The Rock'n'Roll Romance Box Set (Pam Howes Rock'n'Roll Romance Series) Read Free Page A

why he’d chosen the dress. It
covered almost every inch of her. For crying out loud, he was trying to turn
her into his bloody mother. Well enough was enough. She picked up her lipstick,
slicked her lips and smiled. He’d be pacing the room now, looking at his watch
every few seconds, getting more agitated as time ticked by. She slipped on her
silk robe and walked back into the bedroom. There he was, pacing the floor,
doing his watch checking thing. He stopped pacing and his jaw tightened.
    ‘Why aren’t you dressed?’
    ‘Laddered my stockings,’ she said. ‘Only pair I
brought with me, too. I won’t be able to wear the dress now. Don’t want bare
legs this time of year. I’ll put my other outfit on.’
    'For God’s sake, Jane, you’re so careless.
We’re due downstairs in ten minutes.’
    ‘Won’t be long,’ she said, reaching into the
wardrobe. ‘I’ve done my makeup and nails. I’ve only got to brush my hair and
get dressed. If you’re that bothered, go down and tell them we’ll be a bit
late.’
    ‘Well hurry up. Sammy and Roy will be knocking
any minute.’
    Jane stomped back into the bathroom. She stared
at her reflection in the mirrored walls and wished she were anywhere but here.
She pulled on her trousers and buttoned her shirt, leaving the top three open.
That would annoy him. Mark hated her showing flesh when other men were around.
But it was only Roy for goodness sake and she’d known him since she was fourteen. Anyway, Roy never looked at other girls. He was
devoted to Sammy and the pair were engaged.
    She couldn’t understand why Sammy hadn’t said
anything to her about this trip. She saw her every day and they usually told
each other everything.   She must have
been sworn to secrecy and she’d looked very worried when Mark let her and Roy in. Sammy knew she wanted to leave Mark
and had urged her to tell him it was over.
    Mark had no idea that she’d lost her virginity
to Eddie Mellor. Although they’d been going steady for two years, Jane told him
she wanted to wait until their wedding day. It hadn’t been easy, but so far
he’d respected her wishes.
    There was no doubt in her mind that tonight he
was hoping to make love to her. Why else book a room as Mr and Mrs Fisher? She
dragged the brush though her hair and sprayed herself with In Love perfume. The
very thought of going all the way with him made her want to puke.
    She heard a knock at the door, and Mark letting
in Roy and Sammy. She gritted her teeth, walked into the bedroom and caught
Sammy’s raised eyebrow.
    By the look of amusement on her face, Jane
guessed that her friend had also been in on the dress surprise. She gave a wry
smile.
    ‘Right, I’m ready,’ she said and picked up her
handbag.
    ‘About bloody time,’ Mark grunted. ‘Fasten your
shirt properly.’
    Jane looked down and smiled sweetly. ‘It is fastened.’
    ‘You look lovely, Jane,’ Sammy said as they
left the room. ‘That red really suits your colouring.’
    ‘Thanks. I got it in the sale at C&A’s last
month. It’s nice to get a compliment from someone.’
    Sammy grabbed her arm and let Roy and Mark walk on in front.
    ‘I’ve forgotten my lippy,’ she called. ‘You two
go ahead and we’ll nip back to get it.’
    Mark turned and frowned. ‘Don’t be long. We’re
already late.’
    Sammy unlocked the bedroom door and Jane
followed her inside. The room was a twin of hers and Mark’s.
    ‘Jane, I’m so sorry,’ Sammy began. ‘We didn’t
want to come. When Mark called Roy and invited us, we were going to
refuse, but I realised you’d be all alone with him up here and you’d hate it.’
    ‘Thank God you changed your mind.’ Jane hugged
her. ‘I guess you knew about the dress he bought me to wear tonight?’
    ‘Yeah! It’s hideous. How did you get out of
it?’
    ‘Laddered my only pair of stockings,
accidentally-on-purpose.’
    ‘What are you going to do about later? Mark’s
pinning everything on tonight to bring you