Luck Be a Lady

by Anna King

  The piercing sound brought Richard sharply back to his senses. Frightened that someone would come to see what was happening he quickly stepped back, his hands held out in abject apology. ‘Oh, my God! Amy, Amy, love, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Look… Look, Amy, please. You won’t tell anyone, will you? I swear it’ll never happen again. Please, Amy, tell me you’ll keep quiet and I promise I’ll…’

  ‘Dear me, have I come at an inconvenient time, Richard? I can always come back later, if you wish.’

  Richard spun round to see Ivy framed in the doorway, but before he could utter a word, Amy, her face streaming with tears, her innocence finally and irretrievably shattered for ever, ran from the room, nearly knocking over Ivy in her desperate need to get away from the man who had not merely betrayed her trust, as Phil had done, but had also stripped her of the last precious vestige of childhood.

  *

  Closing the door behind the fleeing young girl, Ivy strolled into the office, her face betraying none of the contempt she was feeling towards this man who was soon to become her husband.

  Behind her, Richard was babbling wildly, ‘Now, look, Ivy. It’s not what you think. The girl came to me for money to get that worthless brother of hers out of debt. She was in a terrible state when she arrived, and when I tried to comfort her, she… she just went hysterical.’

  Flickering her eyes over the red, sweating fat face, Ivy felt the gorge rise in her stomach. She knew what she had seen, and her heart went out to the pretty young girl for the nauseous ordeal she must have suffered at the grubby hands of the man she looked on as her uncle.

  If Ivy wasn’t in such dire straits, she would call off the wedding here and now. Unfortunately she was in no position to do that. Pulling up the blind that Richard had lowered to keep his employees from looking in, Ivy fixed her eyes unseeingly on the shop floor, unaware of the curious gazes being levelled up at her from below, her mind preoccupied with her financial problems. Only ten days ago she had been a wealthy woman, all of her money left to her by her two previous husbands securely tied up in stocks and shares. Now those same stocks and shares that had kept her comfortably off for years had gone, her carefully invested money wiped out after a disastrous day’s trading on the Stock Market.

  Before the catastrophic event that had left her virtually penniless, she had already been having second thoughts about marrying Richard, especially when he’d told her he planned to move back into his old home until he could sell it and move to somewhere more salubrious. The idea of sharing a house with that obnoxious old cow Maude had sent Ivy’s hackles rising, but Richard had been adamant. It was then the first doubts had begun to creep in. She was comfortably off, she still had her looks, and she loved her house where she’d lived for many happy years, and had no intention of selling it. Now everything had changed. The house was the only possession she had left, but the house was no good to her without the means to run it. She could sell it and move to a smaller place and still have a tidy bit of money left over, but how long would that last her? No! Her only hope of remaining in the luxury she had enjoyed for over twenty years was to marry Richard. But by God, the instant that ring was on her finger, he would never know another minute’s peace. She still wanted a child, but that child needn’t be fathered by her husband. There were plenty of men who would be only too willing to help her in that department. Then, if and when she found herself pregnant, she would allow Richard access to her body, just the once, so that the child, if there was one, would have a legitimate name.

  Composing her face into a loving smile, she turned and said sweetly, ‘Don’t be silly, Richard. I never imagined for a moment that anything untoward was going on. After all, you may not be the girl’s uncle in the eyes of the law, but you’ve always behaved like one towards her. And what sort of man would be so despicable as to take advantage of his own niece, especially one as young and innocent as your Amy?’

  Richard peered anxiously into Ivy’s face, searching for some sign of ridicule or contempt, and found only a genuine smile of complete amusement that she could ever think such a thing of him. Wiping his perspiring face with a damp linen handkerchief he muttered, ‘Of course. Naturally, I wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing. I’m glad you understand, my dear. Some women might have got the wrong idea.’

  Ivy smiled back sweetly, ‘Oh, you don’t have to worry about that, Richard, darling. I never get the wrong idea about anything – or anyone for that matter. I’m a very astute woman.’

  Again Richard’s eyes darted to Ivy’s face, his guilty conscience tormenting him, then he relaxed. Ivy didn’t suspect a thing, and Amy wouldn’t say anything, he was sure of that. She would be too ashamed to tell anyone what had transpired between them. Even if she did, it would be her word against his, and Amy had never been one to cause trouble.

  It had been a close shave, but he had got away with it. Providing Amy kept her mouth shut.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  The skies had already begun to darken, the keen December air turning to a biting coldness, but still the streets were humming with crowds of people, rushing to and fro in a mad dash to get their last bits and pieces before heading back to the warmth of their homes. Hordes of children ran alongside their harassed mothers; their faces, although stinging from the icy wind, were bright and excited at the prospect of the forthcoming visit from Father Christmas and what he might leave in the stockings or pillowcases they planned to hang at the foot of their beds.

  Amy sat on a street bench, her mind oblivious to her surroundings or the coldness that was beginning to seep through her heavy coat into her bones. All she could think of was what had happened in Richard’s office, and every now and then she shuddered at the memory of his hands on her body and his wet mouth on her neck. It was like a nightmare, but unlike any other bad dream she’d ever had. She still couldn’t believe it had happened, and cursed herself for being a naive fool. All these years Becky had tried to warn her not to be alone with Richard, and Amy had laughed her sister’s warnings off, thinking Becky was overreacting simply because she didn’t like Richard, and never had. But Becky had been right all along. Thumping her knee with a mittened hand, Amy groaned silently. Oh, why hadn’t she listened to Becky? But she’d never had any reason to distrust Richard. He had always been so kind and loving towards her, spoiling her at times with little treats, and telling her not to tell Becky, else he’d get into trouble. Closing her eyes, Amy looked back at those times. She could see her and Richard, their heads close together, herself only a child willing to play along with the game. And all the time he had been thinking of her in that way. Again she shuddered. Every inch of her skin seemed to be crawling with unseen insects, the deeply unpleasant sensation reminding her once again of Richard’s hands on her body, but still she was unable to move from the hard, cold bench. Even if she could rouse herself, where would she go? Not home, no, definitely not home. Richard would be there organising the party for tonight, and she knew that if he were so much as to lay a finger on her, she would start screaming. And once the pain and humiliation that was racking both her mind and body was allowed free rein, Amy was afraid she might not be able to stop. Then there was Becky. Becky would know at once there was something wrong. Amy had never been any good at hiding her feelings, and she couldn’t take the chance of Becky finding out what Richard had done, or attempted to do. For such was her sister’s hatred of the man that Becky would go for him with murder in her heart.

  For the same reason, she couldn’t go back to Jimmy’s house either, for Bessie’s keen eyes didn’t miss a trick, and Amy was afraid that if questioned too closely she might break down and tell the truth. If that happened, then Richard would be either dead or seriously injured before the night was out. If not by Jimmy then certainly by her Charlie. As she thought of the young man she regarded as her sweetheart, Amy choked back a sob. Dear Charlie. Dear, sweet, funny, kind Charlie, who always gave the impression of a happy-go-lucky lad who wouldn’t harm a fly. But Amy knew h
im better than most people. Beneath his cheery, nonchalant manner there lurked a man of strength, a man who wouldn’t hesitate to kill or maim for someone he cared about. And he cared very much about Amy. He had already hinted at their future together, making a joke about buying her a ring for her sixteenth birthday. A sudden thought struck her, chilling her to the bone more forcefully than the freezing winter temperature. What if Charlie didn’t want her if he found out? Men could be very funny about things like this. He might even think she had encouraged Richard in some way. The idea was so appalling that it brought Amy to her feet. But she had been sitting in the cold for so long that her feet had gone numb, and she stumbled, only saving herself from falling by clutching wildly at the side of the wooden bench.

  ‘Yer all right, love?’

  A woman, laden down with shopping baskets, accompanied by five excited children, stopped by Amy’s side.

  Startled, Amy looked up, then smiled weakly. ‘Oh, yes, I’m fine, really. I just lost my balance for a minute, I’m all right now, but thank you for asking.’

  The woman peered at the young girl in concern. ‘Yer’d best get yerself off ’ome, love. Yer look ’alf froze ter death.’

  Stamping her feet to get the circulation going, Amy replied over-brightly, ‘Yes, you’re right. I was just on my way.’ Her mouth fixed in a frozen smile, Amy nodded at the woman. ‘Thank you for stopping, goodbye.’

  ‘Yeah, all right, love. You take care now, yer ’ear me?’

  Amy continued to smile as she walked away.

  ‘Merry Christmas, lady,’ one of the children shouted after her.

  Turning her head over her shoulder, Amy waved back. ‘And a very Merry Christmas to you all.’

  Pulling up the collar of her coat, Amy gripped it tightly around her neck and began to walk in the direction of Roman Road.

  Bypassing the top end of the market that was still doing a roaring trade, Amy began to drag her feet. One part of her wanted to carry on walking forever, the sensible side of her knowing she had to get in out of the cold before she ended up like Becky had been the past week. Though that prospect at this minute seemed very tempting. There was nothing she would like better than to go to bed and sleep. Just sleep and sleep without dreams. To be able to forget, if only for a short while, the awful thing that had happened to her.

  Like a riderless horse driven by instinct, Amy found herself standing outside the large house she had come to think of as her second home. Too cold and numb to walk any further, she knocked loudly on the door.

  ‘Bleeding ’ell, girl. Where’ve yer been? It’s nearly five o’clock. Yer’ve been gone hours… ’Ere, what’s up? What’s ’appened ter yer?’

  Bessie’s keen eyes raked Amy’s face, and Amy, knowing she was going to have to lie to save herself from further questioning, said through chattering teeth, ‘Let me in, Bessie. I’m freezing.’

  Fussing like a mother hen, Bessie pulled Amy into the warmth and began divesting her of her coat, only to be thrust aside roughly. ‘No, it’s all right, Bessie. I’d rather wait until I warm up a bit before taking my coat off.’ Just in time Amy had remembered the torn buttons on her dress. If Bessie had seen the state of her attire there would be no getting let off lightly. ‘Sorry, Bessie, I didn’t mean to push you. And I’m sorry if I’ve worried you, especially as it’s the second time today I’ve been late back. I had to go out to get Becky a Christmas present. With all that’s been going on here, and at home, I completely forgot about it. Then I couldn’t find anything I liked, so I went up Mare Street to see if I could find something in one of the shops.’ Aware she was babbling, but unable to stop herself, Amy rushed on. ‘I was lucky in the end. I managed to get a lovely writing set in Woolworth’s. The assistant even wrapped it up for me, so I thought, seeing as I was near home anyway, I might as well drop it in and see how Becky was feeling before coming back here. I didn’t realise it was so late.’

  Amy was amazed at the ease with which the lies rolled off her tongue. She comforted herself with the knowledge that Bessie was unlikely to catch her out unless she spoke to Becky, and that possibility wasn’t likely to happen. Becky had often teased her about her vivid imagination, but now Amy was glad of it, though this was the first time she had ever used her gift to tell blatant lies. She was so wrapped up in her anxiety to keep up a normal façade that at first Amy didn’t notice the pile of suitcases and valises lying in the hallway.

  ‘What’s going on, Bessie?’ she asked in surprise when she finally caught sight of the luggage. ‘Are you planning a holiday?’

  Impatiently tutting, Bessie pulled at Amy’s arm. ‘Well, if yer’d ’ave let me get a word in edgewise, I’d’ve told yer.’ Guiding Amy through to the kitchen, Bessie pulled up a chair by the iron range and within minutes Amy had her hands clasped around a mug of steaming tea. Taking a few sips gratefully, Amy glanced up to see Bessie busily packing up food into large boxes and realised Bessie had been talking all the while. ‘…then outta the blue, Jimmy comes down an’ tells me we’re going away. Tonight, of all nights, I said ter him, where we gonna find somewhere ter stay on Christmas Eve at this short notice? But it’s no good arguing with my Jimmy when his mind’s made up. Out he went, about an hour ago, Gawd knows where, then comes back and tells me he’s telephoned some hotel and got us all reservations. He’s determined ter get the boy away from ’ere in case that one comes back fer him.’

  Amy stared at the pile of food in amazement. ‘But why are you packing all that food, Bessie? Surely Jimmy doesn’t plan to set up a tent somewhere…’

  Bessie gave a short laugh. ‘He’d better not, else I wouldn’t be going. I like a bit of comfort at my age. No! This lot’s fer the neighbours. Jimmy reckons he’d rather they had it than let it go off stuck in the cupboards while we’re away.’

  Her ordeal with Richard temporarily put to one side, Amy asked, ‘He must be planning to stay away for some time then, Bessie. Judging by the amount of luggage in the hall, and you parcelling up all the perishable food in the house… I mean, how long are you going to be away for?’ A sense of dread swept over Amy. If Jimmy and Bessie were taking James away for who knows how long, then this house, which was her only refuge from Richard now, would be denied her. A feeling of panic rose in her chest. If she couldn’t come here…

  Bessie paused in her task, her eyes staring down at the table strewn with food. ‘Well now, love. That’s why I was so anxious fer yer to get back early. Yer see, Jimmy wants yer ter come with us. He thinks it would make it easier on the lad if yer was with us. Sort of give ’im a bit more security, like. ’Cos he’s very fond of yer, is James. The first thing he asked when Jimmy told him we was going away fer Christmas was if yer was coming with us. Now, I told Jimmy…’ She held up her hand as Amy stirred restlessly in the chair. ‘I said ter ’im, there’s no way that girl’s gonna come with us and leave her sister at ’ome on her own. Especially as yer sister ain’t been too well, and it being Christmas an’ all, but you know Jimmy. When he gets a bee in his bonnet, there’s no shifting him. And… and, well, ter be honest, love, I’d feel better if yer was coming with us, but I know yer can’t, so that’s that.’ Heaving a great sigh, Bessie shook her head. ‘Yer’d best get upstairs and tell him yerself. But don’t let him try and charm or blackmail yer into coming with us, ’cos you’d only be miserable away from yer sister, and quite right too. But you’d better get a move on, ’cos Charlie’s gonna be here any minute with the carriage.’

  At the mention of Charlie’s name, Amy’s heart lifted. ‘You mean Charlie’s going with you?’

  Bessie’s eyebrows rose in surprise. ’Course he is. Jimmy don’t go anywhere without the lad. And who’d drive us anyway, except Charlie?’

  Her mind racing, Amy climbed the stairs. If such a proposition had been put to her a few hours ago, she would have turned it down without a second thought. She had never spent a Christmas without Becky. In fact she’d never spent a night away from her sister. Even during the time she had been working
here, she’d always insisted on going home at night. But now things had changed. Hanging onto the banister, Amy squeezed her eyes shut. What was she thinking of? Of course she couldn’t leave Becky alone. She would just have to make sure she was never alone with Richard again. But, oh, how wonderful it would be to just get up and go. Anywhere, she didn’t care if she ended up in the back of beyond, as long as she was safely away from Richard. Her body slumping, she lifted her foot and was about to continue up the stairs when, in a startling reconstruction of the morning, Jimmy appeared, his face creased with worry.

  ‘Thank God! I thought you’d never get here.’

  Wetting her dry lips, Amy began to speak. ‘I’m sorry, Jim—’

  ‘Never mind. Never mind. Here, come up, quickly, I’ve got something to ask you.’

  Once again Amy found herself being deposited into a chair, though this time she had no sooner sat down than James was nestling in her lap. Grateful for the tiny figure’s presence, Amy cuddled him to her.

  ‘We’re going away on holiday, Amy. But it’s all right, Dad’s going to leave a message for Father Christmas to tell him where we’re going, so I’ll still get my presents in the morning. And Dad said you can come too, if you want. You will come with us, won’t you, Amy? Please come with us. It won’t be the same without you, so it won’t.’

  Amy’s eyes shot over James’s head to where Jimmy was standing nearby, looking extremely guilty. Instantly he threw up his hands.

  ‘Hang on, Amy, I didn’t put him up to it, I swear. Though I must admit it would be very nice if you could come with us, but, as I’ve already explained to James, you have a home of your own, and a sister that needs you, so…’ He raised his shoulders in resignation.