Songbird. Josephine Cox

as to whether she ought to tell the girl what she was letting herself in for, or whether to stay quiet, out of sight, and make a hasty retreat once they were gone.

      In that moment, after a final surge, Drayton thrust the girl from him. ‘Get back inside before they miss you.’ He hastily pulled up his trousers. ‘If they ask where you’ve been, tell them you had to get out for a breath of air.’

      ‘I’d rather stay out here with you.’ Hopelessly infatuated, she clung to him. ‘I’ve never loved anyone like I love you.’

      Impatient, though clever enough to keep her sweet, he replied teasingly, ‘You don’t know me enough to love me.’

      While they dressed, they talked, she offering herself again and he trying to worm himself out of a difficult situation; though mindful of the fact that if he intended using her, he’d have to play it smart.

      Maddy was sickened at how easily he manipulated the girl, and was torn two ways. She wanted to warn the girl as to the monster Steve Drayton really was. On the other hand, if she took another beating, it could well be her baby who paid the price this time.

      So, she waited for her chance to escape, hoping that even now, the girl might see the wrong side of him; though from the way she continued to throw herself at him, it did not seem likely.

      While Steve Drayton had been satisfying his lust outside in the alley, something more sinister was unfurling inside the club.

      The four men were eager to find him. Having barged in through the front door, ignoring the ticket desk and cloakroom counter, they made straight for the bar, where Raymond was dumping a crate of bottles. ‘You! Drayton – where is he?’ Smartly dressed in an expensive dark suit and overcoat, the leader had an air of authority.

      Raymond placed the crate on the bar and glanced around, searching for someone else who might deal with the situation. However, the older barman was pulling a pint at the far end of the bar, and there was no sign of Jack.

      ‘Look, sunshine,’ prodding his finger into Raymond’s chest, the man leaned forward. ‘You deaf or what? I’ll ask you again. Where can I find that thieving bastard Drayton?’ He had the look and manner of a man who always got what he wanted.

      ‘I’ve n-no idea where he is,’ Raymond answered nervously. ‘M-matter of fact, I don’t think he’s been about this p-past hour or m-more.’

      ‘Think again.’ This time, the man took Raymond by the throat and drew him close until their faces were almost touching. Raymond was more than capable of teaching this nasty piece of work a lesson, but he doubted he could take on the other three as well. Fearing he might be blamed if the club was trashed, Raymond thought twice.

      ‘Give me a minute,’ he said gruffly. ‘I’ll find out where he is. What name is it, please?’

      With one of the men keeping a wary eye on him, he repeated the gang boss’s name, to make sure he’d got it correctly. ‘Den Carter. Right you are, mister.’ And he went away to the office, to find Steve.

      Unaware of what was happening upstairs, Jack was down in the cellar, changing barrels.

      He was surprised and pleased to see Alice. ‘Raymond said you were looking for me earlier,’ she told him.

      ‘That’s right.’ Straightening from his task, he conveyed his concern over Maddy. ‘What’s been going on?’

      ‘What do you mean?’

      ‘Aw, come on, Alice. Don’t shut me out. If Maddy’s in trouble, I need to know.’

      ‘What makes you think she’s in trouble?’ Her calm expression gave nothing away.

      Jack was incredulous. ‘You mean you don’t know?’

      Alice tried to put his mind at rest. ‘If you’re talking about what happened last night, there was no real harm done.’

      ‘How can you be so sure? Raymond found broken glass, and things scattered everywhere … there was blood on the walls and over the floor.’ Coming to stand before her, he pleaded, ‘For God’s sake, Alice, what went down? Was it Maddy – did they have a row?’ His face darkened with rage. ‘If that twisted bastard has hurt her, I swear I’ll cut his hands off.’ Jack had been bullied by his stepfather as a child, and could not tolerate it. ‘Where is she now? I need to know she’s safe.’ Jack was beside himself. ‘Does she know he’s taken on a new singer?’

      Alice gave him as straight an answer as she could, without betraying Maddy’s secret about the child. ‘You’re not to worry. Yes, they had a set-to, but Maddy is fine. I took her home with me, and as far as I know, she has no idea he has taken on a new singer. Even I didn’t know, until I saw her up there on the stage tonight. Look, Jack, with any luck it’ll make Maddy finally see the light where Drayton is concerned.’

      ‘What about the blood?’

      Alice chose not to answer this, merely repeating, ‘I can assure you, Maddy is fine. She’s keeping her distance for a while – trying to teach him that he can’t just take her for granted.’ She had seen how her words were calming him. ‘Look, Jack, she intends coming in tomorrow. You can talk to her then.’

      ‘I’d rather come round to your place tomorrow morning before work and see her there, if that’s all right with you?’

      ‘Yes, I don’t see why not. You’ll be very welcome.’

      ‘I’ll tell her about this new girl, if you like. She’s bound to be upset,’ Jack said protectively.

      Alice nodded; she too had concerns as to how Maddy might react to the news of another singer taking her place. It was a cruel thing to do.

      But then Steve Drayton had always been a law unto himself.

      In the alley, the girl was proving difficult to appease.

      ‘Move yourself, Ellen.’ Taking her by the arm, Steve Drayton drew her towards the back door. ‘They’ll be wondering where you’ve gone. Besides, I’m paying you good money to entertain the clients.’

      She giggled. ‘I’d rather entertain you.’

      He sighed, bored. ‘And you shall. But there’ll be time for all that later, when I get you home.’

      An idea struck him as being profitable. He had seen the way his clients had drooled over his new singer. She was pliable enough; she was also besotted with him, so if he played his hand right, there was money to be made. No doubt his rough and ready counterparts would give a handsome sum for a few hours’ playtime with her.

      The idea grew. I can’t see her refusing, the insatiable little slapper, he thought greedily, especially when she’s so keen to please me. Oh, yes! Putty in his hands, that’s what she was.

      Her voice startled him. ‘Tell me you love me, Stevie, and I’ll go back inside.’

      Irritated, he studied her for a minute, wanting to give her a slap and shut the bitch up, but controlling himself with an effort. He’d had as much woman trouble as he could take. ‘Of course I love you,’ he lied. ‘Why do you think I brought you out here?’

      Her resolve melting, she looked up at him. ‘You’re not just making a fool of me … playing me along to get your own way?’

      ‘I would never do that!’ He cupped her small features and kissed her soundly on the mouth. When he released her, the smile on her face told him she was his for the taking.

      ‘So, we’re a couple then?’ She wanted so much to believe that.

      ‘Oh, absolutely.’ He had her right where he wanted her. ‘But we have to be discreet.’

      ‘Why’s that?’