‘Marvellous!’ Nellie exclaimed. ‘What did the bank say?’
‘As you are aware, the bank manager is willing to loan you enough to buy and refurbish the property provided you can lay down a deposit on said building.’
‘That’s that then, cos I can’t. I don’t have enough saved, Mr Sharpe, as you well know,’ Nellie said as her high spirits took a dive.
‘I suspected as much from your accounts, Nellie, so Dolly came up with a suggestion.’ The solicitor held out a hand, giving Dolly leave to speak.
‘I still have some money left from the sale of my mother’s necklace and there’s the five hundred pounds you returned to me which could be used as a deposit,’ she said.
‘Oh, no! I ain’t taking any more of your inheritance Dolly and that’s final!’ Nellie shook her head vigorously and folded her arms beneath her bosom.
‘Dolly knew you would say that so this is what we propose. You use that money as a deposit for The Castle in exchange for Dolly having co-ownership.’ Mr Sharpe paused to let the idea sink in.
‘You do know she’s only fourteen years old, Mr Sharpe?’ Nellie asked.
The solicitor nodded.
‘Nellie, many girls of my age are married,’ Dolly protested.
‘She’s right, Nell, a lot of ’em up the spout an’ all!’ Nancy intervened.
The kitchen fell silent as Nellie considered the offer. She felt badly about taking the last of Dolly’s money; it was left to her by her mother, after all. On the other hand, co-ownership would help them both out. Two premises – twice the takings, and more people in work.
Feeling the eyes of the others upon her, Nellie reached her decision.
‘All right, I accept that but if I agree to it who’s gonna run the place? I can’t do both!’ Nellie suddenly wondered now if this was such a good idea after all.
‘I could run it,’ Dolly said.
‘What! You? It’s business, Dolly…’ Nellie was aghast at the notion.
‘I know that, Nellie. I would have to hire some staff and Mr Sharpe has offered to help with the book-keeping. We would need to gut the place and dry it out before it’s re-plastered and decorated. The money from the bank would cover all that – it would be on a mortgage facility which the bank manager explained to me.’ Dolly was excited at the prospect of running a business and her keenness was infectious.
‘It could work, Nell, if you trust her to do it,’ Nancy put in as she too began to realise the potential of the old building.
‘It would all be above board and legal with contracts drawn up and signed by all parties,’ Mr Sharpe added.
Nellie studied the man, then asked, ‘What’s your opinion, Mr Sharpe?’
‘I think it would be a very sound investment and you should do this with all due haste before someone else gets wind of The Castle being up for sale.’
‘That someone else being Ezra Morton, you mean?’ Nellie asked.
Mr Sharpe puckered his lips and nodded.
Quiet descended in the kitchen as Nellie thought hard about what she was about to undertake. Then suddenly she banged her hands on the table making everyone jump. ‘Right! Let’s do it!’
Applause sounded as everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Mr Sharpe left with instructions to draw up the necessary paperwork which he, Dolly and Nellie would present to the bank as well as a contract of sale for the current landlord.
Jack and Dolly sat discussing the agreement made and Nellie joined Poppy and the Dempsters in the bar.
Old Aggie was singing and dancing as usual and Nellie grinned, feeling she’d love nothing more than to join in. She knew there was a lot of hard work ahead of them, but she was no stranger to that. Deep inside, Nellie felt the decision taken today was in everyone’s best interests, and the thought warmed her heart.
She watched as John and Jim Jenkins helped a prone man to his feet and gently escorted him outside. It seemed she was destined to add to her family bit by bit and she wondered who would be next to turn up on her doorstep looking for work.
The Jenkins boys returned to the bar and saluted Nellie before taking up their stations by the wall once more.
And with that, a sudden thought took Nellie by surprise and she scuttled back to the kitchen.
‘Dolly, I may just know who we could interview about working in the new place!’
The following day Mr Sharpe returned to The Crown Saloon with duly drawn-up documents ready for signatures.
‘This one here – for the bank – only has my name on it,’ Nellie said after reading the paper.
‘That’s because the bank manager would not consider lending such a large amount of money to a fourteen year old girl.’ The solicitor gave Dolly an apologetic look before continuing. ‘The mortgage would be in your name, Nellie, then this other agreement states that Dolly and yourself are co-owners of the property, which has nothing to do with your bank loan. Here is the contract of sale to be signed by yourself and the landlord of The Castle. I assure you it’s all legal and above board, but please read everything through carefully – both of you.’
Nellie nodded and while Nancy provided tea and cake, she and Dolly did as they were bid and read every word on both documents, with Mr Sharpe explaining the legal jargon every now and then.
‘Phew! I can’t believe I’m doing this but – here goes!’ Nellie said, then she put her signature in all the right places and Dolly quickly followed suit. Mr Sharpe and Nancy added their signatures as witnesses to the transactions. With the documents and Dolly’s money securely locked in his briefcase, the solicitor set off for a visit to The Castle before he went to the bank.
Dolly and Nellie stared at each other, then they both burst out laughing.
‘I hope we’ve done the right thing,’ Nellie said eventually.
‘Me too,’ Dolly concurred.
But before they could celebrate, they heard a ruckus coming from the saloon. ‘Oh, bloody hell – now what?’ Nellie said, her exasperated tone evident as she heard Poppy yell out for some help in the bar.
Jack was busy finishing his cake and Dolly watched him carefully. She was still checking for any ill effects from his accident. She was delighted that, other than his broken arm, there appeared to be none.
Nellie strode into the bar to see two huge men in neat dark suits standing at the counter. She sighed heavily, then plastered a smile on her face.
‘Morning, gents, a little early for you ain’t it?’
‘Ezra would like a word,’ one said.
‘Would he now? Not again…’ Nellie replied, her smile still in place.
‘Yer!’ the other man answered.
‘What about?’ Nellie asked, knowing full well these goons would not have been taken into Ezra’s confidence.
‘Dunno!’ they answered in unison.
Nellie’s smile grew wider as she thought, these two ain’t the sharpest – why has Ezra sent brawn instead of brain?
‘Well, gents, as you can see, I’m rather busy at the moment and so am unable to vacate my establishment at this precise time. Therefore, I suggest you return to your lord and master and relay my apologies and suggest that if he wishes to discuss certain matters with me, he perambulates the streets to my saloon.’ Nellie then ran her tongue around her back teeth in order to prevent herself from laughing at their confused expressions.
‘Eh?’ the first spoke again.
‘She says to bugger off and tell Ezra to get his arse down here if’n he wants to talk to her,’ Nancy said as she wandered through with a cup of tea for Poppy.
‘Oh, righto,’ the man answered and turning to his mate he added, ‘best go and tell the boss then.’
They left the bar to catcalls and whistles from its patrons, who then continued their singing, dancing, arguing and most importantly – their drinking.
‘What was all that about?’ Nancy asked.
‘No idea, but I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough,’ Nellie answered. Turning back to her customers, sh
e began to serve the mind-numbing liquid like the devil was chasing her.
Nellie, Poppy and the Dempster brothers were run off their feet all morning. It had been decided that as there no longer appeared to be a threat to the saloon, Noah and Matthew should help out in the bar rather than stand guard all night. Both were more than happy with the arrangement and worked like demons.
It was mid-afternoon when Ezra finally arrived, surrounded by four of his minders.
‘I’d like a word in private, Nellie, if you please,’ he said politely.
Nellie nodded with a feeling of self-satisfaction that he had come to her to ask a favour. Another feather in her cap.
He left the burly strongmen in the bar where they greeted the Jenkins brothers like long lost friends, and was invited by Nellie into the kitchen.
Nancy ushered Jack and Dolly upstairs and with a backward glance, quickly followed them.
‘Now then, Ezra, before you begin, let me just say this. I ain’t beholden to you no more so if you want a word in future, you come to me. Do not summon me like one of your lackeys.’ Nellie glared at the handsome man now sat at her kitchen table.
‘Understood,’ Ezra replied with a small grin.
‘Right, now what do you want?’ Nellie asked pointedly.
Ezra began to speak and Nellie listened without interruption. When he had finished, she said quietly, ‘You’re a sly old bugger, Ezra Morton!’
34
Arthur Micklewhite sat in his filthy kitchen and considered his visit to Ezra Morton. He had been glad to leave with his skin intact but now he worried about whether he’d done the right thing.
It had been very risky approaching that man, but Arthur felt he’d had no other choice. If he wanted to get hold of that necklace, then Ezra was the only one who could help.
He chastised himself for offering up his house as collateral, but he had nothing else of value. Besides, it wouldn’t matter once he had the proceeds from the sale of the jewellery. He would still have his property and money too – lots of it.
Arthur thought again about what the big man at the saloon had told him, that Dolly had already parted company with the gems. He didn’t believe it for a second; the girl would never let go of that last link to her mother.
Rubbing his hands together, Arthur permitted himself a smile. Not long now and he’d be a toff of the first order.
His mind returned to Ezra and the contract they had both signed. Mr Morton would return Dolly to her step-father who would then pay a sum agreed between them.
What if Ezra could not get Dolly to come home? Arthur would still have to pay for Ezra’s services. It had been his intention to pay up out of the proceeds from selling the necklace, but if he didn’t have it – what then?
A shiver ran down his spine as he pondered. He didn’t have a penny to his name and he doubted very much that Ezra would wait for his coin. Somehow Arthur had to find the money to pay off his debt whether he got the necklace or not, and stealing from those frequenting the market would not cut the mustard. He had to gather enough to pay when Ezra came calling – but how?
His wealthy widows were of no use to him now, they had melted into the background of his life thanks to Elizabeth Murray. Arthur scowled at thought of the woman who had ruined his prospects of owning the widows’ businesses. However, he had no time to dwell on that now. His immediate priority was to rectify his cash flow problem.
Arthur scratched his ear as he tried to force his brain to produce some good ideas, but nothing was forthcoming. Maybe he should sleep on it; by the morning he may well have the answer. Besides, there was no telling how long it would take Ezra to bring Dolly Daydream back to him.
Relaxing a little, Arthur felt sure he had a few days leeway at least. For now, he had no food in the larder, no coal in the grate and no money in his pocket.
‘Right then, best get myself up the market,’ he muttered as he donned his coat and left the house.
The weather took a turn for the worse as Arthur strode purposefully through the streets. The sky was heavy with the promise of snow and the wind whipped through his coat like a lash. Freezing rain began to hammer down and Arthur swore under his breath as the sharp droplets assaulted his face. Words from the Christmas carol sprang to mind as he trudged on. In the bleak mid-winter.
People scurried away like rats leaving a sinking ship, eager to be out of the awful downpour. Children splashed in the puddles beginning to form and mothers boxed their ears and dragged them home.
The tram screeched to a halt and Arthur was suddenly swamped by the alighting passengers, all pushing and shoving their way to their destinations.
Arthur cursed again as a woman elbowed him out of her way. Had he not been desperate for funds and food, he would never have ventured out. He ploughed on through the throngs of people, his chin on his chest against the howling wind and stinging rain.
Coming at last to the market, he was dismayed to see relatively few people ambling around the stalls.
‘Bloody weather!’ he mumbled.
‘I agree with that, mate!’ a woman said as she walked past him.
Slowly, Arthur patrolled the market, his eyes alert to any purse left unguarded. He walked twice round the stalls, all to no avail. There would be nothing doing today. His best bet now would be to scavenge what he could to make himself a meal of sorts.
Arthur’s mood darkened as he filched foodstuff here and there; at least now he could eat. Deciding to call it a day, he set off for home. Leaving the market, he grumbled loudly as the rain turned to snow. Big fluffy flakes fell silently from the heavens and settled where they landed. In a matter of hours it would be white over and the dowdy landscape would be transformed in to a winter wonderland.
Although he knew children and their sledges would be out having a wonderful time, Arthur just wanted to be home and in his bed with a full belly. He had a lot of thinking to do between now and when Dolly returned.
That evening when the bar was shut up for the night, Nellie called a meeting. The Jenkins brothers, Noah, Matt, Fred, Nancy, Poppy, Dolly and Jack all sat around the kitchen table waiting to hear what Nellie had to say.
‘Some of you will know, but for those who don’t, I’ll explain. Dolly’s step-father, Arthur Micklewhite, is after a necklace left to Dolly by her mother. Now what Arthur doesn’t know is that Dolly sold the piece and gave me some money to pay off my debt to Ezra. Arthur has approached Ezra to return Dolly to him and promised to pay handsomely for the favour. So convinced was he that he was going to be rich, Arthur put up his house as collateral. We know Arthur is piss-pot poor…’
Jack and Dolly giggled at Nellie’s expression and then with a smile of her own she went on. ‘So, if Dolly is in agreement, we’ve hatched a plan to see Arthur Micklewhite remains that way.’
‘What’s the plan, Nellie? Cos I don’t want our Dolly in any danger.’ It was Fred’s voice that filled the silence.
For the next hour, Nellie explained what they intended to do. The plan was discussed at length until the time came for Dolly to make her decision. Would she do what was being asked of her? For the longest time, Dolly considered whether she should agree or not.
Nancy busied herself making more tea, her nerves virtually frayed. The others sat quietly watching the girl trying to make up her mind.
‘I’m not sure,’ she said at last and everyone let out the breaths they’d been holding.
‘Look, Dolly, that man is never going to leave you alone as long as he thinks you still have that jewellery. He won’t believe you sold it, and even if he did – he’d want the money.’ Nellie had laid a hand on Dolly’s arm as she spoke.
‘I understand that but Ezra—’ Dolly began.
‘Ezra won’t touch him unless Arthur does something stupid, he promised me that,’ Nellie said gently.
‘But if Arthur has put up the house and he can’t repay Ezra – he will be homeless!’
Nellie could see the girl was becoming agitated.
�
��Arthur knew what he was doing, Dolly. He knew he had no funds but he’s avaricious. His greed for the necklace was all he could see.’
Dolly nodded her understanding. ‘I see that but—’
‘Have you forgotten what he had planned for you after your mum passed away?’ Nancy intervened. ‘He would have abused you then slung you out on the street, that jewellery safely in his pocket!’
‘Nance!’ Nellie retorted.
‘What? It’s the truth, ain’t it? Don’t treat her like a child, Nell, she’s almost grown up now!’ Nancy fired back.
‘I can’t argue with that,’ Nellie relented.
‘Please don’t argue over me. I understand the implications and I’ve made up my mind – I’ll do it!’ Dolly said with conviction.
‘Good. I’ll contact Ezra tomorrow,’ Nellie said, indicating that the meeting was at an end.
Whilst the discussions between Nellie and Ezra had been taking place at The Crown Saloon, Elizabeth Murray – unbeknown to anyone else – was visiting the police station. She was there to report Gabriel Short for thieving in the market. His designs on her mother and Ann Bradshaw could not be brought to account as he had broken no law in that regard, but she would see him punished for robbery.
‘How did you come to know this…’ the desk sergeant glanced at his notes, ‘Gabriel Short?’
‘He was calling on my mother, Sylvia Chilton, with a view to getting his hands on her money – in my opinion.’ Elizabeth answered calmly.
‘I see, and you followed him to the market where you saw him stealing purses and wallets?’
‘Yes, Sergeant. Then I tracked him to his home in Rea Terrace.’
‘Then what did you do?’ the sergeant asked, eyeing the woman who thought herself a sleuth.
‘I went home, sir,’ Elizabeth said politely.
‘Why did you not come to us sooner?’ the sergeant asked.
‘I wanted to discuss it with my husband as I feared I might not be believed – being a woman, you understand,’ Elizabeth played her helpless female card.
The Children from Gin Barrel Lane Page 20