by Sam Michaels
‘What about you? Are you staying or are you going too?’ Miss Garrett asked.
Varvara could feel the woman’s eyes boring into her and her heart began to race. She felt a knot in her stomach and though her head was screaming at her to walk out the door, she felt strangely compelled to stay. It was Miss Garrett. There was something about the woman that made Varvara feel she wanted to be near her. She’d craved her freedom all her life and here she was, being offered it, yet she heard herself say, ‘I’m staying.’
She knew Dina must be staring at her in abhorrence but she couldn’t bring herself to look. Her sister would be so disappointed – Dina had probably expected them to be running for the hills by now. But Varvara knew Dina wouldn’t leave without her.
‘Good, and what about you?’ Miss Garrett asked, and looked at Dina.
‘She’s staying too,’ Varvara answered.
‘Right then. Thank you for clearing up the mess from earlier. You can have the rest of the day off though I’d prefer you to stay in the house for now. I’ll speak to you both later about money. You can go now.’
Her dismissal left Varvara feeling deflated. She didn’t want to go. She wanted to stay and gaze at this incredible creature. ‘But, can I ask…’
‘You can ask me later,’ Miss Garrett cut in, sounding irritated.
That was it – Varvara quite clearly wasn’t wanted in Miss Garrett’s presence. She reluctantly turned to walk towards the door and noticed Dina was already in the hallway. As the door closed behind her, Dina was halfway up the stairs. ‘Wait,’ she called after her sister. But Dina threw her a filthy look and dashed to her room.
Varvara tapped lightly on Dina’s door. There was no response. ‘Please, can we talk?’ she asked, but Dina didn’t answer.
She’ll come round, Varvara thought as she went to her own room. After all, they had no money and if they left brothel where could they go? They knew nothing except prostitution. They’d been whored out since they were children, passed from one man to another. At least now, things were going to change. They would have their own money and they didn’t have to live in fear of a man terrorising them.
Varvara threw herself back onto her bed and stared at the ceiling. All her life, she’d wanted to make her own decisions and choose her own fate. For once, she’d done that and it felt so good.
She closed her eyes and thought about the real reason for why she’d chosen to stay at the brothel. She’d been impressed with the way Miss Garrett had stood up for Tattie. The graceful manner in which the woman held herself. The strong, toned shape of her striking body and the sharp intensity of her eyes. How she commanded the room had thrilled Varvara. Yes, it was unnatural to feel this way about a woman, and she’d never before been attracted to one. But she found Miss Georgina Garrett exciting and it was clear the woman had compassion, something Varvara had never been shown.
*
‘You can go too, Knuckles. I want you to visit Livingstone Road and tell them that I’m in charge now and I’ll be in to see them soon. Then I expect every man working for the Wilcox business to be in this office on Wednesday morning.’
‘Shouldn’t I stay here to look after you?’
‘I can look after myself and, in future, don’t question my orders,’ Georgina said harshly. She’d never been keen on the man and now she’d witnessed how he treated the Russian ladies, she liked him even less.
The door closed behind Knuckles and Georgina turned her attention to Benjamin. ‘Well, tell me I’m a very wealthy woman.’
Benjamin looked flustered as he answered. ‘I… I… I wish I could, Miss Garrett, but these books are a mess. They only go back a couple of months and, to be frank, a child could have done better.’
‘So, what can you tell me?’
He pushed his round spectacles up his nose and placed his pen neatly on the desk. ‘Erm… er… Not very much. There’s no record of assets, monies owed, goods acquired – nothing.’
They weren’t the words Georgina had wanted to hear but then she remembered what Knuckles had told her. The safe hadn’t been opened since Billy’s death because no-one knew where the key was hidden. She was sure that’s where Billy’s books would be stashed. She marched across the office and moved the dog kennel to one side. The safe was behind it, probably bolted to the floor. ‘All the records will be in here,’ she told Benjamin.
‘Oh, right, good, yes, erm… do you have the key?’
‘No, but that won’t be a problem. Come back tomorrow, the books will be available to you then.’
‘Yes, fine. I’ll, erm, see you tomorrow then, Miss Garrett,’ Benjamin answered gawkily and began to clumsily pack his pens away into a brown leather briefcase.
Georgina thought he was an odd man. He was probably only a few years older than her – she guessed about twenty-six. He had a nice enough clean-shaven face behind his glasses, and his father’s dark hair and eyes, but none of Ezzy’s self-assurance. She didn’t know if it was the situation that was making him nervous or if that was just his character. Either way, she had a job not to smile mockingly at his awkwardness.
Benjamin gave her a final flimsy wave as he left the office and at last, Georgina was alone. It was quite an eerie feeling, especially as she knew Norman Wilcox was buried in cement in the cellar under her feet. She sucked in a long breath and momentarily closed her eyes to gather her thoughts. It had been quite a day so far and she knew there were going to be many challenges over the coming months. She was in a man’s world now and it wouldn’t do to show any weakness. She needed to be strong in order to gain the respect of the men who’d once worked for Billy. She hadn’t yet met them but already she knew she hated them.
7
‘It’s only me,’ Molly called as she let herself into Dulcie’s house. She’d been to visit her mum and had got the key from Ethel. Now she hoped to find Georgina at home. It was late evening and she should have been settling Edward down to bed but she had to get out of Jane’s house – the woman was mad, she was sure of it.
‘In here, love,’ she heard Dulcie shout from the front room through the closed door.
Molly gathered her son from his pram and opened the door. As she walked in, the warmth from the coal fire felt welcoming, as did Dulcie’s friendly smile.
‘Georgina is upstairs getting changed. She’ll be down in a minute. Take a seat – you look shattered,’ Dulcie said as she folded empty potato sacks.
‘I’m all right, just sleepless nights. You know how it is. What are you doing with those sacks?’
‘Oppo dropped them in. They’re for Mary next door. She’ll use them to make rag rugs. Her old man still can’t find no work. They ain’t got a pot to piss in.’
‘Them and plenty of others. You should have seen the queue outside the soup kitchen today. Pitiful, it was. All men, looking so sad. So much for the country on the up!’
‘I know, love. It’s a bloody travesty. I bet most of them men fought for King and country but it didn’t get them nowhere.’
‘Anyway, how did Georgina get on today? Did that bloke manage to open the safe?’ Molly asked.
‘Yes, and I can’t believe that Mickey didn’t try to have it opened. Anyway, it’s all good, better than expected. The books were in there and the business is worth a few bob. She’ll tell you all about it herself,’ Dulcie said, then cocking her head to one side she asked, ‘What brings you out at this time of night? Shouldn’t that little chap be in bed by now?’
‘Yes, probably, but he… erm… I think he must be teething,’ she lied.
Dulcie strained her neck to try and get a glimpse of the child. ‘He looks fine to me. He ain’t got red cheeks or nothing.’
Molly felt awful for telling fibs and looked down at the floor. There was no getting anything past Dulcie – she was a wise woman.
‘Come on, out with it. What’s bothering you?’
‘I don’t know, maybe I’ve got it all wrong, but I don’t think Jane is quite right,’ Molly answered as the doo
r opened and Georgina came into the room.
She was stripped of any make-up and was in her nightclothes but she had a new regal air about her. ‘Hello, Molly, I thought I heard you arrive. What’s all this about Jane?’ she queried as she sat next to Molly on the sofa.
‘I don’t like to talk about her behind her back, but I’m getting worried. My mum said to take no notice and she’s a bit funny in the head ’cos of what she did… you know…’
‘Your mum is probably right,’ Dulcie answered.
‘No, I don’t think she is. Maybe, at first, but Jane’s behaviour is getting more peculiar by the day. To tell you the truth, I don’t want me and my son living there for any longer than we have to.’
‘Is she that bad?’ Georgina asked.
‘Yes! I’m not exaggerating,’ Molly answered emphatically.
‘All right, I believe you. You’d better tell me what’s been going on.’
‘Well, it started with silly little things at first, just being forgetful. Then I noticed she wasn’t sleeping. I hear her walking round talking to herself. But it became more sinister when she called Edward Billy. That gives me the creeps and she’s done it a few times now. Today was the last straw, though. It was bad. Really bad,’ Molly said and dashed a tear away.
‘I’m not liking the sound of this and I don’t like seeing you upset. What happened, Molly?’
‘I was on the sofa and I must have nodded off, just for a few minutes. Edward’s been restless at night. I’m tired.’
‘That’s normal, love,’ Dulcie said, reassuringly.
‘When I opened my eyes, Edward was gone. I guessed Jane had taken him but I had a terrible feeling that something was wrong. Anyway, I walked into the kitchen and saw she was just about to put Edward in the sink. I could see steam; I knew the water was too hot. I screamed at her, told her to stop. She did, thank God, just in time. She almost scalded my baby. She could have boiled him alive!’ Molly instinctively pulled Edward closer to her. ‘I ran across the room and took Edward from her, but you should have seen the weird look in her eyes. They looked blank… empty. It’s like she wasn’t there. She didn’t seem to have any idea what she was doing. I’m telling you, it was very, very strange.’
‘I don’t like the sound of that,’ Dulcie said and shook her head.
‘I told her to go and have a lie-down. I thought maybe she needed a rest. She asked me why so I told her she’d nearly burnt Edward, that the water was too hot. It still didn’t seem to register with her and then she walked off, but I heard her mumbling something about how she’d never meant to hurt her son.’
‘Eh? What exactly did you hear?’ Georgina asked, looking concerned.
‘I’m not sure, but I think she said something like: I never would have hurt my son. I’d never hurt Billy. She ain’t right in the head, is she?’
Molly saw Georgina and Dulcie exchange a look with each other, then Dulcie spoke. ‘No, love, she’s not, and you and Edward can’t go back there.’
‘But we’ve got nowhere else to go,’ Molly cried and caught a sob in her throat.
‘Don’t worry, you’re staying here with us,’ Georgina said. ‘I’ll go to Jane’s and collect what you need.’
‘We can’t stay here – you don’t have room for us,’ Molly protested, though she couldn’t think of anywhere else she’d rather be. It felt safe.
‘We’ll make the room,’ Dulcie said firmly. ‘Georgina, go and get changed and leave your nightclothes in my room. You can kip in with me so Molly and Edward can have your room.’
‘Don’t worry, Molly. I found out today that the business is in a reasonably strong financial position. We’ll soon have a nice place for you and Edward to live.’
Molly had managed to stop herself from bawling her eyes out, but now Georgina’s and Dulcie’s kindness made her feel emotional again.
Dulcie reached her arms out for Edward. ‘Give him here. His aunty Dul wants a cuddle.’
Molly handed Edward over and as she did, Dulcie said softly, ‘It’s all right, see, Georgina will look after you.’
*
Dulcie had warned Georgina to keep a cool head and reminded her that it was very likely Jane was ill. She knocked on her door, unsure of the reception she’d receive.
It was Sally who answered and Georgina could see the girl was distressed. Tears streaked down her young face, and she cried, ‘Georgina, I’m so glad you’re here. It’s my mother, I don’t know what to do.’
‘Where is she?’ Georgina asked as Sally pulled the door open wider.
‘She’s in my room… sitting on the window ledge. I’m afraid she might jump!’
Georgina, in her haste, took the stairs two at a time. When she reached the top, she could see Jane’s back, at the window, with the curtains billowing around her in the breeze. Georgina paused. It looked like the woman was teetering on edge of the window frame. She didn’t want to go charging in and startle her.
Sally had followed her up the stairs and was now standing by her side as she said, ‘I’ve tried to get her to come inside but she won’t. Do something, Georgina, please, don’t let her jump.’
‘It’s all right, Sally. She’ll be fine. I want you to take your sister and wait in the front room.’
‘No, please, let me help.’
‘Do as you’re told, Sally, and close the door,’ Georgina spat. She hadn’t wanted to sound aggressive but she didn’t have time to argue with the girl.
Sally reacted to Georgina’s tone, and once Georgina felt they must be downstairs in the front room, she cautiously stepped towards Jane. ‘Hey, it’s me,’ she said casually. ‘What on earth are you doing sitting in the window? It’s bloody freezing and you’re letting all the cold air in.’
There was nothing from Jane.
‘Come inside, I’ve got some good news to tell you.’
Still nothing.
Georgina was just a couple of feet away from her now, but she knew, if Jane slipped, she’d be out of Georgina’s reach. She stepped closer.
‘Stop,’ Jane snapped.
‘Right, whatever you say. Do you want to tell me what this is all about?’
‘Go away, George. I have nothing to say to you.’
‘Come on, Jane, don’t be like that. We’re friends, good friends. You can tell me anything.’
Jane turned her head to the side. George could see her profile and her black eye make-up smudged down her cheek.
‘We’re not friends. We never have been. Billy hates you and he’d be so annoyed if he thought we were friends. Anyway, what are you doing in my house?’
‘I came to see you, Jane, to tell you the good news.’
‘You’d better get out before he comes home and finds you here. You know what he’s like.’
‘Who?’ Georgina asked.
‘Billy. He won’t like it. Go on, go… piss off, George Garrett.’
Georgina gulped. Jane was far worse than she’d imagined and she wasn’t sure what to do next. Should she play along with Jane’s fantasy or jolt the woman back into reality. She decided the latter probably wasn’t a good idea, not considering Jane’s precarious position on the window ledge. ‘I’ll be off then. Are you gonna come in and see me out?’
‘You know where the door is,’ Jane answered.
‘Fine. I’ll take Sally and Penny with me. They’re all alone, downstairs.’
‘Don’t you touch my girls!’
Ah, thank goodness, Georgina had touched upon a raw nerve. ‘Best you come and get them then,’ she said and began to slowly back away, hoping that Jane would follow.
‘I’m not mad, George. I know you think I am, but I’m not.’
‘I don’t think you are, Jane. But I do think you should come indoors.’
‘He’s here, you know. He’s always here. He’ll never leave me.’
‘Who, Billy?’
‘Yes. I know you can’t see him, but I can. He speaks to me too. He’s forgiven me – he says he understands. Actually, he blame
s you. Says it was all your fault.’
‘Yes, yes, Jane. It was. I’m sure he wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself, though; you really should come in.’
‘Billy loves me! Of course he doesn’t want to see me come to any harm.’
‘So why are you still sat on the bloody window ledge?’
‘Don’t you understand, George? He’ll never leave me. This is the only way.’
‘No… No, Jane. Think about your girls. They need you.’
‘They need a good mother and I’m not one. I killed my own son.’
‘You did it for them, to protect them. That makes you the best mother. You’ve proved you’ll do anything for them, whatever it takes. Think about how they’d feel if you threw yourself off that ledge. Your pain will end but theirs will begin. A lifetime of pain because of you. I know you and that’s not what you want to do to your girls.’
Jane didn’t say anything but Georgina heard her sobbing and slowly, she eased herself around until her legs were inside the room. Georgina ran towards her and as Jane went to stand, her legs gave way. Georgina grabbed her and managed to stumble across the room with her and laid her on Sally’s bed.
‘Oh, Georgina, what have I done?’
‘It’s all right. I’m going to get you help, Jane. We’ll make you better, I promise.’
Sally appeared in the doorway. ‘Is my mum OK?’
‘No, but she will be. Come and sit with her, I think she’d like that.’
Georgina stood back and looked at Jane. She was broken but hopefully not beyond repair.
‘What’s wrong with her?’ Sally asked.
‘She needs lots of rest and special doctors. Your mum is going to go away for a while, just until she’s well again.’
Jane looked aged beyond her years and exhausted. Thankfully, she’d fallen into a fretful slumber.
‘Is she going to the asylum?’
‘No, Sally. I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen but she will be going to hospital.’
‘Who’s going to look after me and Penny?’
‘I don’t know yet.’
Sally pulled a blanket up from the end of her bed and over her mother. ‘This was Billy’s room. I’m not stupid, I know my mum killed him. And I know Billy killed my dad. I can look after Penny. You’re not sending us away.’
