by Sam Michaels
‘Yeah, his fists and you can’t prove otherwise. Now, where are the diamonds?’
‘I don’t have them with me.’
‘When you do, you can have your husband back.’
‘Nothing was agreed about you keeping him from me.’
‘Emm, we didn’t cover the finer details, did we?’ Kevin said and paused to take a long draw on his cigarette. ‘I’ll be looking after Lash for the foreseeable, and once you have given me the diamonds, I’ll give you back your husband. A fair exchange.’
‘You can’t do that!’
‘I can and I am. It’s obvious you haven’t got them with you, so I’ll give you three days, Miss Garrett. You have three days and if I don’t have the diamonds in my hand by then, Lash will be swimming in the Mersey with a lump of concrete attached to him. I hope he’s a better swimmer than he is a boxer,’ Kevin said and laughed. ‘Have a safe journey home,’ he added and walked away.
Georgina went to chase after him but Johnny and Victor both grabbed her.
‘No, Miss Garrett, you can’t. He’ll kill you and then Lash. You’ve got to do it his way.’
‘Yeah, well, we’ll see about that,’ she spat, but had no idea how she was going to get her husband back in one piece.
*
Dulcie tutted to herself, disappointed that her son hadn’t stuck to his promise to Georgina and had again succumbed to the perils of the booze. But at least he’d come home full of apologies.
‘It’s the last time, Mum, I swear. I promise I won’t drink again. I need the karzy,’ he said as he stumbled towards the door. ‘’Ere, Mum, I’ve heard there’s a load of tenement blocks being built near the park and they’ve got privies on the balcony. Fancy that.’
‘Yeah, fancy that, indeed. And as for you not drinking, I’ll believe it when I see it,’ Dulcie snapped. ‘Get yourself some bread and dripping. You need something to soak it up.’
Jack came back from the toilet but she could see he hadn’t taken her advice about the food.
‘I told you to make yourself something to eat.’
‘I ain’t hungry.’
‘I don’t suppose you are. You’re too bloated with beer. Gawd help me when that girl moves out.’
Jack belched loudly and flopped back on the sofa. ‘Georgina moving out?’ he asked.
‘She’s a married woman, Jack, and her small bedroom ain’t no good for the two of them. It’ll only be a matter of time and she’ll be in her own place.’
‘My George, all grown up,’ Jack said and hiccupped.
‘She ain’t your George. She hates being called that.’
‘She’ll always be my little girl.’
‘Yes, she will and it’s about bleedin’ time you started behaving like a good father instead of an old drunk.’
‘It was one mistake, Mum. I told you, I won’t drink again.’
‘I’ve heard it all before, Jack. And I’m warning you… once Georgina has left home, I won’t be so tolerant with your behaviour. You either get yourself sober or get out of my house. I wouldn’t have let me husband come home in your state so I certainly ain’t gonna put up with it from you.’
Jack’s eyebrows rose as his head bobbed. ‘I never knew my dad but you put up with it from Percy. He was always drunk.’
‘But that’s where you’re wrong, Jack. I never put up with it from Percy.’
‘Come off it, Mum, he spent the last years of his life pissed.’
‘Yes, and I got rid of him when I’d had enough.’
‘What you on about? Percy went missing.’
‘No, he didn’t. I know exactly where he is.’
‘You’re joking? Why ain’t you said nothing before? Where is he?’
Jack’s interest was piqued and he seemed to have sobered up. Dulcie wished now that she’d kept her big mouth shut because she knew her son wouldn’t let it go. But she couldn’t tell him the truth. Percy had been the only father Jack had known and though he’d been drunk in his later years, before the onset of the alcoholism, he’d been a good stepdad.
‘Take no notice of me, Son. I just always suspected Percy had gone off and shacked up with another woman somewhere. I doubt he’s even alive now. Probably drunk himself into an early grave. And if you ain’t careful, you’ll do the same.’
‘Leave off, Mum. I told you I won’t drink again so stop bloody nagging.’
Good, her back-tracking about Percy had worked. And anyway, Jack was probably too inebriated to even remember the conversation.
‘Try sticking to your word this time. Lash’s family are gonna be in Battersea this weekend and Georgina wants us to meet them all. But look at the state of you. You’re a bleedin’ disgrace and should be ashamed of yourself. I raised you better than this, Jack. Sort yourself out, please, Son.’
‘For Christ’s sake, no wonder Percy fucked off! You could chew the hind legs orf a donkey.’
‘How dare you speak to me like that! Let me tell you something. Georgina’s gonna come home and ask me how you’ve been. If I tell her you’ve been pissing all your money up the wall again, she’s already said she won’t give you any more. How do you like that, eh? You’d have to get off your slovenly arse and earn your own keep.’
‘I can graft, better than most of the blokes round here.’
‘I know you can, Jack. You’ve always been a good grafter and provided well for us. That’s why it’s hard to stomach seeing you like this. Sissy wouldn’t have liked it.’
Jack dropped his head and Dulcie knew that mentioning his dead wife would hit a raw nerve.
‘I miss her, Mum.’
‘I’m sure you do. I still miss your father. That never goes away. But you promised Sissy that you’d look after Georgina. Just because she’s got herself a husband now, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t need her dad.’
‘You’re right. I really mean it this time – no more booze.’
‘Good. We’ll keep this incident between ourselves but I ain’t giving you any more chances. I’m going up to bed before you start snoring on the sofa. Night, Son.’
‘Night and thanks, Mum. I needed that reminder.’
Dulcie pushed herself up and slowly climbed the stairs. She knew in her heart that Jack was a good man. He’d just got himself lost after seeing Georgina nearly die. At the time, it’d been hard on them all but Jack had taken it really badly. Bloody men, thought Dulcie. They were weak, all of them.
As she pulled back her covers and climbed into bed, she chuckled to herself. Her granddaughter was strong – stronger than any man she knew. Lash had taken on a whole world of trouble when he married her but he knew what he was getting himself into and went ahead regardless.
Dulcie closed her eyes and hoped Lash had won his fight tonight. She couldn’t imagine the stick he’d receive from Georgina if he lost. The poor bloke. She smiled. As Georgina’s husband, he had a lot to live up to and Gawd help him if he let her down.
27
Benjamin watched anxiously as Georgina paced the office floor. It was Saturday morning and she’d called an emergency meeting with him, Victor, Johnny and Varvara. He’d never seen her like this before, almost out of control, and it worried him.
‘I say we should take Mr Kelly and put his body in the cellar with Cyril. The cementing hasn’t been done yet. It would save having to relay the floor twice.’
Georgina stopped pacing and glared at Varvara. ‘This isn’t a joke. My husband’s life is at risk here. Is that the best you can come up with? And as for killing Cyril, I’ll deal with that one later. Right now, I need helpful, doable and constructive ideas.’
‘But I wasn’t joking, Miss Garrett.’
‘Then unless you can come up with something that might actually work, I suggest you keep your fucking mouth shut!’
Varvara looked hurt, like a young child who’d had her lollipop taken from her. Benjamin swallowed hard. He didn’t have any ideas, and even if he did, he’d be too nervous to say anything. The mood Georgina was in, she would like
ly bite his head off.
‘Have you considered talking to Mr Maynard about the diamonds? Perhaps he’d sell them to you?’ Victor suggested.
It sounded like a good idea but Benjamin knew there wasn’t enough readily available cash to purchase several small diamonds.
‘Thank you, Victor. It’s nice to see that someone is trying to offer something positive. But no, that’s out of the question. Unless I sold an asset, like the house in Clapham, we just don’t have the money and anyway, there isn’t time to sell anything.’
‘You could ask Mr Kelly for an extension, to, you know, give you more time,’ from Johnny.
‘No. I won’t have Lash held by the Pounders for any longer than need be. They could be doing anything to…’ Georgina stopped and caught her breath.
It was clear she was trying to hold herself together and Benjamin felt so sad for her. He’d grown very fond of Georgina and her kind heart and quick tongue. He didn’t understand how she’d managed to get herself ensnared in the Portland Pounders’ web as she was normally far too clever to be trapped. But somehow it had happened and he could see her pain.
‘What about you, Mr Harel. Any ideas?’ Johnny asked.
All eyes were on Benjamin and he could feel himself getting clammy. ‘I, err, erm…’
‘Let’s just fucking kill them all,’ Varvara said under her breath, but they all heard her.
Georgina stormed towards the woman and slapped her across the cheek.
‘I told you to keep your fucking mouth shut. I can’t think clearly with you coming out with crap.’
‘I’m sorry, Miss Garrett. I just want to help.’
‘You can help by clearing off and getting out of my sight.’
‘But…’
‘PISS OFF!’ Georgina screamed.
Varvara sloped quietly out of the office. Benjamin had little sympathy for her. He’d warned her not to kill Cyril and told her Miss Garrett wouldn’t be happy. But Varvara hadn’t listened and gone ahead regardless. Thankfully, she’d murdered him execution style and the man hadn’t died a prolonged and torturous death. But, as he’d suspected, Georgina had been furious with her and Varvara was yet to discover how she’d be dealt with.
‘Well, Benjamin. Any input from you?’ Georgina asked.
‘You should speak to Lash’s family,’ he suggested.
Georgina looked at him as though she was staring straight through him. He liked this response. She appeared to be deep in thought, which meant she was mulling the idea over and he was pleased she hadn’t jumped down his throat.
After a while, she spoke. ‘Yes, I should. Very good, Benjamin, very good.’
Benjamin pushed his glasses up his nose and wanted to smile but didn’t. It wasn’t an appropriate time to feel pleased with himself.
‘That ain’t ’alf bad, Mr Harel,’ Johnny said.
‘Victor, drive me there now. There’s no time to waste,’ Georgina said and grabbed her handbag before leaving.
Benjamin glanced out of the window as she sped off with Johnny and Victor. The door opened again and Varvara came in.
‘What are they doing?’ she asked.
‘They’ve gone to speak to Lash’s family.’
‘And this will be good, no?’
‘Yes… I think it is,’ Benjamin answered and hoped it was.
Varvara went to turn away but the telephone trilled on Georgina’s desk. ‘Should I answer it?’ she asked.
Benjamin nodded uncertainly and waited tensely.
‘Good morning, Mr Maynard,’ Varvara said and looked across to Benjamin.
He was relieved it wasn’t Kevin Kelly but he didn’t trust Varvara to say the right thing. ‘Give it here,’ he mouthed urgently at her as he dashed towards Georgina’s desk.
‘Just one moment, Mr Maynard, I will pass the receiver to Mr Harel.’
Benjamin could see his hand shaking as he took the mouthpiece from Varvara. ‘Hello, Mr Maynard, this is Benjamin Harel,’ he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
The line was crackly but he could hear the anger in David Maynard’s voice. ‘Tell Miss Garrett she is to come and see me by the end of the day.’
‘Yes, Mr Maynard, I’ll be sure to pass…’
The line went dead before Benjamin had finished his sentence.
‘What did he want?’ Varvara asked.
‘Miss Garrett.’
‘I think she is more concerned with other matters for now.’
‘Yes,’ Benjamin replied and sat back at his own desk. He began to pack away his pens and papers and, though he hadn’t been working long for Miss Garrett, he had enjoyed his time immensely. He hoped he wasn’t reading too much into it, but after that telephone conversation, he feared his time with Miss Garrett may all be coming to an abrupt end. Not only did Georgina have the Portland Pounders to contend with, it also sounded like she’d made an enemy of David Maynard.
*
Molly let herself into Dulcie’s house, hoping there’d be good news about Lash.
‘I don’t know what’s going on, love,’ Dulcie told her. ‘She went to the office this morning and I haven’t heard anything since.’
‘Oh, blimey, Dulcie, it’s a terrible worry. I’ve heard such nasty things about them Pounders.’
‘I know. There won’t be any negotiating with them. It’ll be the diamonds in return for Lash and if she don’t provide them with what they want, Lash will be coming home in a coffin.’
‘Is there any way she can get the gems?’
‘No. She’s adamant David won’t help.’
‘Has she asked him?’
‘She won’t. Mind you, I don’t think she’s had any sleep. They drove through the night to get back and she went out again at the crack of dawn. I just hope she’s keeping a calm head on her shoulders and thinking clearly.’
‘Why won’t she be up front with David, considering what’s at risk?’
‘If you think about it, it was David who got her into this position in the first place. She set up Charlie Chops to get knocked off by the Pounders as part of the deal with David in exchange for Victor and his car. The Pounders heard the set-up was her doing so put two and two together and come up with six. They’re assuming it was her who stole their diamonds and she ain’t told them otherwise ’cos she can’t drop David in the shit. This is payback. She’s lucky they offered her the fight instead of killing her.’
‘I still don’t see why she can’t ask David for help?’
‘If she does, she’ll lose face with him and her reputation would be destroyed. Once that happens, she’ll lose control of the business. And anyhow, he doesn’t seem the charitable type, so why would he hand over a small fortune? If anything, Georgina said she wouldn’t be surprised if David would be glad to see Lash out of the picture.’
‘Why?’
‘’Cos he wants her for himself.’
‘So, even if she said stuff it to the business and went cap in hand to David, she doesn’t think he’d help?’
‘No. I’m afraid she’s dug herself into a bloody big hole.’
‘I wish there was something I could do to help. Mum’s keeping an eye on Edward for me and Oppo said he’d be straight round after work, but what can we do?’
‘Not much. Just be here for her, I suppose, and pray it don’t go tits up.’
They heard a car pull up outside and Molly jumped up to look out of the window. ‘It’s Georgina,’ she told Dulcie who was sat wringing her hands.
Georgina walked into the room looking fraught.
‘What’s happening, love?’ Dulcie asked.
‘I’ve been to see Lash’s parents and told them everything.’
‘They must be upset?’
‘Yes, of course they are,’ Georgina snapped, then took a deep breath and added, ‘I’m sorry.’
‘It’s all right. Have you worked out what you’re going to do?’
‘Lash’s dad told me to come home and sit tight. They would sort it and bring Lash home to me.’<
br />
‘Do they know how dangerous the Pounders are?’ Molly asked.
‘Yes, but they said I must leave it to them.’
‘What are they going to do?’ Dulcie asked.
‘I’m not entirely sure. Several family members were involved in the conversation and they were talking in their own language. I didn’t understand most of it but Lash’s mother told me the Pounders would be cursed and Lash would be safe.’
‘What did she mean by that?’ Molly questioned, unsure if curses even worked.
‘I don’t really know but I trust them. I don’t have any other choice.’
‘I think you’ve done the right thing, love. It’s what Lash would have wanted you to do,’ Dulcie said.
‘Maybe. But this is all my fault. Ethel is dead and now Lash could be too.’
‘Ethel’s death wasn’t your fault, Georgina,’ Molly said softly.
‘She’s right, you should listen to Molly. And Lash’s family will do everything in their power to get him back.’
‘I know the saying about live by the sword and die by it, but it should be me, not Lash or Ethel.’
Before either woman could reply to Georgina, they heard a tap on the front door and Varvara’s voice. When she walked into the room, Molly noticed Georgina look at Varvara scathingly and wondered what the Russian woman had done to annoy her friend.
‘What do you want?’ Georgina asked coldly.
‘I have a message… from Mr Maynard. He said you are to see him before the end of the day.’
‘Go back to the office.’
The door closed behind Varvara and Georgina moaned, ‘This is all I need.’
‘What do you think he wants?’ Molly asked.
‘I don’t know. There was some trouble with Cyril taking bets yesterday. It could be something to do with that.’
Dulcie guffawed. ‘He’s a cheeky bugger, that Cyril. Did you pass on my regards to him?’
‘Yes, Gran. But he’s dead now.’
‘Eh? Cyril, dead? When did that happen?’ Dulcie asked.
‘Yesterday. Varvara took it upon herself to dish out punishment. Before you say anything, I’ll sort it but first I need to get Lash home.’