by Sam Michaels
‘It’s up the top. The attic. But what do you want him for? Tobias ain’t here. He ain’t done nothing.’
‘Shut up, Rowland. I don’t want to hear it and whatever you see occurring in the next half hour, I suggest you keep your nose out and your mouth shut.’
‘But, please, Miss Garrett, my boy ain’t done nothing wrong.’
Victor held one arm outstretched on Mr Rowland’s chest, pinning him to the wall.
‘I’m begging you, Miss Garrett. And I swear, he ain’t up there.’
‘I know. He’s outside sitting in my car and his face looks a lot like yours once did… battered.’
‘Oh, no… no, Miss Garrett. He couldn’t have done nothing wrong… If he has, he wouldn’t have meant to. He ain’t all that bright. He’s just a lazy little shit. He wouldn’t be any bother to you. Please, don’t hurt him no more.’
Georgina was mid-way up the first flight of stairs now and stopped to look down at Mr Rowland. ‘Your son tried to kill me. As you can see, he failed but my top woman is in hospital, barely alive. You know how he’d normally be dealt with but luckily for him, I’m feeling generous. So shut the fuck up and be grateful for small mercies… unless you’d rather see him dead.’
Georgina didn’t wait for a response and carried on up to the attic. When she opened the door, her nose wrinkled at the rancid smell that came from the room and she turned her face away. Something disgusting was rotting in there and when she entered, the disarray she saw came as no surprise. The bed was unmade and clothes, empty bottles and paper littered the floor. Then she spotted a large bucket filled with decaying apples, the source of the vinegary putrid stink.
She opened the window and heaved in mouthfuls of fresh air. She couldn’t understand why Tobias would have a load of rotten apples in his room unless he was trying to make cider. Taking another large breath of clean air, she held it in her lungs as she walked over to Tobias’s bed. She fished in her pocket for the cloth bag she’d brought and placed it on a small table.
Georgina couldn’t wait to get out of the room and away from the overpowering smell but as she stepped over the mess, she looked down and noticed that the papers strewn around were envelopes. She picked one up and looked inside to find a letter from Charlotte. Dashing around the room, she collected the rest of them before closing the door behind her. She paused briefly on the stairs and glanced at the seven or so envelopes in her hand, wondering what the letters would reveal.
Then sitting down on one of the steps, she quickly scanned the first letter. There was nothing of any interest in it, but the second one was more enlightening. Georgina read it hardly believing the words. She knew Charlotte hated her but hadn’t realised her hatred had run so deep. The girl fantasised about Georgina’s death, scribbling down the gruesome details, the viciousness in her sentences making Georgina’s blood run cold. It all seemed very far-fetched but she found the gratuitous violence unsettling.
Everything became clear in the third letter. Charlotte explained to Tobias how she’d heard Oppo telling Molly how cyanide was used as a crop fertiliser and that apple seeds contained the poison. Charlotte had gone on to give instructions to Tobias about crushing the seeds of more than fifty apples and adding the lethal powder to a bottle of brandy. This, Charlotte hoped, would be enough to render Georgina dead.
Georgina shook her head in disbelief, then gathered herself together. One thing at a time, she told herself and focused on the job in hand.
Victor was still restraining Mr Rowland at the bottom of the stairs, not that the man was putting up any resistance.
‘Go back to your bar and carry on working as normal. Or I’ll kill your son,’ she instructed, and indicated for Victor to release Tobias’s father.
Mr Rowland scurried through the passageway and back to the front of the pub. Once he’d gone, Georgina headed to the car where she nodded at Johnny. He climbed out, dragging Tobias with him.
‘Are you letting me go?’ Tobias asked.
‘For now. Johnny will escort you to your room. Stay there. I’m going to have a drink in the pub and I don’t want your face spoiling my pleasure.’
Georgina watched Johnny lead Tobias away and then walked round to the pub’s front door. She gave the nod to three policemen waiting in a car outside before walking in with Victor.
As she approached the bar, the room fell silent and Mr Rowland looked both confused and scared.
‘What can I get you, Miss Garrett,’ he asked, his voice unsteady.
‘A large brandy,’ she answered – ironic, she thought.
He placed the glass in front of her, saying, ‘On the house.’
As she sipped on the warming liquid, the three policemen came in, told Mr Rowland they were looking for his son and disappeared upstairs. Georgina waited just a few minutes then saw them return with Tobias handcuffed and her paid ally on the force holding the cloth bag she’d left on the table.
‘My work here is done,’ she told Victor and left her unfinished drink on the bar, satisfied that Tobias Rowland would soon be doing hard labour as punishment for the crime of robbery with violence against three Jewish jewellery traders in the Hatton Garden café. She’d put some of the stolen gems in the cloth bag and this was enough evidence for the law to convict Tobias. And a quiet word in the judge’s ear would ensure his confinement would be a long one.
16
The following day, Georgina sat in the back of her car as Victor drove them to Kent. She wasn’t looking forward to dealing with Charlotte or showing Molly and Fanny the letters. But something had to be done with the girl. It had left Georgina with a dilemma. Seeing as Charlotte was her best friend’s sister, Georgina knew she’d have to refrain from dishing out her usual type of punishment but didn’t know what else to do.
The car trundled along and Georgina gazed out at the rolling green fields. It was so different from the dirty streets of Battersea and the grime of London though she couldn’t imagine living in the countryside. Molly had taken well to her new lifestyle but Georgina didn’t think her friend had ever been tough enough to survive the slums. Mind you, the woman had survived Billy Wilcox and had his son to prove it. Charlotte, on the other hand, was very different from her sister and Georgina thought the girl must take after their father, Mike Mipple. Georgina cringed at the thought of the man. Dulcie, her grandmother, was the only other person who knew that Georgina had killed him and her gran had taken the secret to her grave. Granted, Georgina hadn’t meant for him to die. She’d only gone to cut out his revolting tongue, but nonetheless, his death was on her hands. Not that his loss of life was mourned, not even by his family. The man had been a wife-beater, cruel and heartless. Yes, Charlotte must take after him.
It had been a while since Georgina had visited Kent. Looking at the peaceful villages, the cows and sheep on the hills and the tranquillity of the place, she could see why many London children had been evacuated in Operation Pied Piper. Though already, with no sign of Hitler invading Britain, many London children were returning to their homes. Whatever the war would bring, at least she knew Alfie was safe with his gypsy family.
She felt her heart tug at the thought of her boy. She missed him terribly but tried not to dwell on it. Maybe, if Wayne did what he was supposed to do, it would be fine for Alfie to return. But she wouldn’t know until she’d heard word from Wayne. It could be days or even weeks yet. She knew he couldn’t go charging in and kill Kelly. He’d have to make plans. Get close to the man. Or follow him, watch his movements, wait for the right opportunity. At least, that’s what she hoped he’d do. But doubts had crept into her mind. Wayne was as dumb as a doorknob and she regretted not giving him precise instructions. Kelly had to die.
The car drove through the gates towards Molly’s house and Georgina tried to put a smile on her face. Though she was pleased to be seeing her friend, this wasn’t in the best of circumstances and she reminded herself that she’d have to use all her self-control to stop herself from wringing Charlotte’s neck.
As Victor opened the door for her, she saw Molly come out of the house, her arms outstretched to greet her.
‘Georgina, how lovely to see you,’ she said. ‘Why didn’t you tell me you was coming?’
‘I wanted to surprise you,’ she answered, concealing the fact that she wanted to catch Charlotte unawares. The girl was a runaway and would likely scarper if she’d known Georgina was on her way.
‘Come in, it’s taters out here. I’ll put the kettle on. How are you?’
‘Fine, you know, a bit lost if I’m honest but I’m bearing up. Where’s that little man of yours?’
‘Edward’s out in the fields with Oppo but they’ll be back in an hour or two. Oppo will be so pleased to see you. Are you staying the night?’
‘No, not this time, just a flying visit.’
Georgina left Victor outside with orders to watch the door for Charlotte making a bid to escape. When she walked into the cosy kitchen, Fanny was already filling the kettle. The smell in the room reminded her of her grandmother – the warm aroma of freshly baked bread and the sweet scent of sugary cakes hung in the air.
‘Hello, Georgina,’ Fanny said curtly. ‘We wasn’t expecting you.’
‘No, I hope you don’t mind me visiting unannounced.’
‘You’re Molly’s friend, so you’re always welcome,’ Fanny replied and smiled though her smile didn’t reach her eyes. ‘I never thanked you for bringing Charlotte home,’ she said as she placed the kettle on the double range stove.
‘You did, through Molly. Where is the little madam?’
‘In her room, sulking as usual.’
‘Sit down. Tell me what you’ve been up to,’ Molly said excitedly and pulled out a chair at the oversized kitchen table.
‘The kettle’s on to boil. I’ll leave you two to talk,’ Fanny said and wiped her hands on her apron front before she walked towards the door.
‘Actually, can you stay, please, Fanny?’ Georgina said. ‘I need to talk to you. Both of you. Close the door, please.’
Fanny exchanged a quick concerned look with Molly before closing the door and taking a seat at the head of the table.
Molly sat beside her friend and asked, ‘This isn’t just a surprise visit, is it?’
‘No, I’m afraid not,’ she answered.
‘What’s this about?’ from Fanny.
‘God, I hate to tell you this, but it’s Charlotte.’
‘What’s the little cow gawn and done now?’ Fanny asked, sounding exasperated.
Georgina swallowed hard before answering. ‘She attempted to have me murdered.’
‘What? Don’t be ridiculous,’ Fanny spat incredulously.
‘How?’ Molly asked, her face screwed up quizzically.
‘I know it sounds unbelievable but it’s true. She’s been writing to Tobias and she told him how to make cyanide and to use it to poison me.’
‘You live in cloud bleedin’ cuckoo land. My Charlotte wouldn’t know about making cyanide.’
‘Actually, she heard it from Oppo. It appears she eavesdropped on a conversation he had with you once, Molly.’
Molly shook her head in disbelief. ‘I remember that, about apple pips.’
‘That don’t prove nothing. I ain’t listening to no more of this codswallop,’ Fanny said sourly and scraped her seat back on the flagstone floor.
‘It’s all here, Fanny, in black and white. Read this,’ Georgina said and pushed Charlotte’s letter across the table.
Fanny snatched it up and began reading. ‘It’s just fantasy. Charlotte was upset because you took her away from Tobias and she’s venting, that’s all.’
‘It’s more than that. Tobias did what Charlotte told him and now Dina is in hospital hanging on to life by a thread.’
Molly had picked up the letter from her mother and gasped as she read it. ‘He brought you a bottle of poisoned brandy?’
‘Yes, which I then gave to Dina who unfortunately swallowed some of it before she realised it had been laced with cyanide.’
Fanny slumped at the table. ‘I always said she was a bad ’un, didn’t I?’
Molly was still holding the letter as she spoke. ‘I can’t believe it… Charlotte, doing something so atrocious! Christ, it makes you wonder who the hell she is… I moved out here to protect my son yet I’m living under the same roof with someone who could do this! My own sister. My own flesh and blood.’
‘What do you want to do with her?’ Fanny asked in a matter-of-fact tone.
‘That’s what I want to discuss with you both.’
‘Well, as far as I’m concerned, I wash my hands of the girl. She’s brought nothing but upset to me since the day I lost my Ethel. She’s a lying, cold bitch.’
‘Mother, she’s still your daughter!’ Molly barked.
‘She’s no daughter of mine. I took beating after beating off your father for that girl, for all of you, and what was the point? I should have let him punch her through the wall. Perhaps she might have been different if she’d had some discipline. Do what you want with her and get her out of this house.’
‘I have to admit, I don’t like the thought of living with her but she’s my sister and I wouldn’t want to see her hurt. I’m sorry for what she tried to do to you, Georgina, and I’ll never forgive her.’
Georgina drew in a deep breath. She didn’t want to hurt Charlotte either but something had to be done. ‘Bring her down here. Let’s see what she’s got to say for herself.’
Molly agreed and went to fetch Charlotte but came running back down the stairs. ‘She’s gone,’ she said breathlessly.
‘Gone where?’ Fanny asked.
‘I don’t know but she’s not in her room.’
‘She couldn’t have gone through the front – Victor is there,’ Georgina said and jumped up to look out of the window.
‘And she ain’t come through here to the back door,’ Fanny added.
‘I’ll search upstairs,’ Molly said urgently and dashed away.
She returned minutes later. ‘There’s no sign of her but the bedroom window is wide open. I reckon she’s shimmied down the drainpipe and run off.’
‘Gawd, she could be anywhere by now. I don’t know where to start looking,’ Fanny said, rubbing her brow.
‘Don’t bother. We won’t find her. But if she goes back to Battersea she’ll be disappointed to find Tobias behind bars.’
‘What, that’s it? You’ll let her get away just like that?’ Fanny asked.
‘Yes. Neither of you want her here. I was at a loss to know what to do with her. She’s gone, problem solved.’
‘And good bleedin’ riddance to her and all. She better not think she can come crawling back here. I swear, I’ll never have that wicked girl under my roof again. Never. If she dares to show her face, I’ll call the law on her,’ Fanny said and sounded adamant.
‘Me too,’ Molly added. ‘I won’t harbour the person who set out to have you killed, Georgina. Mum’s right: Charlotte is wicked. She would have got on well with Billy Wilcox, right pair, them two.’
‘What will you do to her if she turns up in Battersea?’ Fanny asked, then added, ‘Actually, I don’t want to know.’
Georgina wasn’t sure what she’d do with the girl. Charlotte had left in a rush with no money and nowhere to go. Her prospects didn’t look good. As far as Georgina was concerned, she’d cut Charlotte loose. Let her try and look after herself. She wouldn’t be in for an easy ride but she was no longer a thorn in Georgina’s side. Not like Kevin Kelly.
They heard the front door open and then Oppo’s cheery voice bellowing down the passageway, ‘Is my second favourite girl here?’ When he walked into the kitchen, his happy expression changed into a look of concern and he asked, ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I’ll tell you later,’ Molly answered, and nodded towards Edward.
The child ran to Georgina with a wide, toothless smile. ‘Aunty Gin Gin,’ he said, and held up his arms.
Although Georgina normally fo
und it difficult to show affection, she picked him up and planted a big kiss on his cheek. Seeing him reminded her of how much she missed Alfie. ‘Have you been a good boy?’ she asked.
When he emphatically nodded, she took a guinea from her pocket and placed it in his small hand. ‘Make sure you buy lots and lots of sweets,’ she whispered.
‘You shouldn’t spoil him,’ Molly said warmly.
‘Yes, I should,’ Georgina answered as she placed him back on his feet. ‘I’m glad you’re back, Oppo. I might actually get a cup of tea now.’ She laughed.
A false sense of normality filled the room. Conversation was kept light-hearted with no mention of the war or Charlotte. A relaxed atmosphere that Georgina rarely enjoyed, unless with loved ones. But all the time, amidst the iced cake, cups of tea and easy laughter, the thought of her husband’s unjust death loomed in the back of her mind. She’d be back in Battersea in a few hours and hoped there would be good news waiting for her – news of Kevin Kelly’s demise.
*
When Charlotte had spotted Georgina’s car coming down the drive, she’d instantly known that Tobias had failed in their mission to get rid of her. And somehow, Georgina must have discovered that Charlotte was behind the plot. Perhaps the bitch had beaten the truth out of him. In a blind panic and fearing retribution from the woman, Charlotte had stuffed a few items of clothing into a bag and escaped through her bedroom window. She’d lost her small bag when she’d dashed through a field only to realise a huge bull was looking at her. In her hurry to flee the bull, she’d tripped and dropped the bag, too scared to retrieve it. That first night she’d sheltered in a barn, afraid and lonely. It had taken Charlotte another five days to get to London. Each night, she’d slept rough again, cold and shivering in just her plimsoles, dress and thin cardigan.
Thankfully, she’d managed to cadge a lift with an elderly couple for the last leg of her arduous journey and she arrived in Battersea, hungry, dirty and exhausted. Worst of all, she had little hope remaining of finding Tobias alive. But she had to know for sure and headed for the Queen’s Head, all the while staying alert for anyone who might recognise her.
