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

And now it was Ronnie who was holding Michael aloft on his fifth birthday, making him laugh aloud as he sat on his shoulders.

Bella sighed softly as she watched their antics. Her world would be complete if only Micky was here too.

Chapter 18

Ronnie was standing at the window, looking down on Piper Street. The plane trees were shedding their September leaves. After last night's rainfall, gutters were blocked and puddles had formed in the road. Lost in thought he stroked the fine dark material of his jacket. His long fingers teased the skin beneath, gently irritating the remains of the scar on his chest. The injury brought back memories, the Strattons, the distillery and the fire. How many times had he consoled himself with the fact they had all survived? Fate had spared them and for a while they had lived in peace. But now there was danger once more.

Stronger, harder men had arrived on the scene. Like Billy McNee and his Firm. Ronnie transferred his hand to the back of his head. Pensively he stroked his short dark hair styled above his collar. His grey eyes, fringed with ebony lashes looked into the distance.

He had finally come to a decision and now he was set on his course. He'd listened to some of his customers who made their money in the building sector, buying property, doing it up and letting it out. It was hard work, but paid off they said - if you stuck at it. And Ronnie felt ready for change. Whilst he was young enough to put his back into a new career, he would give it all he had. Yes, it was a big step, but he was prepared to take it. It was Micky's reaction to selling the Blue Moon that was worrying him. Even though Micky had no financial interest in the club, he revelled in the prestige that the club's name brought the family. The Blue Moon was respected and a good earner too. But now it was attracting the wrong kind of attention. And Ronnie had decided to cut his losses whilst he could.

He turned from the window to face Sean and Ashley. They sat at the big polished table, dressed in silver grey mohair suits and Slim Jim ties. Their faces were animated, full of the excitement generated by their new venture, a hairdressing salon. Ronnie had given them a good start by buying the run down property in Greenwich and doing it up. Furnished with the latest in hooded hairdryers, comfortable chairs and private cubicles, the customers had soon been fighting each other for appointments.

'Ronnie, can we get started?' Sean looked into his brother's thoughtful eyes. 'We've got shampoos and sets coming out of our ears today and Micky's timekeeping is lousy.'

'You've got a point there,' Ronnie agreed as he heard Bella and Joyce's voices. They were climbing the steps from the airey where they had been enjoying a chat and cup of tea whilst young Michael was at school.

Ronnie glanced at his watch. It was a quarter to eleven. He hoped to conclude the outstanding business by midday and once more he glanced out of the window hoping that Micky would appear.

Joyce and Bella entered the room and Ronnie smiled warmly, indicating their customary seats. Joyce took the chair beside him, Bella the one on the opposite side.

'I'm sorry Ronnie, he must be busy,' she apologised as she sat down. 'He drove Terry in to the garage this morning and must be delayed.'

Ronnie shrugged, hiding his annoyance. 'We'll get on with business, then, shall we?'

All heads nodded and Ronnie kept the lid on his irritation at Micky. His timekeeping was getting worse. But then, to his relief, there was an engine growl outside.

'He's here!' Bella exclaimed and Ronnie glanced through the lace curtains to see a white car pull into the curb.

Micky soon appeared, looking to Ronnie as though he had just stepped out of a film. His black hair was windblown around his tanned skin and he was dressed in a fawn summer blazer and navy blue trousers. He kissed the top of his wife's head and pulled out the chair beside her.

'Nice of you to turn up, Micky,' Ronnie said.

'Yeah, well, family comes first, don't it?'

Ronnie's eyebrows rose briefly at this remark. It was a blinder, coming from someone who neglected his family. A problem he hoped would soon be rectified by the addition of Milo. Ronnie for one would be relieved when Micky took more responsibility for the upbringing of his young son. The boy was one in a million, a lovely kid. Ronnie was amazed at his own depth of feeling for his nephew. He tried to make up for Micky's absence, but it was not a situation he was happy with.

Ronnie looked into the expectant faces staring up at him. He was reluctant to break the news, but it was reason he had called the family together. The Blue Moon had been a way of life and everyone in here would miss it. He had made many friends whilst running it, even a few enemies. But as much as he regretted the fact, times had moved on. As a family they must move with them.

'This won't take long,' he said abruptly. 'For the last five years we have protected our property, kept out the big crews. The Bennetts and the Sabinis and new Faces like the Donovans. They all saw us as easy pickings and wanted a bigger slice of the pie. But now, we have to deal with an outsider.'

' Billy McNee? That mug from Notting Hill?' Micky sneered.

'Not so much of a mug, Micky. He's taken over other manors and not looked back.'

Micky shrugged. 'It's just a question of tightening up. We never ran scared of no one, Ron. Bernie and Sid have been with us years and we can take on more muscle if McNee threatens us. No one would dare tread on our toes and if they did