by Sam Michaels
‘Lash will have to win, Miss Garrett. I, erm, I think all our lives will depend on it.’
*
Later that evening, Varvara adjusted her dark brown wig. ‘This bloody thing is making my scalp itch,’ she told her sister, Dina.
‘It is better that than being recognised,’ Dina replied flatly, speaking in Russian.
They were on their way to one of Charlie Chops’ seedier clubs on the pretence of looking for work.
‘This is it,’ Varvara said as the cab pulled up outside. ‘Be careful, Dina,’ she whispered as they climbed out.
She’d easily talked her sister into this. Too easily, in fact. But is seemed Dina had no feelings left. Years of sexual abuse since they were children had destroyed the young woman. Her emotions were dead. Just as Varvara’s had once been until Georgina had relit a fire. Now, for Dina, there was only hate left in her heart for men. That was why she’d readily agreed to help Varvara get rid of Miss Garrett’s adversaries, relishing in the task of killing them.
They walked towards the club but were quickly stopped at the door. ‘Oi, you two. Where do you fink you’re going? Sling ya fucking hook. You ain’t touting for business in here.’
‘We would like to see the manager,’ Varvara said.
‘Well he don’t wanna see you so fuck off,’ the man growled, then muttered, ‘Slags.’
‘We are here to work for him. We are good, no?’ Varvara purred and pushed her breasts up against the man.
‘Gerroff me, fucking whores. I wouldn’t touch any of you with a barge pole. Go on, inside. Ask for Nuts.’
Varvara quickly pulled Dina into the dark room and squinted as her eyes adjusted to the low lights and smoky atmosphere. She saw a woman, topless except for a string of fake pearls draped over her chest, and another, with just a bra and no knickers, both walking around carrying drinks on a tray. At the end of the bar, another woman writhed her semi-naked body on an older man sat on a stool, and on the small stage, a man slapped a dancer’s backside and laughed with his friends.
‘This place is disgusting,’ Dina said quietly.
Varvara saw a face she recognised. He’d been the one who’d thrown the dog’s muck at her. He turned around to speak to the barman and Varvara marched towards him. She tapped his shoulder and he spun to face her.
‘Men and whores only are allowed in here,’ he said, then reached his hand up her beaded dress and grabbed her bare vagina. ‘You ain’t a man so you must be a whore,’ he sneered.
‘Yes, and we are very good at what we do. I am looking for Nuts.’
‘You’ve found him.’
‘Good. I am Tattia and this is my friend, Anna. We would like to work under your protection. We will make good money for you.’
‘I couldn’t care a less what your names are. Do you work together? Two tarts for the price of one?’
‘If you like. Perhaps we can show you what we can do?’ Varvara said teasingly and rubbed her hand over his groin. When he didn’t protest, she leaned in closer and purred in his ear, ‘You like, we both fuck you?’
Nuts eyes darted around. ‘Come on, with me,’ he said eagerly and led them through a dark curtain and into a small room. From there he opened another door to a room lit by a gas lantern and furnished with a table, a chair and a bookshelf, stacked high with illegally brewed bottles of gin. Varvara’s nose twitched at the smell of damp in the windowless room and she glanced over her shoulder at Dina. Her sister looked back at her with a blank expression. Even murder left Dina numb.
Nuts stood in front of the table. ‘You first,’ he told Dina. ‘Take your clothes off. I like to see what I’m getting.’
‘Slow down. Let us do the work for you,’ Varvara said huskily and ran her tongue around Nut’s neck and to his ear. Here she nuzzled on his lobe as she undid his trousers and Dina pulled them to his ankles.
‘Lie back on the table,’ Varvara instructed. ‘Relax and let me show you the incredible things I can do with my mouth.’
Nuts was keen to oblige and scrambled onto the table. He laid back with his hands behind his head and his legs dangling over the edge. Varvara began with popping her breasts over the top of her dress and rubbing her nipples gently over his lips. At the same time, Dina pulled Nuts legs apart and stood in between them and began to skilfully manipulate his manhood.
‘You are liking this, no?’ Varvara asked.
‘Oh, yeah, I’m liking it all right,’ Nuts answered and closed his eyes.
Varvara, satisfied that her victim had let his guard down, held her thumb up to Dina. It was the signal. The sign to tell her to act now. With one hand still massaging Nuts’ penis, Dina used her other to pull out a razor blade hidden in the waistband of her skirt. Then, Varvara moved to stand at the top of Nuts’ head and sensually massaged his scalp, gently pulling his head back to expose the man’s neck. In one swift move, Dina swiped the razor blade across his throat, cutting him deeply.
Blood spurted up the walls and over Dina’s dress. There was no scream. No call for help. And as the blood flow subsided, they heard a soft gurgling noise as the crimson liquid seeped from the long gash across Nuts’ neck. He put his hands over the wound but it did nothing to stem the bleeding and Varvara watched as his blood oozed through his fingers and pooled on the table.
‘He is dying. Good work, sister,’ she told Dina, and fished in her pocket for a note. Then she leaned over Nuts and drawled, ‘I do not like it when dog’s mess is thrown at me.’
A bubbling noise emerged from Nuts’ throat though no words came. But she saw a glint of recognition in his eyes and felt avenged. She placed the note across his now very limp penis.
‘What does it say?’ Dina asked.
‘It is from Miss Garrett, sending her regards,’ Varvara answered proudly.
‘We can do better. You see that lamp – we could set the place on fire.’
‘No, Dina, we have completed our work. Let’s go,’ Varvara said. ‘And keep your head down. You have a lot of blood on you.’
As they hurried back through the club and out onto the night streets, Varvara worried about her sister. She’d have happily razed the club to the ground with no regard for anyone who may have been injured or killed in the fire. There were many women working in there – women like them. Whores, forced to earn a living by men using and degrading them. Dina had shown no compassion for those women. No thought for their safety.
Varvara had already realised that she and Dina’s harsh and cruel upbringing had damaged her sister, but until tonight she hadn’t known how deep the damage had been. It was bad – really bad. It seemed there was nothing left of Dina but a cold, empty shell and Varvara pitied her.
*
As they lay in Georgina’s single bed, she ran her fingers through the soft dark hair on Lash’s chest. ‘So, you’re happy to fight him?’ she asked.
‘I’ve always wanted to fight him but haven’t had the money to get close enough. He’s big stakes. I’ve never had a promoter or manager. I’m just a gypsy bare-knuckle fighter and if you want to be in the ring with him, you have to have the cash to put in.’
‘Good. It’s all arranged. But are you positive you can beat him?’
‘I’m sure of it, Georgina. Feel this,’ Lash said and took her hand and placed it flat on his chest. ‘Can you feel that? That’s my heart beating and pumping the blood around my body. You’ve just made it pump harder. I feel alive again. I was made for fighting and I’ve missed it.’
‘Oh, Lash, I know you’re confident you can win but I hate the thought of anyone throwing punches at you.’
‘Don’t worry, my beautiful wife, he won’t get many punches in.’
‘I hope not. I’m really not sure about this but, well, it’s not like I have a lot of choice.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Nothing. I don’t mean anything,’ Georgina quickly answered, realising she’d said too much.
‘Are you keeping something from me?’
‘No,’ Ge
orgina lied.
Lash tucked his finger under her chin and pulled her face up to look in her eyes. ‘Tell me the truth, Georgina,’ he said.
She felt herself crumble under his scrutiny and told him the whole story, about how the forthcoming boxing match had really come to be.
‘I should have known you hadn’t set this up just to please me.’
‘To be fair, Lash, I wouldn’t have known the first thing about arranging a fight for you. But when Kevin Kelly suggested it, I knew you’d jump at the opportunity, though I’m not going to lie and say I’m thrilled about the idea of you in the ring again.’
‘I can see why you’re so keen for me to win.’
‘It’s not just about the diamonds. I don’t want to see you hurt.’
‘And you don’t want your reputation hurt either,’ Lash said and threw back the bed covers.
‘This isn’t about me,’ Georgina protested.
‘Yes it is. Everything’s always about you. I can imagine how humiliated you’d be if I was to lose the fight. You’re worried I’ll show you up.’
‘Maybe, but you’ve told me you’re going to win.’
‘Yes, I am,’ Lash replied angrily, ‘but for me, Georgina, not for you. I’m going to win this fight so I can claw back a bit of my pride.’
‘Good. You win and we’ll both be happy then,’ Georgina said cheekily and knelt up to place her arms around Lash who was now sitting on the edge of the bed.
‘You don’t half push your luck, woman.’
‘I know, but get back into bed. It’s cold without you.’
Lash lay back down and pulled the covers over them both. ‘It won’t happen, but just say I lose this fight. What will be the consequences?’
Georgina closed her eyes and tried to blot out the truth. If Lash lost the fight, she’d be expected to give back the diamonds that David Maynard had stolen from the Pounders. That was never going to happen. Lash had to win. Kevin Kelly wasn’t known for showing any mercy to anyone who crossed him. If Lash lost and she couldn’t produce the diamonds, she’d be the next one to be finished off by the bullets of the Portland Pounders. The thought terrified her and she squeezed her eyes shut.
‘Hey, what’s wrong?’ Lash asked.
‘Just win. Please, just make sure you win this fight.’
24
The next evening, Georgina marched into The Penthouse Club with Victor and Johnny Dymond at her side. Lash had waited outside, citing how uncomfortable the club made him feel. This suited Georgina. She’d received word from what was left of Charlie’s gang that they wanted to meet with her, and on their suggestion, they would be arriving at 7 p.m., just before the club opened.
‘Hello, Miss G,’ Ivy chirped from behind the bar, clearly pleased to see Georgina. ‘What’s your poison?’
‘Nothing for me, thanks, Ivy. I don’t want to drink the profits. You’re looking lovely – this work obviously suits you,’ Georgina commented as she took in Ivy’s immaculate but heavily made-up face and rather flamboyant dress, adorned with peacock feathers, mirrored beads and gold chain tassels.
‘This,’ Ivy said and did a quick turn, ‘is all thanks to me friends in here. They love dressing me up and doing my face.’
Georgina smiled warmly at the young woman. It was nice to see her happy and playing dressing-up games, something Ivy had probably never had an opportunity to do as a child. She was still very young and the customers might be treating her like a doll, but it was obviously done with affection.
A man walked towards them and Georgina had to take a double look before she realised it was Benjamin. She’d never seen him with powder and rouge on his face and he seemed to be carrying himself differently too.
He greeted her with a theatrical air, waving his arms as he said, ‘Miss Garrett, delighted to see you here. Ivy, champagne, chop chop, dear.’
He minced towards a small round table where Georgina had once sat, cutting the deal to buy the place. She followed him, astounded at this new persona she was seeing and wondered if this was the real Benjamin and not the awkward and shy accountant who had a desk next to hers.
Ivy placed a bottle of champagne in a tall, silver ice bucket on a stand and two glasses on the table. ‘Are you here to see the act tonight?’ she asked.
‘Yes, something like that,’ Georgina answered. ‘Listen, Ivy. I’d like you to go out back and do a stock check on the alcohol. Make sure it takes you at least an hour.’
‘Ah, right. Something’s going down tonight, ain’t it?’
‘Just do as you’re told, Ivy.’
‘No way! If there’s gonna be a big bust-up, I want to see it.’
‘IVY!’ Georgina took a deep breath and continued, ‘It’s for your own protection. Just stay out of the way.’
‘But…’
‘No buts.’
Ivy pouted like a sulking child. ‘Enjoy your champagne,’ she said moodily as she sloped off.
‘I hope you’re paying for this,’ Georgina said to Benjamin as he poured them both a glass.
‘Of course. Though you do know that as your accountant, I could easily fiddle the books.’
‘Yes, and you do know that as your boss I could easily blow your brains out.’
‘Touché,’ Benjamin said with a smile and clinked his glass to hers.
Georgina checked the time. Charlie’s men should arrive in fifteen minutes. She felt sure they’d come with their caps in their hands and beg for a truce but she couldn’t be sure. There was always the possibility that they’d try and barge in with all guns blazing or even throw some explosives in like she’d once done to Battersea police station. But she had the Barker twins on the outside door with Lash and five other blokes lining the corridors. All eyes would be on Charlie’s gang but still, anything could happen.
Exactly on time, the door opened and Ned informed Victor of the gang’s arrival. There were three of them, hardly heavy-handed, and the Barker twins had already frisked them. Victor showed them in and Johnny stood by Georgina’s side.
‘Miss Garrett. Thank you for agreeing to meet us. I’m Fred, this is Pearly and Len.’
Georgina remained seated and glanced up at Johnny.
‘They call him Pearly on account of his teeth… he ain’t got none,’ Johnny told her.
She looked the three men up and down. They were young, barely out of short trousers and she could tell they were extremely anxious. ‘What do you want?’ she asked them bluntly.
Fred looked from one of his blokes to the other then answered, ‘We don’t want nuffink, Miss Garrett. We’re sorry about what happened on your wedding day. We’ll stay out of your way and you won’t get no trouble from us.’
‘I see. You’re asking me to leave you alone?’
‘Yes. Please.’
‘And what’s in it for me?’
‘Anything you want. If we’ve got it, you can have it.’
‘I don’t want your shitty little clubs. I know you rent the premises and from what I’ve heard, that’s about all you’ve got left. So, I’ll ask again… what’s in it for me?’
‘I can give you some information. Valuable information,’ Fred offered. ‘I was gonna tell you about it anyway.’
‘If that’s all you’ve got, you’d better give it to me then, but keep in mind that if I wanted to I could beat the information out of you.’
‘Do you mind if I sit down?’
‘Yes, I do. Just tell me what you know.’
‘Fair enough… It’s that copper. The one who works for you.’
‘Cunningham… What about him?’
‘He’s Mickey’s cousin and they’re as thick as thieves.’
Georgina tried not to look either surprised or impressed by the information imparted and exchanged a look with Johnny. ‘Mickey who took over the Wilcox business from Billy?’
‘Yeah, him.’
‘How do I know you’re telling me the truth?’
‘Tell her, Pearly, tell Miss Garrett what you told me,’ F
red encouraged.
Pearly swallowed hard before he spoke. ‘It’s true, Miss Garrett, I swear. My dad works for the electric board, converting houses from gas lighting. He come home from work the other night and asked me if I’d heard of you. When I said yes, he told me that he was at this house where there was a geezer in one of them chairs with wheels. Said his name was Mickey. He said this copper called in to visit and he heard the copper telling Mickey stuff about you. He said he reckoned the copper was right bent and from what he heard, you’d better watch your back ’cos Mickey is out to get you.’
‘Bit of a coincidence, isn’t it? I mean, what’s the chances of your dad working in Mickey’s house and hearing all this? Sounds to me like this could be a bit of a fairy tale?’
‘No, Miss Garrett, it’s all true, honest. My old man was listening out ’cos he’s got a lot to hide from the Old Bill. He’s always nicking stuff from the houses he works in so when the copper turned up my dad nearly shit himself. He was right chuffed when he heard them talking about you instead of collaring him!’
‘If this is true, why didn’t you just sit back and allow Mickey and Cunningham to get me?’
Fred spoke now. ‘’Cos Ted is my brother, and he was Charlie’s driver. It was Cunningham who stopped Ted on Battersea Bridge that night. Before Ted legged it down to Bristol, he told me Cunningham was spitting venom about you. Mind you, so was Ted, but he said Cunningham wasn’t gonna stop with you. If he had his way, all of London would be under Cunningham’s control. And I know Mickey always had big ideas too. Right pair, them two. Ted reckons Cunningham’s got a screw loose and warned me to stay out of his way.’
‘So you want me to sort Cunningham because you lot don’t have the balls to do the job yourselves. Fine.’
‘Are we all square now, Miss Garrett?’ Fred asked.
‘For now. But I know where to find you if I want you for anything. Keep your mouths shut about this. You can go now.’
Victor led them back out and Johnny pulled out a seat opposite Georgina.