by Cathy Sharp
Sam was talking to Ikey and the police constables. A Black Maria had arrived and half a dozen more police officers came rushing out of it, and after some consultation with their colleagues, started putting handcuffs on the men Ikey pointed out and bundling them into the back of their van. One of the police officers was Sergeant Sallis and he came over to where Archie was standing with Billy.
‘You rang the emergency number,’ he said to Archie. ‘They sent a couple of officers but thought it might be a hoax until someone else rang the station and reported a disturbance here and then the night officer said you’d asked for me so we thought we’d take a look.’
‘You’re just in time to take these buggers in,’ Sam said, ‘and to hear what Archie overheard in there. Go on, tell him, lad …’
Archie repeated his story and Sergeant Sallis looked grim. ‘I believe you, Archie; the trouble is Mr Connolly is a much-respected man in these parts and we’ll have difficulty in building a case against him. We know what he’s been up to, but everyone is too scared to give evidence against him …’
‘I’m not,’ Sam said, ‘but I’ve only dealt with the messenger boy. He sent Stevie Baker to tell me what would happen if I didn’t pay up. He and that other one … Ricky something … they gave me a taste of what I’d get by slapping me about a bit, but I refused to pay.’
‘But I heard them … and I’ll say so in court,’ Archie offered bravely.
‘I’ll testify that Stevie told me Connolly was behind it all,’ Billy said. ‘Surely between us we have enough evidence to convict him?’
Ikey came to stand beside him. ‘The sergeant is right, Archie. We need more than your say so, even though we all know you’re speaking the truth … Our only chance is if one of these rogues decides to talk …’
‘They’re probably more afraid of Mr Connolly than us or going to prison,’ Sergeant Sallis said. ‘I’ll do what I can but men like that escape the law too often …’
He went off to talk to the constables who had been busy rounding up all the rogues, most of whom had been thoroughly chastened and looked sorry for themselves.
‘Is that the lot?’ he asked. ‘Which one is Stevie Baker?’
‘Haven’t seen him,’ Billy said. ‘I reckon he just sent the thugs in and kept clear himself.’
‘So we’ve got them all?’
‘Apart from the one that got away,’ Billy said, a scowl on his face. ‘His name is Ricky, but I don’t know his second name. This is not my first encounter with that particular gentleman and I doubt it will be the last …’
‘I imagine the man you’re speaking of is possibly Ricky Martin, works for Connolly. I’ll go round his house and have a word with him first thing in the morning.’
Billy nodded, watching as the police van drove off and the other men who had helped stop the raid began to melt away, returning to their homes and families. They nodded grimly to each other, because they were all traders themselves, hardened by necessity to the facts of life in London’s East End. Mostly, they were law-abiding citizens, but there were times when it was necessary to stick together and stand up for your rights.
‘You’d best come home with me,’ Ted Hastings said, coming up to Archie and laying a firm hand on his shoulder. He had a red mark on his cheek and a cut lip, but otherwise seemed unhurt. ‘Sam and Billy have a tough night ahead of them, getting that mess cleared up …’ he jerked his head at the workrooms.
‘Can’t I stay and help?’
‘Best not, lad,’ Ted said. ‘We’ve got to be up early in the morning. You’ll have to keep the stall going until Billy can see to things again … Are you up to playin’ truant for a couple of days until things get straight?’
‘Mum says I have to go back to school now, but don’t have to this week, we’ve got half-term holidays and I can work every day if I’m needed. OK, let’s go then,’ Archie gave in with a grin, though he was sure he could have helped with the clearing up, but Ted was right, someone had to keep the market stalls running, and he wanted to help in any way he could, even though his mother didn’t like the idea of him working on the market.
‘Sam’s lost a lot of money, hasn’t he?’
‘Yeah, must be several hundred quid, but it’s not as bad as it might have been if no one had been here. Never know what they might have done. If they’d started a fire the whole row could’ve gone up. Sam doesn’t know if his insurance will cover him for the spoiled goods, but he’ll recover, Archie. He’s known tough times before, believe me.’
Archie nodded; silent for a moment, he asked the question that had been in his mind for a while. ‘Why do you think Mr Connolly has got it in for him?’
‘Sam wouldn’t give in and pay a huge chunk of his profit. They had to make an example of him, because once this gets round a lot more of his victims are going to resist. Once the police have enough evidence to arrest him, there could be a rush of folk coming forward to accuse him and his bullies.’
‘It’s like what happened to Mum,’ Archie said. ‘That rotten Reg Prentice had it in for her because she wouldn’t give in to him – and I reckon that’s what this is all about.’
‘Yeah, Connolly is warning us that he’s top dog,’ Ted said. ‘It’s all about marking out his territory, showing everyone what they’ll get if they defy him. Trouble is, we might end up with a gang war before we’re finished.’ He sighed deeply as he unlocked his van and indicated that Archie should get in. ‘I wish we’d got them all tonight, though. That Ricky Martin is vicious and I wouldn’t trust Stevie Baker as far as I could throw him …’
CHAPTER 25
Mary Ellen looked about her at the scene of destruction from the previous evening and shook her head. Sam turned and saw her and walked to greet her with his usual cheery smile.
‘It could’ve been a lot worse. If your Billy hadn’t been so quick-thinking we might have lost all the stock instead of one rail.’
‘Everywhere is such a mess …’
‘Yes, I know,’ Sam said and looked frustrated. ‘We worked all night but all we could do was to board up the windows and clear out the glass counter. I’ll get a wooden one next time – they’re harder to smash …’
‘Do you think they will come back?’ Mary Ellen asked anxiously.
Sam shrugged. ‘Not for a while, because we gave them more than they bargained for, but things won’t settle down until Connolly is under lock and key. His kind is scum but too clever for the police. He’s never involved in any of the dirty stuff himself …’
‘Well, we’ll help you get straight in here,’ Mary Ellen said. ‘We can sort through that stuff on the floor and see if anything can be saved – even if it only goes as cabbage. We might be able to salvage a few garments.’
‘Make sure you shake them out, because there may be shards of glass,’ Sam said, ‘but don’t worry too much. They didn’t get any of the special orders, because I put them in the van and took them home.’
‘Well that’s a relief …’ Mary Ellen smiled at him. ‘We’ll do what we can and then get started on the new orders.’
‘Good girl,’ Sam said. ‘I’ll get those boxes of broken glass into the yard.’
‘Where are Herbie and Bert – and Billy?’
‘I told Billy to have a wash and change, get himself something to eat – and the others are late in. I told them not to come in before lunch; they were both here last night …’
‘I think you should take your own advice, Sam,’ Mary Ellen said and took off her jacket. ‘Me and the girls will hoover the carpet up and then we’ll sort the rails out.’
Sam picked up a cardboard box filled with broken glass and headed towards the yard door.
‘Go home when you’ve dumped that, get some rest, have a wash and your breakfast, and then come back,’ Mary Ellen ordered. ‘Leave this to us, Sam. We can manage for now.’
Sam nodded and yawned. ‘Yeah, mebbe you’re right, lass. I’m bushed and I could do with a sit down …’
Mary Ellen had the sho
wroom almost back to normal when the men arrived to fit new glass in the windows. She surveyed the finished job with satisfaction, about to return to her work station and start machining when Billy walked in, yawning and stretching. She gave a little cry of distress as she saw his face, which was badly bruised and cut.
‘Oh, Billy, you’re hurt,’ she said. ‘Your face is so sore …’
‘Yeah, a bit,’ he said, ‘but we saw them off, Ellie, and most of them are in worse shape than we are …’
‘I don’t like you fighting the way you do …’
‘There are always bullies out there,’ Billy said. ‘You have to stand up to them, love, otherwise they would just walk all over you.’
‘I know, but you’re hurt and Sam has lost so much money …’
‘He knows it, but says it won’t stop him carrying on. He does have insurance for the broken windows and counter, but he’s not sure how he stands as far as malicious damage to the stock is concerned.’
‘I hate that Mr Connolly,’ she said crossly. ‘I hope they make him pay for what he’s done.’
‘Yeah, me too, but he’ll probably get off scot-free,’ Billy said. ‘It’s no use, love. Sam just has to take the loss and think himself lucky he didn’t lose the lot …’
He smiled and reached out for her. ‘We’re all still alive, love, and that’s all that matters, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, it is,’ she said and moved towards him, smiling as he reached out and took her in his arms. ‘As long as you’re all right, Billy, that’s all I care about …’
‘Archie … are you all right?’ Sandra asked as he entered the room in the nurses’ home, where she was sitting with June on her bed, reading to her from an Enid Blyton storybook. ‘I was worried when I heard what happened at that place … It was lucky you didn’t get yourself killed …’
‘Who told you?’
‘Sergeant Sallis came to see Sister Beatrice and told us that it was you that alerted the police.’ Her anxious gaze went over him. ‘He said you were very brave, but we were concerned … You are all right?’
‘Yes, Mum, I’m fine. I went home with Ted, because we had an early start. I’ve got to help keep the stall goin’ until Billy sorts things out at Sam’s place … and you can’t say I should be at school, because it’s the half-term holidays next week …’
‘Yes, I do see that your friends need you,’ she said and Archie felt the tension leave him. She was smiling. He’d been thinking he would get a flea in his ear when he eventually got home and here she was understanding how he felt and listening. ‘It was a terrible thing to happen. Sergeant Sallis told us that you overheard something important and they are hoping to catch a criminal because of it …’
‘Well, it ain’t that easy ’cos he’s respectable, only he ain’t – it’s just that he sits in the background and gets others to do his dirty work for him …’
‘A most unpleasant sort,’ she replied and hesitated. ‘I hope you won’t be involved in any more dangerous stuff, Archie? I rely on you to look after us, you know. I can’t work full time yet, because of …’ She gave him a look that told Archie she was thinking of June but didn’t want to say. ‘I’m going to do a few hours here and we’ll all stay here for now, but as soon as I can manage it I want to get us a house of our own … like we used to have …’
‘I’m goin’ to stay with Ted for a bit,’ Archie said. ‘I came to tell you and to fetch my stuff, Mum. You and June should stay here for as long as you can – and mebbe we can find a house near Ted or somethin’ …’
‘Why near Ted?’
‘Because when I work for him I have to be up early and go with him mornings – sometimes outside of London; it’s a good job, Mum, and I want to keep it … I believe I can make something of myself on the market in time.’
‘Yes, but …’ Sandra stopped, as if sensing that Archie wasn’t going to be swayed. ‘Well, I shan’t stop you staying with him in the holidays if it’s what you want, but if we’re going to be a family again we need a house of our own … and you have to finish school.’
‘So that me and June can go back to lettin’ ourselves in with the latchkey?’ Archie asked bluntly. ‘We didn’t have a proper home after Dad died, Mum. I know you did your best and I love you, and I was frantic when they took you away, but that’s no good for me now – and it wouldn’t be much good to June either. You don’t want her hanging around the streets or running off with people you don’t know – and that’s what she’ll do if I’m not there to look out for her.’
His mother’s face had gone white and he knew he’d hurt her again, but he had to make her understand. ‘If you find a place near Ted it would be better. I can live with you and I’ll be around more … but I’ve had enough of comin’ home to an empty house. You’ve got to be home for us, Mum, especially for June. Why don’t you stay here for now? Once I’m established and earning decent money, you won’t need to work all the time; you can be there when June gets home and have our tea ready – and then we’ll truly have a home.’
Tears were trickling down his mother’s face. June sat up straight and looked at him. ‘Don’t be horrid to Mum,’ she said. ‘It’s not her fault she had to work to keep us …’
‘No, it wasn’t and I’m not blaming her,’ Archie said. ‘It’s a bloody awful world where kids like us with no father have to go home to an empty house every night …’
‘I didn’t know how much you resented it,’ his mother said and brushed her tears away. ‘I was just trying to make a better life for us … get us away from the slums …’
‘We’d rather have holes in our shoes and live in a dump and have you around, Mum,’ Archie said and went to put his arms about her. He kissed the top of her head and thought she smelled nice. It was a smell he’d missed and he felt rotten for having hurt her, but he’d had to tell her; he’d had to stand up for himself. ‘I need to be near Ted so I can be ready to go with him in the van in the mornings – but we can find some rooms near there and you can make sure you’re home for June at night.’
‘Yes, Archie,’ his mother was looking at him oddly. ‘You’ve grown up, haven’t you? You’re really the man of the house now …’ She gave him a wobbly smile. ‘All right, you take your things and go to stay with your friend, but no missing school until you leave, do you hear? June and I will stay here for now – but I’d like to meet these new friends of yours, Archie.’
‘Sure. Come down the market on Saturday and you’ll find Ted and the others there … all except Ikey. He don’t work on the market. He comes and goes as he pleases, but when I see him I’ll tell him you’d like to see him … I’ll tell him you’d like to thank him for all he’s done for us, shall I?’
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘You tell him that, Archie …’
CHAPTER 26
Sandra was thoughtful as she walked into the kitchen to fetch hot drinks for June and herself later that evening. She saw Staff Nurse Wendy was there, and one of the carers. The nurse was trying to comfort the carer, who was in tears.
‘Oh, I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘I can come back later if I’m intruding …’
‘Kelly has just had some very bad news,’ Wendy said and looked sad. ‘I’m sure she doesn’t mind you knowing – her father sent word that her mother has just died …’
‘Oh, I’m so very sorry,’ Sandra said, immediately sympathetic. ‘Is there anything I can do to help, Kelly?’
Kelly shook her head and then looked up, eyes brimming with tears. ‘She’s been unwell a long time and we were expecting it, but it’s still a terrible shock …’
‘Yes, of course it must be. I remember when my parents died and it was an awful time.’
‘My sister Cate has left school and she’s courtin’ strong,’ Kelly said. ‘I’ve just got the one brother still at school and he’ll be leavin’ soon so we’ll manage … but it will be an empty house without her …’
‘Yes, of course. I meant it when I said I would help if I could.’
‘You’re very kind,’ Kelly said. She stood up and wiped her face. ‘I’d better go home and see to things. Wendy says Sister will understand, but it’s leavin’ her short-handed for this evening …’
‘I’ll do your shift,’ Sandra offered. ‘I’m here and I don’t mind what I do – just tell me what you’re meant to be doing, Kelly, and go home to your family. After all, family is what it’s all about – isn’t it?’
‘Yes.’ Kelly smiled through her tears. ‘I suppose it’s a blessing because she’s suffered enough – but I’ll miss her …’
She took a pad out of her apron pocket and wrote down a list of duties and Sandra took it, noting that it was mainly making hot drinks, keeping an eye on the dorms while the children were getting ready for bed and then checking on them every so often.
‘There isn’t much to do at nights, unless we get a new arrival or one of the kids gets sick,’ Kelly said. ‘We used to have more to do, but we’re only half the size we used to be. I’ll get off home now. If you need any help just ask Sister Beatrice or Wendy – Wendy often helps out if we are busy for some reason …’
‘Well, I’ll start making drinks then,’ Sandra said after Kelly had gone. ‘Poor Kelly was very upset.’
‘Years,’ Wendy said and looked sad. ‘Kelly has been tied to her and she’s had to look after the children and her father. She does have a very patient boyfriend, but I don’t know what she’ll do now – perhaps they’ll go and live with her father …’
‘These things are always so difficult,’ Sandra said. ‘Well, I’ll make the first batch of cocoa – would you like one?’
‘Not until later,’ Wendy said and nodded. ‘If you’re not sure of anything, Sandra, just come to me. I’ve been here ages too and it’s my home, although I have a small flat not too far away, just a short bus journey, or a longish walk on a pleasant evening.’
‘I’ll take drinks up to the sick ward first, because the children there all wanted some cocoa and then I’ll see to the others …’