Billie Jo (32 page)

'No problem,' said the nice Iranian driver.

Billie found her dad's grave immediately. She had only
been to visit him twice since his funeral. Staring at his
gravestone had been far too upsetting for her and she'd
vowed never to return. Today, though, she needed to speak
to him. Wiping the dirt off his plaque, she knelt down
beside where his body lay.

'Hi, Dad, it's me, your little Princess. I miss you so
much and I hope wherever you are that you're OK. I've
come today to ask you for a favour. I know by now you
must have met God and I'm sure he must like you very
much. Everyone down here liked you, Dad, so I'm sure
that it must be the same up there.'

Billie wiped her tears away. Her hands were covered
in mud and the dirt smeared into her cheeks. Half laughing,
half crying, she carried on. 'Please, Dad, have a word
with God for me. Tell him not to take my Jamie away.
He's far too young to go up to heaven. I really love him
and I need him to stay down here with me.' Billie sobbed
as she kissed her father's headstone.

'Thanks, Dad.'

As she walked away, Billie could have sworn blind that
she heard a man's voice. Scanning the cemetery, she was
surprised to see that the only person there was an old
lady tending her husband's grave. I must be going mad,
Billie mused. Either that or I'm over-tired.

Clambering into the back of the cab, a strange feeling
washed over her. She wasn't mad, she had definitely heard
that voice. It had sounded a bit like her dad but she
couldn't be sure. She wasn't stupid, she didn't believe in
ghosts, but had found the moment comforting.

The cab driver noticed Billie's dirty tear-stained face
in his mirror. 'Are you OK?' he asked politely.

Billie smiled. She felt weird, calm in fact. 'I'm
absolutely fine. Take me back to Oldchurch please.'

On the other side of London, Michelle was having a heart-to-heart
with her cell mate. Chelle had recently been
offered her own cell, but Jane had pleaded with the screws
to carry on letting them share.

'I can't believe how I treated her, Jane. I mean, it wasn't
Billie's fault that her dad didn't love me. I can see it now,
but why couldn't I see it before?'

Jane squeezed Chelle's hand. 'Don't blame yourself,
Chelle. It was the drink, it wasn't you. Drink is the root
of all evil, trust me. My life was shit until I gave it up.
It takes a while for them clouds to clear, but once they
do, things are very different. You need to keep going to
AA, Chelle. I swear by them meetings.'

Punching Jane playfully in the arm, Chelle laughed.

'They weren't for me them meetings, full of not-rights.
They couldn't have been much good for you either, you
ended up back in here, you dopey cunt.'

Jane laughed and put Michelle into one of her headlocks.
The pair of them spent hours putting the world to
rights, and playfighting was a favourite source of entertainment.
Letting Chelle go, Jane reverted back to serious mode.

'Listen, Chelle, seriously. I was dry for years. Once, I
fell off the wagon and look what happened, I ended up
back in here. Me, Chelle, I've got no one. I'm an only
child and both my parents are dead. You've got everything
going for you. You have to make it right with Billie
and your grandson and the only way to do that is stop
drinking completely. People like me and you can't have
the odd drink, Chelle, we're alcoholics. Don't waste your
life, girl, because at the end of the day life is sweet.'

Chelle looked into Jane's eyes and noted the sincerity
in them. Seconds later, they shared their very first kiss!

The hospital felt different as Billie made her way back
through the many corridors. The awful feeling of earlier
had been replaced by a feeling of hope and optimism.
One of the nurses smiled at her.

'Billie, I was just going to call you. Dr Kelly wants to
talk to you. Apparently, he's got some news.'

Ten minutes later, Billie and Jamie's mum sat side by
side looking expectantly at the doctor.

'The operation has been a success. We're very hopeful.
Having said that, Jamie is still in a poor condition. He
has suffered a punctured lung, internal bleeding and has
lost a lot of blood. We've given him a transfusion and
although he is not out of the woods yet, Jamie has been
a very lucky man. Two of the stab wounds were within
millimetres of his vital organs. We all have our fingers
crossed for him and the next twenty-four hours will be
critical.'

'Can we see him?' Billie asked tearfully.

Looking solemn, Dr Kelly opened the door. 'Not at
the moment, I'm afraid. We need to stabilise him first.
Hopefully, you may be able to spend five minutes with
him later.'

Jamie's mum burst into tears. She had hardly cried all
day, but now she couldn't stop. Not knowing what to do,
Billie held her in her arms.

'Ssh, come on now, we must be strong for Jamie. He's
going to be OK, Jamie's a fighter and I just know
he's gonna pull through.'

Valerie Jackson squeezed Billie's hand. 'I'm so sorry
I blamed you earlier. You're a nice girl and I know my
Jamie loves you very much.'

Billie sighed. 'It is my fault. If I hadn't have got
involved with Danny, none of this would have happened.'

'It is not your fault, Billie. I was taken in by Danny
O'Leary too. Many a time, years ago, he'd knock round
mine for Jamie and I thought he was a lovely boy. I always
invited him inside and made a fuss of him. Danny is one
of life's charmers and we were all conned by him, Jamie
included.'

Billie nodded and tried to smile. She'd felt terrible
earlier, when Valerie had blamed her. Now she felt better.
'Do you fancy a coffee?' Billie suggested.

'I'd love one. I'll come with you.'

Billie smiled. No words were needed. Their friendship
had begun.

Danny peered out the window and pulled the curtain back
across. The street was desolate, thank God. If the Old
Bill knew it was him, they would have been round by
now. Necking the JD straight from the bottle, he threw
an empty fag packet at Debbie. The silly tart had been
asleep on the sofa for the past hour.

'You all right, babe?' she asked sleepily.

'No, I'm bored and I feel horny.'

Debbie smiled. Danny walked around with a permanent
hard-on.

'Shall we go to bed?'

Danny unzipped his trousers and unleashed his cock.
'I ain't going to bed. Come over here and get your mouth
round this.'

Debbie liked to feel wanted. Lifting her pregnant frame
off the sofa, she knelt down and duly obliged. Danny
rested the back of his head on the sofa and stared at the
ceiling. He was thinking of the sort that he'd met earlier.
Emma. As he pictured her long tanned legs in her miniskirt,
Danny felt himself about to come.

As the door splintered and the flat shook, a drunken
Danny thought he was having the orgasm of a lifetime.
He'd heard the old saying 'Did the earth move for you?',
but this was something else.

Danny let out a yell as he realised what was happening.

Unfortunately for him, the police had arrived at exactly
the same time as he had!

Billie Jo stood in the shower and lifted her head. The
warm water felt soothing as it splashed across her face.
Feeling refreshed, she stepped onto the bath mat and
towelled herself dry. Billie had returned home for the first
time since Jamie had been taken into hospital. It was
Valerie who had demanded she take a break.

'Go and have something to eat, freshen yourself up
and get a change of clothes, Billie. When you come back,
I'll do the same. If there's any news in the meantime, I'll
call you,' she'd insisted.

Hearing her phone ring, Billie ran to answer it. Seeing
the caller was Brenda, she allowed the answerphone to
take the message.

'Billie, it's Brenda. I had to call you to let you know
that I'm thinking of you. Danny's solicitor rang me to
inform me that he's been arrested. I'm so sorry, Billie. I
don't know what else to say to you.'

Billie deleted the message and got dressed. Apart from
Valerie, who was going through the same emotions as
she was, Billie didn't want to talk to anybody else. She
hadn't even rung Jade.

Billie opened the fridge and glanced at the contents
but quickly shut the door. The thought of eating made
her feel ill. She had to know if Jamie was going to survive
before she could face food again. Calling a cab, she made
herself a coffee.

Hearing a toot, she rushed out of the house and nervously
began her journey back to the hospital.

Michelle lay on her bunk and shut her eyes. Jane had a
visit from her solicitor, which enabled Chelle some
thinking time, alone. Her feelings were in overdrive and
she was confused to say the least. She had never been
into women before. Not once had she ever fancied a bird,
but Jane was different. She was understanding, kind, caring
and funny. Since Chelle had met Jane, the loneliness she'd
felt for years had all but disappeared. She felt as if she
had met someone that liked and accepted her for what
she was. Chelle smiled to herself; only she could fall for
someone that looked like Ray Winstone with tits. The
girls down the gym would have a field day when they
found out.

Hearing footsteps, Chelle looked expectantly at the
door. As it opened and Jane walked in, the butterflies in
her stomach began to somersault.

Billie was very near the hospital when her mobile began
to ring. Seeing the name Valerie flash on the screen, she
shook like a leaf.

'Hello. What's happened?'

Valerie was crying and laughing at the same time. 'He's
woken up, Billie. He's OK, darling. He's gonna be just
fine.'

'I'll be two minutes.'

Billie was too choked to say anything else. She needed
to see Jamie, hear his voice, feel his touch. Only then
would she believe he was all right.

Chucking a tenner at the cab driver, Billie dashed into
the hospital. When she saw Valerie, she smiled. Valerie
hugged Billie Jo tightly.

'The doctor said we can see him, Bill. I haven't been
in. I want you to go in first.'

Half crying, half laughing, Billie held Valerie's
hands.

'You're his mum, you go first and I'll go after.'

Valerie shook her head.

'No, Billie, you go. You've the love of his life, darling,
and he'll be desperate to see you, not me.'

Grabbing Valerie's hand, Billie dragged her down the
corridor. 'Let's go in together.'

Jamie was still half asleep when he saw his mother
and Billie appear arm in arm. Wondering if he was hallucinating,
he attempted to speak.

'My two favourite women,' he whispered.

Billie and Valerie sat either side of the bed, holding
his hands. Jamie took stock of the situation. His mum
and his girlfriend were now best buddies. Elated, he drifted
back to sleep.

Within days of the start of Jamie's recovery, Danny
O'Leary had been taken to court, refused bail and was
travelling back to Brixton. He'd been charged with
attempted murder. The reason he never got bail stood out
like a sore thumb to his brief.

'They've got it in for you, Danny. You took the rap for
Jimmy the Fish and the Old Bill have memories like
elephants.'

Initially, on a come-down from his playboy lifestyle,
Danny had been depressed. On learning he was on his
way back to Brixton, he cheered up considerably. He was
a face in there, a name. All the boys had loved him and
best of all, he could hook up with his old pal Razor.
Looking forward to being a hero again, Danny glared at
the spotty-faced knob sitting opposite him.

'Who are you looking at, you fucking mug?'

The spotty boy looked away quickly and Danny smiled
to himself. Attempted murder, not a bad CV. He'd be even
more of a face now than the last time. Grinning, Danny
pictured his old pals' faces when he told 'em he'd knifed
the geezer who'd hit on his bird. He'd be treated like a
fucking legend.

'Right, we're here, lads.'

Danny stood up as the engine cut out. Brushing himself
down, he shoved the other lads out of the way. Head held
high, he climbed confidently out of the van.

The speed of Jamie's recovery was nothing short of a
miracle. His mother and Billie being inseparable was
the best medicine he could have wished for. Less than
a fortnight after the vicious attack, Jamie thanked the
doctors and nurses who had undoubtedly saved his life
and waved goodbye to Oldchurch Hospital. His mum
had come to collect him, whilst Billie was at home
attempting to cook a roast dinner to celebrate his homecoming.

Billie had made a little Welcome Home banner, which
she'd placed outside the door. DJ had insisted on helping
her colour it in and had ballsed it right up, bless him.
Hearing a car, Billie ran over to the window.

Seeing Jamie's mum's Fiesta, she ran to the door, overjoyed.
Jamie smiled. He was still fairly weak, his walking
was slow, but within himself he felt on top of the world.
His guvnor had been great. Not only had he visited him
three times at the hospital, but he'd also demanded Jamie
take three months off work on full pay.

'Jamie,' DJ screamed excitedly as he ran to greet his
idol.

Fragile as he was, Jamie managed to scoop DJ into
his arms. Smothering Jamie with kisses before he had
even got through the door, Billie took his arm and led
him to the sofa.

'I've put some pillows and a quilt there for you. You
have a rest while me and your mum dish the dinner up.'

Jamie grinned. Billie was his purpose in life, his rock,
but he was determined to wind her up.

'You know you can't cook, Bill. Don't fucking poison
me, Oldchurch ain't expecting me back just yet.'

Swiping him with the tea towel, Billie skipped back
to the kitchen.

Michelle picked up the letter, read it for the third time and
put it back under her pillow. She and Billie Jo had been
corresponding on a regular basis and Chelle now eagerly
awaited her letters. This particular one had contained
pictures of DJ. Chelle had never considered herself a gran
in the past, but now things were different. Drunk she had
cared about no one but herself, but sobriety had changed
all that. Michelle had shed many tears whilst on the inside.
Prison has an uncanny gift of making you study your
mistakes and Chelle now knew that she had made many.

The death of Hannah Lennon and her treatment of
Billie Jo were the two things that Chelle couldn't forgive
herself for. She knew that they would haunt her until the
day she died. Obviously, the Hannah situation was a no-go.
Chelle had written a heartfelt letter to her family, but
understandably had received no reply.

Billie Jo was a different story. In her letters, Billie
was kind, sweet and loving and in her heart of hearts,
Chelle knew that she didn't deserve Billie's forgiveness.
Her obsession with Terry had forced her to push her
daughter away and she would regret her behaviour for
ever. Stifling her guilt, Chelle put her head under the pillow.

'You awake, Chelle?' asked a gruff voice.

Chelle smiled. Jane knew Michelle better than she knew
herself and instinctively knew when to intervene.

'I've been looking at them photos of my grandson again.
It's so weird, Jane, I don't even know him, but really he's
a part of me. Granny Michelle, it seems so strange.'

Lifting her hefty frame off her bunk, Jane stretched
out her muscular arms to Michelle and stroked the back
of her head. Kissing her gently, she spoke as softly as her
manly voice would allow.

'Everything's gonna be OK, babe. You've got me now
and I will never let you down.'

Believing Jane's words, Chelle kissed her passionately.

After being searched, humiliated and spoken to like shit,
Danny O'Leary went to find Razor.

He knew he'd find him in the gym. It was ten past six
and Razor always trained between six and eight. Razor
had the screws sewn up. He made sure they led a quiet
life, on the condition that he could work out; if he couldn't,
there'd be murder.

Waltzing into the gym like he owned the place, Danny
spotted Razor immediately.

'Oi, oi, oi. I'm back, me old mucker.'

Sitting up, Razor put his weights to one side. 'Nice to
see you, Dan.'

Danny stood grinning as Razor bowled towards him.
His expression changed in seconds when Razor gripped
his hand. The headbutt was enough to send Danny flying
and the kick in the bollocks was excruciating. Throating
up a mouthful of phlegm, Razor spat into Danny's face.

'Jimmy the Fish is my pal. You're a piece of shit,
O'Leary. Only scum bites the hand that feeds 'em.'

As Razor left the gym, Danny tried to get up. Writhing
in pain, he fell back on the floor and noticed a couple of
inmates laughing at him.

'Who you fucking looking at?' he screamed, agitated.

Walking past Danny, the two geezers in question aimed
a kick at him.

'You, you fucking mug.'

As the two fellas walked off laughing, Danny knew in
that split second that he'd been taken back to Brixton for
a reason!

Billie and Valerie looked at one another and smiled. Jamie
had cleared his plate and the two women in his life were
overjoyed by his appetite.

'Well, did you enjoy that?' Billie asked, expecting a
compliment.

Jamie smiled. Billie's cooking had improved immensely,
but he wasn't about to let on.

'It was edible. After all that old hospital food, even
your cooking tastes good, Bill.'

Billie shot him an angry look. She had spent ages
cooking that dinner. Then, seeing he was laughing, she
started giggling herself.

Valerie squeezed Billie's arm.

'Take no notice of the cheeky little sod. I thoroughly
enjoyed it, Billie. You're a lovely cook, darling.'

Billie smiled. 'Would you like another drink, Valerie?'

Valerie stood up. 'Nope, I've had two glasses. I'm going
to do the washing-up and then I'm going home.'

'You're welcome to stay,' said Billie. 'Please don't
feel uncomfortable. We want you to stay, don't we,
Jamie?'

Jamie winked at Billie. 'Don't lie, Bill. Go on, Mum,
fuck off home.'

Valerie chuckled as she headed to the kitchen. Sure
sign her Jamie was back to his old self. His warped sense
of humour was more than proof of his recovery.

Gingerly lifting himself off the chair, Jamie sloped
over to the sofa.

'Come 'ere, you,' he ordered Billie.

Snuggling up next to him, Billie was careful not to
press against his injuries.

'I ain't a fucking leper, you know,' Jamie said adamantly.

Billie grabbed his hand and pointed it towards DJ who
was flat out in the armchair snoring his head off.

'Hark at him,' Jamie said, kissing Billie's hair. 'He
sounds like one of them old boys in the hospital.'

Billie giggled. 'I haven't told you about my mum and
her letters, have I?'

Jamie smiled. Sitting next to Billie again was the best
feeling in the world and he was loving every minute of it.

'You told me you've been getting on all right and she's
been phoning you.'

'There's more to it than that,' Billie said. 'She's changed
so much, Jamie. She asks about you and DJ all the time.
She seems so happy in there. She's become great friends
with a woman called Jane. Apparently this Jane has had
problems with drink, like Mum has, and I think she's been
a good influence on her. They get on so well that Mum
said in her last letter that Jane's going to move in with
her. I think Mum's due out first and Jane's release date
is a couple of weeks after her. Mum said they're gonna
attend AA meetings together. She said that with Jane's
support, she can overcome all of her past.'

Jamie started to laugh. Unable to stop himself, he
held his stomach. 'I bet Jane's a dyke, Bill. I bet any
money you like that your mother's turned into a raving
lesbo.'

Billie was annoyed. 'Stop it. Don't say that.'

Jamie could barely speak for laughing. 'What's this
Jane bird inside for then?'

Billie punched him on the arm. She loved him, but he
was such a piss-taker.

'I don't know, Mum didn't say. She's probably a nice
woman. You're so wicked, Jamie.'

Billie's annoyance made Jamie laugh all the more.

'Honestly, Bill. I bet Mummy's friend ain't no Kylie
Minogue, I bet she looks more like fucking Phil
Mitchell.'

'Shut up. You're not funny, Jamie.'

Valerie entering the room halted Billie's anger.

'Right. The washing-up's done. I'm off now and I'll
ring you two lovebirds in the morning.'

Jamie stood up and hobbled towards his mother. He
hugged her and kissed her on both cheeks.

'Thanks, Mum. Thanks for everything.'

Valerie left the house with tears in her eyes. Her Jamie
was so happy with his family life and she'd been such a
cow to him when he'd first told her about Billie.

'What do you wanna take on another man's child for?
Meal ticket, that's all you are. You're a plonker, Jamie, a
sucker for a sob story.'