by Sam Michaels
‘Please, let me help you with that,’ he offered, and edged his way in front of Fanny.
After being taken off the street by David Maynard’s gang, Molly was very suspicious of people now and quickly retorted, ‘Thank you, but we can manage.’
The man stepped to the side and leaned over the pram. ‘Such a bonny baby. A boy?’
‘Yes, now if you’ll excuse us,’ Molly said.
He then looked at Fanny and smiled broadly as he lifted his bowler hat. ‘You must be the boy’s aunt? Such a young lady couldn’t possibly be his grandmother.’
Fanny looked quite charmed by the out-of-place-looking stranger and replied, ‘No, I’m his grandmother.’
‘Really? Well, what a very lucky little boy. What’s his name?’
‘I’m sorry, but we don’t have time for this,’ Molly said brusquely and pushed the pram forward.
‘Molly, don’t be so rude to the gentleman,’ Fanny hissed and frowned at her, then turned to the man and said, ‘I’m sorry about my daughter. This little fella is called Edward.’
‘Pleased to meet you, Master Edward. And may I enquire, what is the name of Edward’s delightful grandmother?’
‘Fanny. Fanny Mipple,’ she answered coyly, much to Molly’s annoyance.
‘Well, I shan’t keep you any longer. I’m new to the area and I must say, I’m grateful it’s a friendly place and I hope to bump into you again. Good day.’
Both women watched as he clicked his heels together, doffed his hat again, then marched off with his elegant walking cane tucked under his arm.
‘What a funny little man,’ Fanny said and lifted the front of Edward’s pram.
‘I don’t know about funny but there was something about him that I didn’t like.’
‘He seemed harmless enough to me. Anyway, I’ll get the kettle on, I could do with a cuppa.’
Now in the hallway, Molly left Edward sleeping soundly in his pram and went upstairs. She tapped lightly on Ivy’s door. The girl was in her bed, resting after her abysmal ordeal. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘Sore,’ Ivy answered.
Her mouth was terribly swollen and Molly could see she was finding it difficult to talk. ‘Can I get you anything?’
Ivy shook her head.
‘I’ll be back to check on you again later,’ Molly said.
She went to close the door but heard Ivy say, ‘Wait.’
‘What is it?’
‘I remembered something else… about the bloke who attacked me.’
‘What? What have you remembered, Ivy?’ Molly asked. She knew Georgina was desperate to find the man and would be grateful for any detail that could help.
‘The knife he held to me throat… It weren’t a normal sort of knife.’
‘Can you explain?’ Molly gently tried to coax.
‘It was on the end of a long stick thing.’
‘Like a makeshift blade, secured to a bit of wood?’
‘No, it weren’t no makeshift piece. It was proper,’ Ivy answered and closed her eyes.
Molly could see the girl was trying to recall the details.
‘It was polished wood, and the blade, it should have been the handle. I can see it now… it looked like one of them walking sticks.’
Molly could feel the blood draining from her face. ‘You mean a cane? A gentleman’s cane?’
‘Yeah, yeah, that’s it.’
Molly gulped but tried to remain calm in front of Ivy. ‘Well done, you did good. Now, rest up and I’ll be in again later.’
She closed the door behind her and dashed down the stairs and into the kitchen where Fanny was pouring the tea. ‘Oh, blimey, Mum. That man, the funny little one outside… I think it was him who attacked Ivy!’
Fanny looked up but didn’t seem concerned. ‘Don’t be daft. I know you didn’t like him but you can’t go round spouting accusations like that.’
‘No, Mum, listen! Ivy just said that the knife was a cane.’
‘Sounds like Ivy’s delirious. That don’t make no sense.’
‘The handle of the cane… I dunno how but he’s had it made into a concealed knife. Oh, Christ, Mum! He was here! He was looking at my Edward!’
‘Hey, calm down, Molly. Go and check on Edward, then sit down and take a few deep breaths.’
Molly did as her mother told her but as she leaned over her son, her mind was in turmoil. What if the man came back? As she pulled the blanket back that half covered Edward’s face, she noticed a small package lying beside him – a little ball of white paper. Molly picked it up and curiously opened it. When she saw a blooded tooth inside, bile rose in her throat. She managed to run back into the kitchen and dart across the room to the sink before violently vomiting.
Fanny handed her a glass of water. ‘This all seems to have affected you pretty badly. What exactly did Ivy say?’
‘She said she remembered the man had a blade on a long stick. Polished wood. A cane.’
‘That’s it? That’s all she said?’ Fanny asked.
‘Yes.’
‘And from that, you’ve deduced that the polite chap outside is the man who attacked her and now he’s after us and the baby? Oh, Molly, honestly. I don’t know where you get your imagination from. Do you realise how many men carry canes? Bloody thousands. Pull yourself together and stop being so silly.’
Molly glared at her mother. ‘That’s not all, Mother. Look,’ she said and handed her the tooth in the piece of paper.
‘Where did you get this from?’
‘I found it, in Edward’s pram.’
‘Oh, Gawd, do you think it’s Ivy’s?’
‘Yes, and that man put it in the pram for us to find.’
Molly had known, as soon as she’d seen him that there was something she hadn’t liked. It was him; she’d known it in her gut. He’d been the man who’d taken Ivy’s teeth and now he’d been on her doorstep and returned one of them! Thank goodness Jane had a telephone because Molly had to get word to Georgina and there was no way she was stepping outside the front door. No matter what it took, she had to protect her son.
*
Georgina crossed her arms in front of her and rested them on her desk. PC Cunningham was speaking but she wasn’t really listening. Instead, she was looking at his smug, round face and refraining from the urge to smash it in. He was wittering on about his unblemished reputation and something about his arrest rate. From the bits that Georgina did take in, she thought it sounded like bullshit but guessed it was leading to him requesting more money. If that was his game, he could go and take a running jump.
‘And seeing as you’re a woman, you’ll be needing extra protection from me,’ he said and leaned forward in his seat with his narrow grey eyes boring into her.
Georgina thought he looked far too relaxed. His easy lumber and the way he leaned his elbow on her desk caused her great irritation. ‘I beg your pardon?’ she said.
‘With you being a lady, you’ll have all sorts trying to take advantage. But you don’t need to worry your pretty little face about stuff like that. See, my name carries a lot of clout round here. One word from me and you’ll be all right. I’ll keep the scoundrels off your back.’
‘Thank you, PC Cunningham, but I’m quite capable of looking after myself.’
‘Hah, I’m sure you believe you are but you don’t know what some of these criminals can be like. I could tell you stories that would make the devil cry but I wouldn’t want to frighten you. No, Miss Garrett, it’s a wicked world out there and not one that a woman of good standing should be dealing with.’
‘PC Cunningham, I appreciate your good intentions but there’ll be no requirement for you to do any more than you already do. We’ll keep to the same arrangement you had with Mr Wilcox and with Mickey.’
‘It was different. They were men, and you can’t really think you can do the same as them.’
The telephone rang, which came as a welcome relief to Georgina. ‘Mr Harel will arrange your payment. Now, if you’ll
excuse me,’ she said indicating to the trilling phone. ‘Good day, PC Cunningham.’
He looked a bit put out at being rebuffed but Georgina didn’t care. Fortunately, he hadn’t been one of the coppers who’d abused her and as it turned out, she thought he was a wet blanket. She’d keep him on the payroll but she couldn’t envisage what use he’d be, except for turning a blind eye to her gang’s activities.
PC Cunningham walked over to Benjamin’s desk and Georgina picked up the telephone receiver. After being connected, she said hello and then heard Molly’s desperate voice, begging her to come to Jane’s. Molly hardly paused for breath as she explained about the man with the cane and what Ivy had said and then something about a tooth in Edward’s pram. Georgina could tell her friend was terrified and promised to be there as soon as she could. Thankfully, this seemed to pacify her somewhat.
The policeman left with his pockets full of the Wilcox business money and Georgina said a hasty goodbye to Benjamin.
‘We’ll talk about that investment tomorrow,’ she called as she dashed out of the door and checked her clutch bag for Lash’s pistol. Molly had been rambling and Georgina wasn’t entirely sure what was going on but she wasn’t taking any chances. If the man who’d attacked Ivy had approached Molly and Fanny, then it was more than just coincidence. Something was amiss and this man needed stopping before he hurt anyone else.
*
By the time Georgina arrived at Jane’s house, she found Molly almost hysterical.
‘I’ve tried to calm her down but she’s worked herself up into a right state,’ Fanny said.
Molly was running from the back door to the front room window. Tears streamed down her face and her eyes were blazing with fear. Georgina stepped in her pathway and firmly grabbed her friend’s shoulders.
‘Listen to me, Molly. I’m here now. No-one is going to hurt you or Edward. I promise you, you’re safe now.’
‘But… but… he was here. He was so close to my baby. What if he’d stabbed him or something?’
‘He didn’t. Edward is perfectly well and needs his mum to pull herself together.’
At last, Molly drew in a long, juddering breath and appeared to compose herself.
‘Does Ivy know what’s going on?’ Georgina asked.
‘No, not unless she’s heard Molly ranting,’ Fanny answered.
‘Good. Can you check on her please, Fanny?’
Fanny went upstairs and Georgina led Molly to the sofa. ‘Tell me exactly what’s happened. Slowly.’
Georgina listened as Molly explained about the cane, the man on the step and finally the tooth in the pram.
‘Right, this is a clear message and I’ve no doubt it’s aimed at me and the business. Whoever this character is, he’s using scare tactics to get to us.’
‘Well, it’s working ’cos I’m bloody petrified!’ Molly said.
‘Knuckles mentioned a name – The Dentist. He’s one of David Maynard’s gang and if it is him, he’ll know where I can find him.’
‘You’re going to see David Maynard? You can’t, Georgina, please. You can’t leave us.’
‘It’s all right, Molly. I’ll leave you with this.’ Georgina opened her handbag and showed Molly the pistol.
‘No, no, no, please, George…’
‘This is what you’re going to do. Leave Edward with Ivy and arm her with a kitchen knife. Your mum will be in the kitchen and keep an eye on the back door. I want you to sit on the stairs with this pistol. If anyone tries to come through the front door, shoot them. Don’t ask questions, don’t hesitate. Just shoot.’
‘I don’t think I can do this.’
‘You don’t have any choice. Now, take this gun. It’s loaded. I’ll be back soon as I can.’
Fanny came through from the kitchen clutching the bread knife. ‘What about Ethel and Charlotte?’
‘Oh, Christ. Ethel is at my house. There’s no way me gran will be able to walk here and I can’t leave her alone.’
‘I’ve no idea where Charlotte is. She’s supposed to be at school but I doubt she bothered going in. The little madam is always bunking off.’ Fanny paused then her eyes widened. ‘She could be anywhere. You’ve got to find her, Georgina,’ Fanny said and the despair in her voice was apparent.
‘Hang on, calm down. If you don’t know where Charlotte is, then neither will The Dentist.’
‘The Dentist. That’s what he’s called? Oh my Gawd, this is getting worse. What if he does know where Charlotte is? What if he’s been watching us all?’ asked Fanny.
‘That’s unlikely. Remember, we are The Maids of Battersea and we’re strong together. Fanny, I’ll call a taxicab to take me to fetch Ethel and me gran and then I’ll telephone Knuckles, tell him to come. I’m sorry, but there’s not much I can do about Charlotte other than leave a note at yours telling her to come here. I’ll get word out to the blokes and tell them to keep an eye out but they don’t know what she looks like.’
‘Oh, dear Lord, I hope she’s not hurt,’ Fanny said as she wrung her hands.
‘Don’t worry, Fanny. I think it’s me he’s trying to get at. Charlotte will be fine.’
A little while later, Knuckles arrived at almost the same time as the taxi and Georgina quickly explained to him about the situation.
‘I’ll make sure no harm comes to ’em, Miss Garrett,’ Knuckles said as she went to leave.
‘You’d better,’ Georgina warned but she knew Knuckles meant what he’d said.
Georgina didn’t wait to hear any more protests from Molly and darted out the front door, keeping her wits about her and her eyes peeled. ‘Come on, you fucker,’ she whispered. ‘Come for me now.’
Minutes later, the taxi pulled up outside her home. She told the driver to wait, but as she ran up the path, she saw the door was ajar and her heart began to race.
‘Gran… Gran…’ she shouted.
Georgina hurried into the front room and was relieved to see her gran stirring, obviously waking from a nap. ‘Where’s Ethel?’ she asked.
‘Hello, love. I don’t know, she was in the kitchen when I dozed off.’
Georgina called to Ethel and ran from room to room looking for her but she was nowhere to be found.
‘What’s going on? Why the panic?’ Dulcie queried as she pushed herself up from her armchair.
‘I haven’t got time to explain now, Gran, but I need you to come with me. Quickly, grab your coat and your bag.’
‘I won’t budge until you tell me what the hell this is all about!’
‘Please, Gran, I’ll explain in the taxicab that’s waiting outside for us. Are you sure you never heard anyone knock on the door or Ethel talking to anyone?’
‘No, I told you. Last I knew, she was in the kitchen washing up.’
After helping her gran into the taxi, Georgina told her about The Dentist.
‘Oh no, do you think he’s got Ethel?’ Dulcie asked.
‘I hope not.’
‘Fanny’s gonna go out of her mind with worry.’
‘I know, but I haven’t got time to see to her. I’m going to drop you off and get straight over to David Maynard. If this Dentist bloke has got Ethel, the sooner we find him, the better.’
‘Oh, Georgina, poor Ethel. She’s like a child. She’ll be so scared,’ Dulcie said, her eyes brimming with tears.
‘I know, Gran, but try not to think the worst. I know it’s unlikely that she’s just wandered off, but she may have done.’
‘No, not Ethel. He’s got her. You’ve got to find them and when you do, you make sure you kill the bastard!’
‘Don’t worry, Gran, I will, but I’ll make him eat his own fucking teeth first.’
14
In a small disused concrete storage hut, once used during construction of Battersea Power Station, Jimmy Hewitt had thrown Ethel onto the dirt floor and bound her hands behind her back and her ankles together. She lay there, whimpering, whilst Jimmy took his pipe from his coat pocket and lit it.
As he smoked
, he stood looking over Ethel with disgust. She’d wet herself and the strong stench of her foul-smelling urine twitched his nose. He wasn’t going to gain any pleasure from this one. She wasn’t his sort. She was too thickset for one and though she looked like a young woman, she seemed to have the mind of a child and he wasn’t into kids. Though he still planned on taking her teeth. After all, he had to get his message to Miss Garrett and pulled teeth were his signature.
‘Please, I want to go home,’ Ethel cried.
‘Shut your mouth. One more peep out of you and I’ll gag you,’ he said and gave her a sharp kick to her thigh.
Ethel yowled but quietened down. He guessed by now that they’d have discovered she was missing and must have found Ivy’s tooth in the pram. He’d kept her other tooth for his collection. No doubt, they’d be looking for him and if that Garrett woman was as clever as he’d heard, then he was sure she’d pay his old boss a visit. Not that David Maynard would be able to tell her anything useful. No-one knew about this hideout, not even Daisy, his wife.
‘I want my mum,’ Ethel cried.
‘What did I tell you? You stupid cow, you’ve brought this on yourself,’ Jimmy sneered and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. He scrunched it into a ball, knelt down and grabbed Ethel’s head.
‘Please, get orf me,’ Ethel pleaded.
He was pleased to see her ordeal had left her weak and she didn’t struggle very much as he stuffed the handkerchief in her mouth then removed his scarf and tied it around her head. ‘Ah, that’s better. Peace at last. Now I can hear myself think clearly.’
Ethel lay silent.
‘You’re going to be here for a while. I want those bitches to sweat, worrying about what I’m doing to you.’
Ethel made a small grunting noise.
‘It’s all right. I’m not going to kill you, not unless I have to. It’s quite good fun this, don’t you think?’
Jimmy stood up and pulled an envelope from his inside jacket pocket. ‘Listen to this,’ he said excitedly and took a letter from the envelope. ‘It’s addressed to Miss Garrett and it says:
As you will undoubtedly be aware, I have returned one of Ivy’s teeth to you and now have Ethel Mipple with me. Unless you would like to see her endure the same fate as that other slut, I suggest you step down from your position within the Wilcox business. Failure to do so will result in death. Not yours, Miss Garrett. You can watch as I systematically kill the rest of the Mipple females. Not forgetting sweet Edward.