by Sam Michaels
Charlotte studied the diaries for both brothels. Livingstone Road never seemed very busy on a Monday. So she decided she’d pay the house a visit and inform the women that their weekly day off would be changing. All but one of them would take the Monday off from work. She was sure she’d be faced with objections but as she was now the madam, they could like it or lump it. Granted, Nancy had run a tight ship and Charlotte had found everything to be in order, but she hadn’t looked at ways to maximise profits. This was where Charlotte intended to shine, for she knew it would please Georgina.
She snapped the Livingstone Road diary closed, put Dog on his leash and wrapped up against the inclement weather before setting off to the brothel. Though cold outside, she thought the walk would do her and Dog good.
She strode briskly but Dog wanted to stop and sniff at every lamppost and by the time they reached Livingstone Road, Charlotte could feel her stomach griping. She pulled Dog along the street and let herself into the house before dashing to the toilet and made it just in time. Her belly ached and each time she went to get off the loo, she felt the urge to open her bowels again.
‘Are you all right in there?’ a woman called through the door.
Charlotte recognised the voice as Gerty’s and called back, ‘Yes, sorry. I won’t be long.’
‘Is that you, Charlotte?’
‘Yeah, it’s me. I’ve got a rotten belly ache.’
‘Oh dear. I’d leave you to it only Miss Garrett’s dog is lying down in front of my bedroom door. I’m a bit scared to pass him.’
‘You’ll be all right. Dog don’t bite.’
‘Actually, if you don’t mind, I’ll sit outside here and wait for you. Keep you company.’
Charlotte did mind but she liked Gerty and didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She grimaced as her stomach cramped again.
‘Sounds like the world is falling out of your arse in there,’ Gerty commented and laughed.
‘Feels like it and all,’ Charlotte replied, her brow sweating now.
‘What’s up? Something you’ve eaten gawn a bit orf?’
The vegetable soup was the only thing she’d eaten all day and she didn’t think it was likely to have made her feel ill… unless Nancy had tampered with it.
Vomit began to rise in her throat and, unable to get off the loo, she tried to hold it down but couldn’t and spewed on the toilet floor.
‘Blinkin’ ’eck, Charlotte, you sound in a bad way. Do you want me to fetch you a glass of water?’
‘Yes, please,’ she answered, finally opening the door.
‘You go and put your feet up on the sofa. Don’t worry about the mess in ’ere, I’ll clean it up.’
‘Thanks, Gerty,’ Charlotte said and made her way unsteadily to the lounge.
The minutes passed into hours. Charlotte had been at the house for nearly three hours and had spent most of the time going back and forth to the lavatory. She’d have liked to have gone home but didn’t want to risk getting caught short en route.
‘That was my last punter for the day,’ Gerty said as she walked into the lounge and looked sympathetically at Charlotte. ‘Can I get you anything?’
‘No, I’m fine thanks. I daren’t eat anything. I think I might be all right to go home in a while.’
‘Should I ring the office and get someone to come and pick you up?’
‘No, there’s no-one there with a car.’
‘I heard about Miss Garrett being up the hospital with that Maynard bloke. I didn’t know them two were together.’
‘Nor did I. I don’t think they were ’til he got blown up. I see the house down the end of the street took a hit.’
‘Yeah, two weeks ago. Us lot was all in the Anderson out the back but honestly, Charlotte, it felt so close, I screamed, I did, and wouldn’t shut up ’til Judith slapped me round the face. We found out the next day that an old couple and their cat was killed. Shame, ain’t it.’
‘It is, Gerty, a diabolical shame. I’ll be glad when this war is over.’
‘Cor, you’re telling me! Judith won’t let none of us talk about it, case it brings bad luck. She’s funny like that. But we had three chaps here the other week, looked right smart in their uniforms. Dashing young soldiers, they was. I took a bit of a shine to one of ’em and he liked me too. Called me his sweetheart, he did, and said he’d write to me. Well, he told me some stuff that would make your toes curl. They’re so brave and we wanted to thank ’em so me, Judith and Rita put on a bit of a show for ’em, only don’t say nuffink ’cos we didn’t charge ’em extra. Well, my fella said I was the best he’d ever had and now all the girls are calling me Dirty Gerty. I don’t mind, I’ve been called worse.’
‘Sorry, Dirty Gerty, but you’re telling the wrong person about giving out free shows. I’m running this house now and as much as I admire what our boys are doing, I can’t have you and the other women offering something for nothing.’
‘What? I thought that princess Nancy was in charge?’
‘She was but now I am.’
‘Oh, right. I’ve just dropped us right in it then.’
‘I’ll turn a blind eye this time but if I hear of anything like it again, I’ll be taking the money out of your wages.’
‘Huh, talk about a turn-coat. Me and your sister were friends at school. Now you’re laying down the law worse than that fancy tart Nancy.’
‘Rules are rules, Gerty. If you don’t like them, you’re free to go and work elsewhere.’
‘No, I’m not complaining. I’m just surprised that you’re in charge now. I mean, you’re only a bit of a kid.’
‘I’m old enough. Anyway, that’s how it is so don’t you go letting me down.’
‘I won’t, Charlotte.’
‘Thanks. I think I can make it home now.’
‘All right, love. Good luck. I hope you feel better soon and say hello to Molly for me.’
Charlotte nodded to Gerty as she put Dog back on his leash. She’d have liked to say hello to Molly but since arriving back in Battersea, she hadn’t spoken to her sister and wasn’t sure Molly would be pleased to hear from her. She’d put Molly and her mother through a lot. She could see that now and regretted how awfully she’d behaved. But if they knew what she was doing now, Charlotte thought they’d be proud of her. And it was about time she apologised to them. In fact, once she made it home, she’d call them. Maybe she could persuade Molly to visit. She knew Georgina would be pleased to see her and could probably do with her best friend’s support right now. As she pulled the front door closed at Livingstone Road and stepped back outside into the chilly late afternoon, Charlotte realised that for once in her life, she was behaving thoughtfully and vowed to be kinder in future. But only to her family, and Georgina was a part of that.
*
When Georgina arrived home late that evening, she was greeted by Dog and then in the front room, a very upset and clammy-looking Charlotte.
‘I don’t feel well,’ Charlotte moaned from the sofa.
‘You don’t look very well. What’s the matter?’
‘It’s my stomach. I’ve been sick and sitting on the toilet for most of the day since lunch.’
‘Sounds like something you’ve eaten.’
‘Yeah, but I’m pretty sure Nancy has done this to me.’
‘Nancy? Don’t be daft.’
‘I’m telling you, Georgina, that woman is up to something. And she don’t like it that I’m doing her job better than her. She’s trying to get rid of me or at least keep me out of the way.’
‘You’ve got a very suspicious mind, young lady. Not that it’s a bad thing. But I think you’re way off the mark about Nancy.’
‘We’ll see. Just watch her. By the way, Molly is getting the train down to see you at the weekend.’
Though she loved her friend dearly, Georgina wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of Molly turning up, not when she felt she had to be by David’s side.
‘Don’t look like that. She knows you need to be at the ho
spital and just wants to keep you company.’
‘Thank you,’ Georgina said and realised how lovely it would be to have Molly sitting with her. The hours at the hospital dragged by. They were long and tedious, punctuated with bouts of worry about David. Yes, Molly would indeed be very welcome.
‘Any change with David?’
‘No, not really, but I’m sure he moved his fingers today. I don’t think the doctor believed me but I felt him squeeze my hand.’
‘That’s really good. It’s a sign he’s on the mend.’
‘I hope so, Charlotte, I really do.’
‘Yeah, me and all. I’ll be glad when you’re back in the office and can keep an eye on Nancy.’
‘Do you really think she’s up to something?’ Georgina asked.
‘I’m bloody sure of it. Vegetable soup don’t make you feel like this. She done something to it – I know she did.’
‘I hope not. She’ll be sorry if she did. I let her get away with going for Dog but only because you begged me to. Though I still think you’re silly. You only had to ask me nicely and I would have given you her job.’
‘No you wouldn’t have. You didn’t think I was up to it. Anyway, I like seeing her grovel and picking up dog shit. All the time she thinks that you don’t know about what she did, I’ve got one up her on her and I want to keep it that way.’
Georgina smiled. Charlotte was proving herself to be astute and perceptive. If the girl believed Nancy was up to no good, there was a good chance that she was right. And now she’d planted the seed of doubt in Georgina’s mind too. Perhaps Nancy wasn’t quite as naïve as Georgina believed.
‘If I carry on like this, I don’t think I’ll be well enough to go to work tomorrow,’ Charlotte moaned.
‘You bloody well will be. There’s two toilets at work and plenty of buckets. You’re not letting an upset stomach keep you from your duties. You’re stronger than that, Charlotte. Just you remember who you work for. I won’t tolerate weakness, especially from you.’
‘But…’
‘But nothing. You’ve got a good future in the company but you’ve got to show me what you can do.’
‘You’re right – I’m being soft. And I’d like to see Nancy’s face when I show up.’
‘Good girl,’ Georgina answered, pleased that Charlotte had turned herself and her fate around. Molly had walked away from the Wilcox business years ago so who better to have working alongside her than Molly’s little sister. And Georgina thought Charlotte had a lot more spunk than her sister.
The telephone trilled in the passageway and when Georgina answered it, she was surprised to hear Johnny’s voice.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked, dreading any more bad news.
‘I’ve got Marcus Ashworth here. The old codger is some sort of bigwig in the government. He’s knocking back the port and losing money hand over fist. I’m happy to loan him more but he’s asking for two grand so I thought I’d better get your approval first.’
‘Is he good for it?’
‘Yeah. He’s been bragging about how he’s bought a couple of engineering companies in his wife’s name and has fixed it so that they’ve got several very lucrative army contracts. Fucking fraud. He don’t even need the money; he’s already loaded.’
‘Fine, give him the loan but I want one hundred and ten per cent interest, which increases by five per cent every day the loan is outstanding.’
‘Fuck me, Miss Garrett, that’s a bit steep.’
‘If he’s as loaded as you say, then he won’t care.’
‘Another thing…’
‘Yeah, go on.’
‘He’s been making a play for Dina. Seems he has a weakness for Russian blonde tarts. I could fix him up and get Graham to take photographs. I reckon he’d pay good money to keep ’em away from his wife and the papers.’
‘No, nice idea Johnny but I don’t want my places getting a reputation. The house in Clapham is a safe place for them to indulge in a game of poker, just as The Penthouse is secure for men who like the company of other men. They’re good earners so let’s keep it that way.’
‘Yeah, right, Miss Garrett. I hadn’t thought of that. Right, I’d best get back.’
Georgina put the telephone receiver down and thought about Johnny’s idea. Blackmailing a few of the wealthy gentry blokes would be easy money. She’d have to have a think about it and come up with a way that wouldn’t affect her business. After all, it seemed only fair that the wealth of the upper classes should be shared with those less fortunate. A bit like Robin Hood, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Only she’d be keeping her ill-gotten gains for the good of the business.
30
Nancy was disappointed when she saw Charlotte arrive for work. The girl looked a bit green around the gills but obviously Nancy hadn’t laced the vegetable soup with enough raw, rotten minced chicken. The presence of Charlotte in the house all day would make it difficult for Nancy to secretly talk to the men and Big H was due to bring in the first one in half an hour. She had to think quickly and an idea sprung to mind. One that would alleviate any suspicion Charlotte might have about her own upset stomach.
Nancy wiped away her red lipstick, which instantly made her look paler, and tapped on Charlotte’s door.
‘What do you want?’ Charlotte asked, and glared at her with obvious hatred.
‘I feel terrible, ever so poorly. I’m afraid I won’t be able to work today.’
‘You look all right to me.’
‘I’m not. I’m quite unwell. It’s my stomach and it’s left me feeling awfully weak.’
‘So, what do you want me to do about it?’
‘Nothing. I’m just informing you out of courtesy that I won’t be available today. I need to rest.’
‘No skin off my nose. At least I won’t have to look at your sour face.’
Nancy left Charlotte’s room with a wicked grin on her face. Now all she had to do was intercept Big H and arrange to hold her meetings in the café at the boating lake in Battersea Park. It would be chilly but at least it was a pleasant setting and away from prying eyes.
The morning sped by and by late afternoon, Nancy had spoken to eleven of Georgina’s men. All of them had agreed to work for her for a price. They’d been much easier to persuade than Nancy had anticipated. The lure of easy money had worked its magic and Nancy was satisfied that along with Big H and Sparrow, her dream of taking on Georgina’s role was almost within touch. And after her date with Johnny tonight, she hoped it would be even closer.
*
Charlotte could see straight through Nancy and knew the woman had been feigning her sickness. Already distrustful of the woman, Charlotte’s suspicions were further aroused when she spotted Nancy sneaking out of the front door. She knew it! There was something going on and Nancy was up to no good.
Quickly putting Dog on his leash, she stealthily followed Nancy, surprised and intrigued when she saw her go into the park. Dog became excited when he realised he was going to his favourite place and pulled on his leash but Charlotte held back and remained out of view from Nancy.
The park had changed a lot since the war began. There was now a pig farm and much of the area had been made into allotments for growing vegetables. Though the park was reasonably well kept, maintenance was no longer a priority as all efforts were focused on fighting the enemy. The huge barrage balloon was further evidence of the conflict in the skies.
Charlotte shadowed Nancy to the deer enclosure and then to the café next to the boating lake. She watched discreetly from behind some shrubs and soon saw Big H turn up with Tim, an unlicensed bookie on Georgina’s payroll. She was too far away to hear what they were discussing but after fifteen minutes, Tim left but Nancy remained seated at a table outside. Moments later, Big H also left but still Nancy remained.
Charlotte wondered what on earth the woman was up to and waited patiently to see what would happen. Half an hour later, when Big H returned with two more of Georgina’s men in tow, Cha
rlotte thought she had worked it out. To her dismay, she realised that Nancy was most likely working on the men to turn them against Georgina.
She couldn’t allow this to happen and her mind raced as she turned over different scenarios. She questioned if she should tell Georgina or deal with this herself. If she managed to put a stop to whatever Nancy had in mind, it would really impress Georgina. But no, Charlotte knew she was out of her depth and raced back. If she didn’t get to Georgina and quickly, the outcome of Nancy’s plans would be devastating for them both. Nancy had to be stopped and Charlotte knew that Georgina was the only person who could deal with it.
She fished in her pocket for the key to Georgina’s office and then telephoned the hospital. She begged the lady on the other end of the line to get word to Miss Garrett and emphasised the urgency of the situation. Then Charlotte sat and waited. Her stomach churned but with nerves. What if Nancy returned from the park? Should she confront her? No, she’d wait for Georgina. It was the right thing to do.
Over an hour passed and Charlotte telephoned the hospital again but the same lady she’d spoken to before couldn’t say whether Miss Garrett had left or not but assured Charlotte that her message had been passed on. Just as she replaced the receiver, Georgina walked into the office.
‘Oh, thank Gawd you’re here. What took you so long?’ Charlotte asked, feeling like she might vomit again.
‘Some of the roads are blocked. There’s an unexploded bomb been found at the top of Lavender Hill. Anyway, what’s this all about? And it had better be good to have dragged me away from David.’
‘It’s good, but not good. That conniving bitch, Nancy, is plotting against you.’
‘And you have evidence of this?’
‘She told me she was sick and going to her room but I followed her over the park. She’s meeting with your people. Big H is bringing them to her. I don’t know what’s being said but what else could she be up to?’
Georgina indicated for Charlotte to get out of her seat behind the desk and sat down. Charlotte could see she was deep in thought.
‘What ya gonna do about it?’