After rapid instruction in backstage management, Pedro said he was ready.
‘Remember, do nothing till you see them in their places. The white cross, remember,’ I whispered urgently as we wormed our way to the wings, keeping out of sight of the forestage. ‘You won’t let me down, will you?’
‘Of course not. Good luck!’ he hissed, giving my arm a squeeze. I took a deep breath, more nervous than any actress on her debut, and walked on to the stage, my life now depending on a boy I had spent the past few days suspecting of treachery.
‘Oi, Billy! I’ve been looking for you,’ I called out boldly.
My sudden appearance came as such a surprise that all five of them were momentarily arrested in their actions. Johnny, of course, had no choice: he was sagging in the ropes that bound him. Blood trickled from his nose and his left eye was puffy. He was barely conscious. Billy was poised above him, his fist raised. The three lieutenants were standing around them: Meatpie with his arms folded; Ferret hovering at his leader’s shoulder for the best view; Pox feeling the edge of his knife thoughtfully . . . hoping no doubt for a go at the victim. Billy lowered his fist.
‘Cat!’ groaned Johnny in despair. I suppose his one solace had been the thought that I had escaped.
‘Well, well, if it ain’t my little pussycat,’ said Billy, pushing his sleeves up to reveal his lean, muscular forearms. ‘I was lookin’ for you too. I knew you were about the place somewhere.’ He gave Meatpie a nod and the pudding boy started forward to seize me.
I held up my arms to ward him off. ‘Whoa! There’s no need for that between friends, surely?’ I said, hoping my voice would not betray my fear. ‘I only wanted to tell you that I’ve done what I promised. I got the diamond for you.’
Billy waved Meatpie off and beckoned me forward.
‘Bring it here then, like a good little girl,’ he said with his rotten grin.
‘Ah. You see, Billy, I’m no flat. This good little girl doesn’t trust big bad boys like you,’ I said archly, hands on my hips, still keeping my distance. ‘How could I know you’d keep your side of the bargain? So, naturally, I put it somewhere for safe keeping.’
In no mood for playing, Billy strode over and seized my elbow. In an attempt to make my movements as natural as possible, I pulled away from him, trying to lead him further upstage to the white cross chalked on the floor. The boys formed up behind us, right on target. Why wasn’t Pedro making his move?
‘What bargain?’ Billy asked with a dangerous edge to his voice. ‘You’ll find that you’re in no position to bargain with me.’
‘But what about my dress?’ I asked with a petulant pout as I tried to resist turning to look into the wings where Pedro was supposed to be waiting. ‘You promised! You can’t have one of your girls going about dressed like a scarecrow, can you?’
Billy thought he understood me now. He gave a knowing smile and eased his grip. Changing tack, he put his arm around my shoulders, which was far worse than his previous menaces.
‘One of my girls, eh? You’ve seen the light then, Cat?’ He squeezed me to him. He smelt like the Fleet ditch. ‘Well, if you give me the diamond, I’ll let you in me gang and buy you a dress . . . a silk one. Anythink else?’ My eyes slid to Johnny, who was watching me in horror. He must have guessed I was up to something but he thought I had miscalculated badly. I hoped he was wrong. But what was Pedro doing?
‘What about your friend ’ere?’ asked Billy. He was testing me for weakness, I could tell.
‘Oh, he’s no friend of mine,’ I bluffed with a shrug. ‘He was planning to dump me and go to America, that one.’
‘Good girl,’ said Billy, slapping me on the back. ‘I’m pleased you said that ’cause it wouldn’t’ve done to let ’im go now ’e knows we’ve got the stone. Come on then, give it to me.’
‘I can’t . . . not yet,’ I added hurriedly. ‘I pawned it.’ I dug in my pocket and held out the receipt from Mr Vaughan.
Billy squinted at it. ‘This says jools . . . gold and stuff, Cat. I can’t see no diamond.’
‘I put it in with some other things I’d lifted,’ I explained. ‘To make it less obvious. Mr Vaughan and I have a little understanding.’
‘I’m impressed, Cat! I’d ’eard ’e was straight. Well, what are we waitin’ for? Let’s go and get it. I’m sure ’e won’t mind openin’ up for so special a customer.’
‘Probably not,’ I shrugged, ‘but I need my forty pounds back first.’ I put the receipt into my pocket.
‘Forty pounds? What forty pounds?’ Billy looked angry again. His grip now became painful.
‘Ask Meatpie and Pox-face,’ I said coolly.
Billy turned on his followers. ‘Is this true? ’Ave you got the money?
‘Well, Billy, it’s like this,’ said Pox-face digging into his pockets. ‘We were goin’ to tell you, weren’t we, Meatpie?’
‘Were we?’ said Meatpie dully.
‘Give me that!’ hissed Billy, snatching the coins from them. ‘I’ll deal with you two later.’
He began to count the gold.
‘Here, Billy,’ I said with what I hoped was a winning smile, ‘let me help you.’
I lifted the lantern up, moving a few paces forward as I pretended to stagger under its weight. He smiled indulgently at my girlish feebleness but moved towards me to take advantage of the light, feet now planted plumb in the centre of the white chalk cross.