Billie Jo

by Kimberley Chambers

  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.'