The Rock'n'Roll Romance Box Set (Pam Howes Rock'n'Roll Romance Series) (8 page)

‘Eddie’s no different than you were when you
were a lad, so you just think on!’

Dad coughed and patted Eddie’s shoulder. ‘I’m
sorry, son. I reckon you’ve enough problems without me adding to them. No doubt
the money from singing will come in handy.’

‘Well thank the lord for that.’ Mum pulled on
her hat. ‘Get yourself to the toilet, Fred. Otherwise, we’ll have just got
nicely settled in our seats and you’ll need to go.' As he left the room she pushed
a hatpin into the front brim. ‘One of these days I’ll ram this ruddy hatpin
where it’ll most hurt you both.’

‘I reckon you would too, Mum,’ Eddie said and
hugged her.

‘Why didn’t you tell me you’d lost your job
when you came round last night?’

‘Because I wanted to tell Angie first.’

‘Is that the reason you had another argument?’

‘That and a million other things. I’m sure I’ll
find something else soon enough. Anyway, what time will you be back tonight?’

‘About
quarter past eleven
. We always collect fish and chips
on the way home and take them to your Auntie Minnie’s. We like to have a fish
supper and a cup of tea with her on a Tuesday night. She looks forward to it.’

Dad strolled back into the parlour and
announced he was ready.

‘Have a good time then.’ Eddie saw them out.
‘Hallelujah!’ he sang as he left the house after them. ‘Over three hours to
spend loving Jane.’

***

Jane spotted Eddie waiting for her by the
fire-station. She jumped off the bus and ran across

‘Positive. I’ve just come from their place. We
should be okay for a few hours. Hold on tight.’

‘Why are you parking here?’ Jane asked when he
pulled into the back garden.

‘So the bike’s out of sight. If I park on the
street and they come home early and spot it they’ll expect me to join them for
supper at Auntie Minnie’s.’ He rolled his eyes and grinned. Jane giggled and
followed him indoors.

In the kitchen he pulled her into his arms and
kissed her. ‘We can either go into the parlour or up to my old room, whichever
you prefer.’

‘Your room.’

‘You sure?’

‘I’ve never been so sure of anything in my
life.’

He took her hand and led her upstairs. The room
was exactly as she remembered; white walls and a blue and black swirly
patterned carpet. She drew the blue stripy curtains. Eddie switched on the lamp
and pulled off his boots and jacket. Jane slipped off
her
boots and jacket and turned to face him. He grabbed hold of her
and they tumbled onto the bed, tearing off one another’s clothes, lips
frantically possessing.

She gazed at him as he looked at her naked body
with hungry eyes.

‘I didn’t think you could be any more beautiful
than you were the last time we made love,’ he whispered. ‘But you look - well -
good enough to eat!’

She smiled and ran her hands over his flat
stomach. He moaned softly as she reached to caress his growing erection. Time
stood still as he kissed and stroked every inch of her. She gasped as he
searched with his tongue and arched her back as his fingers explored.

She was close to orgasm as he entered her.
Sammy’s earlier warnings about taking precautions were forgotten as he slid his
hands under her and pulled her closer. He thrust deeply as she writhed beneath
him. She called his name as she came and as he exploded to his own shuddering
climax she heard him cry ‘I love you, Jane!’

‘Love you too, Ed.’ Tears of happiness spilled
down her cheeks. They lay silently together, cherishing the moment. Jane buried
her face in the sprinkling of dark hairs on his chest, breathing in the sensual
scent of the two of them. Their lovemaking had left her with a feeling of such
utter completeness that she knew with certainty she would never have found with
Mark Fisher.

Eddie stroked her hair tenderly. ‘That was the
most amazing shag I’ve ever had!’

She leant up on one elbow and looked into his
eyes. ‘Was it? We’re supposed to be talking tonight, not making love.’

‘How the hell could we stop? I was desperate
for you.’ His eyes clouded with uncertainty as he gazed into hers. ‘Please
don’t tell me it was a mistake, Jane.’

‘Ed, I’m teasing you. Of course it wasn’t a
mistake. I was as desperate as you. I would have made the first move if you
hadn’t, believe me.’

‘Well you almost did, you little hussy!’ He
grinned, relaxing again. ‘When Roy and Sammy told me you’d dumped Mark and that
you still loved me, I couldn’t believe it. I was a bit nervous about calling
you at work in case John Grey didn’t approve. So I decided to catch you tonight
before you left to go home. I didn’t realise Carl would be there, too. He’s a
funny little fellow, isn’t he?’

‘He is,’ Jane said, laughing. ‘But he’s very
sweet and caring. John wouldn’t have minded you ringing. He knows how bad
things are for you and he asked me today if I would consider going out with you
again if you were free.’

‘And what did you tell him?’ He tickled her
ribs until she squealed for mercy.

‘What do you think?’ She squirmed away from
him. ‘Stop it or I’ll scream!’

‘So, you still fancy me then? Even though Sammy
says I’m skinny these days.' He pinned her arms above her head and rained
kisses down her front.

‘You know I do. Couldn’t you feel the
electricity between us when we were in the shop?’

‘It’s a wonder we didn’t set the place on
fire.’

‘And this bed. By the way, talking of Carl and
the shop, we’re opening a new branch in Westlow and he’s being transferred.
Promoted to junior manager in fact.’

‘Lucky devil,’ Eddie said. ‘I need a new job. I
got sacked yesterday. I’m pretty desperate.’

‘I know you did.’ Jane gazed at him
thoughtfully. ‘John Grey’s looking for a manager for the new place.’

‘Do you think I’d be in with a chance?’

‘Definitely.’ She smiled at his eager
expression. ‘That’s why I mentioned it. You’d be perfect. We’ll be selling
musical instruments as well as records. But what will Angie say if you’re
working for the same firm as me?’

‘Who cares?’ He shrugged. ‘After that
soul-destroying factory, managing a music store would be fantastic. I wouldn’t
even mind wearing a poncey suit and tie for a job like that.’

‘I’ll let John know you’re interested, then.
He’ll probably arrange to interview you on Saturday.’

‘Sounds great. Enough about all that for now
though. We need to talk about us.’

‘We do,’ she agreed.

‘I think we’re meant to be, Jane. Third time
lucky eh, kid?’ He reached for his jeans. ‘I need a ciggie.’ He rooted in the
pockets, lit up, took a lengthy drag and blew a wobbly smoke ring.

Jane reclined on the pillow. ‘So, Ed, what
next?’

He smiled reassuringly. ‘I’m not sure, but
somehow or other we’re going to be together. I’ll have to sort things out with
Angie, make sure she and Jonny are provided for. I’ll tell her I’m leaving
because I’ve had enough. Neither of us is happy as you know and we can’t go on
like that. But if she finds out I’ve slept with you she’ll go fucking loopy.
Your mum and dad would soon get to know. She’d make damn sure of that and
they’ll go berserk. They hated me dating you before. I can’t imagine for one
minute they’ll welcome me with open arms now.’

Jane sighed. ‘I dread telling them. Mum will go
mad. She was having a go at me before I came out, making comparisons between
you and Mark.’

‘It’s not going to be easy,’ he said. ‘But as
far as I’m concerned my marriage is over.’ He took another lengthy drag and
looked at her through narrowed eyes.

‘What is it?’

‘I slapped Angie across the face last night. We
had a terrible argument. It was retaliation because she slapped me. I’m staying
here for a few days to give us some space.’

‘That’s not the Eddie Mellor I remember,’ Jane
said.

‘It’s not the Eddie anybody remembers,’ he said
quietly. ‘Angie brings out the worst in me. I’ve never done it before and I
never will again. I hope she won’t use it against me to stop me seeing Jonny. I
think the world of my son.’ He stubbed out the remains of his cigarette in an
old tobacco tin on the bedside table.

Jane rolled onto her front and looked into his
eyes. ‘She won’t be able to stop you seeing Jonny. I’ll support you all the way
and wait for as long as it takes while you sort everything out, because you’re
the only one for me.’

He smiled, tipped her onto her back and kissed
her tenderly. ‘And you for me,’ he whispered.

***

Eddie took Jane home on his motorbike and
dropped her on the corner of

She waved goodbye as he rode away, and strolled
up the path to Sammy’s house. She raised her hand to knock and the door flew
open.

‘Saw you from the window. C’mon, we’re all
dying to know what happened.’ Sammy bundled her inside and propelled her
upstairs to the bedroom where Roy and Tim were singing along to Chuck Berry’s
Sweet Little Sixteen
, playing on the
Dansette.

‘What do you reckon, Jane?’
Roy
asked as the song came to an end.
‘We’re thinking of doing it at Saturday’s gig.’

‘Sounds pretty good to me,’ she replied. ‘Will
you duck walk, like Chuck?’

‘I may do. You’ll have to wait and see.’

‘Want a drink, Jane?’ Pat sloshed cider into
glasses from a stone flagon.

‘Please, I could murder one!’

‘Sit down,’ Sammy ordered, dragging the bedroom
chair towards Jane. She tossed her design portfolio and a mountain of half
completed garments onto the floor. ‘Check there’s no pins on it first.’

Roy
put down his guitar and stretched
out his denim clad legs on Sammy’s bed. He looked at Jane through narrowed eyes
and smiled. ‘Well?’

‘Well what,
Roy
?’ she teased.

‘Oh, come on, Jane, don’t keep us in suspense.'
Sammy handed her a glass of cider. ‘What’s happening? Is he leaving her? Did
you have sex?’

‘Sammy, you don’t half ask some personal
questions!’ Pat exclaimed.

‘Pat, shut up,’ Sammy tutted. ‘We’re her best
friends. Jane doesn’t mind telling us, do you?'

‘Jane doesn’t need to tell us anything,’
Roy
said. ‘Look at her face, Sam. That
wide eyed sparkle says it all.’

***

CHAPTER
SEVEN

Mark stopped beside the trunk of
a giant oak and pulled Jane into his arms.

‘I love you,’ he whispered, lips
on hers, fingers running through her silky hair. ‘Don’t leave me again,
please.’

As Jane responded to his kisses,
a shrill voice rent the air.

‘Marky, are you awake, love?
Don’t forget you promised to take me shopping this morning.’

He opened his eyes a fraction and
squinted at the clock on the bedside table.
Eight
o’clock
! Eight o’ bleeding clock on a Saturday morning and she’s
mithering already.

‘For God’s sake, Mother, I’m
having a lie in,’ he yelled. ‘Wake me at ten if you want a lift with your
shopping and not before.’ He pulled the pillow around his head, trying to
re-capture the dream. He’d dreamt about Jane most nights this week - when he’d
managed to sleep, that is.

A sharp pain shot through his
head and his guts rolled uncomfortably. Too much whisky. But he couldn’t do
without it. It helped blot out the memory of seeing Jane in Mellor’s arms the
other night. He’d woken with a hangover every morning this week. He was in
trouble at work. His manager had told him to take stock of himself and warned
that unshaven, slovenly appearances were unacceptable in Lloyds Bank.

Mark’s thoughts turned to
yesterday afternoon, when he’d been summoned to a meeting with the Personnel
Officer. He’d declined Miss Robbins suggestion of a holiday, but told her he
would consider a transfer to the Chester
branch. A vacancy for a senior clerk had been advertised recently. The
possibility of a change of scene appealed to him. She told him she would look
into it and get back to him next week.

‘Marky, I’ve done you some toast
and a mug of tea.’ His mother appeared beside his bed and placed a tray on the
bedside table.

He sighed and sat up. ‘Didn’t you
hear me say to wake me at ten?’

‘Well you know I’m a bit deaf.’

‘You’re not. You’re just a
stubborn old so and so! Always wanting your own way.’

‘That’s not fair, Mark. I’m only
trying to do my best for you.’

She handed him the mug. He sipped
his tea, wishing she’d leave him alone to wallow in his pit of misery.

She smoothed out the rumpled
eiderdown and parked herself on the end of his bed.

‘You look dreadful, son. Your
hair needs a damn good cut and you’re too pale by half. Pull yourself together.
It’s not worth going to pieces over a girl like Jane.’

Mark winced at the mention of her
name and flicked his unruly hair from his face.

‘I’m growing my hair; it just
needs a wash. And what’s that supposed to mean? A girl like Jane!’

‘Well, she was out to trap
herself a decent man. You happened to fall for her charms, for what they’re
worth.’ She pursed her lips and carried on. ‘I grant you she’s pretty, but that
girl gave you the run-around. She’s had a change of heart because she’s set her
sights on someone else. Why else would she break off your engagement? Who is
he, a wealthy sugar-daddy or something?’

‘You’re way off beam, Mother.
Jane’s still in love with her ex. He’s as far removed from a sugar-daddy as you
can imagine. He’s also married with a kid.’

His mother caught her breath and
clutched her chest. ‘Well fancy that. I knew she was a right one as soon as I
clapped eyes on her. Out with all and sundry.’

He shook his head wearily. ‘Leave
it alone. You don’t know what you’re talking about.’

She folded her arms under her
ample bosom, her triple chins quivering. ‘Some girls have no principles.’ She
stood up with difficulty, wincing. ‘That bed’s too low for me; it’s set my hip
off again. Finish your breakfast and I’ll go and wash the dishes.’

‘Okay. Can you manage the
stairs?’

‘I’ll be fine,’ she said, limping
out of the room.

‘I’ll take you shopping when I’m
dressed,’ he called after her. How the hell would she manage if he
did
move to Chester? Mind you, she’d
have had to manage if he’d married Jane. There was not a cat in hell’s chance
of the pair living under the same roof. They hated one another.

His bass guitar, propped against
the wardrobe, reminded him that
The Scorpions
had a gig tonight in Macclesfield.
He’d broken a string last week, so a visit to the music store in Pickford was a
must.

It was a pity Flanagan and Grey’s
didn’t sell guitar strings, then he would have a valid reason to call in and
see Jane. He could tell her he was thinking of going to work in Chester.
See what her reaction would be. Sod it, he’d call in and see her anyway. His
mind made up, he climbed out of bed and padded to the bathroom.

***

Eddie knotted his tie in front of
the parlour mirror and slipped on his jacket. He pulled at the waistband of his
trousers and grimaced. ‘This is my old wedding suit. Just look how loose these
are.’

‘That’s because you hardly ever
eat a decent meal,’ Mum said. ‘Your dad has a belt you can borrow. I’ll nip up
and get it from his wardrobe. You’ll walk that interview, son. You’ve the sales
experience from your old Saturday job at Jerome’s and you’ve also your musical
skills. You can’t fail.’

‘Well let’s hope not, eh, Mum? I
need to start working again as soon as possible and this job would be perfect
for me. When I spoke to John Grey he told me I was the only one being
interviewed for the manager’s position.’

‘Does young Jane still work at
the Pickford branch?’ Mum asked.

He averted his gaze and smiled.
‘She does.’

‘Hmm, I thought there was more to
it than meets the eye. Coupled with the fact that you haven’t mentioned a word
to Angie about this job interview.’

‘Well I haven’t seen her all
week,’ he said, running a comb through his hair.

‘True. But she called last night
over the rent money. You could have told her then.’

‘Where’s the point in causing
arguments, Mum? Let’s wait and see if I get the job first. I’ll tell her when
I’m good and ready.’

‘Well,
you
know best. I’ll
get that belt then you can be on your way.'

Eddie lit a cigarette and thought
back over the last few days. He’d managed to see Jane after rehearsals every
night and tonight was the gig at The Roulette Club, so he would be seeing her
again.

He smiled, thinking back to how
thrilled she’d been when John Grey said he was more than willing to interview
him for the manager’s position.

‘He said you’d be perfect, Ed.
Just what he’s looking for.’

Mum returned with the belt and
interrupted his thoughts. ‘Here you go. You might as well keep it; he never
wears it these days. His big, fat belly keeps
his
trousers in place.’

‘Thanks.’ He pulled the belt
through his waistband loops and did up the buckle. ‘That feels better. Wouldn’t
want my trousers falling down when I jump off the bus.’

She smiled and gave him a hug.
‘Good luck, love. Are we having Jonny this afternoon?’

‘Yeah. I’ll pick him up about one
and bring him back here. Then Angie will collect him and the rent money I owe
her on her way home from work. But don’t forget to keep quiet about the job.’

‘My lips are sealed. Me and Dad
will take Jonny out for a couple of hours before tea. He’ll enjoy that and so
will we. Go on now, or you’ll miss the bus.’

***

Jane smiled at Eddie as he ran
down the stairs to the record department.

‘You look nice,’ she mouthed as
John Grey’s friend, Stuart Green, who helped out on Saturdays, finished serving
a customer.

He said goodbye to the young girl
and grinned in Eddie’s direction.

‘Who are
you
out to impress with your fancy suit and tie, then?’

‘It was either this outfit, Stu
or my Levi’s and biking jacket,’ Eddie said, laughing.

‘Ah well, fair enough. John said
you could go straight up to the stockroom when you arrive.’

‘Okay, but don’t I get a good
luck kiss first?’

‘Not from me, mate!’ Stuart
quipped. ‘Jane might be happy to oblige.’

Jane put her arms around Eddie
and wished him luck. She kissed him and squeezed his hand. ‘You’ll be fine, Ed.
You look very business like. That suit alone will impress John.’

‘Feel a bit nervous. So much
hangs on me getting this job. Not least
our
future together. Your mother might eventually accept me if I can stay on the
rails and do something decent for a living.’

‘Well the job’s as good as yours
anyway. Only don’t let on to John that I told you. Let him tell you himself.’

***

Eddie knocked on the stockroom
door and entered at John’s request.

‘Come in, Ed. Have a seat.’ John
peered over the top of his glasses, shuffled the sheaf of papers on his knee
and smiled reassuringly.

‘You’re looking very dapper. I
was expecting you to be wearing jeans and a leather jacket for some reason.’

Eddie smiled and sat down on the
chair John pushed towards him. He took off his jacket and felt instantly at
ease.

‘Right, well this interview's
only a formality. The job's yours anyway. I know you well enough, and I
couldn’t wish for anyone better. I think Jane’s already told you that as well
as records and sheet music we’ll be stocking musical instruments?’

‘She has.’

‘As manager, you’ll be
responsible for both departments, with the help of Carl as your assistant
manager. I’ve interviewed a young lass called Tina Pickles who’ll be your
junior sales assistant. She’s a school leaver. Wrote a nice letter asking for a
job. Saved me having to advertise. We’ll see how the three of you manage for
the time being. Stuart will help you Saturdays and college holidays. If you
feel you need extra staff, just let me know.

‘I’ve lined up a young lad for
Jane’s new assistant, name of Sean Grogan. He’s the grandson of my Dad’s
golfing partner. He’s seventeen, good looking; full of dubious Irish charm. Has
a look of
The Beatles
about him, so he’ll go down a bomb with the young
girls who congregate in here after school.’

‘Sounds good,’ Eddie nodded.

‘The only problem I foresee is
Angie,’ John continued. ‘How will you manage to keep her and Jane apart? The
last thing you need is fur and feathers flying between them in your place of
work.’

‘Leave it with me, John. I’ll
think of something. Jane and I are keeping our relationship low key. Sammy and
Pat’s parents saw me kissing her the other night outside their place and asked
what’s going on. But they’ve agreed to say nothing to Jane’s mum and dad until
we’re ready to break the news ourselves.'

‘That’s good,’ John said. ‘I
remember there was no love lost between you and Jane’s mum.’

‘Don’t know why my girls’ mothers
don’t like me. They must see me as a threat or something.’

‘Lock up your daughters and throw
away the key!’ John laughed.

‘Something like that. Anyway, my
marriage is more or less over. Just as long as Angie lets me see my little lad,
that’s all I’m bothered about.’

‘Who’d ever have thought a rebel
like you could turn into such a doting parent? ‘Have you seen Jonny this week?’

‘No. I’m having him this
afternoon for a few hours. Only problem is, I’ve got to collect him from Old
Mother Turner’s place and the woman hates my guts.’

‘What time is she expecting you?’

‘
One
o’clock
.’

‘Well let’s go and tell the
others you’ve got the job. Then I’ll run you to your dreaded ma-in-laws. I
doubt she’ll say anything out of place with
me
there. By the way, your
wages will be eight pounds a week while you’re training and ten when you’re
managing the store. You’ll get twice-yearly raises, two weeks paid holiday,
bank holidays and ten per cent commission on any instrument sales you make. How
does that sound?’

‘Fantastic.’ Eddie shook John by
the hand. ‘When would you like me to start?’

‘A week on Monday suit you?’

‘Perfect.’

***

Mark left Pickford Music Exchange
with a packet of bass strings stashed in his jacket pocket. He popped into the
Black Lion for a quick pint, and then made his way towards Flanagan and Grey’s.
As he rounded the corner, he stopped at the sight of John Grey and Eddie Mellor
leaving the shop. The pair hadn’t seen him; they were walking in the opposite
direction and appeared to be deep in animated conversation.

Mellor was smartly attired in a
suit and looked happy and confident. A far cry from the down-at-heel young man
in the paint-stained jeans and biking jacket who had held and kissed Jane the
other night. Mark shrugged and continued on his way into the shop.

Stuart looked up from the
newspaper he was reading. He greeted Mark with a friendly smile. ‘Hi there,
Mark. How you doing?’

‘So, so,’ he replied. ‘Is Jane in
today?’

‘She’s upstairs having lunch.
Would you like one of us to call her?’

‘Please. I’d like a quick word.’

‘I’ll go and tell her,’ Carl
volunteered.

‘Go on then, be quick,’ Stuart
said. ‘Take a seat while you’re waiting, Mark.’

***

Perched upon a stack of LP boxes
like Miss Muffet on her tuffet, Jane finished her sandwich. She looked up from
reading the problem page in Honey magazine as Carl popped his head around the
door. ‘What’s up? You look a bit frazzled.’

‘Mark’s downstairs. Wants to see
you.’

‘What?’

‘He says he wants to see you,’
Carl repeated.

‘I heard you! I don’t want to see
him
.’

‘What shall I tell him?’

‘Oh, I don’t know. Tell him to go
away.’

‘What if he won’t go away?’

‘Tell him to come up here then,’
she tutted. ‘I don’t want a scene in the shop. Thank God Eddie’s gone home, or
else!’

‘Or else what?’

‘They might have had a punch up!’