Part 36 (1/2)

Joe smiled. 'I thought about that when I knocked on Florrie's door so I told 'er me name was Maitland. In fact it's Murphy. Our family come from Ireland originally.'

They had strolled slowly back to the hall and when they reached the entrance steps William turned to face the young man. 'I've got no reason ter like Galloway,' he said, frowning, 'but I've known 'im since we were kids tergevver. 'E's a lot o' fings, but I don't fink 'e'd get involved in murder.'

'Well, we've got four names an' I'm not gonna rest till we get the fifth,' Joe replied. 'What's more, I'm gonna get those tournaments stopped. I owe it ter me bruvver Pat. If in the process I find out Galloway was be'ind me bruvver's killin', so much the better.'

They had climbed the few steps and William turned at the entrance to the hall. 'I was told yer go ter the fights,' he said with a wry smile. 'So that's the reason why.'

Joe nodded. 'I've got enough evidence tergevver, an' if it was a straightforward matter I'd 'ave turned it all over by now,' he said bitterly.

'What's the problem?' William asked.

The young man looked at him and smiled cynically. 'If I walked inter the Dock'ead nick an' gave them the evidence, the next mornin' yer'd be readin' about me. I'd be fished out o' the river or found in some alley wiv me throat cut. One o' the top coppers at Dock'ead nick is takin' a cut. 'E wouldn't be too 'appy ter fink I was spoilin' 'is little earner, would 'e? What I've gotta do is bide me time until I can get 'im dead ter rights, then I'll turn the lot over ter Scotland Yard an' let them deal wiv it. Now yer can understand why I don't want this ter go any furvver. If the wrong person got wind o' me little game, I'd be done for.'

William gave him a rea.s.suring smile. 'Yer got no need ter worry on that score, Joe,' he replied. 'There's one fing puzzlin' me, though. Why did yer 'elp me save those 'orses from the fire? I would 'ave thought yer'd be 'appy ter see the 'ole business burn down.'

Joe laughed. 'In the first place I was scared yer daughter was gonna get 'urt. After she pulled that wild 'orse away from yer she tried to go back. I 'ad ter stop 'er. She's a brave young woman is Carrie. The ovver fing is, n.o.body'd suspect I'm out ter get Galloway seein' me 'elp yer save the 'orses, would they? In fact Galloway sent me a letter o' fanks wiv a fiver in it. I burnt the letter an' gave Florrie the money. There was no way I'd take anyfink off 'im.'

William laughed and put his arm round Joe's shoulder. 'D'yer know somefink?' he said. 'I'm beginnin' ter feel a little sorry fer George Galloway. Now what about a drink? I could do wiv one.'

The Sat.u.r.day evening train was chugging through the Kent countryside as Carrie sat close to Fred, idly watching the wisps of steam from the engine drift away and disappear over the green fields. The wedding had gone off very well, she thought. The bridesmaids had been really sweet and well behaved. It was nice to see Jessica and Freda once more but it was a pity her old school friend Sara had not been there. Carrie had written to her last-known address but there had been no reply. Carrie guessed she must have moved. She was sorry too that Mary Caldwell could not come. She was doing war-work in a munitions factory in the north of England but had sent her best wishes.

The newly-weds were alone in the carriage except for an old lady who was nodding off to sleep. Fred shyly slipped his arm around his bride. It had been a mad dash back to his house, where Carrie changed into a flower-patterned summer dress and a long cotton coat of powder blue. Her blonde hair was still nicely in place on top of her head and Fred looked admiringly at her as she snuggled back in her seat. He felt all dressed-up in his blue serge suit and collar-and-tie, with his highly polished shoes and sleeked-back greying hair. Carrie had been intrigued by the blue shadow which showed around his square chin even though he had taken care to strop the razor before shaving that morning. She felt it made him look strong and protective. She had dusted the confetti from his hair and suit and removed the carnation from his b.u.t.tonhole before they left his house. Now they were on their way to Margate and Carrie sighed contentedly as she gazed out of the window. Already she had made plans to brighten up the cafe and encourage Fred to expand the business, but now she was looking forward to a whole week in which to get to know her new husband. She had to put aside all her secret fears and make certain that the marriage would be a happy union. Carrie leant her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. She was starting out on a new adventure, she thought excitedly, but any casual observer would just think they were a married couple taking a trip to the seaside.

The old lady in the carriage was feigning sleep. She had watched as the young couple boarded the train at London Bridge Station and had noticed how the young man held the lady's arm as he a.s.sisted her into the carriage. The pretty young thing had blushed as he squeezed her hand in his and she noticed how the young woman kept glancing at the ring on her finger. They were newly-weds for sure, the old lady told herself. It was all so obvious. Maybe she should offer the couple her good wishes for the future, but that might embarra.s.s them. Lots of couples were not too happy to let the whole world know that they were going away to make love together. That was the way she had felt all those many years ago. Perhaps it would be better if she pretended to sleep. It would allow the couple to whisper sweet nothings in each other's ear and the young man to slip his arm around the young lady. They certainly wouldn't do it while they were being watched, the old lady felt.

The train chugged on, pa.s.sing open fields and tiny hamlets, and Fred glanced quickly at their fellow traveller before stealing a kiss. The old lady saw the kiss through slitted eyes. She was right, she told herself, they were newly-weds. Wasn't it clever of her to spot all the little signs? Well, it would be an hour yet before the train arrived at Margate. Perhaps she should take a short nap. Yes it was clever of her, she told herself, having completely forgotten that it was the pieces of confetti in the man's hair which had first revealed to her their secret.

Chapter Forty.

Frank Galloway poured himself a large whisky and soda and then walked back into his bedroom. He had heard Caroline crying but the nurse had rea.s.sured him that it was only a bad dream or a tummy pain and his daughter was now sleeping soundly. Why did Bella have to go out so much in the evening? he wondered resentfully. After all, she had landed the part in the new show and should be home with him and their daughter. Once the show opened, he would see very little of her. There were to be two performances nightly as well as the matinee, which would leave Bella exhausted. Sunday would be her day of recovery as it had been the last time she was in a show, and then she had only a small part. Now that she had landed the female supporting role, Bella would be expecting him to run around the flat at her every whim, like a trained poodle. Well, he was no one's lackey. That was nancy boy Hubert's job. The detestable young oaf had put in his dreaded appearance once more and now seemed to be almost living in the flat. He knew where the Scotch was kept and certainly drank his share. What was it Bella called him? A popinjay? Frank knew a few more colourful ways of describing the obnoxious idiot and felt like trying them out on him next time he called at the house.

Rain was las.h.i.+ng against the window-panes and thunder rolled in the distance as Frank got out of bed, glanced at the alarm clock and walked over to the drawn curtains. It was only nine o'clock. They would be hours yet. As he looked out at the rain beating down on the empty street, he bit anxiously on his lip. It was a sneaky thing to do, pretending he had the s.h.i.+vers and saying he was going to take a sleeping pill, but he had to find out just what kind of game Hubert was really playing. Normally Bella would expect him to look out of the window as the cab pulled up and she usually made a big thing of shouting a goodnight to Hubert as she left him. Would things be different tonight when she thought Frank was sedated? he wondered. Maybe he would catch her kissing the nancy boy goodnight or blowing him a pa.s.sionate kiss as she ran up the steps to the front door. At least it would prove that Hubert was not the effeminate little toe-rag Bella made him out to be. Well, if Frank did spot any untoward goings-on, Hubert would be sorry the next time he showed his spotty little face in the flat, he vowed.

He swallowed his drink and walked back into the lounge to refill his gla.s.s.

The young nurse looked up in surprise. 'I thought you were asleep,' she said demurely as he made for the drinks cabinet. 'I don't wish to interfere, Mr Galloway, but it's rather dangerous to mix sleeping pills and spirits.'

Frank smiled at her. 'It's all right, I didn't take the pill. Those things are inclined to make me sluggish next day.'

The nurse went back to her magazine and Frank eyed her as he filled his gla.s.s. She wasn't a bad-looker, he thought. Rather plump on the hips, but her eyes were a nice shade of blue behind those ugly spectacles. Maybe she was a tigress beneath that professional demeanour, stringing along several young men and dominating them. Or maybe she preferred the older man. Someone like himself who was worldly and discreet. Well if he tried his luck Bella couldn't blame him. She gave him little enough of her time these days or nights.

'Could I offer you a drink?' he asked.

The young lady shook her head vigorously. 'I never touch strong drink when I'm on duty,' she replied. 'The agency would be horrified.'

'But they'd never know,' Frank said slyly.

'No, thank you, Mr Galloway.'

Frank nodded and walked back into the bedroom. I'm sure Bella hand-picked that one, he thought.

Silly fool, the nurse was thinking in the other room. Anyone who allowed his wife to have an affair right under his nose deserved all he got, and he wasn't getting anything from her. It was so obvious that something was going on between the other two, she thought. Surely he could see it? Perhaps he was condoning it. She had heard about those strange people who got their enjoyment by listening to their promiscuous partner's graphic accounts of their experiences. The nurse shook her head and went back to her magazine.

At ten minutes after midnight Frank heard the motor cab draw up outside and quickly went to the window. Bella seems to be taking a long time getting out, he thought as he peered through the curtains. Ah, there she is now, and there's Hubert. My G.o.d, he's kissing her on the lips! Frank screwed up his fists with rage as he saw the effeminate young man waving to Bella from the cab as it drew away. Hubert was going to have trouble with his lips very soon, and the rest of his face, Frank promised himself as he lay down in bed and pretended to be fast asleep.

Carrie and Fred returned from Margate on Sunday evening, and early on Monday morning the cafe opened its doors once more to the usual clientele of dockers and carmen. Bessie was as garrulous as ever as she helped in the kitchen but Fred did not seem to mind this morning. Carrie served the tea and coffee as usual and took food orders, telling herself that the first alteration would be to get a large printed menu put up behind the counter instead of that silly little sheet of paper that was pinned to the wall. The whole place could do with a coat of paint as well, and the end storeroom wall could be knocked down to make room for a few more tables, she thought. She would have to talk to Fred about the lease too. He had told her some time ago that it was running out and it would be a good idea to try to purchase the freehold.

There was no time to dwell on the changes needed as the cafe began to fill up with hurrying workers who tempered their impatience with bawdy humour.

'Find out what Fred's doin' wiv my bacon sandwich, will yer, Carrie?' one of them asked her. 'I've bin waitin' ten minutes. I s'pose 'e's 'avin' a doze back there, tryin' ter catch up on all that sleep 'e's bin missin'.'

'Come out an' show yerself, Fred,' a carman called to him. 'Let's see if Carrie's put a twinkle in yer eye.'

The teasing went on throughout the morning, and Fred smiled in embarra.s.sment as he worked in the kitchen while Carrie laughed and joked with the men. There was no sense in taking offence, she thought. They were honest, hardworking men just having a bit of fun. They meant no harm, and if she was going to help her husband build up the business she could not afford to be too prim and proper.

The first day back at work seemed to pa.s.s very quickly but Carrie was grateful when she finally slipped the bolts and pulled down the blinds. She felt then that she really was in her own little place with her husband at last. Fred had already decorated the dingy flat above the shop and had turned the cluttered-up store-room into a cosy sitting-room. The upper room at the front looked out on a good view of the river in both directions and Fred had converted it into a bedroom, installing a large double bed and a satin walnut bedroom-suite. The downstairs room at the back of the shop was kept as a parlour, and that evening after tidying up the shop and wiping off the tables Fred and Carrie sat down together there, sipping their tea and unwinding. Fred had an evening paper spread out over his lap, and as Carrie glanced at him over her cup she noticed how that lock of dark, greying hair was hanging over his forehead again. It made him look younger than his years, she thought. He was staring down at the newspaper and as he read she noticed how he occasionally moved his lips, as though concentrating over a particular word or sentence. He had told her he was not a good scholar and that reading did not come easy, but Carrie knew that he ran his business very well and was certainly no fool.

As she gazed at him she thought about the honeymoon and their first night together. He had been touchingly shy and seemed to caress her body as though handling a delicate piece of china. He had not fulfilled her on their first night but she had been happy to lie close to him and let him feel how responsive she was to his nervous caresses. It was on the second night that their marriage was consummated and she had felt a warm glow inside her as she finally fell asleep in his arms. It would be a good, loving marriage, she thought. Fred had a wonderful nature. He was kind, considerate and loving, and his easy laugh made her feel happy and contented.

A knock on the side door made him look up quickly. 'I wonder who that can be?' he said as he got up from his chair, frowning.

When Fred showed the young woman into the room, Carrie jumped out of her chair excitedly. 'Sara!' she gasped, holding out her arms.

The two women hugged each other warmly and then Sara looked at Fred with a smile on her face. 'We were ole school friends,' she said, and turned towards Carrie. 'I 'ope 'e's takin' good care of yer,' she joked.

The two young women chatted happily together while Fred was brewing fresh tea. 'I got yer letter when me an' Norman got back from Scotland,' Sara said. 'I was so sorry ter miss yer weddin', but never mind, I'm 'ere at last.'

Carrie looked closely at Sara, hardly believing it was the same girl. Her face was rosy and plump, and she was smartly dressed. Her dark hair had been cut short to her neck and neatly waved, and her fawn dress and silver-buckled shoes looked expensive. Carrie recalled how her friend used to come to school in a ragged coat, a tattered dress and worn-out shoes.

''Ow's yer family?' she asked.

'All married,' Sara laughed. 'The two boys are in the army an' me youngest sister married a grocer. They've got a nice 'ouse in Bromley an' mum an' dad live wiv 'em.'

'Yer look like yer done well fer yerself,' Carrie said with a smile.

Sara grinned. 'My Norman's a partner in an estate agent's. We're very 'appy, I'm glad ter say.'

'Any children?' Carrie asked.

Sara's face became serious for a moment. 'I can't 'ave any,' she said quietly.

Fred brought in the tea and then discreetly left the two young women to chat alone with each other.

'Fred seems a nice man. I'm sure yer'll be very 'appy,' Sara said, smiling.

'Did yer know me dad lost 'is job?' Carrie asked her.