by Carol Rivers
'That's your excuse, darlin' but I'm a busy man, Bells. Got a lot on my plate and you above all people should know that. And be fair now, me and Ronnie offered you a job and you turned us down. I mean, what was we supposed to do after that? We got more to think about than putting your life in order, which, you got to admit, we've done since both you and Terry was only just out of nappies. And would have gone on doing if you hadn't got all above yourself.'
Bella felt the tears sting in her eyes. 'The truth is I hated Dixons. I just didn't want you to think I couldn't make it on my own.'
'Yeah, well, you should've thought that one out a bit better.'
'I know. And I'm sorry.'
He looked at her for a long while, his dark eyes thoughtful. Then reaching for his jacket on the stand, he slung it over his shoulder. 'You've struck lucky, Bells,' he told her as he took her arm and steered her down the path. 'I'm in a good mood today.'
'Oh, Micky, thanks!'
'You know what, I expected more of you though, throwing the job in my face like you did and swanning off to Dixons.'
She nodded slowly, sad at the thought that she had let herself down in his eyes. She knew that her decision to work at Dixons had rebounded on her in a bad way. It had been a hard lesson to learn and she would never forget it.
'Blimey, Bells, your little brother ain't in the pink, is he?'
'He's going to be all right, though?'
Micky bent over the prostrate form and shrugged. 'How did he get like this?'
'I think he got a chill from sleeping under this old barge. He's always had a weak chest.'
Terry looked almost unconscious as he lay shivering on the bench. And Micky was tempted to get shot of them both, drop them up the horse piddle and be done with it. He knew trouble when he saw it, yet he also recognized an opportunity when it arose and it had today in the shape and form of Bella Doyle. He knew if he could turn the situation to his advantage, it would pay dividends in the long run. The kid was on skid row and they both knew it. He hadn't recognized her at first she looked so tatty and the smell of her had knocked him sideways. But as she'd talked, it had all fallen into place. A little plan that would get him into Lenny's good books again.
'Right, pal, let's get you in the car.' Micky took one lanky arm and heaved Terry over his shoulder. He was no weight at all and it was easy to carry him through the gates and into the road.
A few seconds later they were laying him on the back seat, folding up his knees to his chest. He was wet with sweat and making gurgling noises. Micky closed the door and was in two minds as to whether he was calling a wrong shot. The kid didn't look good. What if he popped his clogs right now? But by the time he climbed in the car and Bella jumped in beside him, Micky gave her a wink. 'He'll be right as rain soon. Reckon it's a touch of flu and he just needs to sweat it out in a proper bed.'
'But Mum won't let us back, not even if I went begging.'
'The old cow's not an option, Bells. She can kiss your arse goodbye.'
Bella looked shocked. 'So where are we going?'
'To a friend's.' He gave her a sideways glance. Although his arrival at Gina's was a bit impromptu, he'd give her a good wedge for her trouble. He reached across and taking Bella's cold hand, he squeezed it. 'From now on, Bells, you leave it to Micky to sort out.' He paused for good measure. 'Are you with me on that one? 'Cos if you've any doubts, say now. But I tell you this, a second chance is not to be ignored, girl. It'll never come again from Micky Bryant.'
She nodded fiercely as tears filled her eyes. 'I'll do whatever you want, Micky. And I'll never forget this, I promise.'
He smiled. He'd make sure she never did, either.
Micky parked the car outside the cafe and smiled as he saw the tall, voluptuous looking woman clearing the tables inside. There was no sign of Lenny as being Friday, he and Sean and Ashley would be down the lock up making certain that the orders were ready for Friday night's delivery.
Micky shuddered slightly at the near squeak he'd had with Lenny and their last little upset. Four days of hell spent in the lock up trying to follow instructions that might as well have been double Dutch was not Micky's idea of a good result. He'd felt like a monk in a brothel and drank himself stupid for thirty-six hours and after a hangover from hell, gone cap in hand to Lenny.
Oddly enough it was Gina who'd persuaded Lenny to return to work and Micky had rejoiced at the fact that Gina was business first and last. From then on they had established an understanding. Whatever Gina wanted she was going to get, basically. If it meant the safe keeping of his little hooch empire, Gina could have what she wanted. But it was cash tinkling in the till that made Gina's blood quicken and Micky had coughed up without protest.
Now he raised his hand in salute and Gina nodded to him, her shrewd eyes narrowing under her fringe of black hair. Micky smiled exaggeratedly and hoped that her better nature had climbed out of the right side of the bed today.
'Who's that?' Bella asked and without removing his gaze he replied through smiling lips.
'She's Gina, the friend I was talking about. Nice girl an' all just as long as you know the right foot to tickle. Now, listen to me, Bells. You sit here and look after our friend at the back, right? Don't get out. Just wait here till I come back for you.'
'But Micky – '
'Do as I say, there's a good girl.' His tone was firm as he turned to her, his dark eyes hardening. 'Remember what I said? Leave this to Micky now.' He gave her the proverbial wink and jumped out of the car. Tightening the knot in his tie and brushing his lapels he strutted his way to the cafe. It was early afternoon and he could smell bacon frying. Gina was going to be a hard nut to crack. But then he'd been lucky before, why not again?
She looked at him, smoothing the bib of her white apron that was drawn tightly across her hips. The cafe was hot and sticky and thick with smoke. Three of the oilcloth-covered tables were occupied.
Micky gave another wide grin as he swaggered his way to the counter. 'How you doing then, darlin'?'
Gina frowned suspiciously. 'What do you want, Micky?'
'Just popped in to say hello, that's all.'
'You've said it. Now what?'
'Come on, Gina, give us a break.' He blinked, trying to quell his nervousness.
'Lenny's not here. You should know that.' Her cockney accent was loud and strong. All heads turned slightly and Micky swallowed hard. He didn't want any information broadcast about the lock up and expected better of Gina who knew it was a nudge-nudge, wink-wink situation.
'Keep it down, gorgeous,' he said softly, sliding his eyes round their sockets. 'It's not Lenny I want, as matter of fact…' he lowered his voice again, 'it's his lovely lady – '
'Cut the crap, Micky. I'm busy.'
'As it happens, I'm here on business.'
Her dark gaze narrowed. 'What sort of business?'
He glanced around at the unshaven jaws working mechanically. 'Not here, out the back.'
She eyed him for what seemed an eternity, then jerking her head to the curtain behind the counter she pulled it to one side. Micky walked through.
In the small kitchen he could smell meat and bread and a strong undertone of disinfectant. The private quarters were at the rear, a top floor where Gina and Lenny lived and below a jumble of rooms that acted as lodgings and provided extra income for the business. They were partitioned by a door with a hatch and a long glass cupboard full of provisions, next to which was the cooking range and cupboards. Above these rang a long line of pots and pans.
Gina turned to face him and folded her arms across her chest. 'You were saying?'
'A proposition Gina,' he began smoothly. 'A straight deal. I'd like to rent one of your rooms.'
She curled her full lips into a smile. 'Ronnie kicked you out at last has he?'
Micky looked mildly offended. 'It's for two pals of mine, a couple of kids, actually.'
'I don't rent to children.'
'These are what you might call the more mature variety
.'
'How mature?'
'Sixteen at tops.'
'Why should they want a room?'
'Long story, my lovely, but I'm not about to waste your valuable time.' He took out his wallet and counted three five pound notes, flicking the edges and pressing them into the space between her folded arms and apron. 'One of 'em's not well, so they might need a bit of your home cooking, right? So this is for starters. Same again in a month if you fancy the trade. If you don't, I'll make sure they're out of here on the double.'
Slowly Gina plucked at the paper money and scrutinised it closely. She examined the texture with two probing fingers then frowned. 'What's the catch?'
'None.' Micky lifted his hands innocently in the air.
'Who are they, Micky?'
'Honest to God they're just kids. Waifs and strays that used to work the debris for me. I'm doing them a good turn. Been kicked out of home by an old brass that lives with a pervert down Bow Street. You should see 'em Gina. They'd break your heart.'
'I doubt it.'
'Come on, Gina, give it a go, eh? What have you got to lose? You've got all them big rooms out the back doing nothing.'
'How long for?'
'As long as you want.'
Gina studied him before finally pushing the folded notes into a pocket below the apron. Micky swallowed as his eyes followed her movements. She was a big girl, no doubt about that. Lucky old Lenny. Micky had always been partial to women with wide hips and a big fife and drum. With her black hair and flashing eyes she was what he called a real stunner, but the moment she opened her mouth, the attraction diminished somewhat. She had a vocabulary that equalled any docker's, which wasn't surprising as her dad was a stoker and her mother had run the Limehouse cafe for years. When the old girl died, she left the place to Gina who knew the business inside out. When Gina's fancy man did a disappearing act, Lenny had spotted his opportunity. Gina had eaten him alive on their first outing.
'Bring them in the back way. But I tell you Micky, I'm keeping this for my trouble.' She nudged the hidden fivers with her fist. 'I'll give them a night's kip and if in the morning I'm feeling generous, I'll consider the deal. Understand?'
Micky nodded vigorously. 'You're a doll, Gina.'
'I'm a hard bitch, Micky, and you'd better remember it.'
He could smell her perfume under all those fried breakfasts. Her lips were close and her breasts rose in an unexpected way. She looked him straight in the eye. He was tempted, feeling the attraction go straight to his gut.
She moved forward, smiling. 'I don't know what you're up to, Micky, but don't think you can screw me over. Because if you try – I just have to say one word to my Lenny. Your Mars and Venus would end up in the mincer.' Still looking at him under her lashes she pulled back the curtain. 'Bring them up the lane to the back yard.'
Micky ignored the glances as he walked out. But his heart was still pumping. Out on the pavement he took his handkerchief from the breast pocket of his suit and dabbed his sweating forehead. She was a girl, was Gina!
Ronnie strode through the billiard room and nodded to each player as they bent over the large slate-bottomed tables covered in emerald baize. They played with concentration, chalking the end of their queues and sizing up the opposition. Lamps hung down above the tables spilling pools of light on their surface.
Dressed in a formal dark suit, he savoured the respect the men gave him. He congratulated himself again on the decision to offer only limited membership to his handpicked customers. He intended to keep the riffraff out and the club clean.
Negotiating his way through the onlookers, he made his way to the bar and stood for a moment studying his little empire.
He had been in business for six months now and had secured a legitimate licence. He'd taken a gamble when buying the bomb damaged working men's club, transforming it into the place it was today. Having taken an arm and a leg to refurbish, the gamble was worth it. As he and Joyce had anticipated, Poplar was a critical location. Positioned just off the high street, they were no time at all from the city. A club for men that was strictly legit and turning a profit.
Ronnie watched his young manager, Dino, who in turn was watching his stewards. They all looked the bee's knees, dressed in black waistcoats and bow ties, their slim figures reflected in the triple mirror behind the bar. The glassware sparkled on the shelves and the ale pumps were all oak handles and chrome bracelets whilst members sat at the bar or in leather club chairs, enjoying the atmosphere.
Ronnie smiled in satisfaction. Life was good. He had a partner he could trust, a lucrative business and reliable staff. And to add icing to the cake, he had received no further opposition from Micky. His little brother was back on track running the markets and suitcases again. All in all, life couldn't be better.
Just then his attention was caught by a movement at the top of the blue carpeted stairs. Joyce, wrapped in a fur stole and looking more like royalty than an East End madam, smiled at him. He returned her smile as she turned into the foyer.
Ronnie always admired her elegance. In some ways she reminded him of his mum in her younger days. He'd seen photos of Mum and Dad, all done up to the nines. But in every other way Joyce was different, a shrewd lady and tough with it. Mum's heart was all marshmallow, Joyce's, reinforced steel. But Ronnie knew he had a good partner in Joyce and he hoped he could keep it that way.
Moving slowly across the floor he followed her, ascending the steps and making his way past the cloakroom. He entered the office and found Joyce waiting for him, idling a finger over the rich, dark wood of the desk.
Ronnie felt a stirring inside him. She was a wonderful woman and he thought the world of her. She reassured him in every sense of the word, a quality he had found in no other woman.
'What took you so long?' she purred as he closed the door and took her in his arms. Her dark eyes were ebony, her skin smelt sweet.
'What took you so long, beautiful?' he whispered as he took her in his arms.
'A small problem at work, that's all.' Her voice was smoky and low as she folded her hands round his neck.
'What sort of problem?' He sensed she was disturbed in some way.
'It was nothing.'
Ronnie kissed her cheek briefly and raised an eyebrow. 'Come on now, spill the beans.'
She smiled then. 'A few clowns cut up rough. Not the usual idiots though, these were more organised, stopped short of a slap as if they had planned it.' She paused, her eyes narrowed. 'They distracted Bernie and Sid just enough to get one upstairs.'
'To your quarters?'
'As good as. Luckily, I caught him on the stairs, looking dead shifty. Said he'd lost his way. But he was clever enough to have got where he was whilst the others entertained your boys.'
Ronnie drew his thumb across her chin. 'Are you all right?'
'Course I am.' She laughed, but Ronnie saw the concern in her eyes. He ran his fingers through her hair and murmured reassuringly, 'Leave it to me, I'll make enquiries.'
'It's probably nothing…'
'Relax, Joyce. I'll put more men round with you, double up on security.' He didn't think it was necessary as he felt she was reading too much into it. But he'd talk to Bernie and Sid and keep her happy. He didn't like to see her upset.
'Oh, leave it awhile,' she shrugged dismissively. 'A storm in a teacup, I expect.' She lifted her hands to his face. 'Don't let's talk business, eh?'
He smiled, feeling good as she clung to him. 'To think there was a time when it was only business between us,' he whispered, pressing his lips against her fingers and feeling the passion erupt inside him.
'Yeah, but we changed the rules, didn't we? You're not sorry we did, are you?'
He tipped her face to the light. 'What a thing to ask!'
'I'm asking it though.'
'Joyce, I want you in my life and not just to make the sums add up right. We're good together, we understand each other and I haven't had a minute's regret since I first kissed you.'
She too
k his face in her hands. 'I'm a girl again when you tell me that. You give me all that I've ever wanted, not just the physical but the trust and respect that I've failed to find in another man. No one that has done that for me before and it's bloody worrying at my age.'
'You'll always be a girl to me, Joyce. My girl.'
'You say the nicest things, you charmer.'
As she pulled him with her towards the next room, Ronnie thought for the second time that evening how life was definitely on the up and up.
Chapter 12
Bella was laughing and joking with the customers as she served the early morning regulars of Gina's cafe. Six months ago she had been living on the streets with Terry, at the end of her tether. Now it was the beginning of December and she was a working woman and Terry was earning a few bob too. For someone who couldn't put more than a few words together at one time, never mind enlarge on the thought behind them, this was a miracle. Helping Lenny at the lock-up had changed Terry's life. And becoming a waitress in Gina's cafe had changed her own. The dark and desolate days of Dixons were well behind her and thank God for that.
'Have a butchers at this, sweetheart.' A big, burly man sitting with his two friends at one of the tables, waved the newspaper in her face. 'It says here that jam's supposed to be off the rationing list now. Does that mean I get an extra dollop with me breakfast this morning?'
'You'd get an extra dollop anyway,' Bella laughed as she lowered a large china plate overflowing with eggs and bacon in front of him. 'We like to keep all our customers sweet. Now don't touch the plate or it'll fry your fingers.'
'I wish you was my missus,' he grinned, poising his knife and fork before the plate hit the table. 'All I get from her is get your great big mitts 'orf you greedy great pig! Or sod off down the pub and buy yourself a pasty. That's why I come here for my nosh. I get treated like a gentleman.'
'Which you ain't,' his friend pointed out, thrusting a rasher of streaky bacon into his mouth as he spoke. 'It's your poor old lady I feel sorry for. Fancy having to live with you for forty odd years. Working with you i s bad enough, but waking up in the morning and seeing that great ugly mush of yours beside me, I'd have topped myself by now.'
