A Winter Baby for Gin Barrel Lane

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  ‘Randall Green is my name and I’m seeking Jack Larkin.’

  ‘That’s me,’ Jack said, a look of bewilderment on his face.

  ‘Ah, good to meet you, Jack. I believe you are looking for a pianist?’

  ‘Erm yes, but forgive me saying…’

  ‘I’m blind? Yes, I know,’ Randall gave a little titter, ‘but I can play. Show me to your piano and I’ll prove it.’

  Jack headed around the bar and grabbed Randall’s arm.

  ‘Not like that, Jack, may I rest a hand on your shoulder?’

  Jack nodded, before remembering that Randall couldn’t see him, so he said, ‘Yes, sorry.’

  At the piano, Randall rested his cane against his leg and made himself comfortable on the stool, before running a fingernail along the keys. ‘Not bad, but it needs a tweak.’ Pulling out a small roll of tools from his pocket, he lifted the lid. After a moment he tried again with the keys. ‘Much better. It sounds very busy in here, Jack.’

  ‘Always is, Randall, folk love their gin,’ Jack said and shrugged at Dolly, watching from behind the bar.

  Adjusting the stool, Randall began to play and beautiful music filled the room once more. Jack smiled and a hope rose in him that Randall would stay and entertain his customers regularly.

  Applause rang around the room and Randall grinned. ‘So Jack, will you give me the job?’

  ‘Yes, indeed, but why aren’t you in a concert hall?’ Memories of asking Wyman the same question rose in Jack’s mind.

  ‘I choose not to be. I live alone quite happily but sometimes I crave company. I am requested to tune instruments which I enjoy, but now I’d like a job playing as well.’

  ‘Then welcome, Randall. Come to the kitchen and meet everyone. Bess, our cook, will fill you with tea and cake and then you can start work whenever you would like to.’

  ‘Thank you kindly, Jack.’ Placing a hand on Jack’s shoulder again, Randall went to meet the team, the cheer the customers gave on seeing him causing him to laugh loudly.

  After refreshments, Randall returned to the piano, choosing to walk alone so he could get used to the layout of the place and learn where everything was situated. He was in his element when loud singing broke out, and as Jack watched he smiled broadly. Later, Nellie and Nancy returned to the Crown Saloon, singing as they went, and Dolly went home to the Palace.

  That evening, everyone was amazed when the dining room began to fill with well-to-do couples. Men in top hats and tailcoats with silver-topped canes brought their ladies in fine dresses dripping with jewels.

  Gwen was volunteered as waitress and Bess’s hot food went down a storm.

  Liver paste spread on buttered bread was on offer as a starter, then kidney pudding made with suet and seasoned with nutmeg, salt, pepper and garnished with chopped parsley. Chitterlings, the small intestines of a pig which were plaited into a chain, were served hot with onions and swede. Pidgeon was cooked with bacon and served with mashed potatoes and French beans. Grey maple peas, known locally as ‘grey pays’, and fried bacon came with chunks of fresh bread. Lardy cake, made from basic bread dough and containing currants, spices and sugar, was baked until brown and offered hot or cold.

  Naturally the toffs were fascinated by the tale of the body in the wall, which Gwen regaled them with enthusiastically.

  Jack was elated at how well the evening had gone, and once the diners had left he sat in the kitchen with Bess and Gwen, showering them with his thanks.

  ‘What a night!’ Bess said, pushing her hair off her face.

  ‘Tell me about it,’ Gwen added as she rubbed her aching feet.

  ‘Tomorrow I’ll get a couple of waitresses and an assistant for you, Bess, from the Servants’ Registry.’

  ‘Thanks, Jack, because if tonight is anything to go by, we’re going to need them,’ Bess replied.

  ‘The food was a great success as well,’ Gwen added.

  ‘I thought we’d keep this menu for a month, then swap it around with some other dishes,’ Bess volunteered.

  ‘Excellent idea. You two are bloody marvels!’ Jack praised the ladies who had worked so hard. Their ears ringing with compliments, he sent them off to have a well-earned rest before heading to bed himself.

  Early the following morning, Jack’s visit to the Registry bore fruit and by mid-morning two waitresses and a cook’s assistant were hired by Bess. Jack had given her leave to interview and hire whoever she felt would be best suited for the positions and the woman glowed at being given so much responsibility.

  Gwen asked if she might be given a couple of hours off as she had something she needed to do. The time was granted without question from Jack, and the maid hurried over to the printers, having first wrapped herself warmly against the biting cold. She purchased some paper and rushed home. In her room, she folded a sheet of paper in half and then she began to write. On the front page she sketched a picture of the Emporium and inside she related the story of the body in the wall, the theories about her murder, and the details of how the corpse was discovered. Pleased with her first booklet, she took it to the kitchen for Jack to see.

  ‘This is fantastic, Gwen!’ Jack gushed. ‘Dolly will love it!’

  ‘I thought – one on each table with the menu. They could be a real talking point and maybe attract new customers too,’ Gwen suggested.

  ‘Yes!’ Jack replied.

  ‘You know folks will pinch them,’ Bess put in.

  ‘I didn’t think of that,’ Gwen said a little sadly. ‘It would take up a lot of my time to keep doing replacements.’

  ‘We should get this printed up so we can have a box full,’ Jack mumbled. Then as he looked at it again, he added, ‘Put your name on the bottom so everyone will know who wrote it.’

  Gwen beamed.

  ‘Then take it to the printers and see how much it would cost and how many they’ll do for us.’

  Gwen donned her coat and set off immediately, thrilled at Jack’s response to her efforts and desperate to see her name in print.

  An hour later she was back, invoice in hand.

  ‘That’s a good price for five hundred,’ Jack said.

  ‘They will deliver in a couple of days so it will need to be paid then.’

  ‘I’ll see to it. Well done, Gwen!’

  The kitchen was a hive of activity and Jack joined Joey and Frank behind the bar. All those opinionated women in one room could be a disaster but Jack trusted Bess to keep order. Wonderful aromas drifted through to them as the day wore on and mouths watered in anticipation of lunch.

  One of the revellers yelled over the music, ‘Hey, Jack, you selling food now an’ all?’ And Jack had an idea. Going to the kitchen, he ran it past Bess.

  ‘Bloody hell! Evening dinners, cooking for you lot and now this?’ Bess boomed out.

  ‘I was only asking your opinion, maybe it’s a step too far,’ Jack replied sheepishly.

  ‘I suppose I could make up a bloody great pan of stew. With a chunk of bread…’

  ‘That’s a great idea, Bess!’ Jack’s excitement rose.

  ‘All right, you work out a price and leave the rest to us.’ Bess shook her head at the extra work Jack’s idea entailed.

  ‘Thanks, Bess. A raise in wages is called for, I think.’

  ‘I should damn well think so!’ the cook said but her smile belied her frustration. ‘We’re going to need a bigger order from the grocer an’ all.’

  Jack nodded his agreement and wandered back to the bar. He was enjoying being the manager and hoped his ideas wouldn’t land him in hot water with Dolly.

  A moment later he was back, for it was then that Ezra Moreton and his bodyguards walked in.

  36

  ‘Ezra.’

  ‘Jack. Music now, is it?’

  ‘What can I do for you, Ezra?’ Jack asked, ignoring the question.

  ‘I hear Dolly was interested in the two public houses over in Navigation Street which, I might add, now belong to me.’

  ‘What has that
got to do with me?’ Jack asked.

  ‘I thought you might pass that information along to her.’

  ‘Well, you thought wrong. Anything you want my fiancée to know, you tell her yourself.’

  ‘Fiancée? Congratulations, Jack. A wedding to pay for as well as searching for more premises. Dolly must be doing extremely well.’

  ‘Are you drinking?’ Jack asked pointedly.

  ‘Good God, no!’ Moreton replied as he cast a glance around.

  ‘Then make room for those who are.’ Jack saw Joey and Frank move to his side in a show of strength.

  ‘I see you have opened a dining room,’ Moreton said with a curl of his lip.

  ‘Ezra, you’ll get nothing from me, so I suggest you go about your business. As you can see, we’re very busy and I don’t have time to chat, not that I’d want to.’

  Ezra’s goons took a step forward, but Ezra held up a hand to forestall them. ‘I was just passing the time of day with you, Jack.’

  ‘No, Ezra, you were poking your nose where it’s not wanted and doesn’t belong. Now, if you’ll excuse me…’ Jack turned away and he and his barmen resumed their work.

  Ezra stamped from the Emporium in a foul temper at being dismissed by this boy. In the cab on his way back to the brewery, he didn’t speak a word and his men clamped their jaws tight enough to make their teeth ache.

  Back in his office, Ezra knew he would get nothing more from Jack. He wanted to know how Dolly Perkins could afford all the changes that were being made. Maybe it was time to send out the runners again.

  For his part, Jack was worried, and once Ezra had left, he hailed a cab. It was time to let Dolly know about Moreton’s interest in her affairs. While he was at it, Jack took one of Gwen’s little story books with him so Dolly could see what he was spending her money on. He would need to request the petty cash be replenished too but felt sure Dolly would agree once she heard his ideas.

  He was right, of course. Dolly was thrilled with how Jack’s endless ideas were bringing in more money, and said it was time for him to have access to the business account at the bank. It made perfect sense that he could draw what was needed rather than have to come to her each time. Dolly trusted he would not abuse the privilege, especially as they were soon to be husband and wife.

  Then Jack filled Dolly in about Ezra’s visit.

  ‘What’s he up to, I wonder?’ Dolly asked, looking puzzled.

  ‘I don’t know, but he’s mighty interested in you and your businesses, that’s for sure.’

  ‘Aggie told me about him buying the pubs on Navigation Street because he thought I wanted them.’

  ‘Surely he knows you ain’t in a position as yet to be on the market for another place,’ Jack said.

  ‘That’s why I can’t work all this out,’ Dolly said with a frown.

  A banging on the kitchen door interrupted their conversation, and Sadie let in a scruffy urchin out of the cold.

  ‘Dolly, we thought as you should know, Moreton’s got us all out trying to find out which pub you’ll go for next,’ the lad said.

  ‘Thank you,’ Dolly said, then to Sadie, ‘Tea and cake for Jimmy, please.’

  ‘Ooh, ta! I’m glad I came now!’

  Dolly smiled and watched as the boy wolfed down the cake and slurped his tea. She gave him a sixpence and he shot off with a whoop.

  ‘What do you make of that?’ Dolly asked.

  ‘I haven’t got a clue,’ Jack replied.

  ‘It’s all very mysterious, isn’t it, but as long as he doesn’t interfere with our businesses I think it’s safe to ignore him.’

  ‘I agree, but we need to keep an ear to the ground in the meantime,’ Jack responded. ‘Dolly, I’ve been thinking, I know you said we should be married in the spring but…’

  ‘But you’d like it to be sooner?’ Dolly asked.

  ‘Yes. As soon as possible as far as I’m concerned.’ Jack’s eyes sparkled as he spoke. ‘I love you, Dolly, and I want to be with you day and night.’

  Dolly blushed at his forthright manner.

  ‘How about as soon as you can arrange it with the vicar?’ she asked.

  Jack grinned. ‘I’d love that!’

  Applause sounded and eyes teared up before they celebrated with tea.

  ‘You’ll need to draw up a guest list,’ Sadie said, and Alice’s ears pricked up. ‘I’m guessing you’ll need food preparing an’ all.’

  ‘Yes, please, and I’m going to need some help with all this organising, Sadie,’ Dolly said.

  ‘We can do that,’ Alice put in eagerly.

  Jack and Dolly shared a kiss before they parted company, Jack saying he was off to see the vicar straight away.

  The three women sat at the table with pencil and paper, eager to begin preparations without delay.

  ‘First thing to decide is where to have the wedding breakfast,’ Sadie said.

  ‘Oh, I don’t know!’ Dolly admitted she had thought little about the wedding and all that went into it. ‘I need your advice, ladies. I have to confess, I’m clueless about this sort of thing.’

  ‘The Emporium is bigger and the kitchen is as well, so maybe that would be the best location?’ Sadie suggested.

  ‘All right, that makes sense.’

  ‘Alice and I can help Bess and Gwen do the food so you’ve no need to worry about that.’

  ‘Maybe Gwen would write out some invitations,’ Dolly mused.

  ‘I’m sure she will,’ Alice agreed.

  ‘Right, now, who will be coming?’ Sadie asked.

  ‘Nellie, Nancy and Fred, the staff at the Crown, the staff at the Emporium and everyone from here.’

  Alice clapped her hands, thrilled at being included.

  ‘You’ll need a wedding dress but there’s lots of places to look for that. Just don’t leave it too long in case it has to be made and fitted,’ Sadie advised.

  ‘Oh, goodness, there’s so much to think about!’

  ‘You’ll also need somebody to give you away. Any ideas?’

  ‘I had thought about that, and I think Fred is the perfect choice. He’s always looked out for me, and I think he’ll agree, don’t you?’

  Every decision they made was noted down, lest something be forgotten, and Dolly could feel her excitement grow as more plans were made.

  ‘She’ll need a posy to carry,’ Alice said.

  Sadie nodded. ‘Anything else?’

  The others shook their heads, happy that they’d thought of everything.

  ‘There is, you know,’ Sadie said after a moment’s pause.

  Dolly and Alice exchanged a questioning glance.

  ‘You and Jack have to decide where you’ll be living once you’re wed.’

  Dolly blew out her cheeks, then said, ‘Oh Lord!’ How on Earth were they going to choose?

  37

  Jack’s visit with the vicar went well and they agreed a date for three weeks hence. In an ebullient mood, Jack hot-footed it back to the Palace to tell Dolly the good news.

  ‘Three weeks! That’s so soon.’

  ‘Yes, so you need to get cracking!’

  ‘So do you. You’ll need new clothes.’

  ‘Oh crikey, yes! I hadn’t thought about that.’

  ‘Jack, Sadie brought up an important issue that needs addressing too.’ Dolly looked at her betrothed’s frown and went on seriously, ‘Where will we be living after the wedding?’

  ‘Where would you like to live?’ he asked simply.

  ‘I love it here but…’

  ‘Then here it will be, but you’ll have to get a bigger bed!’

  Dolly flushed scarlet and Sadie and Alice burst out laughing.

  ‘You wouldn’t mind moving from the Emporium?’

  ‘No, not at all. I can still work there. I can go in the mornings and come back at a reasonable hour to spend time with you. Joey and Frank can lock up. Just think, I’ll have lived in all three gin houses then.’

  ‘Oh yes, you will. Thank you, Jack. I would have
been sad to leave my home, to be honest.’

  ‘I tell you what, Mum will be over the moon when she knows she has a wedding to look forward to so soon, and that you’ll be living so near to her.’

  ‘Shall I tell them over at the Crown and you can sort out your end?’

  ‘Yes, that’s the best idea.’

  ‘Oh, and Jack, would you ask Gwen if she’d be good enough to write out the invitations?’

  ‘Will do. I’ll ask her to pop and see you and you can thrash it out between you.’

  With another kiss, Jack left for home and Dolly wandered across the road to the Crown.

  She explained to Nellie and Nancy what had been discussed and arranged and, to her surprise, panic took hold of the women.

  ‘We’ll need new frocks!’ Nellie said frantically.

  ‘And new hats!’ Nancy put in. ‘Fred will have to have a new suit, but how he’ll get one to fit I don’t know!’

  ‘We’ll have to close up for the day,’ Nellie said.

  ‘What about the customers?’ Nancy asked.

  ‘Bugger them! This is the kids’ wedding, Nance!’ Nellie boomed.

  Dolly grinned at the happiness of the two women she loved most in the world.

  ‘Nancy, do you think that, if I asked, Fred would give me away?’

  ‘Oh, bab! He’d love it, I’m sure,’ Nancy replied with a tear in her eye.

  They both jumped as Nellie yelled, ‘Fred! I need you a minute!’

  ‘Coming Nellie,’ came the reply.

  Fred joined them in the kitchen and Dolly asked her question shyly. ‘The wedding has been arranged for three weeks’ time and I wondered, would you give me away?

  ‘I’d be honoured, sweet’eart,’ the big man answered, pulling the girl into a hug.

  ‘Thank you. Now that’s all settled, I’d better get back to work.’ Dolly left Nellie and Nancy discussing her wedding eagerly, and as she walked back to the Palace, she found herself counting her blessings once more. She had found a wonderful man who would shortly become her husband. Her business was doing well and she was surrounded by good people and dear friends.

  Walking into the kitchen, she said to Sadie, ‘Could you add Wilton and his family to the guest list, please?’