‘Oh, God, Tony, are you telling me you’ve been watching them? That’s disgusting.’ Jake squirmed.
‘I had to check if there was anything on them worth saving. It wasn’t the best job in the world, but it needed to be done. Anyway, there is some stuff that’ll be useful, and those tapes in particular need go into the main safe for a rainy day. Mind you, I think I’ll let Sharon look through them in future.’
‘Not bloody likely! You can do it or, if absolutely necessary, I will, but not my Sharon.’
Tony burst out laughing. ‘Jake, you are still so easy to wind up, sometimes you make me feel like a wicked teenager again. Of course I’ll do it, some of it is quite funny, actually. Something for when we’re both pissed and fed up and need a good laugh.’
‘I’m going to see Elle today, are you coming? It’s been a while. While we’re there we can see how that mansion of yours is coming along.’ Jake was referring to the house Tony had won in a poker game.
‘Good idea. Count me in.’
Elle was helping oversee the decorating, if you could call it that. Tony had just told the decorators to paint the rooms in magnolia and the designers to choose whatever furniture they thought best. Apart from that, he had claimed one room as a study and the main bedroom as his own, if he were to ever stay over. That was about as far as his interest in the house went.
***
Elle was more than happy to see them, when they landed on her doorstep. Although they spoke regularly, it was nice to have a proper catch up. Tony and Jake enjoyed telling her all their plans for the clubs, now Christmas was looming.
‘How is the house coming on, Elle? Everything okay, no problems?’ said Jake.
‘No, none at all, it’s all pretty straightforward. I really like the chandeliers they bought, though. Did you know they have to hang them from the joists? I suppose it’s because they’re so heavy – you wouldn’t want one of those to come crashing down.’ This was a whole new world to Elle, who was used to her little bungalow.
Tony held out a notebook. ‘Elle, I know you’re busy, but this is a list of everyone that works for us, plus a few of the publicans. I don’t suppose you could write all the Christmas cards, could you?’ Tony had a sheepish grin on his face. He knew Elle would say yes and that she had probably missed being involved so much. This was his way of giving her something to do. He reckoned her life must be quiet these days with just Minnie for company.
Elle beamed. ‘Of course I will, Tony, love. Do you need presents buying for any of them, as well?’ Elle took out her pen, turned to a new page in the notebook and started to make a list.
Tony didn’t want to just give Mathers the usual Christmas bonus; he felt he and Ashley deserved a gift, as well, though he didn’t know what to get them. He felt Graham should be on his Christmas present list, too. He had taught Tony the casino life well, and had managed the casino excellently while he was learning. He would let Sharon do some investigating; she could find out what they liked.
The list seemed to get longer and longer. Tony decided it would be best to throw a giant party at the club for the strippers and the pole dancers. The bouncers and the drivers would also be invited to it and would get a cash bonus for all of their hard work.
‘Dear me, Tony, you’re in your mid-thirties and this is the first time you have actually made a Christmas list. Does it just pass you by, love?’ Elle put her hand on top of Tony’s. She still felt motherly towards him. He was a hard worker, striving to prove himself to himself. She thought that, no matter how he dressed or what he owned, every time he looked into a mirror, he still saw that young boy dressed in hand-me-downs.
He had never been fond of Christmas. It seemed to her, he just worked all the way through it, sorting the club and watching everyone else having a good time.
‘Christmas is a money-spinner for me, Elle, busiest time of the year. That’s all I focus on. Mind you, I look forward to having Christmas dinner with you. I’ll be here like a shot, this year – that’s if you’ll have me, of course.’ He smiled at Elle; whatever happened, he made a point of having Christmas dinner with her.
‘Of course I will, you know that.’ She smiled, grateful that he had brought the subject up. She hadn’t wanted to ask or put pressure on them to make them feel they had to go for Christmas dinner. They were grown up now, and had their own plans. ‘What about you, Jake, will you and Sharon be coming?’
Jake nodded. ‘Oh, God, yes. I can’t put up with her family’s cooking, not at Christmas. We’ll be here, no fear.’ The thought of Sharon or any member of her family cooking Christmas dinner sent shivers down Jake’s spine.
The next few weeks seemed to go quickly. The Christmas trees were all up and decorated, and each place had a differently coloured theme. The trees inside the casino were nearly twelve-foot high and decorated in black and gold, plus there were two small ones outside of the main doors to give it that festive feel.
The men’s club had a traditional pine tree in the reception area, which Mathers took charge of. It looked like something out of the Victorian age. Ashley had had to remind Sharon that he wanted one for the entertainments room. He seemed to use that as his own little club. That one was much more outlandish!
The trees at the club were black and pink, and all in all they looked splendid and very festive. Neon lights had been put up outside, wishing everyone a merry Christmas. All that helped put everyone in the Christmas spirit and they wanted to dance the night away to the same old Christmas songs everyone loved. Sharon had even put the pole dancers in red leotards trimmed with white fur.
A lot of trouble had gone into promoting Christmas, and now they were going to sit back and watch the profits roll in.
***
‘Where are you off to?’ asked Tony. He put his coffee mug down and rubbed his eyes. He had been looking at figures all day and his eyes were bleary. He reached over for his enormous ledger diary and flicked through the pages. ‘We have nothing in the diary.’
‘I’ve got to do a bit of shopping later, then I have to go to Sharon’s sister’s party this evening,’ Jake said. ‘Grim, I know, but that’s married life. I’ll see you in the morning.’ He put his jacket on.
‘That’s later; where are you going now?’
‘I’m just going for a chat with a publican, nothing to bother you with and no heavy stuff. Just a chat, that’s all,’ said Jake. The man’s protection payment was short; Jake wanted to go and find out why.
‘A chat? Who with, Jake, what’s wrong?’
Tony listened as Jake explained that the problem had been brought to his attention by one of the collectors. This particular publican was someone they had known for a long while and he had always paid up, in full and on time. Jake wanted to find out what was wrong now, and why he couldn’t pay, preferably without Tony interfering.
‘I’ll go,’ said Tony. ‘You have to go to the party with Sharon. Let’s face it, Jake, you can’t arrive late or let her go on her own, she’ll have your guts for garters. She doesn’t ask much. I’ll go and see if he is having money problems. Anyway, I haven’t seen him for a while and I don’t want him forgetting me, now, do I?’
Jake opened his mouth to protest, but Tony was having none of it.
‘No, I insist, Jake. I’ll go, and you can have an evening with Sharon and her family’s buffet. Personally, I think I’ve got the better deal.’ He started laughing.
Jake didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Tony was right. If he got delayed in any way and turned up late Sharon would go berserk. He didn’t relish the idea of the family party. They really were the worst nights, and the most boring, but he was married and that meant compromise, didn’t it? He emphasized to Tony that he wasn’t to lose his temper and start throwing his fists about.
‘He’s a bit short on his money, that’s all, but I did also hear he’s throwing a massive Christmas party tonight. If he’s that short of money to miss his full payments, how can he afford to host a party? That’s the only reason why I�
�m going. No hard stuff, eh?’
Tony looked up to better see Jake’s worried face. ‘No hard stuff, Jake, I promise. Party, eh? Well, as you say, let’s see how he is robbing Peter to pay Paul, shall we?’ Tony made the sign of the cross on his chest and smiled.
It was true, this particular publican had always been good as gold and never missed a payment. Time to pay him a visit in the flesh and remind him who was boss. Tony hadn’t been around the East End a lot of late, what with one thing and another. Now was not the time to let things slip.
Jake left to collect Sharon, who wanted to do a bit of shopping and to buy a new dress for the evening. She seemed pleased that Jake was making the effort and taking time out for her and her family.
Tony carried on with his paperwork. When he heard the club getting into full swing, he checked his watch. It was time to get washed and shaved and check out this publican’s party.
***
Tony looked out of the car window as John drove him through the streets to the pub. He saw people all dressed up, wandering around; some were holding their drinks and having a cigarette outside, others were just arriving and already looked the worse for wear.
‘Just follow the music, John, that racket is where we need to be.’ The music was blaring out of the pub door each time someone opened it. Tony sat in the car looking at the little side street the pub was in. it was dark and icy and he could see the two-up two-down houses with their Christmas decorations and lights flashing in the windows. It all seemed a million miles away from the West End. It had been a long time since he had been down this neck of the woods – years, in fact. Now, his collectors looked after all the stripper pubs in the area.
His thoughts drifted back to Joe; he had been one of the bouncers who looked after these East End pubs. Hopefully he was on the mend, although he would be scarred for life.
John pulled the car around the back of the pub, where the delivery drivers dropped off the barrels of beer. Tony’s car was far too obvious, and if spotted, would give the publican the opportunity to run for it, if he felt he had to.
‘Will this do, boss?’ asked John, half turning to look into the back. He parked up and turned off the headlights. ‘Some party … are you sure you want to go in alone? It looks like a real rathole.’
‘I’ll be fine, John, but thanks. I used to do some collecting around this area, you know, back in the day. It almost feels like a trip down memory lane. You’re right, though, it is a rathole.’ Tony laughed; he waited for John to get out of the car and open the door for him.
As soon as Tony stepped out of the vehicle, the icy wind hit him and he shuddered, then he fastened up his long camel coat and put his hands in the pockets. ‘This won’t take too long, I’ll be back in a bit.’
‘Remember to wipe your feet on the way out!’ John got back into the warm car and settled down to wait.
Tony walked through the back entrance, where the publican had set up some sort of cheap beer garden in his back yard. He had put up a few hanging baskets, full of plants that were now dead, and there were some wooden tables with benches. Real class.
To give the man his due, he had tried decorating it with some Christmas lights to give it that seasonal feel. The overly full ashtrays didn’t help, though. Some people came out, laughing and joking and obviously very drunk, sat themselves down on the benches and lit cigarettes.
Tony walked past them and opened the back door. It led into the rear of the pub, near a quiet corner that in the past was known as the snug room. This was where some of the older men would gather to read their papers or play some pool, while getting away from the noise.
Tony stood at the side of the bar and looked around at the place. He felt a little disgusted when he realised his shoes were nearly sticking to the worn carpet. It was then that the publican, dressed in a Santa suit and hat, but not wearing a long white beard, came around the side to see if anyone needed serving.
Tony thought the shocked look on his face was a picture, and watched as the happy smile slid from his features.
‘Mr Lambrianu, what brings you here?’ Tony could see he was nervous and, remembering Jake’s words, put him at his ease.
‘Mine’s a whisky, if you’re offering?’ Tony was tempted to rest his elbows on the bar, but seeing the dirty bar towels and the puddles of alcohol, he decided against it.
‘Sure, Mr Lambrianu.’ The publican picked up a glass and made a point of polishing it with one of his bar towels, to impress Tony. He turned around and filled the glass with some whisky from the optic.
The publican was mid-forties; his father had owned the pub before him. He was slightly balding on top, with designer stubble and a smile on his face. He was a pleasant guy, and by all accounts got on with the money collectors okay and paid them regularly.
‘Quite a crowd you have tonight. How come you don’t have any strippers on?’
The publican put the drink on the bar and gave a deep sigh. He rubbed his chin and looked at Tony. ‘I know why you’re here, Mr Lambrianu, but I didn’t think it would merit a visit from the boss. The truth is, every year all the local stripper pubs in the area take turns to host a Christmas party for the stripper agency and the strippers. Some of the usual punters and other publicans come, as well. It’s a free bar, which is why it is so packed out. People do love a freebie, don’t they.’ The publican was fidgeting with his hands and looking down. ‘The problem is, Mr Lambrianu, this year it’s my turn to host it and I couldn’t afford to both fund the party and make my full payment, so there it is. I’ve always been straight with you and you know my payments are always on time, it’s just a bit short this month.’
Tony watched the nervous publican as he was talking. He noticed that, as much as he was aiming to look Tony in the eye, he was looking everywhere but. He looked quite comical, wearing his Father Christmas hat, and suit to match. With his blushes and embarrassment, his face almost looked as red as his suit.
In the far corner was an old piano that hadn’t been played in years and on top of it was a small Christmas tree, over decorated with tinsel and baubles. This place was really scraping the bottom of the barrel, considering it was one of the best and most popular pubs around.
Tony smiled to himself; as grubby as this place was, he remembered being a young man and thinking pubs like this seemed like the hottest places in town. He had enjoyed cutting his teeth in these pubs, enjoying and experiencing everything they had to offer. It had been good fun, but only now did he realise that Mr Mathers had worked his magic, and along with the clothes and the money, he had become a bit of a snob.
People in their Christmas outfits had tinsel in their hair and around their necks, some of it stolen from the pub’s Christmas tree. Although it was a sight for sore eyes, the pub had a friendly party atmosphere. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, firing party poppers and streamers in the air.
‘Did you say the stripper agent was here?’ Tony didn’t comment on what the publican had said, he thought he would let him sweat it out a little first.
‘Yes, Mr Lambrianu, sir, the agent is over there in that corner.’ He pointed, and Tony saw a man and a woman he recognized.
‘Shout them over for me, would you?’
Without any kind of discretion, the publican shouted over the bar, ’Oy! Oy, you two, over here.’ He beckoned to them and waited for them to stand, then walked round to the side of the bar where Tony was and waited for them to come over to him.
The man was slurring his words, but the woman stood up straight and took off her paper hat when she saw Tony. ‘Mr Lambrianu, how nice to see you. I didn’t know you were coming to the party.’ She gave Tony her best smile, but seeing that he didn’t return one, straightened her face.
‘I believe you owe me some money; it’s just as well I did turn up, isn’t it.’ Tony knew he was being unreasonable, because their protection money wasn’t due for two days.
‘Mr Lambrianu,’ she stammered, ‘I don’t carry that kind of cash around with me
. Anyway, it’s not due yet. It’s in the safe for when your collectors come, I assure you.’ She stuck her nose in the air, as though trying to prove a point.
‘I don’t mean that; what I mean is you,’ he pointed a finger at her, ‘expecting him,’ he pointed at the publican, ‘to short change me,’ this time the finger pointed back at Tony, ‘so that you can have a free bar for all this lot.’ Tony half turned and waved his hand in the air, in a gesture that took in the room full of people.
‘Everyone takes a turn, Mr Lambrianu, not just the pubs. We hold a party for all of the publicans and the strippers, too, and it’s also a free bar.’ Again, although not raising her voice, she made it stern enough to make her point. She seemed quite put out by his interrogation and alcohol was making her feel brave.
Tony nodded; he had proved his point by being there and reminding her his money was due. He knew all the pubs had this goodwill yearly party, it came as no great surprise, but while he was there he thought he would just shake things up a bit. It was actually making him laugh inside, but he kept it to himself.
He picked up his drink and turned his back on her. This was his way of dismissing her, and she waited a couple of minutes and then walked away, no doubt telling the other agent what she thought of him. Although he wanted some kind of friendliness between them, he didn’t want familiarity. This, he felt, was when they would start asking favours about paying their dues.
The publican had disappeared while Tony was talking to the agent. He popped back up as Tony took another sip of his drink. ‘Here, Mr Lambrianu, let me top up that drink for you,’ he said. The publican took his glass, turned to the optic and refilled it. ‘Here, please take this.’ He put five hundred pounds down on the bar. ‘I promise I’ll settle the rest I owe you in a couple of days, if that’s okay. You can see how I’m fixed.’ The publican looked apologetic.
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