by Carol Rivers
'Please yourself.'
As always on his previous visits, Micky felt claustrophobic as he descended the wooden steps. The small room smelt of musty paper and printer's ink. Alfred Freshwater was watching him closely from under his tweed cap.
How did anyone breathe down here let alone work Micky wondered uncomfortably? There was only one grille above letting in the air. It was even worse than Dad's old lock-up.
'How you doing, Alf?'
The master forger was smoking a fag. Micky watched him adjust his braces over his shirt and take a puff. He leaned against a large iron contraption that looked more like a trouser press than a counterfeiting machine.
'You won't get better than this,' Alfred said, handing him a one pound note. 'Not unless you know the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street personally.'
'I've not had the pleasure,' Micky mumbled as he lifted the paper to the light. It looked just like an ordinary one pound note except it was too new.
'How many have you got?'
'How many do you want?'
'A grand at least. I need Lady Godiva's too. Dirtied up a bit of course.'
'What you up to?' Alfred demanded curiously.
'I need it for an operation for me little crippled sister,' Micky dismissed.
'Pull the other one. Where's the job?'
Micky took the map from his pocket. 'This is the plan. It's foolproof.'
'That's like an actor saying Macbeth on the first night,' Alfred remarked as with ink stained fingers he took the map and shambled over to a chair. For a long time he studied it, the circles and the crosses and the notes made beside them. He looked up at Micky. 'You know my terms, I told you last week. I want a monkey up front as insurance.'
'Two-fifty.'
'It's five and two naughts or get your arse out of here.'
Reluctantly Micky handed over Ivor's stake. 'It's all there.'
Alfred counted them. 'When?'
'Like we discussed. The end of September when the duchess is away.'
'And you're sure this place is empty?'
'As the proverbial tomb,' Micky assured him. 'The nearest living soul is an old bloke who lives down the road and keeps an eye out every now and then. Trust me, all that lolly will be sitting there ripe for the picking. You only have to screw the safe, then we make the switch and vamoose.'
From upstairs there was a sound of barking and growling. Micky jumped nervously.
'Who's that?'
'Could be the law.'
Micky froze. But his terror soon turned to relief as Alfred laughed raucously. 'It's only dinner time. The missus is feeding the lions.'
Micky could believe that as well. No wonder Alfred Freshwater had enjoyed a long and successful career. With his menagerie of animals he didn't have any friends and consequently very few enemies.
Bella rose early before the rest of the household. The smell of autumn was in the air as she opened the window of the airey. It was a distinctive smell, one she loved, as the world hovered between seasons. September was a wonderful month to be married in, just before the heat of summer died. Friday September the sixteenth was a very special day, Ron and Joyce's registry office wedding.
Like Bella and Micky, they had chosen to have a civil ceremony. A service in church seemed inappropriate as they were living together. Nevertheless, Bella had lots to do. First she must wrap up Joyce and Ronnie's gifts; a single gold pin with the letter J that Joyce could pin to her dress. Another with R, intended to be worn on the groom's tie. She also had a garter for Joyce in her favourite colour, purple and a lace hanky of her own. All the traditions would be then be observed; something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. And last night Joyce had slept in the spare room, whilst Ron had stayed with Sean and Ashley.
But before she did anything, Bella opened the drawer in the sideboard. She took out her own wedding album and sat at the table. She knew she was being sentimental but this morning she couldn't resist a walk down memory lane.
All her own wedding photographs had been taken on Joyce's Box Brownie camera. May had been a lovely month to be married in too, just as summer beckoned.
Her bouquet had hidden her bump and her white and buff wedding dress looked elegant with its little Peter Pan collar, which was, Bella decided, just as fashionable today. Micky was so handsome in his formal dark suit. He gazed down on her as she held tight to his arm looking up at him with love-filled eyes. Turning the pages slowly, she recalled each moment as Joyce had instructed, "smile for the camera".
Even Terry looked a grown man as he stood by Ronnie who was dressed all in silver grey. Sean and Ashley's cheeky bow ties made her laugh as they posed against the big black cars with white ribbons and bows that had carried them back to the Blue Moon.
How special she had felt as she had shaken hands with all their guests at the reception. It was sad to think that the club would never open its doors to the Bryants again. She felt even sadder to see a snap of Lenny and Gina. What had happened to Lenny? Where was he now? How could he just disappear like that?
'You're up early!' It was Joyce, peering over her shoulder. She was wearing her dressing gown and turban. Bella knew that hidden beneath it was her freshly washed, thick dark hair to be styled by Sean later.
'I was going to bring the bride a cup of tea in bed.'
Joyce sat down beside her. She nodded to the album. 'That's what I call a lovely wedding.' The photograph was of Bella waving from the window of the car as it drove away. 'You looked so happy.'
Bella nodded as she closed the book. 'You'll be happy too, Joyce. Ronnie is a wonderful man and he'll take good care of you.'
'Yes, I know that.'
'No last minute butterflies?'
Joyce looked amused. 'Nothing that a strong cup of tea won't cure. Of course, I can't guarantee what I'll be like when I walk into that registry office and sign on the dotted line. I still can't believe we're doing it. Feels like it's happening to someone else.'
'I can't wait to see you in your dress.'
'Do you think cream is the right colour?'
'Perfect for the occasion.'
Joyce smiled wistfully. 'It did cost a few bob.'
'You don't get married every day.'
Joyce laughed. 'No, thank God.'
Hanging in the bedroom was Joyce's gorgeous cream satin calf-length dress. It had been made by the same seamstress who had sewn Bella's. On the dresser beside it was an exquisite hat to match and a whisper of a veil. Her spray was made up of tiny white rosebuds hidden in fern with a big satin bow.
'I'll put the kettle on,' she told Joyce who had picked up the album again and was browsing through it.
As Bella went to the kitchen, she felt very excited. Micky had taken the Friday off and she would have his company all day long. To mark the occasion she had bought herself a slim-fitting two-piece suit in soft apple green. The colour complimented her coppery waves which she would pin up under the brim of her hat. Micky had invested in a fashionable dark suit made of Italian cloth and young Michael was wearing a white shirt, navy blue short trousers and a little bow tie. He wasn't exactly a pageboy, but much to Michael's embarrassment, Joyce and Ronnie had called him that.
When Bella brought the tea into the front room, Joyce was gazing into space. She had applied no make-up and looked pale and youthful. Bella knew from Ron that she had no family to represent her side. She wondered if Joyce was thinking about that now, but she was surprised when Joyce suddenly turned to her and said unexpectedly, 'I don't know if Ron's ever told you, but I had a child once.'
Bella sat down quickly on the chair. 'No, he never said.'
'I was fifteen when he was born. He was two months early and only lived a couple of hours. I suppose he must have been too small to survive. My mum was a widow as Dad died when I was young. She sent me away to this home in the next town because it was seen as a big disgrace then. They took him away and I never knew what they did with him.' Joyce paused, her eyes far away.
'Oh,
Joyce how sad.'
'Mum and me never saw eye to eye afterwards. She died of cancer a year later. I wished we could have put things right before she went. Forgive and forget and all that.'
'Did you come straight to London, then?'
Joyce nodded. 'Caught a train with the few bob I had and ended up in the East End. Bumped into this woman who offered me lodgings. I didn't know a pig's trotter from a cow's udder then. She was the one who turned me into a working girl.'
'Weren't you scared of getting pregnant again?'
'She showed me ways to stop that happening,' Joyce said quietly. 'Probably old wives tales, like putting sponges soaked in vinegar inside you, and using pessaries and gels, that kind of thing. But I'm not convinced I'll conceive easy now, what with my track record and all.'
'You should talk to the doctor,' Bella advised.
'Ronnie says we can go to Harley Street and see a specialist if nothing happens.'
'I don't think you'll need to,' Bella said with a confident smile. 'I've heard that it's very romantic in Italy. Very romantic indeed.'
They both looked at one another and laughed. Very soon they were talking about the forthcoming honeymoon in Italy that Ronnie had booked. Bella was certain that with Ron to romance her in such magical surroundings, she would relax and all her worries about having a baby would be forgotten.
'This is very nice,' Dolly remarked as they sat on the comfortable chairs in the reception room of the New Inn. 'Have you been here before?'
'Only once,' Bella replied as she watched the other guests file in. 'To help Joyce confirm all the details for today.'
'A reception like this costs a lot of money, I expect.' Dolly sighed softly as she gazed around the hotel's impressive interior. All was polished wooden floors, thick floral rugs and long Georgian style windows. The beautiful golden curtains on either side were gathered by heavy cords and tassels and guests were talking in a discreet manner as the waiters hovered with trays of champagne.
Micky and Percy, Terry, Sean and Ashley and all the other men were grouped at the bar. Even though there was champagne to drink, some preferred their pint glasses of ale. To one side of the room a long table was spread with delicious looking food. Michael and another little boy, one of the other guests' children, were playing outside in the garden where there were swings.
Apprehensively, Dolly fiddled with the buttons of her staid grey costume. The feathers in her hat caught the breeze from the open window. Bella noted it was the same saucer shaped feathered hat that she'd worn to Bella's wedding, with a few more feathers stuck in here and there. Dolly's brown eyes looked tired and her colourful taste in clothes had apparently disappeared.
'Are they really going to Italy for their honeymoon?' she asked wistfully.
'Yes, it was Ronnie's suggestion as Joyce has never been abroad before.'
Dolly sighed as she looked at Joyce and Ronnie shaking hands with their guests. 'Going abroad is all the rage these days. It was what me and Percy had planned this year. A camping trip, not a hotel of course. But we could've afforded to take the twins to France with a tent. But now with Percy losing his job at Burlingtons …'
'But he's got the new job in Albert Dock, hasn't he?'
'Yes,' Dolly said quietly. 'He's on the boats. They're two abreast down there, in all states. Some need mending, some painting, you can see the ships going on and on down the dock, and new sheds are going up to accommodate them. The United States Lines have even begun to put their own shed up as they've got so much work.'
'Really?'
'Yes, but it's unskilled work and less pay.'
'Are you managing all right?'
Dolly nodded silently, chewing on her lip. Just then Gina walked in the door and began to approach them. Suddenly Dolly got up. 'I'm just going to the cloakroom,' she blurted and hurried off.
'What's the matter with Dolly?' Gina asked with a smile as she sat beside Bella. 'Where are the twins?'
'They're with their grandparents for the day.'
'Only she doesn't look very happy.'
'Percy lost his job at Burlingtons.' Bella wondered if she should go after Dolly. 'But he's got another one in Albert Dock, though it's not as much money.'
'Some of my customers work there too. It's very busy at the moment.'
'Yes, but Percy is a skilled in his trade and he was looking at promotion at Burlingtons. Now he's at the bottom of the pile again.'
Gina sighed and said softly, 'Well, he'd better make the best of it whilst it lasts.'
'What do you mean?'
'Burlingtons aren't the only ones in trouble so I hear. Many of my customers tell me the firms they work for are struggling. The machinery is old and in need of replacing. The factory sheds are like museums inside. Even the landing stages need renewing they're so rotten. Albert Dock is about the only place where new sheds are being built. Some blokes say that in ten years time, if there's no investment, the docks will be on their knees.'
'But that's impossible, Gina!'
'Nothing is impossible in this life, love. I hear a lot in my line of work, from all walks of life; the dockers and the union reps and the blokes passing through. We are going to need some serious redevelopment if we're to survive.'
Just then Joyce came over with two glasses of champagne. 'Come on girls, drink up. Chin-chin.'
Gina smiled as she accepted her drink. 'What time are you lovebirds off?'
'First thing in the morning. We're driving to Dover to pick up the ferry.'
'I hope Ron knows his way,' Gina giggled. 'If that was Lenny we'd end up in Russia.'
They all laughed and although Bella knew Gina missed Lenny she also knew her friend wasn't going to let it show. Her appearance was stunning; a striking black and white dress and matching hat with an upturned brim. She smelt of expensive perfume and her carefully applied make-up hid all the signs of her recent troubles. Bella didn't know whether to mention Lenny as she didn't want to spoil the day. But Gina didn't seem concerned as she continued to drink from the fluted glass. 'Congratulations, Joyce, you make a lovely bride,' she laughed gaily.
'Yes, really beautiful,' Bella agreed, sipping the champagne as the sparkles burst on the edge of her nose.
Laughing with her friends, Bella looked round for Dolly. It was unlike her not to join in the fun and the buffet would be starting soon.
Half an hour later, Bella found Dolly in the garden. She was sitting on a bench, watching the children play.
'Dolly, what are you doing out here?'
'I needed some fresh air.'
'I've been looking all over for you.'
'Oh, sorry.' She paused and said in a flat voice, 'Your Michael is a handsome boy. He's going to be tall like his dad.'
'He's outgrowing his clothes,' Bella answered as she sat down beside Dolly. 'Are you coming in? They're serving the food now.'
'I'm not hungry.'
Bella lifted the lock of dark hair that shielded Dolly's face and tucked it behind her ear. 'What are you not telling me Dolly? You never go off your food. You look very pale and you were in the cloakroom ages.'
Dolly looked down at the table. The afternoon sun glanced across her face and she shivered. Bella noted that her lipstick had worn off and she was clutching a hanky. 'I do feel a bit sick.'
'But you haven't eaten anything!'
'I know.' Dolly stood up. She was now very white. 'I'll have to go back to the lav again.' And with that she hurried off.
'Mummy, is it time for dinner?' Michael called as he ran over from the swings.
'Yes, I'll take you in.'
'Can I have anything I want?'
Bella smiled down at her hungry son. 'I don't see why not, except you might not know what some of the food is. Let's find daddy to help us.'
A few minutes later Bella had left Michael with Micky and his Uncle Ronnie as they queued at the big buffet table. Quickly she went through the swing doors and out to the cloakroom. Her suspicions were confirmed when she heard noises coming from t
he cubicle. 'Dolly, can I help?'
'I'll be out in a minute.'
Eventually Dolly appeared. She was wiping her mouth and looked a ghostly white.
'Here, throw some water over your face,' Bella suggested and Dolly leaned over the basin.
'How long have you been like this?'
'About a week.' Dolly sank down on a stool.
Bella gave her a clean hanky from her bag. 'You don't have to tell me what's up. I know.'
Dolly looked up at her, nodding. 'I'm expecting - again.'
'Are you sure?'nodded sadly. 'I was like this with the twins.'
'But why are you so unhappy, love? Having a baby is a wonderful thing.'
Dolly grabbed Bella's hand. 'I don't want it, Bella. I can't have it. Not now. Not with what's happened.'
'But Percy's got a job,' Bella protested gently as she went down on her knees and gazed into her friend's distraught face.
'Bella, we're only just scraping by. If another baby comes along, I don't know what we'll do.'
'Have you told Percy?'shook her head, unable to reply.
Bella gasped. 'Dolly! You're not thinking of getting rid of it?'
Her friend burst into tears and putting her hands over her face, sobbed in distress.
Why was it that people's lives became so complicated, Bella wondered? Dolly was expecting a child she didn't want and Joyce was desperate to have one. Gina deserved to have Lenny beside her today, but he had vanished into thin air and she was forced into putting on a brave face.
As she heard Dolly retching inside the toilet cubicle, she decided to make Dolly promise to tell Percy about the baby; she couldn't take it on herself to make such a life-changing decision.
Chapter 24
The house and gardens were quiet enough, but Micky paused, placing a cautious finger to his mouth. The three men accompanying him stopped abruptly.
'What's the matter?' hissed Alfred Freshwater, clutching a Gladstone bag to his chest. 'I thought you said the gaff was empty.'
'It is. But I'm just making sure.' Micky narrowed his eyes searchingly. But all he could see was darkness, the outline of trees and the curve of the wall. He would have to walk round it to approach the designated window. 'Wait here,' he ordered, raising his voice so that Terry and Lenny could hear him.
