THIRTEEN

Furious at being stood up, Billie Jo and Carly made a promise to give Romford market a wide berth. Three weeks their pact lasted, until finally their curiosity got the better of them.

'Now are you sure I look OK? Do I need any more lip gloss?' Billie asked nervously.

'You look lovely, Billie, you always do.'

With the butterflies in her stomach reaching fever pitch, Billie pushed Carly towards the boys' stall.

'Now remember what I said. Don't look at 'em and just walk past with your head held high.'

Nodding, Carly smiled.

'Come on then, let's do it.'

Nearing the fruit and veg stall, Billie recognised Danny's dulcet tones, long before she saw him.

'Mangoes. Come on, ladies. Come and try Danny's mangoes. Two for a pound today and you won't find any juicer than mine.'

Determined not to let his cockney charm soften her, Billie grabbed Carly's arm, stuck her nose in the air and marched straight past him. Spotting her, Danny slung the mangoes onto the stall.

'I'll be one sec, Jeff,' he told the guvnor, as he sprinted over to Billie. Clocking the girls, Jamie carried on serving. He felt dreadful about standing them up and was far too embarrassed to face them.

'Billie, I've been hoping to bump into ya.'

Glaring at him, Billie said nothing.

Grabbing her hand, he pulled her out of the way of the oncoming shoppers. 'Listen to me, babe. I am so, so sorry I let you down. You've gotta let me explain, something terrible happened that day.'

About to pull her hand away and storm off, Danny's next sentence changed Billie's mind.

'Me poor old nan died, God bless her. Passed away on the morning that I was meant to be taking you out.'

Feeling like a gooseberry, Carly squeezed Billie's arm. 'I'll be in Debenhams, mate. Come and find me when you're ready.'

Looking into Danny's soulful eyes, Billie felt awful for doubting him. 'I'm so sorry, Danny. Your poor nan.'

Acting was easy to Danny. Knowing he'd got her exactly where he wanted, he played on it.

'Cancer, it was, Bill. She'd been ill for ages and I'm just glad she's not in pain no more. I still wanted to meet ya that night but me poor mum was distraught. I'm the eldest, I couldn't leave her, could I?'

Billie's eyes filled with tears. How could she have doubted him?

'I understand, Danny. Your mum needed you and you did the right thing. Was it your mum's mum that died?' Danny nodded solemnly.

'Things have been tough at home and I could really do with some cheering up. How about we go out this coming Saturday? I'll have a word with Jamie and you have a word with Carly.'

Billie nodded. He was just so lovely. 'Where shall we meet you?'

'Same place and time as before. Seven at Romford station and I swear on my poor old mum's life that I won't let you down again.'

'OK,' Billie smiled.

Hearing his guvnor yelling his name, Danny softly kissed her on the lips before bolting back to the stall.

'All sorted, Jamie Boy. Came out with me old nan classic. Birds love a sob story. Saturday night we're meeting 'em.'

'I ain't going,' Jamie said, as he carried on serving.

Danny smiled at his pal. 'They're well up for it. What's a matter with ya, ya pussy?'

Jamie shrugged. He was used to Danny's lies and normally took no notice. He didn't even have a nan, the lying bastard. This time he felt differently. There was something about the girls, especially Billie, that made him want no part of this particular fabrication.

Sighing, he handed the old dear he was serving her bag of potatoes. He was bound to be roped into going. Danny would find a way to badger and bribe him, until finally he gave in, he always did.

'He kissed me. He kissed me,' Billie screamed, as she finally spotted Carly.

Carly listened intently as Billie repeated the story.

'So we're meeting them on Saturday?'

Billie grinned. Giggling excitedly, the girls headed back to work.

Billie started to get ready at four o'clock on the Saturday afternoon. Ten outfits and two hours later, she was finally ready. Studying herself in the mirror, she was pleased with the results. After trying on the whole of her wardrobe, she'd finally decided on a pair of fitted jeans, a Dolce & Gabanna T-shirt, black pointed high-heeled boots and a black cropped jacket.

Although confident that she looked the part, Billie had never felt so nervous in her life. She'd had butterflies in her stomach all day, no appetite, and her heart was beating like a drum. Picking up the Dior handbag, Billie couldn't decide whether to take it out with her or not. The bag had been the last present that her dad had bought her on the Boxing Day before he'd died. It was so full of sentimental value that she didn't want to use it. She could still remember the conversation they'd had as though it was yesterday.

'How much?' her dad had said. 'And that's meant to be in the sale! They're having a fucking laugh, ain't they, the robbing bastards.' Five minutes later, he'd bought it for her. 'Only the best for my Princess,' were his exact words.

As tonight was to be a new chapter in her life she decided to take the bag out with her. Hearing the doorbell ring, Billie let Carly in, put on her Blue CD and opened a bottle of her mum's wine. Carly was going to come back with her later and stay the night. Her mum had gone away with Nathan for a dirty weekend and Billie hated sleeping in the house alone. Without company, she had too much time to think and far too many memories.

Billie booked a cab for quarter to seven and handed her friend a glass of wine. 'I hope they turn up this time.'

'Of course they will,' Carly replied confidently.

Billie topped up her glass. She wasn't so nervous now. Even her hands had stopped shaking. Billie wasn't usually much of a drinker, but tonight she'd craved it. Danny was so cheeky and full of chat that she needed some alcohol just to be able to talk to him.

'My stomach's going over. How do you feel?' asked Carly.

'I've never felt like this before. I've even been on and off the toilet all day with nerves.'

Carly laughed at her friend. 'Christ, Bill, you have got it bad. I've been nervous, but not as bad as you. I feel OK because we're going out in a foursome. I'd feel much worse if I was on my own with Jamie.'

Billie giggled. 'I think I'm in love. I've never met anyone like Danny, he just does it for me. He's the most gorgeous boy I've ever seen.'

Carly poured the last drop of wine out of the bottle into her glass. 'Danny's not my type. He's too loud for me, I like the quiet ones. At least we know we'll never fall out over blokes, eh? You like them dark and noisy and I like them blond and quiet.' Hearing a loud toot, Billie looked out of the window. Their cab had arrived.

Danny O'Leary leant against the station wall, fag in hand, watching the birds walking past. Clocking a leggy blonde, he winked. 'Here a minute,' he shouted as she smiled at him.

The girl strolled towards him. 'Do I know you from somewhere?'

Danny gave her his killer smile. 'You don't, but would you like to?'

The girl was taken with him. 'I dunno, I might do.'

Danny gave a hearty chuckle. 'Listen, I'm busy tonight, babe. I'm meeting me sister, but give us your number and I'll give you a bell.' Danny stored her number in his phone and wolf-whistled as she walked away. Her skirt was up her arse and he could see right up it. He knew without a doubt he'd have his hand up there by the end of the week. He could always tell the dead certs.

'What the fuck's wrong with you, Danny? You've got a beautiful bird who's meeting you in a minute and you're still trying to pull an old dog like that.'

Danny smirked. 'You're just jealous, Jamie, 'cause you ain't got the O'Leary charm. You'd love to be able to reel 'em in like I do. Anyway, say Billie ain't my type, a man needs a bit of back-up.'

Jamie felt gutted as he looked at his mate. He really hoped that Billie Jo didn't like him. Fat chance of that, all birds liked Danny, every single fucking one of them. Jamie would have given his right arm to be taking Billie Jo out tonight, but no such luck. He was stuck with the ugly one. The only hope Jamie had was Billie seemed much more intelligent than the birds that Danny usually went for. With a bit of luck, she'd see him for what he really was.

Danny was a good mate in other ways. He was a good laugh to work with and to go out with, but he treated women like shit. Jamie had been brought up by his mum, Valerie. An honourable woman, she'd drummed it into him from an early age to always respect the female sex. His mum would be horrified if she knew how Danny treated women. He'd never told her. Whenever Danny had called round for him, he'd put on his charming act. Yes, Mrs Jackson, no, Mrs Jackson. He'd even gone as far as bringing her flowers.

'What a lovely boy,' his mother had said to him on many occasions. Little did she know the real Danny O'Leary.

Billie and Carly got dropped off before the station. As they saw the boys they felt relieved. Billie clocked Danny's outfit straight away: faded jeans, black T-shirt, suit jacket and black shoes. He looked gorgeous. As Billie got closer she noticed the beads around his neck, and that did it. She was truly in love.

For the first time in his life, Danny was lost for words as he saw Billie Jo walk towards him. He'd always seen her in work clothes before. Tonight she looked different. She looked really classy, like a catwalk model.

Finding his voice, he took the initiative. 'There's a pub I know in the marketplace, girls. You won't need ID there, the guvnor's a pal of mine.'

The evening passed quickly and Jamie decided that he quite liked Carly after all. Danny and Billie got on like a house on fire. The spark between them was strong enough to set a bonfire alight.

With no one wanting the evening to end, the four of them headed to a local Indian restaurant.

By this time Billie was extremely tipsy and had taken leave of her senses. 'Come back to my house,' she insisted. 'My mum's away for the weekend.'

As the cab dropped them in Emerson Park, Danny knew all his Christmases had come at once. Not only did he actually like this bird, but she lived in millionaire's row.

Billie found some lager for the lads and opened another bottle of her mother's wine for her and Carly. She then put on some music and sat on the sofa next to Danny.

'How is your mum now? Is she still upset about your nan?'

Ignoring her question, Danny put his arm around her shoulder. 'You got any Oasis, babe?'

Billie looked at him lovingly. 'No, sorry, Dan, most of the music down here is my mum and dad's and that's mainly country and western. My CDs are in my room, but I've got no Oasis. Shall I go and get us something else?'

Danny kissed her forehead. 'No, don't worry, let's just talk. Where are your mum and dad on holiday?'

Having had her tongue loosened by the alcohol, Billie launched into her life story. Her dad's death, her mum's drinking, Jade, her brother, the whole caboodle. Drunk and emotional, she burst into tears. Danny took her by the hand and led her from the living room into the kitchen. Finding the kettle, he made her a cup of black coffee.

'Thanks, Danny,' she said gratefully. Embarrassed by her behaviour, Billie pulled herself together. 'I hope I haven't put you off by my blubbing. I'm so sorry for crying. I always get emotional when I talk about my dad.'

Danny looked into her eyes. 'Stand up, Bill, I want to give you a cuddle.' Taking her into his arms, he held her close. Looking at her pretty face, he felt himself shiver. Billie initiated the first kiss. As Danny explored her mouth with his tongue, she felt an overwhelming sexual desire.

As he tilted Billie's chin towards him, Danny smiled at her. 'I really like you, Billie. Can I see you tomorrow?'

Billie studied his handsome face and was reluctant to let him go. 'Why don't you stay the night, Danny? My mum's not due back until tomorrow evening. Obviously I don't mean that in a sexual way, but we can snuggle up in my bed and have a kiss and cuddle.'

Danny grinned at her. 'It's up to you, Bill. If you want me to stay, then I'd like to. But I'm a gentleman, and I don't want you to think I'm taking liberties.'

Too inebriated to think straight, Billie said goodnight to Carly and Jamie and led Danny up to her bedroom. As she took off her jeans, she felt vulnerable. Leaping under the quilt, Billie kept the rest of her clothes on.

Danny stripped down to his boxer shorts and climbed into the bed. The spark and sexual tension between the two of them was undeniable. Billie was experiencing feelings that she never knew existed. Danny, being quite an expert with women, knew exactly what buttons to press. Slipping his hand into her knickers, he stroked her gently between her legs. He really fancied her, and the fact that things were moving at a faster pace than expected suited him down to the ground.

'I really like you, Billie. Actually, I more than like you. Let me make love to you, eh?'

Whether it was the amount of alcohol she'd consumed, her desire to be loved, or the feeling of his hand down below, she would never know. Somehow she found herself agreeing to his request. 'I want to, Danny, but I'm not sure. Have you got anything to use? You know, one of them rubber things.'

Danny shook his head as he struggled to insert himself inside her. 'No, babe, but don't worry, I know when to pull it out. Everything will be fine, trust me.'

Billie winced with pain as Danny managed to enter her. His thingy was big and it hurt like hell. After pounding away for a good five minutes or so, Danny shot his load and rolled onto his back.

He'd lost count over the years of the number of birds he'd slept with, probably about seventy if the truth be known. Once he'd shagged them, he got bored and moved on to the next. Billie was different though, and he wasn't sure why. It may have been her looks, the way she acted, the fact she was loaded, or a mixture of all three. He couldn't work out what the attraction was, but he was going to hang about to find out.

The actual sex hadn't been anything special, virgins were always the same. Billie was inexperienced but she would improve with time. Her personality was great and as for her house, it was like something out of a film. He could picture himself living somewhere like this. The swimming pool in particular had caught his eye. He could imagine himself in the summer, lazing on a sun lounger next to it, beer in hand. Definitely the life you want for yourself, Danny Boy, he thought silently.

Pulling Billie Jo close to him, he stroked her long dark hair as she lay with her head on his chest. 'Did you enjoy it, babe?'

'Yes,' Billie lied. She'd liked all the build-up, but when he'd finally put it inside her, she'd found it painful and somewhat overrated. Still, it was her first time so she wasn't too disheartened. 'Did you pull it out in time, Danny?'

Fuck, Danny thought to himself, he'd got so carried away, he'd forgotten all about that. 'Of course I did, sweetheart,' he lied.

Billie couldn't sleep that night. She could hear Danny gently snoring as he lay next to her and couldn't take her eyes off him. He was handsome, so cute and had the longest eyelashes she'd ever seen.

Finally she must have nodded off. The nightmare she experienced that night was her worst one ever. Her dad was in it, and he was shouting and punching her at the same time.

'You stupid girl. You've let me down,' he was screaming at her.

Waking up with a jolt, Billie was relieved to find that it was only a dream. Her dad had loved her and would never have spoken to her like that.

What Billie didn't realise was that her nightmare may have occurred for a reason. Was it actually a message from above? Or was it just a coincidence?

Terry's baby, his Princess, had just made the biggest mistake of her life. He might be dead, but he was still her dad. Looking down on her, he had done his utmost to warn her.