by Dilly Court
Steven ushered her into his office and she noticed that the window had been flung open even though it had been raining. A yellow duster and a tin of Kleen-e-ze furniture polish sat on the top of a small bookcase crammed with leather-bound tomes. Steven followed her gaze with a rueful smile. ‘Sorry. Should have put it away but my last client caught me in the middle of my household duties. The partners refuse to employ a cleaner and I can’t stand working in a mess.’
‘Don’t worry about it, Steven. I’m just grateful you could spare the time to see me.’
‘Glad to help a friend. Anyway, do take a seat, Ginnie. You gave me a brief outline last night on the phone, but let’s go through everything again.’
She remained standing. ‘I have to tell you that money is a problem. I don’t know how I’m going to pay you and it might take a bit of time to raise the cash.’
‘I quite understand. It could be costly if we have to take Mallory to court, but I’m hoping it won’t come to that. He’s got a reputation to keep up and from what I know of him that would be more important than putting you out of business. I disliked the man on sight, and I don’t know how he produced a son like Laurence, but that’s another matter.’ He went to sit behind his desk, motioning her to take a seat. ‘Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?’
An hour later they were sitting at a table in a crowded ABC café. The air was redolent with the smell of hot tea and toast, and hazy with cigarette smoke. It was necessary for Ginnie to raise her voice in order to make herself heard above the babel of voices. ‘So do you think we’ve got a case, Steven?’
He stirred his tea, adding a spoonful of sugar. ‘Absolutely. The shop has been in your family for more than twenty years and both you and your father have paid the rent and rates without fail. Mallory can’t have you evicted as unsuitable tenants, but Fred’s premises is another matter. I’ll have to check the planning regulations for your particular council area, but as permission was granted initially and the sale of the lease agreed, I think we can start from there.’
‘Mallory is a vindictive man. He blames Shirley for Laurence’s death.’
‘That’s ridiculous. Laurence must have been ill for some time before the disease was detected, and I don’t suppose the bout of pneumonia improved his condition, poor fellow. He was a brave man and he deserved better.’
‘Mallory won’t have anything to do with Shirley or the children. She’s applied for a war widow’s pension but there’s a lot of paperwork to fill in because Laurence died after he left the Navy. She went to see his father while I was in America and asked him for financial help until the pension business was settled, but he refused.’
Steven shook his head. ‘The man is a mean bastard. Apologies for the language, Ginnie, but there’s no other way to describe him.’
She pushed her plate away with the cheese sandwich barely touched. ‘I’m sorry. I’ve lost my appetite. Just thinking about Mallory makes me feel physically sick.’
‘Don’t worry. We’ll put a stop to his little game.’
She frowned. ‘It’s my livelihood, Steven. I have to make a success of the shop. Mum and Shirley are depending on me.’
‘I understand that, but what’s happening about your American chap? Is he going to rely on you as well?’
‘Nick doesn’t need me.’
‘I find that hard to believe.’
‘I’d rather not talk about it, if you don’t mind.’
‘Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. You came to me for my professional opinion and I overstepped the mark.’
‘I didn’t mean it like that,’ she said with an attempt at a smile. ‘You’re a good friend and I need all the friends I can get. Nick didn’t want me. It’s as simple as that and it’s over. I have to get on with my life and that means making a go of the business.’
He glanced at his watch and stood up. ‘And I’d better get back to the office. I hope to God that the vet has seen to Esther’s cat or we’ll never hear the end of it.’
Ginnie picked up her handbag and rising to her feet she made her way between the packed tables. A blast of cold air laced with the salty tang of the sea almost took her breath away as she stepped out of the fuggy café. The wet pavements glistened in a burst of sunshine after a heavy shower and large puddles mirrored the blue sky. Steven proffered his arm. ‘Would it be possible for you to delay your journey home and have dinner with me this evening? I’ve been working late every night and living like a hermit. It would be great to have your company.’
She took his arm as they battled against a sudden gust of wind. ‘I’d love to, but it’ll take me three hours or so to get home, maybe longer if the trains are running late.’
‘I understand. Anyway, I think I’ve got all the information I need and I’ll keep you informed. If there’s anything for you to sign I could always bring it over at a weekend.’
She smiled. ‘That would be lovely. Shirley will be pleased to see you.’
‘And what about you?’
‘Don’t fish for compliments, Steven. It doesn’t suit you.’
‘A fellow can only try.’
‘You’re Shirley’s only link with Laurence’s past. His family have made it clear they don’t want anything to do with her, and you knew him better than anyone.’
‘Yes, I suppose I did. Laurence was a good chap and I miss him.’
She squeezed his arm. ‘I’ll be pleased to see you too, but . . .’ She had to let go of him in order to dodge a deep puddle.
‘But what?’
She matched her step to his. ‘Don’t get me wrong, and I may be way off mark, but I’m not looking for a romantic relationship. I know that sounds a bit conceited, but I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea.’
‘It doesn’t and I didn’t.’ He chuckled, taking her by the hand. ‘But I’m sure you could do with a friend. I know I could.’
She glanced at him, smiling. ‘Friends?’
He nodded his head. ‘The best of friends. Come back to the office and I’ll ring for a taxi to take you to the station.’
‘I might walk, Steven. The fresh air will do me good and I’ll be cooped up in a train for ages.’
‘It’s too far, and by the look of those clouds bubbling up in the west it’s going to rain again. I’ll sub you the taxi fare, and don’t look like that. I’ll put it on the bill if it will make you feel better.’
‘Thanks. I really do appreciate everything you’re doing for me.’
‘Actually you’re doing me a favour. My client list has just doubled to two.’ He stopped in the entrance to the alley, where a dog had just knocked over the pig bin. Scraps of food waste were scattered on the ground and he stepped over them to open the door. ‘If I was Sir Walter Raleigh I’d take my coat off and lay it down for you to walk on, but as this is my demob suit I’d better not try to be gallant.’ He held out his arms. ‘However, if you’d like to jump I’ll catch you.’
She stared down at the glutinous mass of vegetable matter and leapt. He caught her in his arms and held her for a moment longer than was strictly necessary.
‘Thanks,’ she said breathlessly. ‘You can put me down now, Sir Walter.’
He set her back on her feet. ‘Always happy to oblige. Now let’s go up and see if Esther’s returned. She a very intense lady and I don’t think I can face her on my own.’
‘She seems devoted to her cat.’
‘Tarquin is all she’s got. She looked after her aged mother for many years and when the old lady passed away it left Esther with a huge gap in her life. I think that Tarquin has filled it to some extent, but I really don’t want to be around when he goes to the great cattery in the sky.’ He led the way up the stairs and opened the office door. ‘Ah, Esther, you’re back. How is Tarquin?’
‘Very put out,’ Esther said solemnly. ‘He hates the vet and I don’t blame him. That man has hands like hams and he was quite rough with poor Tarquin. A cat will naturally try to protect itself and it wasn’t a deep scratch, although
the vet made such a fuss you’d think he had been mortally wounded.’
‘And the fish bone?’ Steven asked tentatively.
‘Tarquin coughed up a fur ball and the bone came with it,’ Esther said with a smug smile. ‘The vet tried to charge me for the consultation but I only had to remind him for whom I worked and the matter was dropped.’ She shook her head. ‘However, I think I might have to register Tarquin with another practice.’
‘I’m glad your cat is better,’ Ginnie said, sending a warning glance to Steven who was obviously trying hard to keep a straight face and failing miserably.
Esther gave him a reproachful look. ‘It’s not a laughing matter, Mr Carter. Tarquin is a pedigree Persian. He’s a valuable animal.’
‘I’m sure he is.’ Steven took a deep breath. ‘Would you be kind enough to ring for a taxi to take Miss Travis to the railway station, please, Esther?’
Two days later Ginnie was in the shop window rearranging the cushions on a utility settee when she saw Colin Mallory striding along the pavement. His expression was thunderous as he barged through the door, setting the bell jangling. Ida made a move towards him but Ginnie reached him first. ‘Good morning, Mr Mallory.’
‘Don’t you good morning me, young lady. I want a word with you.’
Ida hovered nervously at Ginnie’s side. ‘Shall I go and get Fred?’
‘No, thanks. I’ll deal with this.’ Ginnie met Mallory’s furious stare with an outward show of composure even though she was inwardly quaking. She was not exactly frightened of the man but she hated confrontation. ‘Come to my office, Mr Mallory.’ She walked off, depriving him of the opportunity to create a scene in front of curious customers, and giving him little alternative but to follow her into the office. She closed the door, facing him with arms akimbo. ‘Well. What’s this all about?’
He put his hand in his inside pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper, waving it at her. ‘As if you didn’t know.’
‘How can I? I’m not psychic.’
He thrust his face close to hers. ‘And don’t try to be smart with me, miss. This is a letter from a firm of solicitors in Southampton, which leaves me with two questions.’
Ginnie stood her ground. ‘And what are they exactly?’
‘Where did you get the money to pay for a lawyer and what’s the connection here? Why go all the way to Southampton for legal advice? As I understood it you’ve hardly enough money for the bus fare to Romford.’
‘I don’t think that’s any of your business, Mr Mallory.’
‘It is my business when accusations such as this are made against me.’
‘I’m afraid I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. May I see the letter?’
He put it back in his pocket. ‘No, you may not. But take this as a warning. My professional reputation is at stake here and I’ll do everything in my power to protect it.’
‘As I don’t know what the letter says, I can’t comment.’
‘Ask your solicitor. I assume you authorised a vicious attack on my integrity. If planning permission has been revoked it has nothing to do with me, and the same goes for the sale of the lease on the china shop. It’s all slanderous lies. You’d better be careful, Miss Travis.’
‘Or what, Mr Mallory? Your daughter told me that you intended to buy me out and give the business to her. I’m just surprised that you’d want Livvie to go into trade. Wouldn’t that be a terrible comedown?’
‘There’s no talking to you in this mood, but take this as a warning. I’m a man of considerable influence and you’re a nobody and your sister’s a gold-digging whore.’
‘Get out.’ With a huge effort of self-control Ginnie managed to resist the temptation to slap his face. She lunged at the door and wrenched it open. ‘Don’t ever set foot in my shop again, and don’t think you can bully me into selling up. My lease is good for another twenty years and there’s nothing you can do about that, but I’m going to fight for Fred’s shop and if it means dragging your name through the dirt, so be it.’
For a moment she thought that he was going to hit her. His face flushed a dangerous shade of puce and beads of sweat stood out on his forehead, but she stood her ground, clutching the door handle as she waited for him to make a move.
He seemed rooted to the spot but a shout from Jimmy and the sound of his heavy footsteps galvanised Mallory into action and he pushed past Ginnie. ‘I’m warning you,’ he hissed as he marched onto the shop floor.
Jimmy stood aside to let him pass. ‘Are you all right, miss?’
‘I’m fine, thank you.’ Ginnie waved him away with an attempt at a smile but as she retreated into the office her legs gave way beneath her and she sank down onto her chair. ‘Bloody man,’ she murmured. ‘Bloody, bloody man.’
Ida poked her head round the door. ‘Are you okay, love?’
‘I could do with a cuppa,’ Ginnie murmured. ‘With one sugar, please.’
Ida hesitated. ‘What was all that about? I could hear him shouting and I very nearly went for help. I thought he was going to murder you.’
‘I expect he’d like to, but I’m not giving in to him just because he’s rich and he’s on the council. He’s trying to stop me taking over Fred’s shop and if he did that he’d try to buy me out and give my business to Livvie.’
‘He’s a bugger. Excuse my French, but it’s a wicked thing to do. Your dear dad worked hard all his life to make something of his business. He’d be turning in his grave.’
‘I think we both need a cup of tea, Ida. And one for Jimmy too. Tell him there’s nothing to worry about. I’m absolutely fine and I’ve put the matter in the hands of a good solicitor. He’s got old man Mallory rattled, that’s for certain.’
‘What will happen to us? Will Mr Mallory buy you out? He’s very well off and he’s got friends in high places.’
‘He can try, but I’d rather burn the place down than let him get his hands on it.’
‘Please don’t,’ Ida said with a grim smile. ‘My flat is just above the shop.’
Ginnie waited until Ida had gone to make the tea before dialling Steven’s number. Esther answered the call and put her on hold for a few moments before putting her through.
‘Hello, Ginnie. What can I do for you?’
Steven’s warm and friendly voice went some way towards soothing her frazzled nerves. ‘I’ve just had the most awful row with Mallory. He’s had a letter, which I assume must have come from you. What did you say to put him in such a filthy mood?’
‘I’m so sorry he took it out on you, Ginnie. If he bothers you again I could take out an injunction preventing him from contacting you in any way.’
‘I don’t want to antagonise him any more than necessary until I know what’s happening and what my chances are of getting the lease and planning permission.’
‘I quite understand, and he’s overreacted. I think maybe he was trying to scare you into dropping the case, because I merely said that I was acting on your behalf and the matter was being investigated. There was nothing remotely inflammatory in the wording, but it seems to have hit home. If he hadn’t been involved he would have reacted in a much more measured fashion and sent me a disclaimer. I’ve written to the planning inspectorate of your local council requesting the relevant form or forms. I’ll submit a written representation and we’ll see where we go from there.’
‘I don’t know how to thank you, Steven.’
‘We’ll need to go over the forms together and you’ll have to sign them, so perhaps I could bring them over next weekend and we could have that dinner I mentioned the other day.’
‘That would be lovely. Let me know when you’re coming. I’d offer to put you up but there’s only the settee.’
‘I might take you up on that.’
‘Goodbye, Steven, and thanks again.’ She had just replaced the receiver when Ida bustled in with a tray of tea.
‘Here you are, ducks; this will put feathers on your chest.’ Ida angled her head, giving her a searchin
g look. ‘Well, you look a bit more cheerful. Who was that on the blower?’
‘It was my solicitor. He thinks we’ve got a good case and he’s going to lodge an appeal. We’ll beat Mallory, I’m sure of it.’
Steven arrived in Cherry Lane with a bunch of daffodils and a bottle of wine, which he presented to Mildred with a courteous enquiry as to her health. Ginnie smiled to herself, giving him top marks for tact and diplomacy.
‘How kind of you, Steven,’ Mildred said, beaming. ‘I can’t remember the last time anyone bought me a bunch of flowers.’
‘It’s very good of you to put me up for the night, Mrs Travis.’
‘And it’s good of you to help Ginnie. That man Mallory should be shot. You don’t want to know what he called Shirley, but he’s no gentleman even if he does live in Monk Avenue.’ Mildred laid the flowers on the draining board. ‘Why don’t you go into the sitting room with Ginnie and I’ll put the kettle on. You won’t be disturbed.’
Minutes later they were poring over the forms from the council offices. ‘I’ve filled in the basics,’ Stephen said, pointing to the pencilled answers to the questionnaire. ‘But you’ll need to give me the rest of the information.’
‘Do you think we’ve got a chance?’
‘I’ve been speaking to my colleagues and they seem to think it’s most unusual for planning permission to be granted and then revoked and the same goes for the sale of the lease. Mallory must have a great deal of pull if he’s gone out of his way to influence the planning department’s decision.’
‘He’s determined to ruin me and my family,’ Ginnie said, sighing. ‘I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such treatment.’
‘You made the mistake of trusting Livvie and Laurence married your sister against his old man’s wishes. Laurence was my best friend, but the rest of his family are the most terrible snobs, and they considered Shirley to be an outsider.’
‘But he loved her.’
