CHAPTER 26

It was fair to say Jimmy Raynott was feeling rather pleased with himself when he arrived back at the boarding house on Friday. Having dropped off the tins without a hitch he had just over one hundred and ten pounds in his pocket and, of course, he had Dexter Carmichael right where he wanted him if he returned home. The first thing he noticed when he walked into the boarding house hall: Gloria was not at her desk. Then the din from the kitchen started. Gloria shouted. Then a door slammed and there was Dee’s voice calming as usual.

   Jimmy could not make out what was being said but Gloria suddenly came out of the kitchen and stormed along the hall. Slumped into her chair, leant back taking a moment's thought. Then sighed, “That bloody cook… Oh, hello, Jimmy. Hope you’ve had a good day because it’s been a bundle of fun here.” 

“Better than yours by the sound of it.” 

“Kitchen troubles. What’s new about that though? It’s the meat tins. That dimwit Derek can’t work them out.” 

“But Dee’s sorted it by the sounds of it.” 

“Yes, the little madam… If she hadn’t poked her nose in I could’ve done it. When she’s there Derek will only listen to her…” The sound of cutlery rattling came from the dining room, “There she is. In the dining room. I’ve got words to finish saying to her.” And she was up and striding down the hall. 

Jimmy was going to say to give it a rest but instead just watched her disappear into the dining room then listened to the tirade of what was, as far as he was concerned, unnecessary nonsense. It was not long before she was back. 

“Guess what?” she snapped, “No news of my money.” 

“But, sweetness, it’s only been a short while. You know it might take a few days, don’t you. Dexter’s got to find Tolly Parkin first.” 

“I know, I know, no need for you to go on as well. It’s just that… well, it’s just that…They had better get it, Jimmy,” she blurted out.” They just need to or I could end up short of funds. Me, short of funds. That’ll be a turn up, wouldn’t it. And with all that money invested.” Her voice mellowed as she continued, “What about the investments, Jimmy? Any chance of tapping them? Maybe just a tinsey little bit to tide me over.” 

“Not really. The thing is the cash needs to stay where it is for about six months or it might lose a bit of value.” 

“What if I get desperate?” 

“It’ll make no difference.” 

 “Okay, so how much are we talking about? How much will it go down?” 

“I’m not too sure. Maybe not so much. I’d have to ask the question.” 

Gloria took a moment to think about something that suddenly crossed her mind. She had the look of almost panic on her face as she almost whispered, “You said it was safe. Are you sure? I can't afford to lose all that as well. There’s way more than there was in the safe here.” 

“Of course I’m sure. It’s cast iron. You know I’ve put a big chunk of my money with it, don’t you. I wouldn’t do that if there was a risk. Don’t worry about it. In six months you'll double your money.” 

“All right… I suppose it’s okay. It’s just with the other money being stolen I feel vulnerable. I can’t stand the thought of losing money. Even just a little bit… Tell you what, though. Could you ask? See if you can get me a few hundred. It’ll make me feel so much better.” 

“Of course, my sweet. I’ll make the call tomorrow. Around lunchtime is always best… Now, this is something I want to talk to you about. Do you see the Paradise is for sale? There’s great investment potential there. What about buying it? We could use the profits from the investment. You and me. Partners.” Jimmy was thinking all about the potential all right. He was thinking it would be the perfect place to filter some more of his illicit purchases into the market at the best price. The fresh meat included. No selling to the punters. Cut out the hotel owners and double his profits. He had thought about persuading her to use the money Dexter had stolen but that would mean she would own it and he wanted a partnership so he could control her. That meant putting up some of his own cash and that meant the investments. 

Gloria was frowning and Jimmy knew she was thinking about what he had said, “Wouldn’t the owners want to move quicker than the six months it would take to make the investment work?” 

“They might but I’ve thought of that. If they did, we could take a short-term loan, in joint names, secured against this place. Just for six months. Then we’d be able to pay it off. There wouldn’t be too much interest to pay and the cost would be more than worth it. In a couple of years we’d clean up.”  

Gloria did not reply but looked down at her desk and started shovelling a few papers about. “What is it?” Jimmy asked. 

“That’s a nice thought but it wouldn’t work, Jimmy.” 

“Why not?” 

“I’ve not got the deeds for this place and I’d need them to raise the money. Bernie would not let me have them. It was the one thing he put his foot down about and wouldn’t shift no matter how much I threatened him.” 

“But he’s dead. Why have you not done something about it? A good solicitor would have sorted it out for you.” 

“What… are you mad? Do you know how much they cost? They're just a bunch of crooks. All of them. All they do is suck money out of you with endless paperwork and fancy words. I’d not pay any of them a penny, even when I’m dead I wouldn’t, especially when there’s no need. Bernie’s dead. He went to war and didn’t come back. Missing presumed dead the telegram said and that’s the clue, isn’t it. Dead. He’s dead, they said so and he’s not come back, has he. So, the place is mine. Simple as that.” 

“But you need the deeds. The place needs to be in your name. Effectively he still owns it, doesn’t he?” 

“Not if he’s dead he doesn’t. Anyway, I’m not sure I want another place. This place is enough work.” 

“But the opportunity, Gloria, think of all the money we’d make. You and I we’d end up rich. We could have a top floor suite with a view of the sea. Our own little haven. Think of that.” 

And Gloria thought. Thought for quite a long time. It had an appeal but borrow money? That was not the sort of thing she could ever persuade herself to do. Give even the smallest drop of interest to one of those weasley bankers with their pinstriped suits and smarmy smiles. There was no way. 

So she said, “Tell you what, Jimmy. I’ll think about it. If the Paradise has not sold by the time our money comes back, maybe I’ll do it then but I’ll not borrow anything to do it. And don’t even think about using the cash Dexter is returning. That’s my rainy-day money and it’ll not be spent.”