Eve of the Isle (20 page)

He chewed the end of his pencil. ‘I don't like the times tables.'

‘Do you know them?'

They both looked at each other. ‘No,' admitted Samuel.

Eve pulled back her shoulders. ‘It's easy; if you learn them properly, it's like riding a bike. Once you do it properly you never forget again.'

Her sons looked unimpressed but Eve was determined that things were going to change. She was even going to send them to confession on Saturday instead of flower-selling.

Jimmy Jones put on his brakes so fast that he almost went over the top of the handlebars. ‘Eve! What are you doing here?'

She stepped off the cobbles by the factory gates. ‘Selling me flowers of course. Where have you been all this time, Jimmy?'

‘With me mate at Shoreditch.'

‘We've been worried about you.'

He stood his bike against the wall. ‘Lovely flowers you got here. Are you selling on the island then?'

‘Yes. I took a chance.'

‘It's a long way from Aldgate and Seven Dials.'

‘Yes, but closer to home. Jimmy, why have you stayed away?'

He looked embarrassed as he slipped off his cap. All his spiky brown hair stood on end. ‘I changed me job.'

‘You're not at the paint factory?'

‘No, they rumbled me.'

Eve rolled her eyes. ‘What did you do?'

‘Nothing much. Just got hold of a few pots of paint from the flood and flogged them off cheap. Someone blew the whistle and I almost got me collar felt. But I was sacked instead.'

‘Oh, Jimmy, you must be careful.'

He grinned. ‘Anyway, I got a new job, down at the PLA. Running for some of the bosses.'

‘Do you know much about the ships that are docked there?'

‘'Course. Why?'

‘It's a long story.'

‘I'm on me dinner hour. Do you fancy a 'apporth of chips?'

‘I'll have to eat them here.' Eve glanced at the big factory gates. ‘They'll all be coming out in a minute.' She dug in her money bag tied round her waist.

‘Don't need that. I know where I can get them free.'

‘I don't want you getting in trouble on my behalf. And I can afford it now.'

Jimmy's eyebrows rose. ‘Blimey, who's coming up in the world then?'

Eve laughed and gave him the money. Jimmy pedalled furiously off to the fish shop. When he came back Eve decided to tell him all that happened with Charlie. She was going to confess that he was a policeman and was following Raj's case. If Jimmy knew some of the ships that were in, he might know of the
Tarkay
. She had the note in her pocket and brought it out ready to show Jimmy when he returned.

‘I've seen the ship,' said Jimmy as he passed the note back to her. ‘She's docked in the Pool.'

Eve's heart leapt. ‘How would I get on board?'

‘Don't know as you would. They're foreign.'

Eve served a customer with a pretty bunch of lavender.

‘Don't let your chips get cold.' Jimmy was wolfing his.

Turning, Eve discreetly nibbled at the delicious hot food hidden behind one of her baskets. Although it was a warm May day, she hadn't eaten since early morning and the chips began to sustain her.

‘You say Charlie is a copper?' Jimmy looked from side to side as though someone could overhear their conversation. ‘Was he after me?'

‘'Course not.'

‘What's he want with you, then?'

‘He thinks more should have been done about Raj.'

Jimmy looked surprised. ‘A copper with half a brain, eh? Do you think he's kosher?'

Eve nodded. ‘But I sent him away.'

‘Blimey, gel, why did you do that?'

Eve went red. ‘Because of the boys. You know what people round here think of the law.'

‘So what did the nippers say?'

She looked down. ‘They liked him. He said he'd take them to a football match and I told him not to put ideas in their heads.'

Jimmy screwed up the oily newspaper. ‘It don't seem to me that he'd get anything out of saying that if he was legit. If Charlie is just a good sort, p'raps you'd do well to keep in with him.'

‘I never thought I'd hear you say that.'

‘He seemed fine to me. Mucked in and didn't ask no questions. Thought he was all right meself.'

‘I don't think he'll come round again.' Eve shook her head fiercely. ‘Or he would have told me about the ship himself.'

Jimmy stepped back as a group of young women walked out of the factory gates. They wore overalls and turbans and crowded round Eve's basket. ‘Could
you save me some roses for when I clock off?' asked one, getting out her purse. ‘And for me,' said another.

‘You've got a nice little business here,' observed Jimmy as she dropped her takings into her bag hidden under the folds of her skirt.

‘I hope so.'

‘You deserve a bit of luck. What with the flood and having to put up at Bambury Buildings with Peg's two miserable dopes.' He shook his head slowly. ‘I cycled by number three the other day and saw the tarpaulin. How long is it gonna stay up there?'

‘Until the council finish the repair. Jimmy?'

‘What?'

‘Could you ask at the docks about Somar Singh?'

Jimmy hesitated. ‘Dunno about that. Lascars keep themselves to themselves. Don't like mixing. Like long lines of ducks they are, all following each other.' He saw Eve's expression. ‘Sorry, gel. No disrespect to your old man.'

Eve glanced away. Even Jimmy could say hurtful things in an unguarded moment.

‘If I was you, I'd find that copper.'

‘What? Go to the station?'

‘Don't you know where he lives?'

‘Only that his dad has a shop up the Commercial Road. And anyway, Jimmy, if I knew I wouldn't ask.'

Eve was determined not to ask Charlie for help. It was obvious he was not interested any more. She had her pride.

‘Tell the boys and Peg I'll be seeing them soon,' said Jimmy shrugging. ‘When are you moving back to number three?'

‘Soon I hope.'

‘I'll help you.'

‘What about Sunday?' Eve said eagerly.

‘Sunday it is.' Jimmy jumped on his bike. ‘Do I get me room back an' all?'

‘'Course you do.'

Eve watched him cycle away, his feet going fast on the pedals. Would they really be back home on Sunday?

She didn't want to get up her hopes after being disappointed so many times before.

Chapter Twelve

A
t last it was moving day. It was a beautiful early May morning, soft and bright, like a true May day should be, Eve thought as she looked out of the window. She hoped Jimmy hadn't forgotten his promise to help and she wondered whether he had news of the grain ship and Somar Singh.

Eve dressed as the others slept. Downstairs she found Joseph, as usual, making tea. ‘I'll miss our little chats,' she told him as they sat down at the table.

‘Are you sure you want to go?' Joseph looked sad.

‘It's time we did and we're only over the road.'

‘Yes, that is true.'

‘You can have your friends to stay now.'

‘I think of you all as my friends. I am always here should you need a shoulder – is that the right expression?'

She laughed. ‘Yes, and I've already leaned on it.'

‘I'll cook something nice for tonight. Perhaps an okroshka, a good vegetable stew?'

‘Sounds lovely.'

There was a knock on the door, and Eve jumped up to answer it. ‘Jimmy, you're early.'

‘Know what they say about the early bird.' He was all smiles as he stepped in.

‘Where's your bike?'

‘At the cottage. I had a quick shifty round. Blimey, it's in a bit of a state still.'

She smiled. ‘Have you changed your mind about coming back?'

‘Not on your nelly. There's five of us blokes in one room at my gaff up Shoreditch. Talk about plates of meat!'

Eve took his sleeve and drew him close. ‘Jimmy, did you find out anything at the docks?'

‘Yeah, listen.' He glanced over her shoulder and whispered, ‘None of the crew would talk but I saw this poor sod – begging he was, close to the ship an' all. So I says to him, “Do you happen to know a lascar called Somar Singh, chum? Sailed on the
Tarkay
.” He gave me the old vacant stare but I thought to meself, he's hungry and needs a few bob so I'll show him a tanner. “If you can help me, I'll give you this,” I says and it works a miracle. The glint of silver causes an immediate understanding of the old vernacular as he replies, “Sailortown, sahib, Singh in sailortown!”'

‘But sailortown could be anywhere,' said Eve, disappointed, ‘from here to Aldgate.'

‘I know,' nodded Jimmy, putting up his hands. ‘So, dropping the tanner in his turban, I then fishes in me
pocket for another. His eyes are like organ stops then.'

‘What happened?'

Jimmy puffed out his chest. ‘Done the trick, it did, as I says, “Give me a nod mate if you mean Wapping” and I waits, then I says, “or Limehouse” – and still he don't move – “or Shadwell.” And his head goes up and down like a flag on a pint of ale.'

Eve caught her breath. ‘You sure he understood?'

‘No doubt about it.'

‘Did you get any more?'

‘Word's out the
Tarkay
leaves soon, maybe in a week or so.'

‘So Singh is still in Shadwell!'

‘Yeah. But—' He looked at Eve uncertainly. ‘You can't go there on your own, it's full of sharks and harpies.'

But Eve wasn't listening. She was already planning her route.

It was something she had to do.

That afternoon, the Higgins turned out in force to help with the move. Though there was no barrow, Duggie's hand cart was filled many times over and the front door was mended and nailed back. The walls were distempered and the quarry tiles washed till they shone. The closet was inspected for traces of life and Eve hung fresh pieces of newspaper from the nail.

‘Can I go to the lav now?' asked Albert when she'd finished. ‘Nothing's gonna come up and bite me bum is it?'

‘No, it's safe.'

But when Albert was in there Samuel shouted out. ‘Albert, I seen a rat.'

There was hollering from inside and Albert burst out. His pants were at half mast.

‘It was only a joke,' Eve intervened as they began to fight. ‘Now go and help Jimmy.'

The afternoon progressed with a lot of hard work but when Joseph arrived with a pan of
okroshka
, all activity stopped. They carried the table into the yard as there were too many to seat in the kitchen. A pitcher of ale appeared, glasses were filled and the hot stew filled each plate.

‘For foreign grub that wasn't bad,' nodded Eric, smacking his lips.

‘Very nice,' agreed Maude. ‘I couldn't have done better meself.'

‘Praise indeed,' smiled Joseph as second helpings were served.

Eve looked around at the happy gathering. Even though the cottage left much to be desired, she was so happy to be home. Inside, the stove was lit and no bugs had appeared. The beds were aired and a fire burned in Peg's room. The cottage would soon be warm and snug.

‘Cheers!' shouted Duggie, raising his glass. ‘Here's to the old gates of Rome!'

The men downed their beer as the sun set, shedding rays across the yard. Eve looked fondly at Joseph beside her.

‘Don't know what we would have done without you,' she told him.

‘
Kol tuv
,' murmured Joseph, patting her hand. ‘I wish you all the best in your new life.'

Eve smiled. It was going to be a new life from now on. She was determined to make it so.

The following Friday, Eve was standing on the corner of Westferry Road. It was three o'clock in the afternoon, a sunny and windless day. She had sold all her flowers and had just put away her money bag under the folds of her skirt when a horse and cart rumbled by. The driver pulled on the reins. ‘Eve, girl!'

She stepped into the road. ‘Archie. What are you doing round here?'

‘Got meself a perk.' He winked and nodded over his shoulder. The cart was piled high with sacks.

‘What's in them?'

‘Brown sugar, all split bags. Me mate, a stevedore, gave me the nod, said he'd show me where the sacks were if I could bag 'em up and get them out of the way sharpish. Got one more load tomorrow.'

‘Ain't you worried about the dock coppers?'

‘Nah, they can be bought. It's the blues and the whites you got to watch out for. They don't like nothing happening without their say so. But my pal stood on guard for me and I bunged him a drink.'

Eve knew that he was referring to the dock unions of which there were many. They kept an eagle eye on
their members and were known by the colour of their membership cards, either blue or white.

He glanced at the empty baskets. ‘Business good is it?'

‘Yes, very.'

‘Better be off, I'm going up the Ratcliffe Highway to shift this lot.'

‘Would you take a passenger?'

He frowned. ‘You going up there?'

‘Got to see someone up there.'

‘What, in sailortown?' He looked startled.

‘No, the park,' she lied.

He shrugged. ‘All right then, climb aboard and I'll take you as far as the park. Bung them baskets on the back.'

Eve did as he said and sat beside him; her heart was racing at the rash decision she had made, asking for a ride. But the
Tarkay
set sail soon. And now that Archie was going that way, it was too good an opportunity to miss. Anyway, it was too late now, she thought, as Archie clicked his tongue and the horse plodded off.

Archie reined in the horse. ‘Whoa there, boy.' He turned to Eve. ‘Do you want me to wait for you?'