A Winter Baby for Gin Barrel Lane

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  ‘I’d already heard,’ Dolly replied as she pushed the glass back and served another customer, a woman with a sleeping child tied to her chest with a massive woollen shawl.

  Aggie frowned, deepening the lines on her face. She was the font of all knowledge in the area and she swapped snippets of information for a free drink. She’d been doing it for years both here and at the Crown, and on occasions had proved herself extremely useful.

  ‘Ah, but did you know Jack Larkin has got himself a sweetheart?’ Aggie’s eyes narrowed as she studied the shock registering on Dolly’s face.

  ‘I don’t believe that for a minute, you old bugger!’ Dolly retorted. ‘Here, have a drink on the house for thinking up a lie in double-quick time!’

  ‘What makes you think it’s a lie?’

  ‘Because Nellie works that lad half to death! When would he have time to find and court a girl?’

  Aggie gave a curt nod and smiled a toothless grin. Dolly passed over the filled glass and carried on with her work. In the back of her mind the lie lingered, pushing its way forward every now and then, giving Dolly an uncomfortable feeling which she couldn’t explain or shake off.

  Jack was perfectly entitled to find himself a lady friend. So why did the thought bother her so much? She had known the day would come when he would fall in love and wish to marry, but somehow Aggie’s words felt like a slap in the face. If Jack was courting – would he tell her? They were close, after all, but something like stepping out with a girl was a private thing, so maybe he would keep it to himself. Was that what irked her, the fact that she finally realised Jack had a life of his own? That they weren’t kids any more and didn’t tell each other everything as they once did?

  Endeavouring to shake off the discomfort, Dolly continued to serve one person after another.

  It was around six o’clock when an older woman pushed her way through the crowd.

  ‘I need to speak with Dolly Perkins,’ she called out.

  ‘That’s me.’

  ‘The Servants’ Registry sent me.’

  ‘Come on through,’ Dolly shouted, lifting the end of the counter and pushing the little gate open.

  The woman followed Dolly into the kitchen and sat down at the table. She glanced around at the shiny pots and pans hanging on hooks on the walls, then her eyes moved to Dolly, who was preparing a pot of tea.

  ‘I’ve come about the job.’

  ‘Which one?’

  ‘Cook, why, is there another?’

  ‘I’m looking for a maid, too.’

  ‘Oh, well I ain’t doing that.’

  Dolly grinned, her back to the woman. ‘So, tell me your name and a bit about yourself while we have tea.’

  Sitting down opposite the woman, Dolly poured the tea and watched her visitor. Her clothes were old but clean, her dark hair showed signs of grey but her brown eyes gleamed with vitality.

  ‘I’m Sadie Kemp and I’m renting a doss-hole of a room over in Freeman Street.’

  ‘Isn’t that near to the hide and skin market?’

  ‘Ar, and it bloody stinks, let me tell you! Can’t have the winders open ’cos of it. The same winders that rattle in their frames every time the steam train thunders past!’

  ‘I expect you know this is a live-in post?’

  ‘I do, and I thank the Almighty for that small blessing. Just so as you know, I speak as I find.’

  ‘I gathered, but I like that,’ Dolly answered and as she spoke she wondered whether, if she hired Sadie, they would have the same relationship as Nellie and Nancy. Would they become firm friends who constantly bickered? That wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

  ‘Tell me what you like to cook. And what experience do you have?’

  ‘I worked for Lady Fortington-Smythe at one time but I left.’

  ‘Oh, why is that?’

  ‘The wealthy are just that because they won’t pay much in the way of wages. When I asked for a rise, the mistress said the only rise I was getting was to my feet to carry me out and on my way. I told her to stick her job up her arse!’

  Dolly stifled a grin, already beginning to like this woman.

  ‘As for cooking, I like faggots – I make my own. Kidney pudding, grey pays and grorty pudding – lots of beef and groats in that, good and nourishing. Bread and butter pudding with plenty of currants, suet roly-poly…’

  ‘That all sounds delicious,’ Dolly cut in, afraid Sadie would go on and on. ‘The pay for a cook is around seventeen pounds a year, I believe, but I’m paying twenty. How does that sound?’

  ‘Bloody marvellous!’

  ‘Fine, in that case – when can you start?’

  ‘How does now sound to you?’

  ‘Won’t you need to collect your things?’

  ‘I have them here.’ Sadie nodded to an old shopping bag Dolly had not noticed before.

  ‘Well, that is organised! Fine then, come with me and I’ll show you your room. Welcome on board, Sadie.’

  Dolly led her new cook up the back stairs and was pleased to see Sadie’s face light up.

  ‘Oh, this is lovely,’ Sadie said as she dropped her bag on the bed and walked to the window. ‘Look at all those rooftops, makes you feel like you’re on the top of the world!’

  ‘I’ll leave you to settle in.’

  Taking off her coat, Sadie hung it in the wardrobe. ‘I’m in, and ready to start work.’

  Dolly smiled. ‘Come on, then, and get acquainted firstly with your kitchen and then with the other staff.’

  Downstairs, Sadie rooted around in the pantry and cupboards whilst Dolly went to the bar. Introductions would have to wait, the place was packed with folk screaming for their tots of gin.

  It was not long before a young woman appeared, saying she was a maid sent by the Registry. Dolly again ushered her to the kitchen for an interview and noticed with pleasure that Sadie was already working hard on an evening meal.

  ‘My name is Alice Cliff,’ the girl said quietly.

  Questions were asked and answered, tea was served and Alice showed herself to be clumsy, having upset the milk jug. Trying to clean up the mess with a handkerchief hastily snatched from her pocket, she pushed back her blonde hair with sticky fingers.

  Sadie scowled as she took over and refreshed the jug.

  Alice was flustered and muttered, ‘I’m so sorry.’

  ‘Don’t worry about that, accidents happen.’

  As Alice’s story was slowly revealed, their impatience was soon forgotten as both Dolly and Sadie began to feel terribly sorry in their hearts for the girl who sat at the table.

  5

  ‘My mum had problems giving birth to me and after that she couldn’t have any more children. She died last year – summat to do with her kidneys, the doctor said.’

  Sadie had sat down to listen to the girl’s tale and poured herself some tea.

  ‘Anyway, it was just me and Dad then, but he wasn’t the same after Mum went and he took to the drink. He got the sack from the pit and we got turned out of our home by the pit boss.’

  ‘Where have you been living?’ Sadie asked gently.

  ‘And where’s your dad now?’ Dolly added with a worried glance at the cook.

  ‘We went to the heath, to the tarpaulin families, and camped out there.’

  Sadie drew in a breath. ‘You poor lass. And I thought I’d had it bad!’

  ‘Dad got drunk one night, though heaven knows how ’cos he had no money, and he threw himself in front of the steam train.’

  ‘Dear God!’ Sadie exclaimed.

  ‘I’m sorry. I heard about that accident, so it was your father?’

  The girl nodded. ‘I know some maids earn about six pounds a year but I’ll do it for five if you’ll have me,’ Alice begged.

  ‘Of course we’ll have you,’ Dolly said, then seeing Alice’s face light up went on, ‘but not for five pounds. I’ll pay you ten pounds a year so make sure you do a good job.’

  ‘Oh, thanks Miss…?’

  ‘Doll
y. Sadie, could you show Alice upstairs please? Her room will be next to yours.’ Seeing the cook nod, she spoke again to Alice. ‘Unless there’s anything you need to do first?’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘Maybe gather your belongings and bring them here.’

  ‘I don’t have anything but what I stand up in.’

  ‘No spare clothes?’

  Alice shook her head. ‘No, nothing. Thanks, Dolly, I won’t let you down.’

  Watching them go, Dolly shook her own head at the girl’s misfortune. Hopefully in time Alice would look upon them all as her second family. In the meantime, Dolly would sort out some of her own clothes and hope Alice didn’t think it was charity.

  A shout from the bar had Dolly on her feet with a sigh. Clearly the next busy wave had begun, with the employed leaving work to grace her premises with their presence.

  Day became night, which was just as busy in the bar, and it was gone midnight before Dolly saw her bed.

  The following morning saw twelve men arrive on the doorstep of the Palace exactly on time. Dolly led them into the bar and explained what she needed. Each one gratefully accepted the task allotted to them and those who were on the daytime rota were happy to begin work immediately.

  Sadie and Alice had been up for quite a while to cook breakfast for everyone and as the kitchen was too small to accommodate them all, they ate in the bar.

  Once their hunger was sated, Dolly said, ‘Respect is the watch word in this place.’ She nodded her thanks as pots of tea were brought out. ‘We all respect each other as well as look out for our ladies here. I have extra bar staff to help out so everyone will be able to take regular breaks for a rest and to eat.’ Dolly indicated the female staff with a wave of her hand. ‘You work hard for me and I’ll ensure you are rewarded.’

  ‘We heard what you did for Danny Whitehouse and you have our thanks for that too,’ one man said.

  Dolly inclined her head in acknowledgement.

  ‘We need to draw in custom as it’s my intention to endeavour to open another gin palace should the right property become available.’

  ‘Won’t we lose trade here if you do that?’ Janice asked.

  ‘Not if the new place is across the other side of the town,’ Dolly replied. ‘So, if any of you hear of a pub for sale, let me know and I may be able to negotiate a good price.’

  A quiet buzz of voices echoed in the room before a man spoke up. ‘I heard the pub on Horse Fair – by the Drill Hall – is looking to sell.’

  ‘Ar, but I believe Ezra Moreton could be interested in it an’ all,’ called another.

  ‘Well then, that might be worth a look,’ Dolly said. ‘Right, lads, to work please.’

  Dolly retired to the kitchen to think on what had been said and her mind took her back to her dealings with Mr Moreton many years ago now.

  Nellie Larkin had been indebted to Moreton for a loan she’d had to refurbish the Crown Saloon. Dolly had sold the expensive necklace left to her by her mother and had given Nellie enough money to pay off that loan. Moreton, furious at losing the interest on the repayments and also because it meant Nellie was no longer tied to only selling his gin, had tried to prevent Nellie from receiving alcohol from elsewhere by threatening all the suppliers in the town. But Moreton had underestimated the women, and Nellie had thwarted him again by finding a distiller further afield who continued to deliver both to Nellie and Dolly. Although he had left them in peace ever since, Dolly knew the man would not have forgotten their dealings.

  Now it was looking very much like Dolly and Moreton might cross paths again.

  Dolly gave an involuntary shiver as she recalled Moreton’s reputation as a gangster, his bully-boy tactics usually getting him what he wanted. Not wanting to go up against this man, Dolly was hoping she could find a way around it, and she prayed that a stand-off with Moreton was avoidable.

  Her thoughts were intruded upon by a resounding crash as Alice dropped a plate.

  ‘Bloody hell, Alice! You are a clumsy girl!’ Sadie yelled. ‘Clean it up, will you!’

  ‘It’s all right, it’s only a plate,’ Dolly said to her distraught maid.

  ‘This time, yes, but next time it could be a pile of ’em!’ Sadie retorted.

  ‘I’ll be careful, Dolly, please don’t sack me!’ Poor Alice burst into tears and Dolly placed an arm around her shoulder.

  ‘I’m not likely to do that, Alice, just try to be a little more careful will you, lass. Now fetch the broom, please, and sweep this up.’

  Sadie shook her head as Alice disappeared into the scullery. ‘You shouldn’t mollycoddle her, she’ll think she can get away with anything.’

  ‘I’ve more pressing matters on my mind than a smashed plate, Sadie. Besides, if Alice doesn’t wash the dishes then it will fall to you to do it.’

  Dolly smiled as Sadie blustered about the kitchen muttering under her breath. The pecking order always needed to be established, especially with new staff, and Sadie was letting everyone know she was queen of the kitchen – beneath Dolly, of course.

  ‘Gentleman to see you, Dolly,’ Janice called from the bar.

  Dolly limped through to be faced with a handsome young man. A mop of black hair topped a sun-tanned face and his dark eyes held a mischievous twinkle.

  ‘Good morning, I’m Wilton Burton, my father is your gin supplier.’

  ‘Good morning, I’m Dolly. What can I do for you?’ she asked as they shook hands.

  ‘Father asked me to call and see how you were doing and if you are satisfied with our service.’

  ‘Come along into the kitchen and have a sup of tea, and we can discuss it.’

  ‘Could we have some tea please, Alice?’ Dolly asked once they were in the kitchen. She indicated Wilton should take a seat.

  ‘It looks like you’re busy, there’s staff everywhere!’

  ‘Yes, I’ve just taken on some extra floor-walkers and barmen.’

  Pulling out a wad of papers from his briefcase, Wilton selected one and pushed it across the table.

  ‘We heard you were expanding and wondered if you might be interested in our new range.’

  Dolly glanced at the paper with its list of names and prices. So this was why this good-looking man was really here.

  ‘It’s distilled twice so it’s a little smoother on the tongue,’ Wilton said with a nod of thanks to Alice for the tea.

  ‘And there are nice names to go with the higher prices,’ Dolly said with a knowing smile.

  ‘Cream of the Palace was named after this place,’ Wilton said over the rim of his cup.

  ‘I’m very flattered but I’m not sure I can warrant paying this asking price. It would mean putting up my prices and then many of my customers would go elsewhere.’

  ‘May I send you a cask free of charge to try out? It may be that some of your customers are willing to pay a little more for a smoother gut-rot.’

  Dolly burst out laughing. ‘You do have a way with words.’

  ‘And you have a lovely laugh.’

  Dolly blushed scarlet and glanced at Sadie and Alice, who had been intent on listening to the conversation, so quickly returned to their own business.

  ‘Partiality is also new to our range,’ Wilton went on, ‘another gin which could possibly send you blind – but it takes a little longer.’

  Dolly laughed again. She had instantly taken to this young man but guessed he used this charm on all of his clients.

  ‘You could always Strip me Naked,’ he said with a grin.

  Alice’s sharp intake of breath had them both look at her before he went on, ‘It’s our latest gin.’ He watched the maid breathe a sigh of relief.

  ‘All right, enough, Mr Burton,’ Dolly said with a grin of her own.

  ‘Wilton, please.’

  Dolly nodded. ‘Send me a free cask and we’ll try it, but I’m not promising anything further.’

  ‘Fair enough. Which one would you like?’

  ‘Which is the best?’

&n
bsp; Wilton shook his head then said, ‘It doesn’t really matter because they’re all the same anyway!’

  Dolly laughed loudly. ‘Have you been to the Crown Saloon yet?’

  ‘Yes, I saw Nellie. I’m to deliver her free cask tomorrow.’

  ‘I’ll see you again, then,’ Dolly said as the noise from the bar reached her ears.

  Wilton stood, replacing the papers in his briefcase, and shook Dolly’s hand once more.

  ‘Good grief!’ he exclaimed as she led him through to the bar. ‘So many people and so early! Where did they all come from?’

  ‘Far and wide. We open at nine and by half past you can’t move for bodies,’ Dolly explained, ‘and it’s like this until we close at midnight!’

  Wilton’s mouth hung open as he faced her.

  With two fingers under his chin, Dolly gently lifted his lower jaw. ‘Close your mouth else you’ll catch a fly.’

  It was Wilton’s turn to burst out laughing. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, pre-supposing I can get out alive!’

  Dolly led him through the crowd who cheered to see her in their midst.

  ‘They love you,’ Wilton called over the noise.

  ‘It’s because I sell them their blinding gut-rot,’ she yelled back. This time they both collapsed in a fit of the giggles.

  Having waved as he departed in a cab, Dolly returned to the kitchen where she sat thinking about the very pleasant Wilton Burton. I bet he’s fun to spend time with. Immediately, though, Dolly lambasted herself for fantasising about making a gentleman friend, knowing he would never be interested in her – her gammy leg would see to that.

  However, as the day wore on she found herself smiling as she recalled his little jokes.

  Wilton Burton had made quite an impression on Dolly and he stayed on her mind well into the night. She began to look forward to the following day when she would see him again.

  6

  Up early, work cleaning the bar was in full swing when Wilton Burton arrived – coincidently at the same time Jack did.

  Dolly welcomed both with hot tea in the kitchen whilst the Bickley brothers installed the free cask in the cellar.