The Street (26 page)

The Germans had been relentlessly bombarding the allied positions over the past few days. Geoff and Vinnie Cartwright had just brought in to the aid post a sapper who’d had his left foot blown clean off. Once they’d got the injured man settled Geoff had quickly slipped off to find Jack and have a chat. He knew there’d be scant time for conversation. Soon he would be summoned to act as runner to get transport to take the injured sapper to a main field hospital. No serious casualty stayed for long at the aid station. As time had passed and Jack had remained where he was Geoff had come to fear he might arrive and find Jack gone – passed as fit to return to duty.

‘You’re on yer way.’ Geoff cackled quietly. ‘Soon be home.’ He gently tapped the small, neat dressing on Jack’s head. ‘And you ain’t getting no favours neither. That’s a kosher bad’un if the doc’s said so. Had yer tetanus?’

‘Done straight away, it was. Day I got here.’

‘Make sure it all gets noted down on yer ticket,’ Geoff advised earnestly as he flicked the docket attached to Jack’s coat. ‘The more stuff you’ve got written on yer ticket, the further along it’ll take you.’

‘What’s happening up there?’ Jack asked, eager to have news from the front line. ‘Sounds like the end o’ the world.’

‘Nothing new really, just more of it,’ Geoff told him with a grimace. ‘They got in reinforcements ’cos they know we got ’em beat. But the bleeders just won’t roll over. They’ve been shelling us like mad, so we shell ’em back. They snipe at us, we snipe right back.’ Geoff leaned forward on his chair, rested his elbows on his knees. ‘Downpours we got earlier in the week ain’t helped, of course. Knee deep in places, it is, and perishing cold especially at night.’ He twisted his fingers. ‘Few of the poor blighters got the gammy foot; you know, toes turned black. Horrible, it is. Crippled, they are. Then there’s the stinkers they’ve been sending over. Got to keep your gas mask on you at all times or you’re for it . . .’ He broke off on seeing his colleague beckoning to him. His partner Vinnie had appeared with a rueful expression. Geoff had seen it too often not to know it meant it was time for a sprint.

‘Gotta go.’ Geoff stood up abruptly. ‘If you’re gone next time I’m back here, take right good care of yourself. Remember me to ’em all back home.’

‘You take care of yourself too, son,’ Jack said and just for a moment gripped tightly at Geoff’s closest hand. Abruptly he shook it then rested his head back against his armchair and quickly closed his glittering eyes.

Alice was about to give up and go home when she suddenly spotted a face she knew. She’d been wandering around and about the environs of Finsbury Park for more than an hour, hoping to spot Sarah or one of her sisters. She knew if Sarah had turned to streetwalking she would probably emerge after dark to do business. It was late afternoon and dusk had already settled. A few working girls were already about and sending Alice very aggressive stares as they loitered beneath the street lamps. They were obviously wondering if she was intending to poach their patch. Alice huddled into her coat, trying to seem inconspicuous and innocent to avoid trouble. She was constantly feeling tempted to give up and get going home, not simply because she felt vulnerable, but because if her mother ever found out that she’d been hanging around street corners in Finsbury Park she’d give her the hiding of her life.

It had been a week since Ginny Whitton had told her Sarah had moved out. Alice had wanted to come looking for her sooner but had waited until Lucy was well enough to resume school before tackling a new problem. She’d lost a few hours’ wages by finishing her shift early so she could come and look for her friend with the intention of persuading her to go back home. Added to that was the guilt she felt at having hoodwinked her supervisor, Mr Chaplin. She liked and respected him yet she’d lied and told him she must get off early because she was needed at home to nurse Lucy. She’d risked a great deal in coming here and was thus reluctant to give up and allow it all to have been a squandered effort.

Now, as Alice glanced again at Nellie Tucker, stationed on the opposite pavement, she realised the woman had recognised her too. Alice was tempted to rush across the street to question her before she disappeared. She knew that Nellie had worked this area for some time now so might know where the Whitton sisters were living. On the other hand Alice realised it would be sensible to avoid the woman at all costs. Nellie had been Jimmy Wild’s fancy piece and Alice didn’t want to be involved in any discussion about her uncle’s disappearance. Nellie might probe for answers to awkward questions.

Indecision kept Alice where she was and it also made Nellie dither on the spot. Nellie knew the Keivers hated her, and with good reason. They were a close-knit clan and she’d caused trouble for Alice’s aunt by going off with Jimmy Wild, no matter she now regretted having ever become involved with the nasty bastard. That aside, Nellie was keen to cross the road and speak to the girl for two reasons: firstly, she wanted to discover if the body in the river had been identified as Jimmy’s. If it had, she knew she ought to make tracks out of London in case she got dragged into an investigation. Saul Bateman had scarpered, she knew not where. But if the police had reason to pursue the investigation they’d hound her for information as to his whereabouts. Secondly, she was feeling inquisitive. She wanted to know what a nice girl like Alice Keiver was doing loitering about in a red-light district. She was definitely not a girl Nellie had down as a novice brass. But then she
was
out of The Bunk so anything
was
possible . . .

‘You’re Alice Keiver, aren’t you?’ Nellie had spontaneously made a spurt across the street and blurted that out.

‘That’s right,’ Alice answered, torn between edging away from Nellie and firing off a question of her own. ‘Looking for me friend . . .’

‘Got any news of your uncle . . .?’

They had simultaneously rattled off what was on their minds then fallen silent.

‘I’m looking for me friend,’ Alice quickly recommenced before Nellie could get in first with her question. She wanted to find out what she could then depart before Jimmy’s name was mentioned again. ‘Don’t know if you might remember the Whitton sisters?’

A laugh from Nellie interrupted her. ‘Yeah; I know the Whittons alright,’ she confirmed. ‘Me and Louisa got a business arrangement.’

‘Oh . . . I see . . .’ Alice said whilst quickly digesting that Nellie must mean she was one of the girls Louisa pimped for. ‘I’m not looking for Louisa,’ she informed her swiftly. ‘Her sister Sarah’s me friend and it’s her I want to find.’

‘Yeah; I know who you mean. Young ‘n’ skinny and not been with them long. Gawd knows how they stand it, all cooped up in that poky place together.’ Nellie’s expression displayed her distaste. ‘Got a room to meself, I have,’ she added proudly.

‘Where are they?’ Alice bluntly demanded. In her desperation to have the information she’d sounded quite rude. ‘Is it far?’

‘Just up there.’ Nellie pointed across the road to a draper’s shop. ‘They’ve got a room above that shop.’

Alice’s mouth dropped open. She’d been standing within sight of their door. If they’d looked out of the window they would have seen her. ‘Thanks,’ she mumbled and swung away.

Nellie caught at her arm. ‘Any news about your uncle?’

Alice swiftly slipped free of her clutch. She shook her head. ‘Don’t want none neither,’ she muttered.

‘Know how you feel,’ Nellie said and, with a satisfied smile, she crossed the road again.

It was getting cold and dark and Alice wanted to be on her way home. She never stayed out willingly at this time of the evening in case of an air raid. Nervously she hopped from foot to foot whilst waiting for someone to answer the door. She knew someone was up there because a faint light was flickering behind the thin curtain covering the window. Quickly she pressed closer to the door as a fellow ambled by, eying her from beneath the brim of a hat pulled low on his forehead. He’d been loitering about for a while. She’d noticed him watching her while she’d been talking to Nellie. Now Alice was keeping a furtive eye on him too. He turned at the top of the street then started to saunter back towards her. Alice hammered long and loud with the doorknocker then muttered in relief as finally she heard a clatter of footsteps on wooden stairs.

‘What you doin’ here?’

‘I’m looking for Sarah.’ Alice answered that snarled question whilst peering through the dusk at Louisa’s heavy jowls propped on the door-edge.

‘She ain’t going back with you to The Bunk; so if that’s what you’re here for you can piss off.’

‘If she’s in there I want to speak to her,’ Alice insisted. ‘Sarah’s old enough to do her own talking.’ Louisa might intimidate her sisters but she didn’t frighten her. Alice knew she had her mother’s intrepid spirit in that respect. In fact she felt tempted to shove at the door and breeze right past Louisa.

Louisa jerked open the door and pugnaciously sized Alice up. ‘Don’t poke yer nose in, Alice Keiver, I’m warning you. Both me sisters are old enough to stop here with me if they want.’

‘Who is it?’ a voice called from above.

Alice angled her head to try and see who was standing in the shadows at the top of the stairs. She hadn’t recognised the voice as Sarah’s. A young woman started to descend the treads then she came up behind Louisa and linked arms with her in an affectionate way.

This, Alice guessed, must be Sonia. She tried not to show her astonishment at the sight of a slender blonde-haired girl of about eighteen.

‘She’s here to see Sarah,’ Louisa growled out in explanation. Without another word she turned about and stomped back up the stairs, bawling, ‘Sar, you’ve got a visitor.’

‘Come in then,’ Sonia invited and opened the door wider.

Alice took a step over the threshold, aware that Sonia was giving her the once over. Suddenly Alice’s palms felt quite clammy yet she wasn’t sure why a petite woman should unnerve her when a foul-mouthed bruiser couldn’t. She guessed it must be because Sonia was nothing like she’d imagined she would be.

After her initial revulsion on learning Louisa was a lesbian, who acted as a pimp for her girlfriend, Alice had given the matter scant thought. She’d simply assumed Louisa must have paired up with a person who was her equal in hideous looks and character. But Sonia couldn’t have been more different to Louisa. She seemed polite enough. She was also pretty enough to attract a man should she want a proper boyfriend rather than a punter. Alice’s contemplation was disturbed as, from the corner of an eye, she glimpsed the fellow who’d been stalking her. He was loitering outside the half-closed door as though he’d been listening to their conversation. Quickly she pushed the door shut behind her in case he tried to come in.

‘Go on up,’ Sonia prompted her in the gloom of the corridor. ‘Sarah’ll be getting her clothes on. She was only half-dressed when I come down here just now.’

Alice shot a startled look at Sonia.

‘Oh . . . I ain’t interested in her skinny arse,’ Sonia declared on a chuckle. ‘Sarah was gettin’ ready to go to work, that’s all.’ She planted her hands on her hips. ‘Go on . . . don’t be shy . . . go on up if you want to speak to her.’

‘Ain’t shy,’ Alice returned sharply. ‘Just ain’t got much time to be hanging around or going up ‘n’ down stairs.’ She felt annoyed that Sonia had sensed her uneasiness.

‘Oh . . . right you are,’ Sonia said, still sounding amused. ‘Well, if it helps at all I’ll let you know, I ain’t interested in your skinny arse either.’ At that she flounced past with a grin and ran lightly up to the first floor.

Alice followed behind. She wrinkled her nose at the sulphurous smell of boiled cabbage that became stronger the higher she climbed. It was a similar stale odour to the one that clung to The Bunk and no more pleasant for being laced with cheap scent.

Several doors lead off at the top of the first flight, but Alice headed directly towards the room leaking light onto the landing. She took a tentative step over the threshold. By the glow of an oil lamp she could see that it was a larger room than she’d expected, and that an attempt had been made to spruce up battered furniture with bits of colourful cloth. There were two beds covered in gaudy satin eider-downs pushed against opposite walls. On the largest bed Connie was lying on her stomach, her chin propped in her hands as she read a book, a glass of gin by her side on the floor. In the centre of the room was a table at which Louisa and Sonia had now taken seats opposite one another.

‘Alright, Al?’ Connie called and gave her a little tipsy wave before she looked back at her book.

Alice mumbled a response, her eyes searching for Sarah. Her friend suddenly appeared from behind her. She was in plain dark clothes; the sort of uniform a waitress might wear.

‘Privy out back,’ Sarah said by way of explanation for her absence.

‘Oh . . . right,’ Alice mumbled, spinning about to face her.

‘Ain’t going back to The Bunk with you,’ Sarah announced sullenly and perched on the edge of the small bed. She began to pick listlessly at her nails.

‘Don’t be daft!’ Alice hissed. ‘If you don’t turn in at Kemp’s soon you’ll lose your job fer sure.’

‘Don’t want me job back. I’ve got a job waitressin’ and I’m off there to work in a minute.’

Sarah certainly looked to be dressed for the job, but Alice suspected there was more to it than that. She jerked her head and gave Sarah a speaking look to indicate they should go out of the room to talk privately.

‘She told you, she’s got a job.’ Louisa scowled threateningly at Alice.

‘Show Al what you’ve earned, Sar,’ Connie piped up without looking away from her reading matter. Deftly she leaned over the edge of the bed and refilled her glass from the gin bottle on the floorboards.

‘Take it easy on that stuff,’ Louisa flung at Connie, who was already gulping back a mouthful of her fresh drink. ‘Yer gent’s gonna be here in less than an hour. He won’t pay up if you’re too pissed to perform.’

Alice felt her stomach turn on hearing that. She grasped one of Sarah’s arms and tugged her up off the bed and towards the door. When they were on the landing Sarah tried to free herself but Alice held on tight as though to prevent her running back to her sisters.

‘You can’t stop here, Sar!’ Alice blurted. ‘It’s enough to make anybody feel sick. Don’t tell me that you don’t think so too ’cos I won’t believe you mean it.’

Sarah looked away, her eyes glistening suspiciously. ‘You don’t know the half of it,’ she muttered. ‘You want to hear the sound comes out of Louisa’s bed at night. Don’t get no sleep, not even with the covers over me head. Con reckons she needs to drink so much so she can’t see or hear ’em at it. Goes through gin like it’s water, she do.’ Sarah wiped a hand over her dribbling eyes. ‘Still reckon it’s better than living with Mum in The Bunk though.’ Sarah fished in a pocket and withdrew a fistful of silver coins and two ten-shilling notes. ‘Got all that in under a week and only got to give Lou one ten-bob note out of it. Never had that much money to meself in all me life.’

Alice abruptly let go of her arm but Sarah stayed where she was. ‘Your mum thinks you’re doing waitressing with Connie,’ Alice whispered hoarsely. ‘Don’t reckon you got all that as wages for waitressing. Did you?’

‘Some of it’s tips,’ Sarah said defensively. ‘Nice place it is, off Piccadilly. Wages are rubbish but staff can get a good dinner on the cheap.’ Sarah raised her chin to a defiant angle. ‘But most of it ain’t restaurant tips; it’s what I’ve earned off clients Louisa’s got for me.’ Her eyes slid away from Alice’s. ‘I’m working half ‘n’ half if you must know. Don’t see why not. Banksie’s been gettin’ a hand job free for ages and I ain’t that keen on him. Now I got some old bloke who can’t get it up gives me six bob just to watch me take me clothes off.’

‘You got to come home,’ Alice whispered. ‘You’ll get your factory job back and nobody’ll know for sure what you’ve been up to. Please, Sar . . .’

‘Connie got me the job waitressing,’ Sarah bluntly interrupted Alice. ‘She was doing a bit of waitressing there too but she don’t need it now she’s got a couple of real good clients. Lou reckons she can get one of them to set Con up in a flash place just like Mr Lucas did.’ Sarah let the cash fall back into her pocket. ‘Have you seen Banksie? Has he been saying bad things about me?’ Sarah wiped her face again. ‘Called me a whore when I told him I was going to live with Con. That was before I’d even decided to go on the game.’

‘Not seen him at all,’ Alice said truthfully. She didn’t want to let Sarah know that it was already doing the rounds in The Bunk, courtesy of Banksie’s big mouth, that Sarah and her sisters were all living off vice. If Sarah knew she’d be returning home to stares and whispers she’d never show her face in Campbell Road. ‘I’ve seen your mum though,’ Alice added quickly. ‘She got me to fetch a bottle of gin from the shop. She’s missing you, of course.’