Riches of the Heart (33 page)

He looked at her, his slow smile touching the corners of his mouth. ‘You don’t honestly believe I would do such a thing, do you?’

‘Why not? You want the police off your back. How long before they realise that it’s all a con? But with me as a partner …’ Seeing his hesitation she continued: ‘I want to secure a future for Lily. It’s as simple as that. I have the cash, so finance isn’t a problem. I’m selling the shop, but I want an interest. With my years of experience, I can help her. And if anything should happen to you, she has no worries.’

His eyes narrowed. There was a look of calculation in his expression. ‘You think this place will go as a legitimate concern?’

‘Not if you are within a mile of it.’

He thought for a moment then said, ‘I believe you have a point. But tell me, why is Lily so important to you, Rachel?’

She answered without hesitation. ‘Because I love that child and I won’t see anyone else cause her unhappiness. She’s been through enough already. And in some ways, I blame myself. I’m trying to right a wrong.’

He chuckled softly. ‘Yes, she has a way of working beneath your skin, doesn’t she?’

‘What do you think of my idea, then?’

Vittorio rose from his chair. ‘In principle, it has its merits, but I’m not about to sell out. A small share, perhaps – just to put the police off the scent. But I will never relinquish my control, not completely. Give me some more time to think it over. I’ll get some figures together and we’ll talk further. Now it would give me great pleasure to take you downstairs and buy you dinner.’

Getting up from her seat, Rachel gave a wicked grin and retorted, ‘I would insist on it. I want to see what I might be investing in.’

As they reached the door, it opened and Lily entered. Her look of shocked surprise made Rachel laugh. ‘Hello, darling!’ Smoothing the expensive cloth of her coat, she asked, ‘Like the
schmatte
?’

Lily was flabbergasted to see Rachel all dressed up to the nines, closeted in with Vittorio. But she was even more surprised when the two of them told her of the possibility of Rachel becoming involved in the club.

‘Nothing is definite yet,’ said Rachel. ‘If this villain tries to charge me too high a price, I’ll tell him what to do with his business! And it depends on the quality of the meal and the wine that I am served with tonight.’

Vittorio was highly amused by her banter.

Looking at her dear friend Lily asked, ‘Why are you doing this?’

‘To make a lot of money, my dear. Why does anyone, especially a Jew, invest? I told you I was looking for a business – well, maybe I found one.’

Lily turned to her lover. ‘Is this what you want?’

‘It’ll get the police off my back, darling.’

‘But does it mean you’ll move out?’

‘I’m not moving anywhere.’ He saw Rachel purse her lips. ‘I may sell you a share of the business, but Lily is still an important part of my life. You understand that, don’t you?’

‘Of course.’ She held his gaze. ‘But once everything is settled, you don’t step foot over the door, do you understand that?’

‘Not over the front door, Rachel. But I will most certainly be using the
back
door. I’ll be keeping a close watch on my investment. When it comes to money, I trust no one.’

Rachel flushed, knowing she’d been put in her place. ‘Just as long as the punters don’t see you.’

With a grin Vittorio said to Lily, ‘She drives a harder bargain than you do. But you too must understand, Lily, that although I’ll only be watching from upstairs, you are still mine. Your independence is only on the club front. Nothing else changes. With me not around, some men might try it on. I wouldn’t put up with that.’

Lily looked from one to the other. Rachel’s expression gave nothing away but Vittorio was staring hard at her, looking for any trace of betrayal. He hadn’t forgotten when Tom McCann had visited the club. He remembered his gut feeling about the two of them. It still filled him with unease.

Lily softly touched his face with her hand. ‘Why would I want to be with another man when you’ve done so much for me?’

Kissing her palm he said, ‘I can’t imagine.’

Early the following evening, Lily put on her coat. She didn’t sing in the club during the early part of the week and tonight she’d made plans.

‘Where do you think you’re going?’ asked Vittorio.

‘I’m going out. There’s nothing to do here and I’m bored. I’m meeting Amy.’

‘Where?’

‘At The Sailor’s Return. I haven’t been back there since I came to work for you. It’s the only place Amy can face going. You know, being among friends. You don’t mind, do you?’

Shaking his head he said, ‘No. You go ahead. I’ve lots of bookwork to see to. But take care, Lily.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘Keep out of trouble is what it means. Remember our conversation over dinner last night?’

‘I don’t know why you persist with this, Vittorio. After all, everybody knows I’m your mistress.’ Her cheeks flushed with irritation. ‘No man is going to come near me. He’d be too bloody scared.’

He laughed aloud. ‘This is true.’ The laughter faded and his tone became more serious. ‘I don’t like you wandering around at night without me, that’s all.’

‘I can take care of myself.’

He hesitated. ‘Another thing, Lily. Please don’t tell anyone about our plans with Rachel Cohen. Nothing is yet settled and I don’t want the police to find out until it’s official and too late for them to try and intervene.’

‘What could they do?’ she asked with a worried frown.

‘Legally probably nothing, but I don’t trust those bastards.’

‘Well, they won’t hear it from me, rest assured.’

‘I know you’ll be tempted to tell your friend Amy, but once one person knows …’

Nodding her understanding she said, ‘Please don’t worry. I’ll see you later.’

‘Don’t be late!’

She turned at the doorway, her eyes flashing. ‘Christ, Vittorio! You sound like a father.’

‘I don’t care who I sound like. You get home in good time.’ He stared hard at her. ‘I wouldn’t like to have to send George out to find you.’

She knew better than to argue and left, bristling with indignation.

Earlier the same day, on hearing that Burt Haines, his ex-foreman, had retired through ill-health, Tom McCann had made his way to the office in the docks to try and get his old job back. After much discussion and many promises to curb his temper, he was once more employed as a caulker. It had been common knowledge to the powers that be that there were faults on both sides and, such was Tom’s skill, the office was pleased to have him back with assurances that there would be no further trouble.

After leaving the office, Tom walked to the dock-gates and just stood watching the hustle and bustle of the life within the area. He loved the docks and was completely at home in the atmosphere … the smell of salt in the air, the sounds of the ships’ funnels, the cry of the tugs’ whistles and the clanking of chains as anchors were lowered. He watched as a huge crane, stark against the skyline, lifted a large cargo and swung it effortlessly into a ship’s hold. He observed the dockers and stevedores rushing about. He’d missed the camaraderie.

His pride in his profession had been sadly dented. Working for Knocker had been enjoyable in its way, but he was happiest working on ships; being part of a team. And soon he would be back among his mates.

He was jubilant as he eventually made his way home after spending time with Knocker, passing on his good news. At last he’d made a start towards solving his marital problems. Now Mary would have reason to be happy, and he hoped that would put paid to her constant carping about money – or the lack of it.

Mary, looking pale and tired, was sitting down when he burst in the door with his news.

‘I’m back working in the docks, Mary. I start next week.’

‘About time too. These past four months have been a nightmare.’ There was no joy at the good news. ‘With the baby coming, we’ll need the extra money.’

Mary was secretly relieved at Tom’s news. Apart from worrying about the lack of money, she was due to give birth in a week’s time and she was terrified. Her mother had tried to explain that every woman feels this way and that when she held the baby in her arms, she’d forget the pain. But Mary wasn’t convinced.

Tom felt thoroughly deflated. He’d thought she’d be pleased. His smile faded. ‘I thought at least you’d be happy. You know how much the job means to me.’

‘Yes, well,’ she said truculently, ‘had it not been for your temper, you wouldn’t have lost it in the first place. Look at the money we’ve had to do without.’

His anger boiled over. ‘There really is no pleasing you, is there? You’ll have your money – enough for you and the baby, but as far as I’m concerned, that’s it.’

With a startled look she said, ‘What do you mean?’

‘It means I’ve had it. To be sure, how can any man live with a woman such as you for the rest of his life? It would take a saint, and I’m just an ordinary man, so I am.’

She was shattered. ‘You mean you’re leaving me?’

His tone softened. ‘It means I’ll stick by you until you’ve had the baby, but after you’ve got over the birth, then we’ll have to make other arrangements.’ Seeing the stricken look on her face, he knelt beside her. ‘I didn’t mean for this to happen now, but you don’t love me, Mary. You only want me as a provider. It’s not enough to build a marriage on. I’ll provide for you and the baby, don’t you fear. I’ll honour those commitments, but I want my freedom. I want a divorce.’

Her face flushed with anger. ‘You want to go to this other woman. This Lily you call for in your sleep.’

He looked at her in surprise. ‘I do?’

Her mouth narrowed spitefully. ‘You make me pregnant and you call another woman’s name while you are in bed beside me. How do you think that makes me feel?’

‘I’ll not lie to you,’ he said with a grim expression. ‘I’ve always loved her and I always will. I thought you and I could make a life together, but you put an end to that with your grasping ways.’

‘All I wanted was a decent home and a decent husband. What’s wrong with that?’

He glared at her. ‘And all I asked for was a woman who knew how to be a wife.’

‘You’ll never see your child – I’ll make sure of that,’ she threatened.

‘Look,’ he said, ‘I don’t want to fight with you, not in your condition. I’ve been honest and truthful. After the baby is born, we’ll work out an arrangement between us. You’ll not go short, I promise you. But remember, the child is mine too.’

‘A lot you care about your child.’ She put her hands on her swollen stomach. ‘What interest do you have in this baby?
None!
But I’ll be better off without you.’ She spat the words out. ‘I don’t like married life.
She
can sleep with you, with my blessing. At least I won’t have to put up with that any more.’

His hazel eyes flashed angrily. ‘You made that quite clear on our wedding night.’

‘It’s dirty and disgusting.’

He nodded. ‘To you it is, but thank God, not everyone is as inhibited as you in the bedroom.’ He turned towards the door. ‘I’m off to see those who appreciate me.’

‘Go to your fancy woman!’ she yelled. ‘See if I care!’

All the locals greeted Lily and Amy with enthusiasm when they walked into the bar of The Sailor’s Return. Sandy struck a chord of welcome on the piano and Declan leaned over the bar greeting them both warmly with a smacking kiss.

‘My but the sight of you makes this Irishman a happy fellow. What’ll you both have? And Amy, love, how are you?’

Sandy came over and hugged Lily. ‘Hello, you old tart. We must stop meeting like this. Perhaps a bit later you’ll give us a song. How about it?’

‘Why not?’ Lily laughed. She was relaxed and happy. Some of the best days of her singing career had been spent here, among her friends. And it was good to be back.

‘How’s Vittorio?’ asked Sandy. ‘I hear the club’s being watched. I forgot to ask when we met.’

She nodded. ‘Well, you know about the other trouble. The police have been watching the place ever since and it scared away some of the business for a time, but it’s picking up again.’

‘I do hope so,’ said Sandy. ‘I don’t want to play to an empty house!’

At that moment the bar door opened and Tom walked in. He was surprised when he saw Lily. ‘What are you doing here?’ he asked. ‘Slumming, are you?’

She ignored the sarcasm. ‘I came with Amy. I’m trying to get her back into circulation. It’s not easy for her, so be nice.’

He smiled and waved at Amy and asked, ‘How is she coping?’

‘She doesn’t say a lot. Time is the thing that will help, just being among friends. How are you?’

‘So so. Today I got my old job back in the docks. The foreman has retired, thank God.’

Lily was pleased for him. ‘That’s wonderful, Tom. Now perhaps things will work out at home for you.’

He shook his head. ‘I wouldn’t think so. Tonight I told Mary I want a divorce.’

She was deeply concerned. ‘Should you have done that when she’s due to have a baby? Wasn’t that a bit heartless?’

‘It just happened that way, Lily. I didn’t plan it. But a man can only stand so much.’

She looked at him with horror as she heard his easy words of dismissal. She knew that Tom wasn’t happy, and in all probability neither was Mary. Yet the woman was heavily pregnant, about to give birth. Tom’s words sounded both brutal and callous. And, above all, selfish.

Lily was angry. ‘You say you can’t stand it, but you were the one to make her pregnant. How does she feel, do you think? The woman needs sympathy and understanding at this time, and a fat lot she’s getting from you! How long before the baby’s due?’

‘About a week.’

Her eyes blazed. ‘Your wife has only a matter of days to go and you tell her you’re leaving! How could you have been so cruel? She’s heavy with child, probably scared out of her wits, and all you can think of is yourself. It seems to me that’s all you ever think about. You are not the man I thought you were, Tom McCann.’ She glared at him, shaking her head in disbelief. ‘To think I could ever have loved someone like you.’

She went over to Amy and sat beside her.