by Carol Rivers
Vesta looked out of the window and down onto the street to see if the big, chauffeur-driven car had arrived. It was a miserable January day, cold and gloomy. Why did Teddy have to leave her today of all days? He said it was to go on business, but she suspected he was seeing other women again. They had quarrelled last night, and this morning Teddy had left without even waking her to say goodbye.
The unhappy scene was still on her mind. ‘Can’t you go some other time?’ she had begged him when he told her that he had to be away. ‘I can’t read for Bill on my own.’
‘Don’t whinge,’ he’d told her as he packed his bag. ‘All you’ll have to do is learn a few lines. What could be simpler? Even for you.’
‘What if I go wrong?’
‘You won’t.’
‘When will you be back?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Teddy, do you love me still?’
He’d turned, looking very angry. ‘If you let Bill down, you won’t get your chance again. I’ve put a lot of work into getting your career off the ground and all you can do is complain. Do you want to go on the stage or not?’
She had tried not to cry. Tears only made him more angry. ‘Yes, I do, but—’
‘In this business there are no “buts”,’ he’d bellowed at her. ‘If you find a golden goose, you look after it. And Bill is your golden goose. I’ve done all I can for you. Now you have to stand on your own two feet.’
She could smell him on the pillow. It was all she could do to talk herself into getting ready. She didn’t really want to be on her own with Bill. She still couldn’t forget what had happened at Christmas.
Vesta took a sip of the gin and lime she had mixed. Did she look glamorous enough? Were these the right clothes to wear? ‘Teddy, are you with someone else?’ she whispered aloud.
Moving quickly across the room, she gazed into the long art deco mirror. The dress fitted her like a glove, just as Teddy had said it did. She loved it when they went up to the West End and to the big stores. After their last shopping spree at New Year, Teddy had taken her to Bill’s apartment in Bloomsbury and shown her off.
His apartment was sumptuous. It was modern, unlike Ossmingley Manor, with paintings on the walls she didn’t understand at all, like squiggles and shapes, and lots of shiny floors that had big furry rugs on them. During the evening, she had been introduced to some wealthy businessmen. At first, she had felt out of place and shy. But in no time at all, after their flattering compliments, she was soon at ease. Sipping one of Bill’s famous cocktails, and smoking a cigarette that Teddy had inserted into a long cigarette holder for her, she had revelled in the attention.
Vesta gazed once more in the mirror. How different she was from the shabbily dressed girl of last year! The deep crimson dress had a flirtatious flare to the skirt and draped in folds over her legs. The shoulders were padded, just like the Hollywood actresses wore. She’d had her blonde waves permed fashionably, allowing the small, plate-shaped hat, the very latest in fashion, to sit elegantly on her head.
Teddy gave her all she asked for. There was no one to scold her for being vain or wasteful, like Ada was always doing. She could have all the expensive hairdos, clothes and shoes she wanted. Her underwear was pure silk and very feminine. Today she was wearing the very latest in nylon hosiery. No more baggy stockings like those she had to share with Marie.
Vesta thought of Teddy’s hands sliding over her legs. Her skin would shiver as he expertly undid her suspenders and removed her underwear. He had taught her that men liked different things from women, and how to use her hands and tongue to arouse him. He assured her that making love was nothing to be ashamed of. It was what people did to have fun and enjoy themselves. Vesta couldn’t imagine Ada and Hector ever doing what she and Teddy did. And poor Marie! How would she find out how wonderful lovemaking could be if she married a common docker like Bing?
But her thoughts soon turned again to where Teddy had gone. Lately, he hadn’t seemed so interested in making love. That was why she was suspicious. Did he still see the dark-haired girl from Ossmingley Manor? Is that who he was with today?
Vesta tried to stop her jealousy. She drank some more gin. As the alcohol warmed her inside, she slipped on her fur-trimmed coat. She had asked Teddy for enough money to get a taxi back from Bloomsbury, if Bill’s chauffeur wasn’t on hand. Vesta had tried not to look into his eyes. She was afraid he would see the guilt in her own.
Returning her attention to the mirror, she sunk her chin into the collar of her coat. She did look glamorous! There was nothing to be worried about. After all, this was the beginning of her career. She remembered what Teddy had said: Bill was her golden goose.
Going to the window, she was just in time to see Bill’s car draw up. Her heart jumped as the chauffeur held open the door and Bill climbed out.
The top of his silver head gleamed in the pale morning light. Dressed immaculately in a long, tailored navy-blue coat, he could have been royalty. Vesta thought how handsome he was for his age, tall and broad-shouldered, with that mane of hair. She could sense his wealth and power, even from this distance.
She rushed to the door. Then, feeling anxious, she hurried back and drained her glass. Taking a deep breath, she made herself walk slowly to the door and wait for his knock.
Ada opened the door and stifled a cry. Her eyes protruded in shock as Bing and Marie dragged Hector in. ‘Oh, what’s happened to him?’ she gasped.
‘Dad fell over at the club,’ Marie said breathlessly.
‘How?’
‘A barrel fell on him.’
Ada stood back, her hand to her mouth. ‘I knew no good could come of him working at that place.’
‘We’ll put him to bed, Mrs H,’ Bing said as they struggled across the room.
Ada rushed to the bedroom and, drawing back the bedclothes, she helped Bing and Marie to lower Hector onto the bed.
‘Has he broken anything?’ Ada’s voice was shaky as she began to undo Hector’s coat.
‘Don’t think so,’ Bing muttered. ‘But being carted around like a sack of potatoes don’t help.’
‘Perhaps we should go for the doctor,’ Marie said as Ada began to undo Hector’s shirt buttons.
‘Are you in pain, love?’ Ada bent close to Hector, pushing back the greasy strands of hair from his dirty face.
‘No,’ Hector mumbled, ‘just need to sleep.’
Ada nodded, gently releasing the stud in his collar to reveal his grimy vest. She looked up at Marie and Bing. ‘After he’s slept, I’ll wash him and change his clothes. He’ll be right as rain after a good meal.’ She pulled herself upright and smiled at them gratefully, though Marie could see she was afraid to say more as tears were close.
‘I’d better be off now,’ Bing said.
In the hall he held Marie close. ‘Your dad is tough and will pull through,’ he assured her. The house was quiet and dark. Only the lamplight from the street flowed in.
‘I don’t know what I’d have done tonight if you hadn’t been there,’ Marie whispered. ‘Pedro would have left him in that cellar all night.’
‘Marie, you can’t go back to the Duke’s. Neither can your dad. It’s finished.’
She nodded. ‘I know.’
‘This is 1935, a new year,’ he continued. ‘Your mum has got your dad back and he’ll be well again. You and me have a home of our own to make, and, although I know life ain’t the same without Vesta, it’s us that counts. I promise to make you happy, Marie.’
Marie knew she was so lucky to have Bing by her side. Tonight could have ended badly if he hadn’t been there. And she did want to be married, and have a home of her own and babies. But even though her heart belonged to Bing, her thoughts were still with Vesta.
That night, she had the dream again. She woke bathed in sweat. She was certain she had heard Vesta calling her name. In the early hours of the morning, she found herself writing a letter to Vesta. It was only a few lines, but it told her they all loved and missed
her very much.
Chapter 32
Teddy hated January – the bleak weather, the cold and the fogs. One day he would be away from the Smoke and living in style in a warm, exotic climate. He had nothing to stay for in England; he was a loner and he knew it. The Scoresbys were just a means to an end. He would make enough money from their rackets to pay for a passage across to the other side of the world. They had used him for their own purposes for long enough, but soon it was going to change.
Wally was getting crazier by the minute and Leo mixed with the theatrical scene and even the politicians and police to further their business. They had set up the Duke’s with the aim of turning it into a money box. But because of their rampant gambling, they soon ran into debt. Their idea to move to the Blue Flamingo and run it as silent partners, making him, Teddy, their front man, was a poisoned chalice. He’d seen what had happened to Pedro. And he knew the brothers’ addiction to gambling and avoiding their creditors could end only one way. He now had the uncomfortable sensation that in a short while he would be expected to clean up their mess yet again.
Teddy walked into the Duke’s and inhaled the stale air. It made him sick to think of what he had done for the Scoresbys. It started with that poor old codger Sid, who hadn’t known how to keep shtoom, and then Irene, the mouthy cow. Then those South London boys – and a few more loudmouths since – he’d had to do all the dirty work. Well, one day it would end and that day was not far off.
Teddy pulled back his shoulders under his hand-stitched jacket and made his way to the bar. He gave a Pedro a brief nod, and was returned a sharp glance that could mean only one thing: a warning.
Teddy shivered. He approached with caution the single table at which Wally, Leo and two other men were sitting. Their drinks were positioned by the central deck of cards and the pile of paper money beside it. Wally’s repulsive face was set in a grimace as he studied his hand. Leo’s handsome features were unreadable as he sat quietly beside his brother.
Teddy knew he wouldn’t be addressed until the game was over. He stood still, aware of Pedro to his right. The two other players were dressed in shabby dark suits and looked like the Scoresbys’ usual victims: idiots who fancied themselves as hard men but, after being caned by the brothers, discovered they were not. With Wally’s short fuse and Leo’s sadistic tendencies they would be well advised to accept their losses.
The seconds crept by as the cards went down. Slowly a leer formed on Wally’s distorted face. And just as slowly he placed his cards, all hearts, on the table: an ace, a king, a queen, a jack and a ten. Teddy felt hot with apprehension. It was Wally’s party trick. The flush he literally kept up his sleeve and, in every case, the winning hand.
‘I’m a lucky bastard, ain’t I, Leo?’
Leo nodded, giving the evil eye to the two defeated players. ‘Fancy another game, boys?’
‘Yeah, go on,’ urged Wally, though as he pushed the overflowing ashtray aside and drew the pot towards him, it was clear this was no invitation.
There was a muttered protest from one of the visitors. Wally’s head jerked up. ‘What was that, old son?’
The man quickly sank back his drink. It wasn’t long before the two players were on their feet.
‘Not got the balls for it?’ taunted Wally, narrowing his eyes.
There was no reply and the two losers, defeated and morose, turned and made their way out. Pedro moved sharply to follow them, so fast on his feet that even Teddy was surprised.
‘Better luck next time, boys,’ Wally shouted, his stretched pink skin glistening as he laughed and managed a few last obscenities.
Teddy’s legs turned to jelly as Wally swivelled round to look at him. ‘Look who it ain’t, Leo, standing all alone by himself in the corner.’ Wally put up a meaty hand and waved him forward. ‘Sit down, Teddy, make yourself comfortable.’
Teddy did as he was told, though he would have preferred to keep as far away from Wally as possible. He had witnessed Wally’s unpredictable reactions – broken glass bottles, a slap or a punch – according to his mood.
‘Fill us in, then, ’andsome,’ Wally mocked, watching Teddy closely. ‘Have we got the old geezer sorted?’
Teddy nodded. ‘Yes, so far, Mr Scoresby.’ It had been a week since he had last seen Vesta. He was certain that Dearlove would have done his part and won her over, so sealing her fate as a toy for his amusement.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Wally’s face quickly lost its distorted smile.
‘It hasn’t been easy . . .’ Teddy mumbled.
At this both Wally and Leo looked at him. Teddy shivered under their cold gazes.
‘Has he got the girl or hasn’t he?’ Leo asked in a low, smooth tone, which frightened Teddy most of all.
‘Yes,’ Teddy said quickly. ‘I’ve set it all up.’
‘You were supposed to do that at Christmas,’ Wally barked, and reached for his cigar. Narrowing his eyes, he blew smoke through the twisted side of his mouth, causing Teddy to blink and stifle a cough.
‘I know, but Vesta wasn’t as easy as the others.’
‘Listen, we pay you good money to deliver on time,’ Wally muttered angrily. ‘We don’t want this old sort disappointed. His mates are our livelihood too, remember? The other tarts didn’t take you half as long.’
Teddy adjusted his tie. He was feeling hot and uncomfortable. ‘I’m sorry, but those girls had no family or friends so it was easy to do the business. But with Vesta—’
‘Stop there,’ Leo interrupted in his cold, husky voice. ‘I don’t want no excuses. We were expecting what was arranged. You get the punters the girls they want, and they pay us the earner.’
‘Yes, yes,’ nodded Teddy, his gut twisting so painfully he could hardly draw breath. ‘And I’m sure Mr Dearlove will be quite satisfied. His friends too.’
‘They’d better be,’ said Leo threateningly. ‘Or else we’ll find someone who can do the job properly.’
Teddy felt his throat constrict. There was no spittle left in his mouth. He took out his handkerchief and dabbed at his forehead.
‘Listen,’ muttered Wally malevolently, ‘you ain’t taking a liberty with us, are you? Keeping this bit of skirt for yourself?’
‘No, no,’ Teddy protested. Little did they know how tired he was of Vesta; she was a liability, a drag, and after that episode at Christmas where she’d acted like a common trollop, no one would be happier to see her go than he.
Wally did a bad mimic of this answer, making Teddy feel humiliated. Then to mock him even more, Wally’s hand shot out and grabbed him. He pushed his disfigured face into Teddy’s. In a blinding flash of pain Teddy’s was knocked sideways. The slap had caught him off guard. He should have seen it coming.
Wally laughed as he clutched Teddy’s collar so tight, Teddy thought he would stop breathing. His eyes felt as though they were being squeezed out of their sockets. His Adam’s apple was rammed against Wally’s hand. The air in his lungs had gone and he was beginning to feel dizzy.
Wally pushed him back in his chair. Spreading out his hands, Teddy held the table. He ducked, expecting another blow. But all that came was Wally’s laughter whilst Leo stared at him.
At the back of Teddy’s mind, behind the fear, he swore he would soon be gone from this madhouse. He had worked hard to get the Scoresbys the right women and turn them into an investment. It was through his efforts the plan had succeeded. And yet all they could do was slap him about.
‘Just remember what you are,’ Leo threatened. ‘You’re nothing, just a go-between, a lowlife. If it wasn’t for us finding you, you would have nothing. There ain’t a stroke you can pull that me and Wally don’t know about. If you cross us once, you’ll never do it again.’
Teddy stared at him, his heart beating fast. He knew what Leo was capable of, and once more he vowed the sooner he was shot of the Scoresbys the better.
Leo stood up and, coming round the table, he stroked Teddy’s thick black hair. Running his fingers throu
gh its well-combed thickness, he traced his thumb down the side of Teddy’s cheek. ‘Nice looks, good accent, a few bob in your pocket . . . it’s a good life, ain’t it? Don’t forget, it’s us that give it to you.’
Teddy was shaking and Leo was clearly enjoying the feel of his fear. He daren’t look up. The look might be his last. According to the whims of the Scoresby brothers, his life hung in the balance.
Just then there was a noise at the bar. A figure that Teddy knew must be Pedro moved close. An unopened bottle of malt whisky was lowered to the table. Pedro’s long fingers untwisted the cap and set down two tumblers. ‘Thought you might like to end the evening on a chaser, Mr Scoresby. The best we’ve got in the house.’
Teddy silently blessed Pedro. Leo’s hand grasped the half-filled glass. With Wally and Leo’s sarcastic taunts in his ears, Teddy waited. He was the butt of their jokes and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. But at least he was here. He was still breathing.
Teddy listened to Pedro turning the lock of the front door. The Duke’s was now closed and Teddy felt as though the life had been drawn out of him. With shaking hands he poured himself a whisky. He threw it back and poured another. He wasn’t a big drinker but he had to have something to help him gather his thoughts.
‘You were sailing close to the wind, my friend,’ Pedro whispered and, like Leo, drew his hand down the back of Teddy’s dark head.
Teddy flinched, pushing him away. ‘Leave off, Pedro.’
‘So that’s all the thanks I’m going to get for saving your pretty arse?’ The barman sat on the chair that Wally had just left.
Teddy turned sulkily towards him. He knew Pedro had distracted Leo but, not wanting to admit he owed Pedro anything, he shrugged. ‘I can handle them.’