Part 15 (2/2)

disgusted, he'd staggered to his feet then held out a hand. ”Let's get

cleaned up.”

To Emma's amazement there had been no beating, no cruel pinches or

sudden smacks. Instead he had stripped them both down to the skin in

the bathroom, then hauled her into the shower. He'd even sung as the

water had poured over them, something about drunken sailors that had

made her forget to be sick.

When they were both bundled in towels, he had woven his way to her room

to slip her into bed. His hair had been wet and sleek around his face

as he'd fallen over the foot of the bed. Within seconds, he'd been

snoring.

Cautious, Emma had crawled out from under the covers to sit beside him.

Gathering her courage, she'd leaned over and pressed a

damp kiss to his cheek. In love for the first time, she had tucked

Charlie under Brian's limp arm, and gone quietly to sleep.

Then he had gone away. Only days after the wedding the big car had

come, and two men had carried out luggage. He had kissed her and had

promised to bring her a present. Emma had only been able to watch

wordlessly as he'd ridden away, and out of her life. She hadn't

believed he was coming back, even when she heard his voice over the

phone. Bev said he was in America where girls screamed every time they

saw him, and people bought his records almost as fast as they were made.

But while he was gone, there wasn't as much music in the house, and

sometimes Bev cried.

<script>