The Life Read Online Free PDF Page B

it was more off than on. But, for all that, she loved him, and she believed that he loved her. She was young, but she knew that Delroy was the love of her life. Sadly she realised that Delroy would always be a man who needed more than one woman – that had, after all, been the cause of so many of their bust-ups. But she had decided that if she would be his ‘number one girl’, as he referred to her, then she could live with it, and the fact that he had married her proved
something
. She knew it was impossible for her to live without him anyway. She also knew that he was scared shitless of her father and his brother, so if push ever came to shove she could strong-arm him if needs be. Whatever her family had said, she had not been able to help how she felt about him. He was a very dark-skinned Jamaican and he talked with the Jamaican lilt. He was everything she wanted in a man and the sex was incredible – not that she would ever tell anyone
that
, of course. Her father would see Delroy in the ground if he thought he had taken any kind of liberties with her before he put a ring on her finger!
    Now they were finally married and Delroy had got a job on the doors of one of the Brixton clubs. She knew her father would not be that impressed, but she also knew that, now he was part of the family, he would see Delroy’s potential as a rent collector or similar. Delroy was a big lad – a very big lad in more ways than one. Once he was working for the family, she would be able to monitor him much better; after all, he would be part of the crew, wouldn’t he?
    She sighed with happiness and, as she went to meet Delroy, she prayed to God that He would grant them both a good life. Grant them happiness, and give them both the opportunity to make something of themselves, make a life that was worth living. Tonight they were getting together with the family at their pub to celebrate her Auntie Lena’s big news. And she hoped with all her heart that Delroy Parkes, the love of her life, didn’t get stoned or drunk, and did not fuck up in any other way.
    She was still praying as the taxi drove them towards the pub two hours later.

Chapter Nine
    ‘Oh, Lena, what great news, I hope it’s a girl this time!’ Peter kissed his sister-in-law on both cheeks, and hugged her to him. He genuinely cared for her, and he knew that both Daniel and Lena were thrilled at the prospect of another child. Personally, he wouldn’t want all that again, and neither would his Ria. They’d had three boys after Imelda – Peter Junior, or Petey as they called him, Liam, and Jack. Jack was already thirteen so the days of taking care of a baby were long behind them. But this wasn’t about them, and he was happy for his brother and his wife.
    ‘How lucky are you two, eh, at this stage? I’m almost jealous!’
    ‘You liar! You and Ria would rather shit a rugby ball than go through another pregnancy! But me and Daniel are thrilled.’ Lena was glowing.
    Peter laughed. ‘I got to admit, at this point, I wouldn’t fancy it. But I know you, and this is exactly what you need.’
    Lena sighed. ‘I am pleased, Pete. I was a bit surprised, but you know me, God is good.’
    ‘Well, we’ll see how good God is. Imelda’s bringing her new husband tonight. I’ve got to be honest, I still think he’s a fucking waster of the first order but, as Ria keeps pointing out, it’s not about what we think or want for her, it’s about what she wants. I want my little girl to be happy, but I don’t think she will be with this muppet.’
    Lena grinned. ‘I bet Ria’s father said that about you!’
    Peter Bailey laughed then, a deep belly laugh that caused everyone in the pub to look his way. ‘I think all Ria’s father saw was my colour. I’m dark, even for a half-caste, but her mum and dad just wanted shot of her, I think, when they realised there was no changing her mind. And lucky me, because I got her.’
    ‘True, but lucky all of us, eh? We’ve come a long way,