East End Jubilee Read Online Free

warrant to search the
premises.’ He flourished a piece of paper in her face.
    ‘What are you looking for?’ Rose stared at him.
    ‘We’ve reason to believe there may be stolen goods here.’
    ‘Stolen goods!’ She laughed in astonishment. ‘That’s ridiculous. There’s nothing under this roof that would interest you. All our stuff’s been in the family
for years.’
    ‘Well, then, you won’t mind us looking.’
    ‘I do mind,’ Rose said indignantly. ‘Wouldn’t you if someone went in your home without permission? And what about my husband? Why’s he in that car?’
    Just then a uniformed officer trod heavily down the stairs and disappeared into the front room. As Rose was about to follow, there were screams outside. Her heart turned over. It was
Marlene.
    ‘Let my Daddy go,’ she was screaming as Rose ran out. The policeman by the car was trying to dodge the tips of her black patent shoes.
    ‘That child’s a menace,’ he complained as Rose swept Marlene into her arms.
    ‘Not half as much of a menace as you lot,’ Rose cried angrily.
    ‘What’s happening, Mum?’ Donnie arrived beside them. Her small chin was wobbling.
    ‘It’s all right, pet. Come here.’ She hugged them tightly as the man in the raincoat walked towards them.
    ‘You do realize your husband attacked two of my officers?’
    Rose looked up at him. ‘What do you mean, attacked? Eddie wouldn’t hurt a fly!’
    ‘He prevented us from our search by using physical violence.’
    ‘Well, I still don’t believe you,’ Rose declared, trying to see into the car. ‘I want to speak to him.’
    A surly smile crept across the policeman’s hard mouth. ‘I’m afraid that’s not possible.’
    The whole neighbourhood had now gathered round and Rose decided this was her one chance of speaking to Eddie. If the inspector refused again he would have to do so in public. ‘Just give me
a few minutes,’ she pleaded in a voice that everyone could hear. ‘It’s about the kids.’
    There was a look in his eyes that she didn’t like, but finally he nodded. ‘Two minutes,’ he growled.
    Rose flung herself at the open window of the car. Eddie sat inside, squashed between two policemen. His nose was bleeding and his hair was all over the place.
    ‘Oh Eddie, what’s happened to you?’
    He tried to lean forward. ‘They just barged their way in the house and sent me flying.’
    ‘What do they want? Why are they taking you away?’
    ‘They keep harping on about a Whitechapel job. But I ain’t got a clue what they’re talking about.’
    ‘Did they hurt you?’
    He gave her a shaky smile. ‘No, don’t worry about me, I’m all right. Take care of yourself and the kids. I’ll be back just as soon as I sort it all out.’
    ‘Oh, Eddie!’
    The window went up and she was pulled back. She felt like screaming at the inspector to leave them alone.
    ‘Look Mummy, they’re taking Mrs Parker’s telly away.’ Marlene pointed across the road. Two policemen carried the television from Olga’s house and packed it into a
van.
    What connection had the television to Eddie’s arrest? Rose wondered in panic. ‘Where are you taking my husband?’ she demanded as the inspector climbed into the passenger
seat.
    ‘To Bow Street to help with our enquiries,’ he answered gruffly as the driver started the car.
    ‘How long will that take? How will I know what’s going on?’ she yelled as the car began to move away.
    ‘Try phoning,’ he threw over his shoulder as the window went up and the car sped off followed in hot pursuit by the van. Rose stood in the road, watching them disappear.
    ‘Where’s Daddy going?’ Donnie’s face was white.
    She swallowed. ‘To the police station, pet, to help the policemen with their enquiries.’
    ‘Why?’
    Before she had time to reply Olga came hurrying towards them. ‘Do you realize your husband sold us stolen property?’ she shouted all red in the face.
    Rose bent down to the girls. She didn’t want