A Winter Baby for Gin Barrel Lane

by Lindsey Hutchinson

  Outside, the crowd of people ran for cover, slipping and sliding on the icy ground.

  ‘Are you all right, sir?’

  ‘Yes, thank you constable,’ Ezra replied, but he was shaking with fright.

  ‘You need to get this place locked up until a builder can have a look at it for you.’

  Ezra nodded and they left the unstable building. The constable then turned to the crowd who were gathering once more. ‘There’s nothing more to see here, folks, so go on about your business.’ Spreading his arms wide, the policeman herded the gawping people away from the scene.

  With another look at the building, Ezra then locked the gates and walked away. Would that be the last time he would do that? Would he ever get the brewery up and running again? As he trudged towards the bank, he saw nothing of nature’s white beauty. To him the snow was a curse that had ruined his business.

  At the bank on Temple Row West, Ezra was surprised to see it was open and he was pleased to be ushered into the manager’s office.

  Jonah Blessep pointed to a seat and said, ‘I’m sorry to hear about what happened to your brewery, Mr Moreton.’

  ‘Yes, well, that’s why I’m here. I’m in need of a loan to cover the expense of the repairs.’

  ‘I see. Will your insurance not cover that?’

  ‘No. Unfortunately it ran out last month and I never got around to renewing it.’

  ‘Oh dear, how very unlucky.’ Jonah pulled out a file from a cabinet which stood close to his desk. Retaking his seat, he flipped the file open and scanned the contents. ‘How much were you looking to borrow?’

  ‘I’ve no idea how much I’ll need, but there won’t be a problem paying it back. The money from my pubs will cover that.’

  Jonah’s fingers brushed over his white whiskers as he listened, his grey eyes watching the discomfort of the man in front of him. Looking again at the papers, Jonah shook his head slightly. He felt rather than saw Ezra squirm at having to come cap in hand for aid.

  ‘The problem is, Mr Moreton, your public houses are not really pulling in enough to cover your costs. Your main income, as I’m sure you are aware, came from the brewery. Now that is out of action, I’m not sure I am able to help.’

  ‘Once the roof is fixed, I’ll pay off the loan in no time!’ Ezra began to sweat as he saw the possibility of borrowing money slip away.

  ‘Mr Moreton, you must see this from my perspective. For the bank to enter into a loan facility with you at present would be a bad risk.’

  ‘I need the money! I can’t get the roof mended without it!’ Ezra snapped.

  ‘Calm down, Mr Moreton, yelling won’t help anyone. Now, let’s see what we can do for you,’ Blessep said. Picking up his pen he scribbled some figures on a note pad and rubbed his whiskers again. Jonah was enjoying making the town bully shuffle on his seat. He liked the idea of Moreton being beholden to him. Moreton had ruled the roost for many years and now he was down to his cake and milk. Jonah Blessep had every intention of making Moreton beg.

  ‘I’m not sure…’ Jonah began.

  ‘Please, Mr Blessep, you’re the only one I can turn to.’

  Jonah smiled benevolently and went back to his figures. Scratching out his previous numbers, he worked the maths again. Once more he shook his head.

  ‘You have to help me Mr Blessep! Please, I’m begging you!’

  There it was. Jonah’s sigh was one of pure pleasure, although Moreton would think it one of concentration.

  ‘This amount is the best I can do,’ Jonah said as he pushed the paper across the desk to Moreton.

  ‘I’ll take it!’ Ezra said.

  The loan papers were drawn up, signed by both and witnessed by a bank teller, then Moreton said, ‘Thank you. I’ll get the builders on to it as soon as possible.’

  ‘Your repayments will begin next week, Mr Moreton. Be advised that if you do not pay and fall into arrears then your businesses could become forfeit.’

  Ezra nodded. The two men shook hands and Moreton left, a satisfied man.

  Jonah Blessep wiped his hand on his handkerchief, which he dropped into the waste bin. He was also a satisfied man, for he knew Ezra Moreton was unlikely to find a builder who would work in this weather. Furthermore, he doubted there would be a man in the town who would come to Ezra’s aid, no matter how much he promised to pay.

  Glancing out of the window, he saw weak sunshine light up the tiny ice crystals in the snow. They looked like diamonds embedded in ermine.

  Jonah smiled and whistled a little tune as he thought, Ezra Moreton is on borrowed time at last!

  41

  Leaving the bank, Ezra went immediately to Hodges’ yard. Unable to work because of the snow, Eli and his sons were clearing a pathway to the road.

  ‘Now then, Mr Moreton, what can I be doing for you?’ Eli asked, knowing full well why Ezra was at his premises.

  ‘Good day to you, Eli. I need the brewery roof fixed. I’m sure you will have heard about it collapsing?’

  ‘Ah, yes, I did hear summat. A shame, that is.’

  Ezra nodded. ‘So I want to know when you can make a start.’

  Eli blew out his cheeks. ‘The problem is all this stuff,’ he said as he pointed at the snow with his shovel. ‘We can’t do bugger all until this has gone. It ain’t safe, see?’

  ‘Come on, man, this can’t wait. I have just arranged a mortgage with the bank so you will be paid by them if that’s your concern!’ Ezra could have bitten his tongue off at revealing his private business but his temper was getting the better of him.

  ‘It ain’t that, Mr Moreton. I can’t risk my boys up on what’s left of that roof. It’s more than likely the rest will come down yet.’

  ‘Nonsense. Then I’ll find someone else to do it!’

  ‘Good luck in the trying but I tell you now, there ain’t a man in the town would take that job on until after the thaw.’

  Ezra stamped away in a mood blacker than coal dust. He knew Eli was right, of course, but he’d hoped the man needed the money badly enough to accept the work.

  All Ezra could do now was wait for the thaw and hope the income from his pubs would cover his new mortgage. It galled him to have to pay out money to the bank whilst nothing was being done about repairs to his building, but if he was to get his business up and running again then it was the only way.

  Ezra returned home cursing heaven, hell, Jonah Blessep and Eli Hodges.

  While Moreton was fighting his way through the snow drifts, Jack had opened the Emporium and was surprised that there were any customers at all. The bar was nowhere near as crowded as usual, but custom was there.

  Bess and Gwen were busy cooking food to take to the Palace the following day for the wedding. The waitresses and cook’s assistant had been told not to risk coming to work in such awful weather, so Bess and Gwen were up to their armpits in pastry without any help.

  Jack kept the ladies, as well as Frank and Joey, supplied with tea. He was sad not to hear the piano playing but Randall would never have safely negotiated the icy roads on foot. The cabs were still out of action and even the dray carts were struggling to get through. One person who always managed, however, was Aggie, and today she had news to share.

  ‘I’ve got summat to tell you, Jack,’ she said.

  Jack grinned and poured her a gin.

  ‘Ezra Moreton’s had to get a mortgage to mend the brewery roof.’

  ‘How on Earth would you know that?’ Jack asked.

  ‘Don’t ask, but nobody will take the work on ’cos of the snow.’

  ‘He’s in trouble, then.’

  ‘Ar, an’ about time too!’ Aggie replied with a chuckle. Emptying her glass and guessing rightly that she would get no more handouts, Aggie left. She was on her way to the Palace and then the Crown Saloon where she would divulge the same information for more free gin.

  Tottering along, her thin frame covered in layers of clothing, Aggie returned the greetings of people out shovelling snow. She smiled at the
children rolling large balls to be made into snowmen, while others slid down sheets of ice on the road and fell over at the end. The shouts of delight as snowballs were thrown made her laugh as she went. What it is to be so young and full of fun, she thought.

  Coming at last to the Palace, she stepped indoors, having stamped the snow from her boots beforehand.

  ‘Hello, Aggie, I didn’t expect to see you today,’ Dolly said.

  ‘Ar, well, I’ve summat to share with you.’

  Here we go! Dolly thought as the gin was poured and passed across the counter.

  Aggie explained again about Ezra and cackled loudly at the finish.

  ‘I can’t help but feel sorry for Ezra,’ Dolly said.

  ‘Well, don’t, because he’s had this coming for many a year,’ Aggie snapped. ‘So, what’s all the hustle and bustle about? Jack’s place is the same.’

  ‘Jack and I are to be married tomorrow. I’m surprised you missed that snippet of information,’ Dolly said with a grin.

  ‘I didn’t miss it, I just can’t believe it’s come round so quickly.’

  ‘Neither can I, to be honest. The weeks have fled past,’ Dolly said wistfully.

  ‘So, this time tomorrow you’ll be Mrs Larkin.’

  ‘I suppose I will, I hadn’t thought of it like that.’

  ‘Well, I think we should have a toast to the happy couple,’ Aggie called out then said, ‘Oh dear, my glass appears to be empty!’

  Dolly refilled it yet again with a warm smile.

  A while later Aggie moved to the Crown, where she informed Nellie and Nancy of Moreton’s business.

  ‘Christ, Aggie! You must have eyes and ears everywhere!’ Nellie exclaimed.

  ‘Too bloody right!’ Aggie confirmed as she enjoyed yet another free gin.

  ‘You’re on to a good thing here, Aggie,’ Nellie said, nodding to the glass on the counter.

  ‘I know. Grand, innit?’ Aggie said and then cackled like a witch.

  The day wore on and by bedtime everyone was exhausted, both in the Crown and in the Palace.

  Dolly and Sadie sat up with tea when all was locked up for the night and everyone had gone to their beds or homes.

  ‘Tomorrow’s the day, then,’ Sadie said.

  ‘Yes. I’m so nervous,’ Dolly confessed.

  ‘No need to be, gel, all will be well.’

  ‘I hope so.’

  ‘Jack would never let anything spoil your day, lovey, not even the weather. He’s a good man.’

  ‘The best,’ Dolly acknowledged.

  The two women went to their beds shortly afterwards, unaware that outside the snow had begun to fall silently from the heavens once more.

  42

  The morning dawned and Dolly was in a panic. ‘It’s snowing again! How will anyone get here now?’

  ‘They will come, Dolly, don’t you fret. Now eat your breakfast, we don’t want you passing out from hunger,’ Sadie said sternly.

  A banging on the front door prompted Alice to run to answer it. A moment later, she led the vicar through to the kitchen where he was given tea and a chair by the range.

  A notice had been put up on the door saying the Palace was closed for the day, and Nellie had done the same at the Crown. Dolly hoped Jack had remembered to do his also.

  After tea and hot food, which the vicar accepted gratefully, he went about his business of blessing the building.

  Dolly left him to it and helped carry plates of food to be placed on the long counter in the bar. People would help themselves once the ceremony was over. Plates, napkins and cutlery were set at one end and slowly folks began to arrive. Bess and Gwen came bearing gifts of pies and cakes, sandwiches and other tasty treats. Frank had managed to discover where Randall lived, with help from Aggie, and had brought him along. Joey was helping with a large box which he’d carried all the way carefully. He’d been told if he dropped it, it would cost him his life, for inside was a wedding cake made and decorated by Bess.

  Sadie ushered Dolly upstairs to her room to get changed into her wedding dress just as Nellie and Nancy arrived, also carrying food. Fred, in a nice suit, was helping too. One by one the guests arrived and even Wyman had managed to get there. Wilton Burton and family unfortunately did not come. It was thought the journey with a new baby would have been out of the question for them, and so no one was surprised.

  Jack was among the last to get there and was made welcome by all.

  ‘Do you have the ring?’ the vicar asked and Jack gaped.

  ‘Bloody hell, I forgot! I didn’t get one!’ He began to panic until Nellie came to his rescue.

  ‘I suspected you would, so I went instead. Here,’ she said as she passed a small box to Jack.

  Opening the box, Jack drew in a breath. A gold wedding band sat on a tiny cushion of silk. Giving it to Wyman, Jack threw his arms around his mother.

  ‘Thanks, Mum.’

  Jack folded her in his arms even tighter and whispered, ‘I love you, Mum.’

  ‘I love you too, son,’ Nellie whispered back.

  A moment later, Sadie came to the bar looking for Nellie and Nancy. ‘Come on, Dolly’s upstairs.’

  The two followed Sadie to Dolly’s room and they both gasped when they saw the girl who had been transformed into a woman.

  ‘Oh, Dolly!’ Nellie said as her tears fell.

  Nancy was blubbering too and was quite unable to say a word.

  ‘Do you like it?’ Dolly asked as she did a twirl so they could see her from all angles.

  ‘It’s beautiful!’ Nellie sobbed.

  ‘Sadie made it,’ Dolly divulged, ‘I just told her what I wanted and she did it! I didn’t want anything too fancy; I don’t like all those frills.’

  ‘Bloody hell! You’re handy with a needle,’ Nellie said. ‘Dolly, you look gorgeous, sweetheart.’

  Sadie beamed at the praise and cast her eye over the cream silk gown once more.

  Dolly’s dark hair was piled up in curls and little cream silk roses were pinned here and there. The dress had a fitted bodice which flared gradually to Dolly’s feet. It had long sleeves and a high neck. Simple but classy.

  Nellie, Nancy and Sadie went downstairs and sent Fred up.

  ‘Dolly!’ Fred said on a dry sob. ‘You look beautiful!’ He noticed she was wearing the little necklace he had bought her for her fourteenth birthday and a tear escaped his eye.

  ‘You ready?’ he sniffed.

  Dolly nodded. With Alice’s prayer book in one hand, Dolly followed Fred down the stairs then, taking his arm, they walked slowly through to the bar where everyone was waiting.

  Delighted so many of their friends had made it to her special day, Dolly returned the smiles directed at her as she was led to stand next to Jack. Dolly saw the grin which split his face and she gave a little nervous titter.

  The vicar cleared his throat and the service began. Nellie, Nancy and all the other women cried tears of joy. Wyman stood next to Jack and produced the ring as requested by the vicar.

  Applause broke out when Jack and Dolly shared a kiss, denoting the service was complete. Jack picked Dolly up and swung her round, then placed her back on her feet gently. Fred passed Dolly her cane which he’d been carrying, and then the couple were congratulated by one and all.

  Fred and a couple of others disappeared and came back with a barrel of beer, which had been swapped for a cask of gin on Nellie’s instruction.

  Then the merriment began.

  ‘I had hoped to play for you both,’ Wyman said.

  ‘So had I,’ Randall added and they laughed.

  ‘Well, I hope you don’t mind but I brought this with me,’ Jack said as he went behind the bar and held up an instrument.

  ‘My trumpet! Excellent!’ Wyman blew a few notes then launched into a haunting melody which brought everyone to tears yet again. Then he went straight into an uplifting bouncy tune which had everyone singing along. Randall played the spoons to accompany him, much to Wyman’s delight.

 
The vicar said he would forego the ale but accepted a gin, and another until he was dancing with his robes held up over his knees.

  Jack grinned. ‘Somebody is going to have to get him home,’ he said to Dolly.

  ‘Not you, I hope,’ she replied, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

  ‘Oh no, not me!’ Jack said as he kissed the tip of her nose. ‘I love you, Dolly Larkin.’

  It was the first time she’d heard her new name and she felt a warm glow wash over her at the thought that they were finally husband and wife.

  ‘And I love you too, Jack Larkin,’ she said, and she meant it, with all her heart.

  By late afternoon, the guests drifted away, wanting to be home before darkness fell. Dolly and Jack, Nellie and Nancy, Fred, Sadie and Alice sat in the warm kitchen enjoying hot tea and chatting about how special the day had been.

  ‘Frank and Joey took the vicar home,’ Jack said. ‘He was too pis… drunk to stand.’

  Laughter filled the kitchen and Dolly asked, ‘What about Randall?’

  ‘Wyman saw him back, I believe they were going to play Randall’s pianos for a couple of hours,’ Fred put in.

  ‘How many does he have?’ Nancy asked.

  ‘I dunno, but they were excited about it,’ Fred answered.

  Eventually Fred escorted Nellie and Nancy back to the Crown, and Sadie and Alice retired, leaving the newlyweds alone in the kitchen.

  Both felt as nervous as each other, and they seemed to be putting off going to bed until Jack said, ‘Come on.’ Taking Dolly’s hand, he led her to the stairs. ‘You go on up, I’ll see to the lights.’

  Dolly smiled and Jack’s heart almost burst with happiness.

  43

  It was the end of the week before the thaw finally began, resulting in dirty brown slush everywhere. Shops and market stalls opened again and some sort of normality returned to Birmingham at last.

  Ezra Moreton had spent his time chewing his nails down to the quick in utter frustration at not being able to get his brewery roof repaired.