Christmas to Come: a heartbreaking coming of age saga set in London's East End Carol Rivers (best sales books of all time .txt) 📖

one we found I'd be a rich woman. They ate their way through all my stock in the shed and even through bricks and mortar. That's what taking your finger off the pulse does,' she added, frowning again at Lenny.

They stood in awkward silence, as Lenny pushed the broom in weary resignation, patches of sweat ingrained on his vest. Just as Bella was about to go in, the back gate opened. They all gasped softly as Sean appeared dressed in a long coat with the collar pulled up to his ears.

'What's happened?' they all asked at once.

Sean glanced over his shoulder as though someone was following him. Then jerking his thumb toward the house, they all hurried in. Sean searched the kitchen and cafe with worried eyes. 'Are we alone?'

'No, Scotland Yard is hiding in the cupboard,' Gina replied sarcastically.

Sean rubbed his chin and frowned. 'It was Sammy and his mates who bought it.'

'Oh, Gawd,' Lenny gasped. 'How do you know?'

'We don't, not for sure. But there's no t a living soul at the Indigo and no one on the street has seen Sammy.'

'What about the police?' Gina asked.

'A copper called at the club this morning but he is a friendly, on wages from Ronnie. The Old Bill, he said, are doing the rounds, asking questions because Sammy and Tony are into vice in a big way. He controls half of the girls in Soho and is taking a big cut, causing unrest with the others.'

'And the law don't know where he is?' Lenny asked furtively.

'No, the streets are quieter than a nun's knickers.'

'What if someone saw me and Micky at the still?' Lenny said in a whisper. 'What if the police turn up a grass for instance?'

'They'd have to prove it. And anyway, we was only in operation three months and we didn't see a soul.'

'That didn't mean someone didn't see us,' Lenny agonized, his face haggard now.

'What do you want me to do about it?' Sean frowned irritably. 'You was the one who made the stuff.'

'You can stop right there, lover boy,' Gina interrupted, her black eyes flashing as she wagged a long finger in Sean's face. 'Passing the buck won't help. Lenny might have made it, but it would never have been shipped to the streets if it wasn't for you and Micky. As far as I'm concerned, you are all dopes, the lot of you. Doing what you did was the height of stupidity. And if you get away with it, you should go down on bended knee to your maker for the reprieve. But knowing you all as I do, you'll all be jumping in the shit just as quickly again. Only I hope this time, before you do, you will consult with Ronnie, who has had to clean up your mess before.'

They were all silent as Sean pulled up his collar. 'I've got to go. Ronnie wants me back at the club.'

'What do we do now?' Gina called after him as he walked away. 'Sit twiddling our fingers, I suppose!'

Bella knew that Sean chose to ignore this as he disappeared along the lane.

Lenny sank down on a chair, his face white.

Gina looked sternly at him. 'And you can cheer up, you moody sod. Playing with fire will eventually get you burned. The saying couldn't be more apt in your case, Lenny Rigler.'

He looked a beaten man and Bella felt sorry for him. But Gina was intent on pressing her point and she admired her for her strength of character. Like Micky, Gina needed to be in control. The trouble was, with Gina pulling one way and Micky the other, no one could sit on the fence for long. Not even Lenny.

Bella knew the time would come when Gina would apply the same pressure to her. But even though she owed Gina a lot, she owed more to her baby.

It was the last Friday in March when finally there was news of Sammy. Or at least, news of his body parts. Gina was cooking as usual and Bella was slicing tomatoes, helped and hindered by Terry. All action stopped in the kitchen as Lenny, who had been working out in the yard, entered with Ronnie. Dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and tie, he looked his old self and his expression was relaxed as he smiled at them.

'Hello, stranger!' Gina exclaimed and Bella's heart beat fast as she looked over his shoulder for Micky.

'How are you, love?' Gina asked and Ronnie nodded.

'Thanks to you both, on the mend.'

'Is Micky coming?' Bella couldn't wait to ask.

'No, but listen. Sammy Stratton's remains were confirmed by the coroner twenty-four hours ago. A verdict of misadventure was given as there was no evidence to the contrary.'

'How did they know it was him?' Gina walked towards him, her mouth falling open.

'They found his gold teeth. The others bodies remain unidentified, which is not surprising as Sammy was known for hiring and firing on a frequent basis. The warehouse itself wasn't insured and no one is claiming an interest. The police themselves are eager to see an end to the matter because of the Stratton's involvement in vice and the thorn in their side that Sammy was proving to be. All in all, I would say we had the best result possible.'

'I can't believe it,' Gina gasped, 'how gullible can the coppers be?'

'One hundred percent when they choose.' Ronnie shrugged. 'My informant tells me they are clapping their hands that Sammy is now out of the frame and Tony a permanent sleeper.'

'What about me?' Lenny asked, his face weighted with strain. 'Did my name come up?'

'Not yours or Micky's, so you can relax.' Ronnie took a package from his overcoat pocket and laid it on the kitchen table. 'But I suggest making yourself invisible for a while.'

Gina stepped quickly forward, the cooking forgotten. She opened the large envelope and smiled. Looking up at Ronnie, she nodded. 'This is handsome, Ronnie. It's been a pleasure doing business with you.'

'Can I see