“Do you know anything about getting a licence?”
“I’m afraid to say I don’t.” Harry shrugged. “I leave that to those who deal with that kind of thing. I couldn’t even give you a name to ask for if you went in person to ask for the licence. Sorry.”
“Not to worry.” Ivy heard the sound she’d been waiting for, the clap of a horse’s hooves. The system Jem had put in place – taking the call, sending out lads on bikes to notify the jarveys – was speeding up service. Jem’s lads and the young horses he’d bought weren’t trained up enough yet to deal with all of his business. She hoped it wasn’t Jem himself. The man was too honest.
“That’s my jarvey now, Harry. Can your lad lend a hand getting the boxes out?”
“Not a problem.”
“Harry,” Ivy turned with a frown on her face, “those rubber doll things,”
“What about them?” Harry was directing two lads and the jarvey who’d answered the call.
“How much are yeh asking for them?”
“Ivy!”
Ivy turned at the sound of her name.
“Hey, Ivy!” Conn Connelly strolled into the warehouse. He’d been in the livery when Ivy’s call came in. He’d passed the message along to the nearest taxi rank than raced the jarvey on his bike through Dublin’s back streets. “Do you need a hand with something?”
“I don’t think so, Conn, thanks.” Ivy almost grinned. Conn was a good sidekick for someone trying to pull a fast one.
“I’ll wait anyway – I’m just doing my rounds.” Conn was learning the streets and alleys of the city. He wanted to be able to give directions to the jarveys.
“Ivy, about those rubber dolls?” Harry didn’t want to lose the chance of shifting those things.
“What dolls?” Ivy couldn’t believe her luck. She didn’t have to mention the dolls again – Harry had been the one to bring it up. “Oh, the skinny blonde dolls!” She shrugged. “I thought I might find a use for them. It depends how much you want for them.”
“How many were yeh thinking of?” Harry didn’t think she could sell the things on but that wasn’t his problem.
Ivy took a deep breath. “All of them.”
“The full thousand?” Harry had to fight to keep the surprise out of his voice. The customer was always right. That was his motto. It would be an expensive lesson for Ivy but better she learn it early.
“Well, you can’t be asking much for them.” She pointed at the pathetic rubber dolls hanging outside the boxes.
“You’re thinking of buying them ugly things?” Conn had followed Ivy. “Ivy Murphy, you’ll be making a donation to Harry’s bank account. I didn’t know you had money to spare.” Conn laughed and shared a man-to-man look with Harry. “You”ll never shift something that ugly, Ivy.”
“Mind your own business, Conn!” Ivy snapped though she wanted to kiss him. He was playing it exactly right. “Harry, ignore me young friend.” She turned her back on the grinning Conn. “How much are yeh asking for all of them dolls?”
“They cost me four quid.” Harry said, doubling the figure.
“They’ve been sitting there for an awful long time, Ivy.” Conn put in before Ivy could speak. “Look at the dust on them things! Ivy, nobody wants them. You’ve bought something already. You haven’t even got your licence yet.” Conn hoped he’d read the situation properly.
“Hold your whist, young man!” Harry didn’t want to lose the chance of shifting the bloody dolls. “Two squid.” He spat in his hand. He would only make his money back.
“Done.” Ivy spat in her hand and returned the firm handshake. It was a firm contract between businessmen.
“Ivy Murphy!” Conn yelped. “You’re nuts!”
“Help the lads get the boxes out, Conn,” Ivy ordered. “Load the things in the carriage and no more back talk.” She walked away with Harry, ready to settle her account. She’d made the deal of the century on those rubber dolls. Now she had to prove her big idea was sound.
“That lad of yours plays a good game.” Harry knew he’d been played.
“He’s learning.” Ivy could grin openly now the deal had been struck.
“I know I’ve been stitched up, Ivy Murphy, but hell if I can figure out how.” Harry Green grinned. A good business deal was one where both sides won.
“I’m taking the kind of risk, Harry, that keeps me awake at night.”
“Those are the kind of risks that can make yeh rich when they come off, Ivy. I’ll wish yeh the best of luck.”
Harry watched Ivy and her young assistant leave his warehouse. He’d be keeping an eye on that young woman.
“Conn, you are a star!” Ivy whispered out of the side of her mouth.
“I did good? Thank God. I wasn’t sure.”
“I got what I wanted at a much better price than I expected. Now I just have to turn the things into something everyone wants.”
“That’s all?” Conn laughed.
“You’ve filled me cab up, Missus,” the jarvey said to Ivy.
“I’ll give yeh a lift home on me crossbar again.” Conn offered.
“Get away with yeh, Conn!” Ivy laughed. “I’m going to pay the jarvey to deliver my stuff but I’ve things to do yet in town.”
“See you later, Ivy.” Conn rode his bike away whistling. He couldn’t wait to see what Ivy did with those ugly little dolls.
Ivy turned to the jarvey. “Hello, me name’s Ivy Murphy. Do you know where I want these things delivered?”
“The name’s Billy White – back to the livery is what I was told.” Billy didn’t need to know her name.
“You can leave my stuff with Jem for the moment, Mr White,” Ivy said as the man climbed up to the driver’s seat. “You know the way?”
“I do now.” Billy White grinned. “That tunnel is something. I didn’t even know there were houses back there before I signed on with Jem.”
“That’s cause none of us could afford a cab.” Ivy grinned. “It’s always been Shank’s pony for us. How much do I owe you?” Ivy opened her purse and prepared to spend more of her precious money.
“Miss Murphy, if I could have a moment of your time?”
“Mr Norton.” Ivy turned away from the clerk and put her signed rent book back in her handbag. She preferred to pay her rent into the Earl Street office rather than have the rent man call.
“If I could have a private moment, Miss Murphy . . .” Greg Norton invited Ivy further down the tall counter from his listening clerk. It wouldn’t do for him to invite a single female into his office. The front wall of this office opening onto Earl Street was glass, ensuring no impropriety.
“Of course,” Ivy agreed.
“I’m afraid I’ve bad news for you, Miss Murphy.” Greg Norton’s words sent ice down Ivy’s spine. “Someone – and, believe me, dear lady, when I say I have no idea who – but someone is causing problems for you with this office.” He thought the persecution of this young woman a disgrace.
“What kind of problems, Mr Norton?” Ivy shook visibly.
“Someone is trying very hard to have you evicted.” He hated to see the distress in Ivy’s big blue eyes.
“Can they do that, Mr Norton?” Ivy had to force the words past what felt like a ball of cotton wool. “I pay my rent on time. I’ve never missed a payment, Mr Norton, you know that – never.” Ivy and her brothers had gone hungry more than once in order to pay the rent.
“You pay your rent weekly. But nevertheless the landlord can ask you to vacate the premises with a week’s notice, I’m afraid.”
“I can be turned out in the streets with only a week’s notice?” Ivy thought she could actually feel her blood turn to ice. “That’s not enough time to find somewhere else to live. It’s inhuman, Mr Norton.”
“I agree, Miss Murphy.” Greg Norton sighed. “I haven’t been given the order to evict you but someone powerful is behind the rumours I’ve heard. I thought you might be able to look into the problem – quietly, please.” Greg Norton dealt wi
th a great many problem tenants. Miss Ivy Murphy was not one of them.
“Can you tell me who owns the building I live in, Mr Norton.” Ivy asked. Father Leary was behind this latest problem, it could be no-one else.
“I really shouldn’t but I don’t agree with what is being done. I’ll look up those details for you, Miss Murphy.” Greg Norton needed to think about the step he was planning to take. The slum landlords of Dublin were rich powerful men. It didn’t do to make enemies of them.
“Thanks, Mr Norton. That’s very kind. I don’t want to get you into trouble.” Ivy watched Greg Norton disappear into his office.
She waited, trying to control her tremors.
“That block of tenements is owned by MacMore,” Greg Norton was saying as he came out of his office reading from an open file. “I believe the reason you haven’t been troubled, up to this point, is the sheer size of the company. The rent earned from your rooms is just a drop in the ocean to these people.” Greg Norton slapped the file closed. “If someone insists on bringing you to their attention, demanding action, things could turn out very badly for you, You need to take measures to protect yourself, Miss Murphy.”
“Thank you so much, Mr Norton.” Ivy felt sick to her stomach.
“I hope you can sort something out, Miss Murphy. I’d hate to lose such a good tenant.” Greg Norton watched Ivy leave his premises, feeling helpless.
Out in the street Ivy fought the urge to scream aloud. It seemed every time she took one step forward someone was trying to beat her back.
“Brother Theo, was I expecting a visit from your good self?” Father Leary snapped when Theo was shown into his office by his housekeeper. Leary didn’t appreciate this friar interfering in his affairs. It would not be allowed to continue.
“I was passing.” Theo, back from a week’s holiday in his home town had heard from Roderick about this man’s latest attempt to cause Ivy Murphy and her friends trouble. He’d decided to pay a social visit and feel out the situation for himself. Theo sighed. He would have to pray extra hard for forgiveness – he simply couldn’t like this man.
“I’d heard you make a habit of visiting that harlot, Ivy Rose Murphy.” Father Leary’s many chins wobbled alarmingly. His gaze would have frozen a lesser man. “You need to be careful, people are talking.”
“Yes, indeed,” Theo agreed. He hadn’t been offered a chair but he sat regardless. “People are talking but not about my innocent visits to a group of people I find fascinating. What people are truly wondering is why you, a supposed man of God, are involving yourself in Ivy Murphy’s personal life?”
“How dare you come in here and question me?” Father Leary slapped his open hand on his desk top. The noise echoed around the room like an explosion. The fury being expressed frightened Theo. The man was on the edge. This attitude was worrying and not acceptable.
“You need help, Father Leary.” Theo wished he’d asked someone to accompany him.
“I am a man of God!” Leary screamed. “You have no right to question me! I speak with the voice of God.” Leary shoved back his chair and leaned over his desk threateningly.
“You need to calm down.” Theo was horrified to notice the man was dribbling.
“I need no advice from the likes of you!” Leary shouted. “I am a man of God!”
“We are all God’s creatures.” Theo was making a mental list of the priests he knew who policed the behaviour of the clergy. He needed someone besides himself to witness this complete loss of control in a Parish Priest.
“That’s what that whore Ivy Rose Murphy said!” Leary screamed. “That worthless female dared to stand in my church,” he beat his chest with his closed fist, “before my altar!”
“The altar of God,” Theo put in quietly. Had no-one noticed this man’s complete mental breakdown? How had he been allowed to continue in his position?
“That whore dared to question my right to eject her from my church!” Leary shouted. “Ivy Rose Murphy stood before my altar in my house and defied me. That harlot, I will destroy her, cast her out of my kingdom just as I did with her whore of a mother!”
“What happened to Ivy’s mother?” Theo needed to bring in another priest. This was far out of his area of expertise. This man had to be removed from his position.
“She tempted me!” Leary screamed. “It was all her fault, my purple-eyed Violet Burton!” The man visibly shook much to Theo’s horror. “She looked so innocent, so beautiful, but she tempted me. It was the devil inside her. I saw that, I tried to beat it out of her. The devil inside her forced me to touch her. It was all her fault. She was the devil’s instrument. I know that now. Everything was the fault of Violet Burton. Now Ivy Rose Murphy – she’s the devil come back to tempt me! I am a man of God!”
“I need to be on my way.” Theo wanted to get away from this man. He needed backup. If he didn’t know better he’d say the man was possessed. “I’ll return another day when you are more yourself.” I’ll return with men in white coats, Theo mentally added.
“Ivy Murphy, since when did I turn into your messenger boy?” Jem stood grinning in Ivy’s open doorway.
“Thanks for putting all this stuff in here for me.” Ivy had left her key with Jem. She’d been hoping she’d find what she wanted at Harry Green’s. Jem had had his lads dump the boxes of dolls into Ivy’s workroom.
“What’s wrong?” Jem could see the upset on Ivy’s face.
“Someone is trying to have me evicted,” Ivy said simply. “Mr Norton just told me on the quiet.”
“Ah Ivy!” Jem stepped inside and pulled Ivy into his arms.
“Don’t be too nice to me, Jem Ryan.” Ivy’s voice was muffled by his broad chest. “We both know whose fault this is. I’ll be damned if that man will make me cry.”
“How can I help?” Jem rocked back and forth, giving comfort to both of them.
“Come through, Jem.” Ivy pulled out of his arms. It was getting harder to resist the man’s charms. “I’ll put the kettle on.”
“Of course you will.” Jem laughed and dropped into a chair by the kitchen table. “The solution to all your problems, a cup of your life’s blood.”
“It helps.” Ivy busied herself with the familiar routine. “I need to borrow Conn for a while, Jem.”
“What do you need him for?” That was Ivy – give her a problem and she came out fighting.
“I want him to investigate a company for me.” Ivy looked over her shoulder. “They own this house and who knows how many others in The Lane. Mr Norton said it’s a big company. I’ll have Ann Marie look into it as well. The woman seems to know everyone who is anyone. But I want Conn – I don’t know how he’d go about this business but I trust him to figure something out. I need to know who owns the company and who runs it.”
“Give me the details and I’ll put him on it.” Jem made a note of the details and grinned. “Once Conn knows it’s for you the lad will kill himself trying.”
“What?”
“You made him a hero when you rode on his crossbar, Ivy.” Jem roared with laughter at the shocked look on Ivy’s face. “The other lads almost bowed down to him.”
“Rubbish!” Ivy brought the tea to the table. It thrilled her to be able to add a plate of shop-bought biscuits to the things on the table.
“All of the lads are a little in love with you, Ivy.” Jem shrugged. They weren’t the only ones. “It’s innocent.”
Ivy sat down and poured the tea.
“Tell us why you bought all those dolls today,” Jem asked.
“I will, Jem, I promise – just not yet. Oh, before I forget!” Ivy filled Jem in on Harry Green’s problem with deliveries. “It should be a good contact for you.”
“You spend a lot of time helping with my business, Ivy.” Jem appreciated all of her help. Without her none of this would be happening. “The business cards you gave out to all of them butlers you know helped a lot.”
“I never told yeh, Jem.” Ivy sipped her tea with appreciation. �
�I sold my hair. I got more than a year’s rent money for the hair off me head.” She smiled at the shock on Jem’s face. “Yes, I nearly passed out too.”
“That takes some believing, Ivy.” Jem shook his head. “Jaysus, it just goes to show yeh some people have more money than sense.”
“It’s true nonetheless.” Ivy smiled. “I thought having that money behind me would keep me safe. I had one year rent free as it were. I looked at this as a chance to take a year to risk everything. I was paying Sadie and her daughters out of my earnings from my rounds. I make a tidy amount from the stuff I collect on my rounds. I get a lot of things I can sell straight on at a profit. Then there’s the money I make from the stuff I alter or mend. I was doing okay.”
Ivy didn’t mention the difference it made to her not having her da dip his hand into her earnings. She’d been astonished at how much money she took in every week. She’d never before stopped to count her earnings. She never had the time, never had the money in her hand for long. She’d been kept too busy trying to keep a roof over her head and food on the table.
“The news Mr Norton gave me today knocked the stuffing out of me, Jem.” Ivy was still slightly in shock. “I didn’t know you could be evicted for no good reason. I thought as long as you paid your rent on time and gave no problems you were safe. Seems it doesn’t work like that. The power is all the landlords. There’s a surprise for yeh, Jem. The one with the money has the power.”
Through Streets Broad and Narrow (Ivy Rose Series Book 1) Page 34