by Anna King
Annie’s face flushed with pleasure.
‘G’wan with ye. ’Tis nothing. Sure an’ I’ve been cooking for a brood since I was eleven, while me dear sainted mother went out to work, God rest her soul.’ She made the usual involuntary sign of the cross she always performed when speaking of the dead.
‘That’s as may be, but I couldn’t have managed without you, and Jane of course. Which reminds me, it’s about time for her break, isn’t it?’
The door to the kitchen was flung open.
‘What’s happened to the tea, Mum? I thought you said you were bringing it out. And what were you both laughing at? It must have been something really funny; you could be heard outside.’
Annie’s hand flew to her mouth.
‘Lord! I nearly forgot. Here, they’re poured out. Take them through, will ye, love? I’ll tell ye what we were laughing at later; g’wan now.’
‘And when you’ve done that, go for your dinner break,’ Josie commanded.
Jane made a face at both women.
‘It seems a bit silly going out for my dinner when I work in a café,’ she said forlornly. ‘Besides, it’s freezing outside. I’d rather stay here in the warm.’
Josie, the tray with the china teapot and plate of selected delicacies held in both hands, said firmly, ‘No! You’re going out, otherwise you’ll end up working, like you did yesterday, and the day before.’
Jane started to protest, looked at Josie’s face and shrugged.
‘All right, I’ll go. Even though I’ll probably freeze to death. But don’t you worry about that. When the police carry my frozen corpse in, don’t feel guilty. Just lay me out in front of the oven to thaw out; oh, and make sure you leave enough room to step over me. I wouldn’t want to get in the way.’
Her head held high, Jane gave a loud sniff and, holding a mug of tea in each hand, turned and pushed the door open with her buttocks. She was about to let it swing shut when Josie cried out, ‘Hang on a minute, Jane. I’ve got me hands full an’ all, you know.’
Annie returned to the stove. By the time Jane returned there was a steaming bowl of soup waiting for her.
‘Get that down. Ye need something hot inside ye in this weather.’
Jane raised her eyebrows heavenward but stayed quiet. It was pointless trying to change her mother’s mind; as she knew from past experience.
Minutes later, as she was being dressed for the outdoors by Annie, again Jane made no protest, making do instead with a deep sigh of resignation. She stood patiently as Annie buttoned up her coat, wrapped a thick scarf over her head and mouth and around her neck, tying it into a knot which she then tucked inside the collar of Jane’s tweed coat. Josie came through just as Annie said, ‘Now then. You go for a nice walk and get a breath of fresh air.’
Smothering a laugh Josie said, ‘You’re joking, ain’t you? Bleeding hell! She’ll be lucky to be able to breathe at all trussed up like that. The Christmas turkey had more room to move than that poor cow.’
Out in the street, Jane wandered aimlessly through the market, stopping at various stalls to chat with the traders. It was a nice feeling, being a part of the camaraderie that pervaded the market. Plus she had the extra satisfaction of knowing that she could now afford to buy anything that caught her eye, without having to ask her mother or one of her brothers for the money.
‘You warm enough, Janie?’ called out one of the stallholders.
Jane waved.
‘Very funny, Charlie. Will you be in later?’
‘Yeah! Too right I will, just as soon as Bert gets back to keep an eye on me stall. He must be ’aving second ’elpings, ’cos he’s been gone nearly ’alf an hour. Me stomach thinks me throat’s been cut.’
‘See you later then, Charlie,’ Jane replied.
She strolled on leisurely. Despite her objections at being forced out of the café, she was enjoying her time alone. She stopped by the fruit and vegetable stall and bought six large oranges as a treat for her parents and brothers, and one for herself, of course. When she reached the end of the market she crossed over and began to make her way back. There weren’t that many stalls on this side of the street, due to the presence of the rival shops. She had just passed the haberdashery shop when two men barred her way.
‘Excuse me, please,’ Jane said, and stepped to the side to walk around them, but they moved again, stopping her from getting past, and a tiny ripple of fear made her stomach flip over. Then, determined not to be intimidated, and safe in the knowledge that she was within shouting distance of the stallholders, she said again, ‘I said, let me pass, please.’
‘Course we will, darlin’, just as soon as yer ’and over yer purse.’
Frightened now, Jane turned to run, but the men were too quick. One of them grabbed her round the waist while the other snatched her basket. Then she was sent sprawling, hitting first her hip and then her head on the hard ground. Dazed, she heard a man call out, then the sound of feet running and lots of shouting.
‘Come on, Jane, it’s all right now, they’re gone. Here, let me help yer up.’
Shaken, Jane grasped the firm hand as she got to her feet.
‘Thank you,’ she said, her voice quavering. Then she looked at the man holding her and gasped. Pulling away, she stared at Barney Hobbs.
‘It’s all right, love. I ain’t gonna hurt yer. You don’t have ter be afraid of me, honest.’
Jane, her eyes wide, tried to walk away, then cried out as a sharp pain shot through her ankle. Immediately Barney’s arm went around her shoulders.
‘What’s the matter, Jane? You hurt?’
Almost crying with pain and fear, Jane twisted from Barney’s grasp.
‘You stay away from me, Barney. I mean it.’
Barney threw his hands up and backed away.
‘Look, I don’t blame yer for being scared, but I ain’t gonna hurt yer, Jane. I just want to get yer back to yer mum.’
Hobbling, Jane stared into Barney’s face suspiciously.
‘And why would you want to help me, Barney? I still remember the last time we met.’
Barney bent his head penitently.
‘I know, Jane, and I’m really sorry for the way I treated yer that day. I was drunk… I know that ain’t no excuse, but it’s been playing on me mind ever since. You’re a nice girl, Jane, an’ yer didn’t deserve what I did to yer that day. And I don’t blame Rory for giving me a good hiding. I’d’ve done the same in his shoes.’
He moved forward cautiously, not wanting to frighten her further. ‘I know I don’t deserve it, but… well, what I want to know is, if you’ll forgive me. Yer probably won’t believe me, but every time I think of what happened that day I cringe. If you’d been anyone else, I’d’ve come round your house to apologise, but…’ He shrugged and smiled wryly. ‘The truth is, I ain’t that brave. But if you’ll just let me help yer back to the cafè, it’d mean a lot to me.’
Jane stared hard into the handsome face, remembering vividly the cruel words and the assault on her body this man had subjected her to. Looking at him now, it was hard to reconcile Barney with that same man.
Sensing her suspicion, Barney changed tack.
‘All right, love. I don’t blame yer for not trusting me. Look, you wait ’ere and I’ll go and fetch yer mum.’
At the mention of Annie, Jane sprang to life.
‘No! No, don’t do that. I’ll manage,’ she cried anxiously. The last thing she wanted was for her mum to come face to face with Barney Hobbs. There was no telling what Annie would do.
Suddenly she was surrounded by several men.
‘You all right, Janie?’ Charlie was holding her gently. ‘We caught the buggers. They won’t be bothering any more women for a long time. ’Ere, love, we got your purse back.’
‘And yer oranges.’ Another man stepped forward and handed over her straw basket. The oranges, a bit dirty from the road, had been placed back inside it.
Jane looked gratefully at Charlie and the other men who had
come to her rescue.
‘Thanks, Charlie, and the rest of you. It was kind of you to leave your stalls to help me.’
Charlie Watson’s face took on a sheepish look.
‘Don’t be daft, Janie. We don’t put up with that sort of thing round ’ere.’ Glancing down, he saw Jane was limping. ‘’Ere, you’ve twisted your ankle. Come on, girl, I’ll carry yer back to —’
Embarrassed by all the attention, Jane said quickly, ‘Oh, no thanks, Charlie. I don’t want any fuss. It’s not that bad.’
It was at that point that Charlie noticed Barney’s presence. His face grim, he said sharply, ‘You ’ave anything to do with this, Hobbs? We all know about the feud between you and Rory, but a man would ’ave to sink bleeding low to take it out on an innocent girl.’
The rest of the men began to move in, their faces grim. To his credit, Barney didn’t flinch. He stood his ground and said firmly, ‘I didn’t have nothing to do with those scum. I don’t attack girls.’
‘Yeah! Well, that ain’t what we’ve ’eard, Hobbs. Word travels fast in the East End, ’specially down the markets, you should know that. And if what we’ve ’eard’s true, this wouldn’t be the first time you’ve tried to get at Rory through Janie.’
The small group were surrounding Barney now, murmuring menacingly.
Watching, Jane began to panic. The men looked set to do Barney serious harm, and as much as she disliked the man, she couldn’t let him suffer for something he hadn’t done.
Grabbing one of the men’s arms, she gabbled, ‘It wasn’t anything to do with Barney, Fred. He was trying to help me.’
The men stopped in their tracks, all looking at Jane.
‘You telling the truth, Janie? ’Cos we all know what he thinks of your Rory, and he ain’t worth lying for.’
‘No, I’m not lying, Charlie, honestly.’ She appealed to the man she knew best. ‘He’s telling the truth.’
The men began to disperse, still muttering and darting menacing looks in Barney’s direction. Desperate to defuse the situation, Jane said, ‘Please, all of you, get back to your stalls. I’d feel awful if anything was stolen while you’ve been helping me.’
Barney stepped forward.
‘She’s right. There’s a lot of thieves about. I’ll help her back… if that’s all right with you, Jane?’ He stared at her, holding his breath.
Just wanting the whole unpleasant episode over with, Jane nodded. After all, there was nothing Barney could do to her, not with every eye in the market trained on him.
‘Thanks, Barney. That would be fine,’ then she gasped as he swept her up into his arms. She hadn’t been expecting to be carried. Feeling self-conscious, she tried desperately for something to say, then she remembered, and her face became sombre.
‘I’m sorry about your dad, Barney. I didn’t really know him, but my mum said he was a nice man.’
At the mention of his late father, a muscle twitched in Barney’s cheek. He and his father hadn’t always seen eye to eye, but Barney had loved him, and the pain of his loss was still raw.
‘Thanks, Jane. Your mum was right, me dad was a nice man; not like me, eh?’ There was a note of self-deprecation in Barney’s voice; there was also the unmistakable sound of pain, and Jane bent her head in sympathy, for the thought of losing her own father was unthinkable.
Five minutes later, despite her protests, she was being carried into the café. Her face burned with acute embarrassment as the crowded room turned to stare at the spectacle.
Then Josie was standing in front of them, her eyes burning with anger.
‘Get your hands off her, Barney—’
‘No, no, it’s all right, Josie,’ Jane pleaded. ‘Some men stole my purse, and Barney helped me. Charlie and some of the other traders chased them and got it back.’
But Josie wasn’t convinced and continued to stare at Barney, her eyes suspicious.
‘That was handy, wasn’t it? I mean, you just happen to be passing at the same time Jane gets set on. Right little knight in shining armour, ain’t you? All right, you’ve done your good deed for the day; probably for the century, knowing you. Now put her down before Annie comes out, otherwise it’ll be you needing help getting home.’
Gently lowering Jane to the floor, Barney cast his eyes over Josie, hardly recognising her. The last time he’d seen her, she had been a drab, timid drudge, looking twice her age. This angry woman was confident, unafraid and surprisingly attractive, even in the plain outfit of a waitress. Yet he couldn’t resist getting a dig in.
‘Don’t get yer knickers in a twist, Josie. I’m going.’
Turning his eyes on Jane, who was now being supported by Josie, his gaze softened.
‘I’m glad you’re all right, Jane. And I meant what I said earlier. I’m sorry about what happened before.’
Jane returned his gaze, and was alarmed and confused by the strange feelings she was experiencing.
‘I know, Barney. Forget it, it’s water under the bridge now.’
Josie hugged Jane against her side, glaring at Barney.
‘Make sure you shut the door on the way out.’
Barney gave an exaggerated bow, and grinned.
‘And I’m pleased to see you too, Josie. You’re looking good these days. Amazing what money can do, ain’t it?’
The kitchen door opened and Annie appeared, holding two plates. At the sight of her, Barney made a hasty exit. He’d rather face the entire market than Annie Flynn, for the Irishwoman’s temper was legendary.
‘Jasus! What’s happened to ye, love?’ Annie rushed forward, slamming down the plates on the nearest table, making the occupants jump. ‘Let’s get her into the kitchen, Annie. She’s had a bit of a shock.’
Sitting in the kitchen with her foot in a bowl of warm water, Jane let her mother’s worried words and ministrations wash over her. Safe now, she found herself remembering Barney Hobbs, and the kindness he had shown her. Maybe he had changed. He had seemed genuine enough in his apologies, though she would keep those opinions to herself. Sipping a hot mug of tea, she also remembered the strong arms carrying her back to the café, and a ripple of pleasurable excitement invaded her body.
* * *
Barney rounded a corner and cut down a back alley.
Two men were waiting for him. Taking out his wallet, he handed two pound notes to one of them.
‘’Ere you go, two quid as promised,’ he said casually.
The man looked at his accomplice, then back at the man who had hired them to give the girl a scare.
‘I think we deserve more than a poxy quid each.
Look at the state of us. You didn’t say nothing about getting seven bells knocked outta us. Those bastards gave us a right hiding,’ whined the man.
Barney flicked his eyes over them disdainfully. Both men were bruised and bleeding; not that it mattered to Barney.
‘Take the money and piss off,’ he growled. ‘Unless you want another pasting.’
The men looked into the hard face and dropped their gaze.
‘All right, guv’nor, there’s no need ter get nasty.’
Barney watched them run off and smiled smugly.
The first stage of his plan had been set in motion. He was reasonably sure he had gained Jane’s confidence; if so, the rest should be easy.
* * *
Washed and ready for bed, Josie snuggled up in her armchair by the fire. In her lap lay a book she planned to finish before she went to bed, her hands were clasped around a steaming mug of hot chocolate, and her aching feet were soaking in a bowl of warm water. Taking a sip of the milky beverage, she leaned her head against the high back of the chair, gazed into the cosy glow of the fire and gave a satisfied sigh.
This was one her favourite times, especially at the end of a busy market day. Not that she ever complained; the market traders were her bread and butter after all. Still, she was glad the market only opened four times a week. She didn’t think she’d be able to manage if it was a full-time arrang
ement. Tomorrow would be quieter, thank goodness. On Wednesdays the café relied on passing trade and the shop assistants who occasionally came in for their dinner. Without the market traders wanting their breakfast, Josie opened up later on Wednesdays and Mondays, which meant she could have a lie-in tomorrow. Smiling at the thought, she opened the book and began to read.
She had only read two pages when a loud knocking disturbed her. Startled, she glanced at the clock and saw it was nearly ten o’clock. The only people who visited her were the Flynns, and none of them would knock at this time of night; not unless something was wrong. Suddenly afraid, she jumped to her feet, knocking over the bowl of water in her haste. Sliding back the bolt, she opened the door, her heart beginning to beat with fright when she saw who her late-night visitor was.
‘Sorry it’s so late, Josie, but I had to see yer.’ Rory stepped into the hallway and headed for the kitchen with easy familiarity.
Stunned into silence, Josie closed the door and followed the tall figure, her wet feet marking the plain corduroy carpet. Wrapping her dressing gown tighter around her waist, she asked hesitantly, ‘What is it? Has something happened to your mum or dad?’
‘What?’ Rory turned from where he was warming his hands by the fire, his face perplexed. ‘Oh! No, nothing like that. I just wanted to ask yer about what happened to Jane this afternoon. I wouldn’t ’ave known nothing about it if I hadn’t overheard me mum and Jane talking.’ Facing her directly now he demanded, ‘What really happened, Josie? And don’t go giving me any of that old codswallop about Barney Hobbs just happening ter be passing by when Jane was attacked. He should ’ave been at work, ’specially since his dad died and left him the business. So what was he doing down Well Street market in the middle of the day, eh?’
Josie stared at him, her mouth agape, stunned into silence at the cheek of the man; but not for long.
‘Hello, Josie, how are you? Oh, fine, thank you, and what about yourself? Keeping well, I hope? Dear me, where are me manners? Do come in and make yourself at home.’
The sarcastic tone caused Rory’s eyebrows to rise in surprise. Then he looked properly at Josie and felt a sudden rush of apprehension.
