a/n

Just a bit of Joetina and some Kelsall Street chaos. According to one of my colleagues interest rates rocketed in the late 80's/early 90's, with mortgage rates reaching 15%. Still at least they could get a mortgage on a normal wage!

CHAPTER 14

From his perch on one of the concrete block sea defences, Joey watched Mongy chase after the stick Martina had thrown. He smiled as the dog tore into the foam from the incoming tide. It was so peaceful here, just him, Martina and Mongy, the sound of the sea, and the gulls. Especially after the mayhem that was 30 Kelsall Street. His eyes softened as he looked at Martina playing with the dog, he wondered if Edgar would have taken to her in the way Mongy had. The tide! He suddenly noticed it had sneaked in behind them. He jumped down and ran towards them yelling at Martina, and gesticulating wildly.

She turned round and nodded, called Mongy, grasped his collar and made her way to the rapidly expanding surge of water. She let him go and he swam to Joey, tail wagging.

"Hurry up, you haven't got all day." Joey was hopping up and down. It was up to Mongy's nose already.

"I know, I'm just taking me shoes off."

"Do you want me to come and get you?"

"No, it's fine." She held them up, and waded through, Joey watching anxiously all the while.

He caught hold of her as she reached him, wet almost to her waist.

"Come on." He led her back, Mongy growling at the water as it splashed him.

Back on the blocks he lifted her into his lap, then made a face as he realised how wet she was.

"You should've let me come and get you."

"Why? No point in both of us getting wet."

"I could've been your knight in shining armour racing to rescue a damsel in distress."

She smiled wryly. "Hardly in distress Joey, it was only up to me knees."

Joey grinned, pointing to her legs. "Bit of an understatement that sweetheart."

She looked him up and down. "Knight in black leather doesn't have the same ring to it does it?"

He opened his mouth to retort, she carried on. "Though there is something of the night about you."

He laughed, shook his head and held her tightly, his panic subsiding. If he had one complaint about Martina, it was her obstinate refusal to accept his help. From decorating to getting caught by the tide she always insisted on going it alone. Even a stupid thing like changing a lightbulb. She'd been wobbling about at the top of the steps barely able to reach, but had refused his assistance. He'd pointed out that as he was a lot taller, he could do it more quickly and safely than her, but she'd shaken her head and carried on regardless.

"Me and me brother got trapped by the tide here when we was little. Some fella with a boat came to get us. Me mam was getting frantic."

"Thought you were supposed to get wiser as you got older." Joey teased.

"Clearly not," she shot back, snuggling down against him. "Is it tomorrow, your Aveline's wedding?"

"Yeah, and I'm not looking forward to it. I'm gonna be on tenterhooks the whole time. Every time me dad puts in an appearance there's a ruckus. I seem to spend me whole time acting as peacemaker. It's not like me mam doesn't know that he's meant to be keeping calm, but she's getting worse. I'm sure one day she'll set off his heart. The other day he rang in a panic, he was having pains. I had to pick him up."

Martina stroked the back of his hand. He was grateful for the gesture, small perhaps but comforting.

"How is he Joey? He must have been worried."

"Well, he said it was just a little set back, but I dunno." He shrugged.

"Maybe it's his way of coping. Anyway, it's Aveline's day Joey. I'm sure your mam will remember that and not do anything to spoil it."

"The other day Aveline received a present, a nice pair of pillowcases and it turned out they were from Lilo Lil. Me mam went spare, she's still going on about it. I'll be glad when it's all over and done with to be honest."

She twisted slightly to give him a tender kiss. "You know I really enjoyed that weekend in Wales."

"We should do it more often, get away for a break." Joey was thoughtful.

"Yeah." Martina sounded a bit absent. It was all very well for Joey, but her finances wouldn't stand it. She'd just about had enough to pay her share as it was, she wouldn't be going anywhere else for the foreseeable future. The latest interest rate rise had pushed her right to the edge. She'd increased her borrowing when there were two of them to cover it, for his benefit moreover, and now she'd been left to pick up the cost. She still couldn't understand it. One minute he'd been talking about how he wanted to settle down with her because he'd realised his mistake in leaving her before, and she was the only woman he'd ever met where they could be friends as well as lovers, and then...

She drew a deep breath, conscious that her eyes had filled.

"Sweetheart?" Joey was looking at her, anxiously.

"Sorry, Joey. What were you saying? I got distracted."

He held her closer to him, not sure what had upset her, confidant nothing he'd said or done, else she would have let him know, but clearly some recollection had bothered her. He knew she was a strong women, he'd seen her cope with all sorts, and he witnessed her getting her act together, could feel her pulling herself in and rearranging her face back to normal. If only he had half her strength. Joey wished she trusted him enough to confide in him. He might not be able to help, but he could at least provide her with a sympathetic ear.

Martina was grateful that Joey had been sensitive to her upset, but hadn't quizzed her or pushed her to talk, just held her to him, curling her hair through his fingers.

The first of the spray to hit them jolted them both away from their thoughts.

"Come on, we need to shift ourselves." Martina sat up and jumped down, Joey following.

Hand in hand they made their way back to the car, with Mongy racing along to join them.

"Queensway's nearer for yours isn't it?"

"Not a lot in it, Joey."

"Honestly, I don't know where our Joey gets off to these days. He said he was taking Mongy for a walk. That was at a quarter to four, and he's not back yet. And his phone's off. Why does he need his phone off? It's always off these days. I suppose he's back with her, that tart." Nellie was twisting the tea towel round in her hands.

"He'll be alright." Freddie stated, barely glancing up from the programme he was watching.

"He'll be alright, he'll be alright, that's all I ever get from you Freddie Boswell." Nellie was beginning to screech.

"Look, he's thirty-one Nellie Boswell, he'll be al-right!" Freddie was forceful as his eyes met Nellie's.

"Anyway mam, a long walk he said." Adrian tried to keep the temperature down. "I'm taking Mongy for a long walk he said. Tire him out for tomorrow."

Nellie snorted. "Is his car back yet?"

Adrian got up and checked. "No mam. But if he took the car, he might have taken him to The Wirral. He does sometimes, if he wants to give him a good long run."

He put his arm round his mam. "He'll be back mam, he'll be back and they'll both be wanting their dinners."

"Joey's is ruined, Adrian, ruined. Burnt to a cinder. It's only fit for the bin." Nellie waved the plate around before viciously scrapping it away.

"Well he'll have to go to the chippy then. Come and sit down Nellie Boswell." Freddie just wanted to relax before tomorrow, he was full of foreboding as it was that Lil would create a scene at the church.

"No, no I'm going to check on our Aveline." She went upstairs.

"Do you think he is dad?" Adrian took advantage of his mam's absence.

"Is what son?"

"Back with Roxy."

"I dunno son, and it's not really anything to do with us is it?"

"No, but well, all she's put him through."

"That's nothing, all that Julie's put me through, and now I'm getting a divorce." Billy piped up. He'd been dozing on and off since dinner.

"He can't keep away can he? I'd be surprised if he's with her right now though." Freddie was keen just to sit quietly and close down the conversation, especially now Billy had woken up. Much as he loved his kids, Billy aggravated him every time he opened his mouth. He was finding it hard to settle into number 30. To him this house wasn't home. As far as he was concerned this was the Duvall house. His home was next door, number 28. Narcissistic as ever, the fact that it was in response to his actions that the family had needed to swop, didn't register with him.

"Why would you be surprised?"

"Because he's got Mongy. She doesn't strike me as someone who'd take kindly to having a dog around her."

"Oh yeah, I suppose that's true."

Before anyone could say another word, the door opened and Mongy bounded in, with Joey strolling behind.

"Your mam's been panicking Joey." Freddie looked up at his eldest. He did have the look of a man who was satisfied with himself. He wondered if it was Roxy or someone else. He'd put his money on someone else.

"Ar'ey, I told her I was taking him out for a while." Joey proceeded to feed the dog.

"Well, she's binned your dinner Joey, and I do think you could have shown our mam a bit of consideration tonight of all nights. I mean why did you have your phone off? After all you were only taking the dog for a walk." Adrian sounded very prissy.

"That's none of your business Adrian. Just as well I'm not hungry then isn't it. Coffee anyone?" Joey wasn't rising to the bait.

"You're turning into a right old woman Adrian. You'll be wanting a frilly pinny next." Billy scoffed.

"Now look here you…"

"Cut it the pair of you." Joey broke in. "Let's just have a nice, quiet, peaceful evening. Tomorrow's going to be hectic enough. Dad." He handed Freddie his coffee and sat down. "Yours and Adrian's are in the kitchen, Billy."

"How come you couldn't bring ours in then?" Billy moaned.

"Because Billy I can't carry four mugs at once, and it won't kill you to get off up that sofa and fetch them in."

"Oh, don't bother I'll do it. One day Billy we'll come downstairs and your body will have melted into that sofa." Adrian got up, his patience with Billy exhausted.

"Adrian." Joey spoke sharply, giving him a warning glare. "That's enough. Dad needs a bit of tranquility these days."

"Oh yes, course. Sorry." Adrian gave Billy his coffee and sat down.

Billy went to open his mouth.

"Bill-y." Joey widened his eyes at him.

"I haven't even said anything yet. How come I'm never allowed to say anything in this house?"

"Because everything you do say is utter rubbish." Adrian was dismissive.

"Now stop the pair of you." Shocked by their dad's uncharacteristic intervention they were both silent. He turned to Joey. "Bet you're sorry you came back now," he chuckled.

Joey smiled conspiratorially at his dad. "Yeah I am. Least Mongy doesn't talk."

And the rest thought Joey. Just being able to laze on Martina's sofa with her in his arms, Mongy on the floor beside them, tail going whenever one of them reached down to pat or stroke him, watching the telly and chatting was bliss. Nothing exceptional, probably what most people managed to do in their everyday lives, but in comparison to the pandemonium at home it was sheer luxury.

His dad winked. "And the rest eh son, and the rest?"

Joey just laughed. There was never much point trying to hide anything from his dad.

"Your mam thinks it's Roxy. Put her out of her misery lad."

Joey shook his head. "It's not like that."

"Well, do what you think best son, but she's gonna keep on at you till you do."

Joey shook his head again. "Nothing to tell her dad, nothing to tell."

Adrian frowned, he couldn't work out just what Joey was up to from this cryptic exchange. Was he seeing Roxy, someone else, or just indulging in a bit of casual sex? And if he was, why on earth would he take Mongy with him?

Billy totally bored by the whole conversation had finished his coffee and gone back to sleep.

Nellie came down and caught sight of Joey. "You're back then."

"Yes mam."

"Your dinner's in the bin. I can do you.."

"It's ok mam I picked something up when I was out. Come and sit down and I'll get you a coffee." He got up. Nellie sat herself in his place. The something had been a ratatouille, with courgette and tomato bake, and sweet potato mash back at Martina's. Although not vegetarian she seemed to cook a lot of vegetarian dishes. He'd not rung her until 3, so she hadn't been cooking with him in mind. She'd told him she often put things on slow cook to do during the day to save messing about when she got in. Perhaps he'd just struck lucky. Never having to do any shopping Joey wasn't to know that vegetarian dishes were so much cheaper, Martina's reason for cooking them.

"Like old times eh Nellie, all sat round together." Freddie tried to be friendly.

"Could have been all times if you hadn't been off with a tart." Nellie wasn't having any of it.

Joey gritted his teeth and thrust a cup at her. "Here you are mam. So how's the blushing bride? Excited? Nervous?" He sat on the arm of the sofa gently rubbing her shoulders.

Adrian joined in to help out. "I wonder what she's thinking, her last night as a single woman. This time tomorrow she'll be on her honeymoon."

"She doesn't even know where it's going to be. I mean how ridiculous, just what you'd expect from a proddy preacher. She packs a bikini and he takes her to Russia." Nellie was in full throttle.

Joey and Adrian exchanged glances, it had worked. Whilst she was having a pop at Oswald she was leaving Freddie alone.

"Where did you take Mongy, Joey?" Nellie spoke calmly.

"Moreton, he spent ages chasing the gulls and running in and out of the sea. He kept barking every time the foam hit him."

"Stupid dog." Adrian smiled and stretched over to stroke him.

"Then I took him across Leasowe Common to dry off. They're running a campaign over there to save the lighthouse. Friends of Leasowe Lighthouse they're calling themselves."

"I was worried Joey, your phone was off." Nellie was still calm, but there was an undercurrent in her voice that Joey recognised.

He could see his mam was itching to bring up Roxy. She hadn't mentioned Roxy out loud recently but clearly suspected Joey was still seeing her.

"I must have switched me phone off without thinking." Joey was determined not to argue with his mam tonight however aggravating she became.

"Auto pilot Joey. That's what they call it when you set out to do something, then you start by doing what you always do and your mind sends you off on that track subconsciously, even though you're actually doing something different."

Apart from Billy snoring away, the rest of the family turned to look at him. Joey knew he was only trying to help but he did come out with some crap at times.

"I mean you got in the car, your mind thought work, so you switched your phone off, even though you weren't going to work." Adrian was stung, why were his family so slow sometimes?

Joey nodded. "Yes I guess so. I had no reason to switch off. Anyway, why don't we all have an early night, lots of excitement tomorrow."

"That's a good idea. Are you coming up dad? Jack's bed's free or are you…" Adrian trailed off.

Joey squeezed his eyes shut in exasperation. Not another slanging match, please.

"Jack's will do fine. Night, night Nellie Boswell." Freddie gave her a peck on the cheek and followed Adrian upstairs, glad of the chance to get away before another row exploded.

"Come 'ead Billy, time to get in your bed." Joey hoisted Billy to his feet and shoved him in the direction of the stairs, before turning to Nellie.

"Mam, no staying up too late. You wanna be at your best tomorrow." He gave her a hug before he too made for the stairs.

"Goodnight luv. Yes, I'll be going up soon." Nellie gave a deep, heartfelt sigh and sat down.