Chapter Eleven.

'And finally theres the question of pay. I paused and looked around at them all.

Most of the girls were lined up against the twisted columns at the back. Early on theyd been fluffing about and talking behind their hands. Id heard more than a couple of hisses too, but I noted they were all paying attention now.

For some reason Professor Ruben and the rest of the orchestra had taken it upon themselves to crowd into one of the lower boxes at the side of the hall. Swami Jonah was leaning against the painted side and occasionally he turned back to them to make a remark. I didnt need to be a mind-reader to work out that not everything he said in broad Liverpool was flattering. Ill have a little chat with you later, I thought, and then well see who can really tell fortunes.

Mrs Conway was hovering near the side door. The thing on her head, I couldnt rightly call it a hat, put me in mind of something in one of the glass cases in Telfermans office. She waved and, God help me, I smiled back.

That little chat hadnt gone exactly to plan. When it came to it I couldnt seem to find the words to tell her she was stale as a Bow widows bun. Instead I suggested that perhaps it was time for her to perform less often but at a higher rate 'like they do up the Garden, I said. She liked that.

The brothers Cherubimo, a tumbling duo, were over to the left leaning against the red lacquered wall staring at the girls. The brothers liked the punters to think they came from Italy and they peppered their act with the lingo Pronto! Saltare! Cattura! Ladies liked their compact, muscular frames and their fine black whiskers. I liked their Birmingham accent.

The scenery boys were sitting around the tables. Some of them had been playing broads. I could see the interrupted hands laid out in a fan in front of them. Danny was smoking and flicking the edges of the deck stacked next to his glass. There was a pile of coins between him and his two companions. I frowned. Hed never learn. I scanned the hall for Peggy, but I guessed she was back at their lodgings in Risbies with Robbie.

Lucca was at the back with deaf Bertie from the workshops. They were standing to the left of the serving board. Fitzy was there too. He faced the mirror set behind the narrow bar, and as I watched, his reflection knocked back another glass. Mr Jesmond from The Carnival was just along from him. They always let a respectful distance stand between them, but they liked to keep each other in sight. With thin black hair slicked down on either side of a parting wide as an alley and currant eyes that seemed to burrow deeper into his head during the hours of daylight, Aubrey Jesmond put me in mind of a mole. He was a good manager, though, Ill give him that. The Carnival was lousy as a fox with the mange, but from my reckoning of the books he made it pay, just.

'What about it then the pay? A Scottish voice from the hall brought me up. It was Dismal Jimmy, the Glasgow droll. Trust him to get to the meat.

I jerked my head to the stage just behind me. 'Listen. We all know this is an uncertain trade, even in the best of times. Ive been up there on the boards, Ive worked behind on the costumes, Ive taken bucket and mop to the gallery . . . I glanced up and paused. Something pale shifted up there.

I squinted. No it was a trick of the light. Maybe the house lights bouncing off the polished brass rail?

I continued. 'Ive hung seventy foot above where youre sitting and standing now, twirling and singing even though my heart was in my mouth actually, it wasnt, mostly, but it did no harm to let them think Id suffered for my art 'so I think I have a good idea of what working the halls here, at The Carnival and at The Comet really means.

Another voice went off now. 'And what about The Comet? That ceiling you broke wont mend itself, Kitty. People began to laugh and I let them, I was glad to hear it.

After a moment I raised my hands for some hush and Ill admit I was surprised they stoppered up. I placed my hands on my hips and tossed my hair so that a couple of ringlets fell over my face.

'Ill happily admit that the weight of my talent put enormous strain on the ceiling at The Comet. But it was the shoddy workmanship of them French plasterers that brought it tumbling down and me with it. There were whistles from the hands and the rumble of approval.

'And now Im going to get some local lads in to put it right again. The rumble turned into stomping, clapping and even cheers as I continued. 'Ive been looking at the books and theres enough in the kitty . . . I paused for dramatic effect and it worked a treat '. . . to pay them a fair rate and to make sure that you, every last one of you, get a decent, regular wage, whether youre working that week or not.

The hall went completely silent.

I moved away from the edge of the stage and climbed onto a table so that everyone could see me clear. 'Yes you heard me right. I know what its like scratching a living here. I know what its like when you havent got a stick to light and only a finger of bunters tea to keep out the chill. I know what its like to suck on dust for a week in order to pay the shylo. I glanced at Danny, but he was still flicking at the boards. 'So I propose that we enter into a contract. You keep faith with me and serve the halls proper and Ill look after you, come what may.

'That a promise, Kit? The voice came from the shadows at the back behind the columns. I turned about in a slow half circle trying to make out the faces, then I spat into my right palm and held it forward.

'You have my word. Now, all of you, come and shake on it.

There was low muttering. I looked at my outstretched hand and watched the smoke curl around my fingers. I was glad to see they were straight, not trembling now. One of the girls spoke up. 'What about Ada Rix? You going to help her too, then?

There was a murmur of agreement from the gaggle at the back of the hall.

I shielded my eyes with my left hand, trying to make out the speaker. 'What about Ada?

The voice came again.

'Terrible it is.

I craned to see who was speaking. 'Whats happened?

'Accident. Two days back she was knocked into the Commercial in front of a brewery cart, with the babby tucked up in her arms. His head was stoved in by one of the horses. He died on the instant. I reckon he was the lucky one. Ada went under the wheels. They say she aint got long. Shes all alone, she cant work and she cant pay the crow. What you going to do for the likes of her?

The last time Id seen Ada she hadnt even known that she was carrying. She was glowing like an oil lamp that day in the workshops, telling me how her Tommy was thinking about setting up a coster stall. I didnt say much. Thing was, we all knew her Tommy was rotten to the pips and now he was in Pentonville thinking about five years treading the mill for stealing onions.

I dipped my head lower, peering to the back. 'That you, Mary OBrien? Listen, I didnt know until just now about Ada, but I tell you this straight. Ill make sure shes got enough to pay for her lodgings, and for medicine too. Ill deal with it. I paused, catching myself out for sounding just like the old bitch. But all the same, Id make sure Ada was comfortable for as long as she needed. Then another thought occurred to me not a comfortable one something about Adas little one and something Lucca had just told me on the way over to The Gaudy. I hadnt taken it in on account of thinking about what I was going to say tonight, but it was a peculiar coincidence.

Of a sudden I realised they were all quiet and looking at me expectant now. I pushed the thought out of the way.

'Now, heres my hand on it. Whos first?

I held my breath for a long moment. I reckoned my heart was bouncing about so loud under the crpe they could all hear it rattle.

'Ill shake your hand, Kitty. Old Peter climbed over the side of the booth where the orchestra were packed in together like a crate of wet fish. He walked towards me, turned to take in the hall and then, gently, he bowed, turned my hand over and kissed it, like I was a queen.

'Thank you, I whispered.

He looked up at me and grinned. 'The cat is no longer afraid.

'Ill take it too. Danny was on his feet now. He took a last drag on his Woodbine and ground the glowing tip into the bottom of a glass, then he swiped the boards into his pocket and came through the tables towards me. 'Thats the best offer Ill get all year, Kit. He winked and shook my hand.

I stood on tiptoe and narrowed my eyes to take in Lucca at the back of the hall. He raised his hands above his head, clapped and shouted out one word, 'Bravo. Old Peter took it up too, and suddenly they was all standing clapping and stamping and hollering. And then they started to come forward crowding around me and reaching up. I turned about on the table top and leaned down to catch as many hands as I could in mine. And when theyd had their fill of me I straightened up and called for a bit of peace.

'Ill tell you something now for free, I began. 'These theatres of mine the theatres Lady Ginger left in my care because she liked what she saw in me well, theyre nothing more than bricks, mortar, plaster dust and a little bit of make-believe. What I think is this you are the real riches, you are the assets she left me. Im going to invest in you and together well make these three halls the talk of London.

Lucca pushed the shutters together and slotted the lock bar into place. The window in The Gaudys office was high, narrow and barred across the outside. It looked over an alley running down the side of the theatre and round to the workshops out back. Even if a jemmy crew forced the bars, then broke the glass and the boards, they wouldnt find much to take in here, not unless they knew about the safe hidden in the little room beneath the trap under the desk.

I say room, but it was barely larger than a coffin. I had to breathe in to turn round down there. The trap opened to a narrow flight of stone steps that turned sharp right into a low brick-lined chamber barely four foot square. I didnt like it down there. It put me in mind of being buried alive.

Fitzy knew about it, naturally. Hed shown me it on the day he grudgingly handed over the keys. 'The hidey hole he called it, pointing out the edges of the trap in the boards. 'Didnt have much call for it myself, but you might as well know its there.

Me and Lucca were the only ones now who knew where the takings went at the end of a working night. I glanced down at the rug to make sure the trap was covered. I shunted my chair forward so it was standing on top of it and then I checked the desk drawers were locked. It was a little routine I went through before leaving. I slipped the desk key into my pocket and felt the bit of broken chain.

Joeys ring had gone under the desk earlier, but his Christopher had rolled over to the door. I moved the oil lamp to the edge of the desk and bent down, scraping my fingers over the rug, hoping the ring hadnt slipped down between the trap boards.

'Have you lost something? Lucca reached for his muffler and coat. They were folded neatly over the back of the chair on the other side of the desk.

'Joeys things the ring and the Christopher. The chain broke when I was talking to Fitzy before going out there tonight. I was fiddling with them for luck like I used to when I went up in the cage.

'You didnt need luck tonight, Kitty. Eri magnifica!

I smiled. I didnt need him to translate that one. 'I remembered what you said on the boat about treating people fair and decent. Its what they wanted to hear. That and a bit of show Old Peter was right there.

'Does Telferman know what you have proposed? Lucca arranged the muffler so it sat high round the lower part of his face.

I shook my head. 'Not yet. I didnt quite know what I was going to say myself until I was standing out there and it . . . came to me. I know one thing already, though: the Beetle wont like it. Can you look under the desk for the ring while I go back into the hall? I reckon the Christopher must have rolled out through the door. It cant have gone far.

I turned the lamp up higher and took it across to the door, setting it down on the boards just before the door. 'You got enough light to see by there?

Lucca nodded and knelt beside the desk. I pushed the door open and moved the lamp forward a little so that a pool of light fell into the hall. The Christopher must have rolled to the right so in all likelihood it was just in front of the stage a few foot away.

I got down on my knees and shuffled forward scanning the floor and sweeping the flats of my hands over the sticky wood. Id have a little chat with whoever was supposed to be mopping out down here, I thought. I caught the gleam of something round and gold stuck between a crack in the boards a couple of foot out and straightened up. At the same moment the door to the office swung shut.

'Lucca? I shouted. 'Open up. I cant see out here now.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. 'That you, Lucca?

There was no answer as a hand moved softly to my cheek. I took a breath of leather, tobacco, wood and spice. It was like the smell that comes off the warehouses at St Katharines when the winds in the right direction. The muscles in my back went rigid and the hairs rose on the back of my neck.

'If this is a joke, Lucca Fratelli, its not bleedin funny. My voice came out thin as watered milk.

The gloved hand moved to my ear, stroking the curve of the lobe and the vulnerable spirals of flesh above. I tried to stand but the fingers tightened. I stifled a cry. I wasnt going to give whoever it was bending over me in the dark the satisfaction. And then another hand crept round the other side of my face, leather fingers clamping over my mouth.

'Where is he, Josette? The whisper came from behind, lingering over the name so it came out like a hiss. I could feel the mans breath on my cheek and taste the smoke in it at the back of my throat.

'Where? The fingers twisted sharp and now I would have cried out if I could.

Of an instant the door behind opened and he let go. Framed in a slice of light Lucca fiddled about to push the door back to the point where it stayed put and then he held his hand up. Something glinted between his fingers.

'I have it the ring. I heard you call. Can you see now?

I leapt to my feet and narrowed my eyes trying to see into the furthest corners of the unlit hall. My heart swung like a pendulum on a tight-wound clock. It struck me then that if youre looking for a hiding place, a theatre with its curtains, columns, tiers, booths and secret trysting places was just the ticket. He was still here, I could feel him watching from the shadows.

'Bring up the house lights. When Lucca didnt answer I span round. He was holding the lamp up now. He pushed his hair back. 'You are- I cut him off quick. 'Didnt you hear? The lights.

He frowned.

'Now, Lucca!

I watched him pick his way through the chairs and tables to the far side of the stage. He left the lamp on the edge and went up the steps disappearing behind the curtain. I kept my back to the stage and flattened my hands against the painted panel that separated the orchestra boys from the punters. I could feel the sweat on my palms as I stared into the hall.

After a moment I heard the familiar tick of the burners and then a gentle hiss as the gas came through. One by one the lamps set along the walls sputtered into life. The flickering light made The Gaudy seem alive, bringing some of it up sharp and sending parts into deeper clots of dark.

I dug my nails into the panel. 'Come on then, show us your face.

Nothing.

'Oh, you were very bold when we were out there in the dark, werent you? Well, youre not so brave now.

Lucca jumped from the steps and came to stand next to me. 'What is it, Fannella whats happened?

I didnt look at him but I muttered from the side of my mouth, 'Theres someone here with us.

From the corner of my eye I caught the shake of his head.

'There is! If you dont believe me- I broke off as Lucca thrust something into my hand. 'I believe you, Kitty, take this. We both started as a door slammed at the far end of the hall somewhere beyond the serving board and the red velvet drapes.

Without a word we were off, pelting between tables and chairs until we were through the curtain and standing in the wide panelled lobby leading out into the street. One of The Gaudys three main doors swung open.

I went out onto the top step. Rain was hammering down on the metal canopy above, the wind caught at my skirts puffing them out around me like a bell. The only sign of life in the narrow street was a ripe pile of horse shit mist coming off it like steam rising from a mug of hot cocoa. The last of the night hacks would be clattering home now.

It was only then I felt something trickling down into the material at my neck. I raised my hand and pushed through the sticky strands of hair that clung to my cheek. I looked at the black stain on Luccas kerchief and then I reached up again to touch the stinging ragged flesh.

The man had twisted my earring and ripped it from my ear, tearing the lobe in two.

Chapter Twelve.

We stood side by side in the rain on the cobbled street outside The Gaudy, but nothing moved in the shadows. After a minute, Lucca hustled me back inside, locked and barred the doors and led me to the office to clean me up. I was surprised at the amount of blood. The rip in my ear would heal soon enough, but for the moment it stung like hell.

'Did you see him? Lucca rolled the spotted kerchief into a ball and thrust it into his pocket.

'No. It was black as Newgates out there when the door closed. First off I thought it was you playing a trick, but . . . I winced as he moved a strand of blood-matted hair away from my ear. 'I didnt see him at all, but I heard him. He called me Josette.

Luccas eyebrow shot up.

'And thats not all "Where is he, Josette?" thats what he said. Do you think . . . is it possible he mistook me for Joey? Remember how people remarked how alike we were when he was . . .

When he was dressed as a woman, as Josette, was what I meant. Even now I couldnt quite say it. But why would anyone think Joey was here in London? As far as most of them in Paradise knew he was most likely sewn into a stone-packed oilcloth and resting at the bottom of the Thames. I pushed Luccas hand away from my face, leaned forward on the chair and cradled my head in my hands.

What if it wasnt Joey he was after?

I couldnt help thinking that Id brought trouble back with me from Paris when I agreed to help David. God help me, every time I said that name to myself I didnt bother with Lennox now I felt my neck flush and my cheeks bloom. It was true what they said about distance. That kerchief hed given me at the station was in my pocket now. Id washed it out, pressed it and of occasion in private I took it out to run my fingers over the 'D embroidered at the corner.

Thing was, I was so happy to help that man, so flattered to be singled out by him and so keen to impress him that I never, for a moment, thought to ask him why he was frightened.

Him and my brother, too.

I sat up, fastened the top three buttons of my dress and unwound Nanny Pecks shawl from the back of the chair. 'Its getting cold in here. Lets get a fire going.

'It is late, Fannella, better surely to go back to The Palace? Lucca took my hat from the desk and held it out to me, but I pulled the shawl around my shoulders, stood up and went over to the little grate. I looked at myself in the mirror. 'The bloods stopped now at least thats something.

I knelt and started to heap the coals together, poking some bits of kindling and scraps of old newspaper beneath them. I paused as I ripped up a sheet from the pile. It was from The London Pictorial News I recognised it from the picture. Sam Collinss over-lively account of the cage plummeting from the ceiling of The Comet with me clinging on inside had included a drawing of the sort that gentleman readers might find invigorating. The girl on the page looked like a canary crossed with a ripe dollymop. I screwed it up and forced it into the coals.