CHAPTER 14

As soon as the last guest had cleared the dining room Dee was standing in front of her mother sitting at her desk in the hall. “I’m going to see Dexter now,” she said, “I can’t wait until tomorrow. I want to get this done but I’ve got to go now or it’ll be too late. Derek said he’ll clear away the plates and tidy up.” 

“That suits me just fine,” replied Gloria. “Just make sure you bring back all of my money. Remember I know exactly how much there is so don’t think you can pilfer any.” 

“I know that. You count every halfpenny and cry if you lose a single one… I’ll be back in about two hours.”

  Not waiting for a reply Dee was out of the door. As she left Jimmy was standing on the front steps smoking. “Just getting some air,” he said as she pushed past. He took a long draw. Blew the smoke at her as she glanced back scowling. He laughed, thinking, She’s always been a bit stuck up. I wouldn’t like to see her hurt though but I’ve a nasty feeling that all this is going to crash down on her any time soon.   

Dee did not waste time but strode to the bus stop on the seafront. A thirty-minute bus ride. Thirty minutes with Dexter and thirty minutes back. Plus, of course, waiting time. As she left she saw the curtains of the first-floor room in The Paradise flutter but thought nothing of it. She did not notice the stubby camera lens just protruding and she definitely would not have heard the click of the shutter. 

The bus coughed its way up the seafront road just about ten minutes later. There was no problem getting a seat. The conductor in her smart suit and peaked cap clipped a ticket and moved on with the usual ‘Fares please,’ shout. Dee sat downstairs on an aisle seat near the back and twiddled her fingers. She watched the seafront disappear as the bus trundled into town. Jittery was a good way to describe her. She shifted to the window seat as the bus filled at the station tapping her feet remembering the dancehall moves she did with Dexter the other night. How would he react to her news? Disappointment maybe. Would it affect the plans they made to be together? They had talked of getting married. That would be something. How would her mother cope with that? There was no way she would be coming to any wedding of mine, that was certain. Whatever, she was sure they would find a way. After all, She did have a few pounds saved but would it be enough? Dexter had a bit as well but he lived hand to mouth most of the time. It was fair to say that it did not matter how optimistic he was she was certain that at some point he was sure to get caught. No, he had to change track. She was determined about that and, of course, that meant no income until he got a job. The more she thought, the more she scared herself and the more she felt trapped. 

As she walked up to Dexter’s door the nerves started to kick in. She knocked and waited, shuffling her feet. Wringing her hands. Then knocked again and not really giving it enough time, turned to go. The door opened, “Can I help you,” said a lady’s voice. Dee turned back. The lady carried a frown that made her look angry, “Yes,” she carried on, “What is it? Come on, I've not got all day.” 

Dee kind of blurted out, “Is Dexter there… please.” 

“I don’t know. I’m not his secretary. Maybe,” said Dora thinking, I’ll teach him to spurn my advances. 

“Can I see him, please?” replied Dee. 

“My, you’re a pretty one. He’s got good taste for sure. You’re the one who’s been staying, aren’t you? I’ve told him you can’t stay anymore.” 

“That’s a bit mean, isn’t it?” 

“House rules, darling. They can’t be broken.” 

“Can I see him? It’s urgent.”  

“Sorry house rules, sweetheart. Goodbye,” and Dora started to shut the door. 

Dee was desperate. She could not leave without seeing Dexter, so she stuck her foot in the door, pushed hard and barged past Dora yelling, “Dexter, Dexter are you in,” at the top of her voice. 

Dora grabbed hold of her arm as she started to climb the stairs, “No you don’t. I told you. No girls allowed.” 

A door opened upstairs and Dexter shouted down from the landing, “Is that you Dee?” 

“Yes, yes, It’s me, Dexter” yelled Dee, “She won’t let me in.” 

The next thing she was hugging him, “You were coming tomorrow. What’s wrong?” said Dexter, his face frowned and his eyes searching. 

“It’s my mother. We need to go somewhere we can talk.” 

 “Very touching.” said Dora, “I told you no ladies. She can’t stay here.” 

“You really are a vindictive person, aren’t you?” said Dexter. “And nasty to boot. What is this, some kind of revenge? Well, it won't work. I’ve paid you for a month. After that I’ll be leaving and don’t worry we’ll go out somewhere comfortable. This dump in daylight is not the sort of place to invite a real lady anyway.” 

He took hold of Dee’s hand and, pushing past Dora, headed off along the pavement in the direction of the Sea Road, “We’ll go to the pub. You look like you need a drink.” 

Dora watched them walking away. There was a look on her face. Kind of wistful. Maybe remembering. The smile was rueful though and her thoughts were of cutting off noses and faces. Now she would have to try and get another lodger. She cursed, knowing she had let her pride get the better of her.  

 

There’s a George pub in every town and this one was not quite as old as its name. Victorian built, probably for all the London day trippers when the railways made seaside resorts accessible. Like them all, small windows and a deep gloomy space with a load of character. The saloon bar was the place to be. A bit brighter and comfy chairs. Red leather around wooden tables with beer mats everywhere. The long bar with the cheerful barmaid with all the gab and a fella in a checked jacket and loud tie pulling pints who was likely the owner. 

They took a table by the window. “What would you like,” asked Dexter, “Gin?” and laughed. 

“No way,” said Dee, “Cider please. Something not too sweet…I’ve missed dinner. Can you ask if they’ve anything to eat?” 

Dexter was quickly back, “They can do a ham and cheese sandwich. Any good? Or we can go to a restaurant.” 

“That’ll be fine, thanks. There’s no time for anything else. I’ve got to get back,” replied Dee. 

The moment Dexter was back again he put the drinks on the table and sat down, “They’ll bring the sandwich in a moment. Now, tell me what’s happened?” 

“It’s my mother. She’s found out about us taking the money. We have to give it back or she’ll take it out on Derek.” 

“How did she find out?” 

“Jimmy. When we were talking after breakfast just before you left. He’s too sharp to fool. He told my mother we looked intimate and she just put two and two together. She’d already suspected Tolly Parkin and she was suspicious of you anyway. I think too many beezers on one day was too unusual for her not to be. That was unlucky, Tolly Parkin being there, wasn’t it? If he had not been we would probably have got away with it.” 

“You are so right about Tolly Parkin and in more ways than one.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“I haven’t got the money. Tolly Parkin somehow switched cases. Probably when we were leaving. He was behind me in the queue.” 

Dee was staring at Dexter, her mouth half open with words forming, “What,” she exclaimed, “You’ve not got the money… How did he know?” 

“I expect he didn’t. There was no way he would, was there. He’s an opportunist. Saw my case was heavy, knew the contents of his case were likely worthless so took a chance with mine. Simple as that. You know, he’d weighed his case down with a brick, just like I did. How about that? I suspect he’s into all sorts.” 

“Just like you?” 

“Yup, and obviously as good at it as I am.” 

Dee took a long sip of cider and thanked the barmaid who put the sandwich on the table. Taking a bite and with her mouth still a bit full she mumbled, “What are we going to do? She wants her money. If I don’t give it to her tonight she’ll give Derek hell. Make his life not worth living. Not to mention what she’ll try to do to me. Livid is not a big enough word to describe how she’ll be.” 

“What if I come and speak to her?” 

“You’re joking of course. She’ll kill you with one flash of her eyes. No, I’ll just have to tell her and hope for the best. She’ll love it for sure. She’ll have me trapped right where she wants me. Skivvying for the rest of my life or at least until I’ve paid her back.” 

“I can help. I’ll do a few jobs. That’ll get some money for her. Between us we can pay her.” 

“And how long will that take? What does a normal job give you? A few pounds?” 

“A bit more than a few.” 

“But not enough. There were thousands in the safe. It’ll take years.” 

“Okay… I tell you what, I’ll find Tolly. Get the case back from him. I know he comes from London.” 

“Big place London… Wait, I heard him talking to my mother when he was paying after you had left. She said about his accent. Mentioned the East End but he said he was south of the river. Wandsworth, I think.” 

“There you go. Tomorrow I’m off to Wandsworth and I’ll find him and bring the money back even if I have to drag him with it. And there’s another thing. I’ll have an advantage. I’ll be going home.” 

De said, “I’ll come with you.” 

“What about Derek? Don’t you need to stay to look after him. If you say you’ll carry on working she might wait. What do you think?” 

“She might. She’s got nothing to lose, has she. If I carry on working it’ll save her employing someone until we get her money back… Yes, that might work.”  

“That’s it then. I’ll leave early tomorrow. How can I contact you?” 

“Phone the boarding house. She knows so it’ll make no difference… Right, now I need to go… Wish me luck.” 

Dee finished her drink, kissed Dexter then left him thinking what a mess they had created but he would put it right. More than anything he wanted to be with Dee and he would not let this get in their way.