The sound of the doorbell decided Melissa’s outfit and she ran down the stairs in the white top and tight jeans. ‘My mum and dad have gone out for the day and taken Donte with ’em, so we have the house to ourselves. I thought we might watch a film or something. Want a glass of wine? I’ve already opened a bottle. Or do you want a beer? Are you hungry? I can make you a sandwich or something if you like?’
Sensing her nervousness, Jason kissed Melissa politely on the cheek. It was obvious by the top she’d chosen to wear what she was hoping for, but he wasn’t particularly in the mood. Darlene had sucked all his energy and sperm. ‘Slow down, babe, eh? Let me get in the door. Knackered, I am. Shay wasn’t well last night, so I hardly got any sleep,’ he lied.
‘Oh no. What’s wrong with Shay? Is she OK now?’
‘Yeah. Seems to be. Just one of them twenty-four-hour bugs, I think. A few of the kids over the Mardyke have had it. That’s another reason I need to get Shay off that poxy estate. Full of disease, that place is. The amount of junkies’ needles you find in the lifts and on the stairs is horrific. One of the neighbour’s kids ended up with HIV. She’s only five, poor little mare. You spoken to your parents about moving out yet?’ Jason had already decided if Melissa had changed her mind, then he was going to trawl some bars and clubs over the next few weeks to see if he could strike gold elsewhere.
Melissa’s eyes welled up. ‘You know I said my mum was ill? Well, she’s got cancer, and I think she might be dying.’
Jason put his arms around Melissa and soothed her fears. ‘I will have a beer after all. Your poor mum. Such a lovely lady. Let’s cuddle up on the sofa and you can tell me all about it.’
Melissa nuzzled against Jason’s chest. He always smelled of the most gorgeous expensive aftershave. Feeling amorous, she leaned in for another kiss. This was the first time they’d ever been alone in a house together. ‘Shall we go to my room?’ she suggested.
‘I’m a bit knackered to be honest, babe. And say your mum and dad came back early? I would hate them to find us in a compromising position. That’s disrespectful in their house.’
Melissa felt humiliated. She could tell when they’d been kissing that Jason’s mind was elsewhere. ‘You don’t fancy me, do you?’ she blurted out.
‘Of course I fancy ya. You wouldn’t be my girlfriend if I didn’t. But I also respect your parents, Mel. Your mum’s ill. Imagine how bad that would be if they caught us at it.’
‘They won’t. They’re visiting my Uncle David and won’t be back until teatime at least. But if you’re tired, forget it. Tracey said it was odd you’ve never tried it on with me and I’m beginning to think she was right.’
‘Tracey’s just jealous ’cause she wanted me herself,’ Jason said, grabbing hold of Melissa’s hand and placing it against his penis. Knowing he had little choice, he led her up the stairs.
‘Awww look, Johnny. He’s shattered,’ Carol said. They’d stopped off on the way to tell her brother David she had terminal cancer and it had been sad and upsetting all round.
‘He’s a great kid, love. I’m sorry, ya know – for being such an arsehole in the past.’
‘You’re not an arsehole, just a stubborn old git at times.’ They were now having a drink at the Peterboat in Leigh-on-Sea and Donte was snoring while curled up on the seat. ‘I’ve decided I can’t tell Mark over the phone, Johnny. I want to visit him and tell him in person,’ Carol informed her husband.
Johnny was thoroughly peeved with his son at present. They’d been so close when Mark was growing up. They’d worked together too, until Mark had walked away from everything for a tart he’d met on holiday. They’d argued over that and now Mark rarely contacted him any more. He still rang Carol occasionally, but not as often as he should. ‘No way are we driving to Newcastle, love. I will contact Mark, tell him to visit us. Then we can explain the situation together.’
‘OK. I feel fine today you know, a bit tired now, but other than that I feel like I’m twenty-one again.’
Johnny stroked his wife’s rosy cheeks. She was as beautiful as the day he’d met her. Kind, mischievous eyes, and that cheeky raucous laugh. ‘I love you. Far more than you’ll ever know.’
Carol took a deep breath to try to keep her emotions in check. ‘Not as much as I love you, Johnny Brooks. You may be a tosser at times, but deep down you got a heart of gold. Promise me when I’ve gone you’ll always look after Donte for me. Knowing you’ve got his back, I’ll be able to rest in peace.’
Tears in his eyes, Johnny’s lip wobbled. ‘I’ll take care of our grandson, don’t you worry about that. Always.’
‘I’m really sorry, Mel. It isn’t you, honest it ain’t,’ Jason apologized. He wasn’t used to suffering from erectile dysfunction and guessed his little problem was down to his romping with Darlene earlier.
Melissa felt humiliated, but tried not to show it. ‘Let’s go back downstairs, watch TV or a film.’
‘I think I’m knackered, babe. Either that or I’m worried about your parents coming home early,’ Jason lied. He was actually quite relieved he’d been unable to perform, for the simple reason he didn’t want to hurt Melissa. He wasn’t a nasty person deep down and if he did find a better prospect and dump Mel, he didn’t want her to feel used. She was a nice person and did not deserve that.
‘I’m gonna ring my dad, see if they’re on the way back. Donte might as well come home if we’re just watching TV.’
‘Cool. Love spending time with the little man – and you, of course. That’s why I can’t wait for us to get our own gaff. Be like a proper little family then, won’t we?’
‘I won’t be moving out any time soon, Jase. Not now my mum’s ill. No way am I leaving her while she’s got cancer.’
Jason sighed as Melissa left the room. Thank God he hadn’t given her one. Because if she wasn’t prepared to move out and look after his kid, then she was sod-all use to him.
Johnny Brooks picked up Donte’s plastic spade. ‘Granddad’ll show you how to build castles,’ he said, chucking some sand inside the bucket and patting it down. Because of the unusually warm weather, the beach was busy and as Johnny played with his grandson and clocked lots of other families doing the same, he could have kicked himself. He’d been such a grafter over the years, had worked six long days a week to build up his thriving business, and it was only now Carol was dying he could see how pointless that was. Why hadn’t he spent more time with his own children when they were younger? He and Carol could have had hundreds or even thousands of unforgettable days out if only he hadn’t been working all the time. And now it was too late. Well, almost. He was determined to cherish every minute they had left together. Business could wait.
Carol munched on a bag of chips and thought how wonderful the sea air smelled. Since she’d been handed her death sentence she had begun appreciating all the small things in life that she’d once taken for granted.
‘Nana, look,’ Donte said, excitedly pointing to his sandcastle.
Carol smiled broadly. She might be dying, but watching Johnny and Donte bonding made her feel like the happiest woman alive.
Hours later, Johnny sat Donte in his special chair on the back seat and clipped the seatbelt. His grandson was sleeping, having worn himself out on the beach. ‘You getting in the car, love?’ he asked Carol.
‘Look at that sun going down, Johnny. Doesn’t it look spectacular? Can we sit on the wall a minute and watch it.’
Johnny sat on the nearby wall and squeezed his wife’s