by Sam Michaels
Ted then the left the office and Georgina looked around her. The place felt empty without Benjamin sat at his desk with his pages of numbers and his round glasses balanced on the end of his nose. He’d have been amused it he’d been here and heard Ted’s warning. Her name being mentioned in Parliament! She found it rather flattering though she would take heed and calm down a few of her operations for a while, just until the heat lifted. Benjamin would tell her that it was the sensible thing to do. She’d told him to remain at home until the swelling of his eye had gone down. It saved him being asked questions she knew he didn’t want to answer. He’d been grateful and had readily agreed. But really, she was hoping Rupert would show his face and her men were ready and waiting on Benjamin’s door.
Johnny swanned into the office but Georgina’s heart sank when she saw the concerned expression on his normally chipper face.
‘What it is? Is Benjamin all right?’ she asked as she jumped to her feet.
‘Yes, as far as I know. But, I’m sorry, I’ve got some bad news for you… for you both,’ Johnny answered and looked from Georgina to Victor.
‘Out with it then,’ she snapped.
‘It’s Mr Maynard. The docks took a hammering in the raids last night. He’s been hurt. I heard he got caught up in a bombing and he’s in hospital. I’m sorry, Miss Garrett, but I’m told he’s in a bad way.’
Georgina suddenly felt as if her world was crashing around her and reached out to steady herself on the desk. This couldn’t be happening!
‘Take me there,’ she told Johnny as she pulled her coat on and hurried towards the door.
Victor stood transfixed, his face pale. ‘Come on,’ she told him, ‘Johnny can drive.’
As they raced through the streets of Battersea, the car didn’t seem to be moving fast enough. ‘Hurry up, Johnny,’ Georgina yelled, anxious to get to David’s bedside.
‘I’m going as fast as I can, Miss Garrett.’
Georgina looked out of the window as the sights sped by. She hardly noticed the piles of rubble where houses had once stood. Or the queues of women with bassinets standing in line outside the coal yard. The children playing in the streets, some wearing gas masks. Or the housewives, clutching their meagre amounts of rationed groceries. She found herself faced with an overwhelming fear that she could lose David. Her fear seemed to clarify everything and she found herself questioning why she thought it would be impossible to love him. Of course she could and realised she did. But she’d spent so long denying her feelings, she’d almost convinced herself that she didn’t. Why hadn’t she accepted his marriage proposal right then and there? Why had it taken her so long to acknowledge her feelings? She just hoped it wasn’t too late to tell him.
They pulled up outside the hospital but the car hadn’t quite stopped when Georgina jumped out and dashed towards the entrance. A nurse behind a desk in a starched blue and white uniform told her where to find him. Georgina’s burgundy coat billowed out behind her as she ran through the hospital and ignored orders from nurses to slow down.
Finally, she reached the ward that David was on but didn’t slow her pace. Her heels clicked rapidly on the polished tiles and everyone turned to look. Georgina was almost frantic now, afraid of what she’d find but she refused to allow herself to think that he might be dead.
‘David Maynard… I’m looking for David Maynard,’ she called as she ran.
‘Over there, but you can’t see him now. It’s not visiting time,’ a young nurse said and stepped in front of her.
Georgina pushed the woman to one side and marched towards his bed. What she saw shocked her. She wouldn’t have known it was him. His head was heavily bandaged, which obscured one side of his face.
‘Matron… Matron…’ the young nurse called as she scurried off.
Two other nurses attempted to stop Georgina but nothing or no-one was going to stand in her way. She stood steely-eyed and glared at the women.
‘I have to see him,’ she told them firmly.
‘You can but not until the proper visiting hours. Now, if you please, you’re causing a disturbance and upsetting the patients.’
Georgina drew in a deep breath, then spoke gravely. ‘Get out of my way,’ she said, her eyes wide and threatening.
‘Please, Miss…’
‘NOW,’ she shouted.
The nurses jumped to one side and Georgina rushed to David. She stood by the side of his bed and looked up and down the length of him. Not only was his head bandaged but so were his chest and both arms. His eyes were closed and his lips blistered, dressings covered most of his face.
‘Oh, my God, David. Look at the state of you,’ she whispered and gently took his hand in hers. Only his blackened fingertips were visible through the bandages. Sadly, there was no recognition from David that he even knew she was there. He looked to be barely clinging on to life.
The young nurse appeared again and pulled a seat over to the side of the bed and beckoned Georgina to sit down. Her legs felt weak and shaky so she gratefully accepted.
The nurse’s voice was soft and gentle when she went on to explain David’s condition. ‘I’m afraid Mr Maynard has suffered extensive burns, cuts and bruises. He also has a rather nasty head injury, which is causing us the most concern. He’s been unconscious since he was brought in last night. We’re doing everything we can for him.’
Georgina didn’t take her eyes off him and merely nodded an acknowledgement to the nurse.
‘You can sit with him for five minutes. Try talking to him. It helps sometimes. But then you’ll have to leave. Mr Maynard needs to rest.’
Again, Georgina nodded. She couldn’t speak. She knew if she opened her mouth, long, harrowing sobs would likely emerge.
The nurse quietly walked away and Georgina at last allowed her tears to flow. This couldn’t be happening – she’d lost everyone in her life who she’d been close to: her gran, her husband and then her father. She didn’t even have her children with her. David was her one constant. Somehow, she always thought of him as untouchable and assumed he’d always be there.
‘Please, David, wake up,’ she cried, unaware that Victor was now standing behind her. ‘You can’t leave me too. I can’t lose you. You’ve got to pull through this. I need you, David. Do you hear me? I need you.’
She felt a hand on her shoulder and snapped her head round to see Victor’s watery eyes looking down at her.
‘Oh, Victor. He was your best friend. You tell him… tell him how much he means to you. Tell him he can’t leave us. Tell him he’s got to wake up!’
Victor, as always, remained quiet and gently squeezed Georgina’s shoulder before walking away. She could see the pain in the man’s eyes and knew he was hurting too.
Alone again, she looked back at David. ‘I’ve tried fighting how I feel but I can’t do it any longer. You’ve got to pull through. We’ve got a wedding to arrange.’
The young nurse appeared again. ‘I’m sorry, miss,’ she said gently. ‘But Mr Maynard really does need some peace and quiet now. Perhaps you can come back later?’
‘No… No… I’m not leaving him,’ Georgina answered adamantly. Her gran, Lash and her father had all died alone. She’d never had the chance to say goodbye to any of them and if David was to die too, she wanted to be by his side.
‘Please, miss, you’ll get me into trouble with Matron.’
‘I’m staying and if Matron has a problem with that, then you tell her to come and see me.’
‘She won’t be too happy with that. Can I ask, is Mr Maynard a relative of yours?’
Georgina sniffed and dashed away her tears with the cuff of her coat. ‘He’s my fiancé,’ she answered with pride.
The nurse walked away again and Georgina tenderly stroked David’s fingertips. ‘Do you hear that, David? That old battle-axe, the matron, she’s gonna try and throw me out in a minute. But I won’t leave you alone. I’ll never leave you. And my answer to your question is yes.’
There was still no re
sponse from him and then she saw the matron stood with her arms folded across her heaving chest. ‘Time to go now. The doctor will be here presently and wishes to examine Mr Maynard.’
‘I’ll wait until the doctor is here and then I shall stand outside the ward whilst Mr Maynard is being examined. But with respect, Matron, I am not leaving.’
The matron huffed and stomped off, muttering, ‘We’ll see about that!’
Johnny then approached. ‘How is he?’
‘Not good.’
‘Victor’s right upset. He’s punched a hole through a wall so I’ve given the hospital a few bob to get it repaired. I’ve told him to wait in the car for us.’
‘You go, Johnny. I’m staying.’
‘But…’
‘Just go, Johnny. And keep an eye on Victor.’
‘We can’t leave you by yourself.’
‘I’ll be fine. Go.’
Johnny walked away and Georgina leaned forward with her head resting next to David’s bandaged arm. Her nostrils twitched at the smell of antiseptic mixed with a singed whiff of David’s skin. This bloody war, she thought, silently cursing Hitler and his air force. But David had to pull through; he just had to. Because finally, Georgina had admitted that she was in love with him and she couldn’t abide the thought of losing another loved one. Then a thought crossed her mind. Lash’s aunt’s premonition. She’d told Lash he would be replaced with a man on fire. Georgina’s blood ran cold. David was the man on fire. Their relationship had been foretold. It was fate. Meant to be. She could fight most things but she realised she couldn’t fight fate.
*
Nancy had heard a rumour from Big H that Georgina was alone at the hospital sitting beside David Maynard’s bed. She hadn’t believed it at first. Georgina was never alone. Victor was always with her, ready to take a bullet to save her life. She thought the woman was leaving herself wide open for attack and stupid to put herself in that position for a dying man. Big H thought so too and had even suggested that now would be a good time to hoof her out of her position. But Nancy wasn’t ready yet. First, she needed money. And she had a good idea of how she’d get it.
Over the last day or two, Nancy had found herself with a lot of time on her hands – Victor and Johnny were busy running Miss Garrett’s affairs and Charlotte was occupied with her cleaning duties and looking after Dog. The brothel was busier than usual, mostly with soldiers on leave seeking instant pleasure. But everything was running smoothly, which had given Nancy time to think and plan. Now, all she needed was a few people on side.
As she came from her room, Big H closed the front door and she caught him muttering.
‘Fucking scroungers.’
‘Who?’ Nancy asked, assuming there’d been beggars at the door.
‘That Sparrow and Lillian from the Vauxhall mob. Now that Wayne’s dead, the gang has fallen to bits and Sparrow was chancing his arm here.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘He was after a job with Miss Garrett and offered Lillian up to work as one of our whores. She’s a dirty, scrawny little cow. Miss Garrett wouldn’t want her ’ere, lowering the standard. And as for Sparrow, the geezer couldn’t punch his way out of a paper bag.’
A thought crossed Nancy’s mind and she manhandled Big H back towards the front door. ‘Go and fetch them. Bring them to me… hurry.’
Big H went to ask why but Nancy was quick to respond and told him, ‘Just go, Big H. And be discreet. I’ll explain later.’
The promise of an explanation appeased him and he bustled out the door. Nancy returned to her room and attempted to make herself look very important sat behind her desk. She would have liked to hold her meeting in Georgina’s office but the door was locked and she knew if she’d asked Charlotte for the key, the girl would have informed their boss.
Minutes later, Big H brought Sparrow and Lillian into the room. He’d been right about what he’d said about Lillian – Nancy thought the young woman was indeed dirty and scrawny. She found her foul body odour to be quite overpowering and instructed Big H to leave the door open. After all, there was no-one to overhear their secret conversation.
‘I understand you were both employed by the Vauxhall mob?’
‘Yes, that’s right, Miss…’ Sparrow answered.
‘Miss Austin. And you’re looking for employment with Miss Garrett?’
‘Yes, Miss Austin.’
‘I can assure you that Miss Garrett would not entertain the idea of employing either of you… but I might. Would that be of interest to you?’
‘Yes, Miss Austin, it definitely would, wouldn’t it,’ Sparrow said and nudged Lillian in the side.
‘Yes, miss,’ she piped up, dutifully.
‘Good. Then you can consider yourselves now working for me but I will require the utmost discretion from you. Is that understood?’
‘Yes, of course, Miss Austin. We wouldn’t say nuffink to no-one.’
‘You won’t be paid until you have completed the work. I shall expect loyalty, respect and obedience at all times. You will do exactly as I say without question,’ Nancy said and interlaced her fingers as she rested her hands on her desk. ‘Are they to be completely trusted, Big H?’
‘I dunno, I suppose so. Sparrow worked for the Vauxhall mob for donkey’s years and I never heard nothing bad about him.’
‘Are you both willing to follow my orders and do whatever I ask of you?’
‘Yes, Miss Austin. Me and Lil are desperate. We’d be grateful for anything you offer us.’
Nancy thought the pair of them probably hadn’t eaten a good meal in weeks and they looked and smelt as though they’d been sleeping rough. Good, she thought, they needed her. And she was confident they wouldn’t let her down. But just to be on the safe side, she used a Georgina tactic and threw in a threat. ‘If you cross me, I’ll have you killed. Is that clear?’
‘Yes, Miss Austin. We wouldn’t, I swear.’
‘Fine. You will start work tonight. Here’s the plan…’
Half an hour later and Nancy had finished explaining about where the top London restaurants could be found and how she’d devised a timetable that showed which ones to hit at the best times. Nancy had eaten out at the finest of establishments at least three times a week for most of her adult life. She had a pretty good idea of the restaurants’ takings and their closing times. She even knew which restaurants left cash in the buildings overnight and the ones whose owners took the money home with them. Now it was down to Big H, Sparrow and Lillian to rob the restaurants of their profits from the preposterously overpriced meals.
‘But I ain’t got a gun,’ Big H moaned.
‘Haven’t you? Why on earth not?’
‘Miss Garrett reckons I don’t need one. She lets me have one now and then if there’s a big job on that she wants me involved in but that’s about it.’
‘Great,’ Nancy huffed. ‘What about you?’ she asked Sparrow.
‘No, Miss Austin.’
‘Do you think you can get one, Big H?’
‘I dunno. I doubt it. Not without someone telling Miss Garrett.’
‘Fine, then you’ll have to do the robberies using a knife or something. Do you think you can manage that?’ Nancy asked, the irritation in her voice clear.
‘Yeah, of course we can. Them restaurant geezers sound like right soft touches. They won’t be a problem,’ Big H answered and rubbed the palm of his huge hand over the clenched knuckles of the other.
‘Lillian will be a distraction and then you and Sparrow attack. Big H, you do the threats and roughing up whilst Sparrow collects the cash. It should be a piece of cake. Now, looking at the timetable, you should be able to complete two or three robberies a night. Obviously, you’ll have the cover of darkness with the blackout working to your advantage but after the first couple of thefts, word would have spread and you may find the restaurateurs are on their guard. I don’t expect this to be a problem for you. Just use more force if need be.’
‘But when I’m out
, what if there are any problems here?’ Big H asked.
‘There won’t be. This,’ Nancy said, pointing at her well devised timetable, ‘is your main responsibility from now. You will all earn well and once I’m in place as the head of the business, your loyalty to me will not be forgotten.’
‘Cor, blimey, Miss Austin. Georgina Garrett is gonna be in for the shock of her life. She thinks she knows it all. Wait ’til she finds out what you’ve got in store for her.’
‘Yes, well, Big H, she mustn’t know, not until we are completely ready. I doubt she’ll bow down willingly so I want to ensure she is left with no other options. Everything can be bought for the right price, including men. So off you go. Bring me the money and keep absolutely silent.’
‘It’ll be good to be in the ranks instead of being just a bit of muscle who gets treated like pond life. Fuck Victor and Johnny. I’ll be by your side, Miss Austin, me and Sparrow, eh, mate?’
‘Yeah, that’s right, Miss Austin. Me and Big H will be your number one and two,’ Sparrow answered, clearly excited at the prospect of being in a superior position in the soon to be newly formed gang.
Nancy had Big H and Sparrow exactly where she wanted them but she had no intention of either of the idiots being her number one or two. She still hoped Johnny would be in that place, by her side, adoring her and willing to sacrifice his life for hers. Just as she suspected he would for Georgina. But once Nancy had knocked the woman from her top spot, she was sure Johnny would be impressed and would beg to be her man. He’d do, for now, if only to be used to help keep her in the boss’s chair. Georgina’s chair. Nancy wanted everything the woman had and she intended on getting it.
28
Charlotte tutted to herself and pretended to be annoyed when she reprimanded Dog. ‘You naughty boy! I’ve just mopped this floor. I’m gonna have to teach you how to wipe your feet before you come in.’
Dog had been out in the yard when it had started to rain. Charlotte had let him back into the kitchen and he’d left dirty paw prints on the clean floor. She didn’t mind really. She thought of Dog as her own and lavished affection on him. And she thought it was a good job that she was around to look after him as Georgina had been at the hospital for the last three days.