The Button Box. Dilly Court
‘She weren’t at home, boss. Had to wait in the freezing cold and then she turns up large as life in a cab with a toff I ain’t never seen afore.’
‘So you got a fancy man, have you?’ Patches leaned forward, her large breasts bubbling over the top of her low-cut gown. ‘He should be good for a bob or two. Where’s me money?’
Clara drew herself up to her full height. ‘I’ve never met the gentleman before today. He’s nothing to me, and I haven’t got the money. You said three days and it’s only been two.’
‘I was counting from the day you turned up here, so don’t play games with me, and that was before your feller blacked my Bertie’s eye. I got a score to settle with Luke Foyle, but that’s another matter. Have you got the cash or not?’
‘I can’t raise that much so quickly. I must have more time.’
‘Must have?’ Patches spat the words as if they were a bitter taste in her mouth. ‘I don’t think you’ve got much choice, not if you want your young sister to walk again. One gammy leg is bad luck, two is a tragedy that you can prevent, and it’ll cost ten guineas. The price has gone up now.’
‘That’s not fair.’ Clara was too angry to feel intimidated. ‘Leave my family out of this. I’ve taken on responsibility for my father’s debts; it has nothing to do with my sisters.’
‘Then you got to pay up, or …’ Patches narrowed her eyes so that they disappeared into slits. ‘There is one way you could make things square.’
‘Go on.’ Clara knew she was not going to like the alternative, but she had little option.
‘I got a score to settle with the Skinner brothers, and I ain’t too pleased with Luke Foyle, neither. He’s supposed to work for me, and keep an eye on the other gangs, but I fear he’s let me down, and that ain’t acceptable.’
Clara’s heart was beating so fast that she could hardly breathe. ‘That has nothing to do with me.’
‘Hoity-toity, ain’t you? But you should be more respectful. I could wring your pretty neck with one hand tied behind me back, and Bones is an expert in other methods of making people co-operate. Do I make meself clear?’
‘Yes,’ Clara said, nodding. ‘Crystal clear.’
‘I knew you was a clever girl.’ Patches lowered her voice. ‘Your feller is small beer and I’ll deal with him, but it’s Ned and Sid Skinner I want put out of the way – permanent like.’
‘I don’t know how I can help you with that. I have nothing to do with the gang.’
‘But your feller does. I want information and it’s worth ten guineas.’ Patches reached for the gin bottle and half-filled her glass. She took a mouthful, swallowed and breathed gin fumes into Clara’s face. ‘The Skinners have gone to ground. I want to know where they’re hiding out. It’s as simple as that.’
‘But surely your men could get that information much quicker than I would?’
‘Not necessarily.’ Patches took another swig of her drink. ‘It ain’t much to ask. Don’t tell me you can’t wrap your man round your little finger if you so wish. Get me what I want within the next twenty-four hours and your pa’s slate is wiped clean.’
‘And if I fail?’
‘You won’t if you knows what’s good for you and your sisters. Don’t think you can play fast and loose with me, because you can’t.’
Clara faced Patches with what she hoped was an outward appearance of calm, but she could see no way out other than to agree to her terms. ‘All right,’ she said reluctantly. ‘I’ll do my best.’
‘I think you’ll do better than that. I want those sewer rats put away for good.’ Patches turned to Bones. ‘Get her out of here. I’m sick of looking at her pretty face.’
‘Why were you so long, Clara?’ Jane asked tearfully. ‘People have been banging on the shop door and I didn’t know what to do.’
‘What sort of people?’ Clara glanced over her shoulder, hoping that Bones was now out of sight. He had marched her back to Drury Lane in grim silence, and, although he had left her at the door and walked away she was afraid he might return later to spy on her.
‘There was an old man in a top hat who kept peering in the window, but that was not long after you left. He knocked several times, but I ignored him. The others were women and they didn’t look too pleased when they realised that the shop was shut.’
‘They’ll come back if they really want something. I’ll open up now. Anyone else?’
‘Luke came and I did open the door to him, Clara. I didn’t know what else to do and he looked so angry I didn’t want to make things worse.’
‘It’s all right, Jane. What did he want?’
‘To see you, of course. He brought me some sugared almonds. He knows they’re my favourites. I hope you make it up with him, Clara. I know he’s in with a bad lot – Pa told me so – but I think deep down Luke is a good person.’
‘Yes, I’m sure he is.’ Clara tried to sound positive, but she was not so sure. The gangs had not affected them directly – until now. ‘What did Luke say? Is he coming back?’
‘I’m still here.’ Luke emerged from the parlour. ‘Where have you been, Clara?’
She was tempted to tell him everything, but Patches’ threats were fresh in her mind and she had no doubt that they would be carried out. ‘I had to deliver some lace to Lizzie’s employer.’
‘On a day like this?’ He stared at her in disbelief.
‘Yes, you know what rich people are like. They don’t think about anyone else, least of all shopkeepers and servants. I had to do it for Lizzie’s sake.’
He glanced at the sodden hem of her skirt. ‘Come and sit by the fire. Jane has just made a pot of tea. You look as though you could do with a hot drink, and something to eat.’
‘I should have stopped to buy some bread,’ Clara said, sighing. ‘I haven’t stocked the larder yet.’
He shook his head. ‘You girls would starve if it weren’t for me.’
‘Where are you going?’ Clara asked as he picked up the empty basket.
‘To buy food, of course. If you get any thinner I’ll be able to see through you, Clara Carter.’ Luke winked at Jane. ‘And you can’t live on sugared almonds alone.’
She giggled. ‘I’d like to try.’
‘Look after your sister, Jane,’ he said firmly. ‘I’ll be back in five minutes or so.’
The door closed on him as he left the shop, and Jane’s smile faded. ‘Where did you go? You lied to him. I was in the shop, and I saw you getting out of a cab. Then you went off with that nasty-looking old man.’
‘I didn’t tell him the whole truth, which isn’t the same as lying.’ Clara took off her bonnet and shawl. ‘I would love a cup of tea, and maybe you could spare me a sugared almond?’ She hurried into the parlour.
‘I’m not a baby, Clara.’ Jane followed her into the room. ‘You can trust me to keep a secret. Where did you go?’
‘I had to sort out Pa’s gambling debt, Jane. It’s nothing for you to worry about.’
‘How can you pay? Did Miss Silver leave you a lot of money?’
Clara thought of the empty strong box and sighed. ‘There was a little, but I used that to pay for her funeral and to buy Pa’s railway ticket. I should have kept it to buy new stock, but you mustn’t worry. We’ll manage somehow. We always do.’ Clara filled two cups with tea and handed one to Jane.
‘You