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

'It wasn't his fault, it was Micky's. And although Lenny could have said refused the job, Micky would not have let him go.'

Gina sighed. 'Do you think the coppers will ever come knocking at our doors?'

'Why would they? Milo, Micky and Terry are dead. The mystery man Alfred Freshwater has disappeared in a puff of smoke. And Lenny certainly isn't about to tell anyone.'

Gina grinned then. 'It's funny what the future holds. I'd never have believed Len would become a bus driver. Or that you and me would have got ourselves as good a reputation as the 2i's. Or that …' she held up her left hand and displayed the gold band on her finger, ' …me and Len would tie the knot this year.'

Bella grinned. 'A wedding ring suits you.'

'Cost me a few bob and all.'

They laughed and Bella heaved a deep sigh. 'To be honest, I never thought I'd be seeing Michael cycle off to Christmas Day Mass instead of spending it at home, playing his records on the Dansette and pretending to be one of the Beatles.'

'He's got it bad for her, then?'

'The Sullivans have invited me over for New Year. Michael wants Ronnie to come too.'

Gina sat forward, narrowing her eyes. 'No need to ask why.'

'He's very fond of Ron.'

'The question is, are you?'

Bella felt herself blush. She was glad they were sitting by the fire as Gina was scrutinizing her. 'We're just good friends, always have been.'

'It's more than that. You can't hide it from me.'

'Hide what?' Bella asked curiously.

'You and Ronnie. Honestly girl, there's walls dividing you, not a mountain range. You live with your memories of Joyce and Micky and are frightened to live in the present.'

'I don't know what you mean.'

Gina held out her glass for a refill. 'Course you do. You're a beautiful young woman – '

'Not so young. I'm thirty-three, Gina.'

'That is young, ducks. Young enough to start again. Me and Lenny did it and we were geriatric compared to you and Ron. You have to let Micky go. Ron is a father to Michael, in all ways but one.'

'Gina, I don't want to get married again. I'm happy with the business and looking after Michael.'

'He'll be leaving school and going to work soon,' continued Gina, unwilling to let the subject drop. 'You can bet if this Mr and Mrs Sullivan have anything to do with it, they'll want him signing on the dotted line for their daughter before he even kisses her.'

Bella's mouth fell open. 'He's too young for marriage!'

'Yeah, but he don't know it, does he? He needs someone like Ron to give him a bit of a whisper.'

Bella smiled at her friend as she replenished her glass. 'You think I can't explain puppy love to Michael?'

'You're his mum. He won't take it from you. And personally I think your lad should sow his oats a lot more.'

'Well, I can't stop him from seeing Francesca. And frankly, I'd rather him be with a nice girl and have a steady job – '

'Listen to yourself, girl! You know what all the kids are like in the coffee bar. They come to you with all their troubles and you are the first to tell them they are young and have their lives before them. Don't forget how much your Michael loves his music. He's got a lovely singing voice and Daisy has done a good job teaching him the old Joanna. You never know, he could be one of these pop stars one day.'

'That's what he's always wanted.' Bella didn't say that she too was worried that Michael was taking Francesca too seriously. For six months now she had missed the noise of his record player always at full volume. They never sat together in the evenings any more watching The Avengers or Ready Steady Go, his favourite programme.

Suddenly the front door latch went. Two exuberant fifteen-year-olds burst in. Anne and Irene wore their Carnaby Street short skirts and piles of marmalade coloured hair. They were followed by ten-year-old April, eight-year-old June also of similar colouring, and lastly four-year-old Neville. The room erupted into bedlam as Dolly and Percy appeared, bearing gifts, bottles and tinsel tied packages. Len and Ronnie joined them and half an hour later Mary and Gus arrived with Teresa. Bella always marvelled at Teresa's beauty. Her hair was a rich brown like Michael's and at sixteen, she was tall and slim as a reed. Anne, Irene and Teresa were her best friends and often came to the coffee bar on Saturday mornings. Dolly approved of this only because Bella kept an eye on them.

Mary was now walking with the aid of a stick. They lived in a council house in Poplar on a new housing estate. Like Michael, Teresa had left school this September. Whereas Michael was only doing a part-time job of delivering meat, while looking for something more permanent, Teresa had begun work as a typist. Bella knew that with her stunning looks it wouldn't be long before she had a boyfriend.

The family was growing up fast. What dramas would unfold in the next few years she wondered?

When dinner was over and everyone was opening their presents, Bella went to the kitchen. Many hands had made light work of the clearing up and there was only the hot drinks to be made. As she was putting on the kettle, Ron joined her. He looked very handsome, his grey eyes older and wiser, but the little lines that creased out from his eyes gave him a charm that only came with maturity. She could see very little of Micky in him. In fact it was Sean who resembled Micky more these days.

'Let me help,' Ronnie said as he watched her fill the kettle.

'Set the tray if you like, as many cups and saucers as it will hold.'

Ronnie carefully did as she asked, but his expression was distracted.

'Bella, there's something I'd like to ask you about Michael.'

She turned, lifting her eyes. 'Have you been