CHAPTER 12

The case was tucked tightly between Tolly’s legs as the train started to fill. Was he nervous? Of course not, he was just being protective. That was what light-fingered villains do. They expect others with the same inclination to be on every train. One thing was certain if there was anyone sneaking a peek, no way would they hit the jackpot at his expense. He watched the crowds pour onto the train as they approached London. Nodded at the man sitting next to him wearing a red tie, no hat, no case but who glanced more than once at the beezer. The man lit a Woodbine and blew smoke his way as he stared out of the window. Tolly pushed his case nearer the side and wedged it securely with his foot. 

One stop away from Clapham Junction he said a word to the man who shifted so he could stand. Tolly moved to a position near the exit door with his hand firmly gripping the handle. Glanced over his shoulder and saw the fella was not following. He thought of the gold jewellery in his pocket. Victoria had been his destination then the short stroll to Pimlico and a meeting with the captain. That piece of jewellery had changed that. It was his perks and he wanted to put the chain and pendant somewhere safe. Now he had decided to get off at Clapham Junction with about a thirty-minute walk to his place in Wandsworth. The cash? Perks as well? He was tempted but maybe there was too much. He would take it to Cap. After all, they were partners, weren't they. He would be pleased. The result of a piece of swift thinking, good luck and brazen opportunity. That was what Tolly did best. Make the most of an opportunity. There was enough for both of them. They would split it. Fifty-fifty as usual. 

Clapham Junction had more than its share of people waiting to make the last hop to London. He had to barge his way onto the platform past a queue waiting to get on. There was no problem making the street though. Most moved quickly when they got off a train as though they were desperate to get out into the fresh air after enduring the cramped, smoke-filled carriages.  

Just outside the station he slowed as he walked past the bus stop. Tempted? Of course, but then he thought, Why waste a nice day stuck on a busy bus. Gazed up to look at the deep blue sky with just the occasional cloud. The high-flying wispy sort. Yeah, why waste a day like this. There ain’t so many after all. Walking past the short queue he picked up pace and strode with the purpose of a contented man in the direction of Wandsworth wondering how long it would be before the heavy case made the decision seem stupid. 

 

Turning into his street he saw his landlady come out of her house, down the short path, hit the pavement and head his way. That made him smile. Look at the old bird. She’s all of sixty and as chirpy as a thirty-year-old. All this sun and she wears that smart coat and that thick felt hat with that long pin. It’s a wonder she doesn’t poke her brains out with that. What did she say? ‘Bad circulation darling. It’s me blood, it’s too thick. Me feet and hands are always cold.’ Here she comes. This’ll be fun. 

Tolly watched her kind of waddle her way towards him. Head down, coat undone and flapping. The coat, a deep blue. The colour of her eyes. A pale blue dress with white flowers showed underneath. Her hat not daring to shift. She looked smart enough for church. He could hear her muttering as she approached swinging a large, cloth shopping bag. 

Just as she reached him she looked up and seemingly noticed Tolly for the first time, “Hello, darling,” she said, her blue eyes sparkling and a wide grin showing teeth with the stains of time. Patted her grey, lacquered hair. 

“You look like you're on a mission, Mavis,” replied Tolly, smiling, “and looking all snapped up. Going somewhere special?” 

She flicked a hand at his arm. Pushed with her fingers and said, “All those nice things you say, darling. You make me smile. Everyone needs to smile, don't they. We’d all go bonkers if we didn’t smile. What do you think, sweetheart?” 

“Look at me, Mavis. I’m smiling, aren’t I? You and me, we won’t go bonkers, will we?” 

“I can’t, can I. I’m already there, she cackled, “Ha ha ha, how about that, eh. The best way to not go bonkers is to already be bonkers… You do smile a lot though, Tolly, so you should be all right. You’ve a special big smile today. You must be happy… What’s in the case, darling? It looks heavy.” 

“The fruits of a hard day’s work.” 

“Well just be careful you don’t get caught. I can’t stand the thought of a trip to the scrubs on visiting day.” 

Tolly thought, She’s sure a wise old canary. Then said, “Don’t worry Mavis. It’s all pukka.” 

“Yeah, sure it is, dearie… Anyway, be careful… Now, I’m off to the shops to get your tea. You’ll be here for tea, won’t you?” 

“Sorry, Mavis, I’m meeting my captain this afternoon. I’ll be back late, might even stay over there, so I’ll get something out. Hope that doesn’t put you out too much. I was going to tell you when I got in.” 

“No problem. I’ll get something for tomorrow. How about that?” 

“Perfect, we’ll have a little party, eh? And thank you, Mavis.” He pulled two fives from his pocket, “Here, buy yourself something nice. A new dress, maybe.” 

“Are you sure, that’s a lot of money… Ere, that is earned money, Isn’t it?” she said, looking at Tolly and frowning. 

“Of course it is. Cap and I’ve had a few good deals lately. You know the sort of thing. Wholesale sold down the market. Don’t worry about it. You look after me too well. I want to treat you.”  

“I know, you’re a lucky fella… Thank you, Tolly… You know, you’re just like my Alfie. He gave me little sweeteners as he called them.” She suddenly stopped talking and Tolly saw a familiar shadow pass over her face. He knew all about sergeant Alfie Tibbs. He had patiently listened to her stories most evenings at dinner. “Yes… just like my darling boy, Alfie… Right, enough of this. I’m on me way. He’s a real nice fella is that captain of yours but you take care, Tolly, and I mean it.” She tenderly touched his arm then perked up and said, “See you later, darling,” and toddled off turning the corner. It was a ten-minute walk to the shops but she would be gone quite a while. In her little huddle of natterers it took a long time to hear and tell all the news and gossip. 

Tolly watched until she had turned the corner. She could be right. It could be time for a career change. Our luck will not hold forever. Then thought about opportunities and the contents of the beezer as he slid in his key and headed upstairs to his room. The one at the front. The biggest and guess what? Yes, it had been Alfie’s. It was spotless. The bed changed. The carpet vacuumed. The easy chair with puffed up cushions. Washed and ironed laundry laid out on top of the chest of drawers. Clean towel and a new bar of soap. She’s an angel for sure. Maybe, if for no other reason, I owe it to Mavis Tibbs to tidy up my act. In that moment he suddenly realised Mavis meant more to him than anything. Losing his mum to the bombs had been difficult. Finding Mavis had been just a stroke of luck or was it fate. Ten years he had lived here, straight after demob and he had never felt the need to move. 

 

Putting the case on the bed he flicked the catches and stared at the contents. Ten bags of silver and all those notes. Fivers, pounds and ten bob notes. He lifted a couple of piles. They went right to the bottom. There’s a few thousand here for sure. No time now, We can count it at Cap’s house. He shut the lid then opened it again and slipped ten fivers from one of the piles into his pocket. Then shutting the lid again picked the catches to lock them just in case. You never knew when a pair of slippery fella’s hands would have a go.  

Opening the wardrobe door he felt along the back of the top shelf behind a couple of folded pullovers and pulled out a wooden box with a locked lid. Taking the small key on his keyring he undid the lock, took the jewellery from his inside pocket and put it on top of the rest of the items in the box. Took a few seconds to look. His rainy-day stash and accumulating. Smiling, he locked the box and put it back on the shelf. Pulled back his sleeve and looked at his new watch. In the box? No, it looks good just where it is. 

He had to leave. Cap would already be expecting him. Out of the door and a short walk to the bus stop. One hour or so to Victoria then a short walk to Cap’s house. Easy, just about one and a half hours late. There were any number of excuses he could use but Tolly knew he was unlikely to be asked. He sat upstairs so he could watch the world go by. 

Just under the one hour thirty he strolled the short distance from Lupus Street where the bus stopped and was bashing the knocker on the front door of Cap's mid-terrace house. Old, that’s what it was. Those London stock bricks and a slate roof. That subtle dark yellow brown brick that gave these old houses a mellow look. By the look of the windows 1820’s and pristine. It went back a ways so was a deceptive place. Four main front windows with one above the door, two each side of the front door lighting big rooms. Out the back a small yard covered with stone slabs with trailing plants hanging off the tall garden walls. 

A door slammed somewhere towards the back and there were footsteps in the hall. Cap’s face appeared in the open doorway grinning, That was the thing with Cap he was always grinning. Tall, definitely over six feet and stood very upright giving himself the best chance to use all that height. How old? Thirty-eight at the end of the war and still looked nowhere near his age. Tolly had never seen him wear much else other than the grey flannels and loose hanging jacket that looked like it was about to flop off his shoulders. A casual look for sure that matched his laid-back style. 

Brushing his blond hair from his face, he said, “Hey, Tolly come in. Been expecting you. Maybe a bit sooner but what the heck, here you are.” 

Tolly followed him down the hallway to the back. Into the kitchen with its range cooker and white wood table. Cap, putting the kettle on the stove. “Tea?” Tolly took off his jacket and sat. 

“Sure Cap, that would be nice. Make it a big mug. You know the sort, eh?” 

“Army sort. Yeah, I know. Old habits and all that. How’d it go? How was that place I booked you into?” 

Tolly chortled, “Terrible. Run by a dragon with a daughter who looked like an angel. But it did the job. Got a good night’s sleep and here I am. Tell you what though, the woman’s daughter is an absolute stunner.” 

Mention of Dee caught Cap’s interest, “Yeah.” he said.” What’s she like?” 

“Lovely. Great personality. Like I said, a right stunner but I’ll tell you… she’s got a temper. She gives her mother a right mouthful. That old witch gives her a real hard time but she bites back. Gives a good account of herself.” 

“So, she stands up for herself?” 

“Definitely. I got the impression up until recently that Gloria Dubonnet,” Tolly snatched a quick laugh. “Can you believe that name, just so fake… Anyway, until recently I got the impression she had the upper hand but now… that girl is giving her hell and she doesn’t like it.”  

“That’s a nice watch. Is it new?” Cap said, suddenly changing the subject. 

“Sort of,” replied Tolly, “The man on Victoria station kissed his wife who said something about a birthday present as I barged past.” 

“You just can’t help it, can you? You’ll end up getting us into trouble. I suppose it’s ‘perks’ as usual?” 

“Opportunities. Don’t waste them. It's how I was brought up. I can’t help it if I’ve got second sense as far as these things are concerned and yeah, perks, if that’s okay. It’s kind of hard to cut in half.”  

“Sure… What’s in the beezer?” said Cap, nodding at the case. 

“A pile of goodies to make up for the watch. That’s what. Look…” Tolly picked the locks and flipped up the lid. “That was exactly my reaction,” he said, listening to the long drawn-out whistle. 

“How much is there?” 

“Not sure. Definitely a few thousand.” 

“Where did you get it?” 

“From the boarding house.” 

“What, you stole it from there?” 

“Sort of. Someone else did the stealing. Where from I don’t know. He just had this heavy looking beezer and well… 

“Opportunities, eh?” 

“Yup. A tall, good-looking fella in a snappy suit. Dexter Carmichael he called himself. Had the look. I’d say a this and that man. A charmer for sure. I had lifted a similar looking case from the train. You know, for the knocker thing at the Manor House. This fella’s case looked heavy. I knew mine had just a few bits. Bars of soap and the like. And there it was. A momentarily unattended beezer that looked so like mine even Sherlock Holmes himself couldn't tell. So, what else was I to do? I switched them. Bit of luck, eh. Goes to show there are always opportunities. What do you think?” 

“I think that’s great work, Tolly. We’ll count it later. Now, tell me the story about the Manor House?” Cap said as the whistle blew. He let it reach a deafening crescendo before removing the kettle.   

“Why’d you always do that? Let it blow like that. It kills me ears,” said Tolly. 

“You recognise it? It sounds like a shell going over. After six years of imminent death I need to be reminded I’m alive. You know how it is.” 

“I do… You still get the dreams?” 

“They don’t go away but they’re fading. I still wake up though and there’s the whistling.” 

“There could be a better way to discover you’re alive… Girls maybe? How about we go and meet a couple of nice ladies? Go dancing. Like we used to. How about that as a better way?” 

“Yeah, tell me the story about the Manor House first then I’ll decide.” 

Tolly was almost jumping to get it said. He’d been waiting for this all the way home. Talking like his life depended on it, he said, “It’s like you said Cap, the perfect place. I went to the backdoor with a few things to sell like you said to do. Had a tussle with this crusty old cook who was impossible to sweet talk, so I thought it was a non-starter. But then the housekeeper came out. She was nice. Made me tea and everything.” 

“Everything? You mean that?” 

“Of course not. Just that she was so nice. Gave me a downstairs tour. The front door is well locked at night. The normal house lock, plus a deadlock and a chain. Oh, and there’s the two bolts. Top and bottom. Sealed up tight as a tin of sardines…” 

Cap eyebrows raised a touch as he said, “I think I hear there’s a but coming though.” 

“There sure is. They’ve got all these locks on the door but right next to it is an old sash window. The locks bolted shut and the sliding windows looked like they had been screwed to the frame but there’s a big piece of glass that’ll come out easy as you like but could make a bit of noise.”  

“Is that the way in?” 

“Could be but I think the housekeeper’s office might be better. The sash window’s old and just has the usual catch. It’ll be easy to open. The house keys are hanging on the wall so if we needed to, we could open the back door.” 

“What about the safe? Any ideas?” 

“Probably in the study. On the right of the front door as you come in. Off the main hallway. The lady said it’s always locked when they're away. The locked door’s no problem though. It’s a standard door lock. I’ll pick it in thirty seconds. It's quite a way from the housekeeper’s room.” 

“Would that matter?” 

“Maybe not. The route in that way is from a courtyard so nice and quiet. It’s not really overlooked. The window by the front door… big bit of glass to get out, Drop it and… well it would be like an alarm bell, wouldn’t it. I think the courtyard route is best. Much quieter. Secluded as well. We might just be able to sneak in and away without them realising.” 

Cap thought for a few seconds. Then said, “You’ve seen the place, Tolly. What do you think?” 

“The back way is best.” 

“Okay, that’s it. We’ll go with the back door route if you think it’s best… The security is pretty sloppy then?” 

“Yeah. Sloppy for a diamond dealer for sure. And there’s another thing the nice lady told me. They’re away for two weeks. Just that old goat of a cook and the housekeeper on board. Oh, and a gardener but he’s in a cottage by the gate and that’s a hundred yards or so away.” 

“Any idea what sort of safe there might be?” 

“Nope. I doubt the lady would’ve known even if I’d persuaded her to tell me. Besides, if I’d asked, she'd know we were going to turn the place over, wouldn’t she?” 

Cap nodded and said, “No matter. If it's a lock you might be able to pick it. If not, I can try the combination. See if I can hear the tumblers. I’ve cracked them before.” 

“Yeah, once is all I can remember.” 

“But I’ve done it, haven’t I. Anyway, if that fails, we take the explosives and blow the bloody hinges off. Doesn’t matter about the noise. The ladies won’t make too much of a fuss and a gardener a hundred yards away… too far. We’ll clear the safe in a minute and be away. This thing with diamonds: they’re small and light.” 

“We’ll need to be smartly away. That cook… Well, she could lash you to death with a couple of well-aimed words so be aware.” 

Cap laughed and said, “I’ll remember that… They’re away for two weeks, you said?” 

“Yup, a pretty big window of opportunity to get this done. Will the safe be full?” 

“There’ll be enough for us for sure. Don’t worry about that.” 

“When then?” 

“Let’s do it in four days. Monday night. Even though there’s only the two ladies there, maybe things will be a bit slack then.” 

“Good thinking. So tonight. How about a bit of fun for a change.” 

“Okay. What about down the Pally over towards Chelsea. That’s where the jitterbug ladies go. Thursday is half price for ladies' night. Booze and loads of swinging girls. Will that suit you?” 

“Perfect. Something to eat first then get to the action. I’m already there.” 

At that moment the phone rang. “Hang on,” said Cap, “Got to get that,” and he disappeared into the hall. 

Tolly could not hear much but did hear Cap say something about Monday and him finishing the call with a, ‘Thanks I owe you,’ and that made Tolly frown. 

When Cap returned he said, “Anything important?” 

“Nope, just an old school friend. He’s been doing me a favour and we’re going to catch up in a couple of weeks… Now how about we go and get something to eat?” And that ended the conversation.