by Sam Michaels
‘I’m so happy for you,’ Molly sniffed and dabbed at her watery eyes. ‘You look a picture.’
Dulcie noticed Georgina’s cheek was red and first thought the girl was blushing, but then realised the redness was only on the one side of her face. Lash walked in behind Georgina and Dulcie immediately saw his bruised and swollen eye. They’d clearly been fighting but by the looks of it, Georgina had been the victor. No alarm bells went off in Dulcie’s head. She didn’t feel the need to take her granddaughter to one side and advise her to walk away from Lash. She knew Georgina could look after herself and if Lash was brave or stupid enough to hit her, then he should expect to get a bashing in return.
Varvara had been waiting outside but now walked into the room. Dulcie eyed the woman up and down and bit her tongue. For some reason, Varvara had cut her long blonde hair short and wore it greased back, like a man. She dressed in a grey suit – loose, men’s trousers with matching jacket and white shirt. Yet she didn’t appear masculine, not like when Georgina had dressed as a man. Varvara was as tall as Georgina, but her cheekbones were higher and more prominent. With her long, slender neck, she looked extremely elegant and strangely the men’s attire somehow suited her.
‘It is time,’ Varvara said in her deep Russian husk.
‘Wish me luck,’ Georgina said to Dulcie.
‘You don’t need luck, you’ve got yourself a good man,’ Dulcie answered and smiled warmly at Lash.
‘But I think I may need it.’ Lash laughed.
‘Wait, let me go first,’ Molly said and dashed from the room.
Dulcie knew the girl wanted to throw rice over the happy couple, though it was tradition to do it after the wedding, not before. But with strict instructions from Georgina that no fuss was to be made, nobody had been invited to the registry office.
Dulcie had been disappointed at first but she could understand Georgina’s decision. After all, they’d only recently buried poor Ethel. It had broken Dulcie’s heart to see that young and precious woman-child put in the ground. It was unfair. Ethel had never hurt a soul and Dulcie had once again been reminded that the good die young. Just like her first husband, Georgina’s grandfather. He’d have been chuffed to have seen Georgina looking such a picture today and would have been out in the street organising a knees-up no matter what. Nothing had kept that man from making sure everyone around him laughed until their bellies ached. She still missed him. Unlike Percy, her second husband, rotting in the barrel next to the coal bunker.
‘They’ve gone, but there was a chap outside who gave her these,’ Molly said, breaking into Dulcie’s thoughts. ‘Didn’t she look stunning, Dul?’
Dulcie looked up to see Molly holding a large bouquet of flowers. ‘Yes, she did. What have you got there?’
‘There’s a card. It says, Congratulations Georgina, David and there’s a kiss.’
‘Um, Lash wants to watch out for that David Maynard bloke. There’s trouble brewing, I can feel it in my water.’
‘What makes you think that?’
‘He ain’t mentioned Lash in his best wishes and let’s face it, you couldn’t blame the man for falling for Georgina.’
‘No, if I was a bloke, I reckon I’d want to marry her too. She’s very special.’
‘Gifted, that’s what I think. She’s always got her face in the newspapers and the stuff she comes out with, it goes right over my head. The way she talks, I reckon she’d do a better job of running the country then them swines in parliament.’
‘You ain’t wrong there, Dul. I don’t know what she’s talking about sometimes so just sit there and nod me head. It’s a good job that Lash can hold his own with her.’
‘She gets her brains and pretty face from her mother’s side, definitely not from my Jack.’ Dulcie chuckled. ‘And what’s going on with that Varvara, dressing like a bloke?’
‘It’s fashionable, apparently.’
‘Huh, well you can keep it. Put the kettle on, love, and pass me that bonny boy of yours for a cuddle with his aunty Dul.’
‘I’ll have a cuppa if there’s one going,’ Jack said as he walked in and sat on the sofa.
Dulcie was surprised to see her son sober for once and studied his sheepish expression.
‘I’m gonna get me act together,’ he told her when Molly left the room.
‘About bloody time too,’ Dulcie answered haughtily.
‘I know, Mum. I’m sorry.’
‘All right, Son. You’ve never been one for the drink for most of your life so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, and I’m glad you’re sorting yourself out.’
‘I promised George I would.’
‘Don’t let her hear you call her George. She don’t like it. It’s Georgina now.’
‘All right, I promised Georgina I wouldn’t let her down, and I won’t.’
‘I’m glad to hear it. You need to keep busy though, Jack. Distract your mind from the beer. After you’ve had that cuppa, you can wallpaper this room for me. Everything you need is in the shed. I’ll clear away me ornaments.’
‘Leave it out, Mum, I feel right rough.’
‘I couldn’t give a shit how rough you feel. That’s nothing to what you’ve put me and your daughter through this last year. You’ll get this room decorated by the end of the week, and when you’ve finished that, you can make a start on the passageway. And don’t you dare think about walking out that door. If you’re serious about staying off the booze, you’ll do as I say.’
Jack hung his head, obviously ashamed of himself. Good, thought Dulcie, and so he should be.
‘There’s tea in the pot,’ Molly said when she came back into the room, ‘but I’d better be off now. I don’t like to leave me mum for too long.’
‘How is she?’ Dulcie asked.
‘Not great. I think it’ll help when we move away. There’s too many memories of Ethel here.’
Dulcie could see Molly’s eyes welling up again and quickly changed the subject. ‘All right, love. You get off before Edward starts bawling for his lunch. I’ll sweep up all that blinkin’ rice that’s probably over me nice white-chalked doorstep.’
‘Sorry, Dulcie, but it’s not every day that your best friend gets married.’
‘Go on, bugger off,’ Dulcie said with an affectionate smile as she handed Edward back to Molly.
The front door closed and Dulcie leaned back against it, sighing heavily. Georgina would be a married woman now. She and Lash would soon want a place of their own. At least that would mean Jack could have Georgina’s bedroom and wouldn’t have to sleep on the sofa any longer. The house would seem strange without her, but even if Georgina offered to take her with them, Dulcie knew she couldn’t leave. Burying Percy in the garden had sealed her fate. She was trapped in the house with him. Just like marriage – ’til death us do part.
*
Varvara and Victor had been witnesses to the marriage of Georgina and Lash.
Huh, Lash, Varvara thought, wanting to spit his name. When the newlyweds had sealed their vows with a kiss, Varvara had looked away. She couldn’t stand to see Georgina lavishing affection on the lowly gypsy. Of course, she and Georgina could never be married, but it didn’t stop her from thinking that she could make Georgina so much happier than Lash ever could. After all, Varvara believed Lash was nothing more than a contemptuous man. He didn’t understand Georgina, not in the way she did. Lash didn’t appreciate Georgina’s strength or admire her undeniable ingenuity. He didn’t worship her. Varvara did, and she knew she could give Georgina’s body exquisite pleasure. She doubted Lash would know how to please a woman. In her experience, few men did.
As they descended steps from the registry office, Victor walked ahead. He crossed a small road to where they’d left the car and opened the back door. Georgina had her arm linked through her new husband’s and Varvara felt disgusted at hearing them whispering and giggling with each other. She clenched her jaw and stared ahead, just as a black car sped around the corner. Intuitively, Varvara sense
d trouble and tensed.
The car screeched to a halt. The window was already down and Varvara saw the car held four young men. As Victor ran towards them the man in the front seat shouted, ‘Congratulations, Miss Garrett.’
He had something in his hand. Varvara couldn’t see what it was, but he threw it towards Georgina. It could be explosives, and keeping to her promise of her life for Georgina’s, Varvara leapt in front of it. She felt the package hit her shoulder and closed her eyes, expecting her head to be blown off. But instead, she retched at the disgusting smell of dog’s muck and heard the mocking laughter of the men as they drove off.
Victor was poised with his gun aimed at the car.
‘Put it away in public,’ Georgina instructed him and then turned to Varvara. ‘Dirty bastards,’ she hissed, as she wrinkled her nose at the disgusting smell of the dog’s faeces now smeared on Varvara’s jacket.
‘Are you all right?’ Lash asked Georgina.
‘Yes, I’m fine. But look at the state of Varvara. That shit was meant for me.’
Victor was now standing in front of them. ‘That was Charlie’s crew.’
‘I know exactly who it was and we’ve been expecting something like this,’ Georgina answered and looked at Varvara knowingly.
‘I thought the Pounders killed off Charlie’s men?’ Lash asked.
‘They did, but that lot are lower down the food chain. They’re chancing their luck but they won’t get away with it.’
Victor handed Varvara a handkerchief and she tried not to heave as she wiped the dog’s mess off her clothes.
‘Varvara,’ Georgina said, her voice grave, ‘you know what to do. It’s time to put our plan into action.’
Varvara smiled wickedly at her boss. When she and Georgina had discussed the possibility of retaliation from Charlie Chops’ gang, the strategy they’d come up with had left Varvara secretly hoping the gang would do something. And now they’d played straight into her hands.
‘Yes, Miss Garrett,’ she answered, ‘I know exactly what to do.’
23
A week later, Benjamin nervously placed the lid on his pen and coughed to clear his throat. He’d been dreading breaking the news to Georgina. She’d been in such a good mood since she’d married Lash and he feared he was about to change it. ‘Erm, Miss Garrett,’ he said quietly.
Georgina looked up from her desk.
‘We… we need to talk.’
‘Spit it out then.’
‘I’ve had this, erm, notification to quit from the landlord’s solicitor. The landlord has passed away and his family are requesting the vacant possession of Queenstown Road. They would like to continue with the rentals of the other properties and are happy for the business to act as the collection agent.’
Georgina nodded her head and he noticed she was twisting the small gold band she wore on her little finger.
‘How long?’
‘Six weeks.’
‘I see. And there’s not enough capital in the business to invest in purchasing our own property?’
‘Considering the monies required to settle with Mrs Wilcox, no, we haven’t. If you still want to buy her out at the cost you’ve suggested it will leave you with very little capital.’
‘It’s important Molly receives a more than fair price for her share of the business so that’s not open for discussion. Do you have any suggestions?’
‘I’m afraid not. Every aspect of the business is running in profit, but it will take you more than six weeks to accumulate enough to purchase a sizeable property in this area.’
‘Right, get back to their solicitor and tell him we will be vacating when I see fit and make it clear that this is not open for negotiation. Or… we could leave in four weeks.’
‘But how?’ Benjamin asked.
‘I’ll sell The Penthouse Club.’
Benjamin looked at her, appalled at the idea. He loved managing the place; it was his life.
‘Just kidding, don’t look so worried,’ Georgina said, adding, ‘but I have got a plan. In the meantime, as I said, get back to the solicitor and tell him I’ll move when I’m ready. If he’d like to discuss the matter any further, arrange for him to come in.’
So, Georgina has a plan, Benjamin thought. He had no doubt about the woman’s abilities but wished she would share more with him. He only ever found out about things after the event. He understood it was for his own protection but Benjamin had got a taste for danger and he liked it.
The door flew open and Victor burst in looking unusually agitated. ‘The Portland Pounders are pulling up outside,’ he said with urgency.
Georgina spun around in her chair and glanced out of the window behind her. ‘Shit,’ she mumbled. ‘What the hell do they want?’
Benjamin could feel that the atmosphere had instantly become tense. Be careful what you wish for, he thought, as his heart raced. Yes, he’d discovered he liked a bit of danger in his life, but the Portland Pounders’ reputation terrified him. Their thump on the front door left Benjamin quaking.
‘Go, Benjamin, leave out of the back door,’ Georgina told him.
He wanted to. He wanted to flee the room and save his life but fear rooted him to the spot and rendered him unable to speak.
Georgina didn’t have time to repeat herself and before he knew it, Victor had opened the front door. Kevin Kelly, the Pounders’ boss, walked in followed by his entourage of what Benjamin would describe as unpleasant-looking thugs.
‘Miss Garrett, I’m pleased to finally meet you,’ Kevin Kelly said and sat down without invitation.
‘Likewise, Mr Kelly,’ Georgina answered, as charming and composed as ever. ‘You and your men are a long way from home. Can I offer you a drink?’
‘No, that won’t be necessary,’ Kevin answered.
Benjamin tried to keep his head down and hoped he wouldn’t be noticeable in the corner. He peeped over the top of his round-rimmed glasses at the man who owned the most frightening name in England. Kevin Kelly didn’t look scary. He was a surprisingly short man and older than Benjamin had imagined. Then Kevin removed his black trilby hat, revealing his thick, white hair, which was neatly combed around his weathered face. He reminded Benjamin of an old sailor he’d once known. Stocky, with no neck and an etched face that had seen a thousand worlds.
‘What brings you to Battersea?’ Georgina asked.
‘You do, Miss Garrett. I hear your man is a fighter?’
‘Lash, my husband?’
‘Yes. He’s got quite a name for himself in the ring.’
‘He was in the ring when I first saw him,’ Georgina said, smiling.
Benjamin was impressed with how calm she seemed. No nerves showed in her voice or her body language. The same couldn’t be said for Victor. The giant man was looking anxiously around the room from one brute to another and Benjamin knew his hand was ready to grab his gun if needed.
‘I’m sure he impressed you. I want a fight set up with my champ. He’s undefeated and needs a challenge.’
‘I’m sorry, Mr Kelly, but Lash has retired from fighting now.’
Benjamin’s eyes widened. He doubted Kevin Kelly was the sort of man who was told no.
‘I don’t think so, Miss Garrett. He can come out of retirement for this fight.’
‘He won’t. He doesn’t fight anymore.’
Kevin Kelly drummed his fingers on his knees. ‘He will, once you understand the stakes.’
‘Then please explain them to me.’
‘If your man wins, I’ll wipe out what’s left of Charlie’s gang. I know your girls have already got rid of one of them, but I’ll do the rest of the dirty work for you. And, of course, you’ll keep the purse from the fight, which will be substantial.’
This was news to Benjamin. He’d seen that Varvara and Georgina had been up to something but hadn’t known they’d been killing off Charlie’s men. As usual, Benjamin was the last to know.
‘And if your man wins?’ Georgina asked.
‘You gi
ve me back the diamonds that you swapped with the paste ones.’
Benjamin gulped. He couldn’t see how Georgina could get herself out of this, other than to agree with Kevin Kelly’s terms.
‘I won’t insult your intelligence and deny any involvement but I don’t have your diamonds.’
‘That’s not my problem, it’s yours. I want my diamonds back, but I like a bit of fair sport too. Look, Miss Garrett, I don’t want to hurt you. You’re fucking good at what you do and it’s nice to see a pretty face in that seat for a change. Play along with me, there’s a good girl.’
‘I want to change the stakes,’ Georgina answered confidently.
‘Let’s hear your offer then.’
‘I don’t need you to get rid of Charlie’s idiots. I’m more than capable of sorting them out myself. When my man wins I want the purse, and the stones plus the two large diamonds that were in the pouch with the paste ones.’
‘How do you know the police haven’t still got them? They’re not likely to hand me back stolen jewels,’ Kevin said and guffawed.
Georgina ignored Kevin’s rebuke and repeated, ‘The purse and the diamonds and my man will fight.’
Kevin spat in his stumpy hand. ‘Deal,’ he said, and offered it to her.
‘Deal,’ Georgina repeated but turned her nose up at shaking Kevin’s hand, which appeared to amuse the man.
‘The last Friday of the month. The fight will be in Liverpool. I’ll send the arrangements. Good day, Miss Garrett.’
‘Good day to you, Mr Kelly,’ Georgina said and rose to her feet.
Shortly after, through the window, they saw the Pounders’ car speed away and it felt as if the walls of the room breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Shit, shit, shit,’ Georgina spat. ‘Kevin Kelly’s diamonds will buy us more than one house but what if Lash loses? David Maynard is never going to agree to give me his diamonds and I can’t steal them from him.’