by Sam Michaels
Victor cleared his throat. ‘Back to Queenstown Road?’ he asked, somewhat uncomfortably.
‘Yes,’ Georgina answered and felt herself blush. She leaned over to Lash and whispered in his ear, ‘Shush, don’t say things like that in front of the men. And I’ll soon be in your bed, once we’re married. In the meantime, I hope you don’t have eyes for the scantily clad women visiting the house to see the photographer.’
‘Georgina, my love, I only have eyes for you.’
‘Good answer,’ she said with an affectionate smile and reached for his hand. Just the touch of his skin alone sent shockwaves through her body. She longed to share his bed too.
They were soon back at the office where Benjamin was eager to hear news of how the meeting had transpired. ‘The Penthouse Club is now part of the business,’ she told him and was delighted to see how pleased he was. But her delight was short-lived as she had the bothersome task of dealing with Dickie, and Ethel was never far from her mind.
Victor had proved his worth to her but he was another thing she’d have to deal with. ‘I suppose I should think about sending you back to Mr Maynard,’ she told him. ‘I have Lash here with me now. He can drive and be by my side.’
Victor was stood in his usual spot guarding the office door. He looked to the floor and placed his hands in his trouser pockets before speaking. ‘I’d rather stay here,’ he said, and scuffed the floor with one of his big boots. She thought he seemed to be squirming, much to her amusement.
Georgina considered keeping him on and liked the idea, but wasn’t sure how David would feel about it. She knew Lash was more than capable of looking after her but she didn’t think it would be healthy for their relationship to be tied at the hip. ‘I see. We can ask David. I must admit, I quite like his car too.’
‘Georgina, a word,’ Lash said, clearly unhappy with the arrangement.
She walked into the hallway with him. ‘What’s your problem?’ she asked but already knew what he would say.
‘I should be looking after you,’ he answered.
‘It’s not practical. I need you for other things. If David allows me to keep Victor, how would you feel about taking over from Knuckles? I don’t like the man and neither do I trust him. You’d be responsible for the safety of the girls in both brothels and for making sure the punters pay up. And elsewhere across the business, if someone needs roughing up, I’d send you.’
‘You’re basically asking me to be a pimp, Georgina.’
‘But it’s not really like that, is it? I’m asking you to take on a role that I need filling with someone I can rely on.’ She knew how to play Lash and softened her approach: ‘You’d be here a lot of the time, with me,’ she said quietly and ran her fingers up his firm chest and over his broad shoulders.
‘You’re a bad woman, Georgina. You know I can’t deny you anything you ask of me,’ he answered and his mouth met hers.
As their passions rose, she could feel his bulging manhood pressing against her. ‘Stop,’ she said breathlessly and pulled back from him. ‘Not here, Lash. Never here.’
Lash pulled up the collar of his jacket. ‘I’ll go and see Knuckles and tell him to move on.’
‘Yes, but not yet. I have to speak to David first.’
She straightened her blouse and was wiping smudged lipstick from around her mouth when the office door flew open.
‘It’s Aubrey on the telephone,’ Benjamin said urgently. ‘Dickie is at the club. And he’s not alone!’
‘Lash, Victor, with me, quick. We’ll pick up Johnny en route,’ she said and ran into the office and grabbed her bag.
‘He can never refuse a drink, Miss Garrett, never,’ Benjamin called as she dashed out to the car.
Victor had already started the engine. She jumped in next to Lash and ignoring the newly introduced thirty mile an hour speed limit, they sped away.
*
‘I don’t like her, Mum,’ Charlotte whined.
Fanny was busy scrubbing the white laundry over a board in a large copper pot that she’d boiled on the range stove. She’d scrubbed with such vigour that her knuckles were starting to bleed. But keeping busy kept her mind off Ethel. ‘Yeah, well, we’ve got good reason not to like her, but at the end of the day, Georgina keeps a roof over our heads and food in our bellies, so no more giving her lip.’
‘She thinks she can boss us all around.’
‘I know, but we’ve got to put up with it for now. Go on, bugger off and find something to do with yourself, and stay out of trouble, for a change,’ Fanny answered and added the blue rinse to the wash. The laundry was a much easier chore in Jane’s kitchen than it was in her own scullery. She could never afford the blue rinse to make her whites gleam and would often have to use cold water instead of hot. And Jane had a proper iron to warm on the stove. Fanny had chucked hers out long ago for fear of her husband using it to whack her one.
She heard someone knock on the front door and Charlotte stomped off to answer it. Moments later, Knuckles walked into the kitchen. The sight of the big man and the softness in his eyes made Fanny want to run into his arms.
‘Hello, Fanny. I hope you don’t mind me calling in. I just wanted to see how you’re bearing up?’
‘Thanks, Knuckles. It’s nice of you to care. Take a seat, I’ll put the kettle on.’
‘I can’t stop long, I don’t want Miss Garrett to think I’m skiving.’
‘Sod what she thinks!’
‘That’s all right for you to say, you don’t work for her.’
‘No, and I wouldn’t. It’s her fault that my Ethel ain’t home.’
‘I dunno, Fanny, I mean, I can’t say I like her much but she’s doing everything she can to find your girl.’
‘She killed the one person who could have told us! And if it weren’t for her and her big ideas, Jimmy would never have taken Ethel in the first place.’
‘I suppose. But I thought you and her were friends?’
‘She’s Molly’s friend, not mine. I used to have a lot of time for her but since she’s taken over the business, I reckon her head has got too big for her shoulders. And what gives her the bleedin’ right to think she should be in charge, eh? That’s my Molly’s right, not hers. She should be working for Molly and getting a fraction of the money she takes. You’ve seen her, prancing around in her fancy clothes. They must have cost a few bob. As far as I’m concerned, she’s to blame for Ethel and she’s robbing my Molly.’
‘Bloomin’ ’eck, I didn’t realise you felt like that, but you ain’t wrong. The Wilcox business has got fuck all to do with her.’
‘I’m glad you see it my way. I wish Molly would too but she’s blinded by loyalty to her. I’m telling you, Knuckles, that woman needs bringing down a peg or two.’
‘Yeah, but I don’t know who’d do it. She’s got the blokes doing her bidding for her and there ain’t no-one else waiting to jump into her shoes.’ He downed his tea in one gulp.
‘There will be, you mark my words. And when there is, make sure you pick your side carefully.’
‘I will, Fanny, I will. Thanks for the cuppa but I’d better get off. I’ll pop in again soon, if that’s all right?’
‘Yes, I’d like that. It’s been good to talk to someone who understands. You won’t give up looking for Ethel, will you?’
‘Never, I promise. See ya soon.’
Fanny watched the door close behind him, disappointed that he’d gone. Even though he looked intimidating, she thought he was a big softie really. Yes, he’d done bad things in the past but only on Billy Wilcox’s orders. She was seeing a side to the man that he rarely showed, a gentle nature, caring too. She thought it a shame that Georgina treated him with such contempt. Regardless of how that bitch viewed him, Fanny decided she liked Knuckles.
*
As they hurtled towards the club, with Johnny Dymond sitting in the front next to Victor, Georgina told them, ‘Check your guns. Make sure they’re loaded.’
‘Lash, you’re gonna need th
is,’ Johnny said and passed a pistol over the seat. ‘Are we to expect a shoot-out, Miss Garrett?’ he asked.
‘It’s likely. Be prepared,’ she answered but kept quiet about only having one bullet left in her gun.
‘Great. It’s been a good year since I’ve fired this baby,’ Johnny replied as he rubbed the shiny barrel of his revolver. ‘I’ve heard this West End lot ’ave been throwing their weight about in loads of places where they shouldn’t be. They’re taking fucking liberties but no-one’s had the front to call ’em out. Nasty bunch, they are, right fucking nasty.’
‘Yes, I made it my business to find out about them. You know I can’t promise that any of us are going to come out of this alive?’
Lash’s head spun to look at her and he said quietly, ‘This sounds very risky, Georgina. Why are we bothering with it? No money has been exchanged.’
‘It’s the principle. They’re taking the piss out of me and I ain’t having it. If I let them do this on my turf, who knows what they think they could get away with next.’
‘Does it matter enough to you to put your life in danger?’
‘Yes, Lash, it does. This is my life.’ It irked her that Lash still didn’t seem to comprehend what she was trying to achieve. He had at least accepted her terms but she couldn’t have him questioning her every move, especially in front of the men. For now though, she had more pressing things on her mind and twisted her mother’s wedding ring. Her nerves were starting to get to her but she tried not to show it.
They pulled up outside and Georgina looked around her before entering the dimly lit club. ‘Follow my lead,’ she instructed the others. Her confident stride masked her anxiety.
With trepidation and gripping tightly to her pistol, she took the stairs past the cloakroom and toilets until she came to the door of the club. A large man stood there with his hand resting on the belt of his high-waist trousers. She knew he was ready to pull his gun if necessary.
‘They’re expecting me,’ she told him and without waiting for a response, she pulled open the door and marched in.
She saw Aubrey looking very pale and clearly shaken sat at a small round table where she’d been seated earlier. A trickle of blood had run from the corner of his mouth, down his chin and stained his pristine white collar. They’d obviously already started with the bully tactics.
The man she assumed was Dickie stood closely behind Aubrey. He was taller than she’d imagined but wiry. His lank, greasy hair, patchy beard and hooked nose gave him a sinister appearance. Knowing how he abused boys turned her stomach. She could barely bring herself to even look at him but there was business to be done.
In contrast to Dickie, a short, stocky man stood next to him. He wore an expensive suit and didn’t have a hair out of place. She knew immediately that these were the men she’d be dealing with and hoped that Lash, Victor and Johnny had spotted the other four. One at the bar, one a few feet from Dickie, one on the inside of the door and another near the stage. Her rivals had the place covered and outnumbered them.
‘Good afternoon, gentlemen,’ she said, though she knew Dickie wasn’t anything like a gentleman. ‘You’re welcome to visit my establishment but I’m afraid we’re closed at the moment. Perhaps you’d like to come back on another occasion and sample the delights on offer?’
‘Here she is,’ Dickie said snidely with his American accent. ‘Georgina Garrett. The woman who’s trying to make a name for herself round here.’
‘With respect, I’m not trying – I am a name round here. And who are you?’
‘Folks call me Dickie but you can call me sir.’
‘No, Dickie will suffice. Are you here to request membership?’
‘Cut the bull, Garrett, you know full well what we’re doing here so gather your chimps and piss off.’
‘I don’t think so, Dickie. Tell you what, let’s have a drink and we can talk.’
‘Talk… that’s about right for a woman. You gals love a bit of chit-chat.’
‘Aubrey, would you be so kind as to bring me a bottle of your special champagne. Dickie’s quite right, we girls do love a chit-chat, especially over a glass of bubbly. Please, do join me, Dickie – I wouldn’t want to be lonesome.’
Dickie laughed. ‘You’re quite charming, Miss Garrett, and it would be rude of me not to accept your invitation.’
‘Aubrey, bring us two glasses, please,’ Georgina said and walked to the table where the shorter man pulled out a seat for her.
‘Make that three,’ the man added, then introduced himself. ‘Charles Brennan, better known as Charlie Chops. You’ve probably heard of me?’
‘No, Charles, I can’t say I have,’ she lied. Georgina knew all about Charlie Chops and how he’d got his nickname by chopping off his adversaries’ fingers. When she’d been told, she’d wondered if it was Charlie Chops who’d inspired Billy Wilcox to do the same to his prostitutes.
Charlie placed his large gun on the table in front of him. She thought it was a move designed to intimidate her. If it was, it hadn’t worked. As he did so, Lash, Victor and Johnny moved closer. Now they were out of the shadows, Charlie looked across at them and asked, ‘Is that Victor? David Maynard’s bloke.’
‘Yes,’ Georgina answered.
‘What’s he doing here?’
‘David and I work in collaboration. Sorry, do excuse me, that’s rather a big word – you probably don’t understand it. David Maynard and I work together.’ She realised her cheekiness wasn’t doing anything to defuse the fraught situation and, though the atmosphere felt explosive, she was enjoying toying with them. After all, she was fully aware that this could be the last conversation she’d ever have.
Charlie ignored her derogatory remark and asked, ‘Does Mr Maynard know you’re here?’
‘Not yet, but he will.’
‘Right. In that case, I’ll give you a run-down. This is how it’s working. Dickie is fronting the club but it’s my money going into it. Well, it was but I didn’t know the Maynards had an interest too.’
‘Didn’t you? That was rather short-sighted of you, not to have asked all the right questions. Oh, well, you know now so what are you going to do about it?’
Aubrey poured them all a drink but his hand shook and he spilt champagne meant for Dickie’s glass onto the table. The liquid dripped down onto Dickie’s trousers. He jumped up, sending his chair flying backwards, and backhanded Aubrey across his cheek. ‘You stupid fucking queer!’ he barked.
Aubrey cowed down with his hands held up in defence while Georgina jumped from her seat and shoved Dickie, scowling as she said, ‘Don’t you treat him like that, you piece of shit.’
Suddenly, there was the sound of guns being cocked and Georgina’s eyes darted around the club. Everyone seemed to be aiming at each other, she at Dickie and Dickie at her. Everyone, that was, except Charlie. He’d remained seated. His gun was still on the table and he sipped the champagne. ‘It ain’t ’alf bad this, Aubrey. You’ll have to give me the name of your supplier,’ he said, and drained the rest from his glass. His comment immediately defused the situation.
Dickie didn’t take his beady eyes or his gun off Georgina. ‘Ladies first,’ he said, inferring that she should lower her weapon before he did his.
‘No, after you,’ she replied.
‘Come on, ladies, you’re not going to let this fine champagne go to waste, are you?’ Charlie said as he poured himself another.
Dickie took his aim off Georgina and they both sat back at the table where she was pleased to see that he quickly drank from his half-filled glass and she was grateful that she didn’t have to use her last bullet.
‘Bring us some more, please, Aubrey, and leave the bottle,’ she said, intending to encourage Dickie to drink plenty.
‘That was exciting,’ Charlie said. ‘I thought you two were gonna blow each other’s brains out.’
‘I’d have to be a good shot to have hit Dickie’s tiny brain.’ Georgina laughed and Charlie joined in but the look on Dickie�
��s face told her that he hadn’t found her quip quite as amusing. Instead, he drank greedily from his refilled glass.
Charlie turned to Dickie. ‘The thing is, mate, this ain’t as straightforward as we first thought, not with the Maynards involved. I respect the man too much to go stepping on his toes.’
Georgina tried not to splutter her mouthful of champagne and bit her tongue. Respect, my arse, she thought. It was more like Charlie Chops and his gang were scared shitless of the Maynards. She didn’t know anyone who wasn’t.
‘I’m sure David would appreciate you stepping away from this investment,’ she said to Charlie.
‘Yes, I’m sure he would. To be honest, Miss Garrett, it was never really my cup of tea anyway. I’ve got half a dozen clubs up west and we cater for men but not in the way this gaff does. Dickie was keen so I went along with it, but you’re welcome to it.’
Georgina raised her glass and clinked with Charlie’s. ‘Congratulations to me then,’ she chirped, ‘and I sincerely mean it this time when I say, welcome to The Penthouse Club.’
‘Thank you, and yes, congrats. You’ll do all right here with this. But I won’t be one of your customers, no offence.’
‘No offence taken, Charles.’
At last, the tension had dissipated and Georgina found she was quite enjoying Charlie’s company. He had a lot to say and as they talked, she kept refilling Dickie’s glass who thanked her each time with a forced smile.
An hour later, Georgina felt relaxed as she said, ‘This has turned out to be a very pleasant afternoon. And yes, thanks, Charlie, I’d love to come up and spend an evening in one of your clubs. I haven’t been up west for a while, so I’ll have to dig out something fancy to wear.’
‘You look lovely as you are, Miss Garrett.’
‘Thanks, Charlie, and call me Georgina. Miss Garrett makes me feel like an old spinster.’
‘You’re not married though, are you?’
‘No, but I’m not an old spinster either.’
By now, Dickie had slouched in his seat and he looked bleary-eyed. ‘’Scuse me,’ he said, and stumbled as he got to his feet.