by Sam Michaels
‘I’m telling you, I – don’t – know.’
Johnny came back into the room. ‘She ain’t upstairs but I found this.’
Georgina scraped her chair back and walked over to look at the jar Johnny was holding. Her stomach lurched when she saw it was almost full to the top with human teeth. She turned back to Mrs Hewitt and picked up a cobbler’s last off the worktop. ‘You nasty, ugly fucking bitch. This proves you know what your husband does!’
‘Yeah, but I’m not involved. It’s got nothing to do with me.’
Georgina looked at the woman with utter disgust before she pulled arm back and whacked her across her chubby cheek with the heavy metal last.
The side of Daisy Hewitt’s face exploded open and she screeched as bits of flesh, blood and a tooth landed on the kitchen table.
‘Now are you going to tell me where she is?’ Georgina demanded.
The woman could barely speak, but with her head slumped, she managed a just about audible, ‘Don’t know.’
‘I don’t believe you. You’re either very fucking loyal to him or just plain stupid. Tell me where she is and I’ll leave you alone. If you don’t…’ She left the threat hanging in the air.
Daisy held her hand over the gaping wound in her cheek and looked at Georgina through hooded eyes. Blood seeped from her mouth, and she spluttered. ‘I hate him. I want to tell where she is but I don’t have a clue.’
This time, Georgina believed her. ‘Come on, let’s get out of this shithole,’ she said to Victor. ‘Johnny, I want you to go over the place with a fine-tooth comb and look for anything that could help us find Ethel. Victor can take me home and then come back for you.’
‘What do you want me to do with her?’ Johnny asked.
Georgina stared at Mrs Hewitt with repulsion. She had condoned what her husband did. Instead of doing something to stop him, she had done nothing. She had no sympathy for her and said, ‘Finish her off. And you can leave her body here to rot for all I care.’
Johnny looked at her with shock and Victor raised his eyebrows.
‘It’s what she deserves. If you can’t do it, I will,’ Georgina said.
Johnny’s shock turned to a look of admiration. ‘Nah, you’re all right. We can’t have your fancy hat and clothes getting messed up,’ he said and smiled.
Daisy Hewitt said nothing as it appeared she’d passed out.
‘There you go, that should make it easier for you,’ Georgina said before she and Victor left.
The journey back to Queenstown Road was a solemn one. For a while, Georgina had believed they might find Ethel and had been filled with hope. Now, those hopes had been dashed and they were back to square one – knowing nothing, fearing the worst and praying for the best.
16
Another two days past. The atmosphere in Jane’s house was becoming more fraught and Georgina could see Dulcie had had enough. ‘I want you to take me home,’ she told Georgina.
They had visited after breakfast, though no-one really had the stomach for food.
‘We’ve only been here ten minutes.’
‘I don’t care. I want to go home now. Don’t get me wrong, I feel for Fanny, but I can’t stand the way she talks to you. We’re all upset about Ethel, but it ain’t on that she blames you. I’ve bit me tongue ’til now but I’m on the verge of losing it.’
‘Just let it go over the top of your head. I do.’
‘No, I bloody won’t and why should I? You’ve been good to her and her family and she needs reminding.’
‘Just leave it, Gran, please. Now’s not the right time.’
‘I know, and that’s why I want to go home. I’m sorry, love, I don’t care if it looks rude. So, no arguments please, young lady, and get that Victor bloke to drive me.’
Molly came into the room with Edward in her arms. ‘Sorry about that, but I had to give him a feed. Are you off already?’ she asked.
‘Yes, I’ve just remembered that I put a pie in the oven. Silly old bird, I’m getting forgetful,’ Dulcie answered.
Georgina could see from Molly’s red-rimmed eyes that the girl had been crying again and felt sorry for her. ‘I’ll pop back later,’ she said, finding it difficult to find the words to comfort her friend.
Minutes later, Dulcie was sitting in the back of Victor’s car and they were driving down her street.
Georgina, sat in the front, looked over her shoulder when she heard her gran tut.
‘That Charlotte really is a right little madam. The way she speaks to Fanny is appalling.’
‘I know. I’d never have spoken to you like that at her age, or any age.’
‘No, you wouldn’t dare. ’Ere, look… is that Lash sat on the garden wall?’
Georgina spun her head back to the front and gasped.
‘It is, ain’t it?’ her gran asked.
‘Yes! Yes, it’s him all right!’ Georgina answered and was opening the car door before it had stopped moving.
Georgina didn’t see her gran smile, she was too busy running towards her man and melting into his arms.
‘What are you doing here?’ she whispered to Lash as he embraced her so hard that she almost couldn’t breathe.
‘I missed you, Georgina. I couldn’t stay away any longer and my family were travelling North with the fair.’
‘I missed you too,’ Georgina said but reluctantly pulled away when she heard her gran call from inside the car.
‘Oi, you two. Have some decorum in the street please, and give us a hand out of this motor vehicle thing.’
Georgina peered up into Lash’s dark eyes and for a moment, all her fears vanished. ‘I’m so glad you’re back,’ she purred.
‘Me too, and I plan on taking you as my wife as soon as possible.’
It pleased Georgina to hear Lash say those words but she hadn’t yet told him about her new role in the Wilcox business and she worried he wouldn’t be happy about it.
They helped Dulcie inside and over a hot drink, Georgina sat in the kitchen and explained to him all that had happened during his absence. ‘I realise it’s a lot to take in,’ she said, hoping that he’d be supportive and not make any silly demands on her to step down from the company.
‘It is, but nothing you do surprises me – though I must say I’m amazed. I know you to be a determined woman, Georgina, but this, well, it’s incredible.’
‘It hasn’t been easy and there’s still a lot of work to do, but my priority is finding Ethel.’
‘I’ll do anything I can to help,’ he said and reached across the table to cup her hands.
‘Thank you,’ she answered but was feeling at a loss to know what to do or where to look next.
‘I can see the burden you’ve been carrying. It’s etched into your face. Don’t worry, we will bring her home.’
‘But what if it’s a body we bring home?’ Georgina said and a sob caught in her throat. She felt a tear slip from her eye. With Lash, she could show her vulnerability. She didn’t have to be tough and could allow her true feelings to surface.
‘I want to tell you that it won’t be like that but you have to be realistic. Listen to your heart, Georgina. What does it tell you? Can you hear Ethel’s voice talking to you? If there’s silence, then her spirit has gone.’
‘Oh, Lash, you know I love you but I don’t believe in your superstitions. I can’t hear Ethel’s voice but that doesn’t mean she’s dead… does it?’
‘I think you know the truth but you don’t want to accept it.’
‘I won’t believe it until I see her for myself. If she is dead, it will be my fault and I don’t know how I’m going to live with that.’
‘Stop it, Georgina, you mustn’t talk like that. You are not responsible for her death. Jimmy Hewitt will be held accountable, not you.’
‘I don’t think Fanny sees it that way.’
‘Fanny is a mother with a mind warped by grief. She’s looking for someone to blame and you’re the obvious target. She’ll see the truth, in time.’<
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‘Maybe. It’s so good to talk, Lash, and get things off my chest.’
‘You don’t have to bottle things up anymore and you’re not doing this by yourself.’
‘I know but I do have work to do this evening, and it’s such a relief to know that my gran will be looked after.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘With my dad in the pub all the time, I worry about my gran being by herself so it’s a weight off my mind knowing that you can sit with her.’
‘You want me to sit with your gran whilst you go to work?’
‘Yes. That’s not a problem, is it? Victor will be with me and I’m not leaving Knuckles with her.’
‘What work will you be undertaking that requires your attention in the evening?’
‘Something and nothing really. Varvara gave me the heads-up that a few of the pub landlords are going to be difficult. Apparently, they’re going to refuse to pay the insurance fees as they don’t believe a woman can offer them protection. I thought I’d pop in to the Queen’s Head and show them otherwise.’
Lash pulled his hands away from hers and frowned as he spoke. ‘I don’t know what sort of a man you think I am, Georgina, but I’m telling you, I’m not going to granny-sit with my hands under my arse whilst you’re out fighting in public houses.’
‘It’s not like that, Lash.’
‘It is. That’s exactly how it is. No, Georgina, you can’t think that I’d stay at home and turn a blind eye to you putting yourself in danger. I’m not going to lay down the law and tell you that you can’t go out and do this, but I am firmly stipulating that I will be with you and you can find someone else to sit with your gran.’
That was fair, thought Georgina. If Lash had allowed her to carry out her plans without objection, she realised she probably would have come to think that he wasn’t quite the man she thought he was. ‘Fine, but you mustn’t interfere. I have to make my point and if you jump in with your big fists flaying, it’ll defeat the object. I suppose Oppo can sit with me gran.’
Lash chuckled. ‘I can’t believe you’d think that I’d let you walk into a pub and make your threats without me by your side.’
‘I hadn’t thought, Lash. But you really have to promise me that you’ll stand back and let me get on with it.’
‘I’ll give you that promise, but it will be broken the moment anyone even so much as breathes on you.’
Georgina looked at her man with affection. He was everything she wanted – attractive, mysterious and most of all, he offered her security. Protection from other men hurting her again. Well, at least that’s what she thought she’d wanted when they’d first met. But now things had changed. Billy Wilcox was dead and that had caused a power shift. She was no longer in danger from him. She was at the top now and about to embark on a mission to instil fear in anyone who had ideas of challenging her. She no longer felt she needed Lash like she once had. Nonetheless, it didn’t stop her loving him and her passion for him was stronger than ever.
*
That evening, Benjamin had daubed on his face powder and rouge and was sitting at a small round table with Aubrey in The Penthouse Club.
‘Yes, she’s keen to view the place,’ Benjamin told Aubrey and sipped chilled champagne.
‘Oh, Benny baby, that’s wonderful news though I’m afraid there’s a bit of a complication.’
‘Such as?’
‘You remember that American chap, Dickie? Vile creature, the one who prefers them very young.’
‘How could I forget him! He assaulted my ears in the gentlemen’s when he told me about his boys and how he prefers them before they’ve sprouted any pubes. He put me off sex for months!’
‘Yes, that’s him. Disgusting. Well, he’s been in again and is insisting that I sell the club to him.’
‘He doesn’t have the money. He lost it all when the New York stock market collapsed in twenty-nine.’
‘He’s not working alone, dahling. Apparently, he’s associated with some thugs who own a few clubs up west. I’ve been making a few discreet enquiries and I’ve found out that these men aren’t the sort that one would disagree with.’
‘Sounds like they’re more the sort that Miss Garrett would be comfortable dealing with.’
‘Yes, quite,’ Aubrey answered. ‘My point is, if Miss Garrett is serious, then you’ll need to get her to act quickly. Then I can get away and she can deal with Dickie and his friends.’
‘I’m not sure that I’d like to advise her to complete the transaction without fully disclosing everything I know.’
‘It’s business, Benny, don’t be so naïve! Anyway, if she’s everything you tell me she is, a few heavies from the west end won’t be a problem for her.’
‘That’s not the point, Aubrey. I’d feel like I was hoodwinking her.’
‘You’ve known this woman for how long? Yet you’re showing more loyalty to her than you are to me and I’ve known you forever. I’m hurt, Benny, devastated.’
‘Stop being such a drama queen. Like you say, you’ve known me forever so you of all people should realise that I’m not the sort of person to be deceitful. I will inform Miss Garrett of the change of circumstances and hopefully she won’t change her mind about investing.’
‘Have it your way,’ Aubrey said and flicked his head round and his nose in the air.
‘Don’t worry, Aubrey. I really don’t think a few thugs will deter Miss Garrett. I don’t know if she believes it herself, but I know she could crush them.’
Aubrey turned his head back to look at Benjamin. He wore a wicked smile and said, ‘I cannot wait to meet this woman. I think I’m in love with her already!’
‘You can join the queue.’
‘Really? Are you holding a torch for her?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous, Aubrey, you know she’s not my type. But I’m pretty sure one of the tarts has a crush on her and so does one of her men, Johnny Dymond. Don’t you think that’s a glorious name?’
‘Johnny Dymond – it sounds like one of the acts I’d have on my stage.’ Aubrey laughed.
‘I suppose it does, I hadn’t thought of it like that. Though if you saw him, I could guarantee you wouldn’t want him performing up there.’
‘Is he grotesque?’
‘No, far from it. He’s very sexy but a bit too cheeky-chappy and flash with it. I prefer the strong, quiet type… Like Miss Garrett’s bodyguard.’
‘Tell me more,’ Aubrey said teasingly.
‘There’s nothing to tell. Victor is delectable but I’m sure he’s another one who fancies Miss Garrett. Not that one could blame him. She has it all: beauty, wit, charm and a sharp mind. Of course, Victor’s far too professional to reveal his feelings,’ Benjamin sighed, then added, ‘but I can gaze from afar at him and have my naughty thoughts in bed.’
Aubrey giggled. ‘Can you imagine Victor’s reaction if he knew what was going on in your head? You never know, he might swing both ways, dahling. There’s many a man who thinks he’s straight until he’s met someone like us! I’m sure I’ve turned plenty over the years. That electrician for one. You remember, the man who came in to convert our lights from gas. He was married and still is but he enjoyed a fumble with me behind the stage.’
‘Victor’s not like that, I’m sure. But it doesn’t stop a poof from dreaming.’
‘Quite, dahling, quite.’
Benjamin drained the rest of his glass and Aubrey refilled it.
‘Do you know what Dickie’s planning next?’
‘Not really. He said he’d give me a week to consider his offer. That was two days ago. I got the impression that something awful would happen if I declined.’
‘Did he threaten you?’ Benjamin asked, mortified.
‘Yes, indirectly. He said that his was the best offer I would get and if I refused to accept it, he’d make sure my club was worthless. He told me it would be hot property and then he laughed.’
‘Are you thinking the same as me, Aubrey?’
‘Probably. He’s going to burn the place down, isn’t he?’
‘Not if Miss Garrett has anything to do with it!’
‘Oh, please, Benny, you have to get her to buy it. It’s unbelievably distressing to think of this place razed to the ground. Don’t get me wrong, the club is just bricks and mortar, but it’s special to all the members. It’s meant so much to so many people, you included.’
‘Absolutely, Aubrey. And I don’t like the idea of it being destroyed any more than you do. I also can’t abide the thought of Dickie owning the place. Don’t worry, I’ll use all my powers of persuasion on Miss Garrett.’
‘You must, Benny, you really must!’
Benjamin took another sip of his champagne. The bubbles were going to his head and making him feel slightly giddy. ‘Don’t worry, Aubrey. Miss Garrett will be our saviour,’ he said, his mind swimming with thoughts of Dickie’s demise.
*
Whilst Lash talked with Oppo in the front room, Georgina had a quiet word with Victor in the kitchen.
‘Whatever happens tonight, if you have to, I want you to hold Lash back.’
‘But, Miss Garrett, if he witnesses you coming to any harm, it’s only natural that he’s going to want to protect you.’
‘Have you forgotten who you’re working for? Mr Maynard gave you clear instructions. He told you what I say, goes, and I’m saying you are not to allow Lash to get involved. In fact, neither of you are to step in.’
‘What’s all this?’ Lash asked as he walked into the room.
Georgina hung her head.
‘We need to talk. Victor, give us a minute,’ Lash said then closed the door behind the man and pulled out a seat at the table for Georgina. ‘I thought we’d already discussed this and now I find you going behind my back and giving Victor orders to hold me back.’
‘I’m sorry, Lash, but I don’t think you’ll be able to help yourself. You’re a fighter, it’s what you do for a living. I know you’re going to get involved tonight and if you do, you’ll undermine my work.’