East End Jubilee (44 page)

Rose shivered as the cold air blew in. Benny stood in his vest and underpants and clutched a hammer in his hand. Anita was beside him, her short fair hair standing up in spikes on her head and
an old frilly dressing gown pulled round her neck. The two boys were bare-chested. They wore only pyjama bottoms. Behind them were Sharon and Derek Green and Mike and Debbie Price all in coats
hiding their nightclothes. Anita leapt forward and hugged the breath out of Rose.

‘I’m all right, Neet. We’re
all
all right.’

Anita held her at arms’ length. ‘What happened?’

‘They chucked bricks through the window.’

‘This can’t go on, love. It can’t. You’ll have to tell the police.’

‘It won’t do any good, going to them.’ Rose knew Anita was concerned for their safety, but Inspector Williams would probably laugh in her face.

‘Not all the police are bent. There must be some good ones.’

‘Yes, but it’s finding them.’

Two days later, Bobby arrived at the door. It was half past eight in the morning. As it was the Christmas holiday everyone was still upstairs having an extra hour’s
sleep. Rose had just dressed and was about to put the kettle on. Bobby looked terrible, as though he hadn’t slept all night.

‘Bobby, what’s wrong?’ Rose asked, dreading the answer. Every time she opened the door now, she expected trouble.

‘They’ve done me car in,’ he said angrily, his blue eyes blazing. ‘It’s a write-off.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I left it outside the shop last night and when I came down this morning I didn’t recognize it.’ He stepped inside as Em came down the stairs, her hair rapidly freed from
curlers and dressed in her trousers and cardigan. When he saw her his eyes softened to their old, soft blue, but then as he pushed back a lock of blond hair from his face, he grew angry again.
‘They drove nails in the tyres and poured paint all over it. When they’d finished ripping the insides up they bust as much of the engine as they could, then left their calling card. A
couple of bricks through the windows.’

‘Oh, Bobby, no!’ Em wailed.

‘I’d like to lay my hands on the bastards who did it.’

Rose felt her legs begin to shake again. ‘Your lovely car,’ she whispered. ‘Do you think it was
him
?’

‘Who else could it be?’ Bobby’s face was red now and his hands clenched into fists. ‘He’s a bad lot, this bloke, Rose. Eddie should never have got mixed up with
him.’

‘She knows that,’ Em said defensively. ‘They tied her up and cut off all her hair, didn’t they?’

‘Yes, and that’s unforgivable. Someone has to do something.’

‘I’ve tried,’ Rose said helplessly. ‘I just don’t know what to do next.’

‘There’s no use blaming her—’ Em began, but Bobby shook his head.

‘I’m not. But I think we should go to the police.’

‘What could they do?’ Rose said, her voice rising uncontrollably. ‘That Inspector Williams won’t help. Eddie was put away because of him. How do we know who to
trust?’

‘We have to do something,’ Bobby said urgently. ‘Someone has to.’

Rose put her hands up to her face. Her head was aching and her thoughts were in turmoil. She didn’t want to accept the truth, that the only person who could do something was Eddie. It was
Eddie that Norman Payne wanted. This was how he blackmailed and threatened his victims until they gave in and agreed to do as he wanted. It was only Eddie who could stand up against him and
refuse.

She looked at her sister and Bobby and saw the fear in their faces. She knew she would see that look again and again over the coming years if they didn’t make a stand now.

‘You’re right, Bobby. When Eddie comes home, we’ll go to the police. We’ll find someone who’ll listen to us and help us.’

Bobby looked at her with a little frown and nodded. ‘It’s got to be done, Rose.’

Just then Matthew cried out from upstairs. Her heart lurched unpleasantly. Both she and Em turned to run up together. They almost collided. Then Donnie called over the banister that they were
taking Matthew in their room to play with him.

Em collapsed on the stairs. She looked up with wild, frightened eyes. ‘We’d better postpone the party. I couldn’t enjoy it, what with all that’s happened. I’m
sorry, Bobby. Really I am.’

‘Does that mean we’re not engaged?’

Em nodded slowly and it was then that Rose knew they simply couldn’t go on like this. As soon as Eddie came home, their lives had to change.

He was filthy rich.

Eddie smiled at the screw as he stowed his saved wages from the workshop in his pocket. A ruckled, unpressed pocket it was true, but after almost two years stuck in brown paper, his suit
didn’t look that bad, not really. Four pounds fifteen and sixpence, yes, he had earned every penny in that stinking sweatshop. He was rich!

Somehow Norman Payne didn’t seem to matter much any more. Like a bad dream, his spectre had almost vanished overnight as freedom beckoned, the bright March day holding more for Eddie than
the promise of spring. His Rose would be waiting at the gate with Benny, and the three of them would drive back in style to Ruby Street where he would hold his daughters and son safely in his arms
once more.

Just let Payne try it on now he was free, well, almost free. The swine was happy to bully women and carve up the cons in the nick. But Payne would have his work cut out if he showed his ugly mug
in Ruby Street, though he had to admit his skin still crawled when he thought of the tiny package of Rose’s hair pressed into his hand. Payne had really got to him then. He still wasn’t
certain he believed what Rose had told him, that they hadn’t hurt her. Christ Almighty, they could have killed her – or worse.

‘Don’t forget your watch,’ the screw reminded him as he turned away from the bench. ‘Nice piece, that.’

‘Yeah.’ Eddie flung the cheap imitation leather strap across his wrist and felt even more like his old self. The watch, a bit flash because it really did look the business with its
pearly face and luminous hands, had been the last of his stock from Cox Street. He’d bought it for a song from a punter who needed cash. The trophy was a reminder of his old street cred and
he felt a renewed dart of pride. Once upon a time he’d been able to flog ice to an Eskimo and get away with it. But all that would have to change if he wanted to go legit. He’d big
plans to get himself a licence for a market stall, settle down and be his own boss. No more street trading or floating, he was Payne’s lackey no more. No, this time Rose would be proud of
him.

‘Your missus waiting?’ the police officer enquired solicitously.

Eddie grinned. ‘Too right, mate.’

‘Then you’re a lucky bastard.’

Eddie didn’t need to be reminded how lucky he was to have Rose. Most cons suffered the inevitable fate, dumped by their girlfriends or wives. Some just faded away, others stopped writing
or never showed up with their VOs. That’s what got to the poor devils. No news, no communication, nothing. Just that silence that stretched on for years and a stray bit of poisonous gossip
that did your head in.

Eddie had often joked with Solly Rosenberg that it was only Alma and Rose who kept the prison postal service going. Solly had read Alma’s weekly letters dutifully, although most of them
bored him stiff. They’d had a real laugh over some of the things she said, as Solly imitated his wife’s nerve-twanging tone and read the family news aloud. He was a good bloke, old
Solly. They’d shared a lot of laughs together and Eddie had missed his company. Solly had even written to wish him good luck on the outside.

The outside! Eddie’s heart raced as he thought of being a free man again. He’d make all this grief up to Rose. As soon as he took possession of a kosher stall, he’d pay off his
debts and provide for his family. Rose could chuck in that poxy job at Kirkwood’s, look after the kids properly and life would be rosy again.

Eddie gave a confident shrug. ‘Well, this is it then. I’ll be taking me leave. I’m just going to call in and pay me respects to the Guv’nor, tell him how sorry I am to be
leaving.’

‘Yeah, you do that. Perhaps he’ll extend your holiday for free.’ The screw laughed coarsely and, tearing a sheet of paper from the book on the desk in front of him, he slid it
across the stained, chipped surface of the desk towards Eddie. ‘There you are, all the paperwork done. You’re almost a free man. Like a smoke?’ The screw tossed a filter tip
across the desk.

‘Yeah, why not?’ Eddie wasn’t bothered really. He could take it or leave it. But he picked up the fag and slipped it in his breast pocket along with his release forms.
‘Ta. I won’t hang around to enjoy it as it might spoil me breath. You ain’t got a peppermint have you?’

The warder laughed raucously. ‘No, but there’s a bottle of Jeyes in the lav.’

Eddie turned on his heel and whistled his way to the far door. Another screw opened it and escorted him along a narrow, white painted corridor. For the last time Eddie inhaled the stink that was
burned into his brain; disinfectant, boiled cabbage, human excretion, stale sweat. Glistening beads oozed from his forehead. His mouth was dry and he licked his lips. He had to keep a handle on his
excitement, so he walked jauntily, as he used to, uncaring that his old suit needed more than a press to restore its dignity. He’d soon be wearing something smart, slicking back his hair with
Brylcreem again, polishing his shoes until he could see his face in them. Life was six feet away from being back to normal.

Even so his gut went over when he was a few yards away from the outer door. He felt like running, charging at it, but he kept his head and paced himself, swallowing down the animal urge to
flee.

Five minutes later he was in the fresh air. He sucked in the oxygen; his lungs couldn’t get enough. They hurt as he gulped razor sharp breaths. The world was a beautiful place. Across the
road, a sandy lane wound intriguingly through a wood. He could walk up it if he wanted to, right to the end with no one to stop him. Above him a tall oak tree swayed, its naked, twisted branches
bereft of leaves. He could climb that tree if he wanted, right to the top.

Eddie blinked hard, relief and disbelief flowing through his body. In front of him was a gate, the last barrier to his freedom. A uniformed security guard was on duty, raising the red and white
striped pole to visitors. Eddie looked round expectantly for Benny’s lorry. Rose had said they would be here for one o’clock.

He checked his watch. Twenty past six. He smiled ruefully. A nice piece all right but it couldn’t bloody keep time. He should have put it right before he left. He looked up, still smiling.
A wind was getting up, a cold March wind cutting like an invisible mower through the grass in the field close by. What a beautiful sight. The outside world.

Freedom . . .

‘That’s right, Eddie, take a good, deep breath. Lovely ain’t it? And it don’t cost a penny.’

Eddie spun round. He froze. ‘What the fuck are you doing here?’ he groaned, his new-found confidence immediately disappearing.

‘That’s no way to talk to an old friend.’

‘You’re no friend of mine.’

Norman Payne leered at him and raised his hand. He beckoned with his well-manicured index finger and two men jumped out of a car parked innocuously by Reception. They, like Payne, were dressed
in camel overcoats, their shoulders packed with muscle. They stared at him with cold, merciless eyes and Eddie quaked inside.

‘Now, now, old son,’ Payne said easily, effeminately curving his gloved hand against his thick silver hair. ‘We’ve got a lot to catch up on.’

Eddie braced himself. Where was Benny? Where was Rose?

Payne smiled as if he was reading his thoughts. ‘Ah yes. Your wife.’

Eddie sprang forward wanting to tear out the man’s throat. The two heavies blocked his way. ‘Where is she? What have you done with her, you ponce?’

Payne’s smile disappeared. ‘Using the space between your ears never was your strong point, was it, Eddie?’

‘Where is she?’ Eddie demanded as the two minders pushed their chests against him.

‘Now why should you think I’ve done anything with her?’ Norman Payne raised his heavy black eyebrows. His expression was mock innocence. ‘I merely passed the time of day
with her – and her escort – about an hour or so ago. For some reason they seemed agitated when I enquired about the health of your fine children and sister-in-law. Sad to say they left
in a bit of a hurry.’ His hard, cold eyes met Eddie’s in silent triumph. Payne tutted. ‘Cause me any more trouble, Eddie old son, and you’ll never see your pretty kids
again. Now, be a good boy and get in the car.’

Trussed like a chicken, Eddie was delivered to the vehicle. Squeezed in the middle of Payne’s two minders he tried to get his paralysed brain to work. But he was having déjà
vu from Coronation Day. Only this time it wasn’t for himself he was shit scared. This time it was for his family.

As the driver of the car started the engine, Payne turned from the front seat to sneer at him. ‘Not a word as we go out of the gate,’ he muttered between gritted teeth.

Eddie wondered if it was possible to alert the guard to his plight. But the bonnet of the long, sleek limousine slipped unchallenged through the barrier. It was clear the operator had no
intention of finding himself work.

Just my bloody luck, Eddie thought bitterly, but anyway, what could anyone have done to help? Payne held all the cards and he, Eddie, was what he’d always been. The joker in the pack.

‘Please, please, let me see them,’ begged Rose as she sat on the chair, as she had once before, with her hands tied behind her back.

She received no reply from the man who stood guard on the door, his face blank. He was a small man, but muscular with a neck the size of a bull’s.

‘It’s no use, Rose. Save your energy.’ Benny was sitting beside her on another chair, his wrists and ankles bound. They’d been easy prey for Payne’s men when they
returned from Hewis. Rose still didn’t know if she’d made the right choice leaving Eddie to fend for himself. Payne had been lying after all, when he’d told them the children and
Em were safe back in Ruby Street. She shivered as she thought of Payne’s stomach-churning words to her back in the prison grounds.