by Sam Michaels
‘Lora Zammit came to the café this morning. She was looking for you to warn you about her husband’s intentions.’
‘This morning. And I’m only just finding out now!’
‘I tried to ring you, but couldn’t get through. And then the car broke down on the way here. I got here as soon as I could.’
‘I see,’ Georgina said grimly. ‘All right, come inside, drink your cocoa and then we’re going straight back to London.’
‘Wouldn’t you be safer here?’
‘Yeah, probably, but it would only be a matter of time before they’d find me. I’m not hiding, Johnny. If Temi Zammit wants a fight, he’s going to bloody well get one.’
*
Charlotte sat on the edge of Fleur’s bed, her stomach full.
‘That was the best bacon sandwich I’ve ever had,’ Fleur said as she flopped down beside her.
Charlotte was about to agree but was stopped by a loud hammering on the door. The young women glanced at each other, fear in both their eyes.
‘Shush, don’t say a word,’ Charlotte whispered as she looked around the room. There was nowhere to hide. If it was the Zammits on the other side of the door and it wasn’t opened, they would kick it in. She swallowed as bile rose in her throat. That bacon sandwich might have been her last.
‘Fleur, are you in there, pet?’
With a huge sigh of relief, Fleur said, ‘It’s Mrs Wise from downstairs.’
‘Thank gawd for that.’
Fleur walked across the room and pulled open the door and Charlotte tried to look past Fleur to get a glimpse of the woman.
‘Hello, Mrs Wise,’ Fleur said. ‘I’m sorry, were we being too loud? I’ve got my friend, Charlotte, come to stay for a few days.’
‘No, no, pet, nothing like that. It’s that café you work in. My old man’s just come home from the pub and said the café you work in is up in flames!’
‘Oh my gawd! Thanks, Mrs Wise. Thanks for letting me know,’ Fleur said and closed the door, turning swiftly to look at Charlotte. ‘Did you hear that?’
‘Yeah, I heard,’ Charlotte said, her mind reeling.
‘Someone has set it alight, ain’t they?’
‘Yeah, I think so. You wait here. I’m going to take a look.’
‘No, Charlotte, I don’t think you should. I reckon you’re better off staying here with me. There’ll be nothing you can do.’
‘Maybe, but I’ve got to see for myself.’
‘All right, but I’m coming with you.’
They grabbed their coats and raced out the door, both running down St John’s Hill and then up Lavender Hill. Charlotte could see the glow of the fire and the fire trucks outside. She had no doubt in her mind that the Zammits had done this.
As they approached, a fire warden held them back. ‘Keep your distance, miss,’ he warned.
Charlotte stood with the crowd and watched as the café was razed to the ground, the flames licking the flats above. She felt Fleur’s hand slip into her own.
‘I suppose it’s lucky that we weren’t inside,’ Fleur said. ‘Come on. You’ve seen it now. There’s nothing left of it. Let’s go home.’
‘You go, I won’t be long,’ she said as her eyes roamed over the faces in the crowd. She didn’t recognise anyone who could be a Zammit but she didn’t know who she was looking for. An unknown enemy. It was a terrifying thought to think there could be someone in the crowd who wanted them dead!
After a while, the flames were dampened down and the crowd began to disperse. Charlotte turned around and headed back towards Fleur’s. As she walked down the hill, the noise from the commotion outside the café became quieter. But then she heard something in the distance that made her blood run cold. Surely not? It couldn’t be, could it? Charlotte looked skyward and saw the dark outline of German planes flying above.
She stood transfixed, her neck stretched back as she stared upwards. Bright searchlights from Battersea Park roamed across the night sky and the sound from the anti-aircraft guns on Clapham Common reached her ears. But why hadn’t the warning sirens sounded?
‘Take cover, miss,’ a man warned as he darted past her.
Charlotte glanced after the man and then her eyes fell onto a young woman who, just like her, was standing frozen to the spot. She was holding an umbrella over her head and staring blankly back at Charlotte with empty eyes. Charlotte tried to pull her gaze away from the woman to peer up at the dogfight that was playing out over their heads. The Germans had taken them by surprise but the RAF were hot on the heels of the Luftwaffe. Shrapnel from their guns suddenly bounced off the woman’s umbrella.
Charlotte felt someone tugging her arm. An American soldier was pulling her down the street. ‘You can’t stay here,’ he said urgently.
As she was dragged along the road, she looked over her shoulder to see another American soldier had taken hold of the woman and was forcibly yanking her along. She dropped her umbrella but made no attempt to pick it up.
Charlotte looked up at the man holding her arm. He was tall, like Tim, and probably about the same age. He reminded her a lot of Tim. This is the sort of heroic act that he would do. But he wasn’t Tim and she snatched her arm free of his grip. She didn’t want to die with a stranger.
‘What are you doing, miss?’
‘I’m going home,’ Charlotte answered firmly, and to her own flat, not to Fleur’s.
She ran away from the kind American soldier and towards Alexandra Avenue. As she sprinted away from the mayhem at Clapham Junction, explosions rattled somewhere in the distance and the distinct smell of burning buildings wafted through the air. Battersea hadn’t been hit so far tonight but other parts of London had been attacked. Tomorrow’s newspapers would be filled with the details of the casualties and the tragic death toll.
Charlotte reached home, gasping for breath. As she put her key into the front door, she noticed her hand visibly shaking. ‘You’re home now,’ she told herself, reassuringly.
Once inside, in the hallway, she could hear Miss Gray singing upstairs. The old lady always sang her way through a bombing raid. Charlotte didn’t know what Dina did to get through it. She imagined the brave Russian woman took it in her stride. After all, Dina rarely showed any emotion apart from anger.
As she pushed open the door to her flat, Charlotte thought how eerily quiet it felt. Dog didn’t bound up to greet her. Georgina was away in Kent. Tim off at basic training camp. And Lord Hamilton dead. Gawd, she missed the old toff. He would have been down here now with his brandy and a funny story to tell. But there were only the three of them left in the building, Miss Gray, Dina and her. A strange and somewhat unfriendly bunch.
Charlotte closed the door and, feeling a bit dizzy, she slumped to the floor. She hugged her knees up to her chest and rocked back and forth, trying to push the images from her head of bomb blasted bodies. As tears poured from her eyes, she leaned to one side and lay on the floor, curled into a foetal position. The fear had subsided but was replaced with an overwhelming feeling of loneliness.
The Zammits were nothing to fear compared to the Luftwaffe, she thought as she cried herself to sleep right there on the floor just inside her door.
30
Johnny hoped the car would get them back to London without breaking down again. He’d never really understood how engines worked so if the car failed them now, they’d be stuck on the dark country lanes. It was unlikely that anyone would pass them at this time of night. He’d been lucky on his way to Kent. When the engine had spluttered and lost power, he’d been stranded at the side of the road for nearly two hours. An old boy in a tractor had stopped and towed him back to his farm. An hour later, the car was fixed. Johnny had been grateful but he knew that sort of luck didn’t come around twice in one day.
As they eventually neared London, it was clear to see that the city had been badly hit by the German bombers. They could see an orange hue in the night sky. London was on fire again.
‘I hope Charlotte’s all right,’
Georgina mumbled.
‘I’m sure she will be,’ Johnny answered but his mind wasn’t on Charlotte. He was more worried about what the Zammits were going to do and concerned that Georgina was out of her depth. ‘What are we going to do about Temi Zammit?’ he asked anxiously.
‘I don’t know yet. I’m thinking.’
Johnny took her answer as his cue to keep quiet. They drove the rest of the way in silence but he noticed she was rubbing her finger, a sure sign that Georgina was deep in thought.
As they came into Battersea, Johnny sighed with relief. There was no sign of more bomb damage and the fires looked to be on the other side of the Thames. Westminster probably hadn’t fared well, he thought, feeling sorry for the poor folk who’d been hit.
He pulled up outside Fleur’s house. Georgina went in but came back minutes later without Charlotte.
‘Where is she?’ Johnny asked.
‘Fleur said she hasn’t seen her since the Jerries flew over. They were up the Junction. The café has been torched.’
‘Fuck. The Zammits?’
‘Yeah, probably. But at least no one was inside.’
‘Where to now?’
‘Home. Charlotte will be there.’
Johnny hadn’t turned the engine off in case the car didn’t start again. He set off for Alexandra Avenue, his mind turning. Burning down the café was a clear message that the Zammits meant business and he feared it was only a matter of time before they caught up with him and Georgina.
‘Wait here,’ Georgina said when they arrived at her house.
‘No. I’m not leaving your side,’ Johnny answered and got out of the car before she could protest.
Inside, Dina came running down the stairs. Her hands were still thickly bandaged. Johnny wondered how she managed to dress or feed herself but Dina wouldn’t thank him for prying into her business so he kept his mouth shut.
‘Miss Garrett, I have a message for you,’ Dina said calmly but with urgency. ‘Four men come here and tell me you are to meet them at West One Club. At dawn.’
‘Do you know who the men were?’ Georgina asked.
‘No. Gangsters. I think they want to kill you, yes?’
‘Yes, probably. Did they say anything else?’
‘No.’
‘Have you seen Charlotte?’
‘She is indoors. I hear her cry like a baby,’ Dina answered with contempt.
Georgina exchanged a worried look with Johnny. She quickly fished a key from her bag and opened the door but it wouldn’t open fully.
‘Charlotte… Charlotte…’ Georgina called through the gap and peeked inside. ‘Johnny, she’s on the floor!’
Johnny rushed over. He looked through the small gap to see Charlotte rising to her feet. ‘Charlotte, it’s me and Miss Garrett.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Charlotte muttered. ‘I must have fallen asleep down there,’ she said as she let them in.
Johnny could see her eyes were swollen from crying. ‘What’s happened?’ he asked.
‘Eh? Oh, the café got burned down.’
They went into the front room and it was Georgina who challenged Charlotte now. ‘I know about the café but what happened to you? You’ve been upset.’
‘Nothing. Nothing happened to me.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes. I just got scared when the planes flew over.’
‘You’re supposed to be at Fleur’s,’ Johnny snapped.
‘Yeah, I know but she ain’t got room to swing a cat and I felt safer here.’
‘Did you know the Zammits have been here and spoken to Dina?’ Georgina asked.
‘No,’ Charlotte replied, her eyes wide.
‘See, you ain’t safe here,’ Johnny said. ‘I’m taking you back to Fleur’s and this time, stay bloody put!’
‘Do as he tells you,’ Georgina urged. ‘It’s for your own good.’
Charlotte rolled her eyes but nodded in agreement. ‘What did they do? Is Dina all right?’
‘Yes, she’s fine. I’ve been summoned to meet them at one of their clubs.’
‘Are you going to go?’
‘I don’t have much choice.’
‘You can’t! Please, Georgina, don’t go. It’ll be suicide.’
‘I’m damned if I go and damned if I don’t. I’ll work it out. But I want you at Fleur’s for now. Johnny will run you there.’
‘I’ll be straight back,’ Johnny said to Georgina before walking out the door and gently pushing Charlotte out with him.
He waited for Fleur to let Charlotte in before rushing back to Georgina. When he got there, he found she’d changed into a smart pair of trousers and a fitted jumper and was counting out her bullets.
‘We haven’t got nearly enough ammunition, guns or men,’ she said gravely.
‘I know.’
‘I’ll have to outsmart them but I’m at a loss, Johnny. I don’t know how to get us out of this.’
Johnny sucked in a deep lungful of air and, bracing for an explosion, offered an option, ‘You could ask David Maynard for help?’
‘No! Absolutely not. There’s nothing between me and David anymore. I won’t be beholden to him for anything.’
‘If we want to get out of this alive, it’s our only choice. The Zammits ain’t mucking about. They will kill both of us.’
‘Maybe. But let’s see what they’ve got to say for themselves first.’
‘What, you mean meet them at the club?’
‘Yes. Perhaps I can talk to Temi and strike a deal. It’ll cost me but Temi loves money. I’m sure I can come to some sort of arrangement with him.’
‘I’m sorry, Miss Garrett, but I think this has gone past the talking stage. Yeah, Temi loves money but he ain’t averse to slaughtering those who’ve wronged him. And as far as he’s concerned, you’ve done just that.’
Georgina huffed and ran a hand through her hair in agitation. ‘Who am I trying to kid? You’re right. He wants me there to kill me. But this ain’t just about his father’s shop. He’s pissed off that I didn’t finish off David.’
‘Whatever his reasons, he won’t stop at you. We’ll all cop it.’
‘Not if I can help it,’ Georgina said, sounding more assured. ‘Get the men ready. I’ll meet Temi at dawn, but I’ll make sure I have a little surprise for him. Something to make him sit up and listen.’
Johnny had no idea what Georgina meant but had a feeling that she had a plan. He looked at his watch. They had about five hours before sunrise. Maybe just five hours left to live.
*
‘You know what to do?’ Georgina asked Nobby Barker.
‘Yeah. Don’t worry, me and Eric have got this,’ he answered in his low voice.
‘Good. Time’s ticking on, you’d better hurry. Take the car. Don’t fuck this up. Everything is riding on it.’
‘We won’t,’ Nobby replied.
The Barker twins left to carry out Georgina’s instructions. She had every faith in them. She looked to Ned. He was stubbing out a roll-up in the ashtray, the fifth one he’d smoked in quick succession.
‘Do you think you can do it, Ned?’ she asked him.
‘Yeah, course I can. I won’t let you down, Miss Garrett.’
‘All right. Off you go with the twins. I’ll see you soon.’
Ned lit another roll-up as he left. Georgina thought he was more nervous than he was letting on, but Ned’s part in her plan was small with little risk. She felt sure he’d pull it off.
‘I need another coffee. Do you want one?’ Georgina asked Johnny.
‘I’d rather have a stiff drink,’ he answered with a tense laugh. ‘But there’s no chance of getting one at The Penthouse now, more’s the pity.’
‘That’s two of my businesses gone up in smoke, thanks to Temi Zammit. Ned said the building next door is destroyed too. It must have been one hell of a fire.’
‘Good job the club was closed.’
‘Yes, it was,’ Georgina said as she pushed herself from the armchair and w
ent into the kitchen to boil the kettle again. She held onto the sink and arched her aching back. Things weren’t looking good for her unless she could persuade Temi to have a discussion. That was going to be a challenge in itself but she was hoping that the Barker twins would be returning soon with her bargaining tool. Something that would make Temi listen.
Before long, there was the sound of a light tap on the window. Georgina looked out, glad to see Nobby.
‘They’re back, let them in,’ she told Johnny.
Nobby came into the room as Georgina picked up her bag. ‘Ready?’ she asked him.
‘Yep, ready,’ he answered.
They followed Nobby to the car. Eric climbed out from the driver’s seat. Johnny handed him the keys to his own car and said, ‘Look after my girl.’
‘I’m a better driver than you, mate. Your car is in safe hands,’ Eric replied and shook Johnny’s hand. ‘Me and Nobby will see you later. Good luck.’
Georgina opened the back door and eased herself in. She pulled her gun from her bag and told Ned, ‘Good job. You can go with Nobby and Eric now.’
‘Right you are. She’s been as good as gold,’ Ned said, referring to their captive passenger. Ned climbed out and dashed off with the Barkers to get Johnny’s car.
‘Let’s go,’ Georgina said to Johnny.
He turned the engine and they set off as Georgina pushed the barrel of her gun into Lora Zammit’s chest. She didn’t like to hear the sound of a woman crying and snapped at Lora, ‘Shut up.’
‘Please don’t do this, Georgina. You know I tried to help you. I tried to warn you.’
‘Yes, I know. Thanks for that. But, unfortunately, your husband hasn’t left me with any other options.’
‘But my children… please promise me that you won’t hurt them.’
‘That’s down to your husband. You’ll need to persuade him that I’m not to be harmed. If I don’t return safely, then the people who are holding them will know what to do.’
Lora cried harder. ‘Please, Georgina, they’re just babies. You’re a mother. You must understand how desperate I am.’
‘I said shut up! I’ve already told you, your children’s wellbeing will be down to the choices your husband makes,’ Georgina growled. She hated using Lora’s kids as a threat but in reality, she’d never harm them. They were safe with Charlotte and Fleur for now. Though she couldn’t let Lora know the truth. The woman had to be convinced that her children’s lives were at risk so that she in turn could convince her husband.
