East End Angel Part 11

'Get a discount? You must be joking!' Blanche snorted, having swallowed her mouthful of tea. 'Don't get nuthin' fer nuthin' off that old Jew boy. Pay full price for all of his stuff. Anyhow, it's old-fas.h.i.+oned and I wouldn't want any of it even if I could afford it. I like the dress outside in the market.'

'Yeah, I heard you,' Charlie snapped.

'Gonna get me a slice of fruitcake cake, then?'

'No, 'cos I'm watching your figure even if you ain't.' Charlie gave Blanche a smile, draining his tea in a swallow and wiping his mouth with the back of a hand. 'Never fit in that dress out there, will yer, gel, if you keep scoffing cakes and get fat.'

Blanche gave him a subtle smile as his l.u.s.tful gaze roamed over her. 'Reckon you might like me better out of it than in, anyhow. You can let me know later, if yer like ...'

'Yeah, I will.' Charlie stood up. 'Go get it then, shall we, and tonight I'll stand us a stay in a hotel and unzip it for you.' He put his meaty hands on the table and leaned forward to purr, 'No arguments ... right?'

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

Nick had felt like bawling his mother out on the day she gave him Kathy's letter. But he hadn't. It wasn't Lottie's fault that she didn't know he'd started to think about a certain girl in a different way from the rest of the women he pursued.

In the past, he'd used the same tactic himself, dropping hints about a wife in the background, when trying to deter a woman on the prowl. But Kathy Finch wasn't on the prowl ... he was. And she'd known he was interested in her from the day that he'd dropped her home after the Potters' baby was born. It had been months ago, and he'd hoped to forget her. But he hadn't been able to put her out of his mind and had found himself taking longer routes when driving just so he might catch a glimpse of her on her rounds.

He had bought the bike to test the water. He'd thought if she accepted the gift he might get a foot in the door ... but that was before Lottie blurted out something he should have mentioned to Kathy himself. He would have done so when things between them progressed a bit, and the time seemed right.

He slipped her letter back in the desk drawer. He'd had it for several weeks and done nothing about going to see her, as she'd politely requested. He chuckled wryly, acknowledging his cowardice. He was hoping her opinion of him might have softened over time but he knew he was mistaken. If he thought she might like him enough to care that he had a wife, he reckoned he was mistaken about that too. Probably she just had him down as a randy chancer, best avoided.

Nice girls didn't accept gifts from married men, and he knew he would definitely not be mistaken about the reception he'd get when he eventually turned up. She'd tell him to take the bike back while trying to remain civil. The b.l.o.o.d.y thing must be stuck in her shed as she wasn't using it. He'd driven past the bus stop in Commercial Street a few days ago and seen her standing there, in her nurse's uniform, with her bag in her hand. She hadn't noticed him as she'd been chatting to a woman in the queue. He'd slowed down to watch her laughing, feeling glad she looked happy, and just as beautiful as he remembered ...

Once round the corner, he'd pulled up to have a smoke and a think about things. He'd mocked himself for having gone out of his way to b.u.mp into her with no success, then when it happened by chance, being too timid to take advantage. By the time he'd turned round and headed back to talk to her, the bus had been and gone, with Nurse Finch on it.

But something good had come out of his mother's indiscretion: he'd snapped out of his indifference over the long overdue divorce proceedings.

The telephone on Nick's desk rang, breaking into his musing. His father-in-law started giving him a list of stuff he needed from the builders' merchants for work on the Commercial Street property.

'Bit slower, mate, I don't do shorthand,' Nick complained as Tony reeled off his demands for materials.

'Need to get yerself a secretary then,' Tony quipped. 'I reckon our Blanche would be up for the job. Have a word, shall I?'

His son-in-law's discouraging grunt wiped the smile off Tony Scott's face. He finished reading out his list then put down the receiver, brooding on his daughter. He knew Blanche would jump at a chance to have any role in her ex-husband's life, including working for him. Tony was desperate for Nick to show a bit of interest in her. He was resigned to the fact that a renewed romance was out of the question, but if the couple could be friends he'd be satisfied.

The letter from Nick's solicitor about the divorce had sent Blanche into a right state for a few days. But that had been weeks ago; she seemed to have perked up now and that was worrying Tony because he feared his daughter's renewed exuberance was down to the company she was keeping.

Tony had felt uncomfortable raising the matter of the solicitor's letter with his boss. But he had, following nagging from his wife and daughter that it was his duty to try to persuade Nick to withdraw proceedings. Tony hadn't expected to get anything back from Nick but a reminder to mind his own business. He'd been spot on. But Tony knew he'd have to speak to Nick soon on another matter concerning Blanche, in the hope his daughter might heed her ex-husband's advice if she wouldn't take his.

Driving home in a works van one evening, Tony had recognised Charlie Potter hanging about at the top of the road and wondered what the villain was up to. Little had he known at the time that Charlie was waiting on Blanche, who was indoors, getting ready to go out with him.

The following weekend, Tony had seen them together entering a pub and had been shocked at the way Charlie had his arm around Blanche. He'd felt so nauseated at his daughter allowing herself to be pawed by a lowlife that he'd forgotten about playing in the darts match at his working men's club and had returned home.

Tony started packing away his tools; it wasn't knocking off time but he wanted to catch Blanche coming out of work and have another go at talking some sense into her. Gladys didn't yet know that her daughter was seeing a violent thug who also happened to be married. Tony knew that when Gladys found out what had been going on, she'd kick Blanche out.

'Your father in a rush to get you home, is he?' Emmanuel Goldstein continued counting the roll of notes he'd taken out of the till. He stuffed the wad into a canvas bag. 'The man needs a watch. You finish at six o'clock. You should tell him.'

'I know. I do, Mr Goldstein,' Blanche dutifully replied. She'd also noticed her father pacing up and down outside, puffing on a cigarette. She twiddled her thumbs on the wooden counter. The clock on the wall gave the time as ten minutes to six. No customer had pa.s.sed over the threshold in the past forty minutes and none was likely to. Still, she knew her boss wouldn't allow her out until the dot of six o'clock, even though it was obvious her father had arrived to give her a lift. Not that Blanche wanted the earache she was sure to get from Tony, but she was pleased to see him as it would save her the bus fare home.

'He saw me waiting. Why didn't he let you off a few minutes early?' Tony complained, stamping on his dog end.

'Go and ask him,' Blanche returned, shrugging into her cardigan. 'Ask Mum why the old git sends her back the coats 'cos she's forgotten to snip a few threads off inside the linings. It's how he is, the miser, and I hate working for him.'

Tony wished he'd kept his mouth shut: his daughter twisted everything about to find an excuse to moan about her job.

'And if you've turned up to start bellyaching about me friends, you're wasting your time.' Blanche got into her father's van.

Tony plunged onto the seat beside her, slamming the door and thumping his fist down on the steering wheel. 'Now you listen to me, my gel! Charlie Potter ain't friends with anyone, least of all someone like you, who's young enough to be his daughter. He's a bad sort with a wife and kids at home.'

Her father's angry outburst turned Blanche's expression sulky. It hadn't come as a surprise when her new boyfriend had admitted he was married, because men of his age were rarely single. Her mother had told her about the amount of men who'd got killed in the Great War, and how it had left women spinsters because there weren't enough of the opposite s.e.x to go round. In Blanche's opinion, there was still a lack of attractive fellows to choose from.

She wasn't bothered about Charlie's home life. It wasn't as though she was thinking of stealing him away to settle down with him. She was just having a bit of fun till the right man came along to take care of her properly.

'You listening to me?' Tony noisily changed gear.

'You don't need to worry about me, Dad.' Blanche gave him a winning smile. 'I ain't your innocent little girl now, am I? I'm all grown up. I've been married, and pregnant, and an older man's mistress, so I know what life's all about.'

'You think being a married man's bit on the side's something to be proud of, do you?' Tony glared at her. He'd hated Blanche being involved with Wes Silver and had guessed from the start that it'd all end in tears. He had to admit, though, he'd gladly see Blanche back with Wes rather than knocking about with a piece of sc.u.m like Charlie Potter.

'Wes knows that you're hooked up with one of his henchmen, does he? Bet he's laughing his b.o.l.l.o.c.ks off about that.'

Blanche shrugged airily, although her father's remark had hit home. She reckoned Wes might be a bit jealous of her seeing Charlie; if anybody was laughing at her it was Wes's cow of a wife. Blanche had come face to face with May Silver just after Wes told her it was all over between them and he was going back to his wife. The older woman had made a point of sneering at her in a way that had made Blanche's fists itch. May would lap up knowing her husband's cast-off was now sleeping with one of the hired help.

'None of Wes's business now, is it, what I get up to? Same as it's nothing to do with you 'n' Mum.'

'That's yer att.i.tude, is it, gel?' Tony pursed his lips, steering the van jerkily round a corner. 'Well, when you get in you can repeat to yer mother what you've just told me, and I reckon she'll tell you where the door is.' He noticed his threat had wiped away Blanche's smugness. 'Think a n.o.body like Potter'll set you up somewhere, do you, when you get kicked out of ours?' He snorted derision. 'You'll get nuthin' off him except a right-hander every time you upset him.'

'Charlie might look a bit rough but he treats me like a lady.'

Tony gave his daughter an incredulous look. 'And you reckon that'll last, do you, once he's had what he wants? Ask his wife how well he treats her. You ain't special to him, Blanche, and you're a mug if you think differently. Remember this, I can't protect you from somebody like him once the novelty's worn off. So you think on ...'

Emo Goldstein was on the way to the bank to pay in the previous day's takings when he spotted his son talking to a blonde dressed in nurse's uniform. He sighed, shaking his head to himself, pulling his trilby's brim low over his eyes so he could pretend he'd not seen them together. He knew who she was, and he knew David wasn't telling the truth when he said he'd thrown her over.

Emo had nothing against Kathy Finch personally; he could understand why his son was smitten. She was a good-looker, doing a good job, and would make someone a fine wife. But not his son.

Her faith and her family went against her in Emo's eyes, and David's mother felt even more strongly that their son should choose a well-bred Jewish girl to marry. If only he'd make an effort to socialise more within the community, David would be a sought-after husband too. He was a handsome boy with nice ways; everybody said so. Emo intended that his only son would have plenty to offer a bride ... as long as she was the right one. Emo wasn't a boastful man but he'd made sure that people knew how generous he intended to be when David found a suitable girl.

He and his wife, Sarah, had believed their son had settled on the perfect wife years ago. But David and Rachel's romance had turned sour before an engagement could be announced.

On reaching the bank, Emo quickly ducked behind a pillar, glad of the shelter as he noticed the couple crossing the road. Peering round the stone, he watched his son and the nurse laughing together. Emo knew if his wife found out he'd seen David with Kathy she would expect a detailed account, including his opinion on how amorous they'd appeared.

Emo frowned, trudging through the bank's doors. His son was a grown man, in his mid-twenties. David would follow his heart and do as he pleased, and his mother would have to get used to it ... or lose contact with her son.

'How are you, Pansy?'

The small girl nodded, as she always did when unwilling to speak. The solemn signal was her way of letting Nurse Finch know she was all right.

Only Kathy was never sure that any of the Potters were really all right.

She had no official reason to continue to come to see Ruby and the children. The woman's confinement had ended a long while ago. But still she felt compelled to find the time to stop by to check on the family whenever she was pa.s.sing. She chose times to call when it was most likely Charlie would be out. If by unlucky chance he were in, Kathy stuck to asking businesslike questions about mother and baby, aware of his gimlet glances on her all the while. When the brute was nowhere to be seen, Kathy would stop and sit down for a chat with Ruby.

'Cup of tea, Nurse Finch?' Ruby offered, putting Paul down in his pram. The woman looked pleased to have a bit of company and went to fill the kettle. 'Sit down at the table if you don't mind the mess ...'

'No tea for me, thanks all the same ... it's a flying visit.' In fact, Kathy had plenty of time as she'd finished her rounds. But she was very aware of how precious were things like tea and milk to women like Ruby, who had to account to mean husbands for every penny they'd spent before they could prise out of them a bit more housekeeping.

Before taking a seat, Kathy peered into the pram and smiled at the sight of the gurgling baby. His dark brown eyes were wide open and he gave her a gummy smile as she tickled his chin. Kathy's smile faded as Ruby came closer and she noticed a yellowing bruise by her temple. Kathy looked away, ruffling Pansy's hair. It was pointless saying anything about the mark; Ruby would insist she'd banged her head on a cupboard or fallen in the back yard, as she always did when showing signs of a beating.

'Are you helping Mummy look after your baby brother?' Kathy pulled out a chair and sat down.

The little girl nodded slowly, pressing together her small lips.

'Big help, she is,' Ruby said proudly. 'Dunks nappies and puts 'em out to dry, don't yer, Pans?'

Again the child nodded, a glimmer of a smile still present.

'You'll miss her when she goes to school,' Kathy said.

Ruby turned away. 'Best off here with me, she is.'

'But ... you want her to learn, don't you?'

'I can teach her what she needs to know.' Ruby's voice sounded brittle.

'Surely you'll want her to learn her sums and so on.'

'I can teach her, I said.'

Kathy bit her lip, falling silent. She knew very well that Ruby's education must have been minimal. The woman could hardly read the instructions that had been with the maternity pack she'd received before Paul's birth. There was little hope of her helping her daughter to read and write.

'You'll get in trouble, Ruby,' Kathy said gently. 'The school board people will find out sooner or later ...'

'Cross that bridge when I come to it,' Ruby snapped. She suddenly looked deflated. 'She's better off here with me. Don't want no mean kids bullying her 'cos of how she is. She gets enough of that here at home.' She suddenly clamped together her lips. 'Better get on now ... lots to do before Peter gets in from school. He'll want his tea and Paul's due a feed.'

'Still got plenty of milk for him?' Kathy asked.

Ruby chuckled. 'Like a bleedin' dairy, I am. Never had this much with me other two.'

'No more soreness, or cracked nipples?' Kathy remembered that just after the birth, Ruby had had a nasty abscess and had vowed to put the baby on the bottle. But she'd persevered with breastfeeding, no doubt because Charlie had refused to stump up for formula milk.

'Nothing like that. He's a gentle little soul even now he's getting his teeth.'

'Toofpegs ...' Pansy suddenly piped up and pointed to the pram.

'Paul's getting his teethpegs, is he?' Kathy asked, hoping to encourage some more words from the little girl. But Pansy had withdrawn again and simply nodded.

'See ... she ain't daft,' Ruby said proudly. 'She's bright as a b.u.t.ton, ain't yer, Pans?'

'All the more reason to get her into school. She'll do well, Ruby, and when the time comes Pansy will get herself a good job with good pay.' Kathy watched the woman's expression turn achingly wistful. 'Peter will surely look out for Pansy if she goes to the same school.' Kathy pressed home her point.

'Ain't risking it.' Ruby again sounded intractable. 'He can't be with her all the while. I know how nasty folk are.'

'Yes ... you do ...' Kathy sighed, standing up to leave. She felt she had made some headway on the subject of Pansy's schooling and it was best to let Ruby mull things over. It was obvious the woman desperately loved and wanted to protect her daughter. An education would help Pansy escape the miserable existence her mother had and Kathy believed Ruby knew it.

Kathy had reached the door when it opened a few inches in front of her face. Charlie Potter entered and she diverted quickly away from him.

'So, Mrs Potter, if you come along to the surgery you can have Paul weighed at the postnatal clinic.' Kathy felt she had to say something to justify her presence.

'He don't need no more weighing, Nurse Finch,' Charlie said, giving Kathy a grin that left his cold eyes unmoved. 'Doin' all right, is little 'un. Ain't that so, Rube?'

The baby, as though startled by Charlie's voice, started to wail, and Ruby rushed to agitate the pram in an attempt to quieten him.

Kathy looked from Ruby to Pansy, noting the same expression of fear stilling their features. They seemed to be holding themselves rigid, waiting for a sign as to the mood of the head of the family.

'Spoke to you, gel ... arst a question,' Charlie reminded his wife. 'Tell Nurse Finch how well nipper's doing.'

Ruby jerked to attention, nodding. 'He's doing well ... we all are ... Nurse knows that. Told her already, ain't I?'

Kathy despised herself for wanting to rush from the menacing atmosphere and into the suns.h.i.+ne outside. She forced herself to step towards Pansy and ruffle her hair. Then with a sense of hopelessness because there was nothing she could do to make the brute go away and leave them all in peace, she said clearly, 'Glad to hear everything's as it should be.' She slipped past Potter and towards the door. 'I'll be round again soon.' She directed her comment at Ruby but the woman avoided her eye and Kathy closed the door quietly behind herself.

'I reckon you been talking out o' turn again, criticising me.'

'I ain't ... I ain't said a word about you.' Ruby backed away as her husband advanced purposefully.

'Why's she keep coming here then, poking her nose in?'

'I don't know,' Ruby said with a catch to her voice. 'I don't ask her to. She's just nice like that ... caring ...'

'I'll give you f.u.c.king caring,' Charlie hissed, his attention diverting as the baby's screams. .h.i.t a peak. 'Shut that poxy brat up or I will.' Charlie glared at the pram and took a menacing step towards it. 'We was doin' all right before you started whorin'. That little b.a.s.t.a.r.d ain't my problem and I want rid of it!' he roared.

'We weren't all right.' Ruby darted to the pram, trying to soothe the baby with her touch while s.h.i.+elding Paul from her husband. 'We've never been all right, and you know it. Ain't Paul's fault.'

'Perhaps if I rearrange his features a bit fer 'im, people might not stare so much and have a good laugh behind me back 'cos me wife's opened her legs fer a Chinaman.' He dived past Ruby and grabbed the howling boy by his clothes. His fist hovered by the baby's boiling, crumpled face, his teeth drawn back in a ferocious snarl. He glanced at Ruby. 'Hate the ugly f.u.c.ker, I do ...'

'I'm sorry, Charlie ... give him here ... please ... make it up to you, I will ...'

'Yeah ... you will ...' Charlie thrust the baby at her.

'Go and get in bed, Pansy,' Ruby whispered as her husband kicked at the pram as he pa.s.sed it, unb.u.t.toning his s.h.i.+rt on his way to the bed. 'Daddy wants his tea.' Carefully, Ruby placed Paul back in his pram, tears sliding down her cheeks.

Pansy climbed onto her grimy bed and crawled under the covers, pulling the blanket over her ears when she heard the thuds and bangs and her mother groaning. When her little brother started to scream louder, she banged her head against the wall that separated the rooms, repeatedly whispering, 'No, Daddy ...'