Eve of the Isle (16 page)

The city had been battered by its force, but it was business as usual for the market traders. Though some of the fruit, vegetables and flowers had been damaged, it was rich pickings for those who stood on the sides.

Trade was good as her customers were relieved to see blue skies. She sold all the contents of her first basket but didn't return for more as she wanted to get home and persuade Peg and the boys to come to the cottage.

But when she arrived in Isle Street, Samuel and Albert ran towards her. ‘We ain't got no roof,' they cried, pulling her to the cottage. ‘The wind blew it off.'

Eve stood with the boys in the backyard. The hole over Jimmy's room had become a yawning gap spreading up to the top rafters. It was a sad sight.

‘What we gonna do?' asked Samuel disconsolately.

‘We'll have to stay with Mr Petrovsky.' Albert looked pleased.

Eve's spirits sank. There seemed no end to the catastrophes befalling the cottage.

She looked down at the place where the watercress had once grown. There was now a thick brown sludge in place of the delightful green shoots. A black furry creature scuttled off from under a stone.

Eve jumped away.

Albert laughed but Eve found it hard to smile. It was as if the old stories were coming true and Father Thames really was punishing them. Were they really going to lose their home for good?

Eve forced the tears back. She didn't want the twins to see how upset she was.

Later that evening there was a knock at the door. Eve went to answer it.

‘Hello.' It was Charlie Merritt.

Eve was shocked to see the tall figure on the doorstep. He wasn't in uniform, but wore a coat and scarf that hung loose around his neck. His dark hair was brushed neatly back, as though he had just combed it into place.

It was a moment before she collected her thoughts. ‘What do you want?' She knew she sounded unfriendly. But Peg's warning was still ringing in her ears.

‘Is it too late to come in?'

She frowned. ‘Why?'

‘I'd like to talk to you about your husband.'

Eve felt a shiver go through her. She hadn't expected him to say that. ‘You haven't found another body?'

‘No.' He smiled. ‘But I have found something else and would like to discuss it with you.'

Eve slowly opened the door and he stepped in. ‘The boys are in bed asleep.'

‘Oh, I was looking forward to seeing them.'

‘How did you find us?' she asked.

‘I made enquiries with the Higgins.'

She opened the parlour door. Peg and Joseph were sitting by the fire.

Peg looked alarmed but Joseph stood up and extended his arm. ‘It's good to see you again, young man.'

Charlie Merritt shook his hand and smiled at Peg. ‘Evening,' he said politely.

But Peg looked suspicious. ‘What do you want?'

‘It's about Raj,' interrupted Eve, sitting down. ‘Have a seat.'

He sat on the couch beside her. ‘I've been following up enquiries.'

‘What enquiries?'

His blue eyes met hers. ‘First, could you tell me how long your late husband had been at sea?'

Eve nodded, but Peg interrupted. ‘What's it got to do with you?'

‘I'm trying to piece together what might have happened.'

‘By asking a lot of questions?'

This time Eve spoke up. ‘Raj went to sea when he was only thirteen. He was twenty-one when he died.'

‘So his service was some eight years?'

Eve nodded.

‘Would you say your husband was an experienced sailor?'

‘Yes.'

‘And not likely to miss his footing and fall overboard?'

‘Are you suggesting he was pushed?' Eve felt her voice rise. It was a horrible thought.

‘I'm keeping an open mind, Mrs Kumar. However, I did visit the Overseas Sailors' Home in West India Dock Road. It provides lodgings for seamen waiting for ships and educates the lascars on the unscrupulous men and women who prey on them in this country. My aim was to seek out any sailor that might have come into contact with either your husband or the
Star of Bengal
at the time of his death. I returned there on several occasions and last week I had a stroke of luck. I found a lascar who had served on the
Star
five years ago. He is an
agwala
by trade, a man who worked in the engine room.'

Eve sat up. ‘But Raj was a cook in the purser's department.'

‘Indeed. But he recalled the name of the head man who dealt with the galley crew. His name is Somar Singh. Unfortunately I could get no further information on his whereabouts. The lascar didn't speak much English and it was only with the help of one of the staff that I managed to get the information I did. However, I then proceeded to the lascar Transfer Office in Victoria Dock to make further enquiries and was told that all the lascar crews of the
Star
were transferred to her sister ship after she was taken out of commission. This vessel is known as the
Tarkay
and her next appearance in the port will be in April.'

‘Do you think this Somar Singh will be on it?'

‘I'm told it's likely, though the hiring of the crews in India is not always to be relied upon. Also a request
has to be made to the ship's captain to speak to the man if he is on board. It can be done through official channels of course.'

Eve didn't know what to feel. She had tried to come to terms with the loss of Raj and she feared this investigation would stir up all the pain again.

‘Why are you taking this trouble?' she asked.

Charlie smiled at her. ‘It's all in the line of duty.'

‘What is this about?' asked Joseph, speaking for the first time.

Eve knew she had to tell him the truth. It was only fair as she was living under his roof and enjoying his hospitality. ‘Charlie is a policeman, Joseph.' She blushed as she glanced at the young constable.

‘You ain't doing this out of the goodness of yer heart, son,' said Peg accusingly. ‘What's the catch?'

Charlie just raised his shoulders slightly. ‘It seems to me that there is more to be discovered about Mrs Kumar's husband's death.'

‘Well, you are in the minority, son. Your high and mighty principles won't cut much ice with your superiors and neither will they with joe public. Don't you know this is Isle Street and we are the forgotten few?'

Eve intervened. ‘Peg, I'd like to hear what else he's got to say.'

Joseph stood up. ‘I think it is time to make tea. Will you help me, Peg?'

She went reluctantly. ‘I need a fag anyway. The sight of the law always makes me nervous.'

‘I'm sorry,' apologized Eve when they were alone.

‘Don't worry. I'm growing a thick skin.'

‘When are you going to take your barrow?'

He smiled. ‘When you've finished with it.'

There was silence until they both spoke at once. ‘How are you and the boys?' he asked eventually.

Eve shrugged. ‘They're back at school and I've found work.'

‘That's good news.'

Eve wanted to tell him all about it, but she didn't know if she could trust him. In the East End telling the police anything other than lies was taboo. Yet he only seemed interested, not nosey.

‘I found a trader at Covent Garden to do business with.' She didn't say his name.

Once again there was silence as she sat uncomfortably, while he watched her patiently. She wished she hadn't said anything at all. But to her surprise, he said simply, ‘Did the council send the fumigator?'

‘No. They said we're on the list.'

‘After the flood, everyone's on it.'

Eve was disappointed. ‘I bought some disinfectant and was going to try to do it myself. But yesterday the wind blew off the slates, leaving a big hole in the roof. '

‘That's not the end of the world. Roofs can be mended.' He smiled again but this time the warmth reached his eyes. ‘Could you use an extra pair of hands this weekend? I've had a run of long duties but I've
got Saturday and Sunday off. I could borrow me dad's ladder and nail the slates back.'

Eve sat there, once more thinking of Peg's warning.

He laughed at her expression. ‘I promise not to tell anyone I'm a policeman. I hope it doesn't make any difference to you.'

She looked away. What did he mean by that?

Their conversation was interrupted as Joseph returned with the tea.

Charlie pulled up his collar and strode briskly along Westferry Road. He would walk back to Stepney and enjoy the fresh air even though it was freezing cold. He wanted to think over what had just taken place and try to sort out his feelings. He hadn't meant to tell her anything other than the facts. That they might be able to shed some light on her husband's death by interviewing this lascar. But then he had gone on to ask her personal questions and found himself becoming more involved. He could have stayed off the topic of the cottage and certainly not offered to nail the slates back on the roof. It wasn't that he couldn't, he'd had a fair bit of experience in that line, doing up his dad's shop and helping his twin brothers George and Joe on their houses. He could turn his hand to just about anything and it was true that he had this weekend off. But there was a match on Saturday afternoon. He couldn't miss that as they'd won their last one four–two. The team were still on a high and if he told Robbie he was
helping out Eve, he'd get a right earful. He could protest all he liked about wanting justice and fairness and it was all in the line of duty. But was it?

As she had said, the case was closed. He'd had no real authority when he went to the Transfer Office to find out about this sailor. He'd more or less insinuated he was following up enquiries. They'd been only too helpful, mind. It wasn't often that an interest was taken in lascar seamen. The blokes he had spoken to could hardly speak English anyway.

Charlie passed the Queens and looked at the brightly lit posters of the forthcoming events. On Friday night the locals took their turn, enjoying a moment of glory as they followed in the footsteps of the great entertainers, Harry Champion, Sable Fern and Marie Lloyd. A few people were gathered outside the doors of the theatre. An old man was begging, his cap outstretched. Charlie took a sixpence from his pocket and dropped it into the worn cloth.

‘Thank yer, m'lud,' said the old man grinning toothlessly. ‘Gawd bless yer and may yer have many 'elfy offspring and they grow'd up as 'andsome as their dad.'

Charlie smiled as he walked on. Offspring, eh? Well, that was a thought. He'd not given much consideration to kids of his own. Growing up with twin brothers, older by ten years, their children had become his, nieces and nephews that seemed to come along each year without fail so that he often forgot which one was which. But he hoped he made a good uncle and loved
being with them, especially the boys who often came to the matches. He taught them how to bounce a ball on their toes and to dribble it and give a good header. Not to be afraid to attack. Yes, he'd plenty of experience with nippers. The thing was, they weren't his.

Perhaps that was why he'd taken such a shine to the Kumars. Being twins, he was familiar with their patter and both were good-looking boys, like their mother.

What had their father been like?

During his enquiries, Charlie had tried to put a picture of him together as he'd been taught whilst in training. Suss out your man and get to know him before nicking him. That way you saved a lot of time and trouble asking daft questions. As far as he'd gathered, lascars were industrious and loyal by character, hard workers and the last to cause trouble in a foreign country. If Raj Kumar's boys were anything to go by, their dad was a good all rounder.

As he entered the Commercial Road, he considered a drink with his mates. They would be putting the world to rights over a pint right now. But coppers' talk didn't interest him tonight.

He wanted to analyze his motives . . . he paused for a moment, then laughed to himself. Wasn't that a copper through and through? Perhaps the answer was he couldn't help himself from being a policeman when he smelt something fishy.

And what was nailing in a few slates for someone? The girl never asked for a favour and was going to put
disinfectant down herself. He hadn't said, but that stuff wouldn't help. The rats would lap it up!

No, first thing in the morning, he was going to cycle past Poplar town hall and make an unofficial call.

And make sure the Kumars were moved to the top of the fumigation list.

Chapter Ten

‘C
locking off early, then, gel?' Archie Fuller raised a bushy eyebrow. ‘It ain't twelve yet.'

‘Me roof is being mended today.'

‘You going up the ladder an' all?'

Eve laughed as Archie helped her to stow her baskets on board the cart. ‘I want to see if this person's turned up to do it.'

‘You wanna watch out. There's a lot of wallahs out there that will rook you. And if you get someone that knows what he's about, it could be expensive. Me brother had his done and he had no change from a pony.'

‘A pony?' Eve was shocked. ‘I can't afford that.'

‘Why don't you get the council to do it?'

‘They don't do anything round our way.'

‘Well, you'll have to give the roofer one of your pretty smiles and get him to do it on the cheap.' He laughed. ‘See you on Monday then.'

Eve said goodbye and hailed herself a ride on one of the many carts leaving the market. After what Archie had told her, she was more suspicious of Charlie than
ever. Twenty-five pounds was a fortune. Did mending roofs really cost that much? Perhaps Charlie Merritt had thought it over and decided against it.

There was a breath of spring in the air as they travelled home. The old horse's rhythmic plodding and the noise of the cart melted in to the Saturday morning hustle and bustle. There were buses, taxis and vans mixed in with the horse-drawn vehicles. The smell of horse manure and traffic fumes added to the underlying aromas of the docks and the thousands of smoking chimneys. In the Commercial Road they passed the pie and eel shops, the mobile coffee stalls and the thriving back street markets. She wondered if she might see the shop that belonged to Charlie's family. The name written on the side of the van was Merritt's Bakery and Provisions. But didn't he say it was just off the Commercial Road? That could be anywhere.