip of wine and carefully replaced Terry's clothes back into the wardrobe.
Plonking her oversized body onto the bed, she felt like crying with frustration. Every drawer she'd inspected. Every pocket of clothing the bastard owned she'd searched and found precisely nothing.
Well, she wasn't about to give up. Late tonight, he said he'd be home and Chelle was determined to find some evidence and answers before the wanderer returned.
Chelle was absolutely positive that he was up to no good. He was being too nice and when he didn't look guilty, he had a stupid grin plastered across his smarmy face. Things would be so much easier if she didn't still love him.
Wiping a tear from her eye, she topped up her glass. There was no time for sentimentality. Pulling out the underwear drawer, she fiercely emptied it onto the floor. She had to find something, anything, and she had to do it today. Once his sordid secrets were uncovered, she could dismember his meat and two veg and have great pleasure in frying them up for breakfast.
'Here we are, Tel. Pull up over there, on the drive.'
Doing as he was told, Terry smiled at Jade. He was nervous, as he was about to meet her pa
rents for the very first time. He felt like a bloody teenager all over again.
It had been his idea that Jade return to Somerset for Christmas. He knew he'd be up to his neck with family stuff, and he couldn't bear the thought of Jade being alone in the flat.
Jade hadn't seen her parents for over two years. They had never truly forgiven her for running off abroad and leaving them and her ex-boyfriend, Tommy, in no-man's-land. Now that Jade was expecting their first grandchild, both parties had decided it was time to kiss and make up.
'Oh, Jade. It's so good to see you,' Mary said, kissing her daughter and politely shaking hands with Terry.
'Welcome to the family,' Lenny muttered, whilst standing awkwardly behind his wife's back.
Two cups of tea, a piece of fruitcake and an interrogation worthy of the regional crime squad later, Terry couldn't wait to bolt out of the door.
'I best be making tracks, Jade,' he said, standing up.
'You can't go yet,' Mary said, thrusting a fresh cream scone towards him.
'Jade tells us that you've been married once before, Terry?' Lenny enquired nosily.
'Yeah, I'm divorced,' Terry lied, glancing at Jade.
'May I ask how long you've been divorced?' Mary pried.
'Three years,' Terry replied, with the first thing that came into his head. He could hardly tell them the poxy truth, could he?
Tubbs and Crockett would love that, wouldn't they, him announcing that he was still living with the wildebeest.
Putting the half-eaten scone onto the plate, Terry stood up and grabbed his car keys.
'It's been lovely meeting you both. As much as I'd like to stay longer, I'm afraid I really have to go. My daughter that I spoke about, Billie Jo, is spending Christmas with me and I've promised to pick her up on the way home.'
'It was very nice to meet you,' Lenny and Mary replied in unison.
Walking out to the car with him, Jade held his hand.
Billie Jo Page 5