by Sam Michaels
A young girl with wild, long brown hair came bounding down the stairs. ‘Hello, Knuckles,’ she said, sounding chipper as she then turned her attention to Georgina. ‘You must be the new guv. I wondered when you’d show your face.’
Georgina was taken aback at the girl’s outspokenness and assumed she must be the cleaner or something similar.
‘Ivy, this is Miss Garrett. Don’t you go giving her any lip. Where’s the other girls?’
‘They all did a bunk. Soon as we heard Mickey had copped it, they legged it. It’s just me here now, all by me lonesome.’
‘What do you do here, Ivy?’ Georgina asked.
‘What do ya fink I do? I’m a prossie, ain’t I.’
‘Oi, I said no lip,’ Knuckles warned her.
Georgina couldn’t believe this. Unless she was mistaken, the girl didn’t look much older than fourteen or fifteen. ‘How old are you, Ivy?’ she asked.
She saw a look of panic flash in Ivy’s eyes, then the girl answered, ‘Nineteen.’
‘I don’t think so. Tell me the truth – you won’t be in trouble.’
Ivy chewed her dirty thumbnail and her brow knitted.
‘I promise you, Ivy, no trouble,’ Georgina reassured her.
‘I’m fourteen, but I’ll be fifteen in a few months.’
‘I see,’ Georgina said and smiled at the girl, but she was fuming inside. It disgusted her that Billy and Mickey had allowed this and Knuckles must have known she was just a kid. ‘Knuckles, lock the place up and, Ivy, you’re coming with me.’
‘But you said I wouldn’t be in trouble.’
‘You’re not, but you’re too young to be working here.’
‘Please, Miss G… I ain’t got nowhere to go and I don’t wanna end up in one of them public institutions. I work hard, don’t I, Knuckles? Go on, tell her… tell her I’m a grafter.’
‘Ivy, calm down. I told you, you’re coming with me. Don’t worry, I’ll find some work for you to do, but not this.’
‘Really? I won’t be a prossie anymore?’
The girl’s eyes were wide with hope and Georgina couldn’t help but feel sorry for the little mite. ‘No, you won’t. Now hurry up and get your stuff together.’
Ivy ran back upstairs and Georgina turned to look at Knuckles with disdain.
Ivy was soon back with a small cloth bag and a fur coat that was far too big, draped across her shoulders. She looked quite comical, just like a young girl dressing up in her mother’s clothes.
‘That’s not your coat, Ivy,’ Knuckles said.
‘Emily left it behind. Finders, keepers,’ Ivy answered and poked her tongue out at him. Then she sauntered towards Georgina and said, ‘I like your hat, Miss G.’
‘Thank you, Ivy.’ She didn’t know what it was, but there was something that Georgina liked about the girl. Ivy was cheeky. She was cute too, with her upturned button nose and big round blue eyes. Georgina dreaded to think how the girl had ended up being sold for sex or what horrid things Ivy had endured, but whatever had happened to her, it hadn’t broken her spirit.
They stepped outside into the rain and as Knuckles locked the door, Ivy looked up and down the street. ‘Where’s your motor, Miss G?’
‘I haven’t got one.’
‘What sort of guv are you? You gotta have a car, it’s the rules.’
‘Oh, do I indeed. Well, as it happens, I’m getting one.’
‘Shame you ain’t got one now. My coat is gonna end up stinking like a wet dog,’ Ivy tutted.
‘Knuckles, you can piss off. Go back to Queenstown Road. Tell Mr Harel he can finish for the day.’
‘Yes, Miss Garrett. See you tomorrow,’ he answered and waited for a response.
Georgina ignored him, which didn’t go unnoticed by Ivy.
‘I don’t like him either,’ she said as he walked away. ‘And he’s got the tiniest dick I’ve ever seen.’
Georgina tried to hold back but she couldn’t help herself and burst out laughing.
‘It’s true.’
‘I don’t doubt you,’ Georgina said and tried to shake off the image of Knuckles’ private parts.
‘Where we going?’ Ivy asked.
‘You’re going to stay with Mrs Wilcox for now. She’ll take care of you until I can work out what I’m going to do with you.’
‘Mrs Wilcox… Billy’s wife?’
‘Yes, that’s right.’
‘Oh no! She ain’t nuffink like him, is she?’
‘No, Ivy, Mrs Wilcox is nothing like him at all.’
Twenty minutes later they were on Molly’s road. The rain had stopped falling and a small glimmer of sun broke through the clouds.
‘My feet are squelching,’ Ivy moaned.
Georgina wasn’t taking any notice. She was focused on something she could see ahead. It looked like Molly’s pram. A black bassinet with shining silver wheels. She picked up her pace and as she drew closer, she began to worry. When she got to the pram, she looked inside with bated breath. Empty. Where was Molly? And Edward? And why was the pram left in the street?
‘Quick,’ Georgina shouted, and grabbed the pram before running towards Jane’s house. Once there, she hammered on the front door, and called, ‘Molly… Molly… Open up, it’s me.’
When there was no answer, she ran to the lounge window and looked through. Nothing.
‘What’s going on, Miss G?’ Ivy asked as she panted to catch her breath.
‘I don’t know. This is Molly’s pram – Mrs Wilcox’s. I don’t know what the hell it was doing left in the street or where Molly and her baby are. Something’s not right.’
‘What should we do?’
‘I don’t know… Come on, let’s try her mum’s house. If she ain’t there, we’ll try mine.’
Georgina hurried to Fanny’s but there was no answer there so she ran home with Ivy in tow. She flew through the door and found Dulcie in the kitchen.
‘Whoa, girl, where’s the fire?’ her gran asked as Georgina burst in.
‘Have you seen Molly?’
‘No, not since she left here last night. What’s wrong, love?’
‘I dunno. I found Edward’s pram at the end of her street but no sign of him or Molly. She ain’t at home and there’s no answer at Fanny’s.’
‘Oh, Christ, I don’t like the sound of that.’
‘I know, Gran, I’m worried sick and don’t know where to look next.’
Dulcie looked past Georgina, then asked, ‘Who’s that?’
‘Ivy. She’ll be staying with Molly, when I find her.’
‘You’ll have to go back to Jane’s. Leave Ivy here with me and if Molly turns up, I’ll send Ivy to get you.’
‘All right. Oh, Gran, what if something terrible has happened?’
‘There’s no point thinking the worst. I’m sure there’ll be a simple explanation. There normally is. Go on, go and see if she’s back home. And don’t worry, she’ll be fine.’
‘Ivy, you heard. I’ll see you later,’ Georgina said as she passed her in the hallway.
She ran back to Jane’s house as fast as her legs would move and wished she’d been wearing her old George clothes – it was much easier to run in boots and trousers compared to heels and skirts. Once back, she was filled with disappointment when she saw that Edward’s pram was outside where she’d left it. She knocked on the door again. No-one answered but an elderly lady from next door came out onto her step.
‘Have you seen Molly?’ Georgina asked.
‘I saw her go out earlier. Isn’t that Edward’s pram?’
‘Yes. I found it in the street but I’ve no idea where Molly and Edward are. Did she say anything to you about where she was going?’
‘No, but I did see a car outside.’
‘What sort of car?’
‘I’m not sure, a black one, I think.’
‘Was it a bath or a gin tin?’
‘I dunno. I gin tin, I think.’
‘Did you see who was in the car?’
; The old lady bit her bottom lip.
‘Think, please, it’s really important,’ Georgina snapped.
‘I’m trying… I think there was two men but I’d never seen ’em here before.’
‘Did they say anything? Do anything? Talk to Molly?’
‘I don’t know. I wasn’t paying them no heed and it ain’t my business what goes on in that house.’
‘You’ve been very helpful, thank you,’ Georgina said but couldn’t bring herself to smile.
If the men in the car had Molly, she had no idea who they were or why they wanted her. But she was sure it would have something to do with the Wilcox business.
*
Molly had been taken into the rear entrance of a small hotel. She wasn’t sure where but knew they hadn’t crossed the Thames, so they must be somewhere in South London. They’d passed Waterloo Bridge. She recognised it because it was being dismantled. Maybe she was in the South East on David Maynard’s patch.
She was led through a maze of corridors. Any glimmer of hope that she had of running away had quickly diminished – she’d never find her way back through the corridors let alone through London.
They climbed several flights of stairs and then the men stopped outside of a white-painted door. There was no room number on display, no knocker, nothing. After five distinct thuds, the door opened a crack and one of the men nodded. It then opened wider and Molly was escorted into a narrow hallway. Edward began to fidget in her arms. He was becoming restless. Molly thought he was probably sensing her fear, and though she tried to remain calm, her heart hammered.
Another door opened and a bloke as large as Knuckles stood to one side. As she passed him, she saw another man, smartly dressed, sitting on a plush brown sofa. Two other huge men stood behind him, probably bodyguards. She guessed she’d been brought to see the man sat on the sofa as he looked like the boss.
‘Mrs Wilcox, it’s nice to meet you,’ he said, and puffed on a fat cigar. ‘I wondered what sort of woman would have been married to Billy. I must say, you’re not at all like anything I’d imagined.’
She should have known this would have something to do with Billy. Anything bad normally did. Molly could feel tears streaming down her cheeks again and snot running from her nose. She didn’t care how hideous she looked, she just wanted Edward to be safe.
‘Now, now, Mrs Wilcox. Why are you so upset?’
‘Are you going to hurt me or my son?’
‘No, I can assure you I’m not. Please, calm down.’
Molly drew in a long, juddering breath.
‘That’s better. I trust you had a comfortable journey?’
Molly didn’t answer him. He’d said he wasn’t going to hurt them but she wasn’t sure if she believed him.
‘Take a seat. Would you like anything to drink?’
Molly didn’t move, and asked, ‘What do you want from me?’
‘Of course, you must be curious. Let me introduce myself. I’m David Maynard.’
The man needed no further introduction. As she’d feared, Molly knew exactly who he was. His reputation preceded him. He was South East London’s most feared gangster. He ruled over all the boroughs from Lewisham to Bexley and most of Croydon and Lambeth too. She knew Billy had always stayed well clear of the man and had been told that Norman had too.
‘I’ve heard you’ve claimed back the Wilcox business,’ David said. ‘That’s good, it should stay within the family.’
‘I still don’t understand why I’m here,’ Molly said. Her hand shook as she wiped her nose with the cuff of her coat.
‘I just want a little chat with you to make sure you understand your boundaries.’
‘If you mean about the business, it’s nothing to do with me.’
‘Oh, I think it is, Mrs Wilcox. The thing is, your late husband and your father-in-law before him, they knew their limitations. I’m quite happy to turn a blind eye to what goes on in Battersea. It’s not really worth my while. Small fry,’ he said with a flick of his hand. ‘I’d like to hear some reassurances from you that you don’t have any plans for expansion. I don’t care what goes on with you and the Vauxhall mob – that will be your fight, not mine. But I will care if you decide to step on my toes or come anywhere near the docks.’
‘Honestly, Mr Maynard, I’m not running the business but I can tell you that there’s no plans for doing anything more than we already are.’
‘Good, as long as we’re all singing from the same hymn sheet. Now, how about that drink?’
‘No, thank you. I’d like to go home,’ Molly answered.
‘Fine. My men will drive you back. It’s been nice talking to you, Mrs Wilcox.’
Molly spun round. She couldn’t get out of the room fast enough. As she walked towards the door, she heard David Maynard say, ‘And pass my best wishes on to Miss Garrett.’
The return journey to Battersea seemed to take twice as long and Edward was becoming more fretful. He was due a feed but he’d have to wait. As the car passed Clapham Common, Molly finally began to relax. She’d be home soon. Safe, away from David Maynard’s heavies.
The man had clearly known about Georgina. He’d used Molly as a threat because she was an easy target. She needed the money but wished she could run away from it all. The trouble was, she was in too deep now and couldn’t get out. God, she rued the day she’d ever become involved with Billy bloody Wilcox and his stinking business!
*
Georgina saw the black car pull up outside Jane’s house and as she ran out towards it, it sped off, leaving Molly on the pavement looking exhausted.
‘Molly, oh, Molly,’ Georgina said and helped her friend indoors. ‘Are you all right?’
‘Yes, but Edward needs feeding,’ she answered as she began to climb the stairs to her bedroom.
Georgina followed. ‘Who were they? What did they want?’
‘Georgina, please,’ Molly snapped. ‘Look, I’m sorry, but it’s been a difficult day. Can you make me a cup of tea? I’ll see to Edward and then I’ll be down.’
Georgina was desperate to know the details of what had happened but she could tell Molly wanted to be alone for now. The main thing though, her friend appeared to be unharmed. That’s all that really mattered.
Georgina stepped outside and called over a young lad in short trousers playing in the street. She held out a coin to him and said, ‘You can have this if you run to my house with a message.’
The boy nodded enthusiastically.
‘Tell my gran that Molly is home and bring Ivy back here. Have you got that?’
‘Yes, miss, Molly is home and bring Ivy here,’ the boy repeated and held out his hand for the coin.
Georgina’s nerves were jangled and once she’d told the boy where to go, she went back inside and made a pot of tea, the cure-all remedy. She sat at the kitchen table, patiently waiting for Molly to come downstairs and drummed her fingers as her foot tapped. What was taking her so long? She hoped Molly hadn’t fallen asleep.
Georgina was relieved when her friend finally came into the kitchen a while later and she poured her a drink.
‘Are you sure you’re all right? You haven’t been hurt?’
‘I’m fine. I was just so scared.’
‘Who were they?’
‘David Maynard’s men. They took me to him, somewhere over Deptford way, I think.’
‘What the hell did David Maynard want with you?’
‘To give you a message. He sends his best wishes. It was a warning, Georgina. He obviously knows exactly what’s been going on. He warned me not to step on his toes. He doesn’t care what goes on in Battersea but he was basically saying to stay off his patch.’
‘The bastard. Did they take you off the street?’
‘Yep, and they made it quite clear I had no choice.’
‘This ain’t on, I ain’t having this,’ Georgina hissed.
‘There’s nothing you can do about it. Anyway, it’s over now.’
Georgina scraped her seat back
and began to pace the kitchen. ‘No it bloody ain’t! I’m not having him thinking he’s got the right to turn up whenever he feels like it and scare the living daylights out of you or anyone else. If he’s got something to say, he can bloody well tell me to my face!’
‘Calm down, Georgina. What are you going to do? Go storming in there and shout the odds at him? Just leave it, you’ll make matters worse.’
‘No, Molly, I can’t leave it. If I let him get away with it, what’s to stop him doing it again?’
‘If he does, he does. It’s better than you starting an all-out war.’
They heard a knock on the front door and as Georgina went to answer it, she said to Molly, ‘We’ll talk about this later.’
‘There’s nothing to talk about,’ Molly answered.
When Georgina walked back into the kitchen with Ivy behind her, she said, ‘When I visited Livingstone Road today, I found this young lady working there. Ivy, this is Mrs Wilcox.’
‘Hello,’ Molly said with a warm smile.
‘Ivy, you can sleep in the small back room for now. Go and make yourself at home.’
‘Thanks, Miss G. I don’t mind having a small room. It’s better than having to sleep under me mum’s bed like I did when I was little. Nice to meet you Mrs Wilcox.’
‘Don’t tell me she was working there as a prostitute?’ Molly whispered after closing the door.
‘I know, it doesn’t bear thinking about. I had to take her out and bring her here. I hope you don’t mind but I didn’t know what else to do with her.’
‘You did the right thing. My God, I can’t believe they had young girls working there.’
Georgina sipped her tea and Molly’s voice floated over her head as she thought about David Maynard. The man had some nerve. Just because he was a face in South East London, that didn’t give him the right to intimidate Molly. No, she wouldn’t allow it and she’d see to it that he didn’t bother them again.
10
It was Thursday morning and Varvara was awake before sunrise. In fact, she’d hardly slept for most of the night. After making Miss Garrett a gift, she’d tossed and turned with her thoughts fixated on how fascinating she found her. The woman was inspiring, powerful and beautiful and Varvara couldn’t stop wild fantasies from flooding her head. She didn’t care if her feelings towards Georgina were unnatural. It felt good and exciting. She’d never experienced anything like this before. Not even Tom, who’d once promised to rescue her, had made her feel this way.