Gangsters
Part fifteen
The
reception was going perfectly. Linzi kept her promise to Kim and found to her
surprise that she was actually enjoying herself. The meal finished and speeches
were made. Chris excelled himself and everyone laughed all the way through his
speech. The cake looked so beautiful that Linzi didn't want to cut into it. She
picked up the knife and looked at it idly wondering what would happen if she
stabbed her husband with it. Billy's hands closed over hers on the knife.
"I
can read you like a book," he breathed in her ear, "You'd get five
years in jail for stabbing me." Linzi smiled sweetly at him.
"It'd
be quite worth it." She said. She was totally unprepared for the look of
hurt that flashed through his eyes so fast that she almost thought she'd
imagined it. Gianni made a short speech thanking everyone for turning up. The
band began to play. All eyes turned towards Billy and Linzi. Lissa nudged Linzi.
"Go
on," she urged, "You've got to open the dancing." Billy led her
to the dance floor and took her in his arms holding her close. To Linzi's
surprise, and relief, he was a good dancer. Chris and Lissa soon joined them,
gazing deeply into each other eyes. Soon the dance floor was quite full.
"Why
is Scott having difficulty finding a partner?" asked Billy laughing. Linzi
looked round to where Scott was trying to pull Pia out of her chair. His niece
was hanging on tightly.
"He's
a terrible dancer," said Linzi, "Even Kelley won't dance with
him." Her Dad eventually rescued Pia. Sissy danced past in the arms of
Craig.
"And
what do you think about that?" laughed Billy. Linzi smiled at the other
couple.
"I
think it's sweet. Craig is much better for her than Dionico." She said.
"Do
you know this is the longest conversation we've had without you insulting
me." He said pulling her closer.
"I
promised Kim I'd pretend to be happy." She said the smile fading from her
lips. Billy cursed himself. Why couldn't he have just let it rest. Linzi
deliberately stood on his toe.
"You
will have to suffer for that." He whispered in her ear. His hand snaked up
her back and under her hair. The rest of her hair hid it as Billy grabbed a
handful and pulled. Before she could cry out in pain his mouth descended on hers
and he kissed her thoroughly. He finally released her and smirked at her.
"You
bastard." Linzi hissed at him blinking back her tears.
"Smile,
your mother is looking." He whispered back still smirking at her. Maria
smiled fondly at the couple.
"They
look so in love." Remarked her friend next to her.
"I
know," said Maria, "I'm so happy for her."
Sissy
was enjoying herself a lot. She'd enjoyed dancing with Craig and also Dionico.
She was sat talking with Lissa when Craig approached her again.
"Would
you like to dance again?" he asked her. Sissy shook her head.
"Thank
you, but no. I'm far too hot!" she said fanning herself with her hand.
Craig held out his hand.
"Come
and take a walk with me then." He said persuasively. Sissy hesitated,
glancing over to where Dionico was dancing with another girl. Lissa poked her in
the side.
"Okay."
Smiled Sissy taking his hand. The fresh air was pleasant after the stifling heat
of the marquee. They wandered through the gardens in silence, still holding
hands. They finally sat down on the bench.
"Sissy
can I ask you something?" said Craig eventually.
"Sure."
Replied Sissy smiling at him, making his heart flip over.
"You
and Dionico. Erm is it serious? I mean you can tell me to mind my own business
if you want." He stammered out. Sissy bit her lip and looked thoughtful.
"I
don't know really," she mused, "He hasn't said anything." Craig
reached out and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear.
"You
have beautiful hair." He murmured.
"Thank
you." Smiled Sissy. Craig tentatively forward and kissed her. He drew back
quickly.
"I'm
sorry. I couldn't stop myself." He apologised.
"It's
alright. I quite enjoyed it." She said quietly. Craig leaned in again and
softly kissed her. Sissy slid her arms around his neck. Their kiss deepened and
became more passionate.
"Hey
where's Tina?" asked Dionico walking over to where Lissa had been joined by
Chris, Billy and Linzi.
"She
went for a walk." Replied Lissa.
"On
her own?" he enquired.
"Erm
no," admitted Lissa, "Craig went with her." Dionico's face went
dark.
"The
little punk." He muttered striding out. Chris and Billy exchanged looks and
took off after him.
Dionico
spotted Craig and Sissy almost straight away. He pulled Craig off her and to his
feet.
"Leave
my girl alone." He snarled.
"She's
not your girl. I saw you last night..." Craig didn't finish his sentence
before Dionico punched him in the face. Sissy screamed. Chris and Billy broke
into a run. Dionico pulled his fist back again and Sissy grabbed his arm.
"Don't!"
she exclaimed. Dionico grabbed her arm roughly.
"This
is between me and him. Leave us alone." He hissed. He pushed her away from
him. Craig seeing his chance jumped on him. The two men fell to the ground
pummelling each other. Dionico's size gave him the edge over the smaller man.
Billy and Chris pulled them apart.