It had been a week since Georgina had talked Molly, Fanny and Jane into an attempted takeover of the Wilcox business, and now, as her granddaughter walked into the kitchen, Dulcie thought how magnificent she looked. For most of Georgina’s life, in a misguided attempt to protect her from men, Jack had raised his daughter as a boy. She’d been made to wear boys’ clothes, been taught to steal like a boy and to fight like one too. It had been less than a year since George had transformed herself into Georgina, and still the sight of her would take Dulcie’s breath away. She looked a lot like her mother, only taller and broader, with dark hair that made her stunning eyes stand out. It was a blessing that she took after Sissy in the looks department rather than Jack. Though he was her son and she loved Jack dearly, she was under no illusion. He even said himself that with his sticky-out ears and wonky nose, he’d fallen out of the ugly tree and had hit every branch on the way down.
The long, dark-blue skirt Georgina wore, cut a few inches over her slender ankles, elongated her shape further and, teamed with a structured matching jacket, it gave her a powerful look. She was already a tall woman and the small-heeled shoes added another couple of inches to her impressive stature. She was dressed to make an impact.
‘So today’s the day?’ Dulcie asked, knowing that Jane had arranged for Knuckles to visit her house.
‘Yes, and I’m ready for this.’
‘Good. You’re a strong woman, Georgina, but don’t let him fool you.’
‘Don’t worry, Gran. If Knuckles had half a brain, I might be worried.’
‘I take it you’ve got a plan?’
Before Georgina could answer, they heard Ethel let herself in through the front door and she came bounding into the kitchen.
‘I is here now,’ the young woman announced with childlike gusto.
‘I am here now,’ Dulcie corrected her.
‘Yes, me too,’ Ethel said, oblivious to her grammatical mistake.
Dulcie concealed a smile. Ethel was twenty-five, Molly’s older sister, and though sweet-natured, she had the mind of a seven-year-old.
‘Right, Ethel will sit with you until I get back,’ Georgina said as she quickly opened her clutch bag, looked inside and snapped it closed again.
Dulcie knew Georgina was carrying the gun in her bag. It offered some peace of mind but she hoped Georgina wouldn’t have to use it.
‘You take care, love,’ Dulcie called as Georgina marched up the hallway. It was clear her granddaughter was set on a mission. She leaned back in her chair and watched in awe as Georgina took her coat from the newel post and threw it on before wrapping a fur cuff over her shoulders. Dulcie thought Georgina looked as if she’d just stepped out of the page of one of those fancy fashion magazines, rather than being on her way to confront one of the borough’s hard men!
Georgina threw a wicked smile over her shoulder before leaving and Dulcie’s heart began to race. She had every confidence in her and it wasn’t the first time Dulcie had been sat at home waiting for Georgina to return from sorting out a bloke, but this was different. When Georgina had gone to cut out Mike Mipple’s tongue, Dulcie had known it would be one on one and wasn’t too worried, but this – Georgina could be walking into a trap! She could be taking on the whole gang! When Billy was at the helm, the gang had already made two attempts at destroying Georgina. Granted, Billy was dead now, but what if Mickey wanted to finish what Billy had started?
‘Shall I makes us a cup of tea?’ Ethel asked.
‘Yes, love, that would be nice,’ Dulcie answered and plastered on a fake smile, hoping to hide her nerves from Ethel.
Georgina had to come home safely, she just had to! Jack was too pickled to pay the rent, and she wasn’t in a fit state to work the streets anymore. She relied on Georgina and she loved the girl dearly.
As Ethel filled the kettle, Dulcie took a long breath and tried to calm herself. She glanced through the back door towards the coal bunker, and though it was ludicrous considering that she’d killed him, she silently prayed. ‘Please, Percy, keep my Georgie safe. You never did much for me when you was alive, but please, do this one thing for me. Watch over my girl.’
*
Georgina strode purposely through the streets of run-down terraced houses and up the small garden path towards Jane’s house; but before she had a chance to knock, Jane pulled the door open.
‘He’s here,’ she whispered as Georgina passed her on the step.
‘Has he said anything?’
‘No, but he looks worried.’
‘Good,’ Georgina answered. She didn’t feel in the least bit nervous as she felt she had the upper hand.
Jane helped her off with her coat and followed her through to the lounge. Knuckles rose to his feet as she walked in and removed his flat cap, then nodded a greeting before throwing his huge frame back onto the sofa.
‘Thanks for coming,’ Georgina said and smiled charmingly.
‘Yeah, well, I suppose I should have come round sooner, you know, checked on Mrs Wilcox and that. Billy would have wanted me to.’
‘Yes, I’m sure he would. He loved his mother,’ Georgina said, trying her best to sound sincere. She sat on an armchair opposite the large man and kept her clutch bag on her lap. She noticed Jane bite on her lower lip and look at the floor. ‘It’s been a difficult time for Mrs Wilcox and her daughters. She lost Billy in such tragic circumstances and so soon after the untimely death of her husband, Norman.’
Knuckles fidgeted uncomfortably and looked nervously from side to side. It was no secret that he’d helped Billy hide Norman’s body in the basement of the brothel in Queenstown Road. Of course, he couldn’t be sure if Mrs Wilcox knew the truth about her husband and the man had no idea that Jane had been the one who’d then killed Billy. The police had put his death down to a bungled burglary.
‘It’s been very good of you and Billy’s friends to keep the business running smoothly, but Mrs Wilcox is ready to take over the reins now. You’ll be generously compensated for your time over the past three months and if you’d like to continue working for the Wilcox name, a suitable position would be found for you.’
Knuckles pushed his massive bulk forwards and pointed his chubby finger at Georgina. His brow furrowed as he asked, ‘I beg your pardon? Are you suggesting you’re taking over?’
‘No, I’m not suggesting… I am taking over.’
‘Look, George—’
‘Miss Garrett,’ she interrupted.
‘Miss Garrett, I ain’t running nothing, I’m on Mickey’s payroll, that’s all. It’s him you need to be having this conversation with, but he’ll laugh in your face. I ain’t being funny, pet, but a woman can’t run the business. I know you can handle yourself, but even so, this ain’t no place for a lady.’
‘I appreciate your concern, Knuckles, and to be honest, I agree with you somewhat. That’s why I’d like to make you an offer. Be on my payroll instead of Mickey’s.’
‘Thanks, but I don’t think so. You ain’t got a hope in hell of taking over from Mickey. Look, a word of advice – stay clear. He’s already talking about getting you done over for what you did to Sid.’
‘Jane, would you mind fetching us some coffee?’ Georgina asked in a pre-planned ploy to get her to leave the room.
Jane agreed, and once she was alone with Knuckles, Georgina leaned in closer towards him and lowered her voice as she said, ‘See this.’ She opened her bag and showed Knuckles the contents. ‘This is the gun that killed Billy. I fired two bullets. The first one left him breathing, so I fired again and blew his fucking brains out,’ she lied. ‘I’ve got four bullets left. Do you still think I need to be worried about Mickey?’
Knuckles rubbed his hand over his sweaty forehead. ‘No way, you didn’t do it… you didn’t kill Billy… did you?’
‘Yes, you know there was no love lost between me and him. I’m not going to threaten you to keep your mouth shut, but I am asking you to, for Mrs Wilcox’s sake.’
‘More like you’re worried I’m gonna go back and tell Mickey what you’re up to.’
‘Worried is a bit too strong a word, but I would prefer to take him with the element of surprise. Either way he’s going, and that’ll be the end of your income.’
‘I’m paid to protect him, even if that means taking a bullet for him.’
‘You could do so much better, Knuckles, and let’s face it, you’re not very good at protecting your bosses, are you? I mean, look what happened to Billy. Wasn’t you supposed to be protecting him?’
‘I… erm…’ Knuckles stuttered.
‘And who’s protecting Mickey now, whilst you’re sat here with me?’
Knuckles jumped to his feet. ‘You haven’t, have ya? You ain’t had him done in?’
Georgina threw her head back and laughed. ‘No, Knuckles, calm down, your boss is still alive… for now. My point is, Mickey can be taken out at any time, and he will be. I don’t think you want to stand in my way, do you?’
‘No, but…’
‘Billy’s house at Clapham. I’ve got plans for it. Big plans. I need someone there, someone I can trust. Could you be that person, Knuckles? You wouldn’t be having to take a bullet for anyone and I’d ensure you get paid more than you do now.’
‘I don’t know, I’m not sure…’
‘You don’t have to do anything for now. Just give me a bit of information and carry on as normal. I promise you, Knuckles, you’ll get a good handshake.’
Knuckles scratched the side of his bald head and screwed his face up on one side. The sight reminded Georgina of the comic strip character, Popeye.
‘I dunno about this, Miss Garrett, but I’m interested. Mickey’s making a lot of bad decisions lately and he won’t listen to sense.’
‘What sort of bad decisions?’
‘He’s setting up a meet with that Liverpool gang, the Portland Pounders. Once he gets in with them, he’ll be untouchable, but you must have heard what they’re like… They’ll kill anyone just for looking at ’em funny. I don’t like the idea of it, I really don’t.’
Jane came back into the room carrying a tray with a coffee pot. Knuckles sat back down on the sofa and smiled politely, exposing his rotten teeth.
‘They’re a nasty bunch, even my Norman was careful around them,’ Jane said as she placed the tray on a small marble table next to the chair where Georgina was sat.
‘What’s the meet about, Knuckles?’ Georgina asked.
‘I dunno the full details but it’s happening next week. The guv’nor and a couple of his blokes are coming to Queenstown Road on Friday. I think they’re gonna exchange a couple of girls and the Pounders have got some cash needs cleaning.’
‘I see, and you’re telling me this because you’re now working for me?’
‘Looks that way, don’t it. Mickey’s a fucking liability. I’ve never been able to stomach him. ’Scuse me language, missus,’ Knuckles said to Jane, then added, ‘He’ll have us all fucking killed. He’s even on about going up against the Maynards. He reckons he can take on all of fucking London.’
‘Does he, indeed, well, I’ll see to it that he doesn’t get far. Trust me, Knuckles, you’ve made the right decision.’
‘I hope so, but I still ain’t sure you’re up to it, you know, with you being a woman and all.’
‘You let me worry about that. Now, what can you tell me about where Mickey keeps the takings?’
‘Ha, this’ll make you laugh! None of us know where the key is for Billy’s safe so Mickey can’t use it. He has all the money stored in a dog’s kennel in the corner of Billy’s office.’
‘A dog’s kennel? Does the dog guard it?’
‘He ain’t got a dog,’ Knuckles said and laughed. His shoulders jigged and his large belly wobbled. ‘No-one guards it. Mickey sleeps upstairs with one of the tarts and the place ain’t belled up or nothing. He thinks he’s so fucking hard that no-one would have the balls to do him over.’
Georgina glanced at Jane who had raised her eyebrows as she poured the coffee into fine bone china cups.
‘That’s very useful to know, thank you, Knuckles. Is there anything else you can tell me?’
‘Like what?’
‘Malc and Sid collect the protection money—’
‘Insurance,’ Jane cut in. ‘Norman preferred to call it insurance.’
Georgina continued, ‘Malc and Sid collect the insurance, then I assume they bring the money to Mickey. Do they take their own cut first?’
‘No, Mickey likes to have full control over everything. The money comes in by Saturday afternoon, then on Monday morning, Mickey has us all in the office and he does the ledgers. He counts the money out like a little Jew boy while his brother keeps the books. Then he dishes out what we’re all due. Credit where credit’s due, he don’t keep none of us short.’
‘Mickey has a brother?’ Georgina asked. She hadn’t reckoned on any family support for him.
‘Yeah, but he’s a streak of piss, scared of his own fucking shadow. He lives at home with his mum and does whatever Mickey tells him to do.’
‘Great, I think I know all I need to for now. Just one more thing, Knuckles. At night, there’s only Mickey and the prostitutes in the house? Are they open for business?’
‘No, the doors close at midnight so there’s just the three Russian whores and Mickey.’
Jane handed Knuckles a coffee and Georgina thought his giant hands looked as though they might crush the cup. It was almost surreal to see this rough, massive man daintily holding Jane’s best china.
‘What shall I do now?’ Knuckles asked.
Georgina almost felt sorry for him. He looked like a little boy who’d lost his mummy in the market. Then she remembered how Knuckles had taken orders from Billy and had probably been involved in torching her Maids of Battersea club premises with her inside. ‘Either keep your mouth shut about our conversation or get yourself away for a couple of weeks until this is all sorted.’
‘I ain’t got nowhere to go.’
‘Then you’ll have to go back to Mickey, but do you think you can act as if nothing has happened?’
‘Yeah, I can do that. He hardly talks to me unless he has to. How will I know when you’re coming for him?’
‘You won’t,’ Georgina answered and her hackles rose.
‘I know how that sounded, Miss Garrett, but I ain’t gonna say a word, I swear. Like I said, it’s bad enough about the Liverpool Pounders but if he starts taking on the Maynards, that’s it, we’ll all end up six feet under.’
‘All right, Knuckles, you go back to him now and carry on as normal. I’ll be seeing you… soon.’
Knuckles quickly finished his coffee and Jane showed the big man out. When she came back into the lounge, she had a face like thunder and drew the curtains before she spoke. ‘What on earth was you thinking of?’
‘What? And why are we sitting in darkness?’ Georgina asked.
‘Because I don’t want anyone hearing us! You’ve revealed everything to that… that… that thug. Do you really believe for one minute that he’s not going to tell Mickey exactly what we’re up to? Have you gone totally mad?’
Georgina had a job not to giggle at Jane. How drawing the curtains would keep their secrets was beyond her. As far as she was concerned, there was only one mad person in the room and it was Jane. ‘You heard him. He’s worried for his life working with Mickey. For Christ’s sake, who’d be stupid enough to go up against the Maynards? Not even Norman or Billy would have done that! No, Mickey’s pushing his luck and Knuckles knows it.’
‘And what if it’s all lies?’
‘Knuckles ain’t bright enough. He’s telling the truth. I’ve got until next Friday to get to Mickey before he meets the Pounders. That’s just seven days.’
‘Couldn’t you go to the Maynards and tell them what Mickey’s intentions are? Surely they wouldn’t stand for it?’
‘No, why would they believe me? Anyway, this is mine for the taking, for us, Jane, for The Maids of Battersea.’
The door opened and Molly popped her head around. ‘Has he gone?’ she asked.
‘Yes, it’s all clear. Is Edward all right?’ Jane asked.
‘Sound asleep. Well, how did it go?’
‘According to Georgina, very well, but I hope she’s not being naïve.’
Georgina gave her friend a knowing look. ‘Take no notice, Molly, I think Jane is getting a little paranoid. Knuckles is on side and also spilled the beans about Mickey’s plans for expansion, including taking over the Maynards’ turf.’
‘You’ve got to be kidding? South East London? Blimey, Georgina, if you don’t get him first, the Maynards will definitely take him out.’
‘Exactly and I’ve only got one week before he meets with the Liverpool Pounders. If Knuckles is right, Mickey is planning on working in some sort of cahoots with them so I need to shut him down before any deals are done. It’s one thing getting rid of Mickey but I wouldn’t want to face the Pounders.’
‘This sounds like it’s getting very complicated,’ Molly said.
‘It is, who wants one of these?’ Jane answered as she poured herself a large brandy.
‘No, not for me, I need to keep a clear head,’ Georgina said and opened the curtains on the darkened room.
‘Are you sure about this?’ Molly asked.
Georgina looked into her eyes and saw the genuine concern. They’d been best friends since childhood and had shared so much together. Georgina had always protected Molly and always would. Molly was her one confidante, though Georgina never confessed that she’d been the person who’d accidentally killed her father, Mike Mipple. Granted, the man had subjected his family to a reign of terror, but still, some things were best left unsaid.
‘Yes, Molly, I’m very sure. And I’m going to do this before Mickey completely destroys the Wilcox name and all that Norman and Billy built up.’
Jane looked petrified as she knocked back her brandy and Molly appeared equally worried as she sat on the sofa and wrung her hands.
‘Don’t worry, Mickey won’t know what’s hit him,’ Georgina said trying to sound reassuring, though really, she was just as scared as her friend.