A Daughter's Courage

by Kitty Neale

  Stan swigged from a pint glass and Robbie wished he had a drink too. His throat felt dry and he coughed before answering. ‘I’m sorry. I got into a bit of trouble and had to leave a bit sharpish. I’m back now and I’ve got all the money I owe you, plus a bit more.’

  ‘Let’s see it then,’ Stan growled.

  Rob pulled the wad of notes from his denim jacket pocket and placed it on the table. ‘That’s one hundred and fifty quid. All I owe you plus interest,’ he said, watching tensely as Stan and Brian exchanged looks.

  ‘I don’t think so, Robbie. There’s nearly fifteen months of accrued interest, so your debt has doubled, and it’s Christmas Eve so we would’ve expected a good drink too, considering you ain’t had a slap,’ Brian said.

  Both men were a good twenty years older than Robbie but their age didn’t slow them down in a fight. Not that either of them did much fighting these days. It was left to their heavies to do their dirty work. Robbie knew he didn’t stand a chance against them, and said, ‘All right, I’ll pay you double.’

  Stan stood up from his chair and placed his hands on the table as he leaned forward and said through gritted teeth, ‘Huh, we’ve listened to your fucking bullshit before and you ain’t gonna get away with it again. We want our money now. If we don’t get it, tomorrow you’ll owe us double again, and then treble, along with our boys rearranging your face.’

  ‘I’ll get it for you,’ Robbie said as he hastily scraped his chair back. ‘Just give me a minute.’

  ‘Not so fast,’ Brian said and gave the nod to two of his heavies, who surged up to grab Robbie’s arms. ‘Where do you think you’re going?’

  ‘I was just going to get your money from my car.’

  ‘Big John will go with you,’ Brian growled.

  Robbie instantly regretted his words, but nodded, his mind in overdrive as he walked out of the pub with John on his heels. He desperately tried to think of a way to get the money from the cash bag without the man seeing it, knowing that if Stan and Brian found out how much cash he had sitting in his car, he could kiss it all goodbye.

  When they reached the vehicle, John was standing so close behind that Robbie could almost feel him breathing down his neck. He opened the car door and leaned inside to fish under the seat, hoping to pull out enough money whilst blocking John’s view of the cash bag. With a wad of notes in his fingers he quickly counted them and straightened up, saying, ‘Got it.’

  The man just snorted and stood back, indicating that Robbie lead the way back into the pub.

  ‘That should cover it,’ he said, placing the money on the table, ‘but it’s cleaned me out.’

  Big John leaned over to whisper something to Brian, but Robbie couldn’t hear what was said. He felt sure the man hadn’t seen the cash bag, so wasn’t worried about that as Brian counted the money before looking up at him to say, ‘Yeah, that covers it, Robbie. We’re straight now and no hard feelings. Why don’t you sit down to join us for a drink and a few rounds of poker?’

  Robbie watched as Brian shuffled a deck of cards. ‘I’d love to, but I haven’t got any money left,’ Robbie lied.

  ‘We’ll stake you another loan, and it’ll give you a chance to win some of this back.’

  ‘No, but thanks for the offer. Maybe another time,’ Robbie said, anxious to get away from the men and the charged atmosphere.

  ‘I never thought I’d see the day that Robbie Ferguson turned down a card game,’ said Brian with a sickening chuckle. ‘What’s the world coming to, eh?’

  Robbie faked a smile and said goodbye, glad to leave the pub. He hurried to his car, and though he hadn’t heard or seen them coming, he found himself boxed in by the three heavies.

  ‘I’ll have them,’ one of the men said as he snatched Robbie’s car keys and moved to open the door.

  ‘You’ll find it under the passenger seat,’ Big John told him.

  Robbie felt a surge of anger and his fists clenched, but he knew he didn’t stand a chance against even one of these huge men, let alone three.

  The man emerged from the car with the cash bag in hand and as he looked inside, a huge, broken-toothed grin spread across his face.

  Robbie didn’t feel like smiling, but then all thoughts turned to self-preservation when he saw Big John’s fist coming towards him. He didn’t have time to dodge the punch and as the huge knuckles connected with his chin, pain shot upwards through his head. The blow knocked him off his feet and he soared backwards and landed with a thud on the pavement.

  The man who’d found the cash bag threw the car keys at him. ‘We won’t be wanting that pile of shit,’ he said, nodding towards the car.

  ‘Don’t show your face here again,’ Big John growled, ‘’cos if you do, we’ve been told to finish you off.’

  Robbie was dazed. His ears were ringing, but he’d heard what the men said. When they disappeared inside the pub, he somehow managed to scramble to his feet and made it to the car. He couldn’t believe it; all the money he’d stolen had in turn been stolen from him and he was once again left with nothing.

  He was furious with himself for letting this happen. How could he have been so stupid? And what the hell was he going to do now?

  Robbie’s head thumped as he started the car, but his thoughts turned to someone he knew would take him in. He might be broke, but he still had his charms and she always fell for them.

  Chapter 27

  In his frantic state, Bill had thrown himself around so much that he had fallen out of his chair. He’d been thrashing on the floor when the doctor arrived. It had upset Dorothy to see blood on her father’s chin from where he’d bitten his tongue, and she was grateful when the doctor gave him an injection to calm him.

  ‘He needs to be in a hospital, Mrs Ferguson,’ the doctor said. ‘I’m sure you do a splendid job of caring for him but he requires specialist attention.’

  As Adrian dashed into the room, Dorothy cried, ‘Oh, Adrian, I’m so glad you’re here. Dad’s had some sort of funny turn and the doctor said he should be in hospital.’

  ‘I think he’s right, love.’

  ‘But my mum would turn in her grave.’

  ‘If she saw this happen, she’d be the first one to call for an ambulance.’

  No, she wouldn’t, thought Dorothy, and though at one time she’d wanted her dad to have specialised care, she now wanted to keep to her mother’s wishes. She couldn’t stand the thought of letting her down.

  ‘The doctor’s calling for an ambulance now,’ Nelly said, ‘and I’m sorry, but I have to agree with him and Adrian. Your dad needs to go to hospital, and look at you, you’re injured too.’

  Dorothy wiped her cheek with the back of her hand as she pondered their words. Her cheek felt sore, but the blood had dried. ‘All right, I’ll accept that my dad needs help, but I want him home as soon as possible. Mum always said if she let him go to the nuthouse, he would never come out.’

  ‘They’re not taking him there,’ said Adrian. ‘He’s going to the local hospital to have his injuries looked at and then he’ll soon be home again.’

  Dorothy felt reassured and shortly afterwards the ambulance arrived. Adrian went to open the door, and Dorothy helplessly watched as her sedated father was stretchered into the back of the vehicle. ‘Can I go with him?’ she asked the driver.

  ‘It’s all right,’ said Adrian, ‘we’ll follow in my car.’

  ‘But I want to be with my dad,’ Dorothy pleaded.

  ‘He’ll be fine with us, and, looking at him, he won’t know what’s happening,’ the ambulance driver said.

  Dorothy reluctantly agreed and as they closed the ambulance doors she called a hasty goodbye to Nelly before rushing to the car. As Adrian drove off she was silently praying that her father would be all right. If anything happened to him she wouldn’t be able to bear it. Last Christmas she’d lost her mum, and now, almost a year later, she feared losing her dad too.

  Aware of her anguish, Adrian said, ‘Try not to worry, love. Your dad has
had some sort of fit, but physically he’s fine.’

  Despite his words of reassurance, Dorothy couldn’t help but fret, and she still felt guilty that Robbie’s return had the power to plague her mind. There was a time when she’d prayed for him to come back, but then, as time had passed, she’d begun to feel resentful. She’d been carrying his child, and her mother wouldn’t have been racked with worry if he’d been there to marry her. Adrian had said that worry hadn’t caused her heart attack, but she wasn’t so sure. Yet, despite that, news of Robbie’s return made her heart thump at the thought of seeing him again.

  Dorothy turned her head to glance at Adrian. He had no idea yet and, if she didn’t want him to know how Robbie’s return had affected her, she would have to feign indifference. ‘By the way, we had a surprise visitor today. Thankfully I was out shopping and missed him.’

  ‘You were thankful? Why was that?’ Adrian asked, but then his eyes flicked to her before they returned to the road. ‘Don’t tell me it was Robbie.’

  ‘Yes, I’m afraid it was.’

  Adrian was quiet for a while, but then he said, ‘I hope he doesn’t think he can move back into our house, because I won’t allow it.’

  Dorothy was relieved. She had wondered if Adrian would let his brother have his old room back and didn’t think she could stand it. It would mean having to see Robbie every day, and at night she would have to sleep in a room knowing that he was just next door.

  As they drew up outside the hospital, Dorothy pushed all thoughts of Robbie to one side. She had bigger things to worry about now, primarily her father, and she was praying as hard as she could that he would be all right.

  Chapter 28

  Robbie woke early the next morning and wondered for a moment where he was. He turned over to see Cynthia asleep next to him. She looked even older in the morning with her make-up worn off, but he appreciated her putting him up for the night, especially as he’d admitted to her that he was broke.

  He felt the cold biting as he threw his legs over the side of the bed, yawned and stretched his arms. When he felt fingers running down his bare back he knew that Cynthia was awake. ‘Morning, love,’ he said. ‘Any chance of a cup of tea?’

  ‘Yeah, you know where the kettle is, but I’m out of sugar. Stick the gas on under the pan but top it up a bit. I could do with some hot water to wash my face.’

  Robbie noticed the black smudges of mascara under her eyes, and looked away with distaste to scan the room. Other than the bed there was a small sink, a gas stove, a small, rickety table, and a couple of chairs strewn with tatty-looking clothes. It was a far cry from the luxury of Adrian’s house, but even he had to admit it would’ve been weird living there now that Dorothy was married to his brother. This dump would have to do, at least for the time being.

  ‘How long are you planning on staying?’ Cynthia asked a little later as she sipped her cup of tea.

  ‘I don’t know yet. I need to get some cash together. If it wasn’t for Brian and Stan I’d be laughing now.’

  ‘You were daft to go there with a bag of loot.’

  ‘Don’t you think I know that?’ he scowled.

  ‘Yeah, well, I can hardly chuck you out on Christmas Day, and like I said last night, you can stay here but I can barely afford to make ends meet so you’ll have to pay your way.’

  Robbie’s mind turned. He didn’t want to go back to it, but for the time being it would at least provide him with some much-needed money.

  ‘When I was in Portsmouth, I had a girl working for me,’ he said. ‘It didn’t make me a lot of money, but it was more than enough to live on.’

  Cynthia’s eyes widened. ‘Are you telling me you were pimping?’

  ‘Yes, but it was only small-time.’

  ‘I’m surprised. I never saw you as a pimp, but I suppose you could do the same here.’

  ‘I could, but I’d have to find a girl and that isn’t easy.’

  Cynthia frowned. ‘I hope you ain’t got me in mind.’

  ‘No, of course not,’ Robbie protested, knowing that he needed someone a darn sight younger. Years ago Cynthia had told him she’d been on the game, and though she considered herself retired, he knew she wasn’t averse to charging for her services when the situation presented itself.

  Cynthia’s eyes narrowed in thought and Robbie remained quiet, wondering if she’d come up with something. A lot of people in Battersea didn’t have much time for her and considered her a tart, but Cynthia was actually one of the few women Robbie trusted. When they had first met he’d used her for one thing, but over the years they’d become friends, and now Robbie found she was probably the only real friend he had.

  ‘I might be able to help you out, Rob,’ she said with a cunning smile, ‘but I’ll want compensating, if you know what I mean?’

  ‘I’ll take any help on offer and you know me, Cynth, I’d see you all right.’

  ‘Right then. Recently a girl has moved in upstairs and she’s a pretty young thing. Her name is Yvonne, and to be honest, from the few chats we’ve had I don’t think she’s the sharpest tool in the box. The thing is, I reckon she’s all alone up there and from what I can tell she’s hard up for a bob or two. She might be just what you need, so how about I introduce you?’

  Robbie grinned. ‘It sounds like she could be just the ticket.’

  ‘You’re a good-looking bloke, Robbie, and I’m sure you’ll be able to use your charms on this girl.’

  ‘Right then, get yourself dressed, woman,’ Robbie urged. ‘Time is money.’

  On the other side of Battersea, Nelly called, ‘You’re up early, did you wet the bed or something?’

  Dorothy walked through to the living room. ‘Sorry, did I wake you? I couldn’t sleep.’

  ‘I can see that. You look knackered, sugar.’

  ‘I’ve been up half the night,’ Dorothy admitted. ‘I’ve got a pot of tea made and I expect you want a cup.’ She left the room and came back carrying two cups of tea and a plate of digestive biscuits.

  ‘I’m guessing you’re worried about your dad?’ Nelly asked, as she dunked a biscuit in her tea.

  ‘Yes, I am.’

  As perceptive as always, Nelly asked, ‘Have you been worrying about Robbie being back on the scene too?’

  Dorothy had, but didn’t want to admit it. She was married to Adrian now and, though she hadn’t come to love him, he had her loyalty. She couldn’t let on that the thought of Robbie being back in Battersea had stirred up old emotions. ‘No, he doesn’t bother me. I’ve wasted too many tears over that man in the past and I won’t let him get under my skin again.’

  Nelly flashed her a look that told Dorothy her best friend didn’t believe her. She said defensively, ‘What are you looking at me like that for? It’s true.’

  ‘Whatever you say, sugar,’ Nelly answered sarcastically. ‘Bugger! I always do that. You’d think I’d be an expert at dunking biscuits by now. I’ve had years of regular practice, yet still I manage to leave it in too long and the biscuit goes soggy and drops off in my tea.’ She held out her cup to Dorothy. ‘Is there another one in the pot?’

  Dorothy took the cups back through to the kitchen and poured two more. Adrian would probably be up soon so she filled the kettle to make a fresh pot.

  ‘I know it was a shock when I told you that Robbie’s back,’ Nelly said when she handed her the tea, ‘but think about how he treated you. It was the best thing you’ve ever done when you married Adrian, and I can tell you’re happy with him.’

  ‘How can you tell?’

  ‘I can hear them bed springs up there going!’ Nelly said and giggled.

  Dorothy felt her cheeks flush. She and Adrian tried to make love quietly, but with him being so large, the bed springs always protested. Nelly was going to be with them for another couple of weeks, and Dorothy didn’t want to abstain for that long, not when she so desperately wished to fall pregnant. ‘Oh dear, that’s embarrassing. I’m sorry, Nelly.’

  ‘Don’t be daft. Y
ou know how thin the walls are in my mum’s house. I’ve heard my parents at it for years. Anyhow, you’re a married woman and it’s only natural.’

  ‘What’s only natural?’ Adrian asked as he came into the room and caught the last bit of Nelly’s sentence.

  Dorothy and Nelly looked at each other and burst out laughing.

  Smiling, he said, ‘Happy Christmas. I’m glad to see you’re in a good mood this morning.’

  ‘Take no notice of us, we’re being silly. Cuppa?’ Dorothy asked and kissed her husband on the cheek.

  ‘Yes, please, love.’

  Dorothy went back to the kitchen, determined that, after she’d poured yet another cup of tea, she’d ring the hospital to see how her dad was and try to set her mind at rest a little. ‘Here you are, love,’ she said, handing it to him and then heading for the telephone.

  It took a little time to get through to her father’s ward, but at last a nurse answered, and soon afterwards she replaced the receiver, a little reassured. ‘I’ve just spoken to the hospital and a nurse said he had a comfortable night,’ she told Adrian and Nelly.

  ‘I’ll take you to see him after breakfast,’ Adrian offered.

  ‘We can’t go until visiting time, which is just as well as it’ll give me time to start preparing our Christmas dinner,’ Dorothy told him, fighting not to let memories of last year engulf her.

  ‘If it’s too much for you, we can scrap a roast. I’ll be happy with egg and chips.’

  ‘No, Adrian, I’ve got a turkey and I’m going to cook it,’ she said with determination. ‘Don’t forget we’ve got a guest joining us and I don’t think Malcolm would appreciate egg and chips for his Christmas dinner.’

  ‘Just make sure you don’t give me any sprouts. They give me terrible wind,’ Nelly said, obviously trying to lighten the atmosphere. ‘I mean, imagine how embarrassing it would be if I let out a big blow-off in front of Malcolm.’ Her hand went to her mouth, her eyes wide, ‘Whoops, sorry, Adrian.’