A Winter Baby for Gin Barrel Lane Page 5

‘Yes, but did you notice no one was going in? A few elderly gentlemen having a quiet drink – if it’s like that all the time it’s no wonder he wants rid of it. No, I don’t think it would be a sound investment, in fact it could turn out to be a pig in a poke.’

  ‘Not exactly sociable either, was he? He never even introduced himself.’

  ‘That’s another thing that tells me he’s had enough of public house life.’

  ‘Oh well, it was worth a look, I suppose.’

  ‘Always. Thank you for accompanying me, Danny, I appreciate it.’

  ‘You’re most welcome. It’s the least I could do after all you’ve done for me. I’m sorry about… you know, the knife.’

  ‘It’s forgotten, Danny.’

  As the cab trundled along, Dolly noted the dirty streets, people ambling about as if they had nothing better to do. Women were washing windows – a thankless task with the smoke from countless chimneys throwing out soot particles. Children with bare feet ran around yelling as they played, heedless of the traffic. Men in flat caps stood in groups, putting the world to rights as they smoked hand-rolled cigarettes.

  Birmingham was a poverty-stricken area, Dolly thought, as they passed houses standing cheek by jowl shutting out the sunlight.

  The cab slowed to a crawl as it approached the railway station, where hordes of people spilled out into the street. The hiss of the steam trains could be heard even over the noisy crowds.

  Changing direction at Victoria Square, the cab picked up speed to travel along Colmore Row and on into Steelhouse Lane. The plethora of grimy buildings was broken only by St Philip’s church, headstones of all shapes and sizes filling the cemetery.

  Drawing to a halt outside Daydream Palace, Dolly and Danny alighted and could hear the singing going on indoors. Dolly paid the cabbie and thanked him before they walked around to the back door, not wanting to fight their way through the throng in the bar.

  ‘How did you get on?’ Sadie asked as they stepped through the doorway.

  ‘It was pretty awful,’ Dolly said.

  Danny immediately went to work behind the bar whilst Dolly explained about their little adventure. ‘It doesn’t matter, though, because something else will come up in time. Besides, I’m in no hurry.’

  ‘That place sounds like it was cack!’ Alice said.

  Dolly grinned. ‘It was, Alice, truly dreadful.’

  ‘Get on with those vegetables and mind your business, girl,’ Sadie chastised.

  ‘I was only saying,’ Alice muttered.

  ‘I’m doing meat and potato pie, vegetables and gravy for lunch,’ Sadie said, ignoring the maid’s comment.

  ‘Lovely, we’ll all be hungry by then because it sounds hectic out there.’ Dolly tilted her head as she spoke. Moving to the doorway, she leaned against it and scanned the crowd. The room was barely able to accommodate another body, it was so full.

  Old Aggie crooked a finger and Dolly stepped forward.

  ‘I hear as you’m looking for new premises,’ Aggie said.

  Dolly smiled but said nothing. How had Aggie found out? It was a mystery how the gossip grapevine was constantly fed.

  ‘I’ll keep my ear to the ground,’ Aggie added.

  ‘Thank you, Aggie,’ Dolly said, giving the old girl a free tot, and tapped the side of her nose, indicating it should be between them. She knew, however, that the town would be privy to the knowledge in no time.

  ‘So, you moving then?’ Aggie asked.

  ‘Maybe,’ Dolly grinned.

  ‘No you ain’t, you’re after another Palace, ain’t yer?’

  ‘Maybe,’ Dolly responded again, unwilling to give away any more of her private business.

  Just then a fight broke out, and two of her floor-walkers dived in to separate the battling men. Dolly watched as the fighters were escorted out of the front door before her new workers returned. They nodded to their boss and Dolly smiled.

  ‘We’ve run out of that Partiality,’ Juliet said out of the side of her mouth.

  ‘Already? That went quick. I’ll put in a regular order if it’s that popular.’

  ‘Better had, folks are complaining when I tell them it’s all gone,’ the barmaid answered then rushed off to serve a woman yelling for service.

  It was late afternoon when Wilton Burton arrived and Dolly was delighted to see him, not least because she needed to place a new order.

  ‘I guessed you might like our new range,’ Wilton said when Dolly told him every drop had been sold.

  ‘Not me personally, but the customers certainly do.’

  Sadie and Alice went about their business with half an ear on the conversation.

  ‘I’m looking to open another gin house if I can find the right premises.’

  ‘Very good, and I’m assuming you will be dealing with us?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Funnily enough, father was thinking about extending the works. We’re struggling to keep up with demand. Our sales of beer are at an all-time high.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Dolly smiled.

  Wilton’s dark eyes sparkled. Dolly saw the blue-black jets as sunlight danced over his hair. His voice was smooth and gentle as he coaxed her into trying another of the new gins.

  He laughed, which snapped her attention back to the conversation and made her realise she’d been staring, a dreamy look on her face. Had he noticed? Whatever would he think?

  ‘Dolly!’ the call came from the bar.

  ‘Sorry but it appears I’m needed,’ she said as she picked up her cane from where it had been propped against her chair.

  ‘I’ll get off home, then, and get your order set up.’

  Shaking hands, Wilton held hers a few seconds longer than was needed and Dolly’s heart leapt. Was he trying to tell her something? Or was she reading something into it that wasn’t there?

  Wilton slipped out of the back door as Dolly limped to the bar, a flush to her cheeks which was not caused by the warm weather.

  Alice opened her mouth to speak but Sadie put a finger to her own lips, telling the maid not to say a word. Sadie nodded and Alice grinned. They both had the same idea – their employer was giving out all the signs of being in love.

  9

  Sunday rolled around and Jack half-heartedly polished his boots. He had on a clean shirt and trousers, and his beloved flat cap was on his head. It was almost time to meet Daisy Truckle for their walk in Park Street Gardens. Why had he agreed to go? He didn’t particularly want to spend his time with the girl, and to be honest he would much rather have gone across to see Dolly. Slipping his feet into his boots, he laced them up.

  With a sigh, he walked from the scullery into the kitchen.

  ‘You look very smart,’ his mother said as she handed over some money in case he should need it.

  ‘You don’t really want to go, do you?’ Nancy asked.

  ‘Course he does,’ Nellie put in quickly.

  ‘He don’t. Look at his face, Nell, the poor lad is dreading it.’

  ‘Nance, it’s nowt to do with us.’

  Ignoring her friend, Nancy went on. ‘He shouldn’t have to if he…’

  ‘I’d best be off. I’ll see you later,’ Jack said before the women could argue any more, then left to collect Daisy.

  As he strolled down Gin Barrel Lane with his hands in his pockets, he knew Nancy was right. However, he had agreed and he wouldn’t go back on his word. Moreover, he didn’t have to step out with the girl again if he didn’t enjoy himself. The thought cheered him somewhat and he pushed through the filthy streets to the baker’s.

  Daisy was waiting outside for him and he forced a smile as he approached her. She did look pretty in a white cotton dress which fell to her shoes. Her blonde curls were caught up by a white ribbon shaded beneath a matching lace parasol.

  Side by side, they walked towards the park, Daisy chatting as they went, although Jack wasn’t really listening. He was wondering what Dolly was doing today.

  ‘Are you hearin
g me?’

  Jack nodded.

  ‘Well, what do you think?’

  ‘About what?’

  Daisy sighed audibly. ‘You’ve not heard a word I’ve said, Jack Larkin!’

  Wisely he kept his counsel. Entering the park gates they stepped onto the gravel path that wound between trees and around well-kept lawns.

  ‘What’s up with you?’

  ‘Nothing,’ Jack muttered.

  ‘You shouldn’t have come if your heart ain’t in it.’

  ‘You asked me, remember?’

  ‘Yes, I do remember but I’m beginning to think I’ve made a mistake.’ Daisy stopped and plonked herself on a bench beneath a tree where a squirrel scampered to the high canopy of leaves.

  Jack sat beside her, his hands still in his pockets. He was feeling wretched. Try as he might, he couldn’t summon the will to make an effort to show Daisy a pleasant afternoon.

  He heard a woodpecker hammering a tree in the distance then a cuckoo called. Birds chirped and flew across the grass in search of worms.

  Everything was different now he was older. When he was a kid, he and Dolly had laughed as they worked together behind the bar of the Crown. He recalled how excited she had been when he bought her some books for her birthday. She still loved to read and Jack thought he’d visit the market to get her some more. The newly built central library was not in use as yet, its grand opening was scheduled for next year.

  Daisy was tapping her foot on the gravel, making a pattering sound. There was an awkward silence between them which was suddenly broken when Daisy said, ‘Right, I’m going home. I don’t think I like you very much, after all.’

  Jack walked beside her, his head down. He didn’t argue with her decision, for that was what he wanted too, but he still felt ashamed.

  They halted outside the baker’s and Daisy waited for Jack to speak. When he said nothing, she turned on her heel and stamped down the passage to the back door.

  Breathing a sigh of relief, Jack hurried home but as he neared, he changed his mind and crossed the road. His heart beat faster as he made for the front entrance to Daydream Palace. He was going to see Dolly instead.

  Sitting on a chair carried outside by one of her workers, Dolly looked Jack up and down. ‘Going somewhere nice?’ she asked, taking in his neat appearance.

  Jack shook his head, not knowing what to say.

  ‘Come on, Jack, you know I’m a good listener.’

  Unable to hold his tongue Jack spilled the whole story of his awkward morning but made no mention of his feelings for Dolly herself.

  ‘I know what you’re thinking,’ he said. ‘I should never have agreed to the outing in the first place.’

  Dolly kept her counsel. Her eyes remained on the roadway, watching folk passing by.

  ‘I’m dreading having to go back to the baker’s.’

  ‘At least Daisy knows how you feel now and she can move on,’ Dolly said at last.

  ‘What about you? Are you and that salesman…?’

  ‘No, Jack, we’re not.’ Dolly cut across his question.

  Changing the subject before the conversation could get awkward, Dolly told Jack about her jaunt to the old pub with Danny Whitehouse.

  As he listened, he felt the pangs of jealousy bite again. There was a time she would have asked him to accompany her, but she was totally independent now. It appeared she no longer needed his help, and a feeling of redundancy crept over him.

  ‘So I’ve decided I’ll keep my eyes open for another pub for sale,’ Dolly concluded.

  ‘How can you run two places at once?’

  ‘I’ll just put a manager in the other one.’

  ‘It would have to be someone you trust,’ Jack said. ‘Who do you have in mind?’

  ‘I don’t know, anyway, it’s early days yet.’

  ‘Well, it sounds like an exciting plan, but I’d better get back, otherwise Mum will be calling for my head. Where have you been? We’re snowed under here and you’ve been gallivanting round the park!’

  Dolly laughed at his imitation of Nellie’s voice and it brought back memories of when they were younger. She laughed harder when Jack mimicked Nancy. ‘Leave him alone Nell, he’s only a kid!’

  Then, out of the blue, he asked, ‘Do you still think of Nancy as your second mum?’

  ‘I’d say we’re more friends now.’ Dolly’s mind returned to the past when Nancy needed a child and Dolly needed a mother, her own having passed away.

  ‘Enjoying the sunshine, I see.’

  Dolly turned to see Wilton standing in the doorway and she beamed.

  ‘I’ve brought your order; the boys are unloading it as we speak.’

  Jack curled his lip. Smarmy git!

  ‘Hello, Jack, not working today?’ Wilton asked.

  ‘No.’ Jack’s sharp answer drew a cursory glance from Dolly. ‘I’m away, I’ll see you later, Dolly.’ With that, head down and hands back in his pockets, he strode across the road to the Crown Saloon.

  Once he was back, Jack made his way straight down to the cellar where Fred was sweeping the floor.

  ‘How did it go with Daisy?’

  ‘Dismal.’

  ‘That bad?’

  ‘Worse. We took a turn round the park and I couldn’t find anything to talk about. In the end she said she d’aint like me much after all and I took her home.’

  ‘Ah, well, it’s done now.’

  ‘I feel awful, Fred. I treated her summat rotten and she didn’t deserve it.’

  ‘Why don’t you take her some flowers and tell her you’re sorry?’

  ‘I don’t want her thinking there could be another outing in the offing!’

  ‘Tell her that. Explain you only want to be her friend.’

  ‘I won’t be able to get out again now. Mum will want to know everything.’

  ‘Have you got any money?’ Fred asked.

  ‘Yes, why?’

  ‘Right, nip to the market for those flowers and take them to Daisy. On the way back, bring me a half ounce of baccy.’ Fred handed over a couple of coins. ‘That way we can say you’ve run an errand for me and we won’t be lying.’

  ‘Thanks Fred,’ Jack said and raced up the cellar two steps at a time.

  Dashing to the market he bought a bunch of flowers, and on his way to the baker’s he purchased Fred’s tobacco, which he shoved in his pocket.

  At the baker’s he saw Daisy serving in the shop and he knocked on the window. When she looked out, he crooked a finger. A moment later Daisy stood before him.

  ‘What do you want?’ she asked sharply.

  ‘I’ve come to apologise and give you these.’ He produced the flowers from where he’d hidden them behind his back.

  ‘Oh, well, thanks,’ Daisy said, her surprise evident.

  ‘Daisy, I treated you really badly and I’m sorry.’

  ‘Does this mean…?’

  ‘No,’ Jack jumped in quickly. ‘Look, I can’t be your sweetheart, but I can be your friend.’

  Daisy nodded and said, ‘All right. At least we know now it wasn’t meant to be.’

  ‘Thanks. And I’m sorry again to have spoilt our walk.’ With a smile, he left her standing with her nose buried in the flowers.

  Back at the Crown, Jack went again to the cellar and handed over the tobacco and Fred gave him a questioning look.

  ‘Thanks, Fred, all’s well now.’

  Meanwhile, at the Palace, Wilton carried the chair around the back and into the kitchen for Dolly, where he greeted Sadie and Alice.

  Dolly could hear the Bickley brothers stacking new barrels in the cellar and rolling out the empty ones to be loaded onto Wilton’s cart.

  They chatted over tea, Dolly enjoying the young man’s company, much to the amusement of the cook and maid.

  Mentioning her idea to open another gin palace again, Dolly was surprised when Wilton said, ‘We supply ale to the Coach & Horses in Dean Street and I know for a fact the owner is looking to sell.’

  �
�Interesting. Well, then, maybe I’ll take a trip over to see if it’s suitable.’

  ‘It’s a small place, about the size of this.’

  ‘Still room for customers, though,’ Dolly quipped.

  ‘Ezra Moreton has just purchased that old place on Horse Fair, so we’ve lost that client.’

  It wasn’t unexpected that Ezra, who owned the brewery on Nova Scotia Street, had moved in to buy so quickly. He was a man not to be crossed and those who did often ended up floating in the canal, although it could never be proved he’d had a hand in it.

  ‘So if you’re interested in the Coach & Horses, I suggest you get over there sharpish,’ Wilton concluded.

  ‘Thank you, I’ll go today.’ Dolly smiled at the man, who was staring at her unashamedly.

  ‘Don’t you be going on yer own, though,’ Sadie said as she cleared away the tea things.

  ‘I won’t.’

  ‘Cellar’s all done, Dolly,’ Billy Bickley said as he came into the kitchen.

  ‘Thanks, boys,’ she answered as she spotted his brother Bobby right behind him. ‘Get yourselves some tea and cake before you start on the yard, then.’

  Rubbing their hands together they sat at the table waiting for their treat.

  Wilton said his farewell and left via the back door.

  When he had gone, Dolly thought about what had been said about the pub for sale. She would take a look and she knew just who to take with her.

  10

  ‘Nellie, do you mind if I borrow Jack for a couple of hours? I’m going to Dean Street to look at a property for sale.’

  ‘I think I can spare him. Jack! Get your arse in here!’

  ‘What now?’ he asked as he rushed into the kitchen. ‘Oh, hello Dolly.’

  ‘I wondered if you would do me a favour,’ Dolly said before explaining her request. ‘I’m off to see a pub that’s up for sale.’

  ‘Better hurry up afore Ezra Moreton gets his grubby hands on it, then,’ Nancy put in. ‘I hear as he is buying up as many old inns and taverns as he can – greedy bugger!’

  ‘It’s just business, but you’re right, I should go sooner rather than later,’ Dolly responded.

  Nellie and Nancy would presume she was asking Jack to mind the Palace while she was on her jaunt, and Dolly had no intention of telling them otherwise – yet. A plan was forming in her mind but letting the two women in on it would come later.