Chapter Text
2nd december 1986 (the week after venice)
den sat at the kitchen table absolutely seething.
it had been a week since he and angie had returned from their trip to venice, otherwise known as the ‘second honeymoon’. yet all he wanted was revenge.
angie had been lying to him….
and he had fallen for it, how stupid he was. she didn’t have 6 months to live, he’d overheard her talking to the barman on the train journey back. but was glad he did.
i’ve told my husband this lie. not a little white one, oh no. a great big black one. that’s what she said. but den didn’t have more time to ponder on that thought for much longer though, because the very woman walked in to get a mug from the kitchen cabinets.
“mornin’ darlin’!”
den faked a smile, “mornin’, how are you?”
angie looked at him. “tired, suppose that’s expected though. what with….” every lie made her feel more guilty, but she had to keep him. although the ironic thing was, she FELT like she had 6 months left.
even though she wouldn’t die at the end of it.
den kept up the fake concern, “you can say it you know.” which made her smile softly. before he decided to play devils advocate, “i never asked before”
“what?”
“what is it that you have exactly?”
that gave angie a pause, she didn’t think of that….
shit, what was she going to say? he stared at her then and for a second, thought she could see a glint of something in his eyes, but brushed it off. it was just panic over the suddenly thrown in question, cranking up the paranoia meter. keep calm, she told herself.
“den, look. i don’t really want to talk about it….”
den smiled on the inside, he’s got her, but didn’t change his expression. he knew she’d say that.
“i want to ask you something else.”
seeing den get up from the table, angie became confused, frowning. but put her cup down and followed him into the living room anyway. and stood awkwardly as he sat down on the sofa. “sit down”
angie felt cautious for some reason, when he gestured to the place next to him — her instinct was telling her not to sit down, that something in the air was off. but she did anyway…. hoping not to regret that later. and could’ve sworn that glint in his eyes hadn’t gone.
get a grip.
den started to speak in the most sincere sounding tone he could manage, “look, i’ll be here for ya. but shouldn’t you start looking at end of life plans, booking the hospice and all that”
“no,” angie shook her head, “i’d rather…die here”
bingo, the second time. den smiled, this was too easy for him. it was like a game both were playing yet they didn’t know it…. so he went in for the third time. one last one. it would keep his energy going before the big day. and he wanted to poke the biggest bear of the bunch. yet could feel himself getting so smug at his catches, so he toned it down before he spoke again.
this cover couldn’t be blow just yet.
“the hospice will have everything to make it all peaceful for ya. surely you’d want that”
angie felt relief on the inside, he thinks she has 6 months left. so she replied, “well yeah….but-“
“but?”
“i just don’t want any fuss”
den smiled softly again and patted her hand, “you’re a brave woman ange,” making her smile, faking it.
“we should tell sharon”
angie’s eyes widened slightly. shit, she hadn’t thought about that either. it was such an impulsive decision she hadn’t had time to think about all this in such detail. but she composed herself quickly before replying.
“i- i dunno den. i don’t want her to know yet, we should let her be happy for a while longer”
third times a charm! a jackpot hat trick you could say.
“ok kiddo. we won’t tell her, whatever you want to do”
angie desperately tried not to visibly show her relief after he said that, “thank you den,” she paused. “i’m scared.” and she wasn’t lying, she WAS petrified.
just ONE slip up…. and it was all over.
“we all get scared, this is just something you’ve gotta get through” den twisted the knife, “we’ll get through this, kiddo” that made angie feel even worse, he used his nickname for her again. and opened her mouth to reply but he continued. “i want us to renew our vows”
now angie felt like the worst person in the world. and sat there in complete shock. thinking maybe she should have listened to her instincts — as now he was really trying to be a good husband in what he thought were her final months. there was no reveling in it either.
“you want to- what?”
den knew she wouldn’t be able to say no so he ranked the sympathy factor up, he had nothing to lose now.
“already had our second honeymoon, why not have a second wedding? remind us of the good times”
…. well, except maybe his life when it’s all revealed.
angie blinked, he was actually serious about this and was waiting for an answer. and now she didn’t just want the ground to open up and swallow her, but wanted to curl up into a ball and actually die. if only she did actually have 6 months to live, it would be easier.
den felt her cogs turning as she tried to think of an answer. so he pushed her more, “well?”
i can’t say no angie thought. and might as well go all in, she had nothing left to lose. because when she isn’t dead in 6 months it will all be over anyway. maybe even leave the square and never come back, done with the sodding place for good. it was about time.
“okay, second wedding it is. i want this to be a happy few months. give sharon some good memories”
den nodded and smiled, “i’ll book it for christmas day”
“christmas day?” she paused. “why christmas day?”
it had been chosen as a way to twist the knife in even more; christmas is a holiday angie loved. it would be ruined for the rest of her life, “the festive spirit will make it special for you. i want it to be special”
“oh darlin’….” she replied and faked a smile before agreeing to it with a nod, “christmas day it is”
den got up from the couch. “i’ll ring the church. takes a while to plan one remember?” oh angie remembers.
“course”
“you organise your hen do.”
angie just smiled back at him and when he left the room, sagged in relief. the little white lie was safe from being uncovered. for now…. and had some planning to do. the hen do, then the wedding. it was a big list.
outside of the living room, den smiled coldly. satisfied in knowing that his dear wife was right where he wanted her. then moved to call the local church.
4th december 1986
the bell rang throughout the queen vic, putting everyone to a stop. angie wanted to make an announcement, “ladies and gentlemen!”
curious onlookers stood waiting for it, but sharon the most. den shouted to shush the remaining, “HUSH!”
“thank you darlin’,” she giggled. “right, announcement”
pat commented, “you’re divorcing”
“nooooo!” angie may be a tad…. drunk. “not that”
“mum,” her daughter began, standing near kathy and pete. “what announcement? and- are you- drunk?”
“i may of had a bit yes”
kathy sighed, but said nothing. knowing it’ll only go in one ear and out the other, she had tried after all.
“but, i have a good reason for it. me and dennis, your dad,” she giggled again. “are getting married again”
pete’s mouth opened in shock, as did kathy’s and everyone else's. sharon was especially shocked.
“what?” her daughter replied. “since when?”
“you kept that one quiet,” pat told her, flabbergasted.
“yeah,” pauline added. “i thought things were weird”
well. den put his arms around angie, “we’re renewing our vows is what she means. soon, actually”
“when?” kathy asked, heart pounding.
“christmas day,” he smiled, then kissed his wife.
“cool, can i be the head brides maid?”
“course!” her mum replied, beaming.
kathy’s heart began pounding as she stared at him, knowing why he’d picked that specific date. it was darn cruel of him too, how could he put this pressure on her? but he probably didn’t care, too deep in it too.
“what do you think kath? you’re quiet”
“yeah,” she whispered back. “looking forward to it”
angie giggled again,”it’s gonna be a day to remember”
9th december 1986
“so,” angie began placing her checklist down and sitting in a booth where her mates were sat. “lets start”
kathy looked down, not wanting to be a part of any of this sham, even if it could confuse her best mate.
“we’ll do the catering,” pat told her, so she wrote that down. pauline sipped her water, “i’ll help”
“right. and bridesmaids,” she just wrote sharon down for that. “matron of honour, ” angie looked at kathy with a small smile, “you of course”
pat and pauline would never admit it, but they were jealous of kathy’s role. who just smiled back.
“how’s the planning going along?” den asked from behind the bar, making angie giggle.
“never you mind, this is between us girls”
“shouldn’t kath be doing all of this?”
that just made kathy angry, how DARE he. so she glared at him, “i don’t mind she can do it”
“anyway,” angie interrupted and didn’t pick up on the animosity between the two, continuing obliviously.
and kathy took that opportunity to glare at den yet again for the comment, who had a glint in his eyes.
🎄🎄🎄
when lofty was visiting his aunty again, den took the opportunity to go see michelle at the flat. he wanted to let her know everything — as it would affect sharon.
“what do you want.”
“want to give you a heads up about something”
michelle squinted her eyes but let him in, feeling jealous after hearing about the recent plans.
“look i know it’s all last minute, but-“
“i don’t care, den. i’m happily married”
den raised his eyebrows, to lofty of all people. yeah right. he replied, “of course you are. but i came here to tell ya, it’s not what it looks like. it’s all a sham”
now that made her pause. “what?”
“this whole thing, it’s-“
“no i heard you, why? is it just to please sharon on this new fake commitment journey you two have entered”
“no, i mean it’s a sham. all of it”
“sham? wha- why-“
“all you need to know is that ange doesn’t know it is”
“and you’ve roped sharon into it all?”
“i didn’t want to, but if you knew why i’ve done all of this, you probably wouldn’t judge me for it. which is why i need you to be on standby christmas day”
“alright,” michelle sighed. “i’ll keep quiet”
but she couldn’t help but be curious as to why he was doing this exactly. and was still, deep down, jealous.
11th december 1986
“jan,” den breathed out when she opened the door. and put his foot out when she tried to close it.
“what do you want,” jan huffed in annoyance, the poshness twang of her voice exaggerated when angry.
“i need your help”
“i thought we were finished!”
“what if i told you there’s a way we can be together”
jan paused, that intrigued her. but if this was just him leading her along again so that he can get what he wanted and go back to angie, again, he could get lost.
“your wife is dying, you said-“
“yeah i know what i said, but she ain’t”
“you lied to me?”
“no,” he held his hands out. “ange lied to me.”
“what?” jan whispered, shocked. “who would-“
“i told ya she could be just as conniving"
there was a moment of pause then, as she took everything in that he’d just told her. angie…. lying about something like that. it was horrific, but part of her sympathised. because if it wasn’t for her she likely wouldn’t have done that, and maybe den did too.
but ultimately, she couldn’t refuse, she still loved him.
“what’s your plan.”
🎄🎄🎄
later on kathy watched den pretending to be so loving towards angie, and it was killing her, knowing what was going to happen. if only she could stop it….
“kath,” pete called, walking in and noticed it too.
well this was good timing.
“can’t you tell him to stop all of this”
“he wouldn’t listen to me, i wouldn’t if i were you”
“i have a bad feeling about it all”
pete sighed, then said something uncharacteristically wise of him, for once. “so do i. he’s in it above his head”
“ange looks so happy and-“
“kath-“
“i know, i know she ain’t an angel. but he made her like this, so why should she have to suffer for it the most?”
and to that, her husband couldn’t disagree. but couldn’t reply because den walked over while angie was seeing to a customer. so kathy took it as an opportunity.
“den, can i have a word”
den nodded so they made their way upstairs into the living room and he shut the door. “what?”
“i’ve got a bad feeling about this”
“i don’t.”
kathy exhaled, he was infuriating sometimes.
“don’t you think you’ve hurt each other enough?”
“nah,” he shook his head. “it’s my turn to hurt her”
“please, don’t. i’m sure you could come up with-“
“no, kathy. i’m doing this”
“but-“
“if you tell her, i’ll tell ian about your little family secret”
pressing her lips together, kathy silently fumed at him because he’d got her and he didn’t break promises he made. and den knew it, so he smiled at her with a glint.
16th december 1986
it was only an hour and a bit into the joint hen and stag nights, yet pat and angie were already BLADDERED downstairs.
the blokes were locked in the living room.
“do you remember my first hen night kath”
kathy looked towards her, humming. she couldn’t stomach a drink — it might make her throw up.
“mum,” sharon began. “i think you’ve had enough”
angie just grumbled something inaudible back, making pauline slightly raise her right eyebrow. but even in this state she knew, her getting drunk was only to forget.
forget the horrible thing she’d done.
“we’ll watch over her,” kathy told her, making sharon relax. then nudged a half asleep pat, “right?”
“yeah,” she hiccuped, waving her off. “yeah”
pauline just smiled, “no ideal man this time”
🎄🎄🎄
towards the end of the night in the pub’s ladies room, kathy and angie were having a moment just to themselves in front of the sink. and quite a tender one.
the others were doing the conga out in the square.
“i love you,” a drunkingly hazed angie told her, making kathy smile back at the comment. “love you too”
“i-“
“what?”
it broke her heart, to see her look so sad.
“i’ve done a bad thing kath”
that made kathy’s heart stop, and she had to keep a straight face. that’s if angie would even notice….
“what’ve you done, drink driving again?”
angie softly cackled, “no,” she paused. “worse.”
kathy acted confused, pretending to be oblivious.
“am i a bad person?”
that was a punch in the gut — and she had to pause before answering carefully. “no. why?”
“i-“ she began. but then gagged, “i’m gonna be sick”
“oh god,” kathy just replied before she stumbled into a cubicle to do exactly that, so she held her hair back.
“let it out,” she grimaced, rubbing her back. “let it out”
18th december 1986
practically the whole square was hung over the next day, meaning the usual square buzz was dampened by grunts and groans of it’s residents. kathy giggled.
then opened the curtains to den and angie’s room, making angie grown and hold her head. “kath”
“come on, up. we have to get the dress”
“where’s sharon?” she groaned again.
“at michelle’s helping with vicki”
“i feel like death.”
kathy sat on the bed, “i told you not to drink that much”
angie grimiced, mouth dry. “should’ve listened. but i’ll be sober for the wedding, don’t worry”
“hmm, now come on,” she reminded, “get up”
downstairs den had been left to clear and open up, with an unsure pete offering to help. his mate didn’t half get into some scrapes….
“mate, are you sure about this? it could all go toes up”
“it won’t pete. i’m sure of it”
so kathy had talked to him about this too.
“are ya?”
den replied firmly and sure of himself, “yes.”
“you better hope so,” pete sighed then walked out. and for the first time, den had a true moment of doubt.
23rd december 1986
a few days later; kathy looked on as angie tried on the dress she’d wear knowing it was all a sham, but she couldn’t tell her best mate that and she felt awful for lying to her. it was all such a big mess….
after a cosy christmas eve in, it would be the big day.
“ange….” angie turned around and was about to answer before she turned back towards the mirror.
“are you sure about this?”
if angie was being truthful, no. there was something she just couldn’t shake about den’s demeanour. but there was no turning back now. whilst brushing her hands on her dress she replied, “truthfully? i’m sick to my stomach with nerves. but there’s no turning back”
“you could always cancel and move it to another date? or just not go ahead, you don’t have to renew your vows to show commitment.”
angie looked round at her in confusion.
“i thought you’d want me and den to make it up?”
kathy looked downwards. telling her the real reason was off limits, so she told her half of one instead.
“i’ve just got a bad feeling about all this, like something’s going to go wrong. like with-”
“well that makes two of us….” angie sighed.
“so cancel it then.”
“no. i’ve got to go ahead with it kath”
“why?”
angie could’ve sworn she saw a twinkle of guilt in her best mates eyes then. but like with her paranoia about den, she brushed it off and settled on an answer.
“i just, do.”
kathy felt absolutely awful that she couldn’t convince her to stop it all, but she’ll just have to keep trying.
pete had warned her not to but she didn’t care, this was her best mate and she was about to be hurt in the most cruel way. if den hadn’t been such a pig and a serial cheater, none of this would’ve happened. so why should angie have to come out from it the most hurt?