Part 15 (2/2)

'What if I don't want to leave? This is my home! I own this house, you know I don't just rent it like most round here,'

Frank insisted, neglecting to mention the property was registered in his wife's name.

'It will still be here when you get back.'

'Well when's that?'

'Probably only a few days, once the fog's cleared away.' The sergeant gestured towards the van. All the other residents had been loaded into the back of it now. Everyone was waiting for the Kellys.

Rose made up her mind. 'Alright, we're coming.' She got her coat down from its hook in the hallway and pulled it around herself. Frank got the front door key from under the mat and locked the boarding house. They clambered into the back of the vehicle, Rose pushed up by Sergeant Diggle. He slammed the door shut after her and locked it tightly. The policeman slapped the back of the van twice with his hand.

'Alright, this one's full move it out!'

Rose peered out the vehicle as it pulled away from her home.

How long before I come back, she wondered before her mind moved on to more exciting thoughts. 'Where do you think we're being evacuated to?' she asked Frank.

Her husband almost smiled. 'Somewhere sunny and warm, I hope!'

That brought a laugh from everyone.

A white Rolls Royce pulled up outside 15 Tabernacle Street. The driver got out and strode briskly around the vehicle to open the rear pa.s.senger's door. Out stepped Steve MacMa.n.u.s, his camel-hair coat pulled tightly around himself. He was wearing a brown felt hat and a matching camel-hair scarf wrapped around his face.

Two men in black greatcoats also emerged from the back of the car, their identical faces dull and impa.s.sive.

MacMa.n.u.s knocked sharply on the front door of number 15.

Tommy Ramsey opened the door and welcomed his rival into the house. MacMa.n.u.s looked back at his driver. 'Barry, you better stay in the car. Don't want one of the local toerags taking a fancy to it now, do we?'

The driver nodded his agreement and returned to his seat, grateful to close the door and escape the smog. The trip into the East End had been long and painful. The combination of soot and mist plastered the windscreen like paint, resisting all attempts to keep the gla.s.s clear. Thank goodness for the car's heating system which helped keep them all warm on the difficult journey.

MacMa.n.u.s stepped inside, followed by his two lieutenants.

'This is James and John, my offsiders. They help keep the peace.'

Tommy gave a grudging agreement. 'They can wait in the front room with the other bodyguards. The meeting is just between the top men from each firm. The fewer people talking, the quicker we get this done.'

MacMa.n.u.s nodded, shrugging off his coat, hat and scarf.

Tommy hung them up in the hallway. 'Who else is here?'

'Fingers Blake from the docks and Stratford Simon. I was expecting more but this weather...' Tommy shrugged helplessly.

'I know, it was a nightmare getting here. Got any brandy?

That smog was getting into my bones on the journey.' Tommy led MacMa.n.u.s upstairs to the front room, where the others were waiting. Fingers Blake was a thin, red-haired man with freckles and nervous hands. Stratford Simon was an overweight, hairless lump with bloodshot eyes and a surly mouth. Mrs Ramsey appeared and offered the new arrivals a cup of tea.

'I'm getting them something stronger,' Tommy said, nearly blus.h.i.+ng.

'Still living with your Mum, eh?' MacMa.n.u.s hissed once she had gone, trying to goad his rival into doing something stupid.

Tommy just smiled. 'Least I got one. Heard they found yours in a dustcart.'

Fingers Blake stepped between the two men, pus.h.i.+ng them apart. 'Alright, alright, you two. We've exchanged enough unpleasantries for one day. I thought we were here to talk some business. Shall we get started?' Tommy and MacMa.n.u.s agreed, still glaring at each other. Tommy signalled to Jack, who was standing up by the door.

'Jack, will you show our distinguished guests to the dining room? We'll be having the meeting in there. Everybody else can wait here together.' He looked round the room at the half dozen burly bodyguards gathered. 'Quietly.' As the gang bosses filed out, Tommy whispered into Jack's ear. 'Where's Sarah? She's supposed to be here!'

'What do you care?' Jack asked, genuinely surprised.

Tommy grabbed his second-in-command by the collar. 'I'll deal with you later, my lad, just make sure nothing happens in here, alright?'

Jack nodded vigorously. 'I'll let you know when Sarah returns.'

'You do that.'

Sarah was still some distance from Tabernacle Street, trying to grope her way back to the Ramsey house. The smog was thickening, just as the Doctor had predicted. By now she could hardly see her hand if she stretched her arm out in the front. The air was sickly yellow, speckled with black and grey. Someone had turned London's street lights on, but these were hardly visible in the pall. Sarah was grateful for having memorised her route on the way to the TARDIS, otherwise she might never have found her way back again.

Ahead she could just make out shapes moving in the murky air and voices talking. She strained to hear what was being said, but the smog seemed to swallow up noise just as it swallowed up light.

'Excuse me, miss.' The voice startled Sarah. A tall, young policeman was standing beside her. She had been so intent on what was happening in front of her that she hadn't noticed his approach.

'Oh my goodness! You gave me quite a surprise, constable!'

she said. Sarah recognised the face of the policeman. 'I've seen you somewhere before. Weren't you patrolling in Tabernacle Street yesterday morning?'

'If you'd just come along with me.' PC Hodge took a firm grip on her right arm and tried to guide her forwards.

'It's just I'm trying to get back to Tabernacle Street and I'm not sure this is the right way.' Sarah laughed out loud. 'That's funny. You must have people asking you for directions all the time. I wouldn't normally need to, but this smog is making things very difficult.'

'Yes, miss. If you'd just come along with me,' the constable replied blandly. Sarah realised he wasn't even looking at her.

'Did you hear what I said? I'm looking for Tabernacle Street.' She stood still now, forcing the policeman to a halt. 'I think I should be turning left here.'

'We're evacuating everyone from the local streets, due to the inclement weather,' Hodge explained. 'The authorities believe this smog could pose a health risk to residents, especially in the East End. We've been asked to move people to a holding area.

From there you'll be taken outside the city.' He tugged at her arm again. 'So, if you'll just come with me...'

Sarah tried to pull her arm away. 'Now, look! You may be evacuating this street but I don't live here. I'm staying in Tabernacle Street and that's where I'm going now. Okay?'

'I'm sorry, miss, but you have to come with me,' the policeman insisted.

Sarah could not seem to pry his iron grip from her arm.

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