Full Circle: The Double Cross

By Daphanie Carol Taylor

Maud and Sara Richards lived in a cotton mill town in the foothills of the Rossendale Valley, Lancashire. Their parents wanted to give the two sisters the best opportunities they couldopportunities they themselves did not have. They sacrificed a great deal to give their daughters the best education possible.
After fulfilling her education, Maud went into the world of teaching, which had always been her dream. She then met a solicitor called John Howard. She was in love with him. Theirs was the perfect marriageor so she thought.
For Sara, it took her sometime to realize her potential as she was head over heels in love with Tommy Foster. Tommy was from the wrong side of the tracks with a bad reputation. However, she eventually joined the Royal Navy for adventure and excitement, only to become entangled with a Dave Phillip, who liked to be in control.
For the girls, their journeys take them into a sordid world of deceit and danger.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: May 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546292890

Daphanie Carol Taylor

Daphanie Carol Taylor was born in Australia to English parents and lived in Melbourne and Sydney. Her parents came to live in England after World War II. Daphanie now lives in England with her own family. She visits Australia frequently to see her twin brother, Robert, who now lives in Perth.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

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Sara was dying to tell Maud what she and Tommy had been up to but thought better of it. Then she asked Maud if there were any more pieces of paper stuffed behind drawers.

I don’t think so. But to be honest, we haven’t looked, Maud replied.

Sara left it at that. What’s on the agenda tomorrow, Maud?

The removers will be here for 9 a.m.

Sara groaned. Well, in that case, it is an early night for me.

Maud poured them all a glass of wine, and then they chatted about the new house, which Sara had not seen.

It’s lovely, Aunt Sara, said Dan. You’ll love it. It was two cottages at one time. But now is only one cottage with all the mod cons you would expect.

The next morning, it was a hustle and bustle waiting for the removal van. Dan was to stay and supervise the move, while Maud and Sara went to Holcombe Brook to await the arrival of the van.

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Meanwhile, Tommy was visiting Teddy, who was improving daily, much to everyone’s relief. Teddy, was pleased Tommy had come to visit him. Teddy needed to clear the air and tell him everything.

Hello, you chump. Trust you to go all faint on me! Tommy said in a caring way.

Eventually, Teddy told him what a mess he was in. He thought it was all down to Billy. At this, Tommy raised his eyebrows. It appeared that Gloria had gotten into trouble through Rosie. They had gone to a house party somewhere in Stockport. The alcohol flowed like a water. A big noise had come in with some other guests. Gloria said one of them was a barrister, but she thought nothing more about of it. She and Rosie had an exciting time or so she thought, the next news was the shocker. When we bought the nightclub off you, Billy produced some photos of Gloria and Rosie. They were disgusting, to say the least. It nauseated me to think my wife could do such things. Then the crunch came. Do someone a favour and the photos will disappear and forgotten about.

Tommy listened intently.

Teddy continued. So, there you have it, Tommy. Billy Ashworth and whoever he works for have been blackmailing me since they showed me the photos, he tells me when a shipment is to be picked up. Then we deliver it to the harbour master, in Bridlington. Sometimes Billy comes with me. I give the harbour master a wad of notes from time to time.

What sort of shipment? asked Tommy.

It can be anything from girls to booze, cigarettes, or drugs, replied Teddy.

Tommy was livid. He looked Teddy straight in his eye and said, Why did you not tell me what was going on?

Teddy replied, I thought I could handle it myself. But I can’t. He is demanding more trips over to Bridlington. I am never around the nightclub. Gloria is sick of it. I just cannot see a way out.

You leave Billy to me. You concentrate on getting better. Then Tommy left.

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When Tommy eventually arrived home, he collected himself and set about piecing the information together.

With what the mole had found out and the information from Barry Knowles, it was all becoming very clear. At least one point was clear: The operation was far too big for small-time crooks like Billy or Teddy. He suspected either the Mafia or the London mob. Then there was this Richard Hamer. He seemed to be the link between John Howard and his boat. He also seemed to be behind the Bridlington job and the blackmailing of anyone to his advantage. The only trouble was this Richard Hamer was being protected. But by whom? He had no idea.

As he sat and wondered about all that had gone on, one thing he was certain about was a common denominator with all the past events. The telephone rang and interrupted his thoughts. He answered.

Barry here. Have I got some juicy news for you! He then told him about information on the grapevine. Only in certain quarters, shall we say?

Get on with it, Barry. Tommy was quite agitated.

Okay, here it goes, replied Barry.

By the time Barry had finished, it was too late to ring Sara with the shocking news. He wondered how Maud would react but retired to bed too sleep on it.

The next day, with the move over, Maud was busy putting final changes in each room, giving the rooms a unique feel. Sara was most impressed by her artistry. The rooms were lovely also keeping with architecture of the cottage.

Morning, Maud. You must have been up early.

Yes, I thought I would go through the house to see if it was to my liking, she replied.

And is it? asked Sara.

Sara’s mobile began to ring. Tommy was calling.

Wow! What dragged you out of bed so early? Sara said in a flippant way.

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Sara, was waiting eagerly for Tommy too arrive at Maud’s.

Maud had a tinge of apprehension, given the information he had managed to obtain through his cronies. She was a little worried in case there was more scandal about John. Luckily, Dan had left for work. He’d arranged to visit his mother at weekend with Pete, his housemate.

Sara, was fidgeting.

Stop it, Sara. You are making me nervous! cried Maud.

They both just sat there twiddling their thumbs. When the telephone went, Maud answered it.

It was Pam, who had called to say she hoped the move had gone well. Also would she be coming in at any time.

Probably Thursday of next week, if that’s okay, replied Maud.

. Guess who has appeared on the horizon after all this time? Mike Procter! Pam yelled.

Well, I never. I have to go now, Pam. See you next Thursday. Bye.

What was that all about? asked Sara.

Mike Procter, the photographer, has suddenly turned up again after all this time. Would you believe it? We thought he had flown his kite.

Sara was about to tell Maud about Mike Procter when the doorbell rang. Sara jumped up and ran to the door. Standing there was Tommy, who was grinning from ear to ear. He looked great. She flung her arms around him and said, Boy, have I missed you! And how’s Teddy?

Steady on. Let me get in the house first. I need a drink. I’m parched, he said.

Sara took him into the lounge where Maud was. They greeted each other warmly. Maud was mellowing in her old age. With what had gone on with John, who was she to criticise anyone? Sara was making coffee and toast for Tommy and tea for Maud. It was not too long before Sara appeared with the refreshments, and they all dug in.

Sara was impatient. She was wanting to hear what Tommy had to say. He was more hesitant. Knowing what the information was, he wondered whether Maud was up to it.

For goodness sake, Sara, leave it! It is up to your sister to decide whether she wants to know what happened, not yours! he said in an agitated voice.

Sara went quiet.

Tommy began. Maud, if you want me to stop at any time, tell me.

Maud, nodded in approval.

"It transpired that John and a Richard Hamer were involved in an unfortunate incident that went wrong and led to a young girl fighting for her life. Richard Hamer panicked and ran off while saying he would get some help, leaving John holding the baby so to speak.

However, the young girl died from the sexual encounters with both your husband and Richard Hamer. As Hamer left, he tossed a telephone number for John to ring. John acknowledged Hamer, believing help was on its way and thinking Hamer would be planning for the removal of the body."

CHAPTER 2

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Tommy continued. It was all so easy for Hamer. Realising that John was so naive and laid-back enabled Hamer to entrap him into the sordid world of drug trafficking and illegal trafficking of girls from Europe into prostitution. If it is any consolation to you, Maud, the same people have entrapped Teddy and Gloria.

He never mentioned Billy Ashworth, simply because he was involved somehow with all that had gone on.

"I believe, for what it is worth, Maud, that John was a pawn in a world of deceit. He must have mentioned to Hamer at some point that he had a boat at Bridlington. This would have been music to Hamer’s ears. Hamer