The following weeks were extremely busy for everyone, and the slow change of season went unnoticed for the most part. The heat of the summer gave way to a chilly morning mist which swirled through the streets in a ghostly manner. Jackets and mufflers were donned, and women wrapped their shawls tight around their shoulders. The silver lacework of spiders’ webs covered in dew hung in nooks and crannies and between the stalks of fading flowers. People no longer strolled in the sunshine; instead they rushed along as if in a hurry to prepare themselves for the oncoming winter. Jams were being made and stored to last the months when fruit would be expensive and hard to come by. Jars of pickled onions and vegetables stood in rows on most shelves in Birmingham kitchens and sculleries, and recipes for time honoured traditional stews were brought out in readiness.
Arthur Micklewhite considered his visits to the widows over breakfast. It was all taking far too long and he wanted to be a man of means sooner rather than later.
Making a decision, he shrugged into a jacket, wrapped his muffler around his neck and slapped a cap on his head, then he stepped out into the cold yard. Slamming the door shut behind him, he strode purposefully down Rea Terrace.
He was on his way to The Crown Saloon – it was time to confront Dolly Daydream about that necklace. It was a long way and he thought as he walked, realising he would have to look out for the big man who had ejected him previously. He guessed the fellow was all brawn and very little brain so his best bet would be to confuse him with words.
An hour later the saloon came into view and Arthur stopped. Rubbing his chin, he ran through the different scenarios in his mind before he carried on.
Pushing an inebriated woman out of the doorway, Arthur ignored her grumbles of protest and entered the saloon. He grimaced at the number of drunken folk – even at this early hour of the morning.
Shoving his way to the bar he banged his fist on the counter.
‘You’ll have to wait your turn,’ Poppy called out as she cast a reproving glance at the impatient man.
‘I need to see Dolly!’ Arthur yelled.
‘Do you now? Well, you still have to wait your turn,’ Poppy returned.
‘You fetch my daughter – NOW!’
‘I won’t tell you again!’ Poppy snapped as she continued to pour gin and take money.
‘Dolly! Get yourself out here!’ Arthur shouted at the top of his voice.
The noise in the bar quietened somewhat as everyone, eager to hear what was about to take place, stared at the irate stranger.
Dolly hobbled through, followed closely by Frederick. When she spied her step-father, her face lost all colour and she moved closer to her big protector.
‘Right, madam, it’s time you came home with me!’ Arthur yelled.
‘No,’ Dolly replied with a shake of her head.
‘You don’t belong here; your place is with me!’ Arthur tried again to push his point.
‘You can’t make me – you’re not my father!’ Dolly’s voice was like breaking glass as she struggled to keep control of her emotions.
Arthur sighed loudly as he looked around him at the faces watching the contretemps. ‘Do you believe this? My step-daughter refuses to come home!’
Some heads shook, clearly feeling the man was hard done by, whilst others moved closer to the counter, showing their support for the young girl.
‘Don’t you come into my place shouting the odds!’ Nellie finally intervened.
‘She shouldn’t be in your place!’ Arthur spat nastily.
‘She’s better off here with us than with you!’ Nellie growled.
‘She’s family! So—’ Arthur began.
‘So that gives you the right to abuse her, does it?’ Nellie was furious now.
Murmurs sounded as people stepped away from the man accused.
‘What I do is none of your business!’ Arthur snapped.
‘It is when it concerns you trying to fill your dead wife’s shoes with this young ’un, you dirty bugger!’ Nellie’s patience was all but gone.
Oohs and ahhs told Arthur exactly what the crowd thought of him now.
‘That one has something that belongs to me! She stole it!’ Arthur tried a different tack.
‘I did not! I have nothing of yours,’ Dolly shouted, finding courage from the support around her.
‘You’re a liar!’ Arthur snapped.
‘Now she’s a thief and a liar – is that what you’re saying?’ Nellie asked, a smirk on her face.
‘Yes! I want my property right now. I’m entitled to it.’ Arthur searched the crowd for backing.
‘What you want – if I’m not mistaken – is for Dolly to keep yer bed warm!’ Nellie raised her voice so all could hear.
A woman standing next to Arthur gave him a push saying, ‘You filthy swine!’ Her words were echoed by others standing close by.
Arthur ignored her and kept his attention on Nellie. ‘That’s slander! I’ll get the police on to you and they’ll shut you down!’
‘I’m breaking no laws so they can’t,’ Nellie replied, hoping no-one would inform on her not closing her doors at the appointed time.
‘I’m not going to stand here arguing with you, I have things to do!’ Arthur shot back.
‘Go and do them then, but I tell you now – you even think about coming near Dolly again and you’ll regret it,’ Nellie said forcefully.
‘Are you threatening me?’ Arthur turned to the folk around him. ‘Did you hear that? She threatened me!’
Heads shook. The possibility of being banned and so being unable to drink their beloved gin was uppermost in their minds and helped to keep their mouths shut tight.
Poppy and Jack were still serving drinks whilst the argument raged on. Nancy stood in the doorway with her hand covering her mouth, a worried look on her face.
‘I’ve had enough of this,’ Fred boomed out as he walked towards the end of the counter and pushed his way through the little gate. ‘It’s time you left, mister!’
‘I’m not going without her!’ Arthur yelled jabbing a finger in Dolly’s direction.
Now at the other side of the bar, Fred grabbed Arthur’s arm and swung him around. Face to face it was Fred who growled, ‘You, get out – NOW! I’ll tell you summat else an’ all, if you bother our Dolly again – they’ll never find yer body. That is a threat as well as a promise.’
A loud cheer went up from the crowd as Fred physically removed the man from the saloon. Out on the street he spoke quietly into Arthur’s face as he held onto him. ‘What you had in mind for that young wench is disgusting, and it ain’t gonna happen. Now, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll get yerself off and don’t ever think about coming back.’
‘She’s got a piece of jewellery that’s mine!’ Arthur spat in frustration.
‘She hasn’t – it’s gone,’ Fred said before quickly realising his mistake. He shouldn’t have told the man that, it was Dolly’s business.
‘She’s sold it? That bitch!’ Arthur fumed.
That was all it took for Fred’s fist to shoot forward catching Arthur squarely on the jaw.
Staggering backwards, Arthur landed hard on the cobbles and his hand went to his face where pain lanced up towards his temple. ‘I’ll have you for that!’
Fred shook his head and with a grim smile asked, ‘Can you swim?’
‘What?’ Arthur answered with a frown, still rubbing his sore jaw.
‘I’d stay away from the canal if I were you, pal,’ Fred said with a grin.
Arthur paled visibly as he realised the significance of the statement. Jumping to his feet and spinning on his heel he walked swiftly away, muttering as he went.
Fred returned to the bar to be greeted by yet another cheer. Going to the kitchen where Dolly was being hugged by Nancy he said, ‘He’s gone, and he won’t be back.’
‘Thank you,’ Dolly said with a warm smile.
‘No more worries now, you’m safe with me,’ Fred said, returning the smile.
‘Ta, Fred,’ Nancy added shyly, a blush rising swiftly to her cheeks.
Dolly caught the look that passed between Nancy and Fred and her smile turned to a grin. She had a feeling that look would turn into something more before too long and the thought pleased her immensely.
‘Dolly, I’m really sorry but your step-dad riled me to such an extent I told him the necklace was gone.’ Fred’s head hung in shame.
‘It doesn’t matter. The important thing is he’s gone now. Besides, he probably won’t believe it. Don’t worry about it any more, Fred, I just want to thank you for stepping up and helping.’ Dolly said.
Fred nodded and they shared a warm smile.
‘Right, I’d best get back down the cellar,’ he said.
‘That was a lovely thing to do, Dolly, cos the big man was fretting there for a minute,’ Nancy said.
Dolly grinned and said, ‘Back to work for me too, otherwise Nellie will be cursing.’