Injury Time - Beryl Bainbridge [46]
‘Stop it,’ admonished Alma. She tapped Binny’s flushed face with her glass. ‘You’re at it again.’
Moved, Edward made a little speech. ‘I’m not saying my way of life isn’t despicable, but I mean it sincerely when I say how glad I am to be at Binny’s side during this ordeal.’ He glanced emotionally at her and cleared his throat. ‘I wouldn’t like you to be alone.’
He was astonished at his declaration in front of so many witnesses. Not that it mattered any longer, and even if it had Helen wasn’t in the habit of consorting with the criminal classes; but still his bravery and indiscretion cheered him. He said delightedly, ‘Not that it’s much of an ordeal at the moment. I think we all understand one another well enough.’
‘God Almighty,’ murmured Simpson.
The gunmen sipped their tea and said nothing.
‘The reason I’m alone, as you put it,’ remarked Binny resentfully, ‘is because society’s altered. If this was forty years ago, I’d have my husband by my side. He wouldn’t have run off with that woman from the telephone exchange. My mother and father stayed together, and they didn’t like each other. It’s only a question of fashions changing.’
Edward was sure Binny had told him her husband had deserted her for an actress or a model of some sort. Perhaps she had been the speaking clock at one time. ‘I’ve stayed with my family,’ he said gently. He was trying to give Binny hope, show her the world wasn’t all bad. ‘Some of us have retained the old standards.’
‘My dad didn’t have a woman on the side,’ said Binny.
‘What do you intend to do in the morning?’ asked Simpson. ‘How long do you think this can go on?’
‘That depends,’ said Ginger.
‘On what?’ demanded Simpson aggressively. ‘Famine, disease, sudden death? That woman in the hall needs a doctor. Ribs are tricky things. She could have perforated a lung.’
Widnes sniggered.
‘Why don’t you let all the women go?’ persisted Simpson. In the candlelight his round face was stern and resolute. Already the stubble of a beard was appearing along his cheek bones and his upper lip. ‘My wife’s in a pretty poor state. You’ll have to answer for the consequences.’
‘We’ll do that,’ said Ginger drily. ‘There’s things we’re not going to tell you, things they’re piecing together at the moment.’ He jerked his head in the direction of the shutters.
‘Are you trying to obtain money?’ asked Edward. ‘Ransom money?’
‘Not that,’ Ginger said. ‘We just need to get away.’
‘I’ve every sympathy,’ Edward told him. ‘It must be hell on earth. I don’t mind telling you I’d have gone under. One day confined to bed with a cold and I’m bored silly.’
‘Anybody mind if I have a slash?’ asked Simpson. He stood up and moved casually to the door, taking his cup with him.
‘You could tell them you wanted an aeroplane, pet,’ Alma said to Ginger. ‘They’d have to give you one. You could make for Rio.’
‘If I was you,’ advised Edward, ‘I’d behave with great diplomacy. You mustn’t antagonise the authorities. You should proceed with cunning. How would it be if I composed a letter for you, outlining your demands, etc? It would impress them, you know.’
‘He’s awfully good at writing letters,’ conceded Binny.
Widnes was turned toward the back window, listening.
‘Something along these lines,’ began Edward. ‘It is beneficial to all concerned that this—’
‘Belt up,’ cried Widnes violently.
Distinctly they heard the scrape of a bolt being drawn, the sound of a door banging against a distant wall.
The men stampeded from the room. There were shouts and the splintering of wood as a door was kicked inwards.
‘Oh God,’ moaned Binny.
‘Don’t worry, don’t worry,’ soothed Edward, unable to rise from his chair. ‘They won’t do anything. The guns aren’t loaded. Nothing will happen.’
He was still babbling in this demented fashion when a deafening report drowned his words. The ensuing silence lasted for several seconds. Then Harry was in the room, standing just inside the doorway of the kitchen.
‘Out,’ he ordered, speaking to Edward.
His heart leaping in his breast, Edward stumbled down the hall and into the bathroom. The jamb of