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

Bella had brought a headscarf, although she was reluctant to use it over her new hairstyle. The winds of the last six weeks had been ferocious. As she had walked through the foot tunnel from Island Gardens to Greenwich she had heard it whistling after her like a steam train.

'What about that tornado last week, then?' Ashley said as he removed the white towel from around his customer's shoulders. 'It ripped the roof off Gunnersbury Station as if it was a piece of cloth. And one of our customers told me she was over Acton visiting her daughter and they saw a car lifted into the air.'

'And those poor souls on the South Goodwin Lightship,' Sean added in a whisper. 'All the crew died except one. He clung to the ship for eight hours before he was rescued.' Quickly resuming his normal voice he added, 'Even our customers were afraid to venture out. Goodness only knows how many appointments we had to cancel.' He smiled brightly into the mirror, cupping his hands on either side of the Bella's head. 'How is that for you, darling?'

'I love it, Sean. Thanks.'

'Micky taking you somewhere nice is he?'

'I wanted to see that new film The Barefoot Contessa with Humphrey Bogart and Ava Gardner. But Micky said he has something special in mind. I've bought a new dress especially and Gina and Lenny are babysitting.'

'Well, he'll have to chain you to his wrist for the night. Ava don't hold a candle to you.'

'I wish that was true, Sean.'

He looked into her suddenly sad gaze and bent close to her ear. 'Now listen you. You are a beautiful girl, in your prime, but lately I haven't seen much of that lovely smile. I don't know what's wrong, but it can't be all that bad, as you have your health and your little boy is a credit to you. Money can't be a problem,' Sean added wisely, 'as your old man is making it hand over fist. So, my recommendation is to go out and let your hair down with your new dress and lovely hairstyle. A bit of fun will cure your blues and that's a promise.'

Bella knew Sean was speaking the truth and she dearly hoped that she could win back her husband's attention in such a way. He hadn't been himself at all lately. She knew Ronnie and Micky had quarrelled over Ronnie's decision to sell the club to Billy McNee. Micky believed the family was looked on as a spent force now and he missed the kudos the Blue Moon had provided. Once he hadn't come home and he'd stayed out all night. She had worried herself sick and not slept. But the next morning he had walked in the door, claiming he'd had to work. They had quarrelled bitterly and the rift between them had become even deeper.

Bella listened to Sean as he continued to try to cheer her up, but she was only half listening. Her thoughts were on her family, mainly Micky and his behaviour lately. He was cold and distant and never told her she looked like Lana Turner any more. He rarely commented on her appearance or the effort she put into keeping nice for him. That was why she was here today in the hopes that a new hairstyle would make him notice her again. She wanted their relationship back the way it was and would do anything to achieve it. Micky used to be happy at the still. He had been his real self then, always excited about what he was going to do next. Somewhere along the line, he had changed and now she was wondering if Ronnie was partly to blame for this.

Micky had his faults, but he was not a coward. He was a Bryant and a proud one. And she knew that in his heart he believed his brother had chosen a coward's way out. And he had no respect left for Ronnie because of it.

'You should go out more,' Sean was saying as he met her gaze in the mirror. 'All work and no play, you know how the saying goes. Me and Ashley can get real stroppy with each other if we don't have a bit of fun.' He winked at her, comically tapping the side of his nose as they gazed in the mirror. 'So you just enjoy yourself, give your old man a cuddle in the back seats and take Uncle Sean's advice.'

Bella wanted to! More than anything she wanted their marriage to succeed. In the five years she had been Mrs Bryant, she had never regretted marrying Micky. She had a lovely home and beautiful son and she wasn't short of money. Most women would be satisfied with what she had. But now there was a chasm between them and she couldn't find a way to bridge it. Perhaps she was blowing things out of proportion? Micky had promised her a treat tonight, something they hadn't done for ages. Maybe this was a fresh start.

Encouraged by Sean's words, she imagined her and Micky dancing to some slow, sweet music, alone in their little world in the middle of a crowded dance floor. His whispered words were telling her she meant the world to him and that he wanted her – no, needed her – like he used to when they first met. Then he would drive them home and after taking her to bed and making passionate love to her. And in a few weeks time she would discover that she was pregnant! She could see Dr Cox's face smiling at her, telling her that Michael would soon have a little brother or sister.

The dream grew brighter and more vivid by the moment and suddenly her heart started to beat fast. Her smile in the mirror was radiant as she thought of being close to her husband again and the wonderful prospect of having the family she had always dreamed of.

Chapter