The Headless Pint was buzzing with Richard, Rachel and their friends and family (those that could make it at short notice). They had just got married at Hamborough Registry Office.

 

‘Yeah, we started to talk about it, after both thinking it for a while, and just got the first booking we could!’ Rachel was chatting to her sister Deborah, who had travelled from Hackney, and only just made it in time.

 

‘It’s great, sis!’

 

‘After everything that’s happened, I didn’t want to jinx it by rearranging the whole church thing...so we thought, if we’re going to do it, let’s just do it!’ Ros handed baby Harry to his mother.

 

‘Look at him, he’s been great today,’ Deborah smiled.

 

‘Yeah, everything’s been great. Jack! Another champagne please!’

 

 

***

 

 

Kris and Laura had finished fighting and stormed off in different directions, Laura went to Natalie’s, while Kris returned to Rex Road, hoping to find Nathan there.

 

‘What the hell happened to you?!’ Jo asked, trying not to laugh.

 

‘I’ll tell you later, where is that scum boyfriend of mine?’ Jo could see that this was deadly serious, so straightened her face.

 

Er, still at work I suppose. Hey, apparently Richard Curtis and Rachel Watson got married today!’ Jo was trying to change the subject to calm Kris down.

 

‘So?! Do I look like I care?! I need to sort out my lovelife first!’

 

Kris slammed the door on her way out.

 

 

***

 

 

‘I’d like to propose a toast,’ Jack had got everyone’s attention in the pub now.

 

‘to Mr and Mrs Curtis!’

 

Everyone replied ‘Mr and Mrs Curtis!’ and clapped and cheered.

 

‘And Harry too!’ Richard cried above the noise.

 

‘And Harry too!’ The crowd replied.

 

Richard’s mother, the snobby Suzanne, came over and held Harry’s hand. She had never been the most maternal woman, but she was trying.

 

‘He’s a...er, bonny little chap isn’t he?’

 

‘Look, Granny’s here!’ Richard said, knowing it would wind her up.

 

‘Don’t call me that, dear, I don’t like it, makes me sound sooo old! Nana will be fine.’

 

Elsewhere in the pub, Max was chatting to

 

Fiona, who was sitting on his lap.

 

‘Yeah, so as soon as I find a place, then I’m leaving the folks’ place.’

 

‘Well, you should,’ Fiona slurred now she was getting tipsy, ‘a man of your stature shouldn’t still be living with his parents!’

 

‘Too right,’ he laughed, kissing her.

 

Josie was watching them from the bar.

 

‘They make a nice couple, don’t they Don?’

 

‘Yeah, she seems like a nice girl. Like Ros.’ Don pointedly mentioned the woman Josie was calling ‘The Merry Widow’ not long ago.

 

‘Yes, I have to admit, she does seem to be pretty good for him at the moment, but that doesn’t mean I’m totally happy about it, when her husband hasn’t been dead a year!’

 

Don looked over at Ros and Sam laughing in the corner. He liked her, and was convinced that she was a lot happier with his son than she’d ever been with Nick...which certainly seemed to all to be the case, but how did Ros feel?

 

 

***

 

 

Kris got off a bus in Norwich and stormed down St Stephen’s Street towards the club Nathan was working at.

 

Once she arrived, a couple of men greeted her at the door.

 

‘Hello, darlin’.’

 

‘Is Nathan Cameron here?’ She snapped.

 

 

Er, yeah, straight on, love,’ even though they were tough guys, they could tell she wasn’t in the mood to be messed about!

 

Spotting Nathan chatting to a barmaid in the corner, Kris went over and grabbed his arm.

 

‘I wanna word with you!’

 

‘Hey!’ The blonde barmaid was put out by this interruption, she thought she was in with a chance!

 

‘’Scuse us, Barbie….Is Laura Lucas really pregnant?!’ The barmaid soon disappeared when she realised what was going on.’

 

‘Erm…’ Nathan was lost for words for once.

 

 

***

 

 

Back at The Headless Pint, Rachel was chatting to Jack, both of them a little worse for wear, Jack had the bar covered so he could join his friends.

 

‘I really appreciate this so much, Jack, I know it was short notice,’ Rachel flung an arm round him.

 

‘My pleasure, darlin’.’

 

‘I know that Richard and I haven’t known you that long really,’ she slurred.

 

‘About three years, when I opened this place, isn’t it?’ Jack replied.

 

‘Yes! It is! You’re like a lifelong friend to us, Jack, and you know that you can be happy

 

again, don’t you?’

 

Jack suddenly felt defensive.

 

‘What do you mean? I am happy.’

 

‘No, really happy, and find someone like Cassie again…’

 

Jack didn’t want to get angry with her, just telling himself that she was drunk, and he smiled.

 

 

***

 

 

Meanwhile, at Number Six, Jo was watching TV, when there was a knock at the door.

 

‘Gary!’ She was so pleased to see him, returned from the holiday with his parents safe and sound. There was no sign of them.

 

‘Did you have a good time? Where are your parents?’ She asked.

 

‘They’ve headed back to Manchester, Dad’s got to be back at work tomorrow. It was fantastic, Jo, best holiday ever!’

 

She could tell that this had changed him, he seemed happier and more confident already.

 

‘And look what they bought me on the way back! A new car!’ She looked outside and saw the shining new sports car.

 

Instantly thinking that his parents were trying to buy his affection, Jo bit her tongue and admired the gift…

 

 

***

 

 

Kris was about to storm out of the club, after a blazing (and mainly one sided) row with Nathan.

 

‘Honey, where are you going?’ He shouted across the room.

 

‘Don’t call me that! I’m going back home, I’m going to speak to Phil, and you’re going to be homeless. We’re finished, and I never want to see you again!’

© 2010 Danny Alborough / DJA Publications
All characters, names and situations are fictitious.
Any similarities to places or people, living or dead, are purely coincidental.