Kimberley Chambers 3-Book Collection: The Schemer, The Trap, Payback. Kimberley Chambers

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      CHAPTER TWENTY

      Wayne Jackman woke up the following morning on the sofa. He had an awful headache and vague memories of ending up in a nightclub somewhere, then having an argument with Steph on his arrival home.

      ‘Daddy,’ Dannielle yelled, leaping on top of him.

      ‘Get off me, babe. Daddy don’t feel too good. Where’s your mum?’

      ‘Getting Tyler dressed. Why did you sleep on the sofa, Daddy? If you sleep on there again, can I sleep downstairs with you?’

      Remembering that he had invited Barry around for dinner this evening, Wayne put his head in his hands. He had no idea if he’d told Steph when he had come home last night, but if he hadn’t, then best he did so quick.

      ‘Daddy, I said, can I sleep down here with you?’ Dannielle repeated.

      ‘Don’t ask me now, babe,’ Wayne said, as he gingerly stood up. Feeling his stomach rumbling with hunger, he headed up the stairs. Steph wasn’t going to be happy, he knew that, and he was desperate not to start World War Three.

      ‘You all right, babe? Sorry I didn’t get in till late. Me and Bazza had plenty of catching up to do, and you know what it’s like.’

      Wrapping a bath towel around Tyler, Stephanie turned to Wayne and glared at him. ‘No, I don’t know what it’s like! Worried sick I was, and I rang you about a hundred bloody times. Why don’t you ever answer your fucking phone, eh? There’s no point in you having a mobile, is there?’

      ‘I’m sorry. I left the phone in the car, then when I went to ring you later in the evening, the battery had died a death. Don’t be angry with me, sweetheart. We’re getting married in a few weeks’ time, so just give us a hug, eh?’

      ‘It’s only because I love you, Wayne, that I worry so much,’ Steph said, trying to hold back the tears.

      Wayne held Stephanie tightly. He obviously hadn’t yet told her about Barry’s planned visit, as he knew she would have mentioned it immediately.

      ‘So, how did you get on? I take it Barry doesn’t hold any grudges? Did you tell him that we’re getting married?’

      ‘Bazza was sweet. He definitely ain’t got no grudges and was asking all about you and the kids. He’s engaged himself now, to a girl called Jolene. She’s beautiful, he showed me a photo of her. Done right well for himself, he has an’ all. You wanna see the boat he owns. I hope you don’t mind, but he was so nice about everything that I invited him round for dinner this evening?’

      Stephanie felt her whole body seize up with fear. This had to be one of Wayne’s little jokes, surely? ‘You’re not serious, are you?’ she mumbled.

      ‘Course I’m serious! Why? What’s the problem?’

      ‘I don’t want to see Barry, Wayne, and I certainly don’t want him coming round our house. This is exactly why I didn’t want you to contact him in the first place. I knew it would stir up a hornet’s nest and I would somehow end up getting involved. You better uninvite him, sharpish.’

      ‘I’m not uninviting him. I’ve been pals with the bloke since I was four years old, so why should I? I dunno why you’re so bothered about him coming round. You only went out with him for a matter of weeks and it ain’t like nothing sexual happened between you, is it? Or have you been lying to me all these years?’ Wayne asked, accusingly.

      ‘You know I never had sex with Barry. How dare you ask me that when you know full well that the only man I’ve ever slept with in my life is you.’

      ‘Well, what you so worried about him coming round for then? Have you still got feelings for him? Is that it?’

      ‘Of course I haven’t still got feelings for him. You know I love you,’ Stephanie replied, bursting into tears.

      Wayne held Stephanie in his arms again. ‘And I love you too. Look, let’s not argue over this, it’s ridiculous. Bazza’s an old pal and he’s popping round to see us, it’s no big deal. I tell you what, why don’t you invite Tammy round as well? Her bloke will probably be back by now and it’ll give you a chance to meet him before the wedding.’

      ‘Pa, Daddy, pa,’ Tyler said, holding his arms out to Wayne and dropping his towel.

      Wayne let go of Stephanie and picked up his naked son. ‘If you wanna go to the park, Tyler, then Daddy shall take you there. You never know, the fresh air might even clear his hangover.’

      Drying her eyes with a piece of toilet paper, Stephanie managed a smile. ‘I’d best ring Tammy then.’

      Wayne grinned. He was far too cute for Stephanie and always knew the right things to say to ensure that he got his own way. ‘You just worry about sorting some grub out. It ain’t gotta be nothing fancy, lasagne and salad will do. I’ll ring Tammy. If I beg her and say I fucked up by inviting Bazza round when I was pissed, there’s far more chance of her coming. I’ll take the kids to the park for a couple of hours, get ’em out your way while you’re preparing the food.’

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