Free Billie Jo by Kimberley Chambers Page A

only been in three shops, yet had still managed to
spend a bloody fortune.
    Tucking into her pizza, Billie Jo studied her dad.
Women seemed to love him, and whenever she was out
with him she noticed the female attention that he received.
He appeared unaware of it himself; either that or he just
wasn't interested.
    Remembering he only had eyes for Jade, Billie decided
to try and build some bridges. She wasn't happy about
him being with someone so young, but he was the best
dad in the world and he deserved to be happy. Billie knew
she'd been horrible to him when he had first told her
about his feelings for his secretary. She'd avoided him for
days and had barely spoken to him unless she'd had to.
Ashamed of her childish behaviour, she nibbled her garlic
bread and smiled at him. 'How's Jade? Aren't you spending
any time with her over Christmas, Dad?'
    Terry nearly choked on his beer. Jade had been an
unmentionable subject up until now.
    'She's staying at her parents', Bill. I suggested it. I
knew I'd be tied up with that lot indoors and I didn't want
her to spend Christmas all on her own.'
    Pushing her plate away, Billie searched for the right
words.
    'I'm sorry, Dad, if I've been a cow. When you first
told me about Jade, I was really shocked. Now I've had
time to think about it, I'm pleased that you've met
someone special. I love you so much. So if you're happy,
then I'm happy for you.'
    His daughter's acceptance of his situation was the best
Christmas present that Terry could have asked for.
Touched, he struggled to speak.
    'Look, Bill. Whatever happens in my life, you come
first. You have always been my number one and you always
will be. Nothing or no one will ever come between me
and you, you know that, don't you?'
    Billie nodded, her eyes filling up with tears.
    Terry felt emotional himself. Determined not to make
a prick of himself, he stood up.
    'I'm gonna pay the bill now. Thank you, Billie. You're
the best daughter that any man could wish for.'
    The Jade subject wasn't mentioned any more that day.
No more words were needed. Everything had been said.
    Pulling up outside Tiffany's, Terry kissed Billie Jo on
the cheek.
    'Now you have a lovely time, babe. If you want me to
pick you up tomorrow, give us a bell and I'll come and
get you.'
    Loaded with bags, Billie got out of the car.
    'Love you, Dad.'
    'I love you too, Princess.'
    Smiling, Terry headed towards Gidea Park.
    Davey Mullins had been well up for a night out. He was
sitting indoors bored shitless when Terry had rung him
and had jumped at the chance of a drinking session.
He and Lisa still weren't on speaking terms and she'd
sodded off round to her mother's for the day. He was
beginning to realise he'd made a big mistake moving Lisa
in with him. A month they'd been living together and
already they were fighting like cat and dog.
    Hearing a toot outside, Dave eagerly climbed into
the Range Rover. 'Where are we going, Tel?' he asked
excitedly.
    Terry briefly switched the engine off as he hadn't
thought that far ahead. 'I dunno, mate. What do you fancy
doing? We could head up to Johnny's pub up the East
End or we could head out to Essex. Old Maxie Boy's
bound to have something going on tonight and we ain't
had a beer with him for ages, have we?'
    Maxie Allen owned a boozer out in Blackmore and
lived in a big house next door to it. Originally from the
East End, Max was a typical old-school publican. He
loved having his pals around him, loved a late one and
was also partial to a bit of powder.
    Dave weighed up Terry's ideas. Johnny's pub was livelier,
but Max was a gearhead. 'Let's go and see Max, eh,
Tel?'
    Terry grinned to himself as he restarted the engine; he
could read old Davey Boy like an open book!
    Maxie Allen was holding a private party for his friends
and family. He was over the moon when Terry and Dave
walked in unexpectedly. The three of them went back
years and it was only because Max hated Terry's fat
drunken wife that he hadn't sent them an invitation in