The Fight for Lizzie Flowers

by Carol Rivers

  ‘Well, he managed more than a ripple today.’ Irritably, Danny flicked undone the top button of his shirt and slid out his tie, stuffing it in his pocket. ‘Five minutes later me and Lizzie would have been wed with an official signature to prove it.’

  Cal moved closer to the window and nodded to the street. ‘Looks like we’ve got company.’

  Danny joined him, to see their guests approaching. He knew without a shade of doubt that not one of the invited stepping into the house this day would welcome Frank’s return.

  Chapter Five

  ‘Calm down, Flo, don’t upset yourself.’ Sydney Miller reached out for his girlfriend.

  ‘Don’t tell me to calm down, Syd.’ Flo Allen pushed him away. ‘Frank has screwed up our lives again. Why couldn’t he stay dead, like most people do when they stop breathing?’

  Lizzie gazed at her sister. Flo had to get her annoyance off her chest. Flo, although five years younger than Lizzie, was protective, loyal to the last. More to the point, she could not forgive Frank for the unhappiness he had brought to their lives.

  ‘You don’t believe his bullshit, do you?’ Flo thrust back her short, shiny brown hair and raised her black eyebrows challengingly.

  ‘No, course I don’t,’ Lizzie assured her. ‘The registrar had no choice but to call off the wedding.’

  ‘Lizzie ain’t at fault,’ Syd agreed. ‘But we know who is.’

  Lizzie liked Sydney Miller a lot. He was officially Flo’s lodger, but Lizzie knew he had shared Flo’s bed since moving into Langley Street. Syd had been Flo’s first boyfriend and Lizzie had disapproved of him. But somehow he had managed to distance himself from the influence of his notoriously troubled family.

  Lizzie sighed deeply as she sat on the well-worn fireside chair. This was the house she and her brothers and sisters had been brought up in. Passed now to Flo, it still held the memories of their childhood and she loved it.

  ‘Well, someone’s got to eat all the food,’ Flo said with half a smile as she stuck out her ample bust under the soft material of her damson chiffon blouse. The colour was flattering but was currently at odds with the scarlet blush of anger flooding into her cheeks. ‘I’ll just get me bag and we’ll go next door.’

  ‘Where the hell has Frank been?’ Syd asked Lizzie when they were alone.

  ‘In hospital, so he says. A mental institution.’

  ‘In that case, why don’t you and Danny just move in together?’

  ‘What would it be like for Polly and Tom if we did? The gossip was bad enough after Frank bombed the shop. The kids at school wouldn’t go near Polly. They were afraid Frank would come after them too. I can’t let that happen again.’

  ‘Yeah, I get your meaning.’ Syd pulled a white square of crumpled cloth from his trouser pocket and blew his nose. He was wearing a white shirt and armbands and a smart grey waistcoat. Standing only five foot seven tall, he was a pocket Hercules. He made up for his lack of height with his strength and bulging biceps. With his close-cropped light brown hair, square jaw and fresh-faced complexion, he looked every inch the Billingsgate porter. ‘How’s Danny taken it?’ he asked in concern.

  Lizzie looked away as her insides tightened. There wasn’t a bad bone in Danny’s body, but Frank had pushed him to his limit today. Even when Danny had returned to England last year and learned of Frank’s treachery, he’d still refused to believe that Frank had deliberately deceived him. Even now, it was hard to believe that she’d fallen for Frank’s twisted version of Danny’s married life in Australia. Who could blame Danny, after discovering the truth, for hardening his heart?

  ‘I’ve got five brothers,’ Syd continued in a whisper, turning to glance over his shoulder. ‘I’ve only got to say the word and your problem will be sorted. You won’t see Frank for dust.’

  Lizzie lifted her eyes to the man who would soon be her sister’s husband. Syd was tough and kind and he would love Flo until his last breath. But he was also a Miller. And their name in the East End was legendary. It was a known fact that each brother had spent more time in custody than at liberty. Lizzie always marvelled that her soon-to-be-brother-in-law was the only Miller to be born with an instinct for goodness.

  ‘No, Syd,’ she refused. ‘Thanks all the same.’

  ‘I’d stick my neck out for you and Danny.’

  ‘Better we sort it ourselves.’

  Syd nodded, flushing slightly. ‘Just as long as you and Danny know I’ve got your backs.’

  Flo walked into the parlour, pulling on her coat, and Syd was beside her in seconds. ‘You all right now, love?’

  ‘As right as I’ll ever be with that cheapskate about still.’

  No more was said as they all trooped out through the kitchen door and made their way into Lil’s over the broken fence.

  Chapter Six

  Lizzie was relieved to find that their friends and neighbours were enjoying the occasion even if there was no wedding to celebrate. But it was Danny she was concerned about.

  Going over to where he stood she reached down to run her fingers gently across his hand. His glance met hers and she smiled. Since their hurried departure from the registry office, they had only had time to exchange a few words. Their wedding day had been turned on its head. Neither of them had found the sentiments to soften the blow.

  ‘So what do we do now?’ he said, frowning slightly, a question in his deep blue eyes. ‘I still want us to be together. Do you?’

  ‘Yes, that goes without saying.’

  ‘Then let’s go ahead. Move into March Street.’

  Lizzie looked up at him and tried to think of the right words to say. ‘We’ll talk about it later,’ she said. And knew they were the wrong ones, as Danny stiffened and pulled away.

  ‘There never will be a later, will there?’ he said, his voice filled with raw emotion. ‘Not as long as Frank’s around. You’re still tied to him by a damned piece of paper!’

  ‘Give me time, Danny, please—’

  Suddenly he left her, his broad shoulders disappearing into the crowd. Lizzie felt as though the earth was opening up and pulling her down into it. The happy future she had thought was beginning as from today had gone and Frank had driven a wedge between them. She stared ahead sightlessly, then realized someone was talking to her. Putting on a brave face, she smiled and managed to get through the pleasantries. Then as soon as she could, she left the room and made her way to the kitchen.

  She opened the door and to her surprise found Ethel and Cal standing together. They moved apart quickly, but not before Lizzie had seen the guilty expression on Ethel’s face.

  ‘Cal was just describing Australia,’ Ethel said nervously. ‘How big it is and how warm, even in winter.’ She paused, glancing up at Cal, and blushed.

  Cal tore his gaze away and smiled at Lizzie. ‘I’d better be off. We’ve got a few motors in for repair at the garage. The owners will want them for Christmas.’

  ‘Thanks for calling by,’ Lizzie said as he left by the back door.

  ‘Did I interrupt something?’ Lizzie asked her friend mildly.

  ‘No, course not. Why?’

  ‘You look like a girl of sixteen again.’

  ‘Oh Christ!’ Ethel blushed, much deeper this time. ‘Lizzie, I never wanted this to happen. But I knew the moment I saw him. It was as if we were old friends. Yet he’s lived on one side of the world and me on the other.’

  ‘You’re seeing him?’ Lizzie rolled her eyes. ‘When did this start?’

  ‘The day he came over to your shop. Danny sent him to help us with the decorating, remember?’

  Lizzie nodded. She had never thought Ethel would be telling her this.

  ‘We just sort of clicked. Not that I don’t feel guilty. I do. Me and Richard were so young when we got married. Everyone expected us to wed, so we did. But when the babies came along Richard just seemed to go his own way. It was as if he resented my attention going elsewhere.’ Ethel’s face clouded. ‘His mum was always there to provide the looking-afte
r he wanted. Sounds silly, but me and the kids never really came into the picture. Richard is the golden boy, always was, always will be. And now it’s like we lead separate lives. Funny, I’ve played the part of a good wife. I tried to do my best but I always knew something was missing. I didn’t know what it was till I met Cal.’ Ethel took a long breath. ‘But you guessed that, didn’t you?’

  ‘I just didn’t know how unhappy you were,’ Lizzie admitted. ‘Does Richard know anything?’

  ‘Don’t think so. He never tells me he loves me. That stopped a long time ago.’

  ‘What about the kids?’

  ‘They’re fourteen and fifteen. Teenagers. Off enjoying themselves.’

  ‘But how do you find time to see Cal?’

  ‘I was given the sack at Rickard’s. The depression hit them badly. But Cal seemed to make things better. We talk and laugh and I forget all my troubles.’

  ‘So what are you going to do?’

  Ethel shrugged. ‘I might ask you the same question.’

  Lizzie raised her dark eyebrows and sighed. ‘Danny wants us to move in together.’

  ‘Will you?’

  ‘I don’t know what to do.’

  Ethel smiled. ‘Looks like we’re in the same boat.’

  Lizzie’s heart went out to her friend. She had never known Ethel to look at another man and it was her who kept the family together. Richard seemed to spend more time with his mum than his family.

  ‘What are you thinking?’ Ethel asked anxiously. ‘Do you think I’m a bad person?’

  ‘No, but I wish you’d told me before.’

  ‘You’ve had a wedding to plan. The happiest time of your life.’

  ‘Yes,’ agreed Lizzie ruefully, ‘though it ain’t turned out quite that way.’

  ‘I know. And all the more reason I shouldn’t be bothering you with my worries. I’m cheating on Richard and the guilt keeps me awake at night. But in the morning, I need to see Cal again.’

  Lizzie sighed softly. ‘When Danny came back from Australia last year, I was still a married woman. Frank was my husband, for all that was said and done. But Danny was on my mind all the time.’

  ‘You never cheated on Frank, I know that for a fact.’

  ‘Not until Frank was supposedly found dead. And then—’ Now it was Lizzie’s turn to blush. ‘We thought we were free to be together.’

  ‘You’d waited a long time.’

  Lizzie nodded. ‘I’ve loved Danny for the best part of my life. But I’m another man’s wife. Where does that leave me now?’ Lizzie asked, knowing Ethel couldn’t provide an answer. At least one that she wanted to hear.

  Chapter Seven

  All the guests had left and it was almost dusk. Flo and Syd were washing up in the kitchen and Lizzie was helping Lil and Ethel to clear up the leftovers and dirty glasses and plates strewn about the front room.

  Just then a loud screeching noise outside made Lizzie turn to the window. Lil joined her and they peered out into the murky evening. A car drew up and a man wearing a raincoat climbed out of the vehicle’s passenger seat. Walking over to Danny and Bert who were smoking in the street, the man reached inside his coat. At the same time a uniformed police officer emerged. Lizzie gasped aloud as she saw Danny being pushed roughly inside the car. At this, Bert leaped forward, only to be confronted by the smaller man who barred his way.

  ‘Oh God, Lil, it’s the coppers!’ Lizzie ran from the window and into the passage where she collided with Flo and Syd and the children. ‘Danny’s being taken away,’ she blurted as they all scrambled to open the front door.

  ‘Danny!’ Lizzie ran outside, coming face to face with the stranger.

  ‘Where are you taking Danny?’ she demanded. ‘Who are you? What do you want with him?’

  ‘I’m Detective Inspector Bray from the Limehouse Constabulary,’ the officer told her, his voice thick and low. ‘We think that Mr Flowers will be able to help us with our enquiries.’

  ‘Enquiries?’ she repeated foolishly. ‘What sort of enquiries?’ She looked round for Bert who stood staring at the car. ‘Bert, do you know anything about this?’

  Bert shook his head. ‘We was just having a smoke and this motor drives up.’

  ‘What the hell do you think you’re doing?’ Flo interrupted, rushing to stand beside Lizzie. ‘You can’t just take someone away like that.’

  ‘I’m afraid I can,’ the detective replied, sliding his trilby hat over his greasy brown hair. ‘Now, I advise you all to go—’

  ‘Where are you taking my dad?’ Tom slipped by the policeman and pulled on the handle of the car.

  ‘Your dad is coming with us for a while, son. Now, off you go, there’s a good lad.’ The detective turned and climbed into the front of the car. Lizzie and Flo jumped back as the vehicle roared off, turning the corner of the street with a squeal of its tyres.

  ‘The swines,’ Flo cursed as they all stood staring after it. ‘What makes them think Danny can help them? And how did they know where to find him?’

  ‘It’s ridiculous,’ Lil muttered bewilderedly. ‘Downright ridiculous!’

  ‘Yeah, but did you clock what the geezer said?’ Bert pushed his big hand over his face. ‘He’s from the Limehouse nick. And that was where Danny went to identify the stiff.’

  ‘Of course,’ Flo groaned, nodding fiercely. ‘This is to do with Frank. Think about it. For the past seven months we’ve had peace and quiet. Now, on the very day Frank shows up, all hell is let loose.’

  ‘You’re right there, gel,’ Syd agreed angrily. ‘It’s Frank they should be questioning. Not putting Danny through the wringer.’

  Lizzie looked at Tom and Polly. Tom’s cheeks were wet with dirty tears and he rubbed them with his knuckles.

  ‘Is the policeman taking Uncle Danny to prison?’ Polly asked with a sniff.

  ‘No, of course not.’ Lizzie opened her arms. ‘Come here for a cuddle, you two.’ She hugged Polly and Tom. ‘Everything’s going to be all right, I promise.’

  ‘Look, we won’t solve anything by freezing out here on the street,’ Lil decided as the cold darkness settled around them. ‘Let’s have a cuppa and put our heads together. When Doug comes back from taking Ethel home, I’ll cook a fry-up. We need a good meal to put a lining in our stomachs. By the time we’ve eaten, I reckon they’ll have brought Danny back.’

  ‘They better, or else me and my brothers will be paying them a visit,’ Syd muttered as everyone trooped indoors. A comment that Lizzie dearly hoped was made in the heat of the moment.

  ‘You’re welcome to kip in the spare room,’ Flo said as the clock on the mantel struck ten. ‘I’ve got plenty of blankets to go round.’

  ‘Tom could sleep here, in the boys’ room,’ Lil suggested, looking across to the couch where Tom had fallen asleep in the crook of Doug’s arm. ‘The poor kid is knackered.’ Though Greg and Neil, the Sharpes’ two sons, had perished in the Great War, they still called the room they used as a spare the boys’ room.

  ‘Bert can kip on the put-you-up,’ Doug agreed quietly.

  Lizzie stroked the top of Polly’s auburn head. Curled against her, Polly was also fast asleep. ‘Thanks, but I’d like to go home.’

  ‘You think they’ll keep Danny in?’ asked Syd, and not waiting for an answer continued, ‘I reckon it’s not too late for me and Bert to drive over and have it out with Old Bill.’

  Lizzie knew Syd was eager to take action. But common sense told her that frayed tempers could make things worse for Danny.

  ‘I’d prefer to go myself, Syd, thanks. It’s been a long day and I want to get the children home to bed. If Danny isn’t back by morning, I’ll have Bert take me to Limehouse.’

  ‘The coppers are out of order,’ said Doug with a nod, ‘but Lizzie’s right, far better a good night’s kip for everyone. Tomorrow’s a new day.’

  Lizzie disentangled herself gently from Polly. She placed her in Bert’s arms. Doug roused Tom and when the two children were settled in the van, Bert coax
ed the engine into life.

  Lizzie hugged Flo and Lil. ‘Thanks for everything.’

  ‘Take care, now,’ Lil said, shivering.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Flo told her. ‘Danny will be back in no time.’

  Sinking down on the damp leather of the passenger seat, Lizzie watched as the small group of figures melted away in the darkness. Bert cursed softly as the rattling vehicle moved forward. Lizzie’s thoughts swept back to the events of the day.

  Frank was alive. Her dead husband was not the corpse Danny had identified at Limehouse in May. How had that happened? She had believed Frank to have been drowned and her tears had been few after the life Frank had led her. But she hadn’t wished him dead. And despite all he had done, he was still, as far as she knew, father to Polly.

  Sighing softly, Lizzie stared from the window that was streaked with dust and pigeon fouling. The interior of the van reeked of vegetables together with a sour whiff from its previous owner, a fishmonger. A small, brown metal box with three oblong windows and a flat front, it clattered noisily along the road. Finally Lizzie glimpsed the deep blue sky. The moon was a slim silver crescent pushing its way between the stars and into the Christmas night. She yearned for Danny and the future they had hoped for. A future now out of reach.

  Silently she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. Bert cursed again, grinding the gear with such force that every bone in her body jarred.

  ‘What baffles me,’ said the policeman as he lit himself another cigarette and narrowed his eyes at Danny, ‘you’ve got your only kith and kin, a man as I understand it who has well and truly shafted you. And you’re looking down on him – he’s a bit worse for wear, granted – and you give us the thumbs-up that this drowned package is your brother.’

  Danny shifted uncomfortably on the hard wooden chair. His arm still throbbed from the rough handling. He couldn’t begin to understand why he was here, other than the copper’s continual reference to the day, seven months ago, when he was faced with the sight of a corpse and asked to identify it. But, Danny wondered, why collar him like this?