by Dani Oakley
She walked quickly, trying to catch up with Samuels, and holding her breath as they walked past sickbay.
They went through yet another locked door and finally entered a smaller cellblock. This was one of the oldest parts of the prison, and the least well maintained. Solitary was a grim place.
It felt colder in there. Babs shivered and clutched her arms. She had a cardigan on, but that wasn’t enough to stop the cold. The frigid air felt as though it was penetrating her bones.
“This is it,” Samuels said, coming to a stop by an unmarked cell.
Babs gulped. “She’s in there?”
Samuels nodded. “You’ve got ten minutes. No longer.”
She pushed open the door a crack so Babs could enter.
Babs hesitated a moment before stepping inside the dark cell.
When the door closed behind her, she jumped. It was pitch black in the cell after the brightly lit corridor.
“Gertie? You there?”
Instead of stepping further into the room, Babs backed up against the wall. She didn’t like it. It was bloody creepy.
She heard a movement and gave a little start before turning in that direction.
“Gertie, it’s Babs.”
She heard the rustle of sheets and a groan. “Babs? Is it really you?”
The fear left Babs’s body in an instant as she heard the familiar sound of her friend’s voice. She walked towards her tentatively, scared she was going to bump into the metal edge of the bed.
Her eyes were slowly adjusting to the darkness, but not fast enough for her liking.
She felt Gertie reach out and pull her into a hug.
“I thought I was dreaming. How’d you get here? Put you in solitary as well, have they?”
“Don’t be daft,” Babs said scornfully, although she was grinning. “It would hardly be solitary if they put me in here with you, would it?”
Gertie chuckled. “I suppose not. But how did you get here?”
“I promised Samuels I’d drop some money her way if she got me down here to see you.”
Gertie was silent.
“How have you been bearing up? I was so worried about you,” Babs said. “You never should have told them you hit Maud. We should have stuck together and said she hit her head on the oven. They wouldn’t be able to prove anything.”
Gertie made a scoffing sound. “Now it’s your turn to stop being daft, Babs. They would never have believed us. At least this way only one of us gets the blame.”
Babs’s shoulders slumped, and she sighed heavily. “Yes, but you shouldn’t be the one to take the blame, Gertie. It isn’t fair.”
“There’s nothing fair about prison. And I’ve told you before, I’m not bothered about getting out. Not like you. You’ve got family waiting on the outside, and you were due for release soon. I’ve got years to go on my sentence anyway, so what’s another decade or two.”
Gertie laughed, but Babs didn’t join in. She felt so guilty.
Gertie squeezed her hand as though she could tell Babs was struggling with her conscience. “So, have you heard any more about your release date?”
“I’m supposed to be getting out the day after tomorrow.”
Gertie hesitated for a moment and then said, “That’s brilliant news. I’m so happy for you.”
Babs had no idea what she had done to deserve such a good friend. Although she’d lost her mother when she was young, Babs had a surrogate mother in the form of Frieda Longbottom, a neighbour who’d been a close friend of her mother’s. Frieda would do anything for Babs. Frieda’s support had got Babs through some very tough times. She believed she’d never find another friend as loyal as Frieda, but now she had Gertie too, looking out for her and making a terrible sacrifice for Babs’s benefit.
Well, she wasn’t going to let her down.
“Listen, Gertie, I don’t have long. I want you to know that I’m getting out, but I will not forget what you have done for me. Even if I have to pay through the nose, I’m going to get you the best legal representation I can, and I will get you out of here.”
Gertie sniffed, and Babs thought she might be crying, but it was too dark to tell.
“Did you hear me, Gertie? I won’t rest until you’re out.”
“Do you know what, Babs? If anyone else said that I would have laughed in their face, but if anyone can do it, you can.”
“I promise, Gertie,” Babs said clutching the older woman’s hand. “You will be getting out soon.”
There was a clang as the door unlocked again, and she heard Samuels’s harsh voice whisper, “Come on, Morton. You’ve taken long enough.”
“I’ve got to go,” Babs whispered to Gertie. “Stay strong. I’ll be in touch.”
Chapter 32
Early the next morning, Dave was in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
He flipped the sizzling bacon in a pan and glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. He would have to wake the boys soon.
For the first time since Sandra had died, Trevor had spent the night at home. Dave knew his son was feeling the loss of his mother acutely and was still blaming himself. That was all Dave’s fault. He wished he could take back his harsh words.
He piled the bacon on a plate, shifted it to the oven to keep warm then he reached for the eggs.
He could hear his sons’ voices and the creak of the floorboards upstairs as they slowly got ready for the day.
Dave cracked the eggs into a pan and then hollered upstairs that breakfast would be ready in two minutes.
He got grunts and groans from Georgie and Trevor, which made him smile. The boys might not have much in common, but they did share one trait: neither of them enjoyed getting up in the morning.
Dave regretted the bad relationship he’d had with Trevor over the past couple of years and was determined to wipe the slate clean.
Trevor wasn’t a bad lad. He was far too sensitive for his own good and had a tendency to get the hump and sulk, but deep down, Dave knew he was a good lad. He’d been thinking things through over the past few days and had decided to offer Trevor an olive branch of sorts.
They both needed to make an effort if they were going to turn things around. Dave had decided to ask Trevor to come and work with him at the workshop.
It might not be enough for Trevor, who seemed to think he should get everything handed to him on a silver platter, but Dave hoped he would see the offer for what it was worth.
There was something gratifying about doing a hard day’s graft and getting paid at the end of it. If Trevor could get into the habit of doing a proper day’s work and earning his keep, Dave thought that would be a fantastic start.
Georgie came into the kitchen first. His shirt was still unbuttoned, and his eyes were still bleary from sleep.
“Morning,” Dave said. “Can you bring the bread and butter over to the table, please, Georgie.”
Georgie did as he was asked. As Dave began plating up the bacon and eggs, Trevor walked into the kitchen.
“Would you pour the tea, please, Trevor?” Dave asked.
Trevor still seemed a little on edge, but he did as Dave asked, reached for the teapot and poured three large mugs of tea.
After Dave put breakfast on the table, he sat down and looked at his two sons. Chalk and cheese, he thought, but he loved them both. Georgie just happened to be easier to deal with.
Dave waited until Trevor had polished off his bacon and eggs and sat back in his chair, sipping his tea and seeming more relaxed.
“I wanted to have a word with you, Trevor,” Dave said.
Trevor immediately stiffened, and his eyes glinted defensively.
Dave held back a sigh. What damage had he inflicted in the past that made the boy think his father wanting to talk to him was a bad thing?
Dave pushed his thoughts aside.
“I’ve been thinking about the workshop. Business is booming, and we’re a bit short-staffed. I wondered if you’d like to come in and help us out.”
&nbs
p; Trevor hesitated and looked at Dave as though he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. He was expecting a catch.
Dave watched him expectantly. If Trevor didn’t accept this peace-offering, Dave wasn’t sure what to try next
Georgie, though, seemed incredibly happy. “Really? Oh, you have to come and work with us, Trevor. We have a right laugh in the workshop. You’ll love it.”
Trevor looked at his little brother, and then finally he smiled. He turned back to Dave. “All right. I’ll give it a go.”
Dave exhaled in relief and smiled at Trevor. “I’m really pleased, son. It will be fantastic to have both my boys working for me.”
As he began to clear the table and left Trevor and Georgie talking, Dave realised he felt better than he had in ages. This wasn’t going to solve all their problems, but hopefully, it was a step in the right direction.
* * *
Big Tim was as jittery as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. He had never felt so nervous in his entire life.
He knocked on Linda’s door and hoped she wouldn’t be able to tell. He was planning to walk her to work as he’d been doing every morning since they’d started courting. This morning he planned to ask her to accompany him to a restaurant in the West End tonight.
It wasn’t really Tim’s style. He was more a drink at the pub and then eat dinner at home type of man, but he needed this evening to be special and wanted to treat Linda to a night she’d remember.
After much teasing and laughing, Charlie Williams had advised Tim on the best place to take Linda. He’d recommended some fancy French place up west, and as Charlie was the suavest man he knew, which probably wasn’t saying much, Tim had decided to act on his recommendation and made a reservation for eight o’clock that evening.
When Linda opened the door, her face lit up with a smile.
“Morning,” she said warmly as she buttoned up her coat and stepped outside, closing the front door behind her.
Big Tim suddenly felt very nervous and only just managed to croak out, “Morning, Linda. You look pretty today.”
She smiled shyly. “Thank you.”
Tim took her arm in his, and they set off in the direction of Bevels.
Linda made many attempts at conversation, but Tim’s mind wasn’t in the here and now, he was focused on his plans for the evening.
As Linda finished telling Tim how Mr Bevel would be retiring soon and his annoying brat of a son might be taking over, Tim burst out, “Oh, almost forgot. Are you free tonight?”
Linda looked surprised at the interruption, but she nodded and said, “Yes, I am. Why?”
Tim breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness. I thought I’d arranged everything, but then I almost forgot to tell you about it.”
He shook his head at his own stupidity.
“Tell me about what, Tim? You’re not really making much sense.”
“Sorry,” Tim said looking down at Linda. “I booked us a table at a restaurant tonight. I thought it might be a nice treat.”
“Oh, what a lovely idea,” Linda said. “Which restaurant did you book?”
Tim opened his mouth to answer and then had the most awful thought.
He began patting down the front of his jacket. Then he stopped walking in the middle of the street, dropped Linda’s arm, and shoved his hands into his pockets, rifling through them.
Linda stared at him in surprise. “Tim, are you feeling all right?”
As Tim’s fingers finally managed to locate the small, velvet-covered box in his pocket, he muttered, “Thank God.”
Ever since he’d purchased the ring, he’d been paranoid about losing it. It’d cost him a whole month’s salary from the workshop.
He looked down at Linda’s expectant face. She was still waiting for him to explain what he was playing at. But he felt a twinge of doubt. What if she didn’t like the ring? What if she said no?
He put a hand to his forehead. There was no way he could spend all day worrying about it. He would just have to get it over with now.
To Linda’s shock, Tim dropped down to his knees.
“Tim! You’re kneeling in a puddle. You’ll get your trousers all dirty. What on earth is the matter?”
Even on his knees, Tim was almost as tall as Linda. He pulled the small box out of his pocket and held it up, opening it so Linda could see the ring.
Linda’s hands flew up to her face, and she gasped. Then she leant forward to take a closer look at the small, shining sapphire set in a gold ring.
“Oh, Tim…”
Tim was very glad he was kneeling because his legs had turned to jelly and his stomach was flip-flopping like a herd of buffaloes were running through it.
But there was no chance to back out now. He’d faced far worse challenges in the past. Why was this making him so nervous?
“Linda, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
Linda stared at him for so long that he really started to think she was about to turn him down. He would have to spend the rest of the day with wet patches on his knees for nothing.
“Yes,” Linda said beaming happily. “I would love to become your wife.”
Chapter 33
Linda spent the rest of the day in a daze. She was going to be a married woman again!
Believing she’d be a widow until the end of her days after her last husband jumped off a bridge, Linda had given up on the idea of getting married again. She’d drawn a line under the whole business and tried to make the best of things. She hadn’t been looking for love or companionship, but when Tim showed an interest, it seemed to brighten Linda’s days. Now, even her boring walk to work every day was made more exciting because Tim was there.
Holding out her hand, she admired the small sapphire nestled in the gold ring and sighed.
She’d shown it off at work that morning, and luckily for her, Mr Bevel had not recovered from the flu yet, so he wasn’t at the dress factory to tell her off for wearing jewellery.
Linda smiled to herself as she looked at the ring. It was beautiful and sparkly, and every time she looked at it, she remembered Tim getting tongue-twisted just before he proposed.
Even though the ground had been wet, and he’d had rainwater seeping into his trousers, he still did the proper thing by getting down on one knee.
The only shadow cast on Linda’s happiness was the thought of how Mary Diamond would react to the news. Mary was absolutely convinced that Martin Morton was behind the murder of Jimmy’s mother, Kathleen, and if Linda was honest, she had to admit that Martin Morton was the most likely suspect in her eyes, too.
Tim was charming and funny, and he made her feel safe. Everything about him was perfect but…Linda was aware of his past.
He’d worked for Martin Morton and had been working for Martin at the time Kathleen went missing and was later found dead in the canal.
Linda put a hand to her throat and realised she was shaking. She quickly made her way through the sewing stations, nodding at Tracey when she asked if Linda was okay. She took her place behind the desk at the front of the factory floor.
As the supervisor at Bevels, Linda earned a reasonable wage. She oversaw all the girls and made sure they were putting out quality work. From time to time, when they had a rush order on, Linda would go back to the machines.
But today was a normal day, and all she had to do was make sure they reached their target by five o’clock.
She had worked at Bevels since she left school. Kathleen had started work on the same day, and at that point in time, Linda could not have imagined what the future had in store for either of them.
Kathleen had always been fiery and full of life, and it was hard to believe that she had been gone for so long. It was a tragedy that poor Jimmy had never known his mother.
“I don’t know why I’m feeling guilty,” Linda muttered to herself and then quickly shut her mouth when she realised one of the girls in the front row had looked up and was watching her curiously.
But it seemed to be wrong to be so happy with Tim when her best friend would never experience marriage or the joy of watching Jimmy grow up.
Guilt wasn’t the only thing niggling away at Linda. Was it possible Tim had something to do with Kathleen’s murder?
She bit down on her lower lip.
Kathleen’s death had been a traumatic time, and Linda had tried her best to forget the events immediately before and after Kathleen’s funeral. It was too painful to think about.
But she was sure Tim had worked for Martin at the time Kathleen was killed.
She even vaguely remembered the car at the end of the road that Kathleen climbed into the day she went missing.
When she closed her eyes now, she could picture Tim sitting behind the wheel, but then she shook her head fiercely. No, that was just her overactive imagination.
She was being ridiculous.
Shortly after Kathleen’s death Tim started working with Dave Carter and left Martin Morton behind. Just because he had worked for Martin in the same period of time that Kathleen went missing didn’t mean he’d had anything to do with her death.
Linda swallowed hard and then took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She was being silly jumping to conclusions like that. Martin had plenty of people working for him, and any of them could have been involved rather than Tim. Perhaps Martin had even done it himself.
She stared at the paperwork on her desk, but her mind was still occupied with thoughts of Tim. He couldn’t have been involved. Now Linda knew him, she couldn’t believe he would be involved in anything like that.
She decided she would go and speak to Mary soon, though. She’d already told the girls at Bevels that she was engaged, and the news would travel around the East End faster than a wildfire. She didn’t want Mary finding out from anyone else. As much as she fretted about Mary’s reaction to the news, she knew she owed it to Kathleen’s mother to give her the news in person.
* * *
That night Gary Carter walked into his flat and sighed as he looked around. It was odd how he felt at a loose end now Trevor had gone back home. He didn’t know whether he actually missed his nephew, or whether he was worried that when Trevor wasn’t close by he might be losing some of his influence.
