FORTY-TWO

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.'

Chelle held her hand out. 'Friends?'

Jade shook it warmly and felt nothing but respect for Michelle.

The door being flung open broke the moment.

'There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you.'

'Jade. This is Jane, my partner.'

Jade smiled. 'It's lovely to meet you, Jane. I'd best be heading back now. Mike will wonder what's happened to me.'

Waiting until the door closed, Jane wrapped her arms around Chelle. 'You did it then?'

Chelle nodded. Jane was a big believer in forgiving.

'Make amends to everyone in life that you've hurt. Then you'll start liking yourself and people will start to like you' was her motto.

As they shared a passionate kiss, Chelle wasn't aware of the door opening.

'Oh, for fuck's sake. Jesus, Mary and Holy Saint Joseph,' Pearl said to Bridie in horror. 'Bejesus. My poor Terry would turn in his grave, so he would.'

Heads held high, Pearl and Bridie stormed out of the toilets.

'Hello, my little darling.'

Billie recognised Davey Mullins' voice immediately. 'Oh, Dave. I really didn't think you were coming.'

'Billie, this is my wife, Luna. Now where's this fucking husband of yours?'

Giggling, Billie spotted Jamie and dragged him over.

'Jamie, this is the one and only Davey Mullins. As you know, he was my dad's best friend.'

Jamie shook hands and got the couple a drink. Holding Dave's arm, Billie turned her attentions to his pretty Spanish wife.

'How did you manage to tame him, Luna?' she joked.

Luna smiled. 'Me tiger, Davey kitten.'

Dave handed Billie an envelope and ordered her to open it. Billie was flummoxed at the keys and paperwork. 'I don't understand. What is it, Dave?'

Dave looked pleased with himself. 'It's a three-bedroom house, sweetheart. It's situated in a nice little close in Hornchurch and it's all yours.'

Billie slung the keys back at him. 'Don't be so stupid, Dave, we can't take that. Anyway, Mum's offered to help us buy a place.'

Handing the envelope to Jamie, Davey smiled. 'Where is the Rottweiler?'

'Ssh,' Billie said. 'Don't be wicked, Dave, she really has changed. In fact, I probably should have mentioned it before. She's met someone, she has a girlfriend.'

'Whaddya mean, girlfriend?'

Billie tried to explain but his hysterical laughter stopped her.

'Your mother turning into a rug muncher has made my fucking day, Bill. In fact, tell a lie, it's made my fucking year.'

Jamie couldn't stop laughing either. Davey Mullins had his sense of humour and Jamie had liked him on sight.

'Stop it, the pair of you,' Billie said seriously.

Crying with laughter, Davey walked away. Then getting a hold of himself, he returned looking serious. 'There's the address, Bill. It's all yours.'

'We can't take it,' Billie and Jamie said in unison.

Dave was pleased with Billie's choice of man. Terry would have loved Jamie; the boy had good morals.

'Listen, guys. The present ain't from me.'

Turning to Billie, Dave rubbed her arm. 'Your dad gave me the money before he died. I was looking after it for him. He wanted you to have something, Bill, when you were old enough to appreciate it. I purchased the house out of your dad's money. The time is right for you, Bill, to have what's owed to you.'

Billie started to cry. A present from her dad on her wedding day was beyond her wildest dreams.

Hugging Billie tightly with one arm, Jamie shook Davey Mullins' hand with the other. 'Thanks, mate. You're a diamond.'

Winking at Luna, Dave smiled. For once in his life he'd done the right thing and it felt absolutely fucking wonderful.

Back in Brixton, Danny O'Leary was having the worst day of his life and was unable to sleep. Picturing Jamie, Billie and his son together was torturing him. They'd probably be at the reception now, hosting a big fucking party. Bitter beyond belief, Danny planned his revenge. He needed something to focus on, get him through today and the rest of his stretch. Billie, Jamie, Jimmy the Fish, they all had it coming to 'em. Danny O'Leary was a face, a fucking somebody, and when released he would show everybody exactly what he was all about.

'Revenge is sweet
I am not silly
First on my list
Is fucking Billie.'

Danny liked his poem. He had made it up earlier and had been chanting it for the last three hours. Laughing hysterically, he sat up and repeatedly headbutted the wall.

The emotion of her dad's present had been too much for Billie Jo. The toilet cubicle had been a godsend, enabling her to spend a few minutes alone and pull herself together. Desperate to tell Jade her news, she went over to her table.

Dr Mike smiled as Billie approached them. Sensing a girlie chat, he excused himself to make some important phone calls. Billie explained to Jade about the house, her dad, his wishes and the conversation she'd had with Davey Mullins. Jade hugged Billie. She couldn't speak, the words just wouldn't come. Nobody could ever replace Terry, but it was time to move on. He was a legend, one of a kind, and today proved that.

Jade smiled. 'I loved him so much, Billie. You do know that, don't you?'

Rubbing Jade's arm, Billie was glad to see DJ and Terry Junior appear by her side.

'Will you dance with me, Mummy?' Terry Junior asked Jade.

'Will you dance with me, Mummy?' DJ asked, not wanting to be outdone.

Taking Jade by the hand, Billie stood up. 'Come on, let's pull ourselves together. My dad would have hated us to be upset like this.'

Five minutes on the dance floor did the girls the world of good.

Giggling, Jade questioned Billie. 'What do you think of Dr Mike then?'

Billie blew a kiss. 'Gorgeous, reminds me of George Clooney.'

The music was blaring. Jade moved towards Billie to make herself heard.

'I haven't told you my news yet, have I?'

Billie laughed. 'You're not pregnant, are you?'

Jade shook her head frantically. 'Definitely not. Mike's always working, chance would be a fine thing. No seriously, Mike's been offered a job in London, at Bart's. We've discussed it and I think he's going to take it. Very shortly yours truly will be moving back near you.'

Billie smiled at Jade. 'That's fantastic. We can see one another all the time and so can the boys.'

Noticing Jamie sitting at a table with Davey Mullins, Billie joined them.

'How's my beautiful bride?' Jamie crowed.

'I'm fine,' Billie said, sitting down next to him.

Davey Mullins watched in amazement as Chelle and her fancy piece smooched on the dance floor.

'Who'd Adam and Eve it, eh? And she ain't even drinking,' he muttered.

Billie took a sip of champagne. The day had been so hectic that she wasn't even merry.

'Don't take the piss out of her, Dave. I'm pleased for Mum. You know that she's sorted herself out. Her turning into a raving lesbian doesn't bother me at all. I can never remember her being this happy before. Even when I was little, she was never very contented.'

Davey Mullins held his hands up. 'Horses for courses and I promise I won't say another word.'

Pulling Jamie's head towards him, Dave whispered in his ear, 'It looks like a fucking man, the bird. Do you reckon it wears one of them strapadicktomes?'

Unable to control his laughter, Jamie stood up and took his wife's arm. 'People are leaving now, Bill. Best we say our goodbyes.'

Once the disco had finished, the hotel emptied pretty quickly.

'The fucking English have no idea how to enjoy themselves,' were Bridie and Pearl's parting words.

Spotting Hazel, Billie went over to her. 'Thanks for coming and, more so, thanks for looking after Mum in her hour of need.'

Hazel hugged Billie. She was a lovely kid and she had always been fond of her.

Tiff's parents kissed Billie goodbye. 'Well done, you,' they said as they waved.

Billie thanked her bridesmaids and saw Brenda and Valerie into a cab. 'Now, girls. No fighting over your grandson, you can both share him.'

Brenda and Valerie roared. Two extremely different people, they had forged a friendship in unusual circumstances.

With the crowds disappearing, Billie was desperate for her mother and Davey Mullins not to bump into one another. Billie had told her mum that he was there, she'd had to, although she hadn't yet mentioned her wedding present from her dad. Her mum had been wonderful today. She had even surprised her with a fantastic honeymoon and Billie would hate her to think she'd been upstaged. Billie would have to tell her, obviously, but would gently break the news in the next few days.

'Are you going now, Mum?'

Billie was desperate to stop confrontation at any cost. Chelle smiled. She might never have won the 'Mother of the Year Award', but she knew her daughter inside-out.

'Billie, I'm fine. Don't worry about Dave, I have no problem with him.'

Jane put a supportive arm around Chelle's shoulders. They'd spoken about Davey Mullins earlier.

'Goodnight, Jade. Goodnight, Mike.' Billie kissed Terry Junior, who was asleep in Jade's arms. 'Thanks for coming and I'll call you tomorrow.'

Davey Mullins hadn't known Jade was there. Spotting her, he dashed after her. He'd never seen the kid and was desperate for a look at his best pal's produce. Walking back in, he came face to face with his very worst nightmare. Michelle held out her hand.

'Dave, you were a good friend to Terry and I respect that. No hard feelings, eh?'

Dave leant against the wall. 'I never ripped you off, girl. I did what Terry would have wanted. I bought a property and gave it to Billie today.'

Michelle smiled. 'It's a funny old life, ain't it? You married, me with a bird. Who would have thought it, eh?'

Davey laughed. 'Enjoy yourself, Chelle, you're a long time dead, girl.'

'I will, don't you worry.' Without a backward glance, Chelle walked away.

A short while later, Chelle dropped Billie, Jamie and DJ home. Thanking her for all she'd done, Billie waved as she drove off.

'Unbelievable, the change in her, isn't it?'

Jamie chuckled. 'If that's what a bit of pussy does for you, best I hunt round for some meself.'

Punching him playfully, Billie ordered him to put DJ to bed.

Kicking off her shoes, Billie lay on the sofa. She was happy but also very tired. She smiled as Jamie lay down beside her.

'Blinding day, weren't it, girl?'

Billie kissed his forehead. 'It was fantastic; it was the best day of my life. Marrying you was wonderful, and the present off my dad was the icing on the cake.'

Lifting his tired head off her shoulder, Jamie wrapped his arms around Billie.

'Do you know what? I fucking love you, Mrs Jackson.'

Billie kissed him tenderly. 'You could never love me as much as I love you. Thank you, Jamie, for everything. You have made mine and DJ's life complete.'