The Girl from Cotton Lane (29 page)

Billy’s mind was racing. His little scheme had backfired on him and he had to think of another way to see Annie McCafferty. ‘Yeah, that’s right, nurse. This bloke’s a real violent man,’ he told her, his eyes opening wide to make the point. ‘’E got drunk one night an’ it took four coppers ter put ’im in the Black Maria.’

The nurse looked unimpressed. ‘I think I should have a word with this animal myself,’ she said, cracking her knuckles and glaring at him. ‘That sort doesn’t intimidate me, young man.’

Billy believed her and he nodded. ‘I reckon you’d be able to ’andle ’im, luv, but yer see it’s the muvver I’m concerned about,’ he said, looking worried. ‘After yer’d gone ’e’d set about ’er.’

‘Not when I’d finished with him, he wouldn’t,’ the huge nurse bellowed at him. ‘I’d put the fear of God into the man, and if he laid a finger on that poor wife of his I’d have him arrested and put into prison, you can be sure.’

‘All right, nurse. I’ll leave it ter you,’ Billy said, crossing his fingers under the table. ‘The address is 52 Bacon Buildin’s, Bacon Street, an’ the name is Mrs Brown. By the way, I saw one o’ your nurses in Bacon Street the ovver day. I fink she was from ’ere. She was wearin’ the same uniform as you, but she was only small. I’m glad it’s not ’er that’s got ter face Mr Brown.’

‘That would be Nurse McCafferty. She’s very good, I believe,’ the nurse replied.

‘Is Nurse McCafferty in ’ere now?’ Billy asked casually.

‘Why do you ask?’

‘Well, ter be honest I was talkin’ ter Mrs Green the ovver day about what was goin’ on. She lives next door ter Mrs Brown, yer see, an’ jus’ then Nurse McCafferty walked by and said ’ello, an’ she asked ’ow Mrs Green’s leg was. Mrs Green told me she was from the church clinic an’ that’s where I should go. Anyway, when I made me mind up ter come I told Mrs Green an’ she said if I see the nurse I was ter tell ’er that ’er leg’s much better.’

Nurse Carmody gave him a quizzical look. ‘Nurse McCafferty is off today but I’ll give her the message. Now if you’ll excuse me I must get going. Thank you for calling, and rest assured, Mr Smedley, we’ll get this problem sorted out.’

Billy walked out of the welfare centre feeling angry that things had not worked out the way he wanted. He also found himself wondering what the man in number 52 Bacon Buildings was like and what he would do when faced with that mountain of a woman.

It was nearing five o’clock, and in the small office in Druid Street Joe Maitland sat talking with William Tanner. Joe looked worried.

‘I found it ’ard ter believe when I first ’eard o’ what was goin’ on around ’ere, Will,’ he was saying, ‘but the word is that fings are gonna get out of ’and unless it’s stopped. George Galloway ’as bin talkin’ wiv ’is people an’ it seems they’ve all bin approached. There’s money bin promised an’ from what I can make out Galloway’s crowd are dead against it.’

William scratched his head vigorously. ‘I don’t understand all this, Joe,’ he confessed. ‘Yer say that the bloke who put my lights out an’ burnt yer ware’ouse down was this Gerry Macedo an’ ’e was a pal o’ Galloway’s. Now George is up against ’im an’ ’e’s tryin’ ter get ’is little plan scotched?’

Joe smiled briefly. ‘A few o’ the lads I do business wiv come from the East End. They know all about Gerry Macedo. The man’s got it sewn up over the water an’ now ’e’s after gettin’ established over this side. ’E’s got a lot o’ villains be’ind ’im an’ they’re inter gamblin’ an’ prostitution, as well as the protection business. You name it, they do it. Macedo wasn’t above tryin’ ter put me out o’ business eivver, when the money was put up by a few friends o’ the people I ’elped put away. I don’t know if they’ll be satisfied wiv what ’appened or if they’ll ’ave anuvver go at me, that’s why we’ve gotta watch points. From what I can gavver, Macedo put ’is personal stamp on the ware’ouse fire to announce ’is presence. That’s the way the man’s mind works.’

‘It seems strange ’im bein’ there ’imself,’ William said. ‘I could pick ’im out in a line-up if the law pulled ’im.’

‘That’s why I told yer not ter say anyfing ter the police before I asked around,’ Joe told him. ‘Your life wouldn’t ’ave bin worth a brass farthin’ if yer’d agreed ter testify in court. Wivvout your evidence Macedo would walk free. Besides, they left yer there ter die when they set light ter the place, an’ it was in the papers about yer lucky escape. So yer not out o’ the woods yet, by any means.’

‘Fanks fer tellin’ me,’ William said, smiling mirthlessly.

‘I shouldn’t worry. I don’t fink they’ll try ter get at yer as long as yer keep quiet. Anyway, as I was sayin’, Gerry Macedo an’ ’is crowd can see there’s nuffink like their set-up over ’ere. It’s just small mobs runnin’ their own areas. There’s no ambition or drive. Now wiv Macedo we’re talkin’ about an educated man who can deal wiv the big businessmen on their own level. What ’e’s plannin’ is a big nightclub in Rovver’ithe. It’ll be all glossy an’ respectable up front, an’ it’ll attract people from all over London. Be’ind the scenes though there’ll be nuffink but graft an’ corruption. Believe me, Will, if Macedo’s allowed ter get established over this side o’ the water ’e’ll be runnin’ this area like a king. ’E’ll ’ave everybody in ’is pockets, an’ that includes the crooked coppers. Jus’ fink what that means. Yer’ll eivver trade wiv Macedo’s people or yer’ll go out o’ business. All the transport contracts an’ dock work’ll be controlled by ’is crowd an’ the unions are gonna be up against the wall. If they stand out on the cobbles they’re gonna get picked orf. The strike leaders’ll get seen to an’ the men’ll starve, or go back wiv their tails between their legs.’

‘It seems ’ard ter believe,’ William said, shaking his head slowly. ‘Surely the businessmen who are backin’ Gerry Macedo can see that.’

‘They’re not all honest traders,’ Joe Maitland replied with a cynical grin. ‘They see it as a way o’ makin’ a fortune. I’ve bin given names an’ yer’d be surprised if yer knew who some of ’em were. Fer your safety it’s just as well yer don’t know. One fing though - George Galloway ain’t one of ’em. From what I’ve bin told ’e’s rantin’ an’ ravin’ about anybody tellin’ ’im what ’e can do an’ can’t do, ’specially somebody from over the water.’

William Tanner smiled. ‘I’ve got no time fer the man after what ’appened ter me, but I gotta admire ’is pluck. I only ’ope ’e knows what ’e’s doin’.’

‘I fink ’e knows what ’e’s doin’, Will, but I’m not so sure about that son of ’is,’ Joe remarked. ‘Yer said ter me Frank Galloway could turn out worse than the ole man, an’ maybe yer’ll be proved right. ’E’s bin seen in Macedo’s East End club mixin’ wiv a lot o’ nasty people.’

‘So what’s the answer?’ William asked, taking out his cigarette pouch.

‘Well, fer the time bein’ there’ll be a lot o’ chinwaggin’ goin’ on. Galloway is gonna pull as many people as ’e can be’ind ’im, an’ I don’t underestimate ’im. The ole boy’s bin around fer a few years an’ ’e’s got a lot o’ sway. As fer Gerry Macedo, ’e’s gonna do the same, except ’e’ll be usin’ a different tack. ’E’ll put a few frighteners in wherever ’e can get away wiv it. My big fear is that Galloway won’t be able ter muster enough support, an’ then those waverers are gonna fall in wiv the East End mob.’

William was quiet for a few moments while he rolled a cigarette, then he looked up at Maitland. ‘Was that Macedo’s crowd who smashed up my Carrie’s cafe?’ he asked.

Joe nodded. ‘Yeah. Word is that Frank Galloway coaxed ’is farvver inter bringin’ ’im in when they couldn’t bribe the new union men. Galloway ’ad the old lot in ’is pocket by all accounts. Macedo was responsible fer the attack on Don Jacobs as well, but they come unstuck there. I would fink George Galloway is regrettin’ ever knowin’ that villain. They were pals once, when they did the fights tergevver.’

William had gone quiet, but Joe could see him clenching his teeth as he stared down at his smouldering cigarette.

‘I wasn’t gonna tell yer that much, Will, but there’s nuffink yer can do about it,’ he told him. ‘Macedo an’ Galloway are both gonna get their comeuppance over this, you wait an’ see.’

William smiled bitterly. ‘Galloway’s managed to avoid the reckonin’ before,’ he said quietly. ‘What about you, are you gonna get involved?’

Joe nodded. ‘I’ve got to. I can’t sit on the fence. Anybody in my position who tries ter stay neutral is gonna get crushed between the two sides. I’m goin’ ter see a few friends ternight an’ then we’re meetin’ up wiv Galloway an’ some of ’is pals. So yer better wish me luck, Will,’ he said with a smile of resignation.

Billy Sullivan was deep in thought as he walked home through the backstreets and suddenly he almost collided with a large policeman who had turned the corner.

‘Well, if it ain’t young Sullivan,’ the policeman said, leering at him. ‘What yer bin up to?’

‘I’m jus’ goin’ ’ome from work,’ Billy replied, cursing his luck at finally coming face-to-face with PC Copeland again.

‘Yer mean ter tell me yer got a job? Now who’d be silly enough ter give a no-good whoreson like you a job?’ the policeman jeered.

Billy took a deep breath. ‘I ain’t seen yer about lately,’ he said with forced bravado.

‘I’m like a bad penny. I keep turnin’ up,’ the policeman said with a sneering smile. ‘I asked fer this beat again. I like this area, an’ I’m familiar wiv all the little toe-rags. Besides, people round ’ere got ter know me, an’ they’re aware that the rogues don’t get any leeway wiv me.’

‘I bet they don’t,’ Billy said sarcastically. ‘Well, yer got no worry wiv me, officer. I’m in full-time work now.’

The big policeman slipped his thumbs into his belt and swayed back and forth on his heels. ‘All yer pals ’ave bin put away fer a long time, Sullivan,’ he announced self-importantly. ‘It was lucky fer you yer didn’t get picked out on that I.D., but I tell yer now, I know you should ’ave gone down wiv the rest of ’em an’ I ain’t fergettin’, d’yer ’ear?’

Billy felt his neck hairs rising and he struggled to keep calm. ‘I wasn’t involved in that ware’ouse job an’ I ain’t bin near Rovver’ithe fer ages,’ he said quickly, screwing up his mouth in anger. ‘I got a decent job, an’ I’m lookin’ after it.’

PC Copeland prodded the young man rudely in the chest. ‘People like you don’t go straight, Sullivan, they only pretend to. If any opportunity comes their way they grab at it. So be warned. I’m back ’ere now an’ yer can tell yer little pals ter beware. Give me one chance an’ yer nailed.’

Billy stepped back a pace as he felt his anger rising to boiling point. ‘Now listen ’ere,’ he grated, ‘I ain’t scared o’ threats, an’ I certainly ain’t scared o’ the likes o’ you. Yer’d be no better than me inside a ring. It’s that uniform that makes all the difference.’

The policeman’s face had become dark with anger. ‘’Ow would yer like ter step round the corner? There’s a nice bit o’ wasteground there. I’ll take me coat orf an’ we’ll soon see who’s the best. Yer don’t ’ave ter worry about me uniform, sonny.’

Billy realised that if he did the sensible thing and just turned and walked away the policeman would consider him a coward, and that was unthinkable. He decided to have it out with him there and then. ‘Anywhere yer like,’ he said, staring up at his large antagonist.

Just then Billy saw the young woman approaching them. She was smiling at him and as she drew level she looked at the policeman.

‘Hello, constable. I hope Mr Sullivan’s not in any trouble,’ she said sweetly.

The policeman shook his head. ‘We’re just ’avin’ a friendly chat, miss,’ he said flatly.

Annie McCafferty looked at Billy. ‘I wanted a quick word with you, if you can spare me the time,’ she told him.

‘I was jus’ goin’,’ Billy said with a grin, and as he turned to the policeman his face changed. ‘I’ll remember what yer said, officer. Any time I can oblige.’

Annie gave him a quizzical look as he walked along beside her and then a smile lit up her face. ‘Mr Smedley seems rather flustered,’ she remarked.

Billy winced noticeably. ‘Oh. So yer ’eard about me comin’ ter the clinic,’ he replied.

Annie put on a stern face. ‘Nurse Carmody followed up the information you supplied and as it happened the couple she called on were very upset. They were in their sixties. She wanted to inform the police of your visit but luckily she talked to me first. When she described this Mr Smedley I knew it was you. What made you do it, Billy?’ she asked him.

‘I wanted ter see yer,’ he said simply. ‘I thought it was you who looked after this area.’

Annie felt her cheeks glowing and she tried to remain serious. ‘Well, it’s fortunate Nurse Carmody is a good sort,’ she told him. ‘I told her you were a little backward and imagined a lot of things, and I said I would have a word with you and make sure you never tried anything like that again. Anyway, what was it you wanted to see me about?’

‘I wanted to ask yer ter walk out wiv me, Annie,’ the young man replied. ‘I was ’opin’ I’d see yer around the streets but I never did, an’ I was gettin’ desperate.’

Annie felt her stomach churning and she swallowed hard. ‘Well, you could have dropped a letter into the clinic addressed to me, instead of playing such a trick on everybody - and nearly getting yourself arrested,’ she told him.

Billy stopped and turned to face her. ‘Look, Annie, I know it was stupid, but I really was desperate. Will yer be my girl? Will yer walk out wiv me?’

Annie McCafferty nodded, a smile breaking out on her pretty face. ‘I’d be pleased to, Billy,’ she said.

Chapter Seventeen