Hold on to your Dreams (8 page)

‘I’ve been told to share out the money and that’s what I’m doing. It’s all right for you to take it, Daisy.’

‘Thank you, sir.’

‘Gosh.’ Fred was examining the money in his hand. ‘This is too much.’

‘It isn’t nearly enough for what you’ve done tonight. We’re very grateful.’

Millie was still counting the coins. ‘Mum don’t earn this much in a month. I’ll give it to her.’

‘Keep a little for yourselves. You’ve all deserved that money this evening.’

‘We could buy ourselves a book each,’ Fred told his friend. He gave David a worried look. ‘What we gonna say to Miss when we see her? It don’t seem right to keep secrets from her.’

This was worrying him as well. ‘We must respect Mr Glendale’s wishes and keep his name out of it for the time being. I’ll have to tell Gertie’s family though, but I’ll say the man helping me doesn’t want to be named for reasons of safety. They won’t question it after the attack on Mr Melrose.’

‘Hmm.’ Millie chewed her bottom lip. ‘We’ll say the same thing then. We don’t want him to get bashed up, do we?’

Everyone agreed, and David tried to relax for the rest of the journey. But he couldn’t help wondering what Alex was up to at the club.

There was no sign of Fred and Millie at the bookshop the next morning. Gertrude knew they could be anywhere and tracking them down might take all morning, and she couldn’t spend too much time away from work. Her father was struggling to increase the business in order to pull them out of the mess Edward had left, and he needed her. After waiting around for half an hour she left a message with Mr Partridge and hurried back.

During the day she kept expecting Fred to come, but he never did.

When they arrived home in the evening, David was in the sitting room with Florence. He looked tired and worried when he greeted them.

‘What’s happened?’ Gertrude asked, with concern.

‘I have something to tell you, but –’ he glanced directly at Sutton ‘– before I say anything, I need your promise you
won’t take any action of your own. The situation is being dealt with.’

Sutton indicated that David should sit down. ‘You’d better tell us what this is about.’

‘Your word first, please.’ He was uncomfortable about insisting, but it was necessary.

‘You have it.’

‘And you, Gertie,’ David insisted. ‘No member of the Melrose family must appear to be involved in any way. It could be highly dangerous, and I know you too well.’

‘I’ll keep out of it,’ she promised, very worried by now. ‘For goodness’ sake, tell us what’s happened.’

He then gave a brief outline of the events of the previous evening, omitting where this had taken place, and Alex’s involvement.

Gertie jumped to her feet, furious. ‘You had no right to ask Fred to do this! What were you thinking of?’

‘No one knows, and he wouldn’t be recognised. I saw him safely home as soon as he’d identified the cheats. We had his parents’ permission, and Fred was eager to help.’ David spoke firmly. ‘Eager to help you, Gertie.’

‘We? Who else is involved?’ her father demanded.

‘I can’t tell you. It’s his wish to remain anonymous.’

‘That isn’t acceptable!’ Sutton was also on his feet, a deep frown furrowing his brow. ‘The fact that Edward might have been cheated only makes him appear more foolish—’

Florence gave a quiet sob of distress. ‘Oh, my poor, misguided boy.’

‘I’m sorry, my dear.’ He took hold of his wife’s hand
as he spoke to David. ‘What does this man intend to do about these scoundrels?’

‘I don’t know. He’s also keeping me out of it. Fred is the only one with skill enough to spot them cheating and … my friend will not allow him to speak out against them.’

‘I should think not!’ Gertie was still seething. ‘If I ever find out who this person is, I’ll tell him what I think of him. How dare he take a young boy into a gambling den.’

‘He was, and is, quite safe.’ David could understand her concern for the youngster. ‘We’ve made sure of that. The fewer people who know the details, the safer everyone will be.’

‘Is there any chance of getting our money back?’ Florence spoke in a hushed voice, terribly distressed by these revelations.

‘Not without charging them, and we can’t do that without Fred’s testimony.’

Sutton nodded in agreement. ‘The boy can’t be exposed to such danger. It’s a dilemma, but something must be done or they will continue to cheat others.’

‘All I can tell you is that they are going to be stopped.’

Gertrude had calmed down, and anger had been replaced with worry. ‘I don’t like the sound of this. These men are vicious, as father well knows. Please be careful, and your friend, as well.’

‘I’ll take care.’ He smiled at last. ‘And my friend is more than capable of looking after himself. Don’t go asking Fred and Millie who he is because they’re also sworn to secrecy.’

Blast! That’s just what she had intended to do.

‘Don’t make them break their word,’ he insisted.

She sighed inwardly. ‘All right. But I don’t see why this friend of yours, whoever he is, has to be so secretive about his identity to us.’

‘It has to be this way, so don’t pry, Gertie. I’m not accusing you of being a gossip, because I know you’re not, but it’s better if you don’t know too many details.’

‘David’s right,’ her father agreed. ‘We must be grateful someone is prepared to unmask these men. It needs to be done, and it’s vital this man works in secret, for everyone’s sake.’

‘I’m glad you understand.’ David was relieved. ‘Now, if you will excuse me …’

‘Of course.’ Sutton shook his hand. ‘You’ll keep us informed?’

After he had promised he would, Gertrude saw him to the door. ‘Do you know if Mr Glendale has done anything about finding Edward?’ she whispered.

‘I really don’t know, but he’s hardly had time. And I honestly don’t know where he should start the search.’

She gave him an exasperated look. ‘Then why did you urge me to seek his help? I could have saved myself, and him, the embarrassment. I felt he was too polite to refuse.’

‘He wouldn’t have been embarrassed. Alex thinks highly of you and your parents, and he might have fresh ideas. I didn’t know what else we could do. Goodness knows I’ve tried hard enough, but Edward seems to have disappeared. He has questioned me in detail about Edward’s habits.
He’s set his mind to it, but you must be patient. He’s a busy man.’

‘Oh, don’t say that.’ She chewed her bottom lip in worry. ‘It makes me feel even worse about asking him. He doesn’t have to do this, and if he’s so busy, how is he going to find the time?’

‘He’ll find it. You’ve got to learn to trust him. We need all the help we can get. And if it weren’t for him, you would be living with your Aunt Hanna, crammed into her small house, or still struggling to pay the debt. I know how independent you are, but a little trust and gratitude would not go amiss.’

His rebuke hit its target and she lowered her eyes in shame. What was the matter with her? ‘I’m sorry, and you’re quite right. I’ve always been far too independent.’

He chuckled then. ‘I’ll say you have. Even when you were a toddler, if we tried to help with something, you would push us away, saying, I can do it! I can do it! Relying on others doesn’t come easy for you.’

‘I know I’m unreasonable at times, and I can’t understand why Mr Glendale once found me attractive enough to approach Father.’

David was still smiling, remembering the feisty, independent little girl, who hadn’t mellowed much now she was grown. But he still adored her, and so did everyone else who met her. ‘I don’t think you have to worry about that now. You’ve left him in no doubt about your feelings for him. I’ve heard a rumour that he’s showing interest in someone else.’

‘Oh … Who?’

He bent and kissed her cheek. That had given her something to think about! ‘I haven’t the faintest idea. Goodnight, Gertie.’

Sleep eluded Gertrude that night, though she was desperately tired. It would be bad enough if her brother had lost all that money in honest games, but to know he had probably been cheated made him look even more foolish. Her mother had said very little, but she’d clearly been devastated. No matter what he’d done, he was still her son, and nothing would stop her loving him.

She punched her pillows in an effort to get comfortable, but it was a waste of time. Her mind was a jumble of worry, anger and something else she couldn’t quite grasp.

David had been uneasy about delivering his news and she understood that. Who was this friend of his? If he wouldn’t tell them who it was, it must be someone they knew. But using Fred like that was wrong! If she ever found out who he was, he would receive the sharp end of her tongue for involving the young boy in this crazy scheme. But she couldn’t deny these men needed to be exposed as cheats, for goodness knows how many others were suffering because of them.

Damn! She sat up, bent her knees and rested her head on them. Her stomach was rebelling. She hated feeling so helpless. Her parents had aged in a short time, and it was terrible to watch them suffering so much. If only there was a way to make them happy again. It would help her mother to know her beloved son was surviving out there on his own. All David’s efforts to find him had failed, and
as much as she hated to admit it, Mr Glendale was their only hope now.

Her sigh was ragged as she settled down again. Sleep. She must sleep. It was impossible to think clearly when she was so tired.

Drifting between consciousness and sleep, ideas on how she could ease her parents’ burden drifted through her mind. But there seemed no way out of the mess they were in. All she could do was take each day as it came, and do the best she could.

It had been painful parting with his grandfather’s pocket watch. All the time he had been losing at cards he’d held on to it, determined not to part with this item he loved. But there was nothing else left to sell. Even his decent clothes had been pawned as he’d moved from one cheap lodging house to another, always on the move to avoid being found or recognised. His shame was crushing and the only thing on his mind was to somehow redeem himself. And until that day he wanted to remain in the shadows, hidden from sight. Lacking any practical skill, he had tried to get labouring work at the docks. But there were too many hungry men fighting for work. He’d tried to get work as a ditch digger, but even there he had failed. His accent and unblemished hands showed him as a man not used to hard work. He deeply regretted his idle life. If he’d worked with his father, as he should have done, then he might be more fitted for surviving in this harsh environment. But he hadn’t, and it was no good wishing. He was a fool. His family had given him every opportunity in life, and
he’d thrown it back in their faces. He didn’t know how they were coping with the aftermath of his stupidity, and he was frightened to find out. It was going to be terrible for them because his losses had been enormous, and if he knew the details of their suffering it would destroy him.

He counted out the money and put aside enough for the rent. At least he could pay the landlady when he left in the morning and wouldn’t have to creep away in the night.

After he had accepted that he wasn’t going to be able to find work of any kind, there had been only one avenue left open to him. It was going to be hard, but he was determined to prove to his family – and himself – that he could amount to something. This was now a burning desire, and might be an unattainable dream, but no matter what the future held, he wouldn’t let the dream fade. It would probably take him the rest of his life, but he would pay back every penny he had lost. And if he didn’t survive, at least they would know he had tried and given his all.

His meagre belongings were packed. Tomorrow he started a new life, and he was dreading it.

It was impossible for Gertrude to concentrate on her work. She hated not knowing what was going on, and was sick with worry. David had said they must not be involved because of the danger, and he never exaggerated. She had tossed and turned last night trying to place the other man involved. David had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and it could be any of them. The fact that they had involved Fred was even more worrying, and they shouldn’t have done that! She’d become very fond of the youngsters, and felt protective towards them.

Taking a deep breath to calm the agitation, she forced herself to get on with the paperwork in front of her. Had Fred been to the bookshop yet? If he didn’t come today then she’d have to go and find him. She wished he’d come. But it was no good fretting like this when she had work to do.

It was nearly twelve o’clock when she saw the youngsters peering in the door. With an exclamation of relief, she leapt to her feet, rushing to meet them.

‘Thank goodness you’re here!’ She urged them inside. ‘Are you all right?’

‘Yes, Miss.’ Millie grinned. ‘We got your message just now and Fred couldn’t wait to get here.’

The boy wasn’t taking any notice of them; he was too busy running his hands over a finished table. ‘Cor!’ was all he said, dropping to his knees to examine the legs.

Gertrude smiled for the first time that day and peered under the table at him. ‘I showed my father your box, and he wants to see you.’

‘What?’ He came up so quickly his head caught the corner of the table.

‘Do you like that, young man?’

Fred nearly lost his balance as he spun round to face the man who had spoken. ‘Yes, sir. Lovely bit of wood, sir. Oak at its best. Them joins is perfect, sir. And the polish …’ He sighed in ecstasy.

‘We pride ourselves on good workmanship.’ Sutton was looking highly amused at Fred’s reaction. ‘Would you like to have a look at the work going on here?’

‘Oh, yes please, sir!’ Fred was quite breathless with the excitement of it all.

‘This is my father,’ Gertrude said, when she could get a word in.

‘And you must be Millie and Fred. My daughter has told me about you. Gertrude, will you give Millie some tea while I have a talk with Fred?’

‘Of course.’ She led the young girl to the back of the workshop where they had a small kitchen.

‘I was very worried when David told me Fred had been asked to see if some men were cheating at cards.’ Gertrude handed Millie a plate of biscuits. ‘That was a dangerous thing to do.’

‘We was quite safe.’ The girl was already munching on one biscuit and holding another in her hand.

‘We?’ Gertrude spun round, leaving the water to boil. ‘Were you there as well?’

‘’Course. I wouldn’t let Fred go on his own. I didn’t see none of the men though. I was in the kitchen with the cook and D … Er, the other man made one of his servants stay with me.’

This just got worse! David had kept quiet about this, and she was furious. ‘A gambling den is no place for youngsters of your age.’

Millie laughed. ‘It weren’t no gambling den, Miss. It was proper posh. And as soon as Fred had spotted the cheats, Mr Gardener took us straight home.’

Now she was even more puzzled. ‘What was this other man going to do when you left?’

‘Dunno. He just said he had things to do and he wanted us out of the way.’ Millie studied Gertrude’s worried expression. ‘Don’t you fret none, Miss. This man’s tough. He can look after himself.’

‘Strong, is he?’ she asked innocently.

Millie soon realised what Gertrude was doing. ‘Can’t tell you no more. We promised, and I already said too much. That water’s gonna boil away,’ she pointed out.

‘Oh, damn!’ Gertrude muttered as she grabbed the kettle. While waiting for the tea to draw, she said, ‘I promised I wouldn’t ask you any questions, but I do hate not knowing what’s going on.’

‘’Spect you do.’ Millie nodded in sympathy. ‘But your friend and this other man are working in secret to keep all of us safe. They came and saw our mums before we did this. They left their carriage and walked down our street, causing quite a stir, I can tell you. They sat in our house and drank tea, as easy as you like. My mum was in quite a state and had a job to pour the tea.’ She giggled. ‘But they talked away just as if they was in a palace. Didn’t know posh gents could be so nice.’

Gertrude was bursting to hear more.

‘Millie!’ Fred’s voice put a stop to their conversation. ‘What you been saying? Remember our promise.’

‘I haven’t said his name!’ She looked hurt at her friend’s rebuke. ‘I won’t say nothing to put him in danger. He’s a good bloke.’

Fred grinned, relieved Millie hadn’t let anything vital slip. ‘And Johnny keeps running up the road to see if he’s coming again.’ He glanced at Gertrude apologetically. ‘Sorry we can’t tell you everything, but we always keeps our promises.’

‘And so you should.’ Sutton walked in. ‘My daughter has an insatiable curiosity.’

‘Insat …’ Millie frowned. ‘That’s a new word to me. What’s it mean?’

‘Impossible to satisfy,’ Gertrude explained, pulling a
face. ‘But this concerns us, Father. I can’t see the need for all this secrecy.’

‘Because this man, whoever he is, is not only trying to shield us from any unpleasantness, but also to keep Millie and Fred safe.’

‘You’ll know when he’s dealt with these men,’ Fred told her.

‘And you believe he will expose them?’

‘No doubt about it. If he sets about something, then he’ll do it. He’s that kind of man.’

He sounded so sure and the secrecy was frustrating. David knew plenty of men in the shipping business. It must be one of them he’d gone to for help, probably one of the ship owners. ‘In that case, I’ll have to wait patiently.’

‘We all will.’ Sutton turned his attention back to Fred. ‘Tell Millie your news.’

‘Oh.’ Fred started to hop from foot to foot in excitement, fairly bursting with pride. ‘I’m gonna work here! Mr Melrose’s gonna teach me everything about working with wood. I’m to be his apprentice!’

Millie erupted with a shout of glee. ‘Thank you, sir! All Fred needs is a chance. Thank you, thank you. When do you start, Fred?’

‘Tomorrow!’

‘Let’s get back and tell your mum and dad. They’ll be so proud of you working for one of the best in the business.’

Sutton was smiling at their pleasure. ‘Off you go. I’ll see you at eight in the morning, young man.’

‘I’ll be here, sir!’ He grabbed Millie’s hand and they rushed out of the workshop.

Gertrude watched them disappear and squeezed her father’s hand. ‘That was kind of you. Can you afford to take him on at the moment?’

‘We’ll manage.’ He smiled at his daughter. ‘I wish we could do something for the girl as well.’

‘So do I. She was overjoyed for Fred though. I’ll have a word with David and see if he can help find her a job. Her handwriting is excellent.’

‘Good idea. They’re bright youngsters and deserve a helping hand.’

The desire to confront the gamblers the night before had been tempting, but Alex had not considered it a wise thing to do. He didn’t want to draw attention to Fred, so this would have to be done stealthily by sowing seeds of suspicion. By the time word reached the Hayworth brothers it would have gone through many people, making it difficult for them to find out where the accusation had originally come from.

First he would make a call on Michael Shawbridge. He wasn’t sure if the damned fool deserved to be alerted to the danger, but his sister had loved him, and Alex felt he owed him the chance to get away from the brothers before their cheating became public knowledge. He would invite him to dine with him at the club, and as he did this from time to time it wouldn’t be thought unusual. After his sister had died he’d made a point of keeping in touch with Michael. After all, he had nearly become a part of the Glendale family.

Fastening his pocket watch in place, he gave a sad sigh.
Who would have believed such tragedy would befall them. He was now the only Glendale left …

Would the pain never leave him?

Giving a disgusted grimace, he turned away from the mirror. Self-pity was a trait he despised. It was time he stopped yearning for a girl he couldn’t have and set about building the family again.

His long, determined stride took him out to the waiting carriage. That was a problem he would address soon, but for the moment he had several other urgent matters to deal with.

Michael accepted the invitation with pleasure and they went straight to the club. During the meal, Michael soon mentioned his surprise at seeing Alex in the gaming room the night before. ‘I didn’t know you liked to gamble,’ he said, smiling with amusement.

‘I don’t. I had a deal to make with Gardener Shipping and we were just passing the time before dining.’

‘How many ships have you got now, Alex?’

‘Two, but I’m thinking of buying another one.’

‘It’s a lucrative business then?’

‘Not at first,’ he told him, ‘but it’s beginning to show a profit. I enjoy the cut and thrust of buying and selling cargoes.’

‘You may deny that you’re a gambler,’ Michael laughed, ‘but I’m not so sure that’s true. You ought to join us tonight. There’s room at the Hayworths’ table.’

Shaking his head, Alex leant back, making sure the other diners could hear what he said. ‘I’m not a fool, Michael. They appear to be too lucky – if luck comes into it.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Surely you’ve heard the rumours?’ Alex refilled their wine glasses.

‘No.’ Michael glanced around quickly to see if any other diners were listening. He leant forward and spoke quietly. ‘What rumours?’

‘I’ve heard it mentioned that they appear to be very clever with cards.’ He didn’t bother to lower his voice. ‘There might be nothing in it – you know what London is like when it comes to gossip – but if I were you I’d keep well away from them just in case accusations begin to fly.’

‘I don’t play at their table.’ Michael looked agitated.

‘Ah, that’s right, you were on the next table.’ Alex smiled and called the waiter over to order brandy for them.

‘Er … who told you about this?’

Alex frowned as if trying to remember. ‘I was at a function last week given by Lord and Lady Shearing, and it seems some young men have got themselves into debt after playing with the Hayworths. It appears to have raised doubts as to the honesty of the games.’

All colour drained from Michael’s face. ‘Really? Rumours like that could ruin a man’s reputation. Is there any proof of this?’

‘I couldn’t say. I’m only repeating what I heard. I wouldn’t have said anything, for London is rife with tittle-tattle, and I usually take little notice, but I believe you are acquainted with them and should know what is being said.’ He swirled the brandy around in the glass. From the look on Michael’s face, he knew he had made his point and he hoped the damned fool would now distance
himself from the Hayworth boys. He had done his duty by Michael and his sister, now it was up to the man to use some sense. He was aware many around them had been listening attentively; now all he could do was wait for the news to spread. And it would, like a raging fire.

Alex flicked open his watch. ‘Thank you for joining me, but I’m afraid I have another appointment. We must do this again soon.’

‘It has been most enjoyable.’ Michael had regained a little of his composure and stood, smiling. ‘Do you ever stop working?’

‘I like to keep busy.’ He shook hands with Michael and walked out of the dining room, stopping to speak briefly to several men on the way.

There was a grim smile on his face as he climbed into his carriage.

Now let the rumours begin to fly!