A Wanton Tale (26 page)

Minnie had discovered the break in when she came home that night. It was just one of many crimes in the area and warranted little police time. They concluded that someone must have been watching the house and the thief had been disturbed once he was inside. After all, Minnie reported that nothing had been taken.

Minnie was upset that the ring had been stolen but she blamed the burglar’s luck.

‘The fucking rat has more than likely been put up to it by the Hales or even that bastard, Maurice.’

A few months had passed since Florrie was abducted by the Hales. In Florrie’s case, time was a good healer. She was now settled in Jim’s father’s house in Westbourne Street, she was very happy there. She came and went as she pleased and had the whole of the second floor to herself. Having a young woman about the house was good for Charlie and Jim. She did more than her fair share of the chores and made the house a proper home. After so many years of living on their own, a woman’s touch was welcome.

Florrie had carefully hidden the ring in the hem of an old dress that she no longer wore. She checked that it was still there every time she came home from work, she gave the hem a gentle squeeze. Just having such an exquisite piece in her possession gave her a flush of excitement.

She surmised that her mother had stolen the ring or may even have received it as a gift. She often wondered about her mother’s past. Florrie had always found her mother secretive, there had always been a barrier to communication.

Charlie Boyle’s contentment was complete when he, finally, encountered his three missing daughters. He was dismissive of wizards and magic and wouldn’t entertain anything to do with tales that were not based in reality. Eventually, Jim persuaded him that the message from Larry was real. Charlie was so desperate to see his daughters again, he believed him.

‘They are living in a house on Rupert’s Hill. I will take you there but we can’t stay long. Just enough time for you to see that they are keeping well and starting to trust people again.’

‘They will be all grown up now, the youngest Ruby will be twenty one, Rachel twenty two and my Alice will be twenty three.’ Said Charlie pensively.

He never forgot his children’s ages or even their birthdays. Although in the past birthdays came and went without presents as did every Christmas. He thought about them every day that had gone by since their disappearance. He wondered where they would be and what they would be doing. It often entered his mind that they might be dead, but something was telling him that they were safe. To Charlie it was incredulous, beyond his comprehension but that was how he felt.

‘I will take you there, come with me, you will see that the girls are safe.’ Jim took his father to the house at the top of Rupert’s Hill and all was made clear to him.

‘Goodbye Pa, you can have peace of mind now.’ Reassured Alice, after the visit Charlie was no longer haunted by the past.

He now believed and understood.

‘T
his is our own little hidey hole here Duchess.’ Said Freddie smugly as he surveyed their new house in Tollemache Street. It was near the promenade in New Brighton, at the back of Ham and Eggs Parade. ‘The fresh air will do your cough good.’

Sometimes he looked at her and thought that perhaps, she had more the matter with her than a cough. Her eyesight wasn’t too good and now she had a rash on her face. She attempted to hide it with heavy powder and paint. She didn’t trust doctors and never went near one. Betsy was unaware that she had syphilis.

‘That is right Freddie. The house is smaller and easy to manage, cosy too and we don’t have to have any bunters living under our roof anymore.’

‘Ooh, I might miss that though.’ Said Freddie with a mischievous wink. ‘Never mind there is more than enough going on at Ham and Eggs Parade to make up for it.’

Ham and Eggs Parade was an imposing four storey building which towered above the promenade near New Brighton Pier. The ground level consisted of shops but mostly cafes which served a quick meal to the locals and day trippers, usually ham and eggs. Hence, it was known locally as ‘Ham and Eggs Parade.’ There were narrow stone stairwells between the cafes and shops to gain access to the dwellings above.

At first glance, they appeared to be respectable houses but their elegant facade hid a secret. The three storeys above each had their own front door and a communal landing which linked them like a little street. This upper pavement ran along the top of the cafes and shops. It was here that Betsy and Freddie rented out rooms. They allowed the use of the rooms to prostitutes on a daily basis. The girls paid for a full day or a night. Betsy, who operated her business from a cafe below, acted as banker.

There was no shortage of young women who solicited the ‘prom’ and the fairground, eagerly looking for business. Freddie, who had got himself well known for procuring, would often be approached by men purporting to be out for an afternoon stroll. Betsy would also pick up girls in the numerous cafes. She was a magnet for the women who had the misfortune to fall into prostitution.

‘Rents off the harlots in the upstairs rooms on the parade will bring in a few shillings. But there are too many of them Freddie. Far too many cheap older whores and not enough punters.’

‘Wait ‘til that Tower has the big ballroom built below it, there will be punters galore. Maybe we can open another house like Duke Street. This is the place of the future, a fine beach resort for pleasure seekers! Hales Bespoke Introductions, the pleasure is all ours.’ Freddie started his annoying, sniggering laugh. ‘You never know, might even find a young ‘un.’

Betsy did not give up her quest for young girls. There were always men who would pay a high price for their favours. She was prepared to take the risk. A small supply of such girls and a high demand would give her a good return.

‘It still sticks in my throat about that cocky Boyle lad saving Florrie, he made fools of us. We could have made money out of her. She is on with that Boyle lad and he’s got no fucking money. I’ve seen the little cunts over here regular for days out. I will wait my opportunity, I do not give in easily.’

Young girls were hard to find but Betsy was determined to find Florrie Ryan.

‘Although she would now be seventeen, she looked younger and would fetch a high price. Surely, by now she would be amenable to selling her charms, better than giving it away for nothing to that useless lad.’ Thought Betsy, wickedly.

‘She is still young too, only just turned seventeen, nice looker an’ all.’ Added Freddie.

‘She cannot possibly be a virgin. I have seen her walking out with Jim Boyle. He won’t be going with her because he likes the colour of her eyes.’ Mused Betsy.

It was late September, Betsy was out on the promenade, she was using a stick as a walking aid. Her back was hurting, she needed to stop every now and then to support herself. She had stopped smoking cigars and was getting a lot more fresh air these days. Her cough appeared to be getting a little better. Although pretty well rid of the bad chest, her health was otherwise failing. She had good days and bad days. On the good days she could stride out and even run a little. But lately there were more bad days than good.

She was outside The Bon Marche department store on the corner of Ham and Eggs Parade when she spotted Jim Boyle with Florrie. They were walking towards the store, arm in arm.

‘Hope it keeps fine for them, love’s young dream.’ Thought Betsy cynically.

Betsy wore a large brimmed hat. These days, she dressed more conservatively. Her business was no longer obvious by her mode of dress. She blended in with the mixture of people who were from all walks of life. Betsy, if anything, looked more like a member of the affluent middle class.

The couple were now looking at the merchandise on display in the large shop window. Betsy was standing alongside them, pretending to be interested in the women’s blouses. She glanced slyly to the side, peering under the rim of her hat. She noticed that the girl, Florrie, was wearing an expensive looking ring. It was on the middle finger of her right hand.

Florrie only wore the ring when she was out of town, she never wore it in Liverpool. She loved the anonymity of being in New Brighton, it was rare that she would see anyone here who knew her.

Although many of her friends did visit the seaside resort, it was highly unlikely that their paths would cross, even if they did, she had planned to turn the ring around on her finger to hide the diamonds so that no one would notice it. Betsy knew an expensive piece when she saw one, a couple of her own items of jewellery were real but most of her gems were faux.

Florrie pointed out a cream coloured high necked blouse with a black velvet bow. ‘Look at that one Jim, the stripes going through it match the bow and looks like velvet too, isn’t it lovely?’

‘And where do you think you’ll be going in that?’ Asked Jim showing his boredom already.

‘Nowhere.’

‘Look, you go in on your own. I am going to get us something to eat, we can eat fish and chips on the bench in the park.’

‘Thought you would have been sick of fish and chips Jim.’

‘Well I just fancy ‘em, we never eat them at work so this will be a treat, for a change.’

‘Don’t rush though, I will be about half an hour in here.’

Jim nodded and walked off further down the parade.

When she was sure Jim was far enough away, Betsy followed Florrie into the store. As soon as she approached Florrie, Betsy jostled her, pretending to be unsteady on her feet.

She was taking a chance but it had been three years ago now. ‘And the girl, in the state that she was in, would surely have forgotten me.’ Thought Betsy. For the time being her assumption was right.

‘Are you feeling unwell?’ Asked Florrie.

‘I’m having a bad day Dearie, my poor old back is hurting, I need to get home, I shouldn’t have come out today.’ She gushed breathlessly.

Florrie eyes filled with concern for the old woman, she wanted to help her. ‘Where do you live?’ She asked.

The girl was much taller than her. Betsy pretended to be racked with pain, her posture was bent over, making it difficult for Florrie to see her face properly.

‘Just along the parade, about four cafes down, up the stairs is where I live, not far but would you be kind enough to walk me back?’ She was pretending to be out of breath. Betsy had a quick glance at the ring again then took hold of her right arm to support her on the short walk to the stairwell entrance of the houses. They walked slowly out of the emporium, then suddenly, Betsy stumbled. She had been linking Florrie’s arm and with her full weight, she slid down giving Florrie a shock. She thought that she had the old dear well supported, with all her strength she held onto her tightly, she was afraid of her falling.

She wished that Jim had been around, she was cursing him for going for fish and chips. They were almost at the entrance to the stairwell, it was here that Betsy, with a final jolt, slid straight down Florrie’s arm to her hand, at the same time pulling off the diamond ring from her finger. Florrie hadn’t noticed, she was preoccupied with preventing the old girl falling. She helped her regain her balance and all seemed well. Florrie was perplexed to see that the old woman had made a remarkable recovery.

Betsy gasped, ‘Thank you, I just had one of my funny turns, I’ll be fine now.’

Florrie looked up the steep stone stairs, then said, ‘I’ll take you to your front door, let me help you up.’

Betsy held the ring tight, it was safely hidden in the palm of her hand.

‘No, no, you be on your way, don’t you worry about me, I can make it on my own.’

As if by arrangement, Freddie appeared at the top of the stairs. It was manner from heaven for Betsy. She could now get rid of the girl, she had what she wanted from her for the time being. She was anxious for her to go in case she noticed that her ring was missing. She also didn’t want her to see where her rented rooms were.

She looked up the stairs towards Freddie.

‘There’s me husband.’ She was careful not to mention his name. Freddie recognised the girl straight away. He ran down the stairs and began to help Betsy. A wink from Betsy was all that Freddie needed to know that there was a game afoot.

Florrie was satisfied that the woman was now safe in the care of her husband. It wasn’t until she met up with Jim again that she realised that her ring had gone. She didn’t suspect the old woman, she thought that it had fallen off and was lost on the promenade.

Jim was annoyed. He was worried that the loss of the ring would spoil their day out. They retraced her steps and searched the pavement for it. She thought it had probably been picked up by a day tripper and she resigned herself to the fact that she would never see it again.

‘The bloody thing was cursed anyway. God knows how me Ma came by it and I had to be careful where and when I wore it, in case anyone saw it. To tell you the truth, I am glad to see the back of it.’

Jim suddenly took her hands. ‘I will buy you a ring Florrie. A ring that you can be proud to call your own.’

‘Are you asking me Jim?’

‘I am, will you marry me Florrie?’

‘I will.’ She answered joyfully.

‘What were you doing talking to her?’ Asked Freddie.

When Betsy showed Freddie the piece of jewellery she couldn’t contain her excitement. She cackled, ‘Told you we would make money out of her one way or another.’

They were both now behind the closed door of one of their rented rooms.

‘We haven’t got time for long and meaningful conversations, I will tell you later. Now, go and see if they have cleared off, she is here with that Boyle lad. We must go back to Tollemache Street in case they come back here snooping.’

‘Did she recognise you?’

‘No, I don’t think so, I would say definitely not, come now Freddie, we must hurry.’

They had been together long enough to understand each other’s body language. There were times when one had to trust the other’s judgment. They had spent their lives living in the shadows, in a world of mistrust and would often find themselves cornered. This was such a moment. There were times when it was best to stay silent and follow the other’s instruction. He knew not to mess around with Betsy, he recognised her impatience, he read her signs of agitation. He just followed her advice.