Riches of the Heart by June Tate

have left Southampton.’
    Tom shook his head. ‘Rachel Cohen said she didn’t think she had much money. God, I hope she hasn’t left this place or I’ll never find her.’
    ‘That’s something you may have to face, my friend.’
    With a grim expression Tom said, ‘I hope you’re wrong. I love that girl. I had such plans. We were to get married and one day I was taking her back to Ireland. She wanted these things too. None of it makes sense.’
    Declan looked puzzled. ‘It only makes sense if something happened to change her mind.’
    ‘She did need a bit of a push to name the day,’ said Tom thoughtfully.
    ‘What happened to persuade her?’
    ‘I told her I might not come back from Ireland, because I thought she didn’t love me.’
    ‘And?’ prompted Declan.
    ‘Well, then it all changed. She said she didn’t want to lose me. It all ended all right, but then I went to Ireland with the promise we’d make plans on my return. It’s all so crazy.’
    Declan shook his head. ‘It certainly is, but then I’ve never understood the female mind and I’ve been married for six years. Why don’t you go home and try to get some sleep? You look all in.’
    Tom emptied his glass. ‘No, give me another pint. If I’m on me own, I’ll go mad.’
    Amy was getting worried. She’d spent the last few weeks visiting every pub in the dock area talking to the other prostitutes, describing Lily, but no one had seen her.
    She’d been tempted once or twice to tell Tom about Manny, but if Lily hadn’t turned up, what difference would it make? Besides, she didn’t know for sure what had happened that night. It must have been something pretty traumatic to make the young girl turn tail and run. Maybe something she wouldn’t want Tom to know. Anyway, the poor bugger was in a bad enough state as it was – Rachel Cohen too, for that matter.
    ‘Bloody Manny!’ Amy cursed as she left yet another pub. If I could get my hands on that little sod, I’d do for him myself.
    She worried as to how Lily would manage. She hoped she could get a job of some kind. Well, at least the kid had guts. She was a survivor. If only she’d get in touch with me, Amy thought. I told her I’d always help her if she got into any trouble.
    Lily stood in the shadows opposite the Club Valletta and watched the comings and goings. She was getting really desperate. She remembered Amy saying she could work in comfort for The Maltese. She didn’t want to be a whore, but he had said there were other jobs and she wondered what he could have meant. Then she remembered the expression in his eyes. If she went there and asked for a job, they’d make her a whore. Who was she kidding? And after her night with Jim, was she any better?
    The club seemed very busy. It was fascinating watching the different types enter the doorway. Lily was surprised that so many of the members seemed to be well-dressed. This was no cheap brothel.
    There was a man on the door. He didn’t wear a uniform, but he was well-dressed, too. He was big and broad, built like a wrestler or a boxer. She noticed how the members treated him with a nervous respect. No doubt he was there to keep trouble and unwelcome clients at bay. Two seamen tried to enter, but they were soon sent on their way. Obviously not up to standard, thought Lily.
    She drew deeper into the shadows as she saw Vittorio come out of the club. Beside him stood a tall girl, dressed in the latest fashion, her cloche hat matching her expensive-looking coat. She was very striking to look at, and her cultured voice carried on the air. Lily wondered who she was and what she was doing there. A car drew up and The Maltese kissed the woman on the cheek before helping her inside. He waved as it drove away, and stood on the steps, talking to the man on the door. He turned slowly and peered across the road through the darkness in her direction, almost as if he felt he was being watched. Lily felt the chill of fear down her spine. She slowly