Backlash

by Charley Dee Brown

  ‘We transferred the contents of the van, into a scrap van.’ Johnboy explained. ‘I left a note for Dougie.’

  ‘I’ve been thinking about the garages, how many do we actually use?’

  ‘I use one for the van, mostly repairs. Your cars in the second one, the other four aren’t used.’ Johnboy disclosed.

  ‘I’ve had an idea, why don’t we have the four unused garages turned into a gym, with a floor space large enough for my martial arts class.’ I suggested. ‘The gym section could be strictly membership only. Due to our prolonged conflict with the Weavers, I’m unable to attend my sessions alone. This would kill two birds with one stone, as you could all have free gym membership.’ I grinned.

  ‘Well there’s plenty of space lass.’ Billy added.

  ‘Janet, would you get onto the builders honey, for a price on the gym, and also to have my bedroom refurbished.’

  For the next few minutes we all drank our coffee in silence.

  ‘Shall I check George out today lass?’ Matt asked.

  ‘Good idea Matt, why don’t you go with him Jack, then you can check the Smuts.’ I suggested. ‘Then we can plan our next move.’

  Jack and Matt went to the back entrance of Clouds; they’d parked the car in a side street. The area was fairly quiet anyway, nevertheless, better to be safe than sorry. No one knew who Weaver was collaborating with. The back door was locked. ‘That’s odd.’ Matt announced. ‘The doors always open.’

  ‘Let’s take a good look around.’ Jack suggested. ‘He can’t have gone anywhere he’s fucked.’

  ‘Well there’s no fucking signs of life, let’s go to Smuts.’ Matt urged.

  ‘No, hang on a bit; I’ll take a look inside. There’s a broken window by the back door, the one Rudy gained entrance by.’ Within minutes Jack had the door open, they were in. The sour putrid stench clung to the air…but George was missing….had he snuffed it? They drove to Smuts; there was no sign of Weavers mob, so they made their way back to The Docket.

  Where the fuck was George?

  ‘It’s too quiet out there lass.’ Jack said cautiously. ‘A sinister feel in the air, maybe George is dead.’

  ‘He’s far too mean to die Jack.’ I said coldly. ‘I’ll get Rudy over here, time he called in to see Nancy.’

  ‘A few days ago Crimson, I’d say he wasn’t fit to stand, let alone walk.’ Matt added.

  ‘People do reckless things….when in a desperate situation.’ I picked up the phone and rang the Hampstead number…..’

  ‘I’ll make my way over there now.’ Rudy assured to my request. At that moment Janet walked into the office looking grim.

  ‘Your grandmother Brita has been on the phone, she says Ava isn’t coping and wants to come back to England.’

  ‘Ok Janet I’ll speak to her.’ The thought of déjà vous, sprang to mind. I can’t leave my mother in Sweden if she’s unhappy. If I bring her back Brita will also want to return. Explaining the full situation to them both…is not an option. Bringing my mother to stay in my flat would be a serious mistake. How could I expect her to live in the basement, where she was so cruelly imprisoned for years? I would have to disclose the reasons and that’s impossible. Brita could go back to Hampstead…..I need my mother to be close to Matilda…though somewhere she is happy….there’s only one answer to this……

  Stan Weaver was fuming, Seb hadn’t returned from The Docket, was the bastard dead? Or had he bluffed them all? One thing’s for sure if we catch the bastard he’ll be dead. Stan knew Seb was sly; he’d taken the chance as the fucker had the entire lowdown on the bitch, and The Docket. George was his only contact now, unless he could win one of her heavies over. He was desperate now, so during the night he went to Clouds alone, to seek George out. The gaff was locked up and there was no reply to his phone calls. He knew George’s old woman had a knocking shop, time he paid her a visit …..

  Rudy bowled into his mother’s kitchen, the last place he wanted to be, but needs must.

  ‘Oh so the bad fucking penny turns up again.’ Nancy yelled over the blare of the radio. ‘What d’you want?’ she probed.

  ‘Just thought I’d call in and see you.’ Rudy lied. She was his mother; however their relationship had come to an end years ago, in fact with all his so called family. He’d always been treated like the black sheep, his brother Lance had been the blue eyed boy, and Rudy re-called how he’d turned out….abducting their cousin Archie, to obtain a hundred grand from their uncle Harry A. He was evil, depraved, as he craved to have Crimson at whatever the cost….after he was shot he came back and haunted them……the thoughts appalled him. Then the day he’d rescued his aunt Ava from the clutches of his nefarious father George, who’d kept Ava imprisoned for sixteen years. His mother Nancy, who ran a knocking shop, his sister Kay one of the ‘escorts’ who was about to give birth, to yet another bastard….the thoughts unnerved him….and here he was standing in the kitchen of his mother’s house of ill repute. Unbeknown to her he lived at The Docket, and worked with his cousin Crimson, yes part of the underworld, nevertheless he was no killer…..Jerking back to the moment he said casually. ‘What’s happening to the old man’s place next door?’ He knew the answer of course, Crimson had purchased the property.

  ‘He sold it; whoever bought it is having it turned into bedsits.’ She grimaced. ‘However could bring me more business.’ She added with a shallow grin.

  ‘Who bought the place?’ He quizzed, to see if she had a notion.

  ‘No idea, anyway you haven’t come here to talk about that.’ She pursed her lips. ‘What d’you really want?’ She eyed him suspiciously.

  As he was about to answer, there was a hefty knock on the front door. Nancy rushed to great her caller. Rudy turned the radio volume down, and moved to the doorway to listen to the conversation. He was alerted to the gruff sounds of a male’s voice. ‘I’m looking for George.’ The man asked.

  ‘Well he aint here, who are you anyway?’ Nancy replied coldly.

  ‘Stan Weaver, I’ve got a bit of business going with George.’

  ‘He’ll be at his club, if you know it ‘Clouds’. Nancy pointed up the road.

  ‘I’ve been there just now, the place is locked up and he aint answering his phone.’ Weaver probed.

  ‘He was there last time I saw him, I’m not his fucking keeper.’ She claimed.

  ‘Could you give him a message?’ Rudy peered around the doorway to see Weaver hand Nancy a piece of crumpled paper. ‘It’s important.’ He endorsed.

  ‘If I see him.’ She shut the door with a hefty bang.

  As she walked back into the kitchen, she threw the crumpled note on the sideboard. ‘D’you know who that bloke is?’ She asked.

  ‘No, why would I. I haven’t seen the old man for ages.’ He lied again. ‘What’s he up to then?’ Hoping he may learn a bit more, he added. ‘Don’t I get a cuppa then, or is that too much to ask.’

  ‘Stick the kettle on then, I’m busy.’ Came the cool reply.

  While he made the tea Rudy continued to probe. ‘So why did the old man sell next door then?’

  ‘He needed the cash, anyway why do you want to know, in bother again are you?’ she asked curtly.

  ‘No I’m good.’

  ‘So why the fuck are you here!’ she yelled.

  ‘No particular reason, just in the area for a meeting.’ He took a swig of the hot tea, he could tell he wasn’t going to get any more out of her, she was a stubborn woman. Moving toward the sideboard, he picked up a photo of a baby, of which he had no interest. ‘Whose kid is this?’

  ‘One of the girls.’

  As he replaced the photo he put his hand over the crumpled note. ‘I’ll be off then, I’m due at a meeting.’

  Nancy continued to peel potatoes, she didn’t look up.

  ‘See you.’ He muttered as he left the house. He’d parked out of the way for obvious reasons. Although he was eager to read the note, he decided to wait until he was back in the office with Crimson…the visi
t had made him feel uneasy, constrained even….

  After Rudy’s brief explanation of the visit to his mothers, he handed Crimson the crumpled note, he thought it best she read it first.

  The note was simple, basic, as expected of Weaver. It read Sebs fucked off, what next? Ring urgent! S. ‘The phone number has changed, must be Smuts.’ I added as I passed the note back to Rudy. ‘Any thoughts on where he may be?’ I asked hopefully.

  ‘Not at the moment lass, although I’ve a feeling the old woman knows.’ Rudy replied. ‘I think we should watch her place as well as Clouds.’

  ‘They haven’t got on for years.’ I added.

  ‘That’s as maybe, though I’m not sure about the ownership of the knocking shop, where money’s concerned she’ll do anything.’

  ‘I see what you’re saying, if he owns the property and has threatened to sell. Ok I’ll put Matt on it straight away.’

  ‘I’ll split it with him lass, I know the way they think.’

  The boys were all out, and Rudy had just left to find Matt. I had an appointment with the builders, the new gym was already under way, theoretically, at least….My most pressing predicament now was safely re-housing my mother. After a long conversation with my grandmother in Sweden, she had made it abundantly clear how distressed my mother was, and how she wanted to know what was going on. Brita had to stay in Sweden for a while longer, as she still had loose ends to tie up over the sale of her property. This was helpful, however finding a safe house for my mother was not. I needed to speak with Matilda, as soon as Johnboy returns we could pay her a visit. If I go out alone all hell will break loose with the boys. I’ve been considering all the aspects of the ongoing feud we’re fighting, with the Weavers and George. Sebs out of the way, however we are unsure as to whom Weaver has roped into his mob. There’s plenty of willing lowlife out there, who’d sell their grannies for a fix…..so in case of anything unforeseen taking place, I decided to write a summary, covering all eventualities, which I would leave in my safe.

  As always Matilda was thrilled to see us, I had reservations though, the last thing I wanted to do was pressurise our lovely friend….she’s eighty three years old! Nevertheless I know what her reaction will be. After our usual tea and cake, I was about to discuss the dilemma I was facing with my mother, when to my total surprise…Matilda said positively. ‘You have a problem with Ava lass; she rang me yesterday from Sweden. I listened carefully; she’s in turmoil, completely confused as to why she is being moved around so much. As she quoted, Sweden was her fifth move, since she was rescued from George’s clutches.’ Matilda stopped and took a long drink of tea. ‘She conveyed that she was aware something untoward was taking place. What she really wants is for you to tell her exactly what’s at stake.’ Matilda took a deep breath and then continued. ‘She is cognizant of the underworld and their illicit procedures, none more so than herself. She mentioned her father Eddie Jackson, and her husband Harry A. She understands how you want to protect her, however she feels it’s time you revealed the truth. How long can they all be expected to live as they are now, her words lass?’

  ‘She’s right of course.’ I replied thoughtfully. ‘How many more times can I move her?’

  ‘Maybe the time has come to be rid of George lass. At the end of the day I know how much he deserves to be punished, however, this way is still constantly punishing your mother.’ Matilda said cautiously.

  ‘You’re right, although it’s not just George, who by the way has gone missing. Even though Seb has gone, the Weavers are a constant threat. The truth is, it’s me they want.’ I added. ‘Weaver hates women, and believes I’m the only obstacle in his way.’

  ‘The man’s deluded as we all know.’ Johnboy stated.

  ‘The trouble is, even if I disappeared, he’d never get his hands on The Docket, and our firm. I’ve made sure of that.’ Johnboy had stayed quiet throughout the discussion apart from one short statement; I would speak with him later. I knew a specific phone call with my mother was long overdue……

  ‘Daley’s been in touch, Sean McRoy is having a grand re-opening at Scrubs this weekend, and we’re all invited. I feel we should all attend.’ Matilda pursed her lips together. ‘Safety in numbers.’

  ‘Of course, we’ll collect you Matilda.’ I suggested.

  ‘No lass, Herby’s picking me up, best to keep mine and Herby’s homes away from the mob.’ She sighed. ‘Herby’s a good contact for you, and the last thing we want is to get him involved.’

  ‘You’re absolutely right Matilda.’ Johnboy responded. ‘He’s worth his weight in gold.’

  After my lengthy phone call with my mother, I was finding it difficult to assimilate mentally, her wishes. My first instinct had always been to protect her, on reflection had I ever truly considered how she felt? Well I certainly do now; she wants to return to London to her own home, as soon as possible. She feels Patsy will fare much better with her around, and Joe and Lauren should be able to return to their own home. I have to agree. She believes that as long as there is security on the outside of the building, they can live a reasonably normal life. There will be no need to go out, as there is a beautiful garden. When I mentioned shopping, she had already discussed this with Joe and Lauren, and they were more than happy to deal with this, as they would want to visit regularly….She had all the answers, although her final request blew my mind!

  My mother wants a gun!

  Chapter 14

  Later in my flat, I relayed the conversation I’d had with my mother, to Johnboy. ‘I’ve never heard her so confident, positive. To confirm her request, she actually said, I quote, ‘I spent sixteen years being controlled by George Brook, I have no fear Crimson, not after enduring that,’ It was almost as though she had changed overnight.’

  ‘She’s always been quiet and reserved; something has drastically changed her perspective, that’s for sure.’ Johnboy put a reassuring arm around my shoulder. ‘There’s an old adage lass, the worm will turn.’

  ‘You’re right.’ I snuggled into his shoulder, precious alone moments were rare for us. ‘Now we have to get her back home.’ He whispered my name, as our bodies touched…slowly we became entwined…our hearts fusing into one…his tongue caressed every inch of my body… like a chisel…his kisses long and deep…I gasped for air…we moaned…he thrust deeper…we were lost in love….

  Stan Weaver was seething, no response from George, had his old woman given him the note? What was his next move, where the fuck was he? He knew he must plan his next move, Smuts was ok as a stop gap base, but he was greedy for a place of his own. If he couldn’t get Clouds, then he’d go straight for The Docket, if need be he’d take the fucking lot of them out. He’d heard that Scrubs was reopening, some fucking Irish bastard had bought it, and he needed to know more about him. With his oldest son Cliff wasted, taken down by that evil bitch, he had to rely on his two younger boys, and the Geary lads. Seb had been useful, he thrived on torture, and he had a penchant for causing pain. Where was the asshole, dead, or had he fucked off, who was in that fucking basement? So many unanswered questions, he needed another bloke with guts! Then he could continue with his plan, he had The Docket, and the Hampstead gaff under surveillance, but to date no fucking progress. Although it was his only way of following their movements, the bitch was never alone; she always had a heavy with her. He knew he needed the bitch; she was the answer to it all. Could he get another one of her sidekicks on his side? He managed it with Seb, he was a rapacious bastard, so why not? No one likes a supercilious bitch!

  I stirred as Johnboy slipped out of my bed, how long would it be before we could go public with our relationship? Or will we ever be able to? I knew the time wasn’t right now; we’re both so incredibly careful. In fact I try not to give him eye contact when the others are around….As I drifted back to sleep, a vision of my father appeared in my dream…I know he always guides me…somehow this was different….it was as though he was talking to me face to face….there are things you must do honey�
��.bring your mother home, she must talk to Matilda again…she holds all the secrets….And then almost as though he was reading my thoughts….how do I get her back safely? You must bring Archie and Larry back, the mob doesn’t know Larry, and they don’t know Tod, so use them to get Ava back inside the house…my thoughts were questioning how? Dougie will get you a van, use a logo, start up a temporary firm…you will place it all together Crimson, you have foresight, you’re my daughter….Forget about George for now, I’m dealing with him, not time for him to go yet….use Jack to gather information from the mob…..As I woke, my head was filled with a mental representation of something…so vivid…had my father been talking to me? Had he installed the plan in my brain? I knew exactly what I had to do…he’d answered all my thoughts. I had to bring Archie and Larry back to London, I must get Cedric Allen to find a flat for Archie, so he’s able to take up his position in the Childs Hill library. Larry would have to stay in a bedsit until the feud was settled. We all have a price to pay during this ordeal. A temporary firm…why? A general building firm could be perfect, another phone line, if an office was required, no problems, we own enough properties. Suddenly everything was fitting into place, my mind was alive with ideas…..bathing and dressing in record time, I headed up to the office.

  The next few hours were incredibly busy, a new phone line had been ordered from BT. I’d spoken in depth to Archie and Larry, as getting them back to London was imperative. I’d also assured my mother that I was putting a plan in place, and she wouldn’t have to wait much longer before her return home. Dougie had a van that was in excellent condition, although the engine required work, possibly even a new engine. With Johnboy’s help this wouldn’t be a problem, although the logo would require professional help. Everyone was encouraged by this new turn of events, a reasonable life was on all of our agendas…if only. Naming the new company appropriately took some thought, however, as I was the only person who knew Johnboy’s surname, I decided J.Boyston and Son had a good ring to it, General Builders and Decorators and Loft Installation specialists. It was the loft installation that would hopefully install my mother back safely into the Hampstead house. To begin with Larry and Tod, Dougie’s son, would act as the appropriate builders. They would collect my mother from the airport, although Larry had never met Ava, Tod was her nephew. The thought of owning our own building firm seemed prudent, as we own numerous properties and constantly use local building firms. Until established, we could use sub contractors…. slow down girl you’re moving too fast!