Christmas to Come: a heartbreaking coming of age saga set in London's East End by Carol Rivers (first e reader txt) 📕

from her hair. Burying his face in its thickness, his whispered tender words. She couldn't recall how long ago it was they had last made love, but she felt he truly wanted her again.

His kisses reminded her how happy they had once been and gave her hope that when the clubs were sold, they would be able to lead normal lives again.

Chapter 28

Summer had started late, but it hadn't made any difference to business. Bella was clearing tables only for them to be taken immediately. It didn't matter if it was boiling hot, lashing with rain or snowing, the kids kept pouring in. Today it was a simmering Saturday in July with big white clouds scudding across a clear sky.

'It would be nice to have something a bit more exciting on the menu,' Gina said thoughtfully as Bella put down the tray of dirty cups and plates. 'I was thinking of spaghetti bolognese, as we have an Italian flavour with the Espresso. I could knock a few dishes up with a bit of practice.'

'Yes, but all they ask for is ice cream.' Bella turned her attention to the machine which was making a mouth-watering aroma.

Gina sighed as she placed two coffee cups and a banana sundae on a chromium tray. 'You're right. Espresso, ice cream and music all go together.'

Bella laughed. 'If we didn't have the juke box there, what would the kids do? There's been a man launched into space this year and Stirling Moss has won the Grand Prix but all they want to talk about is their music.'

'Like this new dance, the Twist.' Gina began to fill a leaf-shaped glass dish with pink, green and chocolate ice cream, sprinkling a few nuts on top. 'That Chubby Checker's got a really good voice.'

'I thought you were a Roy Orbison fan?'

'Yes, but the Twist is good for the figure.' Gina did a little demonstration, wiggling her hips and Bella laughed.

'You'll have them dancing round the tables in a minute.'

'We're not licensed for it, unfortunately,' Gina giggled as she pushed the tray towards Bella.

'It would be a good idea, though.'

Gina deftly stripped the skin from another banana, sliced it down the middle and ladled on the ice cream. 'Don't tempt me. I'm always thinking what we can get up to next. Which is why I thought I'd tart up our menu.'

Bella smiled as she poured the coffees. 'I'm thinking of taking Michael and Teresa and some of their friends to the zoo for their birthday. Do you fancy coming?'

'Count me in.' Gina frowned. 'Not having a party, then?'

'It's not the same this year without Joyce. And anyway, the kids are getting older and want a change.'

Gina nodded thoughtfully. 'How is Ronnie these days?'

'He's thrown himself into work.'

'He's not at the house much, then?'

'Not a lot. He still takes Michael up the park on Saturdays and stops for tea after. But he's not his old self and doesn't ever talk about Joyce.'

'What about your Micky?' Gina said, raising her eyebrows. 'Is he going to the zoo?'

Bella spluttered. 'You must be joking!'

Gina burst out laughing too. 'I can't imagine him in his mohair, feeding the monkeys.'

Bella joined in the joke, but she knew that whatever celebrations they had in mind for the two birthdays, they would happen without Micky. He insisted he was selling the clubs and had to be there for any prospective customers, but this resulted in him spending more time away than ever. She had come to accept that Micky could change his mind in less than a split second. If she asked questions, he would become irritable, so she tried to balance her anxieties about their future, by letting him go his own way. When he occasionally remembered the promise he had made to be a good husband and father, he was loving and attentive. But when the effort he made was too much for his temperament, she was resigned to his change of moods. Luckily, she had replaced the money he had taken in January by pawning some of the jewellery she'd kept from the early days of their marriage. But it was only her wage from the coffee bar that kept them afloat and he took it for granted that she paid all their bills.

Bella carried the foamy coffees to the table as Gina prepared more dishes of ice cream. When all the orders were done and fresh coffee made, she began to clean the tables, chatting with the young people as she did so.

Suddenly there was a crash. All heads turned to look at Gina. She was standing over the shattered glass dishes, her face white, as though she'd seen a ghost.

'What happened?' Bella asked as she hurried over.

'There was a man looking in the window.' Gina's hand went up to her throat. 'I could have sworn it was Lenny.'

'Lenny?' Bella repeated, glancing out at the empty pavement. 'Are you sure?'

Gina swallowed hard. 'It must have been his double. I saw him once before, prowling around. But Lenny would never have been caught dead in a uniform. And this man was wearing one.'

The children were playing ball after spending all their pocket money in the souvenir shop. The twins and their little sisters, June and April, had bought food for the animals, followed by ice creams and sweets. Teresa and Michael had been more selective and spent their pennies on shiny books with colour illustrations of the zoo's animals.

Dolly, Bella and Gina had found a spot on the big green where they sat down under the trees. The park was full of adults relaxing as the kids sucked on ice lollies to alleviate the heat of the August day. Bella had brought a thermos of tea, two bottles of Tizer and a picnic, guessing that six children and three adults would end up very thirsty at the close of day.

Bella opened her bags and set out the food. In the distance they could hear the monkeys and the high pitched screeches of the