It was Sunday morning, three weeks since Ethel’s funeral and Fanny hadn’t stopped crying.
‘I’ll never forgive her, Molly, never. It should have been Georgina! It should have been her six feet under, not my Ethel.’
Molly was desperate to offer her mother some comfort. ‘Would it help if we moved away? Started a new life – me, Edward, you, Charlotte and Oppo.’
‘Eh? What are you on about, girl?’
Molly stirred a large spoonful of sugar into her mother’s teacup then sat at the kitchen table with her. ‘It was Oppo’s idea. He doesn’t like the idea of me and Edward being at risk. And well, since Ethel’s death, I think he’s right.’
‘What, move out of Battersea?’
‘Yes, Mum. Maybe out of London altogether. I don’t know that I would have been brave enough to do it by meself but Oppo will look after us.’
‘I’m not sure, love. I ain’t never been outside of Battersea before, let alone out of London. It would mean taking Charlotte away from all her friends.’
‘Yeah, well, that ain’t a bad thing.’
‘I suppose it could work. I wouldn’t have to look at that cow’s face anymore. Honestly, Molly, every time I see Georgina, I’m reminded of my lovely Ethel, dying scared and all alone. It breaks my heart,’ Fanny said and started sobbing again.
Molly gave her mother a few moments, then told her, ‘Let’s do it then. There’s nothing to keep us here.’
Fanny blew her nose. ‘I reckon with what we earn from the business, we could live more than comfortably,’ she said and sniffed.
‘Actually, Oppo suggested that I talk to Georgina and ask her to buy me out. We can’t expect to live on handouts from her if we’re not pulling our weight. If she paid me a lump sum for my share of the company, it would be enough to set us up.’
‘Sounds like Oppo has thought of everything.’
‘He has, Mum. I would have quite happily just walked away but he talked me into selling my shares.’
‘Good on Oppo. That lad’s got a sensible head screwed onto his shoulders.’
‘So, you’ll do it then?’
‘Yes, if it makes you happy. Like you say, there’s nothing to keep me here. Knuckles is the only person who ever bothers to see me and even he don’t call in often.’
‘He’s working for David Maynard now. Anyway, I’m glad you’re on board with us moving. Will you keep an eye on Edward for me? I’m going to pop round to Georgina’s and have a word.’
A while later, Lash opened Dulcie’s front door and invited Molly in. The house smelt of freshly cooked bread and Molly knew that Dulcie had been baking again.
‘Hello, Molly. Are you all alone?’ Georgina asked.
‘Yes, I’ve left Edward with Mum. I thought he might be a good distraction for her. She’s hardly stopped crying since…’
‘Poor Fanny,’ Dulcie said and shook her head. ‘Such a tragic waste. Do you know, I’ve never cried at a funeral, not even when I buried my first husband. But Ethel’s, Gawd, I couldn’t help meself.’
‘Please, Gran, can you stop going on about it. I feel terrible about what happened and don’t need constantly reminding,’ Georgina snapped.
‘It wasn’t your fault, love. Tell her, Molly. She keeps blaming herself,’ Dulcie said.
‘Your gran’s right, Georgina. It wasn’t your fault. But I do agree, I’d rather not keep going over it. If we talk about Ethel, it should be about her life and the good memories.’
‘If you’ll excuse me, ladies, I’ll leave you to it,’ Lash said and gently closed the door behind him.
‘We’re getting married next week,’ Georgina said and a big grin spread across her face.
Molly hoped that what she was about to say wouldn’t wipe away Georgina’s smile. It was nice to see a bit of happiness amongst all the sadness of late. ‘Are you sure you still want to do it with just the two of you?’
‘Yes, we’ve made up our minds. Anyway, what brings you here today? I hope Ivy is behaving herself?’
‘Yes, Ivy’s in her element now she’s working at the club. I think she likes being the only female there and she doesn’t have to worry about any blokes trying it on. The customers seem to like her cheeky personality too.’
‘Are your mum and Charlotte going to be moving into that new house soon, the one she looked at before?’ Dulcie asked, her voice faltering towards the end of the question.
‘Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about,’ Molly said nervously. ‘It’s just that after what happened, you know, to Ethel, I feel I have to keep Edward safe and the best way to do that is to move far from here. He’s always going to be known as Billy Wilcox’s son, and let’s face it, Billy must have made plenty of enemies. I don’t want anyone seeking their revenge through my son.’
‘Blimey, Molly, moving away seems a bit drastic. I’ll look after you and Edward, you know that.’
‘I’m sorry, Georgina, my mind is set. It won’t be easy, but I’m taking my mum and Charlotte too… and Oppo is coming.’
‘Oppo… I hadn’t realised it’d grown serious between you.’
‘It has. But I’ve known him for most of my life so it’s not like we’re rushing into things. Anyway, Oppo thought you might like to buy me out of the business. That way, you’ll have more of the profits.’ There, she’d said it and now Molly bit nervously on her lip as she waited for Georgina’s response.
‘I can see you’ve given this a lot of thought and I know you, Molly. You wouldn’t have taken this decision lightly. If it’s what you want and it makes you happy, then I’ll do whatever I can to support you. But, and it’s a big but… you have to stay in touch and expect regular visits from me and my new husband.’
Molly sighed with relief. She loved Georgina dearly but knew her friend could sometimes fly off the handle. Thankfully, she’d taken the news well. ‘I wouldn’t have it any other way,’ Molly said and wiped away a tear. ‘Oh, dear Lord, this is really happening! It didn’t feel real ’til now, but I’m off to start a new life with Oppo. Who’d have thought it, eh? Me and Oppo!’
*
Mickey was sick to death of staring at the white walls of the hospital and equally fed up with the apples his brother kept bringing him. If he could have, he would have discharged himself and gone straight to Queenstown Road. But he still had a bullet in his spine. The doctors had told him it would be too dangerous to remove it and they’d also said he’d never walk again. Fuck ’em, he thought, fuck ’em all. He would walk again and when he could, he’d march out of this hospital and claim back the Wilcox business.
The ward slowly began to fill up with visitors and through the flurry of activity, Mickey spotted PC Cunningham walking towards his bed. The man was out of uniform and greeted him with a friendly smile.
‘You’re looking a lot better, Mickey. How are you, mate?’
‘Not bad, thanks, Frank. Bored shitless.’
Frank Cunningham looked over his shoulder as he pulled out a seat next to the bed. ‘She’s a bit of all right, that nurse. I wouldn’t mind her giving me a bed bath.’
‘Yeah, she ain’t bad but I’m not sure if it’s all working down there,’ Mickey said and indicated to his groin area.
‘Don’t worry, mate. Once you’re up and about, you’ll be back to your old self.’
Mickey forced a smile. He and PC Frank Cunningham were cousins, their fathers brothers. They’d played together as kids, and shared most family Christmases together. When Mickey had taken over the Wilcox business from Billy, his policemen cousin had willingly remained on the payroll. He’d offered his services as more of a partnership and had big ideas for expansion with Mickey. ‘So, any updates?’ Mickey asked.
‘She keeps her cards close to her chest but Knuckles is now working for David Maynard.’
‘You’re fucking kidding me?’
‘No, straight up. She’s got Victor and Maynard’s car in exchange for Knuckles. There’s got to be more to it. There’s no way that was a fair swap and Maynard isn’t anyone’s fool.’
‘Do you reckon she’s screwing him?’ Mickey asked. If she was, it would make his life a lot more difficult. It was one thing to go up against Georgina Garrett but he didn’t have the resources to destroy her and Maynard. At least, not yet.
‘Who knows? She’s got her gypsy bloke and he don’t look the sort to allow her to sleep with other men.’
‘Well, she must be doing him some sort of favour and I’m guessing it’s a big one,’ Mickey replied.
‘I’ve heard Johnny Dymond is turning good profits at the Clapham house and that poofter club is doing well. When you get out of here, I reckon she’s set up some nice little earners for you to take on.’
‘Fucking club for bent blokes. I’ll be changing that once I get my hands on it. I’ll have them Russian whores dancing down there. That’ll keep the pervs away.’
A man visiting a patient in the next bed turned around and politely requested, ‘Mind your language, ladies present.’
‘Piss off,’ Mickey growled and pulled his lips back to bare his teeth at the man.
The well-dressed gentleman recoiled and quickly spun back the other way.
‘Fucking cheek of it,’ Mickey said and they both laughed.
‘Your mum sends her love. She said she’ll be up to see you in the week and your brother is coming next weekend.’
‘Are they all right?’
‘Yes, mate, don’t worry about them. I’m checking on them regularly and me and Claire’ll bung ’em a few bob.’
‘Thanks, Frank. You and your missus are good sorts.’
‘We’re family, Mickey, blood bonds.’
‘How the fuck you ever got into the police force is beyond me. Our family have never been on the right side of the law. They must have slipped up when they did their checks on you.’
‘I know. My old man’s been in and out of jail more times than a priest’s dick has been in and out of a choirboy,’ Frank said and chuckled.
‘Is he staying out of trouble now?’
‘Yeah, but only ’cos the old codger has got dodgy lungs and can’t leg it anymore.’
‘Ah, I’ve always had a soft spot for Uncle Ron. Tell him I said hello when you see him next.’
‘Yeah, will do, Mickey. Have they said when you’ll be getting out?’
‘Nah, it’ll be a while yet and they said I’ll have to be wheeled out in one of them chair things. Sod that, I’ll be walking, Frank. A poxy bullet lodged in my spine ain’t gonna stop me. And when I walk out of here, I’m gonna fucking kill that Garrett bird. You’ll see. It’s her fault I’m in this mess and I’m gonna make sure she’s sorry for crossing me.’