by Sam Michaels
Molly smiled. Yes, Ivy certainly had an abundance of energy and a charm about her that lit up the room. ‘I’ve grown quite fond of her.’
‘Me too,’ Fanny said. ‘I’ll miss her when we move on. Talking of which, I hope this episode with Edward has brought you to your senses.’
‘What do you mean?’ Molly asked.
‘Well, please don’t tell me you’re still going to wait for Jane to get out of hospital?’
‘She’ll be home soon,’ Molly answered defensively and wished her mum would drop the subject.
‘I’m home now,’ Jane said.
Molly threw her head round at the sound of Jane’s voice and saw her standing in the kitchen doorway. She looked well and her face and blonde hair were immaculately styled.
‘Jane! How… what… Oh, my goodness, you’re home!’ Molly gushed, delighted to see the woman.
‘Yes, you’re not seeing things. Any tea in the pot? I’m parched.’
‘Of course, sit down and make yourself at home,’ Fanny said with a small laugh.
‘Why didn’t you tell us you was coming back today? We would have arranged something nice for you,’ Molly said.
Jane placed her small suitcase on the floor against the wall and pulled out a chair to sit down before she spoke. ‘I wasn’t sure myself, not until this morning. Then I made my mind up, discharged myself and called for a taxicab. Oh, by the way, he’s outside. I, erm, don’t have any money on me.’
‘It’s fine. Mum, take some from my purse and pay him, please.’
Fanny dried her hands and went outside.
‘You discharged yourself. Is that wise? I mean, are you well enough?’
‘Yes, Molly, I’m perfectly well now. You see, Sally came to see me last week and it made me realise how much my girls need me. I know they’ve been fine with my sister, but I’m fully recovered now and don’t intend on ever leaving them again. I’ve arranged for them to come home, just as soon as I’ve settled in.’
‘That’s lovely, Jane. I’m sure they would have missed you. Probably just as well they’re not here today as it’s Dulcie’s funeral.’
‘Dulcie’s dead?’
‘Yes, I’m afraid so. She passed away peacefully in her sleep.’
‘Oh, poor Georgina! How’s she taken it?’
‘Better than I expected. But you never know with her. It might all just be a brave face. I’m sorry you haven’t come home to better news.’
‘Well, whilst I’ve been cocooned in the hospital, life goes on. I suppose I’ve quite a lot of catching up to do?’
‘Yes, I’ll tell you this quickly but please don’t mention it in front of Mum, but Ethel has died too. She was killed.’
‘Molly, I’m so sorry,’ Jane said.
‘Shush, here she comes,’ Molly whispered urgently.
‘Fanny, be a dear and take this case upstairs for me.’
‘Does Georgina know you’re home?’ Molly asked.
‘Probably. I should imagine the doctors have called her. Now, let me have a look at my gorgeous grandson,’ Jane said as she reached out her arms towards him.
Molly flinched and held him closer. But then reminded herself that Jane was better and passed the baby over, though she didn’t feel comfortable doing so.
‘It’s all right, Molly. I know what you must be thinking. I wasn’t myself, I can see that now. But, it’s amazing what a bit of rest can do.’
Molly relaxed a little. Jane did seem to be fine and she hoped it would last.
‘So, I gather you have plans to move out now that I’m home?’
‘Too right and not a day too soon,’ Fanny said when she came back into the kitchen.
‘Yes. We’re moving out of Battersea, to the country in Kent. Oppo wants to buy a small farm. It’ll be lovely for Edward to grow up in clean air.’
‘Oppo?’ Jane asked.
‘Yes, we’re, erm, going to get married.’
‘Oh! I didn’t see that coming. Congratulations.’
‘Thank you. Do you feel up to coming to the funeral today?’
‘Yes, of course. I’ve had my run-ins with Dulcie in the past but I’ve always had the greatest respect for her. She’ll be sorely missed. I’d better go upstairs and get changed into something more suitable.’
‘Can you just give me a minute to clear your bedroom? I’ve been sleeping in there but I’ll bunk in with me mum for now.’
‘Great,’ Fanny remarked. ‘You’re such a bleedin’ fidget.’
‘By the sound of it, it won’t be for long, Fanny, and just think of the room you’ll have when you move to the country. You must be looking forward to it.’
‘Can’t bloody wait,’ Fanny said.
‘I hope I’ll be receiving plenty of invites to come and visit. I wouldn’t want to miss out on seeing this little chap growing up.’
‘You don’t need an invite, Jane. You’d be more than welcome any time you’d like,’ Molly said though she secretly hoped it wouldn’t be too often. She had nothing against Jane but seeing her again reminded her of Billy and all the carnage he’d caused. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I’ll get your room ready now.’
Molly took Edward back and went upstairs where she sat on the edge of Jane’s bed and sighed deeply. Everything was changing and it felt like life was moving too fast for her to keep up. With Jane home, there was no reason for her not to move away and she wanted to. For Edward’s sake. But the thought terrified her. What if she wasn’t happy living in the countryside? Was she sure she really loved Oppo? She liked him. She always had. But was it enough to marry him? Or was she just latching on to him because he offered her a way out of Battersea for the safety of Edward?
She’d mulled over the questions in her head night after night. When she was away from Oppo, the doubts crept in and niggled her. But they soon vanished and were replaced with butterflies in her stomach whenever she saw him. Is that how love was? She wasn’t sure.
Edward gurgled and she gazed down at his cute button nose and wisps of fine hair. This was a love she was sure of. All-consuming and unconditional. Nothing compared to it. But with Oppo, she remained to be convinced.
*
Georgina stood at her gran’s graveside and felt her father slip his hand into hers.
‘Time to go, sweetheart,’ he said as the mourners began to disperse.
‘Just give me a minute, please, Dad.’
‘I’ll be waiting in the car.’
‘And take Victor with you. I need a few moments alone.’
Jack walked off quietly and Georgina looked all around. She was finally alone. It felt like she hadn’t had a moment to herself and she had something important to tell her gran.
‘I don’t know if I ever told you, Gran, but I love you.’ The tears she’d held in all through the service began to slip out now and she wished she hadn’t mistakenly left her clutch bag in the car. It held her gun but also her handkerchief. She wiped her wet cheek with the back of her hand, then continued, ‘Who’d have thought it, eh? Me, running the Wilcox business. I don’t know if I could have done it without you. You made me what I am today and to be honest, Gran, without you, I’m terrified! I hope you’ll be watching over me. Anyway, I wanted you to know how much I’ll miss you.’
‘Very fucking touching.’
Georgina spun on her heel and saw PC Cunningham stood just a couple of feet behind her and he was mockingly applauding her.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asked as she dashed away her tears.
‘I’d like to say I’ve come to pay my respects to your grandmother but I’d be lying. I hope she rots in fucking hell.’
‘You bastard,’ Georgina said scathingly and stepped towards him with her fists clenched.
Frank pulled out a gun and held it pointed at her. ‘Whoa. Slow down, Miss Garrett. You don’t want to be striking an officer of the law. You’d end up in very deep trouble… or dead.’
Georgina looked over Frank’s shoulder but the car with Victor and her fathe
r was obscured from view by a large bush.
‘That’s right. It’s just me and you,’ he said, ‘and your dead gran.’
‘What do you want, Cunningham?’
‘Your fucking head served up on a platter like John the Baptist.’
‘Go on, take it,’ Georgina coaxed and took another step forward.
‘I intend to and do you know why?’
‘I’m pretty sure it’s got something to do with your cousin’s brains splattered up the wall in your sitting room. Bet your wife was pleased to be cleaning up the mess. Did his blood stain the rug?’
‘You’re not normal. No woman could do the things you do. You’re disgusting and I pity your husband.’
‘Save your pity for Mickey. He took his own life. Shot himself in the head.’
Frank looked shocked. ‘No, he wouldn’t do that. You’re a lying bitch.’
‘Am I? Why would I lie? If he hadn’t killed himself, I would have done it for him. So I’ve no reason to fib about it. Your cousin led you a right merry dance. He let you think the two of you had big ambitions yet all the while, he knew exactly what he was going to do. See, Frank, you’re not that clever, are you? And I’ve heard your colleagues at the station are still laughing about the fiasco with Compton-Stapleford. I’ve got to be honest, Frank, I never really believed you’d try and arrest him. Clearly, I should have known how ridiculously bloody thick you are, and you proved it.’
This appeared to rile Frank. His face turned bright red and he looked at her with hatred. But before he could pull the trigger, Georgina leapt forward and knocked Frank’s arm heavily with her own. This sent the gun flying from Frank’s hand and it landed several feet away.
‘Now it’s just you and me,’ she said.
Frank spat on the ground before swinging his arm to throw a punch. Georgina dodged his fist but he quickly threw another. Again, he missed and she could see he was infuriated now. His arms were flailing as he uncontrollably vented his anger at her. Each time he swung at her, she expertly moved and he missed. Eventually, spent, his arms fell to his sides and he gasped for breath.
‘I should have shot you in the back,’ he said in between breaths.
‘Yes, if you wanted to kill me, that’s what you should have done. But you can’t, can you? That’s why you needed Mickey. You ain’t got it in you to kill cold-blooded and you know it. You thought you’d be the brains and Mickey would do the dirty work. Turns out you ain’t got the brains either.’
Frank looked down at the grass, deflated. She’d succeeded in humiliating him.
‘Are you finished? Only, my dad’s waiting to go home.’
‘For now. But you’ll be in that grave with your grandmother soon enough, mark my words.’
‘Only if you can find someone to do it for you. Good luck,’ she said flippantly and walked past him.
Georgina picked up the gun and considered turning it on Frank. But killing a copper was risky, especially in a public place in broad daylight. No, she wasn’t prepared to swing on the end of a rope for the life of PC Cunningham. He wasn’t worth it, so she marched towards the car and resisted the temptation to look over her shoulder. Her nonchalance would show him that he was nothing to her.
But then she felt a force in her back that sent her stumbling forwards and she saw the ground rushing up towards her. Frank had pushed her and now she found herself lying face down in the grass. She’d dropped the gun and saw it was just inches from her grasp. As she reached for it, Frank’s large boots kicked it away. She rolled to her side and was about to get up when Frank kicked her hard in the stomach. Georgina cried out in pain, and though winded, she tried again to climb to her feet. Frank hit her again, with the butt of his truncheon this time. The strength of the blow went deep and she screamed out in agony and doubled over, clutching her aching guts.
‘I hope you’re damaged good and proper. I hope your stomach falls out of you and you’re left barren. We could do without any more Garretts on the streets,’ Frank growled with spite and she saw him turn his back and walk off.
Georgina tried to catch her breath but the pain was intense. She managed to crawl along the grass until she was in sight of the car.
‘Help,’ she called weakly but there was no way they would hear her. Then she saw her father running towards her with Victor just behind. They’d seen her, thank goodness, but Cunningham had gone. She’d get him. In her own time, she’d get him all right.
32
It had been three weeks since Georgina’s gran had been buried and Benjamin hoped the surprise party he’d planned for her birthday would lift her spirits. She’d understandably been down in the dumps and he wanted to see her beautiful smile again. The beating she’d taken from Cunningham had put her out of action for a couple of days but she’d quickly returned to work. Benjamin admired his boss. Nothing slowed her down and, though she lacked formal education, he found her to be more intelligent than any of his peers. But he also feared her and tonight he prayed she wouldn’t be annoyed at him for being a part of this surprise.
Down in The Penthouse Club, he was adding the finishing touches and unbeknown to his boss, he had the ultimate gift ready and waiting for her.
‘Ivy, have you double-checked there’s enough champagne?’ he asked as he walked behind the bar.
‘Yes, Mr Harel, now stop flapping. Everything is shipshape and ready for Miss G.’
‘Good girl. And you’re sure she doesn’t suspect anything?’
‘I think she’s been too sad lately to notice much at all. This is just what she needs.’
‘Oh, Ivy, I do hope so. What if she doesn’t like it? I’m getting so nervous.’
‘It’s too late for any nerves. Your first guests have arrived.’
Benjamin looked to where Ivy had indicated and saw the two Mrs Wilcoxes arrive along with Oppo. He rushed to meet them and was surprised to notice Molly Wilcox had brought the baby with her.
‘Hello, Benjamin. I know we’re a bit early but we thought we’d come down and see if you needed any help,’ Jane Wilcox said as her eyes flitted round the club. ‘It looks wonderful, you’ve done a fabulous job.’
‘Thank you. I think everything is in hand. The band is just setting up. Please, make yourselves comfortable and Ivy will fetch you drinks. Mrs Mipple isn’t with you?’
‘No, my mum decided to stay at home. She wasn’t in the mood for a party,’ Molly answered.
‘I can’t wait to see Georgina’s face when she walks in. I think this was a brilliant idea, Benjamin. Just what she needs.’
‘Thank you, though I can’t take all the credit, but I do hope you’re right.’
‘Don’t look so worried,’ Jane said. ‘Molly’s right. This is just what Georgina needs to drag her out of the doldrums and wait until she sees her big finale! If that doesn’t put a smile back on her face, then nothing will.’
‘Well, everything is all lined up and ready to go. If you’ll excuse me, there’s more guests arriving,’ Benjamin said and bowed before dashing off to greet Mr Maynard and his entourage.
‘Mr Harel, your invite was a pleasant surprise.’
‘Thank you for coming. I know Miss Garrett and yourself have a special relationship. It wouldn’t have been a surprise party without all of her friends attending.’
‘I noticed you have extra security on the door but I’ve left a couple of my men there too. Just in case. And they’re out of sight. Georgina won’t suspect a thing.’
‘Thank you. Please, take a table. Ivy will see to you.’
David Maynard was closely followed by Mary and her husband, Dulcie’s next-door neighbours. Benjamin thought the woman looked very out of place but had clearly made an effort to look nice though her long dress looked like something she’d bought during Victoria’s reign on the throne. She appeared to be quite intimidated by her surroundings so he immediately sent a bottle of bubbly to her table and hoped a few glasses would help her relax.
Jack arrived next but quickly declined the o
ffer of champagne.
‘No, thanks, Benjamin. I’d like to keep a clear head to see my girl enjoying her birthday. It was good of you to arrange this. I’ve never thrown a party for her. It’s not been a day I’ve felt like celebrating before, you know, on account of Georgina’s mum dying on this day. But that was a long time ago now. Did you know Georgina was born on the day war was declared?’
‘Yes, Mr Garrett, and given Miss Garrett’s character, I think it’s very apt.’
‘Yeah, you’re not wrong there,’ Jack replied with a small chuckle.
The club soon filled with an array of people who worked for and with Miss Garrett. As Benjamin looked around, he realised she had very few real friends yet everyone in the room held her in high regard. She’d destroyed many enemies on her journey to become the most revered woman in their part of London and had also gained the affection of those she’d helped. It wasn’t something that Georgina made a big deal of, but Benjamin knew she’d assisted lots of the downtrodden women of Battersea and their gratitude was clear to see, especially amongst the battered women who’d been helped by The Maids of Battersea.
Johnny Dymond came through the doors, his face flushed. ‘She’s pulling up outside,’ he told Benjamin who quickly took to the stage.
‘Please, can we have absolute silence. She’s here,’ he said and could feel the excitement buzzing through the room like an electric current.
The lights were dimmed and everyone remained quiet. They waited. Any moment now, Georgina Garrett would walk through the doors. A last-minute fear ran through Benjamin’s mind. He hoped being taken by surprise wouldn’t cause her to pull out her pistol and fire!
*
Georgina didn’t mind working on her birthday. After all, she didn’t feel she had much to celebrate. Her gran was dead and Lash was still away with his family. Hardly cause for jubilation.
Victor pulled up outside The Penthouse Club. Benjamin had requested for her to come down tonight as they’d had a very unpleasant character causing problems. Georgina was looking forward to dealing with the man and wouldn’t mind if she’d have to exert a bit of a heavy hand to get rid of him.