A Sister's Shame (33 page)

As she’d walked home from the factory each day, Marie had hoped she’d see her twin. She told herself that, as usual, Vesta would appear at the last minute.

But that hadn’t happened. And now there were only five days to go until the 26th.

‘Happy?’ Bing whispered again.

She nodded. She
was
happy. But was Vesta?

When they arrived home, Elsie and Ada were discussing the reception that was to be held after the service.

‘You two look pleased with yourselves,’ Elsie grinned as Bing and Marie walked in.

‘We are,’ Bing nodded. ‘By this time next week we’ll be Mr and Mrs Brown.’

Ada smiled, pushing a stray lock of her hair under her turban. ‘I hope you said a prayer for us, Marie, and Vesta too?’

‘Yes, I did.’ Marie looked into Ada’s eyes. She saw the sadness that Ada had been careful to hide during the months they had been preparing for the wedding. Vesta was never far
from their thoughts. And though Marie had kept her letter to Vesta a secret, Vesta turning up to be her bridesmaid had been her one hope of making Ada happy.

‘Elsie and me are preparing the food and drink the day before,’ Ada hurried on as she looked down at her list. ‘Your bouquet and the buttonholes will be delivered by Freda on
Friday morning. She’s putting some flowers in the church too.’

Marie had chosen lilies for her bouquet and, as Freda had a son who worked at Covent Garden, they had got them at a knockdown price.

‘Now, is your dress ready?’ asked Ada for the hundredth time, and Marie nodded. ‘It’s in my wardrobe. I didn’t even need to have it cleaned, as the girl I bought it
from had already done that.’ Marie had tried on her wedding gown and found it fitted perfectly. She and the girl at work were about the same size. Marie knew that the blue bridesmaid’s
dress would be just right for Vesta. She hadn’t shown it to Ada. She didn’t want her to get up her hopes and then be disappointed. Instead she had hung both dresses in the wardrobe at
Manchester Road.

‘On the day, we’re going to have both our doors open.’ Elsie puffed on one of the long, brown cigarettes she had taken to smoking lately. ‘The food’s going to be in
your mum’s and the drink in mine. No doubt there’ll be a bit of noise, with the knees-up, but there’s only Nina and Wippet to worry about and they’ll both join in, I’m
sure.’

Marie smiled as the two women nodded in agreement. Ada and Elsie were growing closer; with Hector helping out more in the house since he’d left the Duke’s, Ada liked to sit in
Elsie’s kitchen, putting the world to rights. Marie knew they talked about Vesta and were hoping that somehow she’d come to the wedding. At the weekends, they went to the market or
sometimes caught a bus to Poplar. Lately they had been occupied writing invitations and making long lists. One of those invitations had gone to the Blue Flamingo.

‘And you, young man.’ Elsie jabbed her cigarette at Bing, coughing as she inhaled the strong smoke. ‘I hope that car of yours don’t conk out. You’ll have a lot of
delivering to and fro, that day.’

Bing smiled. ‘Don’t worry on that score, ladies. My mate Charlie is helping with the driving. And, as I’m not supposed to see the bride on that day, he’s coming round for
you girls first.’

‘Is the groom riding a bike, then?’ Elsie chuckled.

‘No,’ laughed Bing with good grace. ‘I’m sporting out for a taxi as I’m staying with Mum and Dad the night before, and we’ll all come in that.’

‘Don’t let Charlie lose the ring,’ warned Elsie. ‘You know what he’s like when he’s had a few.’ They all remembered the story of Charlie getting drunk
and being beaten up.

‘What are you wearing, Elsie?’ Marie asked, knowing full well that Elsie would put on a show.

‘Oh, a nice little two-piece I picked up down the Lane. But it don’t compare to your mother’s dress and coat. She looked like a girl of twenty-one when she tried it on in that
little shop up Poplar.’

Marie looked at Ada, who was going pink. ‘Mum, you never said.’

‘Oh, Elsie’s exaggerating!’ Ada was trying to hide her blush as she added quietly, ‘Your dad and me don’t want to let you down, love. This is an important day in
your life. Time to get out the glad rags.’

Marie had wanted to buy both Ada and Hector their wedding outfits. She had saved enough from the club to pay for her wedding. But Ada wouldn’t hear of her spending her money and had gone
out with Elsie to buy something special herself.

Suddenly Ada sniffed.

‘Oh Gawd,’ muttered Elsie. ‘What’s wrong, gel?’

‘I’m sorry, but I can’t help wishing your sister was here, Marie. It don’t seem complete without her.’

Marie was silent. If only she could tell Ada that Vesta
was
coming!

‘Ada, you ain’t gonna spoil it for Marie, are you?’

‘No, course not.’ Ada wiped her eyes.

‘This is Marie’s day,’ Elsie said firmly. ‘And if Vesta has got any sense, she’ll be there, with us, in the front row.’

‘But what if she ain’t?’ Ada was tearful again.

Elsie shrugged. ‘Then there’s sod all we can do about it.’

Marie touched her mother’s hand. ‘You’ve sent an invitation, don’t forget.’

Ada got up and drew Marie into her arms. ‘I won’t let you down on the day.’

‘I know you won’t, Mum.’ Marie hoped that, even if Vesta didn’t get the invitation and letter, she would remember that Friday the 26th was her wedding day and would turn
up.

Vesta found a moment to slip into Wally’s room, whilst the men were talking in the club. Teddy had brought her with him to the Blue Flamingo, as he wanted the Scoresbys
to see her. He now openly called her ‘the goods’ and told her that she had to use make-up to cover her bruised face, as the Scoresbys wouldn’t be happy to see damaged goods. Her
reflection in the mirror before she had left had made her wince. The bruises were all covered and the mascara looked heavy and thick over her eyes. He had told her to wear bright lipstick and
jewellery and more new clothes that he’d bought her. She felt like the tart Teddy had accused her of being.

Vesta looked around Wally’s room. The last time she had been here, she had been happy. Wally had told her how well she had sung. How the customers had liked her. Little had she known then
what these evil men had planned for her.

Her heart raced and she tried to quell the feeling of sickness. Once Teddy had finished his business with the Scoresbys, he would come to find her. After that he would take her back to her
prison.

If only Marie had written to her! Vesta gazed around the room she had once thought was lavish and spectacular. But now she hated the gold and black décor and naked figurines. The ugly
paintings on the wall of half-clothed men and women weren’t classy. They were crude.

She went to Wally and Leo’s desk. Quickly she opened the top drawer. It was here the correspondence was kept; she’d seen Wally open it and take out his papers. Now, as she rummaged
through, she saw documents of all kinds.

Someone’s loud laughter drifted into the room. She could hear Teddy and Wally talking. Someone said Bill’s name. She shivered as she thought of what was being discussed, closing her
eyes in shame.

She pulled out the drawer beneath. Her heart raced. There were two letters with her name on. She picked them up. They had been opened. One was in her mother’s handwriting. The other was
Marie’s. Inside the first was a pretty card. It was an invitation to Marie’s wedding on Friday. The other was a letter from Marie. Tears filled Vesta’s eyes. She wanted to be with
her family. Then her eyes caught something else at the back of the drawer and she gasped. It was a gun.

She froze. She had never seen a gun before. What was it doing there? The cold, hard metal caught the light. In the drawer it was just an object but when used it became a weapon of violence and
of death.

The voices outside had stopped. Reaching down to close the drawer, Vesta paused. She couldn’t believe what she saw next. It was a photograph. Although her fingers touched it, her eyes
couldn’t believe it was real. The man in it was Bill, the woman, her. They were both naked.

Vesta felt dizzy and sick. She tried to clear her head and stared once more at the couple, their bodies twisted together. Could they really be her and Bill? Was she imagining it?

Vesta’s throat tightened. She could hardly breathe. Someone had been watching them, hidden from their view as the photograph was taken. She felt terribly ashamed. The photo brought back
all her feelings of desperation and guilt as she had begun to realize what Bill had wanted her for. Her eyes were closed as if she had shut herself off from reality.

Vesta felt a moment’s terror. Why had she not known about – or even suspected – that hidden camera?

She knew the answer to that. It was because of the drink and the pill she had been given. It had helped to blot out everything. She hadn’t cared about her actions, nor had she suspected
the evil that was around her.

‘You little fool, what are you doing?’ It was Teddy. He snatched the letters from her and put them in his pocket. ‘It would be the end of me if Wally caught you snooping in
here.’

‘That’s me and Bill in those photographs,’ she blurted.

Teddy glanced down and shrugged. ‘It’s called insurance. The Scoresbys have their way of getting people to pay up or do what they want, if they prove to be tricky.’

To her surprise Teddy picked up the gun. He pushed the cold steel up and down her arm. ‘Do you like the feel of it? Does it excite you? Well, I hope it will remind you that you’re
the Scoresbys’ property, all bought and paid for. We’ll have no more tantrums or dramas. You don’t want that pretty face messed up again, or’ – he raised the gun to
her cheek – ‘something worse.’

Vesta trembled as he drew the tip of it over her sore skin. He laughed at her fear, a cruel laugh that now sounded crazy. She knew then that he was capable of carrying out that threat.

He slid the gun in his overcoat pocket and closed the drawer. ‘Leo and Wally want to see you. Just smile and leave me to do the talking.’

Vesta choked back her terrified sob. Everyone had warned her against Teddy. Even Flo Davis. Ada was right; she hadn’t known anything about the world. Teddy’s good looks and charm had
dazzled her. His promises had made her believe he could give her everything she wanted.

What a fool she had been!

Teddy bundled her out of the door, and her legs hardly had strength to move as he propelled her towards Leo and Wally.

On the morning of 26 April, Marie stood in her wedding dress, examining her reflection in the mirror. On Wednesday night Bing had helped her to bring the dress round to Sphinx
Street. Since then it had hung in the wardrobe. The blue bridesmaid’s dress was wrapped up in a bag and hidden in a drawer. Marie knew that if Vesta was to have arrived in time to be her
bridesmaid, it would have been before this moment. Had she decided that it would be too painful to meet her family again? Or had Teddy stopped her? Suddenly doubts and fears whirled in her mind,
threatening to spoil the happiest day of her life.

Marie turned her thoughts to Bing and their future together. She was marrying a wonderful man whom she loved and trusted. Bing wouldn’t want to see any trace of unhappiness on her face.
She pulled back her shoulders and took a deep breath.

Once more, she studied her image with care. Her dress was ankle length, the modern fashion for brides; the pointed sleeves matched the pointed waist of the bodice. Ada’s silver locket hung
round her neck. The stone in her engagement ring sparkled and the small blue bow on her cuff reminded her that she was wearing something old, something borrowed and something blue.

Marie reflected on the beautiful lilies and buttonholes that had arrived early this morning. Elsie and Ada had taken them into the kitchen before setting the buffet on the dining table. Hector
had arranged the drink to his liking, as he and Charlie would be giving the toasts.

When Marie put on her dress, Ada had gasped.

‘You make a beautiful bride,’ she’d whispered, quickly wiping away a tear. ‘Shall I help you with your veil?’

Marie felt her heart beating fast as Ada lifted the veil and secured the satin band of pearls that held it in place. Ada tucked her blonde waves under. ‘It fits just right.’

Marie stared at her reflection, wondering if all brides felt so nervous. Would Bing think she looked beautiful? ‘Is Dad ready?’

‘He’s all fingers and thumbs this morning. But he still cuts quite a dash for an old-timer.’

Marie knew if it hadn’t been for Bing, this day might not have come. He had rescued her and Hector from the Duke’s. She loved him dearly and knew that he was the right man for
her.

Ada kissed her cheek. ‘I know you and Bing will be very happy.’ A horn sounding outside made them jump. ‘That’s Charlie!’

Marie went out to the front room. Hector beamed her a smile and held out his arm. In his formal grey suit and grey bow tie, with his moustache trimmed neatly and his shock of dark hair smoothed
down over his head, he looked like the old Hector that everyone knew and loved. ‘Don’t worry, love, you’ll knock ’em dead,’ he whispered. There were tears in his eyes.
It was his old saying to her and Vesta. Marie knew they were all thinking of Vesta. They missed her and it wasn’t the same without her. But now it was time to go to meet her groom, who would
be waiting at St Luke’s for his bride.

Marie walked slowly down the aisle on her father’s arm as the organ played the Wedding March. Bing turned and smiled at her. His smile made all her worries fade away and
her heart fill with love. He stood tall and handsome in his black dress suit. The light from one of the tall windows fell on him and Charlie, who also was dressed in black. Marie’s heart beat
very fast as the congregation turned to look at her and Hector. Marie felt Hector press her arm against him. At the front, Ada and Elsie were smiling, all traces of sadness gone. Ada looked elegant
in her new coat, a slim-fitting light grey woollen dress and matching wide-brimmed floppy hat. Elsie was wearing a green tailored skirt and matching jacket, while Nina was dressed in a pale pink
coat and pretty box hat, and Wippet was wearing a grey suit and tie. Some of the girls from work sat behind them, along with Elsie’s friend from Bethnal Green. Charlie’s new girlfriend,
Madge, a pretty brunette from Dublin, sat beside her.