by Sam Michaels
‘Shush, I’m thinking,’ Georgina answered and then she picked up the telephone.
Charlotte listened as Georgina told Johnny to come straight over.
‘Are you gonna kill her?’ Charlotte asked when Georgina had finished on the telephone.
‘Not yet. But yes, probably.’
‘What do you want me to do?’ she asked, hopeful of being given an involved role.
‘Nothing. Just keep everything you know to yourself for now.’
‘I will. I’m sorry I called you away from the hospital.’
‘It’s all right. You did the right thing.’
‘Any change?’
‘I don’t know. I’m sure he can hear me and I’m positive he squeezed my hand again but he’s not responding to the doctor’s tests.’
It didn’t take long for Johnny to arrive and he rushed in, asking, ‘What’s the emergency?’
‘Sit down, Johnny. We have a bit of a situation on our hands,’ Georgina explained and went on to tell him about what Charlotte had seen in the park.
‘Fucking wankers,’ Johnny spat. ‘You’ve been good to them and this is the thanks you get. I’ll fucking kill the yellow-livered cunts.’
‘Hey, calm down. We don’t know who she’s got on her side or what she’s planning yet. That’s what I want you to find out.’
‘How?’ Johnny asked.
‘I’ve seen the way she looks at you. It shouldn’t be difficult to win her over, especially with your charm. Work on her, Johnny. Take her out somewhere nice, whatever it takes, but get the information out of her.’
Johnny coughed and squirmed. ‘Actually, I’m taking her to dinner tonight. I’ve already… erm…’ he stopped and looked uncomfortably at Charlotte, then added coyly, ‘courted her.’
‘I see. Then your job will be even easier. We’ll meet first thing in the morning at my house. And, Johnny, do whatever you have to do. I want to know everything that the bitch has in mind.’
31
Benjamin woke to the sound of his alarm clock. He still set it before bed even though he wasn’t going back into the office until after the weekend. He reached out to turn it off before throwing off the covers, and then he sat on the edge of his bed. There was a mirror on the side but so far, he’d avoided seeing his reflection. He couldn’t bring himself to look at the pathetic creature he knew he’d see. The bruises didn’t bother him but the image of a weak man full of self-loathing was too much to face.
Benjamin hung his head in his hands. How had he let this happen? Rupert had been charming and swept him off his feet. A whirlwind romance, full of promise, but instead of a blissful relationship, he’d been left hurt and humiliated by the man’s despicable treatment. Rupert’s violence had come from nowhere and quickly escalated. The man wasn’t of sound mind, that was obvious, but still Benjamin questioned his own judgement. He shook his head. Had there been warning signs that he’d missed? Aubrey and Cuthbert must have known. They’d sensed something sinister about Rupert so why hadn’t he? He’d been blinded by a ridiculous infatuation, desperate for someone to love him, and had let his guard down. It would never happen again. Benjamin wouldn’t allow another man into his life.
He eased himself up and finally confronted the man in the mirror. His bruises had turned to yellow and green; some had faded and the swelling around his eye had gone down. His body was repairing but nothing would heal the deep shame he felt. And in two days, he’d have to face Johnny and Victor. He cringed at the thought. They were such tough and hardened people, he thought they might be laughing at him. Having a joke at his expense. It was no more than he deserved.
A light tap on the door startled him and his heart began to race. He didn’t expect anyone to be calling at this early hour of the day. With his anxieties rising, he pulled a dressing gown around himself and crept to the front door.
‘Who is it?’ he asked nervously.
‘It’s me, Mr Harel, Victor.’
Benjamin pulled the door open, relieved to see a friendly face on his doorstep but embarrassed, and then he became concerned about why Victor was there.
‘Miss Garrett has sent me to collect you. She said you’re to stay with her for the foreseeable.’
‘But… erm, why? I don’t understand.’
‘She’ll explain everything. Do you want a hand getting your things together?’
‘Erm, no, thank you. Just, er, give me a few minutes.’
‘I’ll be in the car.’
Benjamin closed the door and worried what this was about. Not more trouble, he hoped. It was bad enough with Britain at war and after what he’d been through with Rupert, he dreaded the thought of any more danger. But Georgina wasn’t one to argue with so he quickly dressed, collected what he’d need and went with Victor to her house.
The sun hadn’t yet come up so it was still dark. This was most unusual behaviour for Victor and the man’s silence only further perplexed him. He hoped he wasn’t in trouble with Georgina and though he thought he might be, he also knew he wasn’t thinking clearly.
The streets were quiet and it wasn’t long until they pulled up outside the house. Victor carried his case in and Georgina stood from the sofa to greet him. She was fully dressed, looking as glorious as ever and ready for business. The fire in the grate was burning and Benjamin saw a pot of tea prepared on the side. Georgina had clearly been awake for many hours.
‘I’m sorry to drag you over here like this but I want to ensure your safety. Sit down, I’ll pour you a cuppa.’
‘Erm, thank you, but are you going to tell me what is going on?’ Benjamin asked and pushed his glasses up his nose. He didn’t expect that Georgina would divulge any information to him. She rarely did, at least not until she’d done whatever she was going to do.
‘I believe Nancy is planning to get rid of me and take on the business herself.’
Benjamin looked at her incredulously. ‘Really?’ he asked.
‘Yes, really. And I think she already has a few of our people on side. As we don’t yet know exactly how she is going to do it, I thought it would be best if you stayed here, just in case they come after you to get to me.’
‘Oh, oh, dear me…’
‘Victor, take Benjamin’s case up to Charlotte’s room and tell the girl to get down here,’ Georgina instructed and sat back on the sofa then said to Benjamin, ‘Johnny will be here shortly. He spent the night with Nancy so hopefully he’s a bit wiser to what she’s up to.’
‘Do you know who she has on her side?’
‘Big H, Tim, Larry and Bob. There’s probably more too.’
‘And, er, how are you planning to stop them?’
‘I haven’t got that far yet. I want information from Johnny before I decide on anything. I don’t know who I can trust. I can’t go in all guns firing until I’m sure of who to eliminate.’
They heard a knock on the door and Georgina walked over to the window.
‘It’s Johnny,’ she said, sounding relieved to see him.
He came in and looked more serious than usual. Victor followed behind and Charlotte joined them too.
‘Well?’ Georgina asked.
‘She’s a wicked cow and she thinks she’s got it sussed,’ Johnny answered and lit a cigar.
‘Please, Johnny, not in here. It’s a small room and you’ll stink it out.’
‘Yeah, sorry, Miss Garrett,’ he said and stubbed it out.
They all waited impatiently for what he would say next.
‘She’s a dirty, scheming tart and she thinks she’s got me right where she wants me. But I played her a good ’un and found out everything.’
‘Please, enlighten us then,’ Georgina said.
Benjamin thought her voice sounded surprisingly light considering the circumstances, which made him think that she wasn’t particularly concerned about the said threat to her position.
‘She’s got eleven of the blokes who’ve agreed to work for her but they don’t want any part in getting rid of you. But get
this, she’s working with Big H, Sparrow and Lillian.’
‘Well, Big H has got a brain the size of a pea so I ain’t worried about him. Do you mean Sparrow who worked for Wayne Warner?’
‘Yeah, him and his bird. But Sparrow’s a weed and Lillian is a right dozy mare.’
‘What else?’ Georgina asked.
‘Nancy ain’t got the stomach for anything that involves blood being spilt. But she reckons the only way to get rid of you is to have you killed. And I’ve let her think that I’m gonna do it.’
‘She thinks that you’re going to murder me for her?’
‘Yep. She thinks she’s so fucking clever but she ain’t ’alf gullible. On Sunday, I’m supposed to shoot Victor whilst you’re at the hospital, then come and meet you and do the same to you. I’ve let her think it’ll be straightforward and if I dump you both in the Thames with rocks tied to you, your bodies will never be found. Monday morning, Big H will do you over, Mr Harel. Then Sparrow and Lillian will sort you out, Charlotte. That leaves the way clear for her. The first thing she’s gonna do is get in the safe and use her legal know-how to get the deeds of the properties, Segal’s and The Penthouse, changed into her name. She reckons there’s loads of money in the safe too and is gonna use it to pay the blokes off.’
‘And she really believes it’ll be as easy as that? She thinks that you’d turn against me so willingly? Are you sure she’s not bluffing?’
‘Yeah, positive. Like I said, she’s gullible. I’m fucking knackered. I had to listen to her going on all night about her big plans for the future. I won’t bore you with the details but she lives in cloud fucking cuckoo land.’
‘You’ve done good, Johnny.’
‘Do you want me and Victor to pay her a visit later?’
‘No. I’m going to have some fun with this. Here’s what we’re going to do…’
Benjamin listened with fascination as Georgina explained how they would foil Nancy’s audacious plot. He couldn’t help but be intrigued and even a little amused but was glad that he wouldn’t have to do anything except hide out in Georgina’s home, though she didn’t live in the nicest part of Battersea.
‘Right, are we all clear?’ Georgina asked when she’d finished.
‘Yep, sounds good to me,’ Johnny answered.
‘I wish I could be a fly on the wall when she gets what’s coming to her,’ Charlotte said. ‘I told ya, I said right from the off that she was up to something.’
‘Yes, you did, Charlotte and in future I’ll listen to you.’
Benjamin sipped his lukewarm tea. This wasn’t the first time someone had got it into their head that they could do a better job than Georgina and it wouldn’t be the last. But his boss was always one step ahead of them and had so far quashed any rivals who challenged her authority. He was stunned that Nancy had stepped up for a fight. She didn’t seem the sort but then as it turned out, in light of recent events with Rupert, he wasn’t a very good judge of character.
*
Once Johnny had gone, Georgina telephoned Molly and just caught her in time before she left to catch the train to London. Her friend had understood and said she’d visit the following weekend instead. That was one less thing for Georgina to worry about. Next, Victor drove her to where she needed to be to set about putting things in place to prevent Nancy from executing her plans.
It didn’t take long and later that day, when she arrived back home, she was pleased to hear Benjamin and Charlotte sounding relaxed and enjoying a chat together in the front room. As she took off her coat in the passageway and threw it over the newel post, she listened to their conversation.
‘Johnny told me Nancy wants to turn The Penthouse into a luncheon club,’ Benjamin said snootily.
‘Cheeky cow. She thinks she’s classy but she ain’t nothing but a cheap slut.’
‘Yes, I agree, Charlotte. Georgina may not have a qualification in law or speak like an aristocrat but she’s more class in her little toe than that dreadful woman.’
‘Yeah, you’re right there. I know a lot of people think she’s a tough nut but they don’t know her like we do. I wish I hadn’t got Tobias to do what he did. I feel awful about it now.’
‘We’ve all done things we regret but it’s behind you and Georgina has forgiven you so it’s about time you forgave yourself.’
‘I know, but I wish I could make it up to her.’
‘You can, Charlotte. Be loyal. That will mean the world to Georgina. She’s very much alone and I think she would appreciate a friend she can trust fully. Be that friend.’
‘I’d like to be, I really would. But she’s never gonna forget what I did, is she?’
Georgina walked into the room and interrupted their conversation. Charlotte looked up at her from the sofa, her eyes wide when she realised that Georgina must have heard everything.
‘No, Charlotte, I will never forget but like Benjamin said, I have forgiven and I never want you to mention it again.’
Charlotte nodded and looked humbled.
‘Did you get everything done?’ Benjamin asked.
‘Yes, everything is in place. Charlotte, you’re to instruct Big H to go to Livingstone Road on Saturday evening. I’ve arranged for a couple of blokes to cause bother. They’re happy to take a bit of a hiding for a few quid. Johnny will take Nancy out and that’ll leave the office clear. Right, I don’t know about you two but I’m starved and I should think Victor is too.’
Georgina busied herself in the kitchen making a light lunch but her mind kept wandering to what Benjamin had said – she was very much alone. Yes, she supposed she was really. A widow with no family alive apart from her two beautiful children. She felt a tug in her womb at the thought of Alfie and Selina. She missed them terribly but Christmas was only a month away and Lash’s parents had said the children would be brought to her. She couldn’t wait, desperate to see their sweet faces. And she hoped David would be awake by then too. If he was, they could share their first Christmas together, just the two of them and the children. Like a proper family. Like it had been before Lash had been gunned down in the street. The memory of that awful day hit her again like a steam train. She hadn’t thought about it for so long and felt her eyes beginning to well with tears. It had been a while since she’d cried for Lash and as her tears began to fall, guilt washed over her. She felt guilty to Lash for loving David and guilty to David for crying over her dead husband.
‘Do you need a hand?’ Charlotte asked.
When Georgina shook her head and tried to covertly brush away her tears, Charlotte dashed to her side and placed an arm over her shoulder.
Georgina bristled at the contact but appreciated the gesture.
‘I’m all right. Just having a moment,’ she said and then was surprised when she found herself opening up to Charlotte. ‘I still miss Lash and I don’t like the kids not being with me. And I’m worried about David.’
‘You’ve got a lot on your plate but you’ve got broad shoulders. You don’t have to bottle things up though. I’m here – you can talk to me.’
‘I know, thanks, love. Get me a hankie and don’t you dare tell anyone that you saw me crying,’ Georgina said with a warm smile.
It wasn’t often that she shed tears. She’d been brought up by a stern grandmother who had no time for that sort of emotion. And now, with yet another battle looming, it wasn’t the time for sentiment or melancholy thoughts. There was work to be done. She had an enemy to defeat and she intended to put Nancy in the ground where the two-faced woman belonged.
32
Charlotte had work to do on Sunday. Both brothels were due to be busy but more importantly, Charlotte had to speak to each of the women and tell them to go to Livingstone Road first thing in the morning. Georgina wanted to ensure that none of the prostitutes were caught up in the troubles with Nancy and had come up with the smokescreen of telling them that there was going to be a meeting to discuss a reshuffle. It sounded feasible but now Charlotte had to go into the office under st
rict instruction from Georgina to remain calm and act normally. She knew it wouldn’t be easy and took a moment on the doorstep to compose herself before entering.
Nancy emerged from the kitchen and walked down the hallway towards her. Charlotte could tell the woman’s demeanour had changed. She appeared more confident to the point of arrogance.
‘Good morning, Charlotte. No time off in your new role, I see. I, on the other hand, will be enjoying a relaxing Sunday morning with the newspapers and then maybe an afternoon snooze. Good day to you.’
Charlotte’s jaw clenched and she gritted her teeth. It took a lot of self-control to stop herself from smacking the woman in her posh gob. But she knew that wouldn’t have gone down well with Georgina. Instead, she tried her best to force a smile and stood at the bottom of the stairs as Nancy walked up them, wiggling her bony hips.
Once Charlotte heard Nancy’s bedroom door close, she went to her small office and tried to focus on the job in hand. But it wasn’t easy. Her mind kept drifting to what her fate would have been this time tomorrow if she hadn’t followed Nancy to the park and saw her meeting with Georgina’s men. In just twenty-four hours, she’d have been murdered. Probably sat in this very same chair with her throat slit, slowly bleeding to death. And as far as Nancy knew, her evil plan was going ahead yet the woman felt relaxed enough to consider an afternoon snooze. That showed how heartless she was and Charlotte felt no remorse for what Nancy had coming to her.
She checked the time. The minutes were passing slowly. Both brothels were running at full capacity today. She hoped it would go smoothly and the customers would turn up when they were supposed to and leave on time. If not, it would cause a backlog and Charlotte was in no mood for any mayhem.
She heard three taps on her door and knew it would be Big H. Once again, Charlotte fixed a smile on her face.
‘Morning, Charlotte. Have we got a busy day?’
‘Yes, very. I hope them fellas at Livingstone Road didn’t cause you too much bother last night?’
‘Not much. I give one a bit of a slap and then they buggered off. But I stayed there ’til the last punter left, just like you said to.’