Read Online Hotel du Barry by Lesley Truffle - Free Book Online Page A

mine.’
    Jim grinned. ‘I don’t think this actress has had much truck with the Bible.’
    The crowd cheered her victorious ascent. Cat gleefully noted, ‘I reckon she’s not wearing any underwear. How come?’
    â€˜Maybe her washing didn’t dry in time.’
    They both sniggered.
    The peroxided beauty was fantasy made flesh, the created femme fatale of male dreaming. Jim drained his cup and licked his lips. The actress swivelled gracefully on the top step and blew them all a kiss before disappearing into the lobby. Jim suspected that all the menfancied her rotten and the women yearned to be in her shoes. A collective sigh of desire arose from the crowd.
    Everything was swell until a hotel valet shoved his way through the crowd. Jim sensed that something was up. ‘What is it, Alfred?’
    â€˜It’s Mrs du Barry, Sir. I’ve been looking all over for Miss Cat.’
    â€˜And?’
    â€˜Madam requested that I find Cat and get her back to the ninth floor. She reckons it’s way past Caterina’s bedtime . ’
    Cat’s face fell and she carefully studied her shoes. Christmas Eve was already over before it had even begun. She wouldn’t be able to disappear into the labyrinth for the special staff supper. Cat had helped Ziggy, the pastry chef, to make traditional Christmas treats: Kokosbusserl , Linzer tortes and Lebkuchen . She’d iced all the Sacher tortes and while they’d worked Ziggy had taught her the words to ‘Silent Night’. He’d told Cat, ‘In Austria we sing “ Stille Nacht ” on Christmas Eve. We shall all sing it tonight. And drink up the good schnapps Mr du Barry supplied.’
    Jim placed his hand on Alfred’s shoulder and Alfred looked nervous. ‘You do know it is Christmas Eve, don’t you, Alfred?’
    â€˜Yes, Sir.’
    â€˜This is when folk try to spread good cheer. By doing things like looking after our chums and ensuring our nearest and dearest have a good time.’
    â€˜Sir?’
    â€˜I have a proposition for you, Alfred. Let’s imagine that I choose to let you off that nasty little IOU you accrued at last night’s poker game. And in return you choose to spread some fucking Christmas cheer around, eh?’
    â€˜But Mrs du Barry will get shirty. She might even get me sacked.’
    Jim looked at his watch. ‘You worry too much, my boy. You don’t understand how things work. The Hotel du Barry is very traditional. It operates on the time-honoured system of pimps, spies and snitches. With a modicum of effort I can arrange to have Mrs du Barry’s every move tracked.’
    â€˜So the eyes are everywhere?’
    â€˜Precisely. I’ve already been informed Madam is playing hostess up in the Winter Garden. Meeting and greeting. She won’t have time to scratch herself and she definitely won’t be returning to the ninth floor until the last guest leaves and the sun begins to rise.’
    â€˜Really?’
    â€˜Yes, Alfred. Wise up. Now, all you have to do is tell Cat’s babysitter that I’ve promised to have Cat back on the ninth floor well before that lard-arsed chap in the red suit comes sliding down the chimney. Deliver this message, stay clear of the Winter Garden and all will be satisfactorily sorted.’
    Alfred grinned. ‘If you say so, Sir.’
    â€˜I do. Tonight Cat’s babysitter is one of Mrs Brown’s girls. Gwendoline is a good sort.’
    â€˜I get it. Consider it done.’
    â€˜That’s more like it, and in return I’ll tear up that IOU. But never forget this: punting your hard-earned wages is a mug’s game. Especially when you’re up against me and the cream of Scotland Yard. And while I’m dispensing free advice, you need to dump your latest squeeze. Miss Gottfried is sharing her considerable charms with you and that unhinged psychopath, Gary Smythe. You don’t want to end up