Christmas to Come: a heartbreaking coming of age saga set in London's East End Carol Rivers (best sales books of all time .txt) 📖

mother.' He pulled out the drawers of the dressing table searching for more. 'Anyway, Gina can afford it. She's loaded.'

When all her belongings lay scattered on the floor, he glared at her. Then without a word, he turned and strode out.

Bella slowly got up but her knees threatened to buckle. After replacing her things, she stood still, gripping the side of the dressing table to steady herself. She was still shaking when Michael came in. Quickly she put on a bright smile. 'What are you two up to?'

'We've played all Uncle Ron's records. I wish we had some of our own - ' Michael stopped, looking at her anxiously. 'Are you all right, Mum?'

She nodded and sat on the bed. 'Come here.' She took his hand and drew him close. She wanted to be reassured. Micky had said some dreadful things. How could he believe she had turned Michael against him?

'I love you very much, you know that, don't you, Michael?'

He blushed. 'Now I know there is something wrong!'

'I just wanted you to know that. Mothers always say embarrassing things at special times of the year, like Christmas.'

'I really like my record player,' he said awkwardly and she laughed.

'Run along now and have some fun,' she told him.

He smiled as he left, the smile that was so like his father's and it almost broke her heart.

Bella felt full of despair. What was wrong with Micky? He looked so strange. Why had he been so rough with her? Now she had to face her mother and pretend nothing was wrong.

'You've got trouble there, girl,' Mary predicted when she returned to the front room.

'I don't know what you mean,' Bella said shortly.

'Of course you do. Sure I can see right through the eejit, always did. I tried to warn you, but you'd have none of it.'

'Don't speak about Micky like that, Mum.'

But Mary wasn't listening. 'Your old man had a face like a bag full of spanners when he walked out. I ask you, is that any way to treat his mother-in-law when he sees her?'

Bella picked up Mary's coat. She didn't want to listen to any more. And now her mother had gained the satisfaction of seeing her daughter unhappy, Mary was pleased to leave.

Bella woke early the next morning. She had slid the bolt on the airey door last night, to prevent another distressing visit from Micky. She knew it was unlikely he would return as he had taken all her cash and the money was all he was interested in. But even then she slept lightly, waking at the slightest noise.

It was New Year's Eve and the radio was full of nostalgia. As she prepared breakfast for the children, she listened to the broadcaster describing the events of the past year. Alfred Hitchcock's film Psycho had caused a sensation with a gruesome shower scene. The Olympics had taken place in Rome during the height of a blisteringly hot Mediterranean summer. And charismatic John F Kennedy at only forty-three years of age was now the new president of the USA. But none of this really interested her. There was only one thing on her mind. Micky, and what would happen now.

She hadn't decided what to do. The coffee bar had been closed all week and wasn't opening until Monday. Perhaps she should go there tomorrow and explain to Gina. She knew she would be very angry with Micky and the money was a big loss. There were bills to pay at the beginning of the year. They would have to draw money from the bank, leaving them short in the account for January.

Bella placed the plates and the bread, butter and marmalade on the table. She was still considering what to do when there was a screech of wheels outside. She hurried to the window. Was Micky returning? Her heart started to beat fast. But no one appeared and carefully she opened the door.

She could hear voices and went to investigate. She was surprised to see a car parked behind Ron's. It was Dr Cox's. As she hurried up the steps she was met by a white-faced Ron.

'It's Joyce,' he told as he pulled on his coat. 'An ambulance is on its way.' He looked very haggard as he added, 'she started to bleed in the night, not very much at first but then - ' He raised his hands in confusion. 'It was all so sudden.'

Bella's heart sank. 'Is the baby all right?'

'I don't know. She had this bad pain and we thought it was just a stomach-ache. But then it got worse and the bleeding started.'

Bella tried to think calmly. 'Shall I come with you? I can ask Daisy to have the children.'

'No. It's all right. I'm going in the ambulance with her.'

Just then Doctor Cox came down the stairs. He nodded to Bella, but his face was very grave. Very soon the ambulance arrived and as Joyce was lifted in, Bella could see she was barely conscious.

'I'll keep you in touch,' Ron told her hurriedly as he climbed in and the doors were closed in her face.

Bella stood and watched the ambulance roar off followed by the doctor's car. Suddenly Micky and the money didn't seem important. Joyce had looked so still and pale. Tears began to fill Bella's eyes. She could do nothing now, but wait.

It was after the children were in bed that night that Ronnie knocked. 'They operated,' he told her, his voice weary as he sank heavily down on the chair. 'She's lost a lot of blood.'

'What happened, Ron?'

'They said the baby was growing in a tube and they have to – ' he stopped, burying his face in his hands. 'To take it away.'

'Oh Ron. I'm so sorry.' She couldn't help him. He was filled with despair.

'They told me to come home and get some sleep. They won't know anything for a while. But I can't … can't go upstairs …'

'Would you like stay here, then? Rest on the couch, perhaps.'

He nodded,