CHAPTER 10

Tolly Parkin strolled away from the Bay View unaware that Dee stood on the step watching. His step had a spring to it. His head high and, even with the weight of the beezer, his arm swung the case almost with a free abandon although he found the weight a bit of a struggle. Satisfaction was a great word. Apart from having to stay in what, quite frankly, he considered a bit of a dive, his trip to Eastbourne had been extremely lucrative in more ways than one.

  The expectation of seeing his captain’s face when he told him would be something for sure. The details of the Manor house dwarfed even his expectation and would certainly give Cap way more detail than he had been expecting. And that thought pleased him immensely. All through the war while, for obvious reasons, the men of his company routinely changed, they had stuck together. A tough, knew how to get it done, captain and his ever-resourceful sergeant.  

After spells in Africa and Italy they had crawled up Gold beach, marched all the way through France and into Germany. The sergeant from the East End who, prior to the war, had to scrounge to survive and the Captain from out of town. Compared to Tolly from the posh part of the world. Would you know it? Certainly not after two years of combat. Then all you saw was the ruthless side of a man whose main mission was to keep more of his company alive then most other units. 

Then demob and they all came home to find life had changed. Sure, there was work but after nearly six years of fighting that way of life had become too ingrained to return to the mundane same old monotonous job routine. Cap knew the way to churn out a living. The same way they operated in France. A quick, in out operation, meticulously planned and executed. Minimal disruption, no casualties and maximum gain. And that was the country house rich man’s province. The places Cap knew things about. Something about schoolboy contacts. That sort of thing. One or two operations a year and they ensured a low profile. Well below the normal villain’s radar that all the police forces in the country concentrated on.   

Yes, he was very content. Not only would his reconnaissance go down well but he had gained a very nice piece, crafted with gold and diamonds. What is more, he still had the excitement of the beezer to come. What a result, nabbed two beezers in the same number of days. He could not remember ever getting anywhere close to that before. As he walked it dominated his mind. What could there be in here? It sure has a bit of weight. He was tempted to stop and have a quick peep but kept walking. He had a train to catch and a captain who’s astonished face he could not wait to see.  

 

At ten in the morning the station was not so busy. A twenty-minute wait until the next train might not have been so bad except he sat on a bench next to an old guy who kept watching Tolly fiddling with the catches. Not wanting the world and this fella to see the contents he frustratingly kept it shut. 

Only about ten people got on the train and none of them were of any interest to Tolly. He jumped in the nearest carriage and as the train started he moved past the seats until he found one towards the back with no one near him. That was the beauty of a terminus station: the train was empty except for the few who got on.  

He had to be quick though. The next station was only a few minutes away and from there on the train would start to fill up particularly as it got nearer to Victoria. He flicked the catches and lifted the lid. Then quickly shut it and looked around. Lifted the lid a fraction for a subtle peek. Glanced up and down the carriage. Looked into the joining corridor. Then lifted it again. Halfway and kept his hand on the handle. Glanced again. Nobody was visible. Opening the case fully he pursed his lips and let out a long slow whistled.  

Staring at the notes and bags of coins only one thought struck him, How much is here? Staring at it for a long time he snatched quick glances just to make sure he was not being watched. He could not believe his luck. Thought about Dexter. How he was a snappy dresser but where did he get all of this? Surely, he must know by now he’s had his case lifted. If Dexter thought I’d switched cases he’d come after me, wouldn’t he. But he would have been at the station by now. So, I’m away. I didn’t leave any address with that Gloria Dubonnet so, if he wanted to find me, there’s no way of tracing me. In London I’m just another ex-soldier amongst the many. Anonymous. There’s most likely no way he’ll ever find me. He closed the case and sat back with a grin that cracked his face. 

 

Dexter slumped into the armchair in the bay window and stared at the open case. The brick wedged in tightly and wrapped in the towels. There was only one explanation. Tolly Parkin. He was standing behind him in the queue waiting to pay and he was carrying a beezer. He looked a bit sharp swaggering around the dining room. And that kick of my case. Lifting it like he did. That was real sneaky. He was checking the weight for sure. Look at that brick. It’s just like he’s stolen my plan. 

His gaze shifted around the bedroom, What a dump. These places I stay in, all of them are rubbish. The landladies in their flowery aprons and charming smiles are nothing short of con artists. Selling a room like a slum with inedible food. This one though, she’s not so bad. Not bad looking with her fluttering come to bed eyes. Even so, I need to get out of this way of life. 

Standing he kicked the chair. Made it scrape across the floorboards. Not even any carpet. Just that worn out rug. He looked at the chair, the small chest with drawers that stuck, the single wardrobe, the bed with bad springs and the curtains that did not work. The other room was no better. A beaten-up sofa, useless table, and a bookshelf with no books. Another rug covering the floorboards. I thought I was going to get out of my life of just scraping a living. And with a girl who’s the nicest thing to happen to me ever. Damn Tolly Parkin. 

He kicked the chair again. Looked at his watch. Too much time has passed for sure but you never know I’ll go to the station anyway. I know it’s too late but at least I’ll be able to tell Dee I did my best. London. That’s where he’s from. I’ll see Dee tomorrow and then I’m off to London. I’ll track the bastard down if it’s the last thing I do. Should I go and tell Dee. Phone maybe. No, I can’t do that, her mother would find out we took the money. I’ll wait until she comes tomorrow to talk to her. 

As he came down the stairs he saw Dora Kemp waiting in the hallway. Deliberately standing in the sun coming through the front door’s half glass panel. Wearing a dusty pink slightly see-through dress with the light outlining her trim figure. Probably her best frock. She had a kind of mischievous look on her face. She was smiling, “I heard you coming,” she said. “We need a little chat.” 

“Not got the time just now, Dora,” replied Dexter, smelling alcohol. “Got to get to the station.” 

“This won’t take a moment… You’ve seen the sign?” she said pointing at the framed panel on the wall, “No girls.” Was that a slight slur? 

Dexter sighed. He had been expecting this, “I’ve seen it,” he said. 

“And ignored it. Five times she’s stayed here. It’s not good enough, Dexter.” 

“Doesn’t hurt though, Does it?” 

“It’s the rules. I could make an exception though.” She moved closer. Put her hand on his arm. He could smell her perfume. Subtle. Actually, quite nice. “A strong, fit man like you with all your charm. I bet you make all the girls squirm.” She ran her tongue over her lips. “Like I said, I can make an exception. Just an hour of your time is all it’ll take. You won’t regret it if you know what I mean.” Her voice was purring now. She ran her tongue over her lips again this time though she was staring into his eyes. 

“I know all right and the answer’s no. Now, I’ve got to go.” 

“Are you sure? You could be making a big mistake.” 

“Definitely. Now, please, I'm in a rush.” 

“Your choice,” she paused, maybe thinking. Looked at Dexter and made the decision. “Okay, off you go and… no more. You don’t entertain that young lady in your room again. Thank you.” She barged past Dexter, threw him a look of frustration and slammed the door to the back room. How dare he spurn me like that. One way or another sometime soon I’ll make him pay. Just wait and see what it’s like to spurn Dora Kemp. 

  

Jimmy Raynott watched Gloria leave the sitting room. He was still stroking his moustache. Suddenly realising he dropped his hand and stood up. Wandered over to the window and stared along the street. He had never really been sure how he felt about Gloria. Late 1940 was when he came to stay for a few nights. He had goods to collect and needed somewhere discreet. In his line of work a low profile was essential. 

Why was he not fighting? He was fit enough and strong enough. Was resourceful enough to make a good sergeant that was certain. Flat feet, that was why. The curse of his life. He had not been conscripted; he had volunteered. Right at the outset of war he had volunteered to do his bit and was prepared to do that and some more if necessary. But they said he would not be able to march. It would damage his joints so they classed him as unfit for duty. 

One thing Jimmy had always nurtured were contacts and that was when they came good. The black market was where he found himself. All those extras to smarten up your life but at a price, of course. Boom time for sure for an under the counter trader like him. He could spot a bargain, no doubt about that. Spot a scam and turn it into not so hard-earned wealth and loads of it. The Bay View Boarding House and Gloria Dubonnet provided an opportunity. A natural outlet for his stock. Bernie had gone to war and the goodtime girls and servicemen had moved in and they all wanted the things he could offer. 

And there was Gloria. He saw straight through her, of course. A convent educated lowlife girl with aspirations and attitude who had snagged an upmarket fella yet to discover how the world went round. For Gloria the perfect combination. For Jimmy she represented the perfect partnership in more ways than one. Sure he was married but did he care? Not a bit of it, life was for living. Then Bernie did not come home and well… for Jimmy the good life just kept on going. He made a good living with his bits and pieces, not least the commission from her investments and the ‘goods’ he sold her. Now though he sensed things were changing. Dee had suddenly grown teeth and that, he thought, would make one hell of a difference to Gloria’s world. Yup, he was sure. A time was rapidly approaching when he would have to make a choice. A dull but kind and thoughtful woman, his wife, or a strong, vibrant but volatile one. The one thing he thought might tame her: He had control of her investments. 

Dee would be back soon and he wanted to be around when that confrontation started. She had grown up with him always around. He knew she resented him. Why was that? Maybe because of his associations or perhaps at one time he had tried to be nice and be a dad to her. Anyway, it did not matter, he liked her and would not let anything happen to her when the sparks began to fly.