Billie Jo (33 page)

As she remembered her vicious comments, Valerie
started her car. She felt terrible now. At the time she
hadn't met Billie. As a mother, she had wanted the best
for her only child. She'd been wrong, completely wrong.
Billie Jo and little DJ had been the making of her son.
Jamie was now a man and no longer her little boy. Smiling,
Valerie headed towards home.

Lying on the sofa together, Billie and Jamie had a
proper cuddle. Having missed him more than words could
say, Billie was unable to resist a kiss.

'No, behave yourself. I'm an invalid. You can't get me
all excited, I'm not up for the job.'

Billie's bottom lip jutted out. Jamie had done nothing
but make fun of her since he'd come home. Maybe he'd
gone off her or fallen for one of the nurses?

Jamie clocked her childlike expression and smiled.
When he was nervous, he joked. Tonight he had reason
to be nervous.

'Billie, can I ask you something?'

'If it's about my mum or my cooking skills, don't
bother,' Billie replied sulkily.

Jamie heaved his injured frame off the sofa and knelt
down on one knee.

'Billie Jo, you mean the world to me. I love you so
much and I wanna spend the rest of my life with you.'

As he noticed her startled expression, he pecked her
on the nose. Smiling, he asked the all-important question.
'Will you marry me, Billie?'

Billie screamed, leapt off the sofa and jumped up and
down.

'Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.'

DJ had been fast asleep. His mother's hysterics woke
him up. Scanning the room to see if his nasty daddy had
returned, he was relieved to see just his mum and Jamie.

'Whatsa matter, Mummy? Has Daddy come back
again?' he asked nervously.

Scooping him into her arms, Billie swung DJ around
the room.

'Guess what? Mummy and Jamie are getting married.
And we want you to be pageboy.'

DJ giggled. He had no idea what pageboy meant, but
he knew it must be something nice. Putting his thumb in
his mouth, he sucked on it hard. He had something to
say, something to ask.

Releasing his thumb, he held on to Billie's neck.
'Mummy.'

'What, darling?'

'Will Jamie be my new daddy?'

Billie Jo looked DJ in the eyes. 'Only if you want him
to be.'

DJ smiled. 'I do, Mummy, I do.'

Billie looked at Jamie. No words were needed. Their
smiles said it all.

July 2005

Davey Mullins said his goodbyes and sat deep in thought.
He'd been sunbathing on his yacht and the phone call had
taken him completely by surprise. Feeling the guilt surge
through his veins, he knew what he had to do.

'Luna, ring Mickey and get him to book us a flight to
London, asap.'

Luna smiled at her husband. 'OK, Davey.'

Billie Jo felt nervous as she looked into the full-length
mirror. Turning to face her three bridesmaids, she lifted
her glass of champagne.

'Cheers, girls. Now are you sure I look OK?'

Tiffany, Carly and Tina made a toast to her. 'You look
beautiful, Billie,' Carly said.

'If anyone deserves to be happy, it's you, mate,' Tina
insisted.

Billie watched her friends chatting away happily and
smiled to herself. She had been so pleased when they had
all agreed to be her bridesmaids.

Tiffany was her old school friend and although they
didn't see so much of each other these days, they had
plenty of happy memories from years ago to bond them
together for life.

Carly, Jamie's ex-girlfriend, had been more than happy
for Billie to marry him. She was now gloriously happy
herself, living with a builder named Scott. They were
planning their own wedding for next summer, choosing
the Caribbean as their favoured destination.

Billie loved Tina to death, and apart from Jade she was
definitely the best friend she'd ever had. Billie had asked
Jade to be bridesmaid number four, but Jade had decided
against it.

'I'll come to the wedding, Billie, but now you've
repaired your relationship with your mum, I don't think
it's right for me to be a bridesmaid.'

Billie had been secretly relieved. It had been hard
enough sitting her mum down and telling her Jade would
be attending the wedding. Surprisingly, her mother had
taken the news well. She was a different woman since
she'd been released from prison.

'I've told Jade not to bring Terry Junior with her. I
wanted him to be a pageboy, but I thought it might upset
you,' Billie told her mum.

'Honestly, love, you ring back and tell Jade she's more
than welcome to bring her son with her. It doesn't bother
me in the slightest, I swear. I don't even mind if he is a
pageboy. I'm happy now and I just want to forget the
past.'

Jade had agreed to bring Terry Junior, but flatly refused
to be bridesmaid.

'Look, your mum's being really cool about this and I
don't want to take the piss, Billie.'

Billie's thoughts were interrupted by Tiffany's voice.

'Time to go. The cars are here.'

Billie felt nervous as she was led towards the gleaming
Rolls-Royce. Michelle helped her daughter into the car
and sat next to her.

The church was a twenty-minute ride away and the
journey was emotional.

'I just want to say a few things to you, Billie. I'd rather
say them now, whilst we're on our own, else I might cry
and make myself look silly.'

Billie held her mum's hand. 'Don't upset yourself,
Mum. You haven't got to keep apologising to me. The
past is the past, we've started afresh now.'

Chelle tried to smile. The worst thing about being sober
was the guilt. Daily, it ate away at her, like maggots
gnawing through her skin.

'I just want you to know, Billie, I am so proud of you.
You are an absolute credit, a wonderful daughter and I
certainly don't deserve you.'

Billie hugged Chelle, her eyes filling up with tears. 'Sod
you, Mum. You've messed up all my bloody make-up.'

Half laughing, half crying, Billie and Chelle clung on
to one another.

Many miles away in Brixton, Danny O'Leary sat in his
cell, brooding and full of hatred. He'd heard through the
grapevine that Billie was getting married today and he
wasn't a happy bunny. Visions of his ex-bird and ex-best
friend playing happy families with his son tortured him
on a daily basis. How comes every cunt was so fucking
happy, while he was rotting in a jail?

Prison life was awful this time round. Five years he'd
got and his brief said he'd been very lucky. The judge
had been lenient, he had said, due to the circumstances.

Danny had another son now, Jayden, and Debbie had
stuck by him and visited him regularly with the kid. Danny
dreaded their visits, as he felt nothing for either mother
or child. Once he got out of this dump, they certainly
wouldn't be part of his future plans.

Walking over to the wall, Danny smashed his fists into
it over and over again. He'd once loved Billie Jo and still
loved their child and he cursed himself for not finishing
Jamie off properly. If only he'd sapped the life out of the
cunt, while he had the chance. He would rather have done
an extra ten years than feel the way he did today.

Danny flopped back on his bunk and watched the blood
drip off his hands. His life was fucking shit. The inmates
hated him, especially Razor. Jimmy and all his old pals
had disowned him. Even his own mother and family didn't
have the time of day for him any more. The whole world
was against him and it was all fucking Billie Jo's fault.
Determined not to cry, Danny jumped up and repeatedly
punched the wall as hard as he possibly could.

In Chigwell, Jamie had tears in his eyes for very different
reasons. Watching Billie walk towards him in her stunning
ivory gown had brought a lump to his throat. She
looked fantastic, beautiful, and as she smiled at him,
Jamie felt like the luckiest man on earth. The bridesmaids
stood proudly behind her in their cerise dresses
matched with gold tiaras. DJ and Terry Junior were the
pageboys. Both wore black suits with gold and ivory
waistcoats.

'Before Jamie and Billie are joined in matrimony, I
have to ask if any person knows of a lawful impediment
why these two people cannot be married. May they please
declare it now.'

Billie and Jamie smiled as the vicar carried on.

Michelle sobbed as her daughter said the rest of her
vows. Realising Chelle's emotion, Jane squeezed her hand
for dear life.

'I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the
bride.'

The church erupted in cheers as Jamie took Billie into
his arms.

'Bloody awful service. Come on,' Pearl said, dragging
Bridie out the door. Bridie agreed with her sister. Both
women had fully expected Billie to have a full Catholic
wedding, the works. Much to their dismay, Billie had
opted for the Church of England.

The weather was gorgeous and perfect for the photos.
The photographer managed to get some beauties of Jamie
and Billie alone and also some with DJ.

Jamie's mum Valerie finally caught up with Billie and
congratulated her.

'I am so proud to call you my daughter-in-law.'

Billie hugged her. 'I am so proud to be your daughter-in-law.'

'Come on, Jane, over here, stand next to me,' Chelle
shouted as the group photos were about to be taken.

Jamie smiled at Billie. 'Fuck me. I've got your nan
and her sister with faces like smacked arses one side of
me and a big dyke on the other,' he whispered.

Laughing, Billie playfully scolded him. 'Stop it, Jamie,
be quiet.'

The reception was held in a nearby hotel. Michelle had
organised it and insisted on paying for everything.

With so many people to greet and speak to, Billie didn't
know where to start. Scanning the hall, she spotted Jade
and walked towards her. Billie had been dying to speak to
Jade earlier, but the opportunity hadn't arisen. Billie had
been overjoyed that she had finally allowed Terry Junior
to be pageboy alongside DJ, but Jade had still refused to
come to the house as she hadn't wanted to upset Michelle.

'Jade, I'm so sorry I haven't been over earlier.'

Jade patted the chair next to her. 'Don't be silly, it's
your wedding day. I don't expect you to look out for me.

Anyway, I'm trying to keep a low profile. I still feel a
bit awkward about being here.'

'Mum's fine. Honestly, Jade, I swear, she's really OK
about you coming.'

Deciding a change of subject was needed, Jade spoke
about the wedding.

'You look so beautiful, Billie, and your hair, those
ringlets, are amazing.'

'Forget my hair. Where is the famous Dr Mike?'

'He's had to pop outside to make a couple of phone
calls. Oh, here he is now.'

Taking Mike's arm, Jade proudly introduced him.
'Billie, meet Mike. Mike, this is my dearest friend, Billie
Jo, who I'm forever telling you about.'

'I've heard so much about you, Billie. It's an honour
to meet you.'

'Likewise,' Billie said, shaking his hand and accepting
his kisses on both cheeks.

Billie's conversation was cut short by the compère's
announcement.

'Please be seated in the dining hall for our meal which
is shortly about to be served.'

The food was impeccable. The guests had pre-chosen
from a variety of menus.

Ben was best man. He had worked opposite Jamie on
the market for years and gave a hilarious speech about
some of the capers they had got up to in the past.

Jamie gave a heart-moving speech, adding a few jokes
in between. He wrapped it up by thanking Billie for
making him the happiest man on the planet. His final
sentence was to thank the doctors and nurses who had
saved his life. Jamie had invited them to his wedding and
was overjoyed that they had accepted.

'Can I talk, Mummy?' DJ said, desperate to get in on
the act.

'Go on then, stand on your chair,' Billie urged him.

The tables hushed as the little boy spoke.

'I love my mummy very much.' Coyly, he carried on.
'And I love Jamie and I glad he's now my daddy.'

Jamie felt a surge of emotion as he lifted DJ off his
chair. Not wanting to make a tit of himself, he lifted
his glass. 'Cheers, everybody. Now let's all party.'

Davey Mullins sat in the cab and smiled at his wife.
He had definitely done the right thing. Life in sunny
Spain had been kind to Davey Boy. On arrival, he'd spent
the first few months drinking, snorting and larging it.
Meeting Luna two years ago had completely changed his
life and he was now a dad and had a one-year-old son,
Nico. He'd frittered a lot of Terry's money away in the
early days and it had been Luna's idea to open a bar.
Business had boomed from the start and he was now the
proud owner of another two.

Knocking the gear on the head was the hardest bit for
Dave. He'd done it, survived it and was now a successful
businessman, with a family he absolutely adored.

Billie's phone call had sent his conscience into overdrive.

'Please come to my wedding, Dave. You were Dad's
best friend, and if you come, I'll feel that part of him is
there with me too.'

He couldn't refuse. How could he?

Dreading seeing Michelle, Dave had knocked back the
church and meal bit.

'I promise you, Billie, I'll be there at the reception.
I'd love to see you get wed, babe, but I can't stand a whole
day with your mother.'

'Honestly, Dave, she's changed so much. She doesn't
even drink any more,' Billie had pleaded.

Yeah, right, Dave had thought, and pigs might fly!
Sticking to his guns, Dave insisted that he would only
attend the reception.

A man of his word, he was now half an hour away in
a cab.

'How do you say "fat drunken moose" in Spanish?'
he asked Luna.

'Stop it, Davey. You're being naughty,' Luna giggled.

Noticing Brenda sitting alone with Valerie, Billie left
Jamie's side and went to join them. The two women had
never met before. Knowing how fiery Valerie could be,
Billie prayed it wasn't about to go off.

'Are you two all right?' she asked, dubiously.

'We're fine,' Valerie reassured her.

'I was just apologising for my mothering skills,' Brenda
replied truthfully.

Sitting next to Brenda, Billie took her hand. She had
asked Valerie's permission to invite Brenda. If Valerie
had said no, Billie would have understood. Brenda had very
little contact with Danny now. A bad mother she may have
been, but she was a wonderful gran to DJ, who adored her.

'Billie, have you got a minute?' Looking up at her
mum, Billie excused herself and followed Chelle outside.

Chelle handed Billie an envelope. 'I treated you and
Jamie to a honeymoon. The Maldives. You fly out Monday
week. Unlike me, I know you're a good mother, so I
booked DJ a ticket as well. If you want to go alone, Jane
and I would love to look after him for you.'

Billie smiled. It wasn't just the gesture, it was the
thought behind it. For the first time in Billie's life, her
mum had done her proud.

'Thanks, Mum. You've been great today. Let me go
and tell Jamie.'

'Billie,' Chelle said, grabbing her arm. 'I love you, darling.'

Astounded at the words she thought she'd never hear,
Billie felt a lump in her throat as she walked away.

About to re-join the celebrations, Michelle was shocked
to come face to face with Jade. 'Hiya,' she said awkwardly.

Jade nodded nervously. She was petrified of Chelle,
always had been, and always would be.

Needing to redeem herself once and for all, Chelle
decided to follow her into the toilets.

'I'm glad I bumped into you. Can we have a quiet word?'

Applying her lipgloss, Jade took a deep breath and
braced herself for the worst.

'Look, Jade, I know we're never gonna be best buddies,
but I just want to say that I'm so sorry that I hit you when
you was pregnant. I also want to thank you for looking
after Billie Jo. What she would have done without you
when I chucked her out, I don't know and, well, just
thanks for being there for her.'

Jade stood, stunned, hardly believing the words she
had just heard. Then she smiled.

'I accept your apology, Michelle, and now it's my turn
to apologise. I am so sorry for getting involved with Terry
whilst he was your husband. I tried so hard not to fall
for him and I knew what I was doing was wrong. Finding
out about me and my pregnancy must have been horrific
for you and I can't apologise enough for the heartache I
must have caused you at the time.'