The Boy With the Latchkey

by Cathy Sharp

  ‘Even if she did they would still sack me and keep him, because I’m only a nurse. I feel such a fool – after all the years I’ve worked and now I shall probably have to leave London to get a job …’

  ‘No, you won’t,’ Mary Ellen said. ‘Sister Beatrice needs a good nurse and I know she’d love to have you. You’re just the sort she can trust.’

  ‘Yes, I did have a word with her, but it’s not as much money. I couldn’t afford to keep this flat. I’d probably have to live in – and then where would you go?’

  ‘I’ll get married at Christmas and live with Billy in his place,’ Mary Ellen said. ‘Oh, don’t look like that, Rose. I love Billy and he’s done the rooms up lovely – he wants you to come to a meal one night and see what he’s done.’

  ‘Really?’ Rose looked at her oddly. ‘I haven’t been fair to him, have I?’

  ‘No, but Billy doesn’t hold grudges. He really isn’t like that, Rose. Please believe us and let me get married – I don’t want to wait until I’m twenty-one …’

  ‘What about your teaching?’

  ‘I can study at home with Billy, and do my college training a couple of days a week …’

  ‘Supposing you have a baby?’

  ‘We shan’t,’ Mary Ellen said. ‘Billy said we’ll take care – he wants me to be happy, Rose, and he’ll take care of me, I promise …’

  ‘Well, I suppose I’ll have to say yes,’ Rose agreed reluctantly. ‘I’ll keep the flat until after the wedding – and then I’ll move into St Saviour’s … that’s if Sister Beatrice wants me when she hears the whole sorry story …’

  ‘She will,’ Mary Ellen said and hugged her. ‘Don’t worry, Rose. She’ll be thrilled to get you, and I know you’ll like it there.’ She stood up and did a little twirl of delight. ‘Oh thank you, dearest Rose. I’m going to be so happy – and I can’t wait to tell Billy the wonderful news!’

  She danced off into her bedroom, leaving Rose to watch her with a wistful smile on her lips.

  After leaving Mary Ellen at her door, Billy walked home. It was past ten and this part of the commercial area was ill-lit, because several of the streetlamps were out of action. Feeling uneasy, Billy glanced over his shoulder. He was aware that someone was following him and he tensed, waiting for the attack, but he couldn’t see anyone and stood for a moment or two looking about him. He could feel a tingling sensation at the nape of his neck and was almost sure that he was being shadowed, but no dark figure came rushing at him out of the darkness and he shrugged off his feeling of unease. Billy never let on to Mary Ellen, but both he and Sam were waiting for the next move against them.

  ‘Connolly isn’t the sort to just give up,’ Sam had said. ‘I didn’t think anything of it at first, just took it for granted the pilfering and the attack on the workshops was petty revenge for my refusing to pay up – but what Ikey told us makes all the difference. Connolly is making trouble for us because he wants us out.’

  ‘You reckon it’s true then? They want to build a large supermarket and a shopping centre where we and the leather manufacturers are?’

  ‘Well, the boss came round to see me, told me he’d received an offer for his premises, which he has refused, same as I did … but I just don’t see where Connolly comes into it …’

  ‘Ikey thinks he’s the one that wants to build the supermarket. He’s like a greedy fat spider, sitting there, gradually taking over as much of the East End as he can … He wants to own us all, have us dancing like puppets on his string.’

  ‘Ikey heard a rumour that he’s getting out of the market business and buying more property; probably thinks there’s more money in it, and he’s right. If it weren’t for you, Billy lad, I’d probably have taken the money and run, even though my workshops are worth more than they’re offerin’ …’

  ‘I thought he was all right once, but he’s a nasty piece of work,’ Billy had told him. ‘Trying to intimidate you so that you sell to him. I should like to sort him out, but he’s an old man and I can’t give him a good hidin’ …’

  ‘Ikey said to just ignore any provocation. Connolly is treadin’ on thin ice and Ikey is waitin’ for the right moment … best to leave it to him, lad. I don’t want you banged up in prison. You can’t do either of us any good in there.’

  Prison was the last thing Billy wanted so he’d taken the advice of his boss and Ikey and stayed clear of Connolly and his bully boys, but he was pretty certain it wouldn’t end there. Connolly wasn’t going to let things stay as they were. Sam and Billy had thwarted him when he’d ordered the workshops to be burned down; he would be planning something nasty and Billy just had to be careful and stay out of trouble if he could.

  He looked round carefully as he unlocked the back door of the workshops and went in, relocking it and putting the bolt over immediately. The nape of his neck was prickling again. Surely no one had broken in through all the new security? He snapped on the light and called out, but no one answered. Grinning, Billy put the downstairs light off and went up to his rooms. No one had got in and he was letting his imagination play tricks on him and yet … he was sure he’d been followed home after leaving Mary Ellen.

  The man stood in the darkness outside and watched the lights go on in the upstairs rooms, his face a mask of hatred and meanness. His hands clenched at his sides, because he’d itched to grab that cocky bastard and throttle the life out of him as he followed him home. If bloody Connolly would let him, he’d kill that one and then the fool that owned the workshop would fall over himself to sell. But Connolly said wait and he was the boss. Not many would dare go against him, though there were rival gangs that would just love to take over Connolly’s patch. It was one of them that had been attacking him that time when Billy Baggins had happened along and saved him. He’d acted like a hero and Connolly would’ve treated him all right if he’d been content to work for him, but he’d changed sides, gone over to bloody Sam Parker, and that had made Connolly spittin’ mad. He’d ordered the raid but that hadn’t worked out either and they weren’t sure who had betrayed them. Someone had got wind of it, and Connolly wanted to know who; it was the only reason he was lettin’ things run on for a while – to discover who was protecting bloody Baggins’ back, because someone was.

  Ricky knew that he’d been shadowed, just as he’d shadowed Baggins. If he could get rid of that bugger … Feeling a deep coldness down his spine, Ricky was suddenly very afraid. He wasn’t sure why, because Connolly didn’t scare him, even though he knew that the slightest hint of treachery would mean his boss would make sure he disappeared for good, but something or someone was out there in the shadows watching him, and Ricky felt as if he were the one being hunted …

  He swore and lit a cigarette and slouched off, all thoughts of breaking in and murdering Baggins in his own home gone in an instant. London was gettin’ uncomfortable. He’d got some mates in Birmingham and he thought it might be time to take a little holiday from The Smoke. Yeah, let Connolly do his own dirty work for a change.

  He quickened his steps, aware that the menacing presence was behind him, close enough for him to hear the heavy breathing and yet he was too scared to turn and look. Breaking into a sweat, he started running …

  CHAPTER 28

  Sandra realised that she was singing as she made beds and swept floors, and she hadn’t done that for a long time; even before she was falsely imprisoned she’d found housework a chore that had to be got through so that she could get off and go to her work, the work that kept her and her children from starving. She was feeling much better these past few days, and she loved working here in this friendly atmosphere where everyone seemed ready to lend a hand.

  Her chores finished, she took the cleaning materials back to the scullery and washed her hands at the sink and then went into the large kitchen, where Muriel was busy baking.

  ‘Oh, that smells good,’ Sandra said as the cook took a tray of buns from the oven. ‘Almond, I think?’

  ‘Yes, almond buns and coconut tart to
day,’ Muriel said. ‘Wendy and Sister Beatrice are partial to the buns, and Kelly loves them too. The children love the jam and coconut tart. We couldn’t make it in the war; it was plain jam tart then and occasionally treacle if we were lucky enough to get a big tin. I remember Mr Adderbury used to get some parcels from friends in Canada and he always gave them to us …’

  Sandra nodded and smiled. She’d heard a lot about Mr Adderbury the psychiatrist who gave his time to St Saviour’s free of charge and was one of the founding members of the charity. He’d already given some of his time to June and he’d telephoned Sandra at St Saviour’s to suggest a meeting with her presence required so that he could help June further.

  ‘You must have had a hard time keeping this place going during the war?’

  ‘It wasn’t easy, believe you me, but we had a lot of stuff given to us. People were so kind then, always sharing what they had.’

  ‘Yes, I remember what it was like when I was at home; in those days my mother never locked her back door and the neighbours used to come in and out as they pleased, and everyone shared what they had.’

  ‘Times are changing,’ Muriel looked thoughtful. ‘I’m not sure that all this progress is for the better … the National Health Service is a good thing, I’ll give you that, but I’m not sure I like all the new rules and regulations … and folks are not as friendly or trusting as they were … at least it seems that way to me. People used to look out for their neighbours, but since the Social took over it’s all left to them … and they want to know the ins and outs of a cat’s behind!’

  ‘I suppose we all suffered too much in the last war for things to be the same.’

  ‘Yes, I expect so, but I thank God for Sister Beatrice. She doesn’t change and St Saviour’s goes on in the same way despite them lot next door …’ Muriel frowned. ‘I don’t approve of what goes on there and that’s the truth.’

  ‘No, I don’t either, though Sister told me they sent the girl that got my June into trouble to a remand home … but the woman, Ruby Saunders, her that had June fostered, is still there.’

  ‘If you want my opinion they should sack her after what happened. ’ Muriel banged the used cooking trays in the sink.

  ‘She couldn’t have known what those people would do … and she did apologise to me in person soon after I came here, said she’d been taken in and thought they were good people … She seemed subdued and I think the experience must have put the wind up her. Sister said she was severely taken to task by Miss Sampson after she was told she should have run more checks on the couple – who have a murky record.’

  ‘And you know who made her do that. Sister told her she must apologise and so she should …’

  ‘June is a lot better since Mr Adderbury saw her last week. She wants to start school, but not where she used to go – there’s a small church school she could go to quite near here, and Ikey said he would speak to the headmistress for me … arrange an interview …’

  ‘Ikey?’ Muriel sniffed her disapproval. ‘He’s quite a charmer, Sandra, but I’m not sure what he would know about the headmistress of a church-run school.’

  ‘No, I wondered, but I didn’t like to ask him.’

  ‘Well, there’s a bit of mystery about a man like that if you ask me …’

  ‘Yes …’ Sandra turned as June entered the kitchen. She was surprised to see animation in her daughter’s face. ‘Hello, darling. Have you come for one of Muriel’s buns and a glass of squash?’

  ‘Archie brought me some sweets,’ June said and for the first time since Sandra had been to prison her eyes were alight with pleasure. ‘He said Mimi came to his stall on the market and asked about me … She wants to see me and her mum told Archie I could go to tea at her house tomorrow. Can I, Mum? Mimi’s mum said you can come too if you want?’

  ‘Well, that was nice of her,’ Sandra said. She’d planned to spend a quiet day washing and ironing in the kitchen of the nurses’ home, but the pleading look on her child’s face touched her. ‘I don’t see why not. Yes, we’ll go – I’ll ask Archie to take a note round for us. He is still here?’

  ‘Yes, he’s having fish and chips with us tonight – and Ikey is taking us to the chip shop where we can sit down and have it, don’t you remember?’

  ‘Yes, I remember,’ Sandra said and a lovely warm feeling spread through her. ‘We shall be spoiled, shan’t we, love?’

  ‘I’m going to play with Babs now, Mum,’ June said. ‘Her mum died last month and she’s new here and she asked me to be her friend …’ The serious expression on June’s face caught at Sandra’s heart then. ‘She’s had a horrid time, Mum, and I think she needs lookin’ after …’

  ‘So you’re going to look after her?’ June nodded solemnly and Sandra’s heart jerked, because her innocent little girl had gone forever but gradually there was a new, more thoughtful June emerging, and she loved her so much that it almost broke her heart. ‘That’s all right then; run along, my love.’

  ‘I’ll share my sweets with her,’ June said. ‘Her father used to hit her but he’s in prison now and she hasn’t got anyone but me …’

  ‘Well, she can share me if you don’t mind, June. We’ll take her to have fish and chips tonight if you like?’

  June’s face lit up like a candle. ‘Can I ask her, Mum? Thanks ever so …’ She rushed at her mother and hugged her. ‘I’m so glad you’re back. You won’t go away again, will you?’

  ‘No, I won’t,’ Sandra promised, crossing her fingers behind her back. No one could make such promises in a world that could be so unjust, but she would never leave her beloved child unless she was forced.

  ‘Well, it’s lovely to see her looking better,’ Muriel said as June ran off to find her friend and tell her the news. ‘Poor little mite … after what she went through …’ Muriel hadn’t been told all the details but it was generally known that June had been mistreated by her foster parents.

  ‘Yes, thanks to Ikey and Mr Adderbury.’ Sandra smiled and went over to the kitchen sink. ‘Let me wash these for you, Muriel. I’ve finished my work and I’ve nothing to do until I get ready to go out for a fish and chip supper.’

  ‘Are you going anywhere nice this evening?’ Sister Beatrice asked Wendy as she saw her preparing to leave at the end of her shift. ‘You’ve got the whole weekend off I think?’

  ‘Yes. I haven’t had a weekend off for ages, but with Rose O’Hanran joining us, it will make things a lot easier.’

  ‘Yes, Rose is leaving her hospital next week. She decided to take the job I offered and will live here with us.’

  ‘Well, I shall be glad of her help. It has been difficult since we lost Michelle, because none of the others has stayed more than a year …’

  ‘I think Rose will settle with us for a while,’ Sister Beatrice said and looked thoughtful. ‘She seems to have had quite a change of heart … You will never credit this, Wendy – but Billy Baggins and Mary Ellen are getting married on Christmas Eve.’

  ‘Good gracious!’ Wendy was astonished. ‘She’s only eighteen – I thought she was studying to be a teacher?’

  ‘Yes, she is,’ Sister replied, ‘but she told me she can study better if Billy is with her.’

  ‘Young love …’

  ‘I very much fear so, but we can only hope it lasts …’ Sister moved towards the desk as the phone rang and picked up the receiver. ‘Sergeant Sallis, good evening. How may I help you? Two young lads of seven and eight … you’ll bring them in yourself? Yes, I see. Nothing much the matter except they’re filthy, crawling with lice and half starved. Yes, well, we’ve had worse. I’ll alert my staff and we’ll expect you in half an hour.’ She replaced the receiver and shook her head. ‘It never stops, does it? Everything was going to be so different when that Labour government took over from Mr Churchill after the war, but if you want my opinion all the politicians do is sit around and talk, whichever party they belong to …’

  ‘Ah, here comes Nurse Paula,’ Wendy said. ‘I would offer to stay
and help you out, Sister, but I’m going to a show up West this evening …’

  ‘That’s nice. Are you going with Nan and Eddie?’

  ‘Not this time,’ Wendy smiled, her cheeks a little pink. ‘Jon is a friend of my late mother’s – a lovely person and we met by chance when he was shopping for himself in that new supermarket down the road. His wife died and I think he’s lonely so when he asked I said yes …’

  ‘And why not?’ Sister Beatrice smiled at her. ‘Enjoy your weekend, Wendy.’

  Wendy heard Sister telling Paula to expect the two street urchins as she left and smiled to herself. Sister Beatrice was probably imagining the beginning of a romance, but Jon Higgins was twenty years her senior and the only reason Wendy had accepted his invitation was because there was no hint of anything like that. He was just a very nice gentleman and she enjoyed a musical show …

  ‘You didn’t mind my asking Babs to come with us, did you?’ Sandra said to Ikey as they were being shown to a table large enough for them all, the excited children running ahead of them, eager to find their table first. ‘June has made friends with her and the poor child has no one to take her out – I’ll pay for her supper, of course.’

  ‘No, you will not. I invited you all and I’ll pay. I may look as if I’m broke, Sandra, but appearances are deceptive. I can afford a fish and chip supper for one extra.’

  ‘Oh, you mustn’t be offended,’ Sandra said. ‘I didn’t want to take advantage, that’s all …’

  ‘You couldn’t,’ he said. ‘I’m not a rich man but I earn enough to get by – and all I have is yours and your family’s …’

  ‘Ikey, how generous, but you can’t take on the responsibility for all of us.’

  ‘Can I not?’ he said and there was a smile lurking in his eyes that made her want to smile too. ‘I’ve been thinking the nights are too cold to sleep under the arches, Sandra. If I found a small house, big enough to take you, Archie and two little girls sharing a bedroom, and me, would you consider keeping house for me? You could still give Sister Beatrice a few hours when the kids are at school if you wish, but be there for them when they get home …’