* * *
Babs and Violet were only managing not to rip each other to shreds by staying in separate rooms. Babs kept to the kitchen, and Violet stayed in the front room. Babs was glad she was in the kitchen away from Ruby’s unhappy face. She expected Martin to behave like this, but it was a big let-down for Ruby.
Babs stubbed out another cigarette when she heard the sound of the front door opening.
“About bleeding time,” she muttered under her breath.
But when she got to the hallway, she saw it was Tony standing by the front door and not Martin.
“Where is he then?” Tony asked Babs with a charming smile.
“No sodding idea,” Babs said.
Tony frowned as he hung up his coat and walked towards her. “What do you mean?”
“He hasn’t shown up.”
Violet and Ruby had also heard the door open and were now peering out of the front room, only to look in disappointment at Tony.
“Where is that useless brother of yours?” Violet said, glaring at Tony.
Tony shrugged, looking at the disappointed faces of his mother and Ruby. “Maybe there’s been some sort of hold up at the prison.”
Violet snorted out a very unladylike laugh. “Pull the other one. That boy has always been a disappointment to me.”
Babs resisted rolling her eyes and going back into the kitchen. She ushered everybody into the front room, and they all sat down and looked at each other awkwardly. Babs wished she could throw everything away. She was sick of this. It was humiliating. Martin was going to waltz back in here and expect them all to toe the line. No doubt he would think he could come in and take over the business just like before. He’d probably claim the Patterson job, and in time, people would forget that Babs had ever played a role in forcing Gerald Patterson to cooperate.
Well, Freddie wouldn’t forget. He was still angry with her for using Jemima.
Ruby hadn’t said a word. She sat on the settee, staring down at her lap miserably. Babs felt sorry for the girl, but it was better she realised what her father was really like sooner rather than later.
No one spoke, and the only noise was the ticking of the clock over the mantelpiece.
Finally, Tony stood up. “I’ll go and try and find him.”
Ruby raised her head sharply. “I thought you said it was a hold-up at the prison? It isn’t, is it? He’s just gone to the pub rather than come home and see us.”
Tony sighed, but he didn’t try to deny it. He put a hand on Ruby’s shoulder. “I’ll find him. He’ll be home soon.”
Ruby stood up abruptly. “I don’t care. I don’t want to see him anyway.”
As Ruby rushed from the room, Babs called after her, “You don’t mean it. Don’t be daft.”
All these years, she had been frustrated that Ruby and Derek seemed to think their father was some sort of martyr, and she longed for the day when they woke up and realised exactly what he was really like, but now seeing her daughter so upset, Babs wanted to cry. Why did he have to be such a bastard?
As Tony opened the front door, he gave out a muffled curse and then there was a loud bang. Babs walked out into the hallway and saw Martin sprawled over the threshold.
He was wasted.
Babs leaned on the wall. “God give me strength,” she muttered.
As Violet Morton pushed her way past Babs and clapped eyes on her son, she let out a horrified gasp. “Look at the state of him! He’s drunk.”
Babs wanted to give her a clap for stating the bleeding obvious, but instead she kept her mouth shut. She’d like to see how Violet was going to blame Babs for this one.
Violet stormed up to her eldest son, who raised his head and looked up at his mother through bleary eyes.
“Hello, Mum,” Martin said, slurring his words.
“Don’t you hello Mum me, my boy!” Violet leaned over and hit Martin round the back of the head. “Get up. You’re a disgrace. All the neighbours can see you.”
As Martin tried to struggle to his feet, Babs sensed movement and turned around. Ruby was at the top of the stairs looking down at her inebriated father. She didn’t say a word, just turned and went back to her bedroom.
Babs didn’t try to stop her. It was probably for the best.
Between them, Tony and Babs tried to pull Martin to his feet. It wasn’t easy. And Violet smacking him and digging him in the ribs every few seconds didn’t help either.
When they finally got Martin inside and propped up on the sofa, Violet announced she was leaving.
“I’m too old for this. I’m ashamed of you, Martin. Do you hear me?”
But in response, Martin let out a very large snore.
Violet pulled a face and stomped her foot. “That’s it. I’m leaving!”
Babs didn’t say anything. If Violet was expecting her to persuade her to stay, she was sadly mistaken. That wasn’t going to happen. Babs couldn’t wait to see the back of her.
“All right, Mum. Don’t get upset. I’ll walk you home,” Tony said and took his mother’s arm.
Tony gave Babs an apologetic look as he left her alone with Martin. As well he might. But Martin could sleep there all night as far as Babs was concerned.
She turned her back on the table of untouched food they’d all prepared for him and walked out of the room, shutting the door on her husband.
If this was a sign of things to come, God help them all.
CHAPTER 37
T he following morning, Babs was still in a foul mood. She had roughly shaken Martin awake ten minutes ago, and he now sat at the kitchen table, rumpled and dressed in the same shirt and trousers he’d worn yesterday. He was clearly suffering and sat with his head in his hands.
Babs hit the kettle down on the stove with a large clang, giving a small smile of satisfaction when Martin winced.
“And another thing,” Babs said. “Your daughter was devastated to see you in such a state last night. She’d worked ever so hard to prepare that tea for you.”
Babs hadn’t stopped nagging Martin from the minute he woke up. She wasn’t planning on letting up anytime soon, either. He deserved everything he got.
“I’ve said I’m sorry,” Martin said. “I’ll apologise to Ruby.”
Babs nodded firmly and collected some eggs from the larder. “I should think so, too. I don’t know what Freddie and Henry were thinking, but I will certainly be having words with them.”
“Give it a rest, woman,” Martin growled, raising his head from his hands.
Babs opened her mouth to tell her husband exactly what she thought of his orders when Ruby walked into the kitchen, and Babs decided to hold her tongue.
Ruby stood beside the table, smiling shyly. “Hello, Dad.”
“Hello, sweetheart. Sorry you had to see me in such a state last night. The boys insisted on buying me a drink, and I haven’t so much as touched a drop all the time I’ve been inside. I was desperate to get home and see you.”
Ruby smiled widely, falling for Martin’s lies hook, line and sinker. Babs shook her head. She couldn’t really blame Ruby, though. She’d fallen for enough of Martin’s lies over the years herself.
She put the eggs in a saucepan of water and waited for them to come to the boil. Taking the bread from the bread bin, she listened to Ruby talk to her father. The incident last night had clearly had no effect on the adoration Ruby felt for him.
Feeling irritated and stressed, Babs continued to make the breakfast.
“What are your plans for your first whole day as a free man, Dad?” Ruby asked.
“I’m going to the club tonight to make sure everything is running well. Today I thought I’d do a bit of business, perhaps pop to Patterson’s boxing club and talk about our new business arrangement.”
Babs couldn’t believe her ears. She slammed the butter knife down on the counter and turned around to look accusingly at Martin. “Oh, no, you don’t! That’s my deal. I arranged it, and I will see it through. Just because you’re out doesn’t m
ean you can take credit for all of my hard work.”
Martin’s eyes narrowed as he stared at his wife in disgust. “That’s funny. I thought it was Henry who came up with the idea.”
Babs’ cheeks flushed. True, Henry had overheard Dave Carter’s brother mouthing off in the pub over this new business opportunity with the Pattersons, but Henry hadn’t done the hard work. That was all Babs, and she wasn’t about to let anybody else take the credit.
“He just overheard something at the pub,” Babs said snappily. “It was me who set it all up. I’m telling you, Martin, I don’t want you sticking your oar in.”
Martin’s lip curled as he snarled at his wife. “Suit yourself. If you think you can handle it alone, be my guest.” He stood up from the table. “And I won’t be back tonight. I’ll stay at the club.”
The look on Ruby’s face was like a punch to Babs’ stomach. She looked distraught. But Babs couldn’t weaken. She shrugged and turned away to continue buttering the bread. And she didn’t turn around until she heard the front door slam behind Martin.
* * *
After clearing away the breakfast things, Babs went to the shops. She got a few curious looks as she passed some of her neighbours on the street. She wanted to demand what they thought they were looking at and give them a piece of her mind, but she didn’t. She couldn’t really blame them for looking. Martin Morton getting out of prison was the biggest thing to happen around here for ages, and everyone was wondering what would happen next, including Babs.
She knew the next few weeks were vital in securing her place within the business. She’d seen what had happened after the war. While the men were fighting, the country relied on women to perform all the essential jobs, yet when the men came back, they wanted to shove the women back into the home and carry on as before.
The Pattersons’ next shipment was due in soon, and Babs intended to be there when it arrived. She wanted to inspect the goods so she could make sure Gerald Patterson wasn’t ripping them off. Henry hadn’t mentioned anything other than the fact the goods were stolen from ships at the docks, and Babs wondered if she might be lucky enough to find some jewels in the shipment. Babs was rather partial to a little jewellery.
Whatever it was, the Mortons wouldn’t play a role in selling it on, but by looking at the goods, Babs would have a good idea what their street value should be. Gerald had gone into this partnership quite unwillingly, and although he seemed too terrified of the Mortons to cheat them, Babs knew you could never be too careful.
She picked up a few things at the grocers and got another loaf of fresh bread at the bakers, ignoring the hushed whispers as she walked past the women gathered in the shop.
By the time she got back home, it had started to rain, and she was in an even worse mood than she had been when she set off.
She opened the front door, dumped her shopping bag on the floor and was about to hang her coat on the peg when the sound of male voices made her freeze. She didn’t recognise Tony’s voice, and as Martin had left in a huff that morning, she hadn’t been expecting to see him for the rest of the day.
She heard the voices again and took a couple of steps closer to the front room. Then she heard Martin’s voice, and she scowled. If he was conducting business in her front room, she would give him what for. He had the club for that.
Babs barged into the front room ready to chew Martin’s ear off, but before she could, Martin stood up and grinned at her.
“Hello, Babs. I told you she wouldn’t be long, gentlemen. Babs, this is Inspector Peel and Sergeant Cummings.”
“You’ve only been out a day, Martin. How on earth have you had enough time to get in trouble already?”
Martin’s smile only grew wider. “It’s not me they’re here to see, Babs. It’s you.”
Babs blinked at the two men. What on earth did they want with her?
“Me? Whatever for?”
“It’s about Old Mo.” Martin chuckled at the look on Babs’ face.
She suddenly felt dizzy and sat down in an armchair. The mere mention of old Mo’s name, made Babs’ stomach churn. She could picture him now in the warehouse with the knife at his throat. She massaged her temples and tried to focus. She couldn’t lose it in front of the coppers.
“Old Mo? He’s in Spain, isn’t he? Or was it Greece?” Babs tried to sound relaxed, but even she could hear the tremor in her voice.
As both the policemen turned to look at Babs, she swallowed hard.
“I’ll leave you to it then, love,” Martin said with a malicious grin. “I only popped back to get a change of clothes. I wouldn’t know anything about Old Mo as I’ve been locked up, but I’m sure you’ll be able to help the police with their enquiries, Babs.”
Babs watched Martin leave with a rising sense of panic. The bastard. It had all been done according to his wishes anyway. His hands certainly were not clean.
After Martin left, Babs turned back to the policemen and tried to smile. She would have to put on the performance of her life to get out of this.
CHAPTER 38
Dave Carter was a man on a mission. He walked up the Poplar High Street, nodding at various people he knew as he passed them. As he turned into Ming Street, he readied himself for a confrontation.
The Fang family had been in Poplar since the 1890s. They were originally from Shanghai but had adapted to life in the East End. They still held with the old traditions and stayed close to their roots, maintaining strong bonds with family in China.
After the Second World War, many of the Chinese immigrants had moved out to Chinatown, Soho. The Fangs had chosen to remain in Poplar.
Dave knew and respected the family, but that didn’t mean he trusted them. He was here alone, and that meant he had to keep a lookout. Although his face and reputation earned him respect and perhaps a little fear, there was always the chance he’d come across a young upstart looking to make a name for himself by targeting a well-known face.
He’d already drawn some curious looks from families along the street. Dave smiled as he ducked beneath the washing line and saw two children splashing each other in a puddle. A Chinese woman appeared in one of the doorways and shouted at the children in Chinese, looking distrustfully at Dave.
He carried on his way as the street grew narrower and darker. The Fangs’ laundry business was up ahead. There was a slight Chinese man on the door. Usually, a laundry wouldn’t require someone to stand guard, but this was no ordinary laundry.
Dave nodded to the man as he passed inside and was immediately hit by the steamy, soapy smell of the laundry. As he passed through the public section, Dave smiled at the workers, but he just got blank looks in return.
There had been a great deal of prejudice against the Chinese when Dave was a boy, and it still hadn’t completely gone away. The general public was scared about opium and illegal gambling dens. Most of the immigrants had been decent hard-working folk or sailors looking for honest work, but that didn’t stop people panicking.
The Fangs, however, lived up to their reputation. There was nothing honest about them. Dave had a lot of respect for the way they ran their business, and wouldn’t dream of interfering. If they stayed out of his way, he was more than happy to stay out of theirs.
Dave stepped into the back room, which was decorated with bright red and gold paper on the walls. The light was dim, and he didn’t so much see the danger as sense it.
A man moved from the shadows and lunged at Dave. He saw the glint of light on a metal blade and stepped back quickly.
He grabbed the man’s arm, forcing it back and twisting it savagely until his assailant was forced to drop his weapon. His Chinese attacker grunted with pain as the knife clattered to the floor.
Dave grabbed the man around the throat and slammed him against the wall.
The man kicked out and his face turned purple.
Before Dave could throttle the life out of him, a female voice sounded behind him.
“Please, put him down, Mr. Carter.”<
br />
Dave turned, but he didn’t release his hold on the man. He saw the beautiful, young granddaughter of old Mrs. Fang. She spoke perfect English with only the trace of an East End accent. Dave had spoken to her before and was furious at this treatment.
“What kind of welcome is this for an old friend?”
The young Chinese girl bowed her head and said apologetically, “I’m very sorry, Mr. Carter. Mr. Su Yin didn’t recognise you.”
Dave didn’t believe that for a moment. It was a power play. Pure and simple. But he had to play along for now.
He released the man with a shove, and the young woman clicked her fingers, dismissing him.
“I hope you accept my sincere apologies, Mr. Carter. My grandmother would be very unhappy if she learned you had been mistreated on our premises.”
Dave grunted. He wasn’t in the mood for these games. “Where is she?” he demanded.
The young woman smiled. “My grandmother is very tired. She is advanced in years and doesn’t like to see visitors.”
Dave thrust his face in front of the girl and warned her, “I’m not playing your games. If you don’t let me speak to her now, there’s going to be hell to pay.”
The girl smirked at his reaction. “Very well, please make yourself comfortable.”
When she left him alone in the little red room, Dave didn’t sit down. He hated being out of his comfort zone, so he stalked around the small room.
They kept him waiting long enough for Dave’s temper to start to fray. He knew that was all part of their stupid game, and willed himself to relax.
A few more minutes passed before the door opened again, and the granddaughter entered, followed by old Mrs. Fang herself.
Her granddaughter hadn’t been lying. Mrs. Fang was ancient. No one knew her real age, although people speculated she had to be over a hundred years old. Her face was as wrinkled as a raisin, and she had tiny, sharp, birdlike eyes. She walked towards Dave using her cane.
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