by Sam Michaels
‘Yes,’ she answered, but first she had some unfinished business to attend to.
‘Have a good time. Will you be back late?’
‘No, Gran. I’ll only be out for an hour or two. Lash is coming here for his dinner tonight. Is that all right?’
‘Yes, that’ll be nice. I’ll make us a nice bread and butter pudding.’
Georgina kissed her gran then set on a determined march to Queenstown Road. She knew that was where she’d find Billy. She’d have preferred the element of surprise but now that she had the gun in her possession she couldn’t wait any longer. Molly was due to give birth soon, and Georgina worried what would become of her friend once the baby was born. Billy should have died a long time ago.
When Knuckles opened the door, Georgina turned on the charm. It worked. She was shown through to Billy’s office where he was sat looking smug behind his desk. He looked her up and down, then ran his tongue over his lips. ‘Well, well, you scrub up well,’ he drawled, sarcastically adding, ‘Have you come here for a job?’
‘I want to talk in private so get rid of Frankenstein.’
Billy nodded to Knuckles to leave them, and once the door had closed, he said, ‘Let’s hear it then.’
‘Actually, I don’t have anything to say to you. I’ve come to kill you,’ Georgina said calmly and reached into her purse.
She guessed that Billy kept a gun and was surprised when he made no attempt to go for it. She wanted him to make the move, intending to shoot him as he went for his gun. Instead, he stared her out with an ironic look. She stepped towards him, holding the pistol at arm’s length, just as Lash had shown her.
‘Before you shoot me, there’s something you should know,’ Billy said, showing no sign of fear that a gun was pointed at his head. ‘See, the thing is, I’ve been expecting something like this from you. I’ve always suspected it was you behind the police station explosion and I’ve got to say, that took some bottle. And so does this. That’s why I’ve taken out insurance.’
Georgina ground her teeth. She wanted to see Billy’s grey matter splattered across his ridiculous ostentatious desk, but something wasn’t right. He was too cool.
‘If I’m harmed in any way, there will be repercussions. Contracts are in place to ensure your grandmother and father are killed. You’ll be left alive, I’ve made sure of that, but their deaths will be of your making. It’s down to you. Kill me if you like but be prepared to bury those you hold dear.’
‘I don’t believe you!’ Georgina said.
‘Do you want to take the risk?’
Georgina gripped the gun tightly. She wanted to annihilate Billy, but what if he was telling the truth? She couldn’t kill him if it meant her family would be murdered.
She dropped her arm to her side. ‘You cunt,’ she spat.
Billy sneered. ‘Knuckles will see you out.’
Georgina left deflated, but not defeated. She couldn’t kill Billy but somehow, she had to exact her revenge. She just had to think of a way, and until she did, she wouldn’t rest.
46
Dulcie opened her front door to find Fanny on her step, looking perplexed.
‘You look like you’ve got the woes of the world on your shoulders. What’s wrong?’ she asked as she invited the woman in.
‘It’s Molly,’ Fanny replied. ‘I haven’t seen or heard from her for three weeks now. Not since she came here to see Georgina. Do you think Billy found out and has done something to her?’
‘Go through to the front room and sit down. I’ll put the kettle on and then we’ll have a chat.’
Dulcie rubbed her sore hip as she waited for the kettle to boil. She hadn’t mentioned it to Fanny, but she’d been wondering the same thing, especially as Molly had said she’d sneak back for another visit before the end of the month. Well, it was now midway through November and there was still no sign of her.
Dulcie carried the tea through. ‘I shouldn’t tell you this, but Georgina has been worried too. When she knew Billy wouldn’t be there, she went round to their house in Clapham yesterday but there was no answer.’
‘Oh, Dulcie, what if he’s… you know… killed her?’
‘Nah, I shouldn’t think so. He wants that child born. She’ll be safe until then. She’s due any day now, ain’t she?’
‘Yes.’
‘There you go then. She’ll be proper heavy and resting with her feet up.’
‘I hope you’re right, Dulcie. But I should be with her. I hate to think of her giving birth all alone.’
‘I’m sure she won’t be. You know what a flash git that Billy is! He’ll probably have some expensive doctor there making sure that the baby’s fine.’
‘I do hope so. But what if something has happened to her and he ain’t told us?’
‘Fanny, stop worrying, you’ll do yourself a mischief. Jane would know if something was wrong, and granted she sacked you, but she wouldn’t keep you in the dark about your own daughter, now would she?’
‘No, I suppose not,’ Fanny answered, though Dulcie didn’t think the woman sounded convinced.
‘Tell ya what, Georgina is out grafting but when she gets home I’ll tell her how worried you are and send her round to Jane’s. How’s that?’
‘Oh, would you, Dulcie? That would be such a weight off my mind. It’s bad enough worrying about how I’m going to pay the rent, let alone this as well.’
‘No luck with finding work then?’ Dulcie asked, though she already knew what the answer would be. Billy Wilcox seemed to control everything.
‘No. Word has spread that it was Billy who got rid of me. It means nobody will touch me with a barge pole now. We’re just about managing though. Ethel’s been doing a bit of babysitting, and I had a few bob saved. I’ll have to find something soon though, ’cos my measly savings won’t last for much longer.’
‘Your Ethel is always welcome to come and sit with me, and I’ll pay her for her time, though it won’t be much.’
‘Jack still bad then?’
‘Yeah. There’s no talking to him. He’s fallen to the bottom of the whisky bottle and I can’t pull him out. Georgina has done a few Manchester runs for Ezzy, but he doesn’t want her doing them any more. He reckons her new look makes her stick out like a sore thumb. She’s gone back to lifting to fill the cupboards, but I don’t like to see her breaking the law, not since my Jack did time.’
‘She’s a clever woman, Dulcie, I’m sure she’ll be careful. I hear she’s got herself a new fella?’
‘Yes, Lash. Nice bloke, but he’s one of them gypsies from the fair. I weren’t sure about him at first, but he treats her like a blinkin’ queen, and she lets him! I ain’t said nothing to her ’cos she’d do her nut, but he slips me a couple of bob here and there. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if she marries him.’
‘Blimey, Dulcie, I didn’t realise it was that serious.’
‘It is, and it’s nice to see her happy.’
‘How do his family feel about it? They don’t normally like outsiders,’ Fanny said.
‘Apparently not, but they seem to have taken to Georgina.’
‘That’s good. Will she go travelling with them?’
‘No, of course not,’ Dulcie answered huffily, but in truth it was a possibility, and one she hadn’t considered.
*
‘We’re moving on, Georgina, following the fair East,’ Lash explained.
They were sat facing each other in the long grass on the edge of the field watching as the rides and stalls were packed away.
‘I wish you didn’t have to go,’ Georgina said, and pulled her jacket closer around her.
‘Are you cold?’ Lash asked.
‘A bit.’
‘Come here, I’ll keep you warm,’ he offered, and pulled her in to his brawny body.
Georgina enjoyed the closeness. She felt safe with Lash. They sat quietly for a few minutes, then he said, ‘Come with me.’
‘Where?’ she asked.
‘On the road with us
.’
The thought appealed to her, but she knew it would be impossible. ‘I can’t, Lash. I need to be here to look after my gran.’
‘I understand. I realise the importance of family.’
She could hear the disappointment in his voice. ‘Will you be coming back this way soon?’ she asked hopefully.
‘I doubt it, not for at least six months.’
Georgina nestled her face deeper in to Lash’s chest and breathed in, wanting to hold on to the memory of his masculine scent. She wanted to tell him she’d miss him but couldn’t bring herself to show any sentiment.
‘I could stay… if you’d marry me. I know it’s only been a few weeks, but you’re the woman for me. What do you say, Georgina, will you be my wife?’
She pulled away from his embrace and looked deeply into his dark eyes. ‘Really? You’d leave your family and your way of life to be here with me?’
‘Yes, I would. I love you, Georgina.’
She loved him too, but she carried deep secrets and wasn’t sure if Lash would want to be her husband if he knew the truth about her.
‘I love you too, Lash, but there’s stuff you don’t know.’
‘I’m sure there is, but whatever it is, it won’t change how I feel about you.’
Georgina wasn’t convinced.
She stood up, but Lash grabbed her hand and said, ‘I won’t let you go, no matter what you’ve done; as I said, it won’t change the way I feel about you.’
‘But what about your family? They’d hate me if you stayed here because of me.’
‘Don’t talk soft, woman. They’ve already hinted at it. My mother said you’ve got good child-bearing hips, and my dad said he’d be pleased to see the back of me. I know he’s only kidding, but it’s his way of letting me know. They can see the love I have in my heart for you, and they want me to be happy. I choose you, but that doesn’t mean I have to sacrifice my kin. They’ll always be there for me, as I will for them, but my life will be with you.’
Georgina looked over to the caravans and questioned if it was really fair to allow Lash to leave it all behind. ‘I’m going to tell you something, then I want you to walk away and think about everything. When you come back in six months, you can tell me if you still want me to be your wife.’
*
It was a long afternoon but after Georgina had told him about the murdered policemen and Mike Mipple, Lash had taken her in his arms and passionately kissed her. During that moment of wanting, as their bodies entwined, he told her he’d do anything to protect her… and on his return, he’d sort out Billy Wilcox before taking her as his wife. Little did he know she’d already confronted Billy to kill him. It hadn’t been possible but she intended on deeply hurting him and she wouldn’t wait six months for that pleasure.
After promising she’d be here for him on his return, she’d left him in the field and headed home. As she walked, she licked her lips. She could taste Lash. Yes, she believed she did love him. He stirred passions in her body that she’d never experienced before. Best of all, he offered protection, something she’d come to realise she needed.
47
Molly rubbed the small of her back as she slowly paced the tiny attic room. This was the second pain she’d had in the last ten minutes. She’d seen her mum give birth and knew it started like this. She just hoped she could hold on until Billy got home, though she knew that would be a few hours yet. The thought of pushing out the child alone terrified her.
She lowered herself onto a wooden chair and picked up her crocheting. It wasn’t easy to see what she was doing as Billy had boarded up the only window, but she tried to concentrate on the baby blanket she was midway through making. Another pain gripped her. She gritted her teeth and held her breath as she waited for the aching to pass. That had come on faster than the last.
‘Oh, God… BILLY,’ she screamed, though she knew her cries for help wouldn’t be heard. ‘I want my mum,’ she whimpered, giving in to another wave of agony.
The baby was on its way, and Molly had to prepare herself for giving birth without any help. She’d never forgive her husband for this. Never.
*
‘I’m thrilled for you, love, I really am,’ Dulcie said, and clapped her hands together.
‘Calm down, Gran. If I marry him, it won’t be for ages yet. The fair is off travelling again, and he won’t be back this way for months.’
‘Well, that’ll give us plenty of time to sober up your dad before the big day.’
‘Lash has got a plan for that. He said he’ll lock him in a vardo until his blood is red and clean. They did the same with their cousin.’
‘Well, something needs to be done,’ Dulcie said, pursing her lips. ‘By the way, I forgot to tell you. Fanny popped in yesterday. She’s worried about Molly ’cos she ain’t had word from her for weeks now. I said you’d call in to see Jane and find out what’s going on.’
‘No problem, I was going to see her today anyway. I’ll go now. Will you be all right by yourself for a couple of hours?’
‘Yes, love, I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me,’ Dulcie lied. Her hip was aching more than usual, which she put down to the change in the weather.
‘If you see my dad, don’t mention anything about Lash. Nothing’s set in concrete yet and we’ve only known each other for two minutes. I don’t want an ear-bashing, though I doubt he’ll remember it by tomorrow.’
Georgina hurried out of the house, obviously thrilled at receiving a marriage proposal. Dulcie smiled to herself as she picked up her reading book. It was nice to see her granddaughter so happy. She’d had a rough time of it lately, mostly thanks to Billy Wilcox. But Dulcie thought things would be different soon. Georgina had a man by her side, a tough bare-knuckle fighter. A gypsy from a strong travelling family. Billy Wilcox would be a fool if he thought he could get to Georgina now, though it was still a worry that Lash would be away for the next six months.
*
‘Hello, George, come in,’ Jane said when she opened her front door. ‘You’re looking fabulous.’
‘Thank you,’ Georgina replied, admiring Jane’s lilac cashmere jumper that she wore with a fitted black velvet skirt. ‘You do too.’
‘Can I get you anything? A tea, something stronger, perhaps?’
‘No, thanks. I was hoping you’d have some news of Molly?’
‘Molly… yes, she’s doing well. Billy has informed me that the doctor is calling in on her twice weekly, and I saw her a couple of weeks ago. She’s as big as a bus! Her ankles are a little swollen, but that’s to be expected.’
‘Good. I’m glad to hear she’s all right, but a lot can happen in two weeks. I’ll call in on her later. Where’s Sally?’
‘She’s at school and Penny is upstairs with new chalks. She loves to draw, it keeps her quiet for ages. Are you sure I can’t get you anything?’
‘Erm, all right, I’ll have a lemonade, please,’ Georgina answered. The room felt warm yet there were only embers glowing in the hearth.
Jane left and moments later, returned with two glasses. When she walked back into the room, the warm smile she offered was friendly and genuine, yet it didn’t cause Georgina to have second thoughts about what she planned to do. ‘Jane, please sit down at the table.’
Jane looked bemused. ‘Why?’
‘Just do as I tell you,’ Georgina ordered and pulled the small pistol out of her purse to point at the woman. It was the same one she’d held at Billy’s head.
Jane gasped, and white-faced she dragged out a chair. She sat down and asked tremulously, ‘Why are you threatening me with a gun?’
‘I have to do this, Jane. I’m sorry.’
Jane looked terrified and begged, ‘No… please… Georgina… don’t… don’t hurt me.’ Tears began to stream down her face and she was unconsciously fiddling with her long ebony beads. Her black eye make-up streaked down her cheeks. Georgina thought it was odd to see the woman looking anything but perfect.
‘Your son has left
me no choice. Billy has to pay for what he’s done, and as he’s seen to it that I can’t kill him, the only way to get to him is through you. Believe me, I wish there was another way, but you have the unfortunate burden of being his mother. You should have drowned him at birth. He’s not right in the head, and I think you know it.’
‘I do… I know he’s ill… and I’m sure he murdered Norman, his own father.’
‘Of course he did, and you could have told the police. Instead you did nothing and it’s time for you to pay for letting your son get away with murder.’
‘George, please, don’t kill me. What about my daughters? You wouldn’t want them to grow up motherless. I know you did, and I’m sure there’s been many times when you wished you had a mum.’
Georgina glanced at the gold ring on her finger. Her mother’s wedding ring.
‘Please, George, don’t leave Sally alone with Billy. Anything could happen to her without me to protect her! Think about it, George, for Sally’s sake!’
‘Huh, did you think about the women that your son abused?’
‘What women?’
‘Don’t come the innocent with me. I was one of them. You knew he tried to burn me alive. You must have known he had me beaten up too because you came round with blood money.’
‘George… please…’
‘Georgina. My name is Georgina! Where do you keep your writing paper?’
‘It… it’s in the bureau,’ Jane said nervously, pointing.
Georgina kept her eyes on Jane and the gun pointed at her as she rummaged through the walnut cabinet, then she placed a pad and pencil on the table. ‘Write this down,’ she instructed.
Jane picked up the pencil. Georgina could see the woman’s hands were shaking.
‘To whom it may concern,’ Georgina begun.
Jane stared at her.
‘Write it!’ she shouted.
Jane scribbled down the words. ‘I cannot live with the knowledge of what my son has done. Following a visit from Malcolm Henderson and Sidney Bell, I now know the facts of my husband’s death, and to hear that my son killed his father is too much for me to bear.’
