by Sam Michaels
‘It ain’t really my thing, Ned. You can see I like me Savile Row suits.’
‘Yeah, with your larger than life lapels. What makes you so different from the rest of us, eh? None of us want to get blown to smithereens by the Jerries. We never asked for this war but we’re stuck with it and Miss Garrett is right. There’s no reason why we can’t do our bit and it ain’t much compared to them poor buggers off fighting. So get down orf your high horse, stop being a wanker and get stuck in.’
A round of applause went round the office and Georgina couldn’t help but look smugly at Johnny.
‘All right, point taken. I suppose I am a wanker but you gotta admit, Ned, I’m a fucking good-looking wanker, not like you, you ugly git,’ Johnny said with a chuckle.
It warmed Georgina, to see the genuine fondness the men held for each other and the easy banter they exchanged. They were a good bunch, loyal too. Her initial battle to win them over and gain their respect as a woman and their boss was years behind them now and she’d grown to care for them, as they had her.
After the meeting had finished and the men dispersed, Georgina sat back in her seat behind her desk and relaxed. But her moment of respite was short-lived when the telephone rang. She answered it to hear Molly’s voice and instantly her hackles rose. Molly never called the office unless it was something urgent.
She listened in earnest as Molly explained about Charlotte turning up the previous evening. Georgina found herself twisting her mother’s wedding ring and her jaw tightened. It had been some time since she’d thought about Charlotte Mipple but hearing her name again made her blood boil. Thanks to Charlotte, Georgina had lost her best girl. Dina was never well enough to return to work running the brothels. Instead, she stayed at the house in Clapham and hosted the poker games for the wealthy gentlemen and kept Johnny’s books for him.
‘I don’t know what to think at this moment in time,’ she answered Molly as her mind turned. ‘Yes, I understand she’s your sister and you can’t throw her out but I feel like you’ve just fed me to the lions. Let me think about it. I’ll call you back this evening.’
With that, Georgina slammed down the telephone receiver.
‘Trouble?’ Benjamin asked.
‘Yes. Charlotte’s back, at Molly’s.’
‘Oh, erm, er, that’s, erm…’
‘A problem,’ Georgina finished his sentence. She’d never have let anyone else get away with what Charlotte had done and still now, a year later, Georgina wanted to rip the girl’s head off but knew she’d have to consider Molly’s feelings. She had to do something though, or Charlotte Mipple would always remain a thorn in her side.
*
Nancy Austin sat nervously in the waiting area of Georgina’s brothel. She’d never been inside such a place before but had to admit it was far from what she’d expected. She found the lounge area to be tastefully decorated, spotlessly clean and sumptuously furnished – nothing like her idea of a lowly whorehouse.
Her back was ramrod straight as she heard the low hum of men’s voices and heavy footsteps coming and going from the large house. Benjamin had sneaked her in hours before and told her to wait. He’d said he’d fetch her if Miss Garrett agreed to see her. Nancy tapped her foot on the polished floorboards, hoping that Benjamin could persuade the woman to give her an audience. From what Cuthbert had told her, Miss Garrett was a gangster and afraid of no man. According to Aubrey, she would be ‘just the ticket’ Nancy needed for protection. All her hopes and her life hung on this.
The door opened and Nancy was pleased to see Benjamin.
‘She’s not happy about this. She knows of the Fylfots and doesn’t want to get involved but she’ll see you now,’ he said and indicated for her to follow.
Nancy went through to the office. This really was a professional set-up and not seedy at all. There, behind a tidy desk, Miss Garrett greeted her and offered her a seat. Nancy sat down and thanked Miss Garrett for seeing her. She was surprised at how young the woman looked and how stunningly beautiful she was. Nancy had imagined she’d be a middle-aged hag with deeply lined skin and a roll-up hanging from mean lips. She thought the woman would have a deep, gruff voice and speak like the man who sold newspapers outside Knightsbridge underground station. But Miss Garrett appeared somewhat refined. Her common accent was clear to hear but she was articulate and well mannered.
‘To be honest, I don’t like being dragged into this but I do understand your predicament, although I’m not entirely sure how I can help.’
‘As I’m sure Benjamin explained, I need protection from Harold Conte and his group of Nazi supporters.’
‘Yes, I see that, but I’m afraid, Miss Austin, that I’m not in the business of personal security.’
‘Please, Miss Garrett, you’re my only hope. I can’t pay much but I’ll give you all I have.’ Nancy could feel tears beginning to prick her eyes. ‘I… I don’t want to die,’ she sobbed.
At that moment, the door opened and Nancy spun in her chair to look behind. A man as big as a grizzly bear bungled in. His fine, red-tinged hair was standing on end and his shirt buttons looked fit to pop under the strain of the material stretched across his enormous belly.
‘What is it, H?’ Miss Garrett asked impatiently.
‘There’s some right goings-on next door. I dunno what to do.’
‘Explain,’ Miss Garrett demanded.
‘Two punters turned up at the same time for Babs but she was already busy. Then another arrived and wanted Mo but it’s her day off. Then this other geezer turns up to see Tilly but she’s already got a geezer in the waiting room. I dunno what to do wiv ’em all and they’re getting the right ’ump.’
‘I see. Is Fleur around?’
‘Yeah, she is, but she’s got the day orf and all.’
‘Put all the men in the lounge area and give them drinks. Tell Fleur I want her to entertain them with her feather boas and a dance. Give her a fiver. She’ll oblige. That should keep them happy until the girls are ready for them.’
‘It’s all that Mo’s fault. She ain’t no good at doing the diaries, not like Dina was. It’s a shambles. It ain’t for me to say but you oughta get someone on the job who knows what they’re doing.’
‘You’re right, Big H, it ain’t your place to say so piss off and do what I told you.’
‘Yes, Miss Garrett. Sorry, Miss Garrett.’
The door closed again leaving Nancy impressed with how Georgina had handled the huge man. She’d never have had the guts to talk to someone of his low class the way Georgina had. In fact, she’d never had the guts to stand up to any man. First her father had ruled over her and her mother with an iron fist until her parents had been drowned when their ill-fated cruise ship, the SS Morro Castle, had caught fire. Shortly after that, she’d fallen for Harold who quickly took control of her life. She wouldn’t make that mistake again. Never again would she allow another man to dominate her and, taking a leaf from Miss Garrett, she vowed to be more like her.
Georgina turned to Benjamin and said, ‘Big H is right. Mo has to go but I’ll need a replacement. Get onto it this afternoon, please.’ Then she addressed Nancy again: ‘Apologies for the interruption.’
‘I’ll do it,’ Nancy blurted out.
‘You’ll do what?’
‘The job. Mo’s job.’
Miss Garrett looked sceptical when she replied, ‘A prostitute, running a brothel?’
‘Not a prostitute but I can run the brothel excellently. I was Harold’s assistant. I know how to run a diary and organise time.’
‘The job comes as a package. I’d be losing out if you didn’t take clients.’
‘I’ll pay you.’
‘You’ll pay me to employ you?’
‘Yes. I’ll give you all the money I have which, for the foreseeable, should cover any losses. I’ll ensure your brothels run smoothly and I shan’t require any wages. Just somewhere to stay, two meals a day and your assurance that I will be protected from the Fylfots.’
Georgina l
eaned back in her seat, her eyes narrowing as she considered Nancy’s proposal.
‘I completely understand the Fylfots are a danger to anyone who crosses them and, if I felt I had any other choice, I wouldn’t have asked Benjamin or yourself for help.’
‘It was rather naïve of you to think Harold was a spy.’
‘Yes, I know. I feel utterly stupid. But it never occurred to me that people in his position could be working with the Nazis.’
‘Hmm, I can understand that. I must admit, when I first heard of them, it was quite a shock. Look, I’ll level with you, Miss Austin. I’ve avoided the group like the plague. I have no idea how far-reaching their group is or who belongs to it. I’d like to help you but it leaves me with a very uneasy feeling. I’m reluctant to put any of my men at risk and, as we both are fully aware, if I take you on, everyone who works for me could become a target.’
‘Are you saying no? Please, Miss Garrett, don’t turn me away. I’ll work hard for you. I’ll do anything I have to,’ she cried.
After a long pause, Georgina finally answered, ‘Fine. Big H will ensure you’re looked after. You’d better organise having your belongings collected.’
‘I already have them with me. It’s not that I’m presumptuous, you understand, rather desperate and hopeful.’
‘You’ll be called Nelly rather than Nancy and try and lose the clipped accent. It makes you stand out and I’d rather you wasn’t noticed. If anyone asks questions about you, tell ’em to mind their own business but if you have to say something, your story is that you’re hiding from your fella who knocked you about.’
Nancy’s tears had stopped but she could have cried again with relief. But then Miss Garrett jumped to her feet and walked from behind her desk and stood in front of her, looking down. Suddenly, Nancy felt a stinging pain across her cheek and her tooth dug into her lip, causing it to bleed. To her utter astonishment, she realised Miss Garrett had slapped her across the face!
Nancy held her hand to her burning cheek, unsure of how to react. Was it a test to see how tough she was? Should she retaliate and hit the woman back? No, that wasn’t a good idea.
‘There you go, you look like your fella has given you a slap now.’
‘Oh…’ Nancy muttered, grateful for the explanation. It gave her cover story credence but she wasn’t convinced that the violent act was really necessary.
The door opened again and this time, a nicely dressed man entered. Nancy could tell his suit was well cut and it hung handsomely on his good build.
‘Sorry for the intrusion, Miss Garrett, but I thought you oughta know. Them bombs last night, it weren’t just over the water they hit. I’ve just heard one of them hit Balham tube station. I dunno all the facts but word is there’s a lot dead. They drowned, poor bleeders, and there’s a great big hole in the road that a bus fell into.’
Nancy felt a shiver run down her spine. She’d been at the underground station just the other night. The faces of the women and children she’d seen swam through her mind. They were likely dead now, killed needlessly, and Harold would no doubt think it was a score for the Germans.
‘How were they drowned down on the tube platform?’ Georgina asked.
‘A burst water main pipe, apparently. Cor, it don’t bear thinking about. I’d rather have got blown up than drowned.’
‘Thanks for letting me know, Johnny. Have a word with Metal Merv in Balham, see if there’s anything we can do to help.’
‘Will do, Miss Garrett. See ya.’
‘Before you go, this is Nelly. She’ll be looking after the girls from now on so keep an eye on her, make she doesn’t get any bother.’
Johnny doffed his fedora and smiled flirtatiously at Nancy. ‘It’ll be my pleasure,’ he drawled and Nancy couldn’t help but return his smile. With his strong jawline and twinkling blue eyes, she found him easy on the eye.
‘Have you had a bit of bother already?’ Johnny asked, looking at her enflamed cheek and puffed lip.
Georgina was quick to answer. ‘Only from her bloke so if anyone comes snooping, send them away with a flea in their ear.’
‘Nice meeting you, Nelly, and I shall look forward to seeing more of you round the place,’ Johnny said and doffed his hat again before leaving.
Well, thought Nancy, working for Miss Garrett wasn’t going to be all bad. The woman, when offering help to the residents of Balham, had shown she had a soft side. And though Johnny was rough and working class, not Nancy’s usual type, he certainly had something about him that she liked.
22
Two days later, Georgina sat in her office listening to Station Sergeant Theodore Woodman drone on. He’d always been a good ally to her but she paid him well for his favours. As a man, she didn’t mind him. He was pleasant enough and always polite. Middle-aged and friendly, greying at his temples, he had a great sense of humour. But she hated him purely on merit of his job. All police were corrupt, easily bought and more unscrupulous than most criminals she knew and she’d never forget what they did to her when she was younger.
His voice was low and rhythmic and if she hadn’t had so much on her mind, the softness of his tone might have sent her to sleep. But she couldn’t stop thinking about Charlotte Mipple and how the obnoxious cow had got away with damaging Dina. And then her mind would flit to Harold Conte and his group of Nazis. She knew she was out of her league with those sorts of people and hoped they’d never come knocking on her door for Nelly. The thought was a worry and had kept her awake the last couple of nights more than the air raids had.
But everyone felt tired. The nightly Luftwaffe attacks on Britain were relentless. Last night, Georgina had slept under the kitchen table. She couldn’t face another night in Mary’s dug-out shelter. She liked the woman but since her gran’s death, Mary had taken it upon herself to dish out caring advice, most of which Georgina didn’t want to hear.
‘So you understand my hands are tied? There’s not much I can do,’ Woodman said.
Georgina looked at him, her mind blank. She hadn’t been listening and had no idea what he was talking about. ‘Erm, sorry, about what?’
‘I knew you weren’t paying me no heed,’ Woodman said. ‘I could see it in your eyes. You was away with the fairies.’
‘Sorry, Ted, it’s been a long few nights.’
‘You can say that again. My men are walking around with their eyes on stalks. And it doesn’t help that the blackout is keeping us twice as busy as usual. All the thieves and chancers are trying their luck, bloody opportunists.’
‘Anyone I need to address?’ Georgina asked, almost dutifully. She felt so tired that she really didn’t care who was robbing what.
‘No, nothing we can’t handle. It’s all small-time stuff really. I won’t go on about it now as you’d likely fall asleep.’
Thank goodness for that, thought Georgina, stifling a yawn.
‘But you might want to send someone over to the furniture shop at the back of the old Buck’s Head. He had his window smashed and a couple of culprits ran off with a sofa. He’s complaining that he’s under your protection and wants something done about it.’
‘All this looting is causing me a headache. The businesses paying me insurance are doing their nut but it’s near on impossible to stop the looters.’
‘At least the courts are coming down heavy on them. No-one has been sentenced to death yet but the judges are handing out big fines and prison sentences. I know you said to bring the low-life scum to you, but my boys are taking them straight to the cells.’
‘Fine, it saves me the bother of dealing with them. It’s not just kids though, is it, Ted?’
‘No. We’ve had good folk looting through neighbours’ damaged houses and firemen stealing jewellery from dead bodies. You wouldn’t believe how low some people will stoop.’
‘Oh, I would,’ Georgina replied, thinking that Billy Wilcox would have organised the men to go out looting. A few of them had suggested to her that it was an easy way to make quick money but
Georgina had strictly forbidden it. Her father had brought her up with morals. Never nick off your own, he used to say, and she stuck by his rules. ‘What was you saying about your hands being tied?’
‘The petrol you offered to sell me for the police cars – it would come in useful, what with all the shortages, but I can’t buy it without questions being asked.’
‘I see. Not to worry, it’s the Met’s loss.’
‘It is that. Right you are, I’ll be off. Thanks for the cuppa and take care of yourself, Georgina.’
‘I will, Ted, and you,’ she answered. If he didn’t wear a policemen’s uniform, she would have genuinely meant it. ‘By the way, that cape of yours, have you doused it in luminous paint?’
‘No need but my men on the beat have dipped their capes and tunics. Can’t risk being run over at night. Even with this twenty mile an hour speed limit, we’re still finding plenty of motor vehicle accidents. I heard there’s farmers painting stripes on their cattle too. Can’t say I blame them.’
Ted left and just a few minutes later, the door opened again and Victor showed in David Maynard.
‘Oh, hello,’ Georgina said, surprised to see him. ‘You rarely come here unannounced. Is everything all right?’
‘Yes, it’s fine. I wanted to catch you unawares,’ he answered, and as she stood, he walked behind her desk and kissed her flushed cheek.
‘Please, sit down. Can I offer you a drink?’
‘No, thank you. Who’s that posh bint, the skinny blonde tart?’
‘Oh, that’s Nelly. She’s taken over from Dina.’ She didn’t want to admit Nancy’s true identity to him. Not because she didn’t trust him but she knew if she told him the truth, he’d give her a right good nagging about getting involved with the Fylfots.
‘Bit upper-class for Battersea. Where did you find her?’
‘It’s a long story and you really don’t want to know,’ Georgina answered, rueing the day Nancy had walked into her office.
‘You can tell me about it over lunch. Grab your coat and bag, I’m taking you out.’
‘Oh, David, thank you, but I’m up to my eyes here and I’m shattered.’