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and he’d invited all his fellow Masons to the wedding tomorrow.

      Seeing Jason deep in conversation with Scottish Paul, Johnny grinned at him. ‘You all right, son? I’ll get another round in.’

      Jason grinned back. For the first time since this wedding had been arranged, he actually did feel all right. Seeing his brothers and sister in a tearful state of poverty once again had shown him where his priorities lay. They couldn’t go on living there with his mother, he had to help them. He’d also popped round to see his nan. She was the only guest he had invited to his wedding and she’d given it to him in her usual sharp-tongued style. ‘You can’t back out now, you silly bastard. I’ve chored a new outfit to wear. If it don’t work out, boy, just divorce the girl. What the hell have you got to lose?’ she’d said.

      When Scottish Paul kept rambling on about what a wonderful wife and mother Melissa would be, Jason found himself agreeing. His nan was right. Apart from Darlene, he had nothing to lose – and she was far too old for him anyway.

      ‘He won’t do it, Dar. I’ve already asked him twice,’ Craig Thurston said. He’d been stunned when Darlene had spilled her guts to him earlier about Jason; he’d never had her down as a cradle-snatcher.

      The shock having now worn off, Darlene was absolutely livid and was pacing up and down her lounge like a woman possessed. ‘Fucking little cunt. He deserves this, Craig, believe me. I’ve got five grand in the bank that my mother left me. Ring your pal back and ask him if he’ll do it for that on top of the grand you offered him. No! Offer him five grand altogether, your grand and my four. That leaves me something for a rainy day.’

      ‘Jesus wept, Dar. You must’ve really had it bad for this lad.’

      ‘I did. But not any more. Jason Rampling is history, trust me. Go on, ring him back and offer him five. His reputation can’t be worth that fucking much. Please, Craig. And I promise you faithfully if he says yes, we’ll go and book that holiday first thing tomorrow morning. Perhaps we can go back to Majorca, stay at that resort we did last time. What a laugh that was. Remember Brenda and Stewart who ran that bar? A scream, they were.’

      ‘OK. But this is the last time I’m ringing him, Dar. If the geezer says no, he says no.’

      Stomping about with her hands over her ears, Darlene refused to listen to the call. ‘What did he say?’ she asked when she clocked Craig had stopped moving his mouth.

      Craig Thurston grinned. ‘Majorca here we come.’

       CHAPTER ELEVEN

      Jason Rampling woke up at six a.m. In eight hours’ time he would be a married man, and for once he had no doubt he was doing the right thing.

      Jason sat on the edge of the bed. He and Melissa were yet to find their perfect property, but Johnny owned a few flats that he rented out. The tenants of one had recently done a midnight flit without paying the rent, so he and Mel would be moving into that for the time being. It was a palace in comparison to the Mardyke Estate. There was no doubt that Darlene was going to react like a mad woman when she learned he’d got hitched, but Jason was done with her now. He had given her the option of allowing him and Shay to move in with her, and she’d knocked him back.

      Grinning, Jason stood up. This was a new chapter of his life and he was determined to give it a whirl. Melissa was a decent person and tonight he would hold her in his arms and make love to her like a husband should.

      ‘Stunning! Oh, Mel, you really do look beautiful. Your dad and Jason are going to be the proudest men alive when they see you,’ Carol Brooks beamed. Mel’s wedding dress was traditional white. The bodice had a crochet effect, and the skirt flowed out from the waist downwards with crochet along the bottom. Melissa had chosen to wear her dark hair up, so had a matching crochet headpiece to hold her hair in place. She truly did look stunning, like a princess, Carol thought.

      ‘No. Don’t want to put it on,’ Shay screamed, knocking the purple bridesmaid dress out of Carol’s hands. Shay hated Melissa even more now she was marrying her beloved father.

      Carol sat on a chair and urged Shay to sit on her lap. She stroked the child’s hair and spoke gently in her ear. Shay could be unruly when she worked up a temper, but was very loving towards her. Carol felt sorry for the poor little mite. She’d rarely left that flat on the Mardyke Estate, by the sounds of it. ‘Remember I was telling you all about the seaside last night?’

      Bottom lip trembling, Shay shrugged.

      ‘Yes, you do. I told you about sandcastles and explained what the sand and sea look like. And the boats that sail in the water.’

      ‘And chips and sweets,’ Shay mumbled.

      ‘That’s right. You’ll love eating chips on the beach, and as for those sticks of rock, yum yum. So, if you’re a good girl for Auntie Carol and you put your dress on, how about me and Johnny take you and Donte to the seaside tomorrow?’

      The tiny underfed-looking child’s eyes shone as she flung her arms around Carol’s neck. ‘I love you. Can I call you Nanny?’

      Jason Rampling studied himself in his pal’s full-length mirror. The long-tail tuxedo was a tonic mohair with matching trousers.

      Terrence Arnold walked into the room and wolf-whistled. ‘Looking good, buddy. If I wasn’t married to Susan, I’d half fancy you meself. Any last-minute doubts?’

      Jason had only ever owned one suit in the past. A cheap, black one that he wore for funerals. Studying his smart new look once again, Jason knew he could easily get used to the finer things in life. ‘No, mate. None whatsoever.’

      Johnny Brooks felt extremely proud but also very sad as he laid eyes on his wife and daughter in their wedding regalia. Carol’s peach skirt-suit now looked a size too big for her. She still looked beautiful though and Melissa looked absolutely amazing. ‘Beautiful, both of you look,’ he sighed.

      Carol beamed with happiness. She had prayed to God that she wouldn’t suffer one of her migraines today of all days, and thankfully he’d listened to her. She didn’t even feel tired, considering she’d barely slept last night. Excitement had kept her awake and today she was full of adrenaline. ‘You look so handsome, Johnny. Doesn’t he look smart, Mel?’ Carol gushed. Johnny, Terrence and Donte were wearing the same suits as Jason, bar the bright purple waistcoat the groom had chosen to separate his look from the others.

      ‘I dunno about handsome,’ Melissa laughed, giving her father a hug. She couldn’t wait to become Mrs Rampling now and the thought of herself and Jason finally sharing a bed later this evening sent tingles down her spine.

      ‘Donte, come and show your mum and nan what a big boy you look in your suit,’ Johnny said.

      Carol burst into tears at the sight of her beloved grandson looking all grown up.

      ‘Don’t cry, Mum. You’ll ruin your make-up,’ Melissa urged, her own eyes brimming with tears.

      ‘Mel, ’ere a minute,’ Tracey shouted out. Melissa had insisted Tracey was to be a bridesmaid, even though Jason was none too keen.

      ‘Wow! You look incredible,’ Mel gushed. Shay and Tracey were wearing stunning purple off-the-shoulder dresses, and Melissa couldn’t help thinking that Tracey looked far prettier than she did.

      ‘I got something for you,’ Tracey smiled, handing Melissa a small box. ‘It’s that bracelet you loved of mine with the blue stone. Something borrowed, something blue, something old, something new.’

      ‘I thought they were meant to be separate items. Not unlucky if they’re all the same, is it?’

      ‘No. Don’t think so.’

      Unaware that her marriage was doomed anyway, Melissa happily put the bracelet on.

      ‘Answer the door, Babs, and get rid of whoever it is. Not in the mood for

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