Page 99 of Our Secrets and Lies

Lucy kissed Billy’s cheek, then they went down the stairs to join Jenny and the twins. Jenny flung open the front door and ushered them all outside. Kelly and Dylanwere glued to their phones.

‘I swear to God, they never look up from those phones.’ Lucy sighed.

‘It’s called being a teenager.’ Jenny followed the twins out.

‘Let’s go, I’m looking forward to a drink,’ Billy said.

‘We just have to go to Sarah and Darren’s first,’ Lucy said. ‘Darren’s friend with the minibus is collecting us from their house.’

Ollie was crouching behind the hedge waitingfor them. As they pushed the garden gate open, a series of big bangs went off. Billy jumped backwards, stepping on Jenny’s toe.

‘Ouch!’ Jenny squealed.

‘What the hell?’ Billy shouted.

‘OLLIE!’ Darren roared. ‘I told you not to set those bangers off.’

Ollie giggled. ‘Sorry, Billy, did I nearly give you a heart attack?’

‘Yes, you bloody did.’ Billy caught his breath. ‘Well, I’m glad to seeyou’re back to yourself after your accident.’

‘Will I call over to the shed tomorrow? I know it’s Sunday and I’m supposed to come on Mondays, but I have an idea of something cool I want to make.’

‘Please say yes, Billy,’ Darren begged.

‘Of course you can.’ Billy couldn’t say no to the kid. He still felt terrible about the finger incident, although the surgeon had said it was as good as new.

‘Sorry about the bangers,’ Darren said. ‘Come on in. My friend Mark is on his way to pick us up.’

They walked into the house to be greeted by birthday balloons.

‘Happy birthday, Billy.’ Sarah rushed over to kiss him.

‘Thanks very much.’

Shannon came down the stairs.

‘No way,’ Darren said. ‘It’s Billy’s birthday dinner, go and put on some clothes.’

‘It’s a dress,’ Shannon hissed.

‘It’s ahandkerchief, and you’ll need it to wipe all that muck off your face. I want to see you in a dress that actually covers your arse.’

‘Mum!’ Shannon looked at Sarah.

‘Dad’s right, love, that’s not the right dress for Billy’s birthday dinner. Put on the red one with the black lace.’

‘The one that makes me look like a granny.’

‘Just put something on that doesn’t make you look like you charge bythe hour,’ Darren said.

Kelly came out of the restaurant kitchen holding the birthday cake.

Billy grinned. ‘My favourite chocolate cake, made by my favourite granddaughter.’

‘She made it this morning and dropped it into the restaurant,’ Lucy whispered to him.

Billy stood up and kissed Kelly. ‘Thank you, pet, you’re one in a million.’

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