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Even more of Billy Gillam
Chapter six
Who`s The Daddy
Turns out that Billy`s new friend Ramish Patel lived with his
brothers and sisters in the nearby off licence which his
grandad used regularly, to regularly according to mum!! The
only reason he didnt see him on the bus was because his dad
had given him a lift on his first day in the car. How
embarrassing is that?? Explained Ramish to Billy, not am I
the only black kid in the school, I turn up with my dad on my
first day who was wearing a red turban at the time!! Billy
rolled on the grass in the park laughing, he knew then they
were going to get on great. Billy`s grandad always said neverlook at the colour, just the person underneath. Billy didnt
see colour anyway, just heard a very black kid with a strong
local accent, so funny!
Over the coming months they were stuck together like glue
and never stopped getting tired of people looking at them
like the odd couple.
Every night after their meal Ramish would ask Billy what he
eaten for his tea and Billy would say fish or stew, and
sometimes when he asked Ramish what he had eaten he
would say Ive had an English! Egg and chips! Their
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families grew quite close and Billy`s mum and Mrs Patel
became very good friends. Billy`s dad was still a bit old
fashioned but at least mum was working on him.
One day as they were walking through town a bunch of
skinheads stopped them from walking past and asked
what`s going on here then? Would that be in
general??Asked Billy? Well, Billy carried on saying, first of all
there was Adam and Eve and they had two sons, one called
Cain POW! That was about as far as he got before the firstpunch floored him!! Looking round quickly to find his
bearings he jumped to his feet just as the skinheads were
beating Ramish against the wall. As he ran towards them
with fists ready for the fray someone beat him to it. It was
grandad!!! He lifted two of the skinheads off their feet and
threw them to the ground, another one ran towards him but
he ducked out of the way, tripped him and watched him fly
through the air with a helpless look on his face. By this time a
crowd had gathered and order was restored with the
skinheads running away and threatening all as they ran. Now
Billy, I thought Id taught you better than that? Always stand
side on when confronted, harder to hit see?? Guess what?
Billy never did forget that move.
Billy very rarely lost his temper but only did so when
confronted with stupid people talking Drivel as he called
it, which means Rubbish He was at the flicks ( cinema) one
night and during the interval he and Ramish had gone to the
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foyer for some popcorn. He heard one of the local lads taking
the Mickey and saying to his mates, Why does Gillam always
hang round with that coloured lad? Arent white people good
enough for him? Billy was just about to turn on him when the
hand of Ramish pushed him back and he heard him say to
Billy, I`ll handle this.
Listen my friend, when I was born I was black, when I grow
up, I will be black and when I die I will be black, on the other
hand, when you were born you were pink, when you grow upyou will be white, when you are ill you are green, when you
burn in the sun you are red and when you die you will be
grey!! And, you have the cheek to call me coloured! Well, the
crowd in the foyer erupted in laughter and then started to
applaud, Billy got hold of Ramish`s head and made him take a
bow along with himself.Thank you one and all shouted Billy,
me and my brother are here all week. This caused yet more
laughter and Billy and Ramish walked out with their heads
held high. Unfortunately, it wasnt until later they realised
they had missed the second picture!! But it didnt matter,
that was the best night in ages!!
One night as Billy had just sat down to his tea, there was a
knock at the door, Billy knew that knock and so did his mum.
She turned round and looked at him with that What Now?
Look on her face. Billy shrugged his shoulders and shook his
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head from side to side. Not me this time he protested. He
was right, as his mum opened the door there stood PC
Wilkins, he knew Billy very well but it was mum he wanted
this time. They went into the parlour (front room) and
emerged about twenty minutes later.
Billy knew there was something wrong as soon as he looked
at mums face; she had that withdrawn look on her face just
like she had when gran died, OH GOD NO! Thought Billy. His
brothers were asleep upstairs, his dad in the pub as usual and
his sister doing whatever girls do. Billy, his mum blurted out,
its your grandad, he`s in hospital and not to good at all.
These were the words Billy had always dreaded hearing, his
heart sank and it seemed as if time itself had stood still. He
was walking through town his mum said, when for no
apparent reason was attacked by three skinheads. Billy`s
heart sank even further, so, the threats from the skinheads
that Grandad had humiliated had come true and they had
taken their revenge. Billy felt the rage well up inside him and
he thought he was going to explode, it was now time to step
up to the mark and be a man he thought. But not a word to
mum!!
Chapter Seven
Stranger things happen at sea
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Billy hated hospitals. It wasnt just the smell or the sight of
people still smoking in their sick beds as if there were nothing
wrong with them, there was talk of banning smoking in
hospitals but could you imagine all the patients stood outside
in their pyjama`s fagging it! How stupid would they look! Will
never happen he thought, but the last time he was here was
to see his Grandma and that was the last time he did. Now
here was here to visit his beloved Grandad.
As Billy walked into G2 ward he was the first to see him, heraced over and to his surprise Grandad was sat up and
chatting to the guy in the next bed. GRANDAD!! He shouted
and jumped onto the bottom of the bed. Its a good job they
didnt break my legs eh?? he said to Billy as he grabbed him
and gave him a big hug. By the time mum had caught up they
had already agreed not to mention the earlier meeting with
the skinheads. I suppose you were drunk and thinking you
were 21 again eh? Asked mum, something like that said
grandad and winked at Billy. Billy smiled but underneath
something was brewing.
The following day was a Saturday so as usual Billy helped
mum with the shopping while Dad had a lie in. Why he still
had a lie in on a Saturday and Sunday puzzled Billy as he
wasnt working anymore, must have more to drink on a
Friday and Saturday night down the club smirked Billy, but I
wish he didnt drink so much he thought.
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Shopping done it was time to call round for Ramish. As
normal he just walked straight into the shop, round the
counter and into the back where Ramish was either having
his dinner or saying his prayers! This time it was prayer time
so Billy stood silent and rigid out of respect until they had all
finished. Hello Billy! Shouted Ramishs mum, how are you
and hows your grandad? All fine and dandy he replied, Can I
ask you something Mrs Patel? Of course Billy, anything,
youre like family now. Why do you all take your shoes off
before you enter into your Mosque? Is it because its Holy
ground? Mrs Patel laughed, Thats what all the westerners
think, dont tell anybody, but the real reason is so we dont
dirty the new carpet!! Billy collapsed on the settee with
laughter, Ramish looked as embarrassed as ever, and they
both made their way out to the town centre. This was goingto be a day to remember one way or the other. Billy kept
thinking about his grandad lying in the hospital ward, feeling
guilty as if it was his fault his grandad was there. As they
turned down the main square, there stood the three
skinheads in all their vile glory outside the Wimpey bar.
Ramish looked at Billy with a pleading look of dont do it
but it was too late, Billy was on a mission. Just round the
corner was a bank with the big door and grand entrance. Billy
hid behind one of the corners and shouted Hey you
skinheads over there, whats it like to have no hair? Is it hot
or is it cold, tell me now if you are so bold!! Well, it certainly
had the desired effect! The biggest of the skinheads came
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rushing round the corner just as Billy bent down right in front
of him. He flew through the air and landed heavily in a
crumpled heap at the foot of Ramish who helped him sleep
for a little while with the aid of a small brick he had picked up
along the way. The second two followed shortly after, and as
they rounded the corner Billy was stood over the crumpled
heap of the flattened skinhead, with his foot on his back and
his arms waving in the air like Cassius Clay!
This infuriated the other two skinheads and they made a grabfor Billy but he was too quick. He ducked out of the way and
stood side on to them both waiting for the next attack. What
he didnt see was a fourth skinhead crawl up behind him and
hit him so hard he saw stars!! Ramish dived at the fourth
skinhead but was far too small for him and was brushed aside
with ease and thrown to one side, banging his head along the
way. Just before Billy regained his full faculties he was hit
again and fell to the floor. It was only the thought of his
grandad which kept him conscious, and as he struggled to his
feet for the last time a bright red Tungsten Dr Martin Boot
headed his way.
Billy closed his eyes and waited for the impact to the side of
his head but it never came!! Instead he heard a loud scream
as one of the skinheads crashed to the floor and the other
two were beaten in a flurry of punches and kicks so fast, Billy
thought he was watching a Bruce Lee film!! With every punch
and kick he heard his saviour saying Pick on a small guy
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to sit at the front of the class!! What are you up to
Gillam??They would ask, Nothing sir, honest, he would reply
but with that cheeky look and smile that God blessed him
with they never believed him! At the age of fourteen he had
come bottom of the class in the yearly exams, his mother
cried, his dad pasted him (as usual) but it was his grandads
reaction that hurt him most. The look of disappointment in
his grandad`s eyes were too much to bear and he swore to
himself he would never see that again. He had let down the
only person that had faith in him and who loved him
unconditionally and that wasnt going to happen again!!
Eventually Billy became quite the model student but his
escapades still carried on out of school hours. He couldnt
help his quick wit now could he?? And his outlook on life
would never change as he yearned to work in the countryside
where he had spent so many hours, sat, alone, planning his
future watching the wildlife roam free. This is what he
yearned, so hard work and studying was the thing to do and
he did it quite well.
Just as he turned sixteen there was a Xmas school dance and
Billy had decided to go for the first time. He had never
attended one before all the years he was there, couldnt
quite remember why but there you go. About an hour into it
he was ready to go home and headed towards the door when
this angelic looking girl came in and walked straight into
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him!! Err sorry Billy stammered, Thats ok, came the reply,
Oh! Its you Mute Billy couldnt believe his eyes and wasnt
quite sure what was happening to his heart either!! There
stood the most beautiful girl in the world who had grown up
into a picture of beauty, gone was the buck teeth, gone was
the scowling face, but the piercing voice still remained!! Well,
two out of three isnt bad he thought, hey! That would
make a good song title he thought, but soon forgot about
that as he walked her onto the dance floor, arm in arm with
his new found love and he didnt care what people thought.
Wait till grandad hears about this! He thought, and danced
the night away. Were his boyish years behind him? Was he
about to give up his cheeky ways and act his age for a
change? What do you think?
BILLY GROWS UP
Chapter Nine
Billy, I`m pregnant!!! Just for one minute the whole world
stopped still. Billy stood there statue like and bolted to the
spot! He went dizzy and thought he was going to faint.
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It had been four years since he had met the love of his life
Mary and up to now it had been uncomplicated, just the wayBilly liked it. He had also got his dream job of working as a
Mountain Ranger and passed his driving test first time!! They
had decided to move in together last year after Billy`s mum
had passed away and his Dad took to drinking even more and
was on a downward spiral of self destruction. Billy saw his
dad at weekends and always on his own and early in themorning before the days drink got hold of Dad.
What do you mean pregnant? Billy asked in a very feeble
voice that would have made a mouse embarrassed.
Don`t get too excited pleaded Mary, if you are not sure what
I mean I can always sit you down and explain about the birds
and the bee`s if you like !! She always did have a cutting
sense of humour, that and her attitude to life was the things
Billy loved about her, but a baby?? I mean, how did that
happen? Not the most intelligent question and as soon as the
sentence left his lips he knew it!! As Mary started to laugh
Billy approached Mary, took her in his arms, kissed her gently
and said What the hell am i going to tell Grandad??? Err;
dont you think we should talk about it first before we go
blabbing to everybody else? Mmm, of course youre right as
usual and with that Billy made a phone call to the Head
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Ranger explaining he would be a little late with Mary
shouting in the background He`s not the only one!!
After what had seemed hours Billy and Mary had talked
about, where, when and what the future held for them both.
They both loved each other deeply, of that there was no
doubt, but now decisions had to be made, the baby was due
in September, it was now April and of course the right thing
to do would be to get married, but, and this was a big but!!
Billy had not come from the happiest of families and didnt
want to end up like his dad. I wish grandad was here!!!
Billy decided to take the rest of the day off and spend it with
Mary but the question of marriage seemed to be just
touched on without actually being spoken about!! Eventually
Billy brought the subject up, well, in a roundabout way that
is. Mary? He asked, Do you think baby bump (as they had
now nicknamed he or she) would appreciate it if we were
married? Well! Billy Reginald Gillam, are you asking me to
marry you dear Sir?? Asked Mary with a wry smile on her
face? Reginald!!! Billy hated that second name and Mary
knew it! Err, I suppose I am really, but it will be the last time I
do if you ever call me Reginald again!! Well you old romantic
giggled Mary, took Billy`s hand and said Yes, of course I will
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With that they shared a tender kiss and Billy said I love you
Mary Kearsley, I love you to Reggie, Mary laughed, Billy just
shook his head and said And to think I have a lifetime of
this to look forward to!!
The next few days were just a blur and while Billy was dying
to tell the world about his news but he had made a promise
to Mary that not a word of it would be spoken until three
months of Mary`s pregnancy had passed. Very superstitious
us northerners Billy thought. As Billy sat at the wheel of his
Land rover looking over the Bolton Moorland he pondered
about his future and what it meant. Did this mean the end of
his boyish ways? His prank`s? His zest for life and all that may
be thrown at him? NOT ONE BIT!!!! His Grandad had taught
him well, and he always said You don`t stop smiling when
you get old, you get old because you stop smiling!! A sudden
feeling of dread came over him, Grandad, he thought, how
was he going to take this news, he hadnt been that well
lately and this was big news. They were going to see him next
Sunday, so Billy had to put his thinking cap on about this
one!!
Chapter Ten
Everybody Knows!!
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Billy couldnt believe how quickly Sunday had arrived and as
he woke to the smell of eggs and bacon (A rare Sunday treat)
he thought about what to say to his Grandad. Actually he had
thought of nothing else all week and nothing seemed to
sound right. He made his way downstairs after getting
washed and ready and sat down at the kitchen table. Food
for thought said Mary as she placed a very good looking
plate of food in front of him. Don`t even think about not
eating it! Or you will be wearing it, laughed Mary. Billy did as
he was told, ate every bit and washed it all down with a
strong cup of tea, by the time he had done this Mary was all
dressed and ready to go. Come on then, let`s get it over with.
They didnt talk much on the way to Grandads untilthey reached the corner of the street where he lived, Well?
Said Mary, What are you going to tell him then? Billy was
ashen white and Mary thought he was going to pass out with
fear, good God Billy, it`s your Grandad not your priest youre
going to see! Made no difference, he still couldnt stop
shaking and Mary knew she had to think on her feet quicklywith this one. Just as they approached Grandads door she
slipped her foot in front of Billy`s and he went tumbling to
the ground with a hefty crash and as he did so she rang
Grandads bell.
By the time Billy had got to his feet Grandad was at
the door laughing at him and saying it was nice of him to
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drop in!! If looks could kill thought Mary, I wouldnt be here
now, but it was worth it and they both followed Grandad into
his house and sat in the usual seats. Grandad`s chair was an
electric recliner which he was very proud of and Billy was
sure he slept in that most of the time, but, if that`s what
made him happy, what the hec!
After the usual banter of what kind of week have
you had and Grandad telling Mary yet another story about
Billy when he was younger, Billy cleared his throat and said,
Grandad? He didnt get the chance to utter another word
because Grandad stood up, looked at them both and said
Whens the baby due then? The silence was eerie.
Billy sat there with his mouth so wide open you could have
driven a bus down it and Mary bowed her head and hid her
face as it was as red as the cushions she was sat on. But but
but, stammered Billy, Be quiet Billy, said Grandad, you
sound like a 50cc moped, Mary? When are you due?
September she said very quietly, but but but? If you say that
one more time Billy I swear I will throw you out said Grandad.
Then he looked at Mary and said September eh? Can I ask
you just one thing? Of course said Mary, Grandad asked in a
serious tone, are you sure it`s yours? As Mary looked up as
puzzled as she had ever been, Grandad stood there with a
great big grin on his face with his arms outstretched to her.
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Billy started to laugh, Just then they all Joined in, and before
you knew it the tension had gone, the moment had passed
and they all stood there and hugged each other. I am so
proud of you both, you will make great parents. This was all
Billy needed to hear; Grandad had been and always will be
the most important person in his life, if he had been
disappointed he didnt know what he would have done, the
feeling of relief was immense and it certainly showed.
How did you know? Said Billy, I`m your Grandad,It`s my job to know, he replied with a wink and a nod,
besides, with red rosy cheeks, a twinkle in Mary`s eye, oh,
and those fatty ankles, how could I be wrong? Your
Grandma taught me well, he laughed. Grandad didnt talk
about Grandma that often so he knew today was an
important day.
This is a cause for celebration he said, an went to the
drinks cabinet and got three glasses out along with a bottle
of Brandy ( His medicine he called it) They all toasted the
baby`s health, well Billy and Grandad did, Mary didnt drink
so she had a glass of Coke. Had a visitor last night said
Grandad, Mrs Williams from number eighty two, brought me
a hot plate of pie and chips, sat her bum down and never
moved until nearly midnight, then she said as it was so late
she might as well stay the night !!! Randy old Mare!!! Billy
choked and coughed on his Brandy!! Mary was laughing so
hard she thought she was going to pass out!! I had to tell
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her straight, said Grandad, the days of me sleeping with
another woman are long gone, Elsie (Billy`s Grandma) was
enough for me, could you imagine me having to put up with
all that again??? My heart couldnt stand it!! He laughed, but
Billy knew his Grandad, and deep down he still missed Gran
but would never admit it. Just one word of advice Billy, he
said, always remember, Mary, your wife to be, will always
listen to you, think about what you have said, toss it round in
her head, and then, do as exactly as she wants!!!!! This is the
way of the woman, remember that and you won`t go far
wrong. They all laughed and Mary knew already this was
certainly true. She looked at Grandad and said Is it yours,
what a question that was!! Yea I know, but it broke the ice
didnt it? Better than breaking your ankle said Billy! Then he
pulled his tongue out at Mary.
On the way home they decided to stop at Billy`s best
friends Ramish`s house and tell them the good news. They
were greeted with the usual handshakes, kisses and a
generous offer of food. What did you have for your dinner?
Asked Ramish, this was a game they had played since they
had been kids, I had a sandwich at Grandads, egg and cress,
home grown of course, what did you have? I had an English
replied Ramish, English? Enquired Mary, yes said Ramish, Fish
and Chips!!! Mary just shook her head; she should have
known better than to ask, when these two were together,
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especially at school they caused havoc as well as a lot of
raised eyebrows. Billy got some serious abuse about having
an Indian lad as a best friend but they played together,
fought together and cried together, thankfully things had got
a little better since them days. Billy and Ramish were very
close and apart from their skin colour they were like
brothers, so it was only natural Billy asked Ramish to be best
man at the upcoming wedding, he had asked his grandad first
but Grandad had politely refused on Age grounds and told
him to ask Ramish.
We are in trouble now! Said Mary! Billy, Ramish and
the entire family under one roof?? It`s got disaster written all
over it. Little did she know how right she would be!!!
Chapter ElevenNot Long Now
The first couple of months flew by and all seemed to be
going well until one day the phone rang; it was Auntie Pat
from County Clare in Ireland!! Now, Auntie Pat was
Grandads older sister and the real head of the family. Everytime there was a birth, death or marriage it was Auntie Pat
who sorted the guest list out regarding who came from
Ireland to the event and who didnt. Hello there Billy
came the thick Irish accent over the phone, and how the
devil are you? I believe you are finally settling down and
getting married? When`s the happy day then?
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She doesnt know Mary`s pregnant! Billy thought, She
can`t do or that would have been the first thing that came
out of her mouth. Hello Auntie Pat Billy answered, it`s so
good to hear from you, we havent actually set a date as yet
but as soon as we do you will be the first to know. Nothing
wrong is there Billy? Pat asked, no replied Billy, nothing at
all, just havent really got round to it yet, been very busy at
work and so on. Still no rush eh?? Said Pat, It`s a b ig
commitment you know. I know Auntie Pat, I know, and with
that they chatted for about another half hour, mostly about
Mary and her Catholic upbringing and Billy`s hopes for the
future. Billy put the phone down and went straight round to
Grandad`s!!!
What do you mean you havent told Auntie Pat??Boomed
grandad!! God preserve us!! If she turns up at the weddingand doesnt know about Baby Bump she will cast every
demon known to Lucifer in our direction!! Billy started to
laugh, his grandad was so funny when he was frustrated
and came out with the strangest sayings. It`s not funny
Billy he screamed, you dont know what she`s like!! I once
annoyed her so much when we were children she chased
me round the yard with a shovel and I had to hide in the
coal bunker until she had calmed down!! By the time I
crawled out I was a black as your best friend Ramish!! By
this time Billy had collapsed in a hopeless heap on the
settee. Grandad just shook his head and put the kettle on
knowing he would lose any kind of battle with Billy as well,
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and it would be up to him to tell his sister Pat about the
baby, hope she still doesnt own a shovel he thought and
smiled to himself.
The date of the wedding was set for August the 17th
and the
doctors said the baby was due on the 17th
of September,
more importantly, Auntie Pat now knew and after
pretending to faint over the phone (which frightened
Grandad half to death!!) all was now set for a great day.
Ramish was doing a great job as best man and hadorganised the Stag Night to run as smoothly as it should do,
but then again it was a stag night after all!!!
Before he knew it was the week before the wedding and
Billy was getting ready for his last night of freedom. Maryhad said all there was to say about his behaviour but at the
same time trusted him enough to know that getting drunk
was his one and only vice. Just as Billy was stepping through
the door Mary shouted him back, I have something for
you she said and produced a Gold St Christopher from a
box she had in her hand, I was going to give you this afterthe wedding but considering its you, Ramish and all your
workmates that`s going on this Stag Night I figured you
might need this sooner rather than later!! Billy`s eyes filled
up and he whispered gently I love you Mary as she
slipped it round his neck. I love you too said Mary, now go
on with you and have a great time, just make sure you are
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home before the wedding next week!! Enjoy your night in
with the girls shouted Billy as he walked through the door
and out into the night.
His local pub was called The Craven Heifer and this is
where they had all decided to meet up. Suppose nobody
comes??Panicked Billy, suppose I have got the wrong day?
Wont be the first time! But he neednt have worried, as he
walked in the pub started to applause and he was patted on
the back all the way to the bar. There must have been thirtypeople there, and stood right at the front of the queue for
drinks was Ramish, wearing a jet black suit, black shirt and
with his hair dyed BLONDE!!!!
What The?????, just at the last minute Billy heard Mary`s
words ring in his ears about behaving himself!! Ramish,
what have you done to your hair? Well, explained Ramish,
knowing what your favourite drink is, I thought just for you
I would wear all black, dye my hair blonde and come as a
pint of Guinness!!!! The Pub erupted with laughter and Billy
knew now how Ramish had won over so many friends, him
being his best one, youre as mad as a Biscuit!!! Said Billy,
Good God man! If Mary could see you now she would have
the baby tonight!! Be careful what you wish for Billy boy,
said Ramish and placed a real pint of Guinness in his hand,
Cheers everybody!! Billy shouted. The party had just
started!!
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Billy`s local The Craven Heifer held some good memories for
him because as a young adult it was the first pub he had
been in, the first pub that had accepted Ramish for who he
was and the first pub he and Mary had been in together. As
a child it was mum and dad`s local and dad had worked
behind the bar and waited on for many years. It was also
the cause of many a drunken violent argument between his
mum and dad but Billy had decided to prove to that
wouldnt be the case with him and by using it himself as a
local was the only way of doing that. Plus, it was the best
pint of Guinness this side of the Irish Sea!! It was going to
be such a good night he thought.
Eight pints later and six pubs down the road (He had two in
the Bridge Inn as he knew the Landlord) they arrived on the
edge of town where the biggest night club in Bolton was
The Palais De Dance Queuing up outside Billy thought
about next week. Time to grow up Billy Boy Ramish had
said to him when they told him the date of the wedding,then added, but not too much eh?? Mary had always been
the girl for him and when she turned him down to go out
the first time he asked her, he worked all his boyish charms
until she eventually said yes. Not that had needed too Mary
had told him later but it was fun anyway!
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As he entered the dance hall after paying his entrance fee it
never ceased to amaze him how large and bright it was
inside. It was also the only dance floor in the north west of
England that had a spring floor!! Now that was something
to be proud of! He turned round to make sure they had all
got in ok ( bouncers can be a funny bunch at times) and
after making sure all were accounted for he headed
towards the bar. Twenty two whiskies, seven Brandies and
one Babysham please, he asked the barmaid whose mouth
dropped wide open as if he had asked HER to marry him!
The babysham was for Terry, nobody ever questioned him
as to why, but it was well known at work that he batted for
the other side but that didnt bother Billy Each to his own
he thought! once served they headed for the dance floor.
The dance floor was heaving and bouncing along with the
music. Billy was very confident about his relationship with
Mary and knew a dance with a young lady would be ok. As
he approached a group of women it wasnt till he got closer
that he noticed they were a bit older than him, probably in
their thirties. This didnt bother Billy as a dance was a dance
however old they were. He tapped one of them on the
shoulder and said Excuse me, would you like to dance? No
thank you she said, I dont dance with kids Oh? I am sorry;
i didnt know you were pregnant! Billy replied, winked at
the others, and walked away, pride intact!! One for the
boys he thought!! and decided to join his mates at the
table.
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You never said that to her did you? laughed Ramish. Do
you know who that is? Yes, said Billy, a very posh stuck up
girl who wouldnt know a polite invitation if it came up and
bit her on the bum!! No, said Ramish, its Mick Townsends
sister from the estate, we are in for it now!! Just as the last
words left his mouth, who should turn the corner but the
man himself, along with about twenty of his buddies. Mick
Townsend wasnt the biggest of guys but was known for his
fighting and very rarely lost. He and his friends surrounded
Billy`s table and demanded to know who had insulted his
sister.
That would be me said Billy standing up, but it wasnt
meant as an insult, just a bit of fun. Townsend stood in
front of Billy, looked him up and down slowly and then
returned his gaze to Billy`s face. Billy never flinched or
moved a muscle and stared straight back (something
Grandad had taught him) this unnerved Mick Townsend a
little who said quietly Cheeky little buggger arent we? I do
what I can, said Billy never taking his eyes off Townsend.
Where do we go from here then? Straight outside the
door a voice shouted from behind and two very large
hands grabbed hold of Townsend by the scruff of the neck
and started to march him towards the door. Billy just saw
the back of the bouncer and watched him kick Mick and all
his mates out through the door.
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Phew!! That was close said Ramish, Who was that masked
man? He joked. Just then the bouncer turned round and it
was none other than Ste Robson, his old enemy from
school, but they had become great friends eventually. As he
approached Billy, Ste smiled and said we cant keep on
meeting like this you know!! Thanks for the invite, hows
Mary these days? She`s just fine thanks Ste, replied Billy,
as big as a house but just fine, I will tell her you have been
asking. make sure you do and try to stay out of trouble for
the rest of the night, as if Im not busy enough!! Will do
said Billy and went on to enjoy the rest of the night without
incident.
Flopping down next to Mary in bed later that night, fully
clothed, he slept more contented than ever.