The Pawnbroker's Niece

by June Francis

  ‘What did he say to that?’ asked Rita.

  ‘He looked resigned,’ said Ellen with a wink.

  ‘But your speaking to your aunt has helped him to pull himself together, I’m sure,’ said Alice. ‘And he knows it’ll be good for me having Ellen here.’

  Rita left the house, uncertain whether she could carry out her plan. She could hardly order Mr Brodie out of the stables, but neither could she suggest to Jimmy they go for a walk in the fog. For a moment she considered returning to the shop without seeing him, but then decided that, as she was here, she might as well try and get him alone.

  The fog deadened all sound so that it was not until Rita was outside the stables that she became aware of raised voices. The doors were shut so she put her eye to the gap in the middle and, although it was gloomy inside, was able to recognise William’s back. She eased one of the doors open an inch.

  He was standing beneath a hatch with his head flung back, speaking to someone in the loft. On either side of him were several bales of hay and, even as she watched, another dropped through the hatch and would have hit him if he had not dodged out of the way. ‘Will you bloody be careful! Did you hear what I said?’ shouted William.

  ‘I’m not deaf!’ Rita recognised Jimmy’s voice.

  ‘Well, what have you got to say for yourself? What did you do with the money I gave you for Miss Sinclair? She said she never got it. If it weren’t for young Rita, the bailiffs would be here this morning and us out. So what the bloody hell do you think you’re playing at?’

  ‘I’m not playing at anything.’ Jimmy’s tone was sullen. ‘I needed a harness mending and new boots. I knew you had no cash to spare so it would have been a waste of time asking you. Anyway, there’s no need for you to worry about paying her.’

  ‘What d’you mean by that?’

  The sound of feet on the stairs which led up to the loft caused Rita to keep perfectly still so as not to draw attention to herself as Jimmy came into sight.

  ‘I’ve had this by me for a while,’ he said, producing a sheet of paper from a pocket in the bib of his overalls.

  ‘What is it?’ William glanced at the paper.

  ‘It’s all that stands between us and being free of debt,’ said Jimmy earnestly. ‘I had thought of burning it but I decided you might enjoy doing that. I took it from Miss Sinclair’s filing cabinet. We can stop worrying! The business is safe. We could buy another horse or even that lorry you go on about. What other proof has she than this that you owe her money?’

  ‘Bloody hell! What’s got into you? Are you crazy? She doesn’t need proof!’ William’s voice shook with anger. ‘I know I owe her money! It’s a debt of honour. I can’t welch on the agreement I made with her. Especially after accusing her of being a cheat and a bloodsucking vampire. No wonder she called me a thief and a liar!’

  Jimmy scowled. ‘She’s a moneylender! Probably has stacks of the stuff hidden away. What are you worried about?’

  ‘It’s dishonest! And I care what she thinks of me — that’s what!’

  ‘She doesn’t think much of you from what Rita said to me. You gamble and drink and the old witch is really against you doing both. So why be so fussy about me doing a bit of thieving to save the yard?’

  ‘My God!’ cried William, raising his arm, but the blow stopped short a few inches from Jimmy’s face. ‘You say you stole it? Stealing from me might be one thing but breaking into a house — that’s more Billy’s style.’

  Jimmy bristled. ‘You think I haven’t got the guts?’

  ‘I don’t know if you have or not because you haven’t been tested but I just can’t see you doing it.’

  The younger man shrugged. ‘What if I told you Billy took it for…for Alice’s sake?’

  ‘That sounds more like the truth. Even so, the agreement’s going back. I won’t welch on a deal.’

  Rita heard the heavy tread of his boots coming towards her and sped away into the fog, which soon swallowed her up. She was angry with Jimmy for saying things about her that weren’t true. Never had she said anything about his stepfather’s gambling and drinking — and to say that Billy had stolen the agreement because he was fond of Alice, she didn’t believe it.

  As soon as Rita arrived at the shop, she told Margaret what she had overhead. ‘You’ve done well, my little spy,’ said her aunt. ‘So I can expect a visit from William any time now?’ There was a satisfied note in her voice.

  Rita walked her fingers along the counter. ‘Yes! Shall I make myself scarce so you can argue with him?’

  Margaret’s expression was severe as she looked over her spectacles. ‘Who said anything about arguing? I’m sure Will and I can converse without losing our tempers. I’ll invite him into the back while you look after any customers.’

  Ten minutes later a grim-faced William entered the shop. He did not waste any time getting to the point. ‘I’m sorry, Maggie, but this is yours I believe.’ He placed the agreement on the counter.

  She feigned surprise. ‘What’s this?’ She picked up the paper and read the first few lines before lifting her head and staring at him. ‘I presume this isn’t your copy?’

  ‘It’s yours.’ He dug his hands into his overcoat pockets and did a turnabout the shop before stopping in front of her. ‘Billy took it. Jimmy’s idea! He thought, without it, you’d have no proof I owed you anything. Thinking of ways to save the yard, you see.’

  ‘No, I don’t see.’ Her brows knitted. ‘What kind of man does he think you are, Will, that he’d believe you’d agree to such a scheme? You’d best come in the back so we can discuss this.’ She unlocked the tiny bolt under the flap and lifted it up, trying to hide a smile at his incredulous expression.

  ‘You’re inviting me inside?’

  ‘Why not? I can trust you to behave, can’t I?’

  ‘Yes, but…’

  Margaret called Rita, who came hurrying out of the back. She stopped at the sight of William and smiled. ‘Hello, Mr Brodie. I was up at your place earlier. You feeling better today? How’s Jimmy? I was going to talk to him about polish but changed my mind.’

  ‘Polish?’ William looked baffled.

  ‘That’s enough, Rita!’ Margaret’s voice held a warning. ‘You mind the shop.’

  Rita sighed and, brushing past the two adults, went to do as she was told.

  ‘Polish!’ repeated William, following Margaret through the storeroom into the kitchen.

  ‘Sit down, Will.’ She waved him to one of the chairs in front of the fire and sat in the other.

  He glanced about him. ‘This reminds me of old times. It doesn’t seem to have altered at all. I remember Jimmy asking me what it was like inside after he found out we knew each other when we were kids.’

  That information caused Margaret’s ears to prick up. ‘It hasn’t altered. This room was repainted the same old cream time after time. After Father died I intended having the paint stripped off and the walls papered but now I’m thinking more along the lines of moving to a new place.’ She bit her lip, wondering what had made her tell him that.

  He could not conceal his surprise. ‘You mean you’d sell the business?’

  ‘I’m not sure. But that’s neither here nor there, right now. Let’s get back to the subject of polish.’

  He screwed up his face. ‘What is this about polish? I’d have thought you’d consider the agreement being stolen more important.’

  ‘There’s a connection.’ To give herself time to collect her thoughts, Margaret picked up the poker and hit a lump of coal, which split and burst into flames. ‘A while ago I was broken into and several things were stolen, including a Chinese vase which Alice sold to me.’ He went to speak but she held up a hand to hush him. ‘Six months ago I was broken into again. This time we caught someone and he had my stolen property in his pocket.’

  William leant forward, frowning. ‘Are you saying the burglar came back to return what he had stolen?’

  ‘There were two burglars, only one was caught and c
onvicted of the theft — Mr McGinty, whose wife used to be my char. He was also convicted of stealing lead from church roofs.’ She paused. ‘I don’t believe he stole my goods and returned them.’

  ‘You’re saying Billy did?’

  She shook her head. ‘I’m saying Jimmy did.’

  William sat back in the chair and his frown deepened. ‘What proof have you?’

  ‘A stain and the smell of polish — the fact that Rita saw a similar Chinese vase in Alice’s room the day she went with you back to your place.’

  William went to speak but she hurried on. ‘I believe it was the same vase that was stolen from me. That Jimmy took it. She didn’t want to part with it but he persuaded her to so he could buy feed for the horses.’

  ‘But Jimmy’s not a thief he —’

  ‘What about the money you gave him for me?’

  ‘OK! I accept he took that but it was for necessary things. He shouldn’t have taken it, but —’

  ‘No buts, Will.’ Her tone was steely. ‘He stole what was mine.’

  He sighed. ‘OK! But where does the polish come in?’

  ‘Jimmy left a smear on Rita’s hand when she went with Ellen to the yard. It was black polish, and although she wiped it off, it left a stain. It also has a distinctive smell. Suddenly she was reminded of the break-ins. I remember her saying to me that all she could see of the mystery burglar was the gleam of his eyes. She realised then he must have blacked his face.’

  ‘But black polish, Maggie? It could have been used by anyone.’

  ‘Jimmy told Rita he used special stuff to polish the black harnesses. She said he was forever talking about the yard and horses when they were out. Apparently it’s a special mixture one of the old carters makes up. There was something about the burglar that reminded her of someone but she couldn’t remember who until she tried to get the stain off her hand.’

  ‘Then she did,’ murmured William, looking upset. Both were silent for several minutes.

  Then he said, ‘I’m sorry about all this, Maggie. But he’s returned the stolen stuff but for the vase…if I pay for that, can we forget the theft took place? The lad’s been through a lot — his mother dying, and I couldn’t help but keep him short of money.’

  She fixed him with a flint-like stare. ‘You amaze me, Will. What about Billy when he got into trouble? He’d lost his mother and you were away at sea most of the time; you didn’t let him off scot-free. Jimmy needs to be taught a lesson.’

  William looked mortified. ‘You’re right, of course.’

  ‘You can say that again! I did think Billy might have taken the agreement, actually. That he might have done it when Ellen was staying here, but Rita said that he couldn’t have. He was never left alone. Besides…’ Margaret laughed shortly, ‘he wasn’t out to do you any favours.’

  ‘He’d have done it for Alice.’

  ‘Maybe, but you could say that was what was behind the first break-in. Jimmy’s concern for Alice and his mother. I tell you what I’d really like to know…why didn’t he sell the stuff? It must have been why he stole it in the first place.’

  ‘I wish I knew.’ Wearily William rose from the chair. ‘I’ll ask him.’

  ‘Sit down, Will. Have a cup of tea to warm you before going out in the fog. Just because you’re a rotten judge of character, I’m not going to condemn you.’

  He looked about to argue but instead sat down. ‘None of us are perfect, Maggie. And we all have our reasons for thinking the way we do. I’d appreciate that cup of tea.’

  She went into the scullery feeling better for having had her say.

  As she handed his tea to him, she said, ‘So what punishment are you going to dole out? The padre said Billy was sent to the reformatory ship for “youthful high jinks”.’

  She so startled him that he spilt tea in the saucer. ‘You’ve spoken to Jerry about this?’ His voice was harsh.

  ‘Yes! I was undecided as to whether both Jimmy and Billy were involved. You do realise that Jimmy must have climbed onto the roof for the first break-in? It can’t be the first time he’s done such a thing. It takes practice to climb like a cat.’

  ‘Now, Billy is to blame there,’ said William emphatically. ‘He’d get out of their bedroom that way when he was a kid and climb back up the drainpipe. We caught him at it eventually. Jimmy thought Billy was really something. Adventurous! Daring! I don’t doubt Jimmy copied him.’

  ‘Jimmy’s not a kid now. I know his mother’s death has hit him for six and he works for you for buttons, but you always were one for seeing things from the other person’s point of view and that swayed your judgement. But you’ll rue the day if you don’t show Jimmy that crime doesn’t pay.’

  ‘You want me to take him to the police? What about that woman’s husband?’

  ‘He was punished for a crime he did commit! But no, I don’t want you to take him to the police; so you’ll have to find your own way of dealing with him, Will.’

  He looked drained. ‘You don’t have to labour the point. I’ve got the message.’ He placed his cup on the hearth and delved into a pocket, drew out several creased banknotes. ‘The money I owe you and a bit over for the vase. I blame myself. Jimmy seems to think that because I’ve gambled and got drunk in my time I’d burn the agreement and not pay you. It seems that it’s me who’s had to learn a hard lesson.’

  She nodded, taking his money, thinking it was not enough to cover the price of the vase, but what did it matter. He wasn’t the thief. ‘What dreamers the young are, Will.’

  ‘We were the same but at least we enjoyed our youth. What with the war and the Depression, life isn’t the same for them. Jimmy should be having fun. All work isn’t good for people.’

  ‘I agree, but now isn’t the time for him to have fun. Although having Ellen in your house will cheer your place up. She certainly caused a stir here. As long as Jimmy doesn’t forget that she’s Billy’s girl.’

  ‘Just like you used to be my girl. Thanks for everything.’ William planted a swift kiss on Margaret’s mouth and walked out.

  She was too astonished to go after him and see him out. Later she could still feel the impression of that kiss.

  Rita asked how things had gone. Margaret told her. ‘So what punishment d’you think Mr Brodie’ll hand out?’ said the girl.

  ‘I don’t know but I suppose we’ll find out sooner or later.’

  The next day the fog lifted and just before noon a horse and cart drew up outside the shop. Rita watched Jimmy climb down, remove his cap, smooth back his hair, polish his toecaps on the back of his trouser legs and march towards the door.

  ‘It’s Jimmy,’ she hissed to her aunt and hastened to get behind the counter.

  When he entered, they were shoulder to shoulder with their elbows on the counter and eyes fixed on him. He almost retreated but then thrust his handsome head forward, gripped his cap in both hands and advanced.

  ‘I’ve come to say sorry. I don’t know what got into me. I behaved in a way that was rep-rep-reprehensible.’ His left eyebrow twitched.

  ‘Were you the guilty party both times?’ asked Margaret, wanting things absolutely clear.

  ‘Yes! I didn’t come intending to take the rings and things but only Alice’s vase, but I was tempted, and then when Rita came nosing about I panicked. I didn’t mean to hurt you,’ he said stiffly, inclining his head in her direction. ‘I’m sorry.’

  Rita decided that she had never liked him much but, seeing him humbling himself, she almost felt sorry for him. It was true that she had fallen in love with his looks, but his self-absorption had begun to get on her nerves. She accepted his apology.

  ‘So why did you hang on to the rings and things?’ asked Margaret. ‘You could have sold them.’

  ‘I did think about it, to be honest.’ He looked her straight in the eye. ‘But something Billy said years ago about crooked fences and the police checking honest pawnbrokers and jewellery shops made me think again. By the way,’ he added hastily, ‘you’r
e not to think that Billy was into that kind of thing, but he mixed with some right tearaways, whose fathers were crooks, when he was on the Akbar. He used to tell me about them.’

  ‘But what made you risk getting caught by breaking in to return the stolen goods?’ she asked.

  He sighed heavily and rubbed the back of his neck. ‘To be honest, it was Billy who said I had to return them. I didn’t know what to do. He heard about the vase being stolen and came to see Alice and saw it in her room like you did, Rita. He got the whole story out of her. We discussed ways of putting the other things back but then I had the bright or stupid idea of stealing the agreement, not that I mentioned that to Billy. I thought it would be handy to have if things got really desperate up at the yard. I wasn’t thinking about the dishonesty of it all. Mam was so ill, I was worried sick and not thinking straight. I’m sorry.’

  ‘Well!’ said Margaret, gripping the edge of the counter. ‘That’s some story and I don’t doubt you’d rather have kept it to yourself.’

  ‘It makes me look an idiot,’ he said ruefully. ‘But in one way I’m glad to get it off my chest. Pops said you’re to choose my punishment.’

  Rita glanced at Margaret. ‘That’s good of him,’ she said sarcastically. ‘I’ll need to think about it. You can get on with your deliveries now. I’ll be in touch.’

  He thanked her and left the shop.

  Rita said, ‘So what are you going to do?’

  ‘Think about it, as I said.’

  She was annoyed with William for passing the buck to her but could see his problem. The younger Billy would have been easier to deal with but, Jimmy being the age and size he was, how did you punish him if you couldn’t thrash or lock him up and not involve the police? It did seem that he had seen the error of his ways, and being made to apologise had humbled him. Was that enough punishment? She was unsure. Maybe William felt the same. If Jimmy was to misbehave once more, then she would think again about going to the police.

  Next time William came to pay off some of his debt she told him of her decision.

  ‘Thanks,’ he said, gripping her hand and shaking it warmly. ‘I think the greatest punishment I could have given Jimmy was to order him to leave the yard and I don’t really want to do that. He works hard and appears genuinely sorry, and I can’t see him going in for burglary again.’