Her Father's Daughter

by June Tate

  ‘Don’t you worry about that, I’ve had my instructions. I was to look at everything and give her every detail on my return.’

  At midnight, the club closed and the staff sat down with Victoria and George, who opened some champagne for them all to celebrate. Then they discussed how the night had gone in terms of working. Did any of them have any difficulties? Was there enough room between the tables for serving? One or two minor changes were made as a result and then they all went home, tired but elated.

  The opening had been a great success and several people had already signed up as members. The bar and restaurant had done a roaring trade and the comments from the customers as they left had been complimentary. Several were also interested in the gambling side, which was an added bonus.

  The croupiers had been chosen with care and George had made it very clear that any funny business would be dealt with severely. Aware of his reputation, none of them doubted the threat behind his words. Tonight there had been no gambling, that would only be for members, but the staff had been there for all to see.

  Victoria hugged George when at last they were alone. ‘Thank you for letting me be a part of this,’ she said. ‘It was a wonderful night.’

  ‘Couldn’t have done it half as well without you, love. Now have a good rest and don’t get up too early tomorrow or you’ll be out on your feet when we open again.’

  As she was driven home in a taxi, Victoria sank back into her seat and closed her eyes. It had all been so exciting and she’d loved every minute. Her thoughts strayed to Johnny Daniels and she smiled. He’d seemed such fun, yet George hadn’t shared her opinion and she wondered if he was right about the personable young man. She hoped not.

  Two

  During the following weeks before Christmas, the Club Valletta was doing well. There had been many applications for membership and, to begin with, those customers who had missed the opening and now came to look the place over were allowed one visit, for which they paid an entrance fee before deciding if it was for them. After that, without membership they would be denied admittance. Before long, the membership list was growing.

  A grand formal Christmas Eve celebration for the members and their ladies had been carefully planned. The Club had been tastefully decorated for the festive season and just inside the entrance stood a magnificent Christmas tree, overflowing with baubles and lights. The chef had a celebration menu to offer the customers, to tempt them into the dining room and the croupiers were all dressed as Father Christmas, to add to the jollity.

  Johnny Daniels pulled on his dinner jacket, combed his hair and checked out his reflection in the mirror. He grinned broadly. ‘How can she resist you, you good-looking devil?’ And with a laugh, he placed a white handkerchief in his top pocket and left his flat. As he drove towards the club, he patted his pocket to check he had his membership card with him. He’d not been back to the club since the opening night, but had secured his membership within a few days of his visit. He planned to get to know Miss Victoria Teglia much better before very long.

  Johnny walked into the club after showing the vigilant doorman his membership card and made his way to the bar where he ordered a scotch and soda with ice. Glancing around he saw that several of the dining tables were already full and people were still arriving. He’d booked a table for two. He smiled to himself as he saw Victoria greeting her guests. She looked stunning in a long, deep-red evening dress; its well-cut lines showing her neat, curvaceous figure to full advantage.

  That cost a pretty penny, he mused, and must have been bought before the wartime utility clothes came into force. He liked a woman with taste as well as spirit and he envisaged an interesting relationship with this young lady, wondering just how long it would take him to get her into bed. He was patient. He’d learned that every woman was different. Some were easily led, others had to be worked on and with her he thought subtlety would be needed. It may take longer but he felt the end result would be well worth the wait.

  Unaware of such scrutiny, Victoria was deep in conversation with a group of men who, after they’d had their meal, had come for a night of gambling and Victoria assured them that they had a good choice in the gaming room.

  ‘We try to cater for everyone,’ she told them. ‘I hope you have a good evening.’ And she moved on. As she did so, she glanced over to the bar area and saw Johnny Daniels there. Their gaze met and he smiled and raised his glass at her. She nodded as she turned to greet other customers who had just arrived, getting them seated at their table. She then wandered over to the bar.

  ‘Mr Daniels.’

  ‘Miss Teglia.’

  ‘I see on the reservations you have booked a table for two, is your guest arriving shortly?’

  ‘She’s already here,’ he said softly.

  Victoria looked quickly around. ‘In the ladies perhaps?’

  ‘No, standing right beside me looking absolutely wonderful.’

  She felt her cheeks flush. ‘I don’t quite follow you.’

  ‘I was hoping to persuade you to join me for dinner. After all, you must have a break at some time. It would give me so much pleasure if you would accept my invitation.’

  For once Victoria was a little flustered. ‘Well, I don’t quite know what to say.’

  ‘Say yes. It’s very simple really.’

  She looked at the handsome young man standing before her. There was no doubt that he had infinite charm and was very easy on the eye, but there was something else that drew her to him. There was no menace in his demeanour in any way, but yet there was a hint of danger about him which she found fascinating. She felt he would be hard to handle and, during her time in the navy, she’d had her share of men, but never anyone quite like Johnny Daniels.

  ‘Very well,’ she said, ‘but I warn you, I can’t possibly sit down to dinner until all my customers are settled. After all, they are my first concern.’

  ‘Of course they are, I fully understand that. Business comes first. I’ll wait.’

  She stared into his eyes searching for some hint of his intentions. They just twinkled back at her, but there was a hint of mischief in his smile. This could be very interesting, she thought.

  ‘I’ll see you in a while,’ she said as she walked away.

  At last everyone was seated, the small band was playing softly so as not to interfere with the conversation of its guests and the chef was busy filling the orders, the waiting staff moving deftly between the tables. Quickly glancing round the room, Victoria walked over to the bar and said to Johnny, who stood in her presence, ‘I do believe we can sit down at last. Thank you for waiting.’

  ‘Not at all, after you.’

  As they were seated a waiter brought an ice bucket over with a bottle of champagne cooling in it and, given the nod by Johnny, he opened it, filled two glasses and left.

  Raising his glass he looked at Victoria. ‘To you.’

  How very smooth, she thought, and, raising her own glass, drank.

  During the meal that followed, Victoria was surprised. She thought her companion would have spent the evening flirting with her, but instead they had the most interesting conversations about his construction work after the Blitz, the odd and sometimes hilarious stories he had to tell. She told him a little of her life in the navy and, before she knew where the time had gone, the meal was finished and she was drinking coffee.

  Many of the tables were being vacated by those who wanted to gamble. The more discerning ones who decided not to chance their money stayed and danced.

  ‘Shall we?’ asked Johnny looking at the couples already taking to the floor.

  Swiftly looking about her to see that everything was running smoothly she looked back at him and said, ‘Why not?’

  He led her to the centre, took her firmly in his arms and danced her around the floor, to a slow Glenn Miller number.

  Victoria could feel the firm frame of her partner as he held her, the scent of his aftershave filled her nostrils and she relaxed in his arms. They did
n’t speak but moved as if they’d danced together many times before.

  George Coleman watched them. Victoria had told him she was having dinner with Johnny Daniels. He hadn’t been too enthusiastic, but she’d worked so hard since the club opened and he didn’t feel it was his place to argue. After all, what reason could he give her to ask her not to do so? It was just a gut feeling he had, which in the past had never let him down. Now the young man had become a member and would frequently be around, of that he was quite sure. He would make a few discreet enquiries into his background, if only to put his own mind at rest. After all, he felt that Vittorio’s daughter was as much his responsibility as her father before her had been.

  The gaming room was closed for the final thirty minutes of business and the band stopped the dance music after a final waltz and started to play carols with everyone joining in, singing lustily. It was very fitting as the croupiers, now free, sported red sacks and went around the tables giving small packages to the assembled members and their party. It was an inspired touch to the festivities and greeted with surprise and delight by all.

  ‘Very clever,’ Johnny remarked as he took his. ‘No doubt this was your idea?’

  ‘What makes you think so?’

  He nodded in the direction of the bar where George Coleman stood like a sentinel, watching the proceedings. ‘Your watchdog wouldn’t have thought of such a thing in a million years.’

  There was a certain tone to his voice that irritated Victoria. ‘Mr Coleman is not my watchdog, he’s my partner!’

  ‘That, too, I don’t doubt, but he looks after you the same way he looked after your father.’

  ‘What do you know about my father?’

  The sudden coldness in her voice made Johnny realize he’d made a grave error.

  ‘I didn’t know your father, but he’s quite a legend around Southampton. After all, he was a hero, so I’m told,’ he said quickly, trying to cover his tracks.

  But it was too late. Daniels had touched on Victoria’s Achilles heel and it was as if she suddenly put a brick wall between them. She rose from her seat.

  ‘Thank you for an enjoyable evening, Mr Daniels,’ she said coldly, ‘but now I must see to my customers.’ She walked away without a backward glance.

  Johnny cursed to himself. Whatever had made him say such a thing when the evening, he felt, was going his way and he was beginning to get close to the girl? Now he would have to start all over again, that’s if she would let him near her. He paid his bill and left.

  As he walked past the bar, George Coleman stepped forward and delayed him.

  ‘You’re wasting your time with her son; she’s much too smart for the likes of you.’

  ‘I’m not sure what you mean,’ Johnny retorted.

  ‘You know exactly what I mean, but I’ve got your number, you just remember that.’

  As Johnny looked into the ice-cold gaze of the man, he knew here was an adversary he would have to watch very carefully.

  Christmas Day was spent at the Langford Hotel. Traditionally, Lily, Luke and Victoria served the staff their meals as was the custom before sitting down to join them. Many of the staff members had been at the hotel from the very beginning and there was a definite family feeling around the table as they all tucked in to their turkey and Christmas pudding, pulling crackers and telling stories about the previous years.

  George Coleman was of course included in the gathering and Sandy, an old friend of Lily’s, had also joined them. He and Lily went back many a year and it had been Sandy who had given her away on her wedding day. Years before, he had been her pianist when she’d been a singer going round the local pubs, trying to earn a living. He’d eventually played piano at the original Club Valletta when Lily had lived there with Vittorio. They shared many a secret. For the past several years he’d lived in London, but they had always kept in touch and Sandy always shared any family celebrations.

  Victoria adored him. She loved his outrageous behaviour and sense of humour and he’d watched her grow with a certain pride. They sat together at the table.

  During a lull in the conversation Victoria tucked her arm through his. ‘So what have you been up to lately, you old devil?’

  He feigned indignation. ‘Not so much of the old darling if you don’t mind! Mind you, at sixty I am bloody old, but mentally I’m still thirty-five and dangerous.’

  She chuckled. ‘You’ll never grow old, Sandy, because you’ve never grown up. How’s your love life?’

  ‘You are so cheeky Miss Teglia,’ he scolded, then with a sly smile he added, ‘actually it’s not so bad at the moment. I’ve met a lovely fellow who’s a dancer. A chorus boy I met in a pub a few months ago.’

  ‘Young? How did you manage that?’

  ‘Well, darling, I don’t want some old man my age do I? There’s no bloody fun in that!’

  ‘Where is he today?’

  ‘With his family as I am with mine. But look.’ He held out his wrist and showed her a narrow silver bangle. ‘He gave me this last night, sweet boy.’

  ‘And what did you give him?’

  ‘I couldn’t possibly tell you, darling!’ and he doubled up with laughter.

  Johnny Daniels was in London with his family, but it couldn’t have been more different from the happy scene in Southampton. There was little jollity around this table. Here the conversation was one of money. Big Pat Daniels, Johnny’s father, was also in the construction business but it was used as a front. He dealt mainly in stolen goods which were sometimes stored in his large warehouse near the London docks among his building materials. His gang of men were practised housebreakers dealing with homes of the rich and famous, whose movements were often written up in the national papers, giving just the information required by such men. He was advising his son.

  ‘So now you’re a member of this exclusive club, you’ll be mixing with those who have money. You need to watch the ones who gamble. You’ll soon learn to distinguish those who are desperate to make money from those who can afford to lose. I can never understand how the rich so easily part with their money instead of making it work for them.’

  ‘I suppose it depends on how much they have,’ Johnny observed.

  ‘And you’ll soon see who they are, you just have to watch.’

  ‘It may not be quite as simple as you think, Dad. George Coleman, Vittorio’s man, is a partner and he already is suspicious of me.’ And he told Pat what George had said to him in the club.

  Pat frowned. ‘I know about him, he’s a hard bastard, but then so was Vittorio Teglia. Full of charm, but cross him and you were really in trouble. The man was ruthless. But there is always a way round a problem, you just have to find it!’

  Johnny smiled with some satisfaction. ‘I’ve got that sorted. Victoria Teglia is my way in, Vittorio’s daughter. You know I have a way with the ladies, she’ll come round in time.’

  The older man looked at him through narrowed eyes. ‘What if she’s a chip off the old block? She may be smarter than you think.’

  Young Daniels didn’t answer, but he remembered George’s words. So she might be clever, but she was also a woman, a woman with needs. He didn’t think for one moment she was a virgin, not after serving in the navy. She certainly was not naïve; he was counting on her past experience and he wasn’t usually wrong about women.

  ‘I’ve got some work lined up anyway with a couple of wealthy clients, I’ll do a good job for them and soon word will spread and I’ll have inside knowledge of the homes and goods of these people, but remember, Dad, you have to give me time to get established. This can’t be rushed into.’

  ‘I know that, my son, everything has to be planned. We’ve always worked that way, and that’s why we’ve been successful. We’re bloody careful to cover our tracks.’

  And indeed this was the case. The law had yet to catch up with the Danielses although the police had their suspicions; they had never found the evidence needed to convict the criminals.

  But as one police c
hief had said, ‘One day they’ll make a mistake and we’ll be there!’

  ‘Right! That’s enough bloody business,’ Mrs Daniels protested. ‘It’s Christmas for God’s sake!’ And the subject was dropped.

  But as he climbed into bed that night, Johnny Daniels made a vow to get Victoria Teglia just where he wanted her, and that was in his bed. Some way or another he was going to succeed.

  Three

  It was now February and the club was thriving. Victoria and George had opened the dining room at lunch time to accommodate their members who could bring their clients in for lunch and discuss business over a decent meal. They had to be signed into the visitor’s book of course, but the gaming room was closed during the day.

  Johnny had kept away for several weeks, but occasionally now he brought people in for lunch, greeting Victoria politely, always complimenting her in some way or another, but being careful not to overstep the mark until she became more relaxed and less hostile with him. It was all part of his plan.

  His business was taking off, too. To allay any suspicions, he and his father made sure their clients were satisfied with the work done on their houses or factories and they had a good reputation for the legal side of their business and Johnny was getting the same plaudits for his work in Southampton. Some of this filtered back to Victoria through some of her customers and she soon wondered if she’d been somewhat hasty in her attitude towards him. So one evening, when he dropped in for a drink and invited her to join him at the bar, she agreed.

  ‘The club seems to be doing well,’ he remarked, as they drank together. ‘I’m so pleased for you.’

  ‘Thank you. Yes, George and I are delighted, it has been better than we ever envisaged. And what about you?’

  ‘Me too, there’s plenty of business to keep me and my men going for some time in the future, I’m happy to say.’ He sighed. ‘Mind you, it’s the paper work that’s the most tedious.’