by Dani Oakley
It wasn’t an easy thing to come to terms with – the fact that your own father wanted you dead, but all things considered, Jimmy wasn’t unhappy with his lot.
His mother was dead, killed by his father, and his father was the notorious gangster Martin Morton. Martin may never have clawed his power back in the East End, but Jimmy knew he was still dangerous.
Jimmy shoved his hands in the pockets of his garage overalls as he swaggered along.
He spotted two girls up ahead waiting by the corner. They’d been there every day for the last couple of weeks, and Jimmy suspected they waited there every morning for him to go to work.
They smiled and talked in hushed whispers as he walked past, and when he gave them a smile, they burst into giggles.
Jimmy walked on towards the garage with a grin on his face.
He might not have his mother around and didn’t have much of a family, but he’d made the best of it. He now worked full-time for Dave Carter at the garage, all legit and above board. Dave wouldn’t hear of Jimmy getting involved in anything illegal.
He had a regular wage coming in so he could contribute to the household. His nan had managed to stay off the sauce for the past few years, and she worshipped the ground Jimmy walked on.
She was a strong woman who had endured a hard life, and Jimmy loved her with all his heart. She was his only real family, but Jimmy didn’t feel hard done by. He felt fortunate enough to have been able to add to his family. He had his Auntie Bev, who took care of him as a baby and had become a second grandmother to him over the years. His mother’s old friend, Linda, was always watching out for him, and he knew he could turn to her in times of trouble.
But the biggest influence in Jimmy’s life had been Dave Carter. He’d learned a lot from the great man and worshipped him. He was the person Jimmy admired most in life. Dave’s youngest son, little Georgie, had grown up with Jimmy, too, and Jimmy looked on him as a younger brother. Unfortunately, Dave Carter’s eldest son, Trevor, couldn’t stand the sight of Jimmy and the feeling was mutual.
Trevor’s jealousy didn’t bother Jimmy. He had long ago realised there was nothing he could do about it, so he ignored Trevor for the most part.
Jimmy reached the workshop and ducked underneath the metal door, calling out hello to the lads who were already at work.
Dave Carter had a loyal workforce, and the men who worked for him at the warehouse and the workshop had been with him for years. Brian Moore grunted a hello but kept his head buried under the hood of the car.
Charlie Williams called out a hello from the driver’s seat as he turned the engine over. Big Tim was at the back of the garage where there was a kettle and a large urn for tea.
“Morning, Jimmy. Cup of tea?” Big Tim called out.
“Lovely,” Jimmy replied even though he’d just had one at his nan’s.
Georgie followed Jimmy into the workshop just as Big Tim was pouring the tea.
“Morning,” he called out, smiling widely at everybody.
Georgie was pretty much always happy. When they’d been at school, he’d been teased for being simple, but Jimmy didn’t think Georgie was simple. He was just different, and in many ways, he was blessed. He always looked on the bright side, and it was impossible to be in a bad mood with Georgie around.
That said, Jimmy still felt protective of the lad. Although they were the same age, Georgie could have passed for a twelve-year-old. He was small for his age and had a youthful, innocent face.
Georgie beamed as Tim handed him a mug of tea. “Thank you, Tim.”
Jimmy was about to ask Brian, what he wanted him to do today. Although Charlie was the man officially in charge of the workshop, Brian was the real talent in the garage. He seemed to be the fount of all knowledge about anything to do with cars, and every question Jimmy had ever asked him about engines, Brian managed to answer with ease.
Before he could ask Brian what work was scheduled for the day, Brian looked up at Big Tim and narrowed his eyes. “Where the bleeding hell is my cup of tea?”
“You said you didn’t want one,” Tim said, the amiable expression leaving the big man’s face.
Brian turned to face him. Tim was by anyone’s standards a giant of a man, but Brian wasn’t exactly a shrinking violet. He may have been at least a foot shorter than Tim, but he was as wide as he was tall. With his broad shoulders and long arms, he reminded Jimmy of a gorilla.
“I said I did want one,” Brian insisted, folding his arms over his chest.
Charlie Williams rolled his eyes. “Oh, give it a rest, the pair of you. Tim just pour Brian a cup of tea.”
But Tim was not going to back down. “He said he didn’t want one.” He repeated the words in a growl.
Brian threw down the spanner he’d been using. It fell with a clang onto the floor. “I said I did want one.”
Charlie got out of the car and then casually leant against the bodywork. From the pocket of his overalls, he fished out his gold pocket watch, which never seemed to leave his person. “Well, we had peace and quiet for all of five minutes today. Honestly, the pair of you have got to learn to get along.”
Jimmy smirked at that. He knew there was some sort of history between Big Tim and Brian and things had been tense between them for years. Charlie was living in a dream world if he thought they would suddenly become best mates.
Brian turned to look at Charlie and then blinked. “Bleeding hell, Charlie. Do you really think your dirty overalls is the place to keep a watch like that?”
“I don’t feel dressed without it,” Charlie said sniffily, putting on a posh voice.
That was all that was needed to break the tension as even Brian cracked a smile, and Big Tim roared with laughter.
Jimmy patted Big Tim on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about the tea. I’ll make a cup for Brian.”
He headed over to the tea urn and then looked behind him. Brian was back at work with his head buried under the hood of the motor, and Georgie was organising the tools for the day. Jimmy grinned and then took in a deep breath, taking in a strong whiff of the distinctive smell of engine oil and grease, mixed with a little bit of petrol. He loved working in this place.
Because he and Georgie had started off at a young age washing cars at the workshop, they’d escaped most of the torment and teasing, which was doled out to new apprentices.
A few years ago, Dave’s eldest son, Trevor, had decided that he wanted to work in his father’s workshop. Dave instructed everybody to treat Trevor just as though he was a normal member of staff, and so the lads had put Trevor through the usual paces. They sent him off to the hardware store to ask for a left-handed hammer and tartan paint. Unfortunately, Trevor didn’t see the funny side after finding he was being taken for a fool. He was spitting feathers when he came back.
He’d only lasted a day in the workshop before storming off in a huff, and Jimmy wasn’t sad to see him go. He loved his job, and he didn’t want anything or anyone to rock the boat.
He could sense something bubbling under the surface every time Trevor looked at him, and he suspected it was only a matter of time before Trevor revealed his true colours.
* * *
Only a few hours later, Jimmy looked up sharply as he heard a female voice. The workshop was pretty much a male only domain, so the voice of the woman drew everyone’s attention.
Jimmy stood up, and when he saw Linda standing by the entrance, he walked quickly towards her, wiping his hands on a rag.
“Is everything all right?” he asked urgently. His first thought was that something had happened to his nan, but Linda was quick to reassure him.
“Everything is fine. Your nan asked me to bring you your lunch on my way to work.” She held a wrapped up round of sandwiches out for Jimmy to take.
Jimmy let out a long breath, feeling relieved, and took the brown paper bag from Linda. “Thanks.”
He opened his mouth to say something else but noticed that Linda wasn’t looking at him. She was looking over h
is shoulder at something.
Jimmy turned to see what had attracted her attention and was surprised to see Big Tim standing by one of the motors, looking back at Linda.
Jimmy turned slowly, looking between Big Tim and Linda, and saw Linda blush as she smiled and waved to Tim.
Well, Jimmy thought, that was certainly a turn up for the books.
“Sorry,” he said cheekily. “Am I in the way? Would you two like some time alone?”
To his surprise, his words even made Big Tim blush. Jimmy was gobsmacked. He would never have believed it if he hadn’t witnessed it with his own eyes.
Linda looked mortified, and Jimmy immediately regretted his teasing. He reached out a hand to her but then stopped when he remembered he was covered with grease.
“Sorry,” he said in a low voice. “I was only messing about. Ignore me.”
Linda gave a little shrug and looked down at the floor, clearly wishing it would swallow her up.
“Thanks for bringing my lunch,” Jimmy said in a softer voice. He had grown to love Linda over the years, and when Jimmy loved someone, he was intensely loyal.
He couldn’t stand the thought of hurting anyone he loved, and now he felt like an idiot for embarrassing Linda.
He didn’t feel too bad about Tim. The big man could give as good as he got, but Linda was sweet and sensitive and deserved some happiness in her life.
She hadn’t had a man in her life since that waste of space husband of hers had jumped off a bridge.
Of course, he hadn’t really jumped…but that was beside the point. The man had hurt Linda, and Jimmy, furious with his behaviour, had reported him to Dave Carter for something he hadn’t done.
It was the first death on Jimmy’s conscience, and he really hoped it would be the last one.
Big Tim shuffled his way to the front of the garage and nodded at Linda. “Lovely to see you again, Linda.”
Again? Jimmy narrowed his eyes. They’d been seeing each other on the quiet? How had Tim managed to keep that from them?
Linda smiled, her rosy red cheeks dimpling. “Nice to see you, too. Well, I’d better be off, or I’ll be late for work.”
Little Georgie called out hello, and Linda waved to him before turning around and rushing out of the garage.
Jimmy turned around and looked at Big Tim with narrowed eyes.
Big Tim swallowed hard. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Jimmy raised an eyebrow.
“Well, who would have thought it?” Charlie Williams said in a loud voice. “Big Tim, our very own Romeo.” He fluttered his lashes at Big Tim, who glowered back at him.
For the rest of the morning, everyone teased Big Tim about his love life, but Jimmy felt a little uncomfortable about the situation.
He wondered whether he should warn Big Tim off, but then decided against it. Perhaps he should have a conversation with Tim to ask whether his intentions were honourable. But that would probably embarrass Linda. He decided to leave it for now but made up his mind to keep a close eye on the pair of them.
Chapter 3
Trevor Carter passed Linda as she scurried out of the workshop. She gave him a tentative smile, and he scowled back.
What was she doing here? She was one of the people who thought Jimmy Diamond was some kind of angel. He didn’t understand what sort of hold Jimmy had over people, he seemed to be able to worm his way into their confidence and gain their trust. Just like he had done with Trevor’s father.
Everyone thought he was wonderful, even little Georgie, but Trevor knew the truth. He was nothing but a little bastard who was out for all he could get. Trevor didn’t understand his father’s attitude. Jimmy Diamond was Martin Morton’s son, and as such, that should have made him an enemy. Jimmy Diamond was related to the man who wanted to take his father down, but Dave Carter wouldn’t hear a bad word said against Jimmy.
It was ridiculous. Trevor had lost count of the many times he’d tried to persuade Georgie and his father that Jimmy Diamond was no good.
Neither of them would listen. They both accused Trevor of being jealous, which was stupid. Why should he be jealous of a bastard whose mother had been murdered by his own father?
Trevor set his mouth in a firm line as he looked around the workshop. He should be in there working. He should be part of his father’s business, not Jimmy Diamond, who was clearly trying to take Trevor’s place.
He recalled how excited he had been for his first day at work in the workshop. It had turned out to be an abject failure. It wasn’t fair. Trevor wasn’t designed for working on motors. He had his eyes on bigger and better things. He often imagined himself as the next big gangster running the East End after inheriting his father’s patch. He’d only started working at the workshop because his father insisted he begin at the bottom and work his way up. Trevor had grudgingly agreed.
He thought it was the first step to greatness, and he hoped it might give him an opportunity to grow closer to his father. He had always wanted to do something that would make Dave look at him with pride, the same way he looked at Jimmy Diamond.
But then those bastards that worked in the workshop had taken the piss out of him by tricking him into asking for a left-handed hammer.
They’d enjoyed making a fool of him, and he would never forgive them for it. He could still remember the humiliation he felt when he realised they were all laughing at him.
He’d stood there like an idiot unable to express his anger. He’d felt the rage building inside him, and to his horror, he’d even felt the prickle of tears in his eyes. He’d run away quickly before he could humiliate himself any further.
That had been bad enough, but his father’s reaction really took the biscuit. When Trevor had complained, his father had said it was normal banter, and he was being treated just like any other apprentice.
That told Trevor everything he needed to know. In his father’s eyes, he was just another apprentice, nothing special.
His father made it perfectly clear he didn’t much like his eldest son. Trevor had picked up on it from an early age. He’d always known his father preferred his sister Lillian to Trevor, and then when Lillian had died, Dave had been gutted. He’d never loved Trevor, and after Lillian’s death, it seemed he could barely stand the sight of him.
Trevor hesitated at the front of the workshop. He could hear the men’s voices inside as they teased each other, it seemed Big Tim’s love life was the butt of their jokes this morning, but it didn’t make Trevor feel any better. They had the kind of camaraderie he would have killed for. He had nobody to laugh and joke with.
Even his friends at school had turned their backs on him. Of course, they were always polite to his face, but they wouldn’t laugh and joke around with him. They were too scared.
Trevor didn’t care. He’d never liked any of them much anyway. A bunch of wasters.
The only person Trevor had ever cared about and the only person he loved was his little brother, Georgie.
Trevor tried to hold back and by rights he should resent his younger brother. After all, Georgie was another person who believed the sun shone out of Jimmy Diamond’s backside. But Trevor couldn’t do it. There was something about little Georgie that was just so innocent and loving that it was impossible for even Trevor to harden his heart against him.
That didn’t mean Trevor had to like the fact his brother spent so much time with Jimmy Diamond, though.
Trevor took a deep breath and walked further into the workshop.
He glanced around the garage without saying anything, but all the lads’ voices died down as they turned to him. No one called out in greeting or said hello, and Trevor tried to pretend to himself that he didn’t care. Why should it bother him if these fools didn’t like him? He didn’t care about what they thought, did he?
“I’m looking for my father,” Trevor announced. “Do you know where he is?”
Nobody spoke up straightaway, and Trevor felt his temper rise.
He saw Jimmy
skulking at the back of the garage, no doubt trying to stay out of Trevor’s way. A good thing too, Trevor thought narrowing his eyes.
Eventually, Charlie spoke up and walked over. “Dave’s not been in the workshop this morning, Trevor. Have you tried at the warehouse?”
“Of course, I have,” Trevor snapped. “That was the first place I looked.”
He wasn’t stupid. He knew that was where his father normally was. For some reason, his father loved the small office off the side of the warehouse. He would attend to his paperwork and conduct meetings there. When Trevor took over, the first thing he would do was give himself a more impressive office.
Trevor had called in at the warehouse earlier that morning, but there had been no sign of his father.
It wasn’t right that Trevor had to chase around after his own father. He hated the fact he had to do it, but needs must, and Trevor needed money.
He never had enough. Dave only passed him a few quid every week, telling him he needed to earn his own way in the world, which was unfair.
How was he supposed to get a job when everybody knew his father was the notorious Dave Carter?
Besides, Trevor wasn’t cut out for working in a shop or in a factory. He had his eyes on bigger and better things.
Charlie Williams raised an eyebrow at Trevor’s rude response but wisely said nothing.
Trevor opened his mouth to demand they let him know the moment his father turned up when out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Georgie walking over to him. His brother had a big beaming smile on his face, and for a moment, Trevor’s anger disappeared.
“Trevor! Is everything okay?”
There was something nice about the warmth of Georgie’s welcome. It seemed to Trevor that his brother was the only person who was ever pleased to see him.
Trevor managed a small smile and reached out to pat his little brother’s shoulder. Georgie was almost a foot shorter than Trevor, and they didn’t look much alike. Georgie’s face was shining and youthful, and Trevor’s face was usually creased in a frown.
“I was just looking for Dad,” Trevor said. “Have you seen him this morning?”