Dolly helped Jack with his coat before the lad set off.
‘And you just watch out for the traffic!’ Nellie yelled as Jack disappeared through the front door of The Crown.
The Hodges were a family of builders and decorators, and had transformed an old pub into the glittering gin palace that Nellie was so proud of. It transpired that the family were indeed glad of the work, for winter was their slowest time.
Later that day, Eli Hodges sat in the kitchen and pawed over Dolly’s notes. ‘This don’t look too bad. O’ course I’ll have a better idea when I see it.’
‘Well, young Dolly here will be running the place so it’s up to her as to décor and the like,’ Nellie said.
Eli’s silver eyebrows shot up in surprise. ‘You’m a bit young, ain’t yer?’
‘I know, Mr Hodges, but I know exactly what should be done and Nellie is giving me a free hand,’ Dolly answered confidently.
‘Fair enough. Right, let me at it!’ Eli said, jumping to his feet.
Dolly took the older man to assess what she had planned so he could give them a price for the work to be undertaken.
An hour later he was back in Nellie’s kitchen. ‘It’s an easy job, ladies.’ Eli was careful to include Dolly in the negotiations. ‘If my quote is acceptable to you both, me and my lads can start tomorrer.’ He pushed a slip of paper to Nellie, who puffed out her cheeks before passing it to Dolly.
‘That seems fair, Mr Hodges; and remember, once the bar is up and running, we will need the upstairs doing too.’ Dolly gave the man a warm smile then turned to Nellie. ‘Do you agree, Nellie?’
‘Yes, gel, I do. After all, the bank will be paying, so I say – the sooner the better!’
‘In the first instance, yes, but we will have to work hard to repay the mortgage,’ Dolly countered wisely.
Eli Hodges went away a happy man having secured jobs for his family, and work in The Crown Saloon went on as usual.
39
Later that day, Ezra and his two thugs arrived on Arthur’s doorstep and were invited into the kitchen. Ezra couldn’t resist taking a quick look around the room, knowing it would belong to him before long. The floor was filthy and sticky beneath his boots. There was the distinct odour of rotting food and unwashed clothes at which he wrinkled his nose. Dirty dishes were piled in the sink and the window held months of grime.
Turning to the man he’d come to visit, Ezra said with a sickly smile, ‘I’ve come for my money, Arthur.’
‘Ah well, this necklace you sent, besides being worthless – was not a part of the deal we struck.’ Arthur felt very confident as he spoke.
Ezra pulled out the contract and handed it to one of his men.
‘I don’t read so good, Mr Morton,’ the man mumbled and passed it to his colleague.
The other read it, saying, ‘It says you agree to pay Mr Morton a fee for the jewellery inherited by Dolly Perkins.’ Then he returned it to his employer.
‘That’s not right!’ Arthur said, snatching the contract from Ezra’s fingers. His eyes rolled over the words and he gasped. ‘This is not what we agreed!’
‘That is your signature, is it not?’ Ezra asked.
‘Yes, but…’
Ezra held out his hands in supplication.
‘Ezra, for God’s sake!’ Arthur begged.
‘Are you calling me a liar perchance, Arthur?’
‘No, but… I don’t have any money, Ez—’
‘Mr Morton, to you!’ Ezra snapped viciously. ‘If you can’t pay, then your house is forfeit, Arthur.’
‘Mr Micklewhite, to you!’ Arthur suddenly stumbled back into the table as a meaty fist shot out and landed on his jaw. The man who had thrown the punch growled, ‘Show some respect! Mr Morton has tried to help you out and this is how you repay him?’
Ezra waved a hand and his subordinate immediately stepped back. ‘The contract stands, Arthur!’ Ezra’s voice was like a rasp on metal. ‘Now, never let it be said that I’m not a fair man,’ Ezra said, ignoring the snort of derision from Arthur, ‘I will give you one week to come up with my money. If, by that time we are still in the same predicament as we are today, then this hovel will pass into my hands.’
Glancing at the bodyguards who frowned menacingly, Arthur nodded and inwardly sighed with relief that he was not to be pounded into the ground.
‘One week,’ Ezra repeated, before he turned and left, his entourage close behind him.
Dropping into a chair, Arthur stared at the wall. It seemed that in the blink of an eye he had lost everything. Ezra Morton had fiddled him out of his house; Dolly had duped him out of becoming rich, and Elizabeth Murray had ruined any chance he had with her mother or Ann Bradshaw.
Dragging his hands down his face Arthur groaned. Now what? Where would he go? How would he live? Yet again, he would be forced to steal simply to exist. Thievery was second nature to him but the thing that irked the most was that he was still so poor. He had thought to be living the high life by this time, but instead he found himself destitute.
After a while, Arthur got to his feet. Slowly he walked upstairs and once in his bedroom he glanced around. Other than his clothes, he had nothing. He packed a small bag and wearily trudged back downstairs.
Knowing he was beaten, he took one last look around him, before leaving his house, never to return.
Back in his office, Ezra was mightily pleased with his acquisition, a nice little property in Rea Terrace. Once it had been given a good clean, he could rent it out thereby swelling his coffers further.
Yelling, ‘Come!’ in response to a knock on his office door, Ezra then asked, ‘Yes, what is it?’
His bodyguard tugged a forelock and said, ‘Work going on at The Castle over in Aston Street, Mr Morton.’
‘That old pub opposite Larkins?’
‘Yes, boss.’
‘Hmm. Find out who’s doing it and on whose orders.’ Ezra nodded and the man left quietly.
Standing by the window, Ezra watched the rain pattering down which was quickly melting away the last remnants of snow. He was intrigued about The Castle and the renovations he assumed were taking place. His spies had kept him abreast of the fact that the landlord was in no financial position to undertake any improvements, so he wondered what was afoot. No matter, he had sent out runners and would find out soon enough. Then his mind wandered back to Arthur; would he have any way of finding the money owed? Ezra doubted it.
Returning to his seat, he smiled. It had been so easy to acquire that house in Rea Terrace; the ruse had worked perfectly.
He was rubbing his hands together when a hand rapped the door and a head appeared. ‘The work on The Castle is on Nellie Larkin’s say-so, Mr Morton.’ Then the head disappeared and the door closed with a quiet click.
Bloody hell that was quick, he thought. The ragamuffin crew of runners dispatched earlier had earned their coin and no mistake.
Ezra frowned and blew his cheeks out.
Larkin! What was going on? How was she involved? Unless –she had bought the place. If so, where had the money come from? Ezra was furious that his lackeys had been remiss regarding informing him about Larkin’s nose being in another’s business – namely that of the landlord of The Castle.
If Nellie had bought it, who was going to run it? Would it stay a public house or would she turn it into another gin palace? The more he thought on the matter, the more he was convinced Nellie couldn’t possibly have purchased the pub. There was no way on God’s green earth she could afford to.
Ezra needed to know and there was only one way to find out the full facts. Time to visit Nellie Larkin again and see for himself precisely what she was up to.
The two bully boys Ezra had left in Rea Terrace to keep watch on Arthur were grumbling about the cold when they saw him leave the house, bag in hand.
‘Where’s he off to now?’ one asked.
His friend shook his head as they followed where Arthur led.
Finally coming to the railway station, t
hey watched as light fingered Arthur helped himself to a passenger’s ticket which he expertly lifted from the pocket of a greatcoat.
Exchanging a glance of disbelief, the two quickly pounced before Arthur could make his getaway. The ticket was snatched from his fingers and returned to its rightful owner with an apology. Then Arthur was hauled away, begging for understanding and mercy with each step taken.
People stopped to stare at the unfortunate man being manhandled by two well-dressed men they knew to be in Morton’s employ. They pitied the fellow, who was close to tears, as he was frogmarched down the street.
The men ignored his pleas and all but dragged him along the road towards the brewery.
‘Please, you have to understand – I can’t pay Ezra!’ Arthur whined.
‘You should have thought of that before you made a deal with him,’ the bigger of the two replied.
‘What’s going to happen to me?’ Arthur asked in a whinging tone.
‘Ain’t got a clue, mate, but you’d best believe – it won’t be anything nice.’
Arthur’s stomach rolled with fear and despite the cold wind he began to sweat. ‘Come on, fellas, can’t you just turn a blind eye?’
‘Not a chance. If Ezra found out, we’d be turning a blind eye each for real!’
Arthur shuddered at the thought. Trying to flee had not been one of his better ideas and if he’d taken more care, he might have noticed Ezra’s men following him. As it was, he now found himself being presented to Ezra like a sacrificial lamb.
The three arrived just as Ezra was about to go to visit Nellie Larkin.
‘Caught him thieving a ticket at the railway station, Mr Morton,’ the shorter man said. He pushed a trembling Arthur towards Ezra’s desk.
‘Going somewhere, were we, Arthur?’ Ezra asked sarcastically.
Arthur merely glanced at the two who had delivered him into the hands of Morton.
‘May I enquire as to where you were headed?’ Ezra’s voice was menacingly calm. When no answer was forthcoming he asked, ‘All right, can I ask again why you were leaving this delightful town?’
Ezra drew in a breath and swallowed before exhaling noisily.
Arthur glanced again at his captors, his eyes desperately pleading for help. They ignored him, their eyes on their employer.
Ezra began to drum his fingers on the desk as he waited.
‘I was…’ Arthur’s mind was so full of fear that he could not find an explanation.
‘Let me help you, Arthur. You see, I think, knowing you could not pay what’s owed, you chose to abscond. Am I right so far?’ Ezra’s fingers stilled mid-air.
Arthur nodded then shook his head. Beads of sweat rolled down his face which had taken on a sickly grey colour.
Ezra’s head imitated Arthur’s gesture then he sighed loudly. ‘What did you hope to achieve by running away, Arthur? That you wouldn’t have to pay up? That I would write your debt off? Don’t you realise there is nowhere you can hide from me?’ Ezra stared at the man who was physically shaking. Pointing to a chair, he indicated that Arthur should sit before his legs gave way beneath him.
The two men stood on either side of Arthur and each placed a hand on his shoulder.
Arthur’s head hung low on his chest and his heart hammered loudly.
‘I don’t understand, Arthur, I gave you a week in which to try and raise the money or you could have just given me your house.’ Ezra’s voice remained calm and even.
‘I can’t – I don’t have the means,’ Arthur croaked.
‘I see. Then why not just hand over the keys to your property?’ Ezra asked.
‘Where would I live if I did that?’ Arthur asked in a rush.
Ezra frowned. ‘I’m confused, Arthur. You see, these two fine gentlemen caught you trying to board a train, which tells me you wouldn’t be living in Rea Terrace any more anyway.’
‘Why should I give you my house?’ Arthur asked, suddenly finding courage through anger where before there was none.
‘We had an agreement, don’t you remember?’
‘Yes, I recall, but not the document you hold now. We both know the truth of our original contract, which I suspect has been disposed of.’ Arthur’s confidence grew, fuelled by a fury building up inside him. He had nothing else to lose now so he would say his piece before the devil came for him.
‘Mr Morton, I came to you to help me steal a necklace worth thousands of pounds, for which you were to be handsomely rewarded. You have reneged on your promise to deliver Dolly Perkins to me. You have lied and cheated regarding the written document we both signed. You gave me a glass stone in place of a diamond, which was another cheap trick.’ Arthur’s eyes held the frustration built up over many years and he watched Ezra’s expression change from arrogance to pure hatred.
‘I admit I was scared,’ Arthur went on, ‘but I’m not any longer. Oh, I’ve heard the rumours about your cruelty but I’m also aware of a certain lady who has bested you on more than one occasion. It’s common knowledge around the markets.’
Arthur saw Ezra’s nostrils flare as he tried to keep his temper in check and he plunged on, ‘I wonder if it might be more prudent for you to watch your own back rather than go around scaring poor folk. You never know, one day you may well find yourself one of those needy people you are said to terrorise.’
Arthur could see his point hit home and although what he’d said so far was true, his next words were speculation only. Nevertheless, he said them anyway.
‘From what I hear, that lady I spoke of is out to ruin you.’ Arthur raised his eyebrows and drew his lips into a thin line.
‘Enough!’ Ezra slammed a fist on the desk. ‘I’ll hear no more!’
‘Touched a nerve, have we?’ Arthur said with a little laugh before he felt the hands on his shoulders tighten in warning.
‘Nellie Larkin will never ruin me!’ Ezra boomed.
‘I never mentioned the lady’s name, but she’s evidently a thorn in your side,’ Arthur gloated.
‘Get him out of here! You know where to put him until I decide what’s to be done with him!’ Ezra barked.
Arthur was yanked to his feet and dragged towards the door. ‘I think your days of running this town are numbered, Ezra!’ he called loudly over his shoulder.
Ezra could still hear Arthur’s mocking laughter long after he’d been removed from the building.
Leaning back in his chair he considered the facts before him. Arthur seemed to know a lot about Ezra and he was a blabbermouth. Now, maybe it was gossip picked up from the townsfolk, but he had no intention of allowing Micklewhite to add to it by letting him go free. Although their contract stipulated the house would go to Ezra if Arthur didn’t pay his debt, he thought things would be much easier if Arthur wasn’t around when he came to collect. Maybe an accident could befall the unfortunate man.
40
Whilst Arthur was languishing in a cold dark cellar close to the brewery, work on The Castle was well underway.
Meanwhile Nancy, over at The Crown Saloon, was busy preparing for her wedding to Fred. Nellie had promised to close up for the day in order for everyone to attend and enjoy the celebrations.
In the bar, Nellie nodded as old Aggie sidled up to the counter.
‘You heard the latest?’ Aggie asked with a toothless grin.
‘No, but I’m sure you’ll enlighten me,’ Nellie answered as she passed over a free gin in exchange for the information.
‘Ta, Nell. That bloke – what’s-his-name – young Dolly’s step-father,’ Aggie rubbed her forehead trying to recall the name.
‘Arthur Micklewhite,’ Nellie supplied the answer.
‘Ar, him. Well, he tried to sell a jewel he thought was worth a king’s ransom, only it was just a piece o’glass!’ Aggie cackled before taking a slurp of her drink.
Nellie continued to serve impatient customers as she listened.
‘I heard tell he’s ticked off Ezra Morton good and proper an’ all,’ Aggie added.
&
nbsp; ‘How so?’ Nellie asked with mock surprise.
‘Seems the neighbours heard he’d hocked his house to Ezra and now he won’t give it up.’
‘Big mistake,’ Nellie said as she refilled Aggie’s glass.
‘He was spied being carted off by Ezra’s goons and he ain’t been seen since,’ Aggie said, shaking her head.
‘Good riddance is what I say,’ Nellie answered.
‘He was telling a bit about you as well apparently.’ Aggie peeped from beneath hooded eyelids as she spoke.
‘Me?’ Nellie asked, her interest even more piqued now.
Aggie nodded. ‘My source says he told Ezra you was out to ruin him.’
Nellie’s laughter boomed out across the bar and everyone cheered in response. A happy landlady meant happy customers.
‘There ain’t much chance of that happening but I thank you for giving me a good laugh,’ Nellie said at last.
Moving along the counter to serve another customer, Nellie stored the information away in her mind to be retrieved and chewed over later. Wherever Aggie got her information from, she had no idea, but it had given her a lot to think about and it might prove useful to share it with the others after closing time.
A while later, Nellie went to the kitchen for a well-earned rest, and she smiled at Poppy and Noah as they stood in the corner holding hands and whispering quietly together. There would be another wedding pretty soon if she was not mistaken. She was pleased the two had formed a relationship so quickly once Poppy had realised Ezra was not for her. She was a beautiful girl and deserved a good man like Noah Dempster.
Sipping her tea, Nellie thought about how easily Ezra had given up on the girl. In the beginning he had been intent on enticing her into his bed, but she had given him the cold shoulder. Then nothing – Ezra had appeared to have completely forgotten her. Then again, all he cared about was money and Poppy had none.
Nellie’s mind came into focus at hearing Dolly praising Jack’s efforts at reading. That young girl had come into the household by chance and had transformed all of their lives. Nellie felt the love swell in her breast for the two children she watched laughing together. She couldn’t imagine life without them now. Her eyes moved to Nancy and Fred discussing wedding plans, and her peripheral vision registered Poppy and Noah going to the bar to help Matt with serving.
The Children from Gin Barrel Lane Page 23
