“Hospitals are not the place for running, young man!”
“Sorry,” Jimmy muttered, slowing his pace to a walk.
Rosy-cheeked, and breathless he arrived at Bartholomew’s ward. There was nobody at the nurses station, so Jimmy pushed open the door and walked straight into the ward. At the far end, his nan was in the bed beside the window.
She had her eyes closed and looked pale. Jimmy raced over to her bedside. “Nan?”
Mary Diamond’s eyes fluttered open, and when she saw her grandson, her face creased into a smile.
She reached out to grasp his hand. “Oh, Jimmy. You didn’t have to come all this way. How did you get here?”
Jimmy perched on the side of his nan’s bed. “By bus. Linda gave me the fare.”
“Have you been all right staying at Linda’s?”
Jimmy hesitated, considering telling his nan what had happened last night, but he quickly decided against it. The last thing she needed was more to worry about.
“Yes, Linda has been very nice.”
His nan smiled with relief and then leaned back heavily on her pillows. “The doctor says I just need a bit more rest, and then I’ll be able to come home.”
Jimmy smiled happily. When his nan had collapsed, he had never been so scared. He was looking forward to her coming home.
They chatted away for an hour until the stern sister approached them to tell Jimmy it was time he left because visiting hours were over. Because many of the people on Bartholomew Ward were very ill, visiting times were restricted to only one hour a day.
Reluctantly, Jimmy kissed his nan goodbye and headed out for the bus stop.
When he got back to Poplar, he decided to go to the workshop. Usually, he went straight after school, but he was sure Georgie would have explained to his father the reason behind Jimmy’s absence today. They wouldn’t expect him to come in at all, but Jimmy didn’t fancy going back to Linda’s house yet. Linda would be at work, and Jimmy definitely didn’t want to run into Geoff again.
He strolled across the yard, and as he approached the warehouse, he noticed something was different.
He was used to seeing different men hanging about. Dave Carter employed a lot of people, but usually it was only Charlie Williams, Brian Moore and Big Tim who worked at the workshop. The other men were based in Dave Carter’s warehouse. Jimmy had never been there, and neither had little Georgie. Georgie said his father didn’t even like to talk about the warehouse for some reason.
Today, the workshop was packed. There were lots of men he didn’t recognise all standing in a huddle, arranged around Dave Carter. Jimmy slipped inside unnoticed and spotted Georgie sitting on a chair on the far side of the room. He walked over to join him and asked, “What’s going on?”
Little Georgie’s face lit up when he saw his friend. “I didn’t think you’d be here today. My dad’s having a meeting. There was a p…power cut at the warehouse, so they’re having it here.”
Jimmy nodded and turned with interest to watch the proceedings. The men were all silent as Dave talked.
It didn’t sound very interesting to Jimmy, something about financial arrangements.
“Aren’t there any motors to be washed today?” Jimmy asked Georgie.
Georgie shook his head. “No. Dad asked me to clean these for him.” He pointed to the oil and grease covered set of spanners in front of him.
Jimmy picked up a clean piece of rag and set to work helping him while keeping one ear on what Dave Carter was saying.
Jimmy was focused on his work when he heard a very familiar laugh ring out inside the workshop. He froze and glanced at the men surrounding Dave Carter. He hadn’t noticed him at first because Dave Carter was the sort of man who demanded people’s full attention, but now Jimmy looked again, he saw him – Geoff Blum, Linda’s horrible husband.
“What’s he doing here?” Jimmy muttered, more to himself than to Georgie.
But Georgie looked up and said, “I’m not sure. I’ve seen him before. He works for my dad now and again, I think.”
Jimmy picked up the rag again and began to vigorously polish off the grease.
When Dave had finished addressing his men, they began to file out of the workshop. Jimmy glared at Geoff as he walked past, but the man didn’t even notice him.
The only men remaining were Dave Carter, his brother, Gary, and Charlie Williams when Dave called out, “Before you go I need to have a word about something else.”
Both Charlie and Gary turned back, and Charlie asked, “What is it, boss?”
“I think we have a leak.”
Jimmy stopped his polishing. This sounded much more interesting than the financial stuff Dave was talking about earlier.
“What do you mean?” Gary scratched his head and looked confused.
“I mean what I say, Gary. Someone has been leaking information,” Dave said irritably.
Charlie waited patiently for Dave to continue, but Gary interrupted again, “Who?”
“I thought you might be able to help me with that.” Dave’s eyes bored into his brother.
“I hope you’re not suggesting, I’ve leaked information,” Gary said huffily.
Dave’s eyes narrowed. “Perhaps not intentionally, Gary. But I wouldn’t put it past you to go shooting your mouth off somewhere you shouldn’t.”
Gary’s cheeks flooded with colour, and Jimmy couldn’t tell whether it was because he was angry or ashamed.
“What information has been leaked?” Charlie asked as he hooked his thumbs in the pockets of his waistcoat.
“Information on our plans for Patterson’s boxing club. Gerald Patterson has told me the Mortons have been trying to muscle in.”
“So what? You’re not going to let the Mortons intimidate you, are you? They’re nothing without Martin Morton at the helm,” Gary said.
Even from where he sat, Jimmy could see the anger radiating from Dave. “If I find out it was you who spilled that little tidbit of information to the Mortons, Gary, your life will not be worth living.”
As young as he was, Jimmy could tell from the look on Gary’s face that he was guilty. He held his breath wondering what Dave would do, but to his surprise, Dave just waved his hands at the pair of them. “I don’t have time for this.”
Jimmy wondered later what prompted him at that moment to speak up. He didn’t really have a chance to think things through, but it was like he got a flash of inspiration as he walked towards Dave Carter.
“Excuse me, Mr. Carter,” Jimmy said.
All three men turned to look at Jimmy, wondering if the stupid boy had a death wish, interrupting an argument between the two Carter brothers.
Dave Carter had a soft spot for Jimmy because he was a good friend to little Georgie, but Dave was unpredictable. Jimmy swallowed nervously.
Charlie Williams tried to guide Jimmy away, protecting the boy. “Come on, Jimmy. Show me how far you’ve got with cleaning those tools.”
But Dave interrupted, holding a hand out to stop Charlie walking forward. “What is it, Jimmy?”
“I heard what you were talking about just now.”
Charlie’s grip tightened on Jimmy’s shoulders in warning. “You shouldn’t eavesdrop, Jimmy. But you’re not going to say anything, are you?”
Jimmy knew Charlie was trying to protect him, but he didn’t want his protection right now. He wanted to talk to Dave Carter.
Dave fixed him with a stare. “Go on.”
“I know who leaked your information,” Jimmy said.
For a moment, no one spoke, and then Gary rushed forward and said. “He’s just a boy. You can’t listen to him!”
Jimmy guessed Gary thought he was about to dob him in. Little did he know that Jimmy was about to save his skin.
Dave held up a finger in warning. “Shut your mouth, Gary. I’d like to hear what Jimmy has to say.”
Jimmy took a breath. He knew there was no going back once these words left his mouth.
“It was Geoff Blum w
ho leaked your information.”
Charlie frowned, and Gary simply gaped at him in surprise.
Dave leaned forward, crouching down and putting his own face only inches from Jimmy’s. “Are you sure about this, Jimmy? It’s very important.”
Jimmy nodded confidently. “Yes. I’ve been staying with him and his wife while my nan is in hospital, and I heard him boasting about it last night.”
Dave’s jaw tightened as he gritted his teeth, and then he stood up, put a hand on Jimmy’s shoulder and said, “Good lad.”
They all watched as Dave strode out of the workshop, and Jimmy stood there feeling a little stunned. He wasn’t sure he’d done the right thing, but it was too late for doubts now.
* * *
Dave Carter couldn’t have been more surprised at the words that had left Jimmy’s mouth. He’d been expecting Jimmy to tell him he’d overheard Gary spilling the details. But Geoff Blum? Dave really hadn’t been expecting that. Geoff had only been working with him for a couple of months, and Dave was surprised he even knew about Patterson’s enterprise.
He turned to look at his brother Gary and wondered if he’d judged him too harshly. Dave was aware of his brother’s shortcomings and had expected him to blab about the Patterson’s side business. That had been all part of Dave’s plan.
He wondered if Gary had turned over a new leaf.
But now Jimmy had told him about Geoff Blum, Dave had a dilemma. If it had been his brother spreading Dave’s business all over the East End, Dave would have made a fuss, but in the end, he would have let it slide. He was his brother, after all. But Dave didn’t owe anything to Geoff Blum. He would have to make an example of him. When he invited someone to join his circle of men, he had to be able to trust them.
He thought about asking Tim to deal with it, but it was too soon. He would have to rely on Charlie and Brian to deal with this situation.
“What are we going to do about it?” Gary demanded.
Dave thought that was a bit fresh, considering how many times Gary had blabbed in the past. In Dave’s opinion, he shouldn’t be quite so eager to have someone punished for the same crime he had committed in the past.
“He will be dealt with,” Dave said. “And the Mortons will try to muscle in and cut their own deal with the Pattersons.”
Gary looked horrified. “They wouldn’t dare! Tell me you won’t let them get away with that.”
“Things will work out,” Dave said mildly as his brother’s face flushed with anger and indignation.
He couldn’t confide in Gary because his brother would never understand. He didn’t know how to play the long game. If Gary had his way, he would storm in, kicking the Mortons when they were down and causing a great deal of resentment. Dave wasn’t above a fight, but he liked to win. Timing was important. Martin Morton would soon be out of prison, and when he did get out, Dave wanted the Mortons to be decimated.
The truth was Dave couldn’t wait for Babs Morton to cut this deal with Gerald Patterson. It was a crucial part of Dave’s strategy.
Why should he get his hands dirty when he could get somebody else to obliterate the Mortons off the face of the East End?
* * *
Gary licked his lips nervously, and his eyes darted across to Dave. He had been convinced Jimmy was about to get him in trouble. He was still feeling on edge, as though he had just escaped by the skin of his teeth. He didn’t really think Dave would harm him physically, but Gary had been cut off before, and he didn’t like it at all. Everything he owned came through Dave. Without his brother, his life was worthless. He wouldn’t get any respect, and he would lose his ability to make money.
He knew his brother was smart, but sometimes his actions confused Gary. Right now, the Mortons were low, and one final face-off would surely be enough to see them off for good, but Dave wasn’t interested. He wanted to live and let live, and Gary thought that was a mistake.
Just then, Gary noticed that Jimmy Diamond’s eyes were on him. There was something unusual about the boy. It was as though he had an old head on young shoulders, and something in the boy’s dark blue eyes told him he wasn’t quite the happy-go-lucky child Gary had always assumed he was.
Did Jimmy Diamond know he had really been the one to mouth off and spill the secrets about the Patterson deal? Surely not. Gary would never be so stupid when he was sober, and he wouldn’t have run into the child in a pub.
That was another area where Gary thought Dave had it all wrong. In the old days, Morton’s men would never have dared to show their face in the same boozer as the Carters. Nowadays, people drank wherever they liked, and Dave was happy enough to let them.
Gary tore his eyes away from Jimmy and wished the kid would stop looking at him like that. It gave him the creeps. It was almost as if the boy could tell what he was thinking.
Still, why should Gary care? He was in the clear now, and Geoff Blum would be held accountable.
CHAPTER 34
L inda took a quick glance at her watch and wondered how much longer she would have to stick around. She hadn’t been able to attend Valerie’s wedding because she had to work, and had just come along to the party afterwards. Valerie was a couple of months along now and already showing. She wore a pretty peach-coloured suit and couldn’t stop smiling.
Linda was very glad it had worked out for her, but she wanted to get away as soon as possible to make sure Jimmy was okay after visiting Mary in the hospital.
This coming Saturday, she intended to look for a new place to live and put down a deposit. She knew her parents would be horrified, but there was no way Linda could continue to live with Geoff.
Valerie chucked her small bouquet into the air, and all the single girls from Bevels made a rush to grab for it. Linda thought they wouldn’t be quite so eager if they knew what marriage was really like.
Valerie’s mother and aunts had laid on a tea for the wedding guests, and Linda reached out for a ham sandwich.
As she walked along the table which was piled high with potato salad, sandwiches and home-made cakes, Linda felt very out of place. She didn’t belong to the group of young, single women who were talking about going to a dance on Saturday night, and she didn’t feel she had anything in common with the group of young, happily-married mothers either, so she stood alone by the food table feeling very sorry for herself until Valerie approached her.
The girl had tears in her eyes as she thanked Linda. “I don’t know what I would have done without your help, Linda,” Valerie said earnestly. “I’m ever so grateful.”
Linda forced herself to smile. “You don’t need to thank me, Valerie. I’m glad everything has worked out well for you.”
“You’ll have to pop round for a cup of tea and see our new house,” Valerie said with a hint of pride. “It’s ever so modern.”
Now that she was a married woman, with a baby on the way, Valerie wouldn’t be returning to work at Bevels. As Linda watched her rush off and talk excitedly to her new husband, she felt a pang of envy and hated herself for it. She had no one else to blame but herself for the situation she was in.
She should have listened to her parents about Geoff. They had both warned her that he wasn’t suitable. She doubted that either of her parents had had any idea just how awful Geoff would turn out to be, but they had known he wasn’t good enough for Linda from the start.
Linda felt like she stood out like a sore thumb. She was wearing an old dress, which was a little tight on her hips. But there wasn’t money for new dresses, especially not when there was only one wage coming in most of the time, and Geoff spent a large portion of their household income down the pub. All the other married women here today had their husbands with them, but Linda hadn’t even bothered to invite Geoff. He would only show her up and humiliate her if he agreed to come along. He was probably at The Lamb and half cut already.
Linda glanced again at her watch and thought now was an appropriate time to leave. She had wished the happy couple well and done everything expect
ed of her. Her shoes were pinching her feet after standing all day at Bevels, and she couldn’t wait to get home and take them off.
She walked home slowly in the late evening, summer sun and thought about what she would do with Jimmy. With her wages, it was unlikely she would be able to afford a two-bedroom place, and so she might be forced to stay with Geoff until Jimmy was safely back at home with his nan. She wasn’t sure how long Mary would be in hospital, but she guessed it would be at least another week. That meant another week putting up with Geoff, and Linda shuddered. Now that she had made her decision, she couldn’t wait to get away from him.
She imagined the look on his face when she confronted him and told him she was leaving. She wasn’t naive enough to think he would miss her, but he would certainly miss her wages coming in. He would be forced to get a job or else he’d be thrown out on the street for not paying the rent, and it would serve him right, Linda thought grimly.
* * *
Outside The Lamb, Charlie and Brian were waiting in a van. There were a couple of vehicles parked in the street, but not many.
“He’d better get a blooming move on. Someone’s going to notice us sitting out here in broad daylight,” Charlie Williams muttered and then took a drag on his cigarette.
Brian’s meaty fingers drummed against the steering wheel impatiently. “The longer he is in there, the more drunk he’ll be, and that means he won’t be able to put up so much of a fight.”
“I hope you’re right,” Charlie said. “He’s a big bastard.”
“Nah,” Brian said dismissively. “He won’t stand a chance.”
That was all very well for Brian to say, Charlie thought. The man was built like a brick shithouse. Charlie, on the other hand, wasn’t quite so brawny, and he didn’t like doing jobs like this without a weapon. But Dave had specifically ordered them not to bring any guns or knives. He wanted this to look like an accident.
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