The Chainmakers (43 page)

'Goodness me, what a lot o' packages!' Mary exclaimed. 'Yo'll need two cabins, not one.'

'Presents for Clancy and James,' Anna explained. 'They must have presents from England. That one isn't going,' she said, nodding at the cardboard box Will was unloading from the car. 'It's a family present. Come and see.'

'What is it Will?' Mary asked her husband as they reached the kitchen.

'Search me,' Will said, depositing the box on the table. 'Anna bought this while I was visitin' a couple o' greengrocers. I think I may 'ave another customer,' he added, with a wink. 'They'm tekin' some greens this weekend as a try out.'

'Oh that's good news our Will. Fetch our Andrew an' we can open this box. Yo' did say it was for all the family Anna?'

'Yes, for everyone.'

Andrew joined them, delighted by the prospect of a present. Will opened the box, and took out some small packages. He put them on the table and began to open them one at a time.

'What ever is it?' Mary said, slight disappointment in her voice.

'I know what it is!' Andrew said suddenly. 'It's a wireless isn't it Auntie? A crystal set!'

'It never is?' Will said, as his mouth dropped open.

'I know how to put it together,' Andrew said excitedly. 'We do it at the Wireless society...' He began to sort out the pieces of equipment. 'This is a good one Auntie...'

'The best they had,' Anna said, beaming.

'A wireless,' Will said slowly. 'It don't seem right somehow, a set just for ourselves...'

'Of course it is,' Anna said. 'Soon everyone will have them, and now the B.B.C. is broadcasting every day you'll be able to tune in to the news.'

'Good 'eavens,' Will said. He watched Andrew fiddling with the equipment. 'Do yo' know what you'm doin' lad?' he asked nervously. 'We don't want it broke...'

'Of course I do,' Andrew said crossly. 'I've learned all about 'em at the Wireless Society.' He looked at the clock. 'I don't think there's a broadcast on now,' he said, 'But at six o'clock there's the news, and sure to be some music tonight.' He held out the headphones to Will. 'You can be the first one to listen Dad,' he said loftily, 'I've heard it before.'

The crystal set was such a success that Anna began to wish she had not bought it. The problem was that all the family wanted to listen at the same time, and some arguments ensued. Eventually Andrew partially solved the problem by putting the headphones into Mary's large china mixing bowl, so that the sound reverberated and they could all hear the music as they sat around the table. When the news came on Will insisted that as head of the household he should be the one to listen. As the items were broadcast he sat making notes on a sheet of paper put ready for the purpose. When the newsreader said 'Good night,' Will would reply gravely, 'Good night, and thank you,' before removing the headphones. Then he would relate the news items one by one, as far as he could remember them, sometimes with embellishments and comments of his own as he thought fit.

When Dottie and Jack arrived three days later for Anna's farewell dinner they were immediately summoned to try the crystal set, and there was much hilarity. At last the whole family were gathered around the big dining table, and to Anna's delight the meal was a great success. The family were not accustomed to taking wine with their dinner, and had agreed to drink it only to please Anna, but as their cheeks became pink and their tongues loosened, they decided to a man that, as Mary put it, 'The French 'ad it right after all, per'aps.'

Will got to his feet. ''Ang on everybody, I've got summat to say. I want yo' all to drink a toast, to our Anna, an' 'er husband Clancy, an' their lad James o' course, wi' thanks fer everythin'.' The toast was drunk and there was much clapping, but Will was not finished. 'Yo' don't need me ter tell yo' what they've done fer us in the past, but now we've 'ad Anna 'ere, 'ome wi' us, an' that was the best thing of all.'

Mary said ''Ear 'ear,' and everyone clapped again.

'Our Anna's give us a few surprises over the years,' Will went on, 'But now me an' Mary is goin' to give yo' one, Anna. Since we began to do well with the veggies we've been puttin'
the money by...' Will paused and looked round the table for effect, 'An' by this time next year I reckon we'll be on our way to America, to visit yo'!'

Anna was overcome with happiness. She had been dreading leaving them all, but it would be so much easier if she knew she would see them before too long. 'Oh Will,' she said, tears springing to her eyes, 'How wonderful... and we shall have a year to prepare, Clancy and I will plan such a holiday for you.'

Andrew interrupted, 'What about me? Can't I go?''

Will considered, but Anna saw him wink at Mary. 'I should think we should 'ave enough for a ticket for yo' an' all,' he said at last, to Andrew's delight.

Anna hugged her nephew. 'You and James are quite near in age, I hope you will be good friends,' she said happily. She knew Will and Mary were aware that they only had to mention they would like to visit New York, and the tickets would have been provided. But this was something they wanted to do for themselves, something to work and save for, and Anna understood that.

Clancy was exhausted. After a hectic morning, and meetings with Lee Sung and Joe Kowalski in the afternoon, he had felt obliged to carry out his normal visits to two Sullivans establishments before going home. He had intended to dine at the restaurant, but suddenly he had felt unable to face food and made his excuses, to the consternation of the manager.

He leaned back into the luxury of the car interior and closed his eyes. He seemed unable to cope with the terrible depression which had assailed him since Anna left. It was a feeling of lethargy, as if nothing mattered, as if all his efforts could make no difference. He recognised he had a problem because he had never felt this way before, and had even consulted his doctor, who had talked about working too hard and prescribed a holiday.

'Some hope,' Clancy thought to himself. Perhaps later, when Anna came home, they would both go away for the holiday of a lifetime. When she came home. If she came home. If she was not so anxious to escape, both from himself and their recent troubles, that she had decided to stay in England.

No. She would never leave James, he realised. Hold on to that thought. Anna might want to leave him, but it was unthinkable that she would desert her son.

'Mr. Sullivan, we're here sir...' The chauffeur's concerned voice broke into his reverie. They were home.

'Oh, sorry Jackson, I must have dropped off.'

'You're tired sir.'

'Yes, I am. You can put the car away, I won't need you tonight.'

Clancy got out of the car stiffly and walked up the front steps, fishing for his key. Before he found it the door opened, and Lottie looked out.

'Oh, Mr. Sullivan, thank goodness you're here.' She seemed agitated.

'What is it Lottie? Is something wrong?'

'Not exactly. You have a visitor, he insisted on waiting. I've put him in the drawing room.'

'Well that's all right Lottie.'

'You don't understand Mr. Sullivan. It's that man... that Vittorio Vetti.'

Clancy's face darkened. 'It's all right Lottie, leave it to me.'

When he opened the door to the drawing room Vetti was standing with his back to him, examining Sylvie's picture of Anna. He turned. 'Ah, Sullivan. Good of you to see me.'

'It seems I didn't have much choice,' Clancy said shortly. He crossed to the side table and poured himself a whisky.

'Are things so bad between us you aren't going to offer me a drink?' Vetti asked.

'They are, and I'm not,' Clancy retorted.

Vittorio sighed. 'How sanctimonious the winners can be,' he said acidly.

'Winners? How can you talk of winners in this sorry business?' Clancy said angrily.

'You misunderstand me Mr. Sullivan, perhaps it is the wrong word, it is my English...'

'Your English is perfectly good.'

'What I meant was, you are not a loser. You still have your son. I have lost my nephew and his lovely wife,' Vittorio said quietly.

Clancy hesitated. He walked back to the drinks table. 'Whisky?'

'Thank you,' Vittorio said.

As he handed him his glass, Clancy met the mobsters eyes, and realised the man had indeed suffered. The heavy eyes revealed a look which was lifeless and vacant, and his face had an unhealthy pallor. He had lost weight, Clancy noticed, his expensive suit hung on him loosely, and his necktie was awry.

Clancy sipped his drink. 'Say what you have to and go.'

Vittorio sighed. 'I do not intend to apologise for my life Mr. Sullivan, it has been what it has been. Do you mind if I sit down?' Not waiting for an answer Vittorio lowered himself into an armchair. He looked across at Clancy. 'If you had been born me...'

'If I had been born you I'd shoot myself,' Clancy said.

The heavy eyelids flickered. 'I have considered that option, but there is still unfinished business, and anyway, others are pressing for that privilege.'

Vittorio took a gulp from his glass, and Clancy said, 'Do
you expect me to feel sorry for you?'

'No. Just don't be pious.' Vittorio took another gulp of whisky, finishing it. He handed the glass to Clancy, who, after a moment's hesitation, refilled it.

'Don't misunderstand me,' Vittorio said. 'I believe in good. There are saintly people in the world. They are largely confined to monasteries and nunneries, or working for the poor in some God forsaken hole. Most people, Mr. Sullivan, obey the law because they are afraid to do otherwise. I have only done what others do not dare to do.'

'Are you saying it takes courage to live a life like yours?' Clancy burst out. 'To take a percentage from decent folk by intimidation? To exploit women? To cater to the most depraved in our society?' He gave a dismissive snort. 'That does not need courage. In my book it is cowardly and evil.'

'Then it is good we do not all have to live by your book, Mr Sullivan,' Vittorio responded, without rancour. 'In any case you don't have to put up with me for long. I intend to return to Italy, that is if I live long enough to get on the boat...'

'I see.' Clancy finished his drink. 'Then before you go I will put you straight, so I will. You were wrong to assume Anna and I were not losers. Jennie was almost like a daughter to us, and we were fond of Paolo too, in spite of...'

'I know. In spite of his relationship to me,' Vittorio interrupted. 'That is why I am here. There is one important matter which must be settled before I leave New York.'

'You've got five minutes,' Clancy said.

~

Anna leaned on the ship's rail as the 'Ocean Star' approached New York Harbour. It had been a good crossing and the ship would dock almost two hours early. She felt sick with apprehension at the thought of seeing Clancy again, and hoped that her telegraphed message had arrived safely. If so, he would be here to meet her, she was sure. Although she was nervous about her reception, she was determined that given the slightest hint of encouragement, she would show Clancy how much she cared.