Nellie had sent word with Noah saying she agreed with Mr Sharpe’s recommendations. A couple of days later, Dolly and Mr Sharpe returned from their business meetings, and she was delighted to see Jack up and about.
Nellie had refused to leave Jack until he was feeling better and so Dolly had accompanied the solicitor with Nellie’s instructions.
Jack was still in some pain from his accident and his arm itched beneath its heavy bandaging. His hip ached from time to time where he’d landed hard on the cobbles, but it was improving with each passing day. It wouldn’t be long before he would be back to normal which was a great relief to everyone.
Sat at the kitchen table, the solicitor began to speak. ‘Miss Perkins and I made your offer to the landlord of The Castle across the road,’ he tilted his head in the direction of the street. ‘We also had a good look around the place, did we not, Dolly?’
Dolly nodded and Mr Sharpe continued, ‘In addition to the lounge bar and public bar there is a kitchen and scullery downstairs. The lavatory block is out the back at the present time but there is sufficient space upstairs to house the WC. Also, there is living accommodation and six guest rooms.’
Nellie’s eyes grew wide with surprise and she and Nancy exchanged a nod.
‘Now, the place is in dire need of refurbishment. The windows are all intact but the building is damp and the plaster is crumbling in places. However, the current landlord is desperate to leave and would be willing to accept your offer.’
‘Marvellous!’ Nellie exclaimed. ‘What did the bank say?’
‘As you are aware, the bank manager is willing to loan you enough to buy and refurbish the property provided you can lay down a deposit on said building.’
‘That’s that then, cos I can’t. I don’t have enough saved, Mr Sharpe, as you well know,’ Nellie said as her high spirits took a dive.
‘I suspected as much from your accounts, Nellie, so Dolly came up with a suggestion.’ The solicitor held out a hand, giving Dolly leave to speak.
‘I still have some money left from the sale of my mother’s necklace and there’s the five hundred pounds you returned to me which could be used as a deposit,’ she said.
‘Oh, no! I ain’t taking any more of your inheritance Dolly and that’s final!’ Nellie shook her head vigorously and folded her arms beneath her bosom.
‘Dolly knew you would say that so this is what we propose. You use that money as a deposit for The Castle in exchange for Dolly having co-ownership.’ Mr Sharpe paused to let the idea sink in.
‘You do know she’s only fourteen years old, Mr Sharpe?’ Nellie asked.
The solicitor nodded.
‘Nellie, many girls of my age are married,’ Dolly protested.
‘She’s right, Nell, a lot of ’em up the spout an’ all!’ Nancy intervened.
The kitchen fell silent as Nellie considered the offer. She felt badly about taking the last of Dolly’s money; it was left to her by her mother, after all. On the other hand, co-ownership would help them both out. Two premises – twice the takings, and more people in work.
Feeling the eyes of the others upon her, Nellie reached her decision.
‘All right, I accept that but if I agree to it who’s gonna run the place? I can’t do both!’ Nellie suddenly wondered now if this was such a good idea after all.
‘I could run it,’ Dolly said.
‘What! You? It’s business, Dolly…’ Nellie was aghast at the notion.
‘I know that, Nellie. I would have to hire some staff and Mr Sharpe has offered to help with the book-keeping. We would need to gut the place and dry it out before it’s re-plastered and decorated. The money from the bank would cover all that – it would be on a mortgage facility which the bank manager explained to me.’ Dolly was excited at the prospect of running a business and her keenness was infectious.
‘It could work, Nell, if you trust her to do it,’ Nancy put in as she too began to realise the potential of the old building.
‘It would all be above board and legal with contracts drawn up and signed by all parties,’ Mr Sharpe added.
Nellie studied the man, then asked, ‘What’s your opinion, Mr Sharpe?’
‘I think it would be a very sound investment and you should do this with all due haste before someone else gets wind of The Castle being up for sale.’
‘That someone else being Ezra Morton, you mean?’ Nellie asked.
Mr Sharpe puckered his lips and nodded.
Quiet descended in the kitchen as Nellie thought hard about what she was about to undertake. Then suddenly she banged her hands on the table making everyone jump. ‘Right! Let’s do it!’
Applause sounded as everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Mr Sharpe left with instructions to draw up the necessary paperwork which he, Dolly and Nellie would present to the bank as well as a contract of sale for the current landlord.
Jack and Dolly sat discussing the agreement made and Nellie joined Poppy and the Dempsters in the bar.
Old Aggie was singing and dancing as usual and Nellie grinned, feeling she’d love nothing more than to join in. She knew there was a lot of hard work ahead of them, but she was no stranger to that. Deep inside, Nellie felt the decision taken today was in everyone’s best interests, and the thought warmed her heart.
She watched as John and Jim Jenkins helped a prone man to his feet and gently escorted him outside. It seemed she was destined to add to her family bit by bit and she wondered who would be next to turn up on her doorstep looking for work.
The Jenkins boys returned to the bar and saluted Nellie before taking up their stations by the wall once more.
And with that, a sudden thought took Nellie by surprise and she scuttled back to the kitchen.
‘Dolly, I may just know who we could interview about working in the new place!’
The following day Mr Sharpe returned to The Crown Saloon with duly drawn-up documents ready for signatures.
‘This one here – for the bank – only has my name on it,’ Nellie said after reading the paper.
‘That’s because the bank manager would not consider lending such a large amount of money to a fourteen year old girl.’ The solicitor gave Dolly an apologetic look before continuing. ‘The mortgage would be in your name, Nellie, then this other agreement states that Dolly and yourself are co-owners of the property, which has nothing to do with your bank loan. Here is the contract of sale to be signed by yourself and the landlord of The Castle. I assure you it’s all legal and above board, but please read everything through carefully – both of you.’
Nellie nodded and while Nancy provided tea and cake, she and Dolly did as they were bid and read every word on both documents, with Mr Sharpe explaining the legal jargon every now and then.
‘Phew! I can’t believe I’m doing this but – here goes!’ Nellie said, then she put her signature in all the right places and Dolly quickly followed suit. Mr Sharpe and Nancy added their signatures as witnesses to the transactions. With the documents and Dolly’s money securely locked in his briefcase, the solicitor set off for a visit to The Castle before he went to the bank.
Dolly and Nellie stared at each other, then they both burst out laughing.
‘I hope we’ve done the right thing,’ Nellie said eventually.
‘Me too,’ Dolly concurred.
But before they could celebrate, they heard a ruckus coming from the saloon. ‘Oh, bloody hell – now what?’ Nellie said, her exasperated tone evident as she heard Poppy yell out for some help in the bar.
Jack was busy finishing his cake and Dolly watched him carefully. She was still checking for any ill effects from his accident. She was delighted that, other than his broken arm, there appeared to be none.
Nellie strode into the bar to see two huge men in neat dark suits standing at the counter. She sighed heavily, then plastered a smile on her face.
‘Morning, gents, a little early for you ain’t it?’
‘Ezra would like a word,’ one said.
‘Would he now? Not again…’ Nellie replied, her smile still in place.
‘Yer!’ the other man answered.
‘What about?’ Nellie asked, knowing full well these goons would not have been taken into Ezra’s confidence.
‘Dunno!’ they answered in unison.
Nellie’s smile grew wider as she thought, these two ain’t the sharpest – why has Ezra sent brawn instead of brain?
‘Well, gents, as you can see, I’m rather busy at the moment and so am unable to vacate my establishment at this precise time. Therefore, I suggest you return to your lord and master and relay my apologies and suggest that if he wishes to discuss certain matters with me, he perambulates the streets to my saloon.’ Nellie then ran her tongue around her back teeth in order to prevent herself from laughing at their confused expressions.
‘Eh?’ the first spoke again.
‘She says to bugger off and tell Ezra to get his arse down here if’n he wants to talk to her,’ Nancy said as she wandered through with a cup of tea for Poppy.
‘Oh, righto,’ the man answered and turning to his mate he added, ‘best go and tell the boss then.’
They left the bar to catcalls and whistles from its patrons, who then continued their singing, dancing, arguing and most importantly – their drinking.
‘What was all that about?’ Nancy asked.
‘No idea, but I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough,’ Nellie answered. Turning back to her customers, she began to serve the mind-numbing liquid like the devil was chasing her.
Nellie, Poppy and the Dempster brothers were run off their feet all morning. It had been decided that as there no longer appeared to be a threat to the saloon, Noah and Matthew should help out in the bar rather than stand guard all night. Both were more than happy with the arrangement and worked like demons.
It was mid-afternoon when Ezra finally arrived, surrounded by four of his minders.
‘I’d like a word in private, Nellie, if you please,’ he said politely.
Nellie nodded with a feeling of self-satisfaction that he had come to her to ask a favour. Another feather in her cap.
He left the burly strongmen in the bar where they greeted the Jenkins brothers like long lost friends, and was invited by Nellie into the kitchen.
Nancy ushered Jack and Dolly upstairs and with a backward glance, quickly followed them.
‘Now then, Ezra, before you begin, let me just say this. I ain’t beholden to you no more so if you want a word in future, you come to me. Do not summon me like one of your lackeys.’ Nellie glared at the handsome man now sat at her kitchen table.
‘Understood,’ Ezra replied with a small grin.
‘Right, now what do you want?’ Nellie asked pointedly.
Ezra began to speak and Nellie listened without interruption. When he had finished, she said quietly, ‘You’re a sly old bugger, Ezra Morton!’