Billie Jo

by Kimberley Chambers

  Walking around the front of the pub, Billie's curiosity got the better of her. Unable to stop herself, she peered through the window in search of the voice from the toilet. The pub was almost empty now. There were a couple of old boys sitting at the bar and a crowd of young lads in the corner. Scanning the joint, Billie guessed immediately that the blonde girl who was wiping a couple of tables was the owner of the voice she'd heard earlier. Young, tarty and common-looking, Billie thought to herself, as she watched the girl leaning over the table, giving everyone an eyeful of what she'd had for dinner earlier. Ducking out of the way as she noticed one of the old boys about to leave the premises, Billie decided to play detective.

  Charlie Chambers downed the remains of his pint, said goodbye to his mate Sid and started his short walk towards home. 'You all right, love? Are you at the party out the back?' he asked Billie Jo.

  'No, I've come to meet my mate Debbie. Is she still working?' Billie lied.

  Charlie smiled. 'The door's open, love. She's just wiping the tables. Don't stand out here on your own, go inside and wait for her.'

  Billie thanked him, waited until he was out of sight and went back into the hall. Noticing her mother and Hazel prancing about on the stage trying to sing Abba's 'Waterloo', Billie walked around the edge to avoid being seen by them.

  Brenda smiled as Billie returned to the table. 'Ah, there you are. Jamie bought DJ back, he's asleep on that chair. Now you're back I'm gonna check on my brood and go to the loo.'

  Meanwhile, from the stage, Michelle had noticed Billie standing alone. Having never seen her grandson before, the temptation proved too much for his drunken gran to resist. Billie was too busy watching Jamie practising moves on the dance floor to notice her mother staggering towards her.

  'Well, well, well. If it ain't my precious daughter.'

  Noting the sarcasm in her voice, Billie knew that her mother was spoiling for an argument.

  'Look, Mum. I don't want no trouble, so unless you've got something nice to say to me, I suggest that you leave me alone.'

  Chelle swayed drunkenly, with hands on hips.

  'Hark at you, little Miss Sensible. I wanna meet my grandson. Where is he?'

  Billie looked at her mother in horror. There was no way on earth that she was letting her mother anywhere near her precious boy. 'He's asleep, Mum. Anyway, you're drunk. The last thing I want is for my son to realise he's related to Nanny Lush.'

  'You cheeky little cow. How dare you speak to me like that? You're just like your father, Billie. He was one cocky arsehole, and you, you've fucking turned into him. Hateful you are, just like he was.'

  Billie could feel herself shaking, but was determined to stand her ground.

  'The feeling's mutual, Mum. Now, fuck off and leave me alone. I don't know what you're doing here, anyway. Who invited you? Or did you just gatecrash?'

  Michelle was fuming. She couldn't believe the change in Billie Jo. Determined not to let her daughter get the better of her, she decided it was time to play her trump card.

  'Who do you think you are? Getting on your fucking high horse. I'll tell you why I was invited, shall I? Unbeknown to you, you silly little mare, me and your Danny are best buddies. Days, he's spent round mine, on the piss, and believe me he did nothing but slag you off. He's with you for one reason and one reason only, Billie, and that's because you've got his bloody kid. Same reason why your father was with me. So don't you ever think you're any better than me, girl, 'cause you ain't. In fact, you've turned into me.'

  Lifting her right hand, Billie smacked her mother as hard around the face as she could manage.

  Hazel, who had been chatting to Brenda whilst closely watching the situation, decided it was now time to step in.

  'Come on, Chelle, leave it,' she urged her friend. Ignoring Hazel's advice, Michelle grabbed Billie by the hair and pulled her onto the floor.

  Jimmy the Fish, who happened to be standing nearby, quickly waded in to stop the fracas. Grabbing hold of Michelle, he marched her over towards the stage. Brenda took care of Billie Jo. Sitting her down on a chair, she hugged her tightly.

  'Ssh. Stop crying, Billie. Your mum's gone now, love.'

  Danny, now back from snorting gear in the toilets, felt like a rabbit caught in the headlights.

  'What happened?' he asked Jimmy. Explaining the situation, Jimmy urged Danny to get rid of Chelle, and fast.

  'You're gonna have to go, girls,' Danny said apologetically to Hazel. He decided to address the friend, as a drunken Michelle wasn't the easiest person to reason with.

  'Bollocks. I ain't going nowhere. Why should I be the one to have to leave? She started it,' Chelle screamed.

  Danny shrugged his shoulders. 'It's nothing to do with me, it's Jimmy's orders, Chelle.'

  'But it's your party, Dan. You've been like a son to me. I ain't going nowhere.'

  Hazel, being much more astute than Michelle, noticed a couple of Jimmy's henchmen getting ready to eject them. 'Come on, Chelle, we're leaving now.'

  Hazel was fuming by the night's events. She hadn't wanted to come to this shithole in the first place. Finally, after a struggle, she managed to drag Chelle out. Bundling her into the car, Hazel locked the doors and drove off at speed.

  Danny walked over to Billie Jo. 'All right, babe? I chucked your mother out. Are you OK?'

  Billie was seething. 'No, I'm not OK. I can't believe that you sat round my mother's house, slagging me off behind my back.'

  It was a good job that Michelle had left, because Danny would have personally throttled her.

  'It weren't like that, Bill. I just spoke to her a couple of times when we were going through a bit of a rough patch. I only went round there once or twice, honest I did. Look, let's not have an argument here. I've got rid of her. We'll talk about it tomorrow, OK?'

  'Fuck you,' Billie said, before storming back to Brenda. She was desperate for someone to confide in. The drink had loosened her tongue and she needed to spill her guts to whoever was willing to listen. Distraught, Billie told Brenda absolutely everything. The rape, Danny betraying her with her own mother, she even told her about the affair she'd found out about earlier in the toilet. The disco was so loud that Brenda couldn't hear Billie properly, but she certainly got the gist of what she was saying. Her heart went out to the girl that was sitting beside her.

  'There's no going back after tonight, Brenda,' Billie sobbed. 'I've had a gutful and I'm definitely finishing with him for good.'

  Brenda looked at the pretty young thing and could have cried for her. 'Can I still see you and my grandson?'

  'Of course you can,' Billie said, meaning it.

  Brenda felt a sudden hatred for the eldest son who she'd always idolised and stuck up for. 'Here's my phone number,' she said, pressing a bit of paper into Billie's hand. 'Ring me in the week and we'll meet up. If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call.'

  Billie took the number and tucked it safely into her purse. 'Thanks, Brenda.'

  Brenda kissed Billie on the cheek. 'I'm gonna go now, lovey. There's a cab firm up the road. I'll take a walk up there. The kids are playing up now and I'd best get them out of here before they wreck the joint.' Billie waved goodbye and sat alone at the table, stroking DJ's head. Her son was sleeping peacefully on the chair, unaware of his mother's predicament. Billie had had a bastard night and wanted nothing more than to go home, but she was determined to hang the evening out, at least until the old slapper from behind the bar arrived and she had a chance to shoot Danny down in flames.

  'You all right, Billie?' Jamie said, sitting down next to her. 'I'd have come over earlier, but you were deep in conversation with Danny's mum and I didn't want to interrupt. What happened with your mum?'

  Glancing at him sideways, Billie let out a deep sigh. 'It's a long story. I'll tell you another time, eh?'

  Jamie could tell that she was putting on a brave face, but underneath was upset. 'Look, Bill, Lucy's tired so I'm gonna take her home. I'll be about half an hour. Stay put and
I'll come back for you. Then, when you're ready, I'll take you and DJ home in a cab.'

  'Thanks, Jamie,' Billie said, appreciating his kindness. 'I'll see you when you get back.'

  Danny had kept half an eye on Billie for the last thirty minutes or so. He'd seen her crying to his mother and knew he was in shit-street. Fuck, he thought to himself, things had been going so smoothly since he'd come out of nick. Now Michelle had gone and opened her big mouth and ruined it. Knowing he had to pull a rabbit out of the hat to get back in Billie's good books, a drunken thought invaded his brain. Picking up his glass, he walked up to the stage and had a quiet word with the DJ.

  Billie saw the door open and noticed Debbie come in. Clocking to see if Danny had noticed, she realised he hadn't because he was over by the stage.

  'Ssh, can I have everyone's attention, please? I've got a very special man here who would like to say a few words.'

  Danny jumped up onto the stage as bold as brass. Cheers and clapping rang around the hall. Grabbing the mike with his right hand, left hand in his trouser pocket, Danny smiled at his audience, milking his moment.

  'Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone for coming this evening and all that bollocks.' The hall erupted with laughter. 'Secondly, I'd like to thank Jimmy the Fish for taking me on as a partner. I won't let you down, Jim, but I want a seventy-thirty cut, you tight bastard.' The laughter continued. 'And thirdly, and on a more serious note, I want to thank my wonderful girlfriend Billie Jo for being so supportive to me and I want to ask her an important question.'

  Taking the box out of his pocket, Danny got down on one knee. He had only brought the ring with him to show a couple of his pals what a good deal he had got. Clearing his throat, Danny spoke loudly and confidently.

  'Billie Jo, will you marry me?'

  All eyes turned to Billie, who was sitting alone in the corner. The DJ, who was ready to start the karaoke up again, snatched the mike off Danny.

  'Billie, come up here, love, and give us your answer on the mike.'

  Standing on the stage, Danny noticed Debbie standing by the bar with a mortified expression on her face. Fucking hell, he thought to himself, I need her here like I need a hole in the head.

  Billie got up and walked towards the stage, amid cheers and congratulations. She couldn't believe her luck. No longer did she feel like little Miss Timid. In fact, she wasn't even nervous. Fuck Danny O'Leary and all his gangster friends. They could go to hell for all she cared.

  Danny kissed Billie on the cheek as she clambered onto the stage. 'What's your answer then, babe?' he asked brashly as he showed her the ring.

  Taking the mike in her hand, Billie smiled at Danny. 'The answer is no, I won't marry an arsehole like you. You are a cheat, a liar, a scumbag . . .'

  Danny tried to snatch the mike, but Billie held on to it firmly with both hands. 'Why don't you take your ring, Danny, and shove it up your fucking arse. Either that or give it to the old slapper over there that you've been knocking off. Debs, he's all yours, love.'

  The hall fell completely silent. Danny O'Leary's homecoming had been well and truly ruined.

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  While the disc jockey tried to defuse the situation by cracking a couple of jokes about women with PMT and singing the classic 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life', Billie calmly got down from the stage and walked towards the table where she'd been sitting. Before she could reach her destination, her arm was grabbed violently and she was dragged out of the hall by her hair.

  'Let me go, Danny, you bastard. The baby's at the table on his own, let me go.'

  Danny was foaming at the mouth. The mixture of drink and drugs he'd consumed had done nothing to lighten his mood. 'You fucking slag. How dare you make me look a cunt? I'm gonna kill you for this, you fucking bitch.'

  Billie was suddenly frightened. She'd expected someone to come out of the hall and intervene. Everybody had seen her being dragged out, but as usual in situations like these, they had obviously chosen to turn a blind eye instead.

  Trying to pacify him, Billie spoke calmly. 'Let me go, Danny. I'm going home now, please let go of me, DJ's inside and he needs me. You stay here and enjoy yourself and we'll talk about things tomorrow.'

  'Enjoy myself. After what you've just fucking done. Are you being funny, you cunt?' Losing the plot, Danny laid into her, punching and kicking her as hard as he could.

  Jimmy the Fish had been keeping a watchful eye on the situation and as soon as he saw Danny kicking seven colours of shit out of Billie, he ran outside to restrain him. 'Now come on, son, leave it now or you'll end up getting arrested.' Grabbing him from behind with both arms clenched on to his chest, he managed to drag Danny away from a hysterical Billie Jo.

  Pulling up in a cab, Jamie spotted the back end of the commotion. 'Wait here, mate,' he said to the driver as he leapt out of the car. Noticing Billie Jo lying battered and bruised on the floor, Jamie went apeshit. 'You no-good bastard,' he said, lunging at Danny.

  A couple of Jimmy's henchmen had now emerged from the hall to help with the situation and quickly dragged the two apart.

  'Take him inside,' Jimmy said, nodding at Danny, who for once did as he was told. 'And you, boy,' Jimmy said as he turned to face Jamie, 'you don't know the half of what's gone on, you weren't even fucking here. A proper cunt she made him look. Any marital grievances should be sorted out in the privacy of your own home. Women are a fucking nuisance, they need to learn how to behave. They should be seen and not heard.'

  Billie was hysterical. 'Jamie, the baby's inside and so is my handbag.' She didn't really want Jamie getting involved, but she could hardly go back inside herself.

  Jamie helped Billie gingerly rise to her feet, then pushed past Jimmy the Fish and strode into the hall. Luckily, Danny Junior was still sound asleep. Danny Senior was up at the bar, giving it large about how he'd just given his bird a dig. He didn't feel like bigging it up, he felt a complete prick, but had no choice than to put on a front.

  Holding DJ with his left arm and Billie's bag with his right, Jamie stormed out of the hall. Ignoring the glares from the plastic gangsters, he put his arm around Billie and led her towards the cab.

  'Gidea Park, mate, sorry about that. I'll pay your waiting time. What happened, babe?'

  Billie relayed the whole story as the cab headed off.

  'I wish I'd seen his face when you mugged him off on the stage.'

  Billie gave a half-smile. Her face was hurting, her ribs were sore and her right eye felt tender. Jamie put a comforting arm around her shoulder. 'Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital to be checked over?'

  'No, honestly, I'm fine, just tired. You don't think he'll come back home later and start again, do you, Jamie?'

  'I don't know, Bill,' Jamie replied honestly. 'He's so unpredictable. Do you know what I think you should do?'

  'What?'

  'Come with me. I'll take you home, pick up whatever stuff you need for you and the baby and then come and stay at mine. My mum's away, Lucy's not staying now, so we'll have the house to ourselves and in the morning we'll get in touch with a locksmith. At least if you change the locks the no-good bastard can't get back in.'

  'That's no good,' Billie said dejectedly, the enormity of the situation only just hitting her. 'The house belongs to Jimmy the Fish and he's bound to side with Danny. I can't stay there, I'll have to move out.'

  'Look, don't worry about anything tonight. Things will be clearer in the morning and I promise you, Bill, I won't let anything bad happen to you. I'm your mate and I'll look after you. Grab all you can from indoors and we'll drive to mine.'

  'Thanks,' Billie said, gratefully.

  Billie was woken up the following morning by the sound of Danny Junior screaming. She immediately picked him up, and held him close. Smoothing down his spiky hair she tried to calm him down. 'Ssh, come on now, what's the matter?'

  'Where are we, Mummy? Can we go home now? I want to play with my toys.'

  Billie wiped away his tears wi
th the cuff of her pyjamas. 'We're at Jamie's. Mummy's got a few things to sort out and then we'll go home. Is that OK?'

  DJ nodded, his bottom lip quivering.

  Hearing Billie up and about, Jamie slung on a pair of jeans and opened the bedroom door. He'd slept in his mum's bed and let Billie and the child sleep in his. 'Do you want any breakfast, Bill?'

  'Jamie,' DJ screamed, excitedly.

  'Hello, tiger,' Jamie said, ruffling his hair.

  Billie couldn't face eating. She felt sick with dread at the thought of what was going to happen when she saw Danny. 'No, I'm not hungry, just a coffee will be fine. You go downstairs, Jamie, and I'll get me and the baby washed and dressed.'

  'So what are you gonna do then, Bill?' Jamie looked at her quizzically as he sat opposite her. She looked pasty and ill and he was worried about her.

  'I'm gonna have to go back to the house. I've nowhere else to go at this present moment and he can't sling me out because of the baby.'

  Jamie gave a worried sigh. 'Do you think it's wise, going back there?'

  Billie forced a half-smile. 'I've no choice, Jamie. I'm going to tell Danny that it's over between us, ask him to move out and just see what happens. He can hardly chuck us out on the streets, can he? His plastic gangster cronies won't think much of him if he makes his own son homeless.'

  Jamie stood up and picked up his car keys. 'I wouldn't put anything past him, Bill. I'll drive you home, come in with you and make sure you're OK. If you have any grief, ring me and I'll come straight back and get you.'

  Nodding, Billie picked up the sports bag that she'd hurriedly packed the night before and stood up. 'Thanks, Jamie, for everything, but I don't think it's a good idea for you to come in with me. It's my problem and if Danny's indoors, you coming in may set him off again. If I need you, I'll ring you, all right?'

  Billie sat in silence on the journey home. Pulling up on the corner, out of the way of prying eyes, Jamie handed Billie her bag out of the boot and hugged her tightly. 'You know where I am if you need me, eh?'