'So what do you think of this place?' Joyce's husky enquiry returned Bella to the moment.
'I love it.'
Joyce smiled, her gaze going curiously over Bella as they sat at the table whilst Ronnie and Micky were talking with the owners of the Indigo, the Stratton brothers. The band had taken a break and the lighting had softened over the stage area. There was to be more entertainment later and Bella was waiting eagerly.
'You're very young,' Joyce remarked after a while as she inhaled the smoke deep into her lungs. Crossing one slim leg over another, she reclined in the luxurious chair. 'How old are you?'
'Sixteen - nearly.'
'And you've never been to a club like this before?'
'No, never.'
Joyce nodded interestedly. 'So what do you think about this latest idea of Micky's?'
Bella smiled, a misty look in her eyes. 'His ideas are always exciting.'
Joyce chuckled softly. 'You're crazy about him, aren't you?'
'I don't know what you mean.'
'It's all right, darling. He won't hear it from me. My lips are sealed.'
Bella looked down and into the safety of her lap. She didn't realize her feelings were so obvious.
'But getting back to what we're here for tonight,' Joyce persevered in a careful voice, 'personally I don't think a club like the Indigo would work on your island.'
Bella's head came up quickly. 'Why's that?'
'For one thing,' continued Joyce as she leaned gracefully forward to tap her cigarette on the triangular shaped ashtray, 'there's the problem of the bridges, an old problem, but a frustrating one for traffic and any business that should come the club's way.'
Bella hadn't thought about the bridges being a problem. When the ships passed down the river and through the docks, the island was virtually sealed off. Vehicles and pedestrians had to wait till the business was finished with. Access to the island which was surrounded on three sides by water was often a problem and she could see Joyce's point.
'For another,' continued Joyce thoughtfully, 'it really isn't your right sort of clientele.'
Bella frowned as she took this in. She thought she had liked Joyce but now she wasn't so certain. 'You mean islanders aren't good enough for a club like this?'
'Don't take it so personally, sweetheart. It's just business. The docks cater for a wide variety of folk, but will they go out and spend like the Indigo's customers? I mean, these girls and boys are having a really good time, no expense spared.'
Emboldened by the champagne she was drinking, Bella looked indignant. 'Islanders still know how to have a good time when we go out even if we aren't done up to the nines like these women are. I mean, their husbands and boyfriends are probably rich and money doesn't mean anything to them but even in the East End we can let our hair down the same as this lot if it's offered to us.'
For a moment Joyce just stared at her. Then very slowly she began to smile. 'Oh dear, I hadn't realized…'
'What?' Bella questioned abruptly.
'You're young and innocent, Bella, and that's your attraction. But you do have a lot to learn.'
Bella shrugged. 'Maybe I have, but I'm not a snob. And I don't look down on people I don't know.'
Joyce raised her delicately shaped eyebrows. 'I wasn't looking down on you or anyone. But what you said amused me. You see, Bella dear, these women aren't with their husbands or even boyfriends. They're just working girls.'
Bella frowned. 'What do you mean?'
'I mean …' Joyce inclined her head to one side, 'they're hostesses, escorts. Paid by the club to be with the men for the evening and some for even longer.'
Bella sat in silence as she looked around her. Did Joyce mean they were prostitutes? None of them looked like her mother who was the only kind of prostitute Bella knew. She stared at the elegant, smiling beauties dressed in high fashion. 'What, all of them?' she asked, a little giggly now. 'Even that girl over there?' She went to point at the couple sitting to their right, but Joyce took her hand and patted it gently down on the table. The girl was wearing a gorgeous silver lame dress and her hair was coiled up into a golden pleat at the back of her head. Her companion was looking into her eyes and pouring champagne into their long, fluted glasses.
Joyce nodded, smiling again. 'And that's not champagne.'
'What is it, then?'
'Probably a mixture of lemonade and wine. But her customer's paid the full price for a very expensive drink.'
Bella peered at her glass. 'Is this champagne?'
'Of course. Sammy Stratton's pride wouldn't let him offer Ronnie anything less.' Joyce slid her cigarette between her lips and sighed. 'The Strattons are a big name in Soho. They're well known for their expertise in this trade. That's why we're here, to suss out their secrets.' She grinned. 'As if there was one, of course.'
Bella caught the note of irony and took a long sip of the champagne. She was mystified by Joyce who gave her a long, quizzical smile. 'Did Micky tell you that Ronnie isn't over the moon about the idea of a revue club?'
Bella nodded. 'He told me everything.'
'Including your part in his proposed plans?'
Bella was feeling light-headed from the alcohol. 'He told me enough. Anyway, I'd go along with what he wants as he's never let me down yet.'
'Then you must be slow on the uptake, my girl,' Joyce said wearily. 'Either that, or besotted.' She lifted her manicured hand and gestured to the room. 'Look around you, then look at yourself. You are a stunner and have a brain on you. So basically, that is where you come in. You'd be working for Micky just like these girls are working for the Stratton brothers.' Bella felt a chill wash over her as Joyce leaned forward and took hold of her wrist. In
