by June Tate
Laughing she agreed.
‘Have you taken a day off since you opened? I bet you haven’t!’
Shaking her head she said, ‘No. I’ve not had the time.’
‘Neither have I and I feel the need for a break. Why don’t we slip off to the New Forest for lunch tomorrow, I think we’ve earned it? What do you say?’
To her own surprise she agreed. She hadn’t meant to say yes, but the word was uttered before she had time to think and when she had done so, she was pleased.
‘I’ll pick you up at noon and we’ll drive to Lyndhurst. Wrap up warm and we’ll take a walk to blow the cobwebs away before we eat.’
The following day, Victoria dressed carefully. She wore smart trousers, a sweater and a sheepskin coat. The weather was dry but cold and blustery and she knew that in the New Forest it would be colder. With a certain frisson of excitement she waited at the club after telling George she would be out for most of the day.
He was more than a little surprised to see Johnny Daniels walk into the club and Victoria leave with him and climb into his car. He frowned. This was not good. He’d made enquiries about the young man and, although he only discovered that his business was not only legitimate but well thought of by its clients – a few of them members – he’d also discovered he was the son of Big Pat Daniels and to him, this spelled trouble.
The drive through the New Forest was picturesque. The trees were devoid of leaves at this time of year, but the gorse was flourishing and the New Forest ponies were much in evidence. Had it not been for the many signs asking the public not to feed them, Victoria would have been tempted to stop and do so.
Johnny parked the car and said, ‘Come on let’s stretch our legs.’
There was an air of peace in the forest and, as they walked, Victoria felt herself unwind. She hadn’t realized quite how much the last few months in the new business had taken out of her and after a while she felt renewed.
‘I’m really enjoying this,’ she said with a look of delight and took his hand as he helped her up a steep incline.
‘I’m glad,’ he said, keeping hold of her and brushing aside the hair that had fallen over her face in the wind.
At the top of what was a high ridge, they stopped and looked round at the countryside.
‘It really is beautiful here at any time of the year,’ she remarked, ‘but I’m surprised that you liked walking, I wouldn’t have thought it was your style at all!’
He started to laugh. ‘I’m not quite sure what my “style” is, Victoria, I just felt the need to escape, that’s all.’
They walked back to the car and drove to Buckler’s Hard and sat in the small inn there where they ate, both ravenous from the exercise. The conversation flowed between them easily and again Victoria was surprised by this young man who was not at all what she expected.
Eventually they drove home and he dropped her outside her flat.
Turning to him in the car she said, ‘Thanks, Johnny, that was just what I needed.’
He slipped an arm across her shoulders. ‘I’m so pleased. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed your company; perhaps you’ll let me take you out again?’
Looking into his eyes that stared back into hers she said, ‘Perhaps.’
He drew her slowly towards him and kissed her softly. ‘I’ll be seeing you,’ he whispered as he kissed her again. He then leant across her and opened the door. ‘Take care now.’
With a spring in her step, Victoria walked into her lounge and ran her fingers through her tousled hair, looked in the mirror and saw the colour in her cheeks from the wind. Her eyes sparkled. She could still feel the gentle imprint of Johnny’s kiss on her mouth and had to admit she’d liked being kissed by him. It had been a very long time since she’d been held in a man’s arms and had been surprised by the arousal in her body as he held her. Would she like Johnny Daniels to make love to her? She quickly dismissed the idea. No way was she going to get involved with him, she felt that would be very foolish. But her body told her differently.
That evening, when he got home, Johnny rang his father. ‘Things are going just as I planned, Dad. I took Miss Victoria Teglia out to lunch today and we got along just fine.’ He listened to the laughter from the man on the end of the line.
Sandy was playing the piano in the Smuggler’s Return, in the London docklands – a job he loved – and was paid to appear three nights a week, which gave him some mad money to play with. He was a good pianist and on a Saturday night he gave a turn, singing songs that were popular with a few risqué ones thrown in, to the delight of the patrons who ribbed him unmercifully. He always had an answer and treated the customers – who were mainly villains – with a certain contempt, which they loved. Apart from which, he enjoyed a good gossip and this pub was aptly named as the customers were mainly members of the underworld. Notorious villains who knew they were in a pub which catered for their ilk. The landlord was an old lag and had served time himself. His wife held the licence but he was the boss and everybody knew that and, as he was a hard man, they treated him with a respect that he’d earned over the years.
Big Pat Daniels and his gang had made the Smuggler’s Return their local. Other factions of London’s various gangs knew better than to encroach on his patch. He was definitely the Lord of the Manor in these parts and you had better respect that unless you wanted real trouble. And it was here, on occasion, that Johnny met with his father.
Sandy liked Johnny. He had more polish than his father. He had style, which endeared him to the old pianist who loved to see a man well turned out. What’s more, he treated Sandy with respect, sadly lacking among the others, who, although he amused them, did like to ridicule him whenever they could, even if it was done humorously. But never Johnny. Sandy had always thought that, if the lad had had a different father, he could go a long way in the legitimate world. He was intelligent and had great charm.
When on this particular evening Johnny walked into the bar, Sandy winked at him and nodded to where Pat was sitting. He was playing quietly and could hear the voices raised above the hub bub of the crowd. He pricked up his ears when he heard the name Victoria on young Johnny’s lips.
‘She’s a lovely girl, Dad, I really like her.’
Pat glowered at his son. ‘Don’t start getting fond of her son, she’s a means to an end and don’t you forget it! It starts getting personal, it won’t work.’
Sandy was worried. It had to be his Victoria because he knew that Johnny was a member of the club as George Coleman had had a quiet word with him when he’d discovered Pat Daniels was the father, knowing that Sandy played piano in Pat’s London local. What was going on? He needed to find out. He continued to listen but the conversation changed to other things.
A little later, Johnny wandered over with a half of bitter for the pianist as was his habit. ‘Here you are, Sandy. How are you doing?’
‘Fine thanks love, and you? How’s business?’ It was no secret that Johnny had started up in Southampton and he’d heard that’s where Sandy came from and in the past they had talked about the town.
‘Doing well, thanks, Sandy.’
‘Found yourself a good woman yet?’ It was a well-known fact that the good-looking young man had a way with women and Sandy had often teased him about it in the past.
Johnny laughed. ‘As a matter of fact I have but the trouble is she is a good woman! I like them better when they’re naughty.’
‘Oh my, tell me more . . . could it be you’ve met your match?’
‘We’ll have to wait and see,’ was the answer and Johnny walked away. Leaving Sandy none the wiser.
It was mid-morning a few days later and Victoria was checking out the dining-room tables in readiness for the lunchtime trade, when a familiar voice made her turn round.
‘Hello, tiger, you still look good enough to eat!’
‘Bruce!’ She rushed into the arms of a good-looking naval officer who lifted her off her feet, swung her round before kissing her until she
was breathless.
‘Bloody hell, Victoria, you have no idea how I’ve missed you!’
‘You were at sea when I came home, there was no way I could say goodbye except to send you a signal. You look wonderful.’ And she kissed him again.
‘Why didn’t you write to me?’ he demanded.
‘Well, after my demob, I got caught up in this.’ She gestured to the room. ‘I’m a partner in this business!’
‘I know, I went to the Langford Hotel and your mother told me where you were.’ He raised his eyebrows as he questioned her. ‘How could you just walk out on me like that after all we’d been to each other?’
‘I’m sorry, darling. There was so much to do before we opened. This used to be my father’s club in the old days you know . . . Well, not as you see it now, it’s been rebuilt a couple of times. Come and let me show you round.’ And she took him on a tour, introducing him to George Coleman as she went.
George was delighted to meet him as it was obvious to everyone that these two were very close. Thank God, he thought, now she’ll have someone else to think about other than bloody Johnny Daniels.
Eventually the couple sat at the bar and over a drink caught up with each other’s news. Captain Bruce Chapman held her hand as they talked. ‘God I’ve missed you, darling,’ he said. ‘I’m on leave for two weeks. I do hope we’ll be able to spend some time together.’
Victoria gazed into his eyes and realized just how much this man meant to her. They’d had a torrid affair during their time together. At first it had been based on lust but it had grown into more than that by the time she left the navy and she had meant to write to him, but with one thing and another, their relationship had been pushed to the back of her mind and now she felt guilty about it. Bruce didn’t deserve to be treated so lightly but now she’d make it up to him.
‘Let’s go to The Langford and have some lunch, then you can meet the family. After, we’ll go home.’
‘When you say home, where do you mean?’
She caressed his cheek. ‘My flat.’
He grinned broadly. ‘I like the sound of that. Do we need to eat first?’
With a chuckle she said, ‘I’m afraid so, I promised them. I try and lunch with Mum and Luke as often as possible.’
‘Then I’ll try to contain myself until later,’ he said, teasing.
Victoria felt very proud as she walked into her parents’ establishment. Bruce looked so smart in his uniform with his gold braid and medal ribbons on his chest. He’d survived many dramas during the war and had been torpedoed once and now he was captain of his own vessel. He was tall with blonde hair and had an air of command about him which certainly seemed to impress the receptionist who couldn’t take her eyes off him as they waited for Lily and Luke to join them.
The lunch was an enjoyable time, the two men hit it off immediately and Lily, listening to them chat, turned to her daughter.
‘How come you’ve never told me about Bruce? He’s wonderful, just the sort of man I hoped you would marry.’
‘Steady, Mum. Nothing has been mentioned about marriage, we’re just friends, that’s all.’
Lily gave a sardonic smile. ‘Rather more than that I think, Victoria.’
This the two of them proved when they entered the door of Victoria’s flat and Bruce took her into his arms. ‘You still look amazing and I can’t wait to make love to you again,’ he said softly as he nuzzled her neck.
The familiarity of the man who held her, and kissed her, brought forth the old longings and she led him into her bedroom. ‘Show me,’ she said as she started to undress.
Bruce knew her and her needs so well, he knew exactly which buttons to press and their love making was long and languid as he explored her body with his long fingers and his tongue until she was all but frantic for him to take her. And when eventually he entered her, her soft cries of ecstasy pleased him, knowing that he was giving her pleasure.
Eventually they lay together curled in each other’s arms. ‘My God, how I’ve missed that,’ he said.
‘You mean you’ve been celibate?’ she asked.
He looked surprised. ‘Of course, what a strange question. You know how much I think of you, why would I want anyone else?’
‘It’s been a long time, Bruce.’
‘A bloody long time! I felt like a monk . . . and you?’
She immediately thought of Johnny Daniels kissing her. ‘Me too.’ It wasn’t a lie; a kiss didn’t mean anything after all.
‘I’m being stationed in Portsmouth after my leave,’ he told her.
‘Oh, Bruce, that’s marvellous!’
‘I’m so pleased you sound so happy about it, darling. You know, after so long, I did wonder if you felt the same as me. The navy is my career, as you know, there will be times when I’m away, how do you feel about that?’
‘What are you trying to say?’
He turned her in his arms so he could look at her. ‘I’m saying that I missed you like hell and would like to think we could be together permanently.’
Four
Victoria was stunned by Bruce’s words and didn’t know what to say. The pregnant pause made him frown.
‘What’s the matter, I thought you loved me – well you used to, at least that’s what you told me when we were together.’
‘Oh Bruce, I do, truly. You’ve just knocked the wind out of my sails, that’s all. It’s been so long since last we met. Today you walked back into my life and it was wonderful to see you – but marriage?’
‘What’s so wrong with marriage?’ he demanded.
‘Nothing, nothing at all, I suppose it was never on my agenda, the business has been my only concern for months.’
‘Obviously!’ He sounded cross. ‘Otherwise you would have written to me.’
She cuddled into him. ‘Don’t be mad with me, Bruce, not just after we’ve made love, it’ll spoil the moment.’
He let out a deep sigh. ‘Oh, Victoria, what am I going to do about you?’
‘You could love me some more.’
‘Are you turning me down?’ he persisted.
‘No, darling, but let’s just get used to being together again. You’ll be around if you’re going to be based in Portsmouth – let’s leave it at that for now.’
‘But you will think about it?’
‘Of course I will – but don’t pressure me, Bruce. There’s no mad rush after all.’
He took her into his arms and softly kissed her. He would have to be patient, he could see that. Victoria was only just beginning to settle down to civilian life, which was never easy and she had started a new business. Perhaps he was a bit previous, but he wanted her as his wife, the mother of his children. They were good together and he was sure he could make her happy. Then he was besieged by doubts. Perhaps she’d met someone else after all? Well, he’d be around for the next while and that would have to be enough for now.
During the rest of the week, Victoria spent as much time as she could with Bruce, trying to make up for the past, but on Saturday night she told him she’d have to work.
‘Come to the club and when everything is running well, we’ll have dinner.’ And he’d agreed.
This particular Saturday, the club was heaving with people and Victoria was busy looking after the welfare of her customers. Bruce sat at the bar watching her work the room, admiring her expertise with people. She worked hard and he felt a certain pride at her achievements.
It was whilst he went to the gents that Johnny Daniels walked in. He made for the bar, sat on a high stool and ordered a drink. Greeting one or two members who were now his clients.
Victoria wandered over and had a word with him. ‘Hello, Johnny, how are you?’
Casually putting an arm round her waist he said, ‘Fine. My goodness you’re busy tonight. Too busy to have dinner with me?’
‘Sorry, Johnny, I’m already booked.’ She made her excuses and went to greet some members who had just arrived. He took little notice of the naval office
r who sat near him at the bar, but soon wandered into the gaming room to watch the players, to see who could afford to lose their money without becoming upset over their losses. After all, that’s what he was here for.
One roulette table was playing to high rollers and he stood and watched. It was quite obvious to the casual observer that several of the men were seasoned gamblers, placing their chips with alacrity, but one man in particular was losing heavily and Johnny watched the man wipe the sweat from his brow as he lost his chips once again, whereas the others collected their winnings with much jollity and banter.
The loser asked for an extended line of credit and the croupier said he’d have to ask his boss. George Coleman was summoned. The croupier whispered in his ear and George glanced over to the unlucky punter, then walked around the table, took the man firmly by the elbow, said something quietly and waited.
The man started to argue. Towering over him, George’s demeanour became threatening, but he kept his voice low, uttered a few words which made the man pale, then he led him away.
Curious, Johnny walked to the door of the room and watched as George took the man to the entrance. He heard what was said.
‘You have seven days to pay your debts or I’ll be making a personal call on you,’ he said, threateningly. ‘And believe me, you wouldn’t enjoy that.’
Johnny slipped back into the gaming room. George Coleman was certainly not to be messed with. He casually asked one of the passing waiters the names of the other men who had been winning at the table, then walked back into the dining area and the bar. He looked around for Victoria and was surprised to see her dining with the naval officer. He sat and watched them and was not pleased. The man sitting with Victoria reached across the table and took her hand. It was the way she looked back at him that displeased Johnny so much. He beckoned the barman over.
‘Who is that with Miss Teglia?’
‘Captain Chapman, I believe he’s an old friend she knew when she was in the WRNS.’
George Coleman saw the way Johnny Daniels was watching Victoria and chuckled to himself. ‘Now that’s a real man, my son,’ he muttered to himself. ‘You’ve got no chance.’
