The truth was out now, most people who knew the Lucas family were aware of the fact that Ray had fallen off the wagon again...only Josie knew why, and couldn’t even tell her husband.

 

‘I dunno, love, he must be a weak man for this to keep happening,’ Don sighed.

 

‘Well, we’re all weak in our own way aren’t we? And anyway, alcoholism is a disease, not a sign of weakness!’ Don could recognise an argument brewing, so decided to back down.

 

‘Are you OK Josie, you’ve seemed on edge for a few days?’

 

Josie was trying to steal herself to broach the subject of Sam’s parentage, but now was definitely not the time.

 

‘I’m OK, it’s this business with Ray really, I keep seeing how upset Val and the kids are…’

 

‘Of course, love, I’m sorry, I should have realised.’

 

 

***

 

 

Jo was floating on air that morning, singing to herself as she prepared breakfast for the whole house!

 

‘Yum, haven’t had a fry up for ages...I take it the date went well last night?’ Phil asked.

 

‘You betcha! Mike is amazing, it felt like we’d known each other for years! We had this lovely meal and…’ Phil almost regretted asking, as she recounted every last detail of the night, but he loved seeing her so happy.

 

Upstairs, Kris was putting her plan into action, she’d taken Jo and Phil’s chequebooks and was filling in a cheque from each, using her perfected handwriting.

 

‘Hmmm, couple of grand from each should do for starters, thank you very much..J.V. Arnold…..P.C. Shaw, very accurate—ha!’

 

 

***

 

Rachel and Ros had met up after work.

 

‘You’re looking well! Nice little bump going on there!’ Rachel got so excited at the thought of her best friend being a mother too.

 

‘Yeah, let’s hope the last bit flies by, I’ve got backache already!’ Ros smiled, she’d fully embraced the idea of motherhood now, looking forward to something that Nick had never wanted with her, but Sam did.

 

‘I meant to ask you, how are Don and Josie acting about all of this?’ Rachel asked.

 

‘Oh, they’re great actually. I think Don always liked me, he always tried to flirt a bit when I was with Nick, bless him. Josie’s more or less come round now, she couldn’t stand me at first!’

 

‘I noticed!’

 

‘Well, I reckon the thought of this baby has been the final help for us,’ Ros leaned over to smile and pull faces at Harry in his pram.

 

How about your family?’

 

‘Oh, fine, been seeing more and more of Mum and Dad lately, and Rebecca and Dave are visiting next week...I think this baby’s going to have plenty of love! Oooh!’ Ros stopped walking and clutched her bump.

 

‘Are you OK?!’ Rachel felt frightened.

 

‘Yeah, yeah, I’m fine, just a twinge,’ Ros grimaced, stretching herself upright again.

 

‘Well, I was going to ask if you and Sam fancied coming to ours tomorrow for a fireworks party? But I’m not so sure that’s a good idea !’

 

‘No, we’d love to come, I’ll be fine Rach! I’ll check with Sam, but I’m sure we’ll be there!’

 

***

 

Val had returned from seeing Ray at the clinic he was staying at for a week or two.

Laura and Rhys met her at the front door, as she got out of the car.

 

‘How is he?’ Laura asked tearfully.

 

‘Not too bad, the doctors say that he won’t need to be there for long, and we can’t afford that clinic for too long anyway!’

 

‘I really miss him,’ Laura started to cry, thinking that she wanted to see Nathan again, he’d been so supportive through all this.

 

 

 

Phil, Kris and Jo were getting ready to go to the fireworks.

 

‘I don’t know why that snobby cow Rachel Curtis even invited me, don’t even know her very well!’ Kris snorted.

 

‘Well, I’m sure she’ll regret inviting you soon enough, Kris,’ Phil laughed.

 

‘That’s odd,’ Jo was checking her bank balance on the internet using her laptop.

 

‘What?’ Kris asked, a bit too suddenly.

 

‘Some of Gary’s money has gone, by cheque, that can’t be right?!’

 

Kris smiled on the inside, getting satisfaction from the bewildered look on Jo’s face.

 

‘You’ll have to check it out later, we’d better get there,’ Phil added.

 

‘Should be OK I guess,’ Kris smiled, ‘I like to see a few fireworks!’

 

‘Yeah, we know!’ Jo laughed ‘It’s usually you lighting the touch paper!’

 

 

***

 

Richard was already lighting fireworks at the end of the garden.

 

‘Wow! They look great honey!’ Rachel

 

was having the time of her life, so happy now that their problems were out of the way.

 

‘Wahey!’ Max and Fiona roared when a rocket was launched.

 

‘Don, can I speak to you in the kitchen?’ Josie thought that she should speak to him now, or she’d never get the courage to.

 

‘Hi guys!’ Rachel greeted Phil, Kris and Jo.

 

Moments later, Sam and Ros appeared.

 

‘Hey bruv, Ros, how are you?’ Max cried.

 

‘Hi,’ Ros waved.

 

‘You’re looking great Ros, one step closer to being a daddy eh? Do you know what this kid is in for, Ros?’ Max laughed.

 

Ros laughed too, she’d always got on well with Max, and was glad to be part of his family.

 

‘Excuse me, Max!’ Kris shoved him out of the way, and he spilt some drink over Fiona.

 

‘Hey, Kris! Watch it!’ The pair scowled at each other.

 

‘Why did they invite her?!’ Ros wondered.

 

‘Hopefully she won’t stay long…’

 

Lisa walked over to Kris just as her sparkler went out.

 

‘Hi, Kris, how are you?’

 

‘Oh, get lost!’ Kris screeched, swigging more booze.

 

‘I’m just getting another sparkler, you want this one?’ Lisa jabbed the red hot remains into Kris’s knuckles.

 

‘OW!’

 

‘Oh, I’m so sorry!’ Lisa sounded convincing, and only Kris could see her smile.

 

Meanwhile, in the kitchen -

 

‘What’s this all about, Jose? Something else is bothering you, isn’t it?’

 

‘Yes, I’m afraid so, Don.’

 

‘Well….spit it out then!’

 

‘It’s that….the thing is...I’m not totally certain that Sam is your son.’

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