Brick Lane
With slow steady steps, the tall lonely shade crossed the shrouded from the fog Brick Lane *. It was not the first time that his feet led him there, nor the last.
The Brick Lane of East London was the kind of road, that the majority would avoid it like the devil the incense.
With a long history behind it, had hosted generation after generation of thugs. From low pickpockets and pimps of the vulgar love, to large mobsters and murderers. A patchwork of the underworld centralized in a street.
In the mornings the Lane was a flea market, of cheap products. The nights, however, the bars and brothels were its kings. Gambling joints and illegal dog fighting clubs were its lords. There, at nights everyone was equal, there at night almost everyone could become anonymous. Almost.
Indeed most of people would avoid it, but Duke Grandchester was not one of them. He liked the anonymity the street offered. Not always of course, but most of the times. Although he had stopped drinking for many years, he couldn't deny that he liked a good game of poker. The kind of poker definitely not played in the royal salons, or at the theatrical circles.
With a nod of his head greeted the bouncer at the door and passed to the clouded from the smoke club. It had not been very crowded tonight. He preferred it that way. He glanced at the back of the room, on stage there was a girl singing, he had not seen before. He stood there for a while when he was approached by a waiter.
-'' Good evening, Sir.''
-'' Hello Patrick.''
-'' Long time seeing you Sir, you will pass through the card club or shall I find you a table here?''
-'' Melanie, where is she tonight?'' he asked with a typical slow tone, but with his eyes still on the stage.
The waiter looked at him nearly apologetically.
-'' Melanie, is not working here anymore Sir ...''
Terry then turned toward him and his look was showing that it wasn't enough that for an answer.
-'' ... she has stopped working quite some time, the boss ... sent her away when he heard she was sick ...''
He raised his eyebrows in amazement, "…sick?"
After the death of his father and everything that followed with the title and the succession, which in essence imposed upon him, Terry spent some time isolated in his castle at Scotland. Then were followed a number of tours across Europe with the Royal Shakespearean Company, so his visits to Brick Lane and its bars were cut for a long period. Certainly the first time that he stopped being a daily habitué was when he found out about Albert's death. Then, that he had reached the brink of collapse. That night, before he went and locked in his childhood room, was also the last time he had seen Melanie.
Melanie Woods. A brunette beauty, which she for the last years had offered him the warmth of her bed. A relationship without obligations, without guilt. Came up to his mind her eyes, as for the first and last time, that night Terry opened up his soul to someone. The single tear that rolled down her face confessed not only her compassion for him, but also the hopes she had. Hopes he knocked down, because she realized that his heart would never have space for another woman than Candy.
Melanie Woods. How much different was from Candy, a reason that he had chosen her, was that exactly. He didn't want any female presence that reminded of her. Yes, he had liked Melanie, but he could never give her anything more than what he offered her, some warm nights. Nothing more.
That was the last night he saw her. Spent year and a half touring, and when he returned to England, he wrote that letter to Candy.
But the fact that he never got a reply until today, Terry didn't have the time to work it out mentally, because of his father's death.
-'' Sick you said? ...''
-'' Yes sir, tuberculosis ...''
Terry understood very well what that meant but he remained thoughtful, without saying anything.
-'' ... I just pity for the baby girl,'' muttered Patrick.
-'' Eh… What little girl?''
-'' Melanie's girl, Mr. Graham ...''
-'' Melanie, had a child?''
-'' Yes, yes ... well, I forgot you have been away too long, forgive me '' he added the waiter with a shake of his head,'' ...you see Sir, shortly after you stopped coming at the club, Melanie gave birth to a beautiful baby, hmm... I think … Teresa was calling her '' Patrick said with a smile.
Jeff Carson
-'' Good morning George '' said Candy and they were led together in the small office she had in her apartment in London. Offered him a cup of coffee, serving one for herself too and they sat down on the comfortable armchairs opposite the desk.
-'' Yesterday, went extremely well the charity campaign at East London, thank you George,'' said Candy formally, but with a touch of looseness.
-'' It was my pleasure, Mrs. Candy, I couldn't agree more, but how about the little one… how is she?''
Candy left a sweet smile, which however then became an expression of concern.
-'' Good I think, she's still sleeping. She was very tired and very hungry... George, how's going the investigation? Do we have any information or it is still too soon?''
-'' Everything indicates that it is just one more orphan, though we found out some things.''
- ''That are…''
-'' We have not confirmed yet, but probably we found the traces of the mother.''
- '' She is alive?! '' Candy asked surprised.
-'' No, probably she isn't alive, by the different stores that we asked at the local market, have led us to a bar'', George paused, he saw on Candy's look that she understood what he was going to say,'' …eventually we learned that she was working at some cabaret. She danced and sang. Someone said she was sick for a long time, probably tuberculosis.''
-'' At the sanatorium have you asked?''
-'' Yes, she was hospitalized for a short period, but after her exit from there, her traces were lost.''
-'' Right…'' said Candy thoughtful, while she was turning over a small object inside her handful nervously. George noticed it but preferred not to say anything.
-'' What about the father; is there any information?''
-'' She wasn't married, he could be anyone, the nature of her work was such that she had contact with several men.''
At that moment a chestnut haired little girl appeared at the edge of the door, still wearing her nightgown and opening wide her little mouth in a big yawn.
-'' … Fairy Godmother...''
-'' Oh! She woke up the princess?! '' Candy said tenderly and got up from her seat to take a hug the toddler.
Teresa was rammed in the warm embrace of Candy and nibbling her little thump, she closed her eyes.
-'' Mrs. Candy, what would you do with the child? Obviously, due to work, it will be hard to keep her with you''.
-'' I am aware of it George, but I don't want to put her in an orphanage at London. If you noticed yourself from our visits to them, they have nothing in common with the orphanage of Pony.''
-'' Yes, so what you are thinking?''
-'' I'll find a nanny to take care of her while we are in London and when we return for Christmas in America, I will take her to Pony's. This is why we must make sure that there are no parents who could look for her.''
-'' I will make sure to continue the research on this matter ...'' said George and seemed to want to continue his sentence, but Candy smiling faintly, interrupted him.
-'' ... I know what you want to say George, about the other event which took place yesterday ...''
-'' Mrs. Candy it is not funny these issues,'' he replied nearly paternally.
-'' I never said George that it is funny, but we have to help him.''
-'' Jeff Carson has been in trouble with the underworld of London! We have no job to mingle with…'' told her a bit more intense, but always keeping his typical tone.
Candy's mind went at yesterday, recalling the events. Events, that at that time, she didn't know that they would be changing all her life.
They had organized one more charity road campaign at poor East London, where they distributed food, toys and clothes to the slums.
In consultation with the Mayor of London, who turned out a great admirer of Mrs. Ardley, she was given the authorization once every month doing this campaign in different poor districts of the city.
It was an ordinary day, for the day-laborers Londoners, when a large luxurious car, stopped at the small square, followed by a couple of trucks.
A beautiful well-dressed lady, made her appearance from the inside of the car and she started giving instructions to her workers to begin unloading and handing out the gifts to the crowd that primarily from curiosity had encircle the trucks. To seeing a lady of the high society, in their neighborhood handing out herself the food and toys to the children, it wasn't something that they saw frequently. The day was flowing pleasantly, Candy accepted a cup of tea and drank it there on the street along with everyone else, there were some jokes also and joy pervaded.
It happened around the time they were about to leave, all of a sudden her gaze fell to a nearby dark alley. She saw two large sized men having cornered a poor little young man…or a child it was?... What was certain, he was very small, compared with the two bullies. The typical Candy and her instinct of defense awakened and without even herself figure it how, she started running going towards there. George gestured to some workers to follow him and practically he ran panicky behind her when he saw that Candy was going like blinded in the middle of a fight.
- '' Well Carson, what will happen... You got the money?!'' Said the one bully within his half rotten teeth.
-'' ... Eh, I will…soon…'' slowly answered frightened the young man eventually.
-'' The boss is very ... very ... very unhappy with you Carson!'' said hellish the second and he let be drawn on his pockmarked face a sadistic smile.
-'' ... I'm telling you the truth...I'm waiting…I expect ... send it to me... my brother,'' he replied slowly, feeling cold sweat bathing him.
-'' All these, you sang to us the previous week ...'' said the rotten teeth guy approaching menacingly his pocket knife to the throat of the young man.
-'' Leave him alone!'' Suddenly sounded Candy's voice, loud, full of rage, exactly behind them.
The two bums turned around and saw a blonde woman pinning them full of anger with her eyes. Momentarily were surprised by her courage - her audacity, but as persons without trace of moral, they were not discouraged.
-'' Well, well, well ...'' said the blond- pockmarked face,'' …looks like that will have more fun, than we thought ... What you think Billy Boy?!''
His rotten teethed friend cackled disgustingly and walking towards Candy he said,
-'' Nice pearls you wearing Muffin… I love pearls!'' And with that he approached Candy ready to stretch out his hand towards her neck.
-'' Do not you dare touch the lady!'', George's voice was heard directly behind, holding his gun threatening towards the blonde friend of the other.'' Let quietly the young man and everything will be fine … Mrs. Candy please take a step back and come next to me''.
The two bullies made a couple of steps back too retreating and freed the young man, who ran and went next to Candy and George.
-'' Whoa... listen Pally...'' went to say the pockmarked blond seeing the gun.
-'' I do not want tricks, the police took mark and will be here shortly,'' George continued intense, ''…so keep…..'', he went to say something more when Candy popped.
-'' Tell your boss that I will give him the money tomorrow!''
Both bums looked at her and as they were running away the rotten teethed cried,
-'' The boss will be waiting Muffin…and he won't like it if you stood him!''
Once the two crooks were lost in the bend of the road, Candy turned to the young man,
-'' Hi there Jeff!'' she said smiling, but the complexion of her voice was hiding seriousness.
- '' Candy…?! '' Asked Jeff astonished by trying to recognize within the shape of this lady the tomboy who once was hidden in their barn.
-'' Yes, I…'' she didn't finish her phrase.
With a fearful look in her eyes Candy jumped pushing Jeff aside. The next few minutes were followed with an image of a Candy fallen on the pavement, with the relief painted on her face, while holding in her arms a dirty, little girl.
-'' George, I will not change my mind, I'm going with or without you tonight and I will pay Jeff's debt.''
She got up from her armchair with Teresa in her arms, which she has fallen back asleep pretty deep.
-'' I'll take her to bed; excuse me a bit George ...''
-'' Yes, of course, I will be waiting for you.''
At the entrance of the door stopped and looked at him.
-'' On second thought, I'll go on my own tonight George; you'll be my safeguard if you are not coming, so I better go alone ...''
George did not speak but saw that Candy didn't notice that at the time she was leaving, fell from her pocket, the metal round object she was holding earlier. He picked it up and leaving it on the desk he saw it was a male lapel pin with the initials TG.
A common Wednesday
It was a common Wednesday. A night he had not shows. A night spent slowly and lazily. Yet another one Wednesday that he would spend it with poker, whiskey and cigarettes.
-'' The usual, Sir?''
He shook his head affirmatively and took out a cigarette from his silver cigarette case.
-'' Is there set a table, Patrick?''
-'' There is one… but I highly not recommend it for you today Sir ...''
He nailed him with his dark blue eyes.
-'' ... you see, there is this poor fellow who owes a lot to the boss and thought to pay him off with a game... I don't think he will leave from here tonight on his feet…''
"What are you up to again Norman ..." Terry mused almost disgusted. He lit his cigarette and marching to the poker room, turned to the waiter
-'' Bring my drink inside'', and pulled the heavy dark red velvet curtain that was hiding the gambling joint.
The Austin Seven Coupe **, model of 30s, stopped at the corner of the foggy road and a small silhouette came out in a hurry. The moment started to going through the dark brownstone alley, the only sound that could be heard was her heels.
It did not take to look for long what she was searching.
She stopped right in front of the entrance of the bar, and with the determination mirrored in her green eyes, stepped into it.
In the sixteen years that he was working there, Patrick's eyes had seen quite a few things. He witnessed different situations and definitely all kind of persons. From the most simplistic fights due to drunkards, to knife stabbings. From nobles to ragamuffins. However, he certainly wasn't prepared to witness what would happen tonight.
After all it was only a common Wednesday.
The blonde woman who walked into the club, was certainly not the kind of woman who frequenting in such places. Because a number of regulars might be rich or even noblemen, but all were men. Never ever before, any woman of a high social position had crossed the entrance of the cabaret.
Clearly however this specific lady was not an ordinary woman. "... after all, is never too late for anything ..." he thought to himself smiling.
Petite, dressed in a very expensive androgynous type suit, like Marlene Dietrich's, which however instead of eliminating her femininity, it highlighted. She was or not in her thirty years yet. Her face was fresh and youthful but her eyes ... There was nothing made more impression to Patrick, as much as her eyes. Two sharp, cold emeralds, indicating that this woman, was not joking.
If there was something been taught all these years, Patrick, was not to ever bring objections to the customer. He was looking his job; he was polite and did not stir. Accompanied her to the card room and led her in the darkest corner table, upon her desire.
-'' Would you like me to offer you anything, madam?''
-'' ... Yes,... I would…'', her look was pinned to the main poker table.
The three men seated, seemed in silence committed on their game. The two henchmen were standing just behind the one, probably the boss, Jeff Carson was the second and a chestnut haired man with his back turned, was the third party.
At that moment he entered the room hurriedly a short guy, he approached the chestnut man and stooping he whispered to him something. He for a little minute, turned his profile, just to show only an elegant nose, responded something to the short guy and returned his attention to the game. The funny short man hastily left the same as he came and the blonde lady turned her cold eyes to the waiter.
-'' Yes, I would like…'', repeated the woman seriously,'' …tell your boss that Mrs. Ardley came to pay the debt of Jeff Carson''.
Almost invisible
With pinned look, almost invisible, protected by the shade that offered her the table sitting, Candy let herself to observe all the moves that were inside the stuffy room of the card club. A small bar with a sleepy bartender listened to stories of someone obviously drunken habitué. The slow titter of some working girl sounded behind a privet seat, like this one which had picked for herself. The tables with the green felt were arranged around the center of the room, but today in only one was playing cards. And it was in that precisely that Candy had stuck her eyes.
Jeff Carson, the boss Norman and the chestnut man. With disgust Candy recognized the two henchmen. The pockmarked face and the rotten teeth guy that they had cornered Jeff, at the alley.
".. Ah, Jeff... we agreed on some things and you do otherwise ..." Candy said to herself nearly angry.
-'' Candy, thank you so much for saving me, but I can handle it myself!'' he turned and told her.
- ''Jeff, your brother Sam, is he aware that you are in trouble?''
-'' ... well, not exactly,'' he replied with shame,''… if he knew that… oh, Candy I am so ashamed... ah ...''
-'' Do not be ashamed! You are not a bad boy, you just drifted away a bit.''
-'' .. They threatened to harm Susie, unless I give them the money ...''
-'' Nothing would happen to anyone! Because I will give them the money, the case is closed''.
-'' I cannot accept it Candy!''
-'' Jeff, please, let the egoism aside. Listen to me, once you and your family helped me, if I hadn't find you then, I would not have managed to get back to America, and who knows where I would have end up! My turn to help you, okay?''
He nodded his head affirmatively, but Candy had suspected that the male's ego had not agreed a hundred percent.
Then she saw the waiter nearing discreetly his boss and to convey her message of by whispering bent over.
The boss showed no obvious reaction. Slowly looked up from his cards with his slotted glossy eyes, firstly nailed Candy, who she repaid the icy gaze and then he looked obliquely Jeff, that looked like lost in the card game, unaware.
The boss sent a wry smile on slimy to the blonde lady opposite him, and gave some command to the waiter.
If anything has learned Candy from dealing with the business community and the transactions, it was certainly that guys like the "boss" were dirty, cunning and they worshiped bargains.
Candy, at that time she would be putting her hand in the fire that Jeff's debt, would for sure was doubled since yesterday. That is why she was prepared to pay not only the double, but triple. And this, she knew that Norman had figured. But Candy was not interested at all in this, because she had calculated that in this way things would happen. Thereby her thought was concentrated only on ending this issue an hour earlier, to take Jeff out of this joint and leave.
What, however, had not reckoned Candy was the dialogue that took place at that moment at the poker table.