was back home, pictured his face. She had no idea what he looked like now, but she could remember his cheeky smile, his kiss, and his touch – as though it were only yesterday that she had last seen him. Stephanie leapt out of bed and rummaged about in the bottom of her wardrobe. She had never thrown it away. Taking the half of the jagged gold heart out of its black velvet box, Stephanie held it in her right hand and stared at it. She knew how much she loved Wayne, but Barry returning to England had stirred up all sorts of weird emotions for her and she wished he would just sod off back to Spain, pronto. Putting the heart back in its box, Stephanie snapped the lid shut and put it back in its hidey-hole. She had never really believed in God. How could she when he had taken her father away from her in such a cruel manner? But, for once, Stephanie decided to see if the Lord above did actually exist. Clasping her hands together, she shut her eyes and tilted her head towards the ceiling. ‘Please God make Barry go away because, putting it bluntly, I would rather die than ever have to see his face again.’
Unaware that Stephanie was currently kneeling on the floor praying, Wayne was busy discussing her in the restaurant. Barry seemed cool with the conversation and also genuinely interested.
‘Well, I’m glad it’s worked out for the pair of you. You seem ever so loved-up and happy, and I know how that feels now I’ve met Jolene. Do you wanna see a photo of her?’ Barry asked.
Wayne nodded, then stared at the snap of the pretty blond-haired girl who was standing next to a boat wearing a skimpy red bikini. ‘Fucking hell, no wonder you’re happy, she’s a right sort! The boat’s a beauty an’ all. Who’s that belong to?’
‘It’s mine,’ Barry replied, casually.
‘Is it? Jesus, you must be doing all right for yourself, Bazza. What is it – a houseboat?’
‘Yeah, a fifty footer. I’m doing OK. And Martin tells me you’ve cracked it an’ all. To be honest, me and you were always destined to be cakeo. Even as kids we knew how to earn a few bob, didn’t we?’
‘We sure did, but things ain’t been good for me lately. Between me and you, I’m in shit street at the moment.’
Barry was shocked as Wayne began to go into details over his financial difficulties. Martin Gowing had always kept him up to date on Wayne’s business activities, and even though Barry was sure that Wayne was nowhere near as rich as himself, it was still a surprise to learn he was in dire straits.
‘Even the car’s on credit and I don’t know what I’m gonna say to Steph when I have to explain that we ain’t got no money to buy another house. I will have to sit her down and tell her everything, but not until after the wedding. I would never forgive myself if I spoilt her big day for her, so please keep what I told you to yourself,’ Wayne said, solemnly.
‘See no evil, hear no evil, me. Surely you must have some dosh left if you’ve sold a massive chunk of the gym, though? How much did you get for it?’
Wayne suddenly clammed up. ‘Not as much as you’d think. The geezer I sold it to knew I was desperate for readies and took full advantage of the fact. Let’s talk about something else, eh? If not, I’ll only get on a downer.’
Barry nodded. ‘How’s your nan and grandad? They are still alive, I take it?’
‘Yep. Still drink like fishes, smoke like chimneys and bet like dockers. They don’t change and are still as fit as fiddles.’
Remembering Doris and Bill from when he was a small boy, Barry chuckled. ‘Do you remember when we used to do your nan’s weekly shopping and she would give us fifty pence each?’
‘Yeah, we used to nick all the dear stuff and put it in her shopping trolley. Then we’d tell her we lost the receipt and pocket the money for what we’d chored. We had a right little earner out of that, didn’t we? And we never got caught.’
‘Do you remember when we used to nick all the empty Corona bottles and sell ’em back cheap to the geezer on the float? And what about when we used to pick the lock of that market trader’s van who sold the toiletries. We used to stagger down the road with dustbin liners full of kitchen rolls, bleach and hairspray. The bags were that fucking heavy, our knees used to buckle under us,’ Barry recalled, chuckling.
Wayne sniggered. He and Barry had been right little sods as kids. From the age of seven, they had always had their fingers in one pie or another. ‘Why don’t you come round for a meal tomorrow night, Bal? I’d love you to see the kids. Dannielle’s definitely her mother’s daughter, but Tyler’s a ringer for me.’
‘Oh, I dunno, Jacko. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to come round, but you better check it’s OK with Steph first. I don’t wanna cause any unnecessary problems.’
‘Steph would love to see you again, mate, I know she would. She’s a good cook an’ all, so I’ll get her to rustle us up something nice. If you do, I know that we’ve truly laid the past to rest and we can be good mates again.’
Not wanting to give Wayne any reason to believe that he hadn’t forgiven him, Barry grinned. ‘OK then. Dinner it is.’
Wayne was absolutely elated. This was all working out much more perfectly than he ever could have imagined. ‘I’m just going for a slash. Order another bottle of bubbly, and don’t worry about the bill – I’ll sort it. I eat and drink in ’ere for peanuts.’
Watching his once best friend swagger towards the toilets like he owned the gaff, Barry allowed himself a wry smirk. If Wayne Jackman honestly thought he had forgiven him for his awful act of betrayal, then the mug had another think coming.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Wayne Jackman woke up the following morning on the sofa. He had an awful headache and vague memories of ending up in a nightclub somewhere, then having an argument with Steph on his arrival home.
‘Daddy,’ Dannielle yelled, leaping on top of him.
‘Get off me, babe. Daddy don’t feel too good. Where’s your mum?’
‘Getting Tyler dressed. Why did you sleep on the sofa, Daddy? If you sleep on there again, can I sleep downstairs with you?’
Remembering that he had invited Barry around for dinner this evening, Wayne put his head in his hands. He had no idea if he’d told Steph when he had come home last night, but if he hadn’t, then best he did so quick.
‘Daddy, I said, can I sleep down here with you?’ Dannielle repeated.
‘Don’t ask me now, babe,’ Wayne said, as he gingerly stood up. Feeling his stomach rumbling with hunger, he headed up the stairs. Steph wasn’t going to be happy, he knew that, and he was desperate not to start World War Three.
‘You all right, babe? Sorry I didn’t get in till late. Me and Bazza had plenty of catching up to do, and you know what it’s like.’
Wrapping a bath towel around Tyler, Stephanie turned to Wayne and glared at him. ‘No, I don’t know what it’s like! Worried sick I was, and I rang you about a hundred bloody times. Why don’t you ever answer your fucking phone, eh? There’s no point in you having a mobile, is there?’
‘I’m sorry. I left the phone in the car, then when I went to ring you later in the evening, the battery had died a death. Don’t be angry with me, sweetheart. We’re getting married in a few weeks’ time, so just give us a hug, eh?’
‘It’s only because I love you, Wayne, that I worry so much,’ Steph said, trying to hold back the tears.
Wayne held Stephanie tightly. He obviously hadn’t yet told her about Barry’s planned visit, as he knew she would have mentioned it immediately.
‘So, how did you get on? I take it Barry doesn’t hold any grudges? Did you tell him that we’re getting married?’
‘Bazza was sweet. He definitely ain’t got no grudges and was asking all about you and the kids. He’s engaged himself