Riches of the Heart (29 page)

‘Don’t you worry about me. I’m enjoying every moment.’

‘Remember,’ warned Lily. ‘Stay in your room, don’t venture outside.’

‘Of course not. I promise.’

When Lily knocked on the door later, she found Amy propped up in bed, reading. She gave a gasp when she saw the creation that Lily was wearing. ‘Turn round, let me see. Oh, Lily. You look beautiful.’

Lily gave a twirl. ‘Vittorio’s bought this and three others for me last week,’ she said as she danced around the room. There was a knock on the door. Opening it, she was surprised to see The Maltese standing there.

‘I thought I’d come and meet our guest.’

‘Of course.’ She turned and said to Amy, ‘Vittorio has called to see you.’ She saw the look of apprehension on her friend’s face.

Vittorio entered the room and, walking over to Amy, shook her by the hand. His expression didn’t change when he observed the bruising on her face, but he smiled inwardly when he saw the peach nightdress and negligée, guessing that Lily had purchased them. He said softly, ‘I do hope you are comfortable?’

‘Oh yes, Mr Teglia,’ she murmured. ‘Thank you for allowing me to stay.’

‘It’s a pity it’s for such a short while, but that can’t be helped. Anything you need, ask Lily. Beatrice, the maid, will bring you your meals. Order anything you like from the menu.’ He walked towards the door. ‘Lily – call into the office on the way down, will you?’

She nodded. ‘I’ll only be a minute.’

After Vittorio had gone, Amy beckoned Lily over to the bed. Quietly she said, ‘He’s lovely. I had no idea. Everyone is terrified of him, but Lily … he’s really handsome.’

Her friend gave a cheeky grin. ‘He’s all right when you know how to handle him.’

Walking down one flight of stairs, Lily made her way into Vittorio’s office. ‘You wanted to see me?’

He pushed the local paper over to her. ‘Read that.’

The article said a badly decomposed, unidentified body had been washed up on the shore. It was the mutilated body of a male. Foul play was suspected.

Lily looked across the desk at Vittorio and smiled. She felt no remorse. Surely her actions were fully justified! In her mind, this man could have been a murderer. But for Tom’s intervention both times, Dutchy could have committed murder, and she might easily have been one of his victims. Passing the paper back, she said, ‘Thank you.’

‘You’ve made it clear to your friend she must stay in her room?’

Lily nodded. ‘She understands. You have no need to worry.’

‘You had better be right. This will be the first and last time. No more lame ducks, Lily.’

‘Amy isn’t a lame duck. I owe her a lot,’ she retorted.

‘You owe me more and don’t you forget it.’

Filled with indignation, Lily asked, ‘Didn’t you feel a little bit sorry for her when you saw her condition?’

His mouth tightened. ‘Of course. I’m not a monster, you know. I’m not without some feelings.’

She sat on the chair opposite him, and with Rachel’s words in mind asked him, ‘Have you ever been in love, Vittorio?’

He frowned. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘I’m curious.’

‘No, Lily. It’s an emotion I can’t afford in my business.’

She persisted with her questions. ‘Don’t you ever want a family? Children?’

‘No.’

‘Why not?’

His eyes narrowed. ‘I’ve no need to explain. And you would be wise not to question me about anything. Do I make myself clear?’

She stared at him, trying to fathom the man. He was a mystery that she would like to solve, but it wouldn’t be with his help. ‘Yes. If you say so.’

‘I do. Now run along, I’m busy.’

‘You sometimes talk to me as if I’m a child.’ She pouted.

‘Sometimes you
are
a child. Now go and play.’

She walked towards the door and paused. ‘I’m not a child when I’m in your bed, am I, Vittorio?’ She didn’t wait for an answer.

Vittorio frowned and put down his pen. He leaned back in his chair as he pondered Lily’s questions. It wasn’t that he was incapable of love. He’d adored his mother and was devastated when she died. As a boy of five, it was difficult to understand. His sense of loss had been tremendous and the pain still lived within him.

Dreamily, he remembered her beautiful hair, the colour of ebony. The Square where the women used to congregate with their laundry around the communal washing area for a gossip, whilst he played at their feet. When she’d died, he couldn’t go near the place. He thought of the simple house where he’d spent so many happy hours and was filled with nostalgia.

After the death of his mother, Vittorio’s father, uncle and his family had all left Malta and come to England in the hopes of making a fortune. For them it had been a futile venture. Not so for Vittorio himself.

He lit a cigarette and thought about his father for the first time in years. Mr Teglia had been a fine, handsome man who showed affection only to the many women who came into his life. There was none for his son – only contempt.

Vittorio felt the anger rise within him as he remembered his father’s words to him: ‘Stop this snivelling. Your mother was too soft with you. You must learn to be strong. Be a man!’ There were no comforting arms or soft words to ease his tears as he cried for his mother. To a small boy, used to love and affection, those were dark days.

Puffing on his cigarette, The Maltese recalled the dirty sleazy brothel his father used to run. Vittorio hated it. As he grew, he hated it even more – and despised his father. His mouth narrowed at these memories, and the bitterness within him surfaced.

Angrily stubbing out the cigarette in an ash-tray, Vittorio walked over to the window. Bernard Street was not a bad place. Although it was still part of the dock area, it was better than the dirty back streets of his childhood in England.
His
brothel had class – a thing his father didn’t have and couldn’t understand.

He had his teacher to thank for his good taste. She saw the intelligence beneath the surface of the boy whose exterior showed little emotion. She introduced him to books and art, and encouraged him. After leaving school, inspired by her faith in him, he’d educated himself even further. He would always be grateful to her.

When he was seventeen, his father had been stabbed to death by a seaman. Vittorio felt no loss at his demise. But left to fend for himself, he discovered that he was good at wheeling and dealing and eventually had acquired the Club Valletta. Slowly he had built up its reputation … and his own.

He was determined that no one, ever again, would get close enough to hurt him. Then Lily came into his life. He smiled to himself as he always did when he thought of her. She was like a breath of fresh air in the murky and dangerous life that he led, and he was aware that she was slowly breaking down the barrier he’d built around himself. The situation was as disconcerting as the girl herself, and he didn’t know where it was leading … Picking up his pen, he returned to his paperwork.

It was Amy’s last night and the girls were having dinner together in her room. ‘Sorry it’s so late,’ apologised Lily, ‘but the bar was busy and I had to sing a couple of extra numbers.’

‘I could hear you – and the applause. You went over well.’ Lily gave her a puzzled look. ‘How could you, when you are so far away, and the door was closed?’

Amy was uncomfortable; she squirmed beneath Lily’s steady gaze. ‘Well, to be honest, I opened the door and listened.’

With a horrified gasp Lily asked, ‘Did anyone see you?’

‘Only some tall geezer with a couple of boys.’

Putting her hand to her mouth Lily said, ‘Oh my God! If Vittorio gets to hear about this, I’m in real trouble. He doesn’t like strangers to see his punters.’

‘He didn’t see much of me. I wasn’t outside the door. Well, only for a minute.’

‘Just where were you when he came up the stairs?’

‘I heard him coming and I popped back inside. He just saw my face only for a second. He was drunk anyway. He won’t remember.’

‘Let’s hope you’re right. It’s just as well you’re leaving in the morning.’ She ran her fingers through her hair. ‘I told you not to leave your room, Amy. Why did you do it?’

‘Sorry, love. I just wanted to hear you sing, that’s all.’

With a worried frown Lily said, ‘Don’t tell a soul about this, please.’

‘Cross me heart and hope to die. Christ! What’s that?’

There was a crashing noise from along the corridor and raised voices, then the sound of running footsteps. They both sat quietly listening. Then there were more footsteps, and voices in a panic.

The bedroom door opened and Vittorio stepped inside, shutting it behind him. ‘I want you to lock this door behind me when I go and don’t open it until I tell you. Understand?’ he instructed the women.

Lily nodded. It was the first time she’d seen him ruffled. Once he’d left, she locked the door and waited.

Outside there was a lot of commotion – much to-ing and fro-ing. The girls wondered what on earth was going on. But Lily knew that whatever it was, it was serious … and it meant trouble.

Eventually, things quietened down and there was a tap on the door. Vittorio was standing there, a thunderous look on his face. ‘Everything is all right now, Lily. But I suggest you get your friend settled for the night. She must leave early in the morning, by eight o’clock. Understand?’

She nodded. ‘Are you all right, Vittorio?’

He just raised his eyebrows. ‘I’ll see you later. It’s best if you go straight to our room.’

After saying good night to Amy, Lily went to her own room and undressed. She sat up in bed, brushing her hair, filled with curiosity and concern.

Vittorio looked so angry when he came into the room, she didn’t dare question him. He took off his tie and threw it across the bed, then removed his clothes and carefully hung them up, as was his habit. With a deep sigh, he sat on the edge of the bed and lit a cigarette.

‘Have you calmed down now?’ asked Lily softly.

‘That stupid bastard!’ he fumed.

‘Who do you mean?’

‘Our illustrious Chief Constable. Things got a little nasty for him tonight and I had to get him out of a mess. He’ll owe me a huge debt and I’ll make him pay.’

‘What happened?’ Lily asked quietly, surprised at Vittorio taking her into his confidence.

‘His games became a little rough and the boys took exception. They both turned on him. He won’t be at work for a while, the state he’s in.’

‘Will you get into trouble?’

He smiled his slow smile. ‘Me? Oh no. I’m well covered – I made sure of that. But one thing’s for sure. He won’t be allowed in here again.’

Lily was anxious. ‘But won’t he make trouble for you?’

Vittorio shook his head. ‘Not with the evidence I’m holding against him. He wouldn’t like the pictures I have to fall into the wrong hands.’ He turned to her. ‘I’ve told you before, Lily, I don’t do anything without calculating all the angles first.’ He rolled over on his stomach. ‘Massage my shoulders, darling. My body is full of tension and I won’t sleep.’

She did so, but was filled with foreboding. Despite Vittorio’s assurances, she was worried. Any scandal was dangerous, but one involving such an important member of the public … What would happen next?

The following morning, Lily took Amy by taxi to her new abode. As they walked into Fred Bates’ living room, Amy looked around with delight. Lily had put pretty net curtains up at the windows, the furniture was nearly new, and on a table in the middle of the room stood a small vase of flowers. In the hearth a fire was already laid.

Lily struck a match to the paper and soon the flames caught. Taking her friend to the larder, she showed her the well-stocked cupboard. ‘This should set you up for a while. Every Friday, you’ll get your money. The milk float comes every day and the fishmonger with his cart on a Friday morning. Now you can lead the life of Riley! No more standing on street corners. The only sex you need have is by choice.’

Shaking her head Amy said, ‘I find all this hard to take in.’ She looked at her friend with tear-filled eyes. ‘It’s like a dream, Lily. I’m just so afraid I’ll wake up.’

‘Don’t be such a daft bitch. I’ve sent word to Sandy, by the way. He’s willing to come here and stay at night with you for a bit, but I can tell you for sure now that Dutchy won’t be back. All you need to worry about is getting better and enjoying life.’

Amy gave Lily a hug. ‘Who’d have thought it. You, that young girl at Mrs Cohen’s, and now this.’ She stared hard at Lily. ‘I hope it’s been worth it, love.’

With a shrug the younger girl said, ‘I made my choices. They weren’t what I wanted by a long chalk, but on the whole, I’m not complaining. Just one other thing,’ she added. ‘Should the Old Bill come round asking questions, you stayed with me for three days and saw nothing as you never left your room. You heard nothing out of the ordinary – all right?’

Nodding her head Amy said, ‘Whatever you say.’

There was a knock at the door.

‘Probably Sandy,’ said Lily.

The pianist bustled in, closing the door behind him. Looking at Lily, he said, ‘Heard you had a bit of trouble at the club last night.’

‘Why do you say that?’

‘Because in the early hours of the morning, I had a visit from two young boys looking for sanctuary. They told me all about it.’

Lily’s face turned pale. ‘What did they say?’

Undoing his silk cravat he said, ‘They were hustled out the back door after they beat up the old man they were with. Vittorio’s man gave them some money and told them to keep their mouths shut, or else. They were scared shitless!’

‘Where are they now?’

‘At my place.’

‘Then get rid of them,’ urged Lily.

With an anxious look Sandy said, ‘Don’t worry. I’ve told them to go to London this morning – to get right away. I don’t want to be involved, and neither do they.’

Amy had been sitting quietly listening to it all. ‘That’s all right then.’

With a frown Sandy said, ‘Don’t be too sure. I’ve heard rumours. The Chief Constable has been under suspicion for some time. I think this whole thing is going to blow up in everyone’s faces.’ To Lily he said, ‘You be very careful, my girl. You don’t want to be dragged into a scandal.’