by Dilly Court
Irene glanced round at the debris that had once been chairs and tables. Cards, dice and gaming tokens were scattered all over the floor amongst shards of broken glass and pools of sticky blood. Outside in the hall she could hear the women’s shrill voices shouting insults as the Sykes brothers and their gang were dragged from the building. Irene reached up to kiss Edward on the small patch of cheek that was not turning blue-black with bruises. ‘I suppose there’s no use asking you to stay awhile so that I can patch you up?’
‘None at all, I’m afraid, my love. I must get back to the station to see that all the paperwork is done correctly and the prisoners are secured for the night.’
Jim slapped him on the shoulder. ‘I take back everything I ever said or thought about the police, Ed old chap. I can’t think of a better fellow to have as a brother-in-law.’
Irene felt the blood rush to her face and she scowled at her brother. ‘Shut up, Jim.’
‘It’s not official yet,’ Edward said, smiling. ‘I haven’t had an opportunity to ask your father for his daughter’s hand in marriage. I always do things properly.’
Irene turned away to hide her blushes. ‘Look at this mess. It will take a small army to clean it up and we will need new furniture.’
‘We’ll charge it to the Sykes brothers,’ Jim said cheerfully. ‘I’m sure the police will find a fortune stashed away in Blue Boar Court. Anyway, I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone while I go and reassure the ladies that all is well. With these cuts and bruises I should be hailed as a hero and they will fall before my feet.’ He made his way towards the door, stepping over the scattered debris.
Irene turned to Edward and found that he was watching her with a wary expression on his face.
‘I meant every word I said, my love. If you agree to it. I will ask your father’s permission to marry you even if I have to visit him in Newgate.’
She walked into his open arms and stood on tiptoe to brush his lips with a kiss. ‘I agree to it, I do with all my heart, my dearest Edward.’
He held her close. ‘I’m not very good at expressing my feelings, but I adore you, and if you will have me, I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy. I want you to believe that.’
‘Who wants words,’ Irene murmured, drawing his head down so that their lips met. ‘Shut up and kiss me.’
Irene sat in the court room between Jim and Lester Fox as they listened to the jury foreman uttering the verdict of guilty. A ripple of approval ran round the public gallery, which the judge chose to ignore. There was a burst of applause when he sentenced the Sykes brothers to twenty years’ penal servitude apiece.
‘They got off lightly,’ Lester said, as they filed out of the court room. ‘A few years ago they would have been shipped off to the Antipodes for life. But at least justice has been done and I’m a happy man.’ He slipped his hand through Irene’s arm. ‘Now it’s your pa’s turn. It’s fortunate that his case is up next.’
She shot him an anxious glance. ‘Do you think the appeal will be upheld?’
‘I’ve no doubt about it, my dear. Most of the gang members were only too happy to testify on his behalf in exchange for more lenient sentences. If your pa isn’t set free by midday, I’ll eat my hat.’
Jim held the door open for them. ‘That I would like to see, Fox.’
They made their way to the court room where Billy’s case was being heard with only seconds to spare before the judge took his seat. Irene’s mouth was dry and she had to clasp her hands tightly on her lap to stop them trembling. She had waited so long for this moment and she was agog with nervous anticipation.
Lester had donned his black robe and white wig, and he stood before the judge looking comically like a small owl as he made the case for the release of William Angel. Irene barely heard a word that was said, and a quick glance at Jim’s tense profile told her that he was just as on edge as she. Then quite suddenly it was all over. The case that had taken Lester weeks to put together was put before the court, witness statements were read out, and after retiring for a short deliberation the judge declared that William Angel’s sentence was quashed. He received a full pardon and left the court a free man.
Outside the Old Bailey Irene flung her arms around Lester’s neck and thanked him from the bottom of her heart. He disentangled himself with a wry smile. ‘I didn’t fancy eating my hat, my dear.’
Billy shook his hand. ‘You were splendid, old chap. If ever I need a good lawyer I know where to find one.’
‘You are going to keep on the right side of the law from now on,’ Irene said, linking her hand through his arm.
‘I should think so too.’ Lester set his battered and slightly green-tinged top hat on his balding head. ‘I’m pleased to have been able to help, but I don’t want to see you again, Mr Angel – at least, not professionally.’
‘Don’t worry about that,’ Jim said firmly. ‘Pa is going to join me in running the gaming club. He will be a respected businessman from now on. But if you feel like a flutter at the tables, Mr Fox, you will be our honoured guest.’
‘I’m not a gambling man, but thanks for the offer. I’m afraid I can’t tarry as I have another client to see. Good day to you all and good luck.’ With a cheery wave, Lester ambled off.
‘Let’s go home,’ Jim said, stepping off the pavement to hail a passing cab.
Billy blinked and shielded his eyes from the sunlight. ‘Are we going to Wood Street?’
‘No, Pa,’ Irene said, giving him a hug. ‘That was yesterday. You’ll find that things have changed a bit since you were put away. We’re taking you to our new home in Five Foot Lane where Ma is waiting for you.’
‘How is my darling Clara? I’ve been so worried about her these past few months.’
‘She is well, and longing to see you. Emmie has a surprise for you, but she will come round later with Josiah. And there’s someone I want you to meet too.’
Billy gave her a dazed look. ‘It seems that the world has moved on since I was incarcerated in that place.’
‘Yes, Pa,’ Irene said fondly. ‘You’re right, but we all love you just the same as ever.’ She took a step backward as a hackney carriage swooped to a halt at the kerb.
‘I really don’t deserve such a family,’ Billy said humbly. He hesitated with one foot on the step as Jim held the carriage door open. ‘Can you ever forgive me, son? I was a bad father to you.’
Jim shook his head. ‘I was a wild boy, Pa. But now I’m a grown man and I see things differently. I’ll try to be a better son just so long as you promise to use your gambling instincts to make us money instead of losing it.’
A slow smile lit Billy’s pale features and he held out his hand. ‘It’s a deal. I’m never going back inside, Jim. As to gambling, it’s not for me now. I’ve well and truly learnt my lesson.’
‘Where to, guv?’ the cabby demanded. ‘I ain’t got all day to waste while you sort your family problems out.’
‘Five Foot Lane. Angel’s gaming saloon. D’you know it, mate?’
The cabby nodded his head. ‘I do, guv. I hear it’s a good place. All above board like.’
‘It’s the best,’ Jim said, handing Irene into the cab. ‘I’ll give you a free pass for a year if you guarantee to bring customers to my door.’
‘Right you are, guv. Hop in and I’ll have you home in no time.’
Two days later, with the family reunited and having settled down to something like normality, Irene paced the floor nervously as she waited for Edward to come out of the parlour. She was uncertain as to how Pa would receive a policeman into the family. In the old days, he would have scorned the idea and forbidden such a union. She longed for his approval, but she knew that it made little difference to the outcome. She was going to marry Edward Kent with or without her father’s blessing. Once, not so long ago, she had rejected the law and despised everything that Inspector Kent stood for, but now all that had changed and she could not imagine life without him. It was as simple as that.
&n
bsp; The door opened and he emerged from the parlour. His inscrutable expression alarmed her and she ran to him. ‘He didn’t refuse, did he?’
Edward drew her to him and silenced her lips with a kiss.
‘He said yes?’ she asked breathlessly.
He smiled and went down on one knee, looking up at her with an expression of such loving tenderness that she felt her throat constrict with tears of joy.
‘Will you marry me, Irene?’
She sank to her knees and slid her arms around his neck. ‘Yes,’ she said, abandoning herself to the ecstasy of his kiss. ‘Yes, I will.’
A polite cough from the parlour doorway made them draw apart. Edward stood up, straightening his jacket with a wry smile. He helped Irene to her feet.
‘So she said yes,’ Billy said, grinning. ‘I never thought I’d say this, but I’m delighted. With a copper in the family we really are going to be respectable folk. Josiah will be pleased.’ He took Edward’s hand and gave it a firm shake. ‘Congratulations, my boy.’
‘Thank you, sir. I’ll do everything in my power to make Irene happy.’
‘You’d better, son, or you’ll have me and my boy to deal with.’ Billy walked off in the direction of the ladies’ salon, beckoning them to follow. ‘I was prepared for this moment by my beloved Clara. She’s laid on a small celebration before we open the doors to the hoi polloi.’
Arm in arm, Irene and Edward followed him into the salon, where they found Jim poised and ready to open a bottle of champagne. Clara was seated on a small sofa beside Emmie, who held baby Caroline in her arms, while Josiah and a rather sullen-looking Ephraim stood behind them. Mrs Garnet hovered in the background with Flossie, Ida and the hall boy. Everyone was smiling.
Jim opened the champagne with a gentle hiss and fizz. ‘We’ll drink the health of the happy couple. And Mrs Garnet has baked a cake specially for the occasion.’
Irene accepted a glass with a misty smile. ‘If only Alice could have been here to share this moment.’
‘But she is.’ A voice from behind them caused Irene to spin round, spilling some of her champagne.
Seated in a Bath chair a rosy-cheeked Alice was wheeled into the room by Arthur. Uttering a cry of delight, Irene ran to greet her with an affectionate hug. ‘Alice, I can’t believe it; and Artie too.’
‘This is the happiest day of my life,’ Alice cried, brushing away a tear. ‘Now I have a sister, and I couldn’t wish for a better one.’
‘Oh, Alice, I’m so glad to see you. And you look so well.’
‘Congratulations, Renie,’ Arthur said, kissing her on the cheek. ‘I’m very happy for you.’
She glanced over his shoulder. ‘You haven’t got Miss Maude and Martha hiding in the hallway, have you?’
He shook his head. ‘No, they are at home, but Aunt Maude sends her love to you and hopes that you will both come to Havering next month for my wedding.’
Edward moved to Irene’s side. ‘We will.’
Jim was busily handing round glasses brimming with champagne. ‘I think it’s time we toasted the happy couple.’
Amidst the clinking of glasses and voices raised in a toast, Irene had to pinch herself to make certain that she was not dreaming. She could hardly believe her good fortune. Just a short while ago life had seemed so bleak and unforgiving. She smiled up at Edward. ‘I never thought I could be so happy.’
He took her hand and brushed it with a kiss. ‘This is just the beginning, my love.’
‘Amen to that,’ Alice said, raising her glass. ‘And I want to be bridesmaid.’
‘And I will be matron of honour,’ Emmie said firmly. ‘The wedding will take place from our house, of course.’
‘We should ask Renie what she wants,’ Clara countered tactfully.
Irene did not waste her breath arguing. She could see that Ma and Emmie were going to monopolise her wedding day, but it did not matter. She leaned down to whisper in Alice’s ear. ‘Of course you will be my bridesmaid, and you must come and live with us.’
‘No,’ Alice said slowly. ‘I think not, although it is lovely that you want me to, but I am more than content to remain in the country with Miss Maude and Martha. They spoil me so, and Artie has found a horse that is so gentle and patient with me that I can get about on my own. I get on really well with Betty and I’ve made friends with Arnold and Dora. Father is another matter, but one day I’m sure that we will be reconciled.’
Irene glanced anxiously at Edward, but he smiled and nodded. ‘We’ve talked this through, my love. I think it’s for the best.’
‘It is,’ Alice said earnestly. ‘I adore living in the country and I know that you two will be so very happy together. What more could I want for my brother?’
‘I second that,’ Emmie said, holding her hand out to Josiah. ‘If my sister is as well suited as I am she will be a very lucky woman.’
‘And if she’s half as good a wife as my Clara,’ Billy added proudly, ‘Edward will be a very happy man.’ He raised his glass, winking at Irene. ‘To my little angel.’
‘To my dearest Irene,’ Edward said, slipping his arm around her waist as he joined in the toast. ‘To the truest and bravest girl in the whole of London.’
Irene glanced round at the sea of much-loved, smiling faces and found that for the first time in her life she was lost for words.
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Published by Arrow Books 2009
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Copyright © Dilly Court 2009
Dilly Court has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work
This novel is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental
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First published in Great Britain in 2009 by
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ISBN 9780099519355