What happened next shocked Babs to the core.
Tony held his hand out, and Freddie gave him the knife. Tony clutched a handful of Old Mo’s hair and yanked back his head, exposing his neck. With one brutal slash of the knife, he slit Old Mo’s throat.
The fat man jerked for a moment and then stilled. It was over.
Babs tumbled down from the crates, and on her hands and knees, she vomited over the cobbles.
CHAPTER 23
I t was an important day for Big Tim. He had done a couple of jobs for Dave Carter here and there, but today was the day he met the other lads for the first time. Of course, he’d met them before, but he hadn’t been one of Dave Carter’s men at that point. Things were different now. It wouldn’t be easy getting the other men to accept him. He’d worked for Martin Morton for years, and people didn’t switch allegiances easily in the East End. They would be suspicious and rightly so. Tim wouldn’t blame them for that. In fact, he’d think less of them if they accepted him with open arms.
He was meeting Dave at the workshop, the front for the legitimate side of Carter’s business.
It was only just after nine a.m. and as he approached he could already hear the sounds of men working inside. When Big Tim stopped outside the workshop, he watched them unobserved for a moment. The workshop was large and had an industrial-sized metal door, which was rolled up, making it easy to get vehicles in and out of the yard. There were two cars in there at the moment, and Tim recognised Brian Moore and Charlie Williams working on the Ford Cortina. Charlie murmured a joke that Tim didn’t quite catch, and Brian spluttered out a laugh. It was clear that the two men got along well.
Tim cleared his throat and stepped forward into the workshop. He knew Dave Carter would have told his men to expect him this morning, but that didn’t mean they were going to be happy about it. By the scowl on Brian’s face, Tim guessed he was very put out.
“Is Dave here yet?” Tim asked.
Brian picked up a rag and wiped his hands on it as he walked towards Tim. “Look who it is, Charlie. We’re going to have to start calling you two-faced Tim from now on.”
Brian smirked, and Tim immediately knew the man was going to cause him trouble. Brian was almost a foot shorter than Tim, but the man was almost as wide as he was tall. He was all muscle, the type of man who had to turn sideways to get through a door because of the width of his shoulders. Tim knew he had the edge, though. He always did. There weren’t many people in the East End who could challenge Tim one-on-one.
He could start by showing Charlie and Brian he meant business. He could wrap his hands around Brian’s wide neck and hold him a foot above the ground, but that wouldn’t solve his problem. Brian would only resent him even more.
Still, he couldn’t let Brian’s little dig pass. “You’ll start calling me sir if you know what’s good for you.”
The smirk on Brian’s face disappeared. He opened his mouth to give him more grief when he spotted someone over Tim’s shoulder and abruptly shut his mouth.
“Good. You’re here early on your first day,” Dave Carter said as he walked into the workshop. “I see you’ve already met Brian and Charlie.”
Tim nodded and waited to see whether Brian would complain to his boss about Tim working at the workshop. But Brian said nothing.
“I’ve got a few things to do today, but I’ll leave you in Charlie’s capable hands,” Dave said.
“Thanks, boss,” Tim said.
Brian screwed up his face and went back to working on the car. The crisis had been averted for now, but Tim knew Brian wasn’t about to make his life easy. He would need to be on his guard.
After Dave picked up a few pieces of paperwork and left the workshop, leaving the men alone again, Charlie Williams approached him.
He held out his hand and smiled. It was easy to like Charlie. He had the sort of face that seemed friendly and honest, but it was misleading. Charlie was probably one of the men Dave Carter trusted most in the world, and that made him dangerous. He was well known for wearing his three-piece suits, and always had his grandfather’s gold pocket watch tucked into his waistcoat pocket.
Tim took his hand and shook it firmly. “I know we have history. But this is a new start for me. I hope you won’t hold my past against me.”
Charlie’s smile widened and Brian snorted from under the bonnet of the car.
“Don’t mind him. He’ll get used to you in time.”
Tim heard Brian mutter, “Not bloody likely.”
Tim spent the rest of the morning helping Charlie on the other motor and avoiding Brian as best he could. He couldn’t help warming to Charlie, who was friendly and talkative. Tim wasn’t much of a talker, so Charlie’s chatter took the pressure off him.
It had been a long time since Tim had spent a whole day at work, and he was surprised to find himself absolutely shattered by three o’clock in the afternoon. Charlie said they tended to shut up the workshop between four and five o’clock unless they had an important job on. Today, Charlie had to go and pick up some parts, so he left the workshop at three thirty, leaving Tim alone with Brian.
Tim didn’t want any aggro and figured Brian didn’t want him looking over his shoulder, so instead of helping Brian on the motor, Tim sat down in the corner of the workshop on a creaky old chair, intending to rest for a few minutes.
But he hadn’t realised how tired he was, and within seconds of closing his eyes, he was out for the count.
* * *
Tim quickly drifted off into a dream. It was a cold night, and the moon was glinting on the surface of the canal. He knew there was something in the water — something waiting for him, and as he inched forward, he felt icy cold fingers of dread creep up his spine.
“I’m sorry,” Tim muttered.
He realised this was his punishment. He had been brought back to the site where he had murdered Kathleen Diamond.
There was something just beneath the water, but it was too dark to make out what it was, so Tim leaned further forward, straining to see.
Suddenly the surface of the water broke, and Tim tried to backup, but he was too slow. Kathleen emerged from the water, her skin tinged blue, and she grabbed the collar of his shirt and shook him hard.
As he looked into those deep, blue eyes that he would never forget, he said desperately, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
But Kathleen didn’t release her grip on his shirt, and he knew it was only a matter of time before she pulled him down into that dark water with her.
She opened her mouth and said, “Wake up, Mister.”
What a funny thing to say, Tim thought, as he slowly came back to reality. When he opened his eyes, he found himself looking into those same dark blue eyes. Tim jerked and stood up so quickly he knocked the chair over.
“Jesus Christ.” Tim crossed himself as he stared wide-eyed at the boy in front of him.
Jimmy Diamond.
Jimmy looked at him as though he were mad. “You were asleep,” he said accusingly. “Me and Georgie are nearly finished washing the motors. Charlie normally locks up, but he isn’t back yet.” Jimmy held out a keyring packed full of keys. “Charlie said you should lock up today.”
Tim nodded, although his heart was still beating frantically. His eyes searched the boy’s face, trying to work out what features came from Kathleen and what part of him came from Martin Morton.
“Are you going to take the keys?” Jimmy asked, exasperated.
Tim reached out and took the keyring. “Yes. It’s fine. I’ll lock up. I just drifted off for a moment.”
“I noticed. You were shouting out all kinds of things. What were you dreaming about?”
Tim felt the blood drain from his face. He could confront most things in life without fear, but this young boy struck terror into his heart. He was a reminder of Tim’s evil deeds.
“What did I say?”
Jimmy shrugged. “I couldn’t make most of it out. It sounded like gibberish, but you did keep saying sorry over and over again.”
Tim rubbed his hands over his face, trying to snap out of it. “It was just a dream, nothing important. Now, hurry up and finish those motors, so I can bring them back in the workshop. I don’t want to be here all night.”
Jimmy rushed off outside, picked up his polishing cloth and joined Georgie. Tim had to admit they’d done a good job for two youngsters.
He’d have to be more careful around here. There could be no more naps on the job. It was too dangerous. He should never have approached Dave Carter for a job, it was suicide. When Martin got out, he would be looking to punish Tim, and Tim knew better than anyone that Martin’s punishment would be severe. But he hadn’t been able to resist approaching Dave Carter when he knew Jimmy was working here.
He had no idea how, but Tim was determined to figure out a way to help Jimmy. Tim would never be able to make amends for what he had done, but his conscience wouldn’t rest until he’d at least tried to make Jimmy’s life a little better. He hadn’t worked out how he was going to do that yet, but in time, Tim would make sure he was there whenever Jimmy Diamond needed anything.
* * *
Ruby Morton was absolutely fed up to the back teeth of her stupid school. The nuns were driving her mad. The rules were ridiculous and far too strict, and Ruby had had enough. If her mother thought this experience would somehow mould Ruby into one of those stupid stuck-up girls in her class, she had a surprise in store.
This morning when she hadn’t been able to answer a question when called on in Maths, Sister Teresa had slammed down the oversized ruler on Ruby’s desk, narrowly missing Ruby’s fingers. She had snatched her fingers away just in time, but she hadn’t been able to stop herself letting out a curse. Ruby thought that was perfectly understandable given the circumstances. However, Sister Theresa didn’t agree, and Ruby spent the rest of the lesson, in the corner of the classroom, facing the wall.
It had been the last straw. Instead of going to her next lesson, which was outdoor hockey, Ruby was going to get out of this place.
She thought it would be a while before they missed her. It might be more sensible to wait until tonight after lights out, but Ruby didn’t much fancy trying to navigate the dark roads at night around the school, and she couldn’t bear to be stuck in this place any longer.
She didn’t bother to pack, but she wanted to take a cardigan rather than her navy blue school blazer. Otherwise, she would stick out like a sore thumb.
She didn’t have any money either. That was yet another thing wrong with this place. Ruby knew full well her mother would have sent money both to her and Derek, but in her school, the nuns kept it locked up. Ruby thought that was a bloody cheek. It was her money. How dare they keep it from her?
But she would show them. She was going to get home with or without any money.
Sticking her arms through her cardigan and chucking her blazer down on the bed, Ruby rushed out of the dormitory. She intended to get as far away from the school as she could before they realised she was missing.
Unfortunately, at the door to the dormitory, Ruby ran into Clara. Of all the people who could have caught Ruby running off, it just had to be Clara, didn’t it?
Ruby tried to push her way past, but Clara had already cottoned on to the fact Ruby was up to mischief.
“Where do you think you are going? You’re supposed to be playing hockey.”
Ruby pulled a face. “What business is it of yours? You need to keep that horrible big nose of yours out of it!”
Clara’s cheeks flushed pink as she scowled. “You really think you’re something special, don’t you? Well, you are not. My mother says you are as common as muck.”
“I’d rather be common than fat and ugly!” Ruby said spitefully and then pushed herself up against Clara, so the girl was pinned hard against the wall.
Ruby raised her forearm and pushed it firmly against the girl’s neck. “If you tell anybody you saw me, I’ll do far worse than make everyone think you wet the bed.”
Clara attempted to push her off. “You don’t scare me, Ruby Morton.”
But Clara’s face told a different story. She looked terrified.
Ruby jabbed an elbow hard into the girl’s ribs. “I’m warning you. You don’t want to make an enemy of me. So you’re not going to tell anybody you saw me, right?”
Clara pouted and rubbed her bruised ribs. “All right. Just get off me. I don’t care what you do anyway.”
Ruby let the girl go and rushed off towards the stairs. Stupid, interfering cow. Ruby had wasted precious minutes having to deal with her.
Ruby sped along the corridor. If she didn’t get a move on, she was going to get caught. When she reached the large oak doors, Ruby put a hand on the brass, circular door handle and twisted it, but as she did so, she felt the weight of a hand on her shoulder.
“You should be in class, young lady.”
Ruby’s hopes sank at the sound of Sister Bernadette’s voice. Sister Bernadette had made it her task in life to make Ruby’s time at the school absolutely miserable. She enjoyed the power she held over all of the girls at the school and was a nasty, bitter, twisted individual in Ruby’s opinion.
Ruby tried desperately to think of an excuse to tell Sister Bernadette, but when she turned to face the nun, she knew the woman wouldn’t fall for any of her stories. Frustrated with her failure to escape the horrible place, Ruby lost her temper.
“It’s none of your business, you horrible old bat.”
Sister Bernadette’s eyes widened in shock. None of the girls dared to talk back to her normally, let alone insult her. Her eyes sparked with fierce determination.
“You’ve got the devil in you, child. In my day, we would use the cane to thrash it out of you. But for some reason, the school board doesn’t approve of that anymore, so for the next week, you will be copying passages out from the Bible in all your free time.”
Ruby’s shoulders slumped in defeat, and her eyes filled with tears. It was so unfair. If she hadn’t run into Clara in the dormitory, she could have got past Sister Bernadette unnoticed.
But then Sister Bernadette said something to Ruby that made her mood change in an instant.
“I could see it in you as soon as your mother brought you that first day. You’ll never get anywhere in life. You’re just like your father.”
Sister Bernadette had intended her comment to hurt Ruby, but in fact, it spurred her into action. She might have meant the comparison to her father in a derogatory way, but to Ruby, it was the perfect complement.
The nun was right. Ruby was like her father, so why was she allowing this bullying woman to ruin her life?
Sister Bernadette was marching Ruby down the corridor when she stopped abruptly.
“You can wait in here while I report your behaviour to Miss Bunce.” Sister Bernadette pulled a large keyring from her belt, and Ruby realised with horror that she intended to lock her in a small room with no windows. It was scarcely bigger than a cupboard.
But when Sister Bernadette tried to push her inside the room, Ruby spun around, grabbing the nun by her habit and thrusting her inside the room. Sister Bernadette was taken by surprise and had no time to react before Ruby snatched the ring of keys from her hands and slammed the door shut, locking it.
The door was thick and made of solid wood, so Sister Bernadette’s cries were muffled. Ruby grinned. Well, she had really blown it now. There was no going back from this.
She took the stairs two at a time and reached the main entrance hall, breathless. She needed to be quick as it wouldn’t be long before someone heard Sister Bernadette’s cries. She quickly scanned the area to make sure none of the nuns were present, and when she saw that she was alone, she made a rush for the main oak doors. There was no point trying to sneak out of the laundry window today. For one thing, it was probably in use, and she knew if she kept to the tree-line along the driveway, she would be out of sight from the main building anyway.
She ran along the gravel driveway and then skipped up onto th
e grass verge, weaving her way in between the trees. For the first time since she’d been admitted to the stupid school, Ruby felt happy. If she got out of here, maybe she could persuade her mother to let her stay at home. If not, she would have to turn to her grandmother, Violet Morton. That would be a last resort. Violet didn’t look favourably on Ruby. She was too boisterous and too much of a tomboy in her grandmother’s opinion.
But Ruby was clever enough to realise she could play her grandmother off against her mother. If Violet got wind of the fact Babs wanted to send Ruby back to school against her wishes, Ruby had no doubt that her grandmother would intervene on her behalf. If only to annoy her daughter-in-law.
She looked over her shoulder and saw that the coast was still clear. She grinned. Once she was out of the driveway and onto the main road, her plan was to hitch a lift. She realised she wouldn’t get taken all the way home, but as long as she could get close to London that would be good enough.
A low hanging branch smacked her in the forehead as she ran past, and she bellowed out a curse, putting a hand to her head to make sure she wasn’t bleeding. She hated the bloody countryside with all the trees and plants. It was a dangerous place to live.
Ruby couldn’t wait for her dad to get out of prison. She adored him, and her memories of him being around when she was little were all good. Her mother said she had a selective memory, but then she would say that. For some reason, she didn’t like her husband, probably for the same reason she had no time for Ruby and Derek. But Ruby knew everything would be all right when her father got out of prison. He would keep her mother in line.
Ruby liked to think he’d be proud of her. She hadn’t seen him for a long time because he didn’t want his children to see him in prison. She could understand that, but it still hurt. She missed him desperately.
The thought that one day soon they would all be back together again as a family kept Ruby going.
CHAPTER 24
T revor Carter couldn’t believe his eyes when he got to his father’s workshop. His mother had sent him down to ask his father to pick up her pills on the way home. But when Trevor got to the workshop, his father wasn’t there. Instead, he saw his little brother, Georgie, messing about and splashing water at Jimmy Diamond.
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