Ice Rip Off

Quite a lot of fictional stories have within a kernel, or gem of truth, usually based on an occurrence in the author's life.

 

The Great Ice Rip-off

Was a greatly enhanced story from a minor overheard conversation encounter in of all places, a lad’s loo. From that innocent snippet, I wrote a more sinister story some years ago, that fits that mold.

 

The link below to that first story.

flic.kr/p/2m7GBYR

 

The new story below is another retelling of that gem. But it’s a much more, let’s call it, enhanced version. Based on the thought “What if the Girls were wearing the real thing that evening?”

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

A New Story

 

The East London Ice Ripoff

 

 

There were 5 of us together partying in our group that weekend.

 

For years, of the 5 from our group that spent the weekend in the big city, I was the only one who knew the full story of what actually transpired that night.

 

££££££££££££££££££££

 

The occasion was our Birthday weekend, my twin sister Cadence’s and mine, that is.

 

We had all gone up to the big city to make a night of it.

 

Our group consisted of My lovely wife Ginny, our married friends Merrick and Heather, sister Cadence, and myself.

 

Cade was supposed to bring a date, but that plan fell through.

 

Bryan, the detective inspector she was seeing had to cover his department that weekend. His super, who happened to be our father, may have had a parental hand in.

 

We ended up booking 1 suite with two connecting rooms at a rather posh hotel for two nights.

 

But the one room was a waste since Cadence, being alone, had taken up camp in our suite's living room. Her suitcase and dresses were scattered all about. Her cosmetics and jewel case had migrated into our bedroom.

 

Speaking of dresses, this should be no surprise to anyone with grown women in their lives, the girls had all unanimously decided to go formal for our planned evening of dinner, dancing, and drinking.

 

We had all attended the Royal Caledonian Ball held a fortnight ago, and the girls decided to dress up wearing the same posh gowns and fancy jewellery.

 

That meant that Merrick and I were given two tasks, to visit the bank vaults for our girl's jewels, (Cadence kept hers within with Ginny’s) and to reclaim our tuxes out of mothballs.

 

Actually, Merrick and I were not given a vote, but we were strongly encouraged to wear our black tuxedos. Mine had its black satin vest and Merrick wore with his a gold and black calico silk patterned one.

 

^^^^^^^

 

Soon after arriving in the city, and setting up our rooms, it was time to dress for the evening.

 

Before heading out we had pre-dinner drinks on our suite's outdoor patio, two of our rooms had them.

 

The girls had really outdone themselves with makeup and attire.

 

After they had “strutted their stuff” at Royal Caledonian, I knew the girls would be catching attention this evening, for they certainly had caught Merrick’s and mine…

 

^^

 

Heather was far too fetching in a long cobalt blue silk gown with rhinestone trimming, as well as white satin elbow-length satin gloves. She was wearing her best pearls, a triple necklace((£22,000), and matching earrings(£12,000), the set held a mesmerizing gleam. Heather also was wearing a diamond bracelet(£8,500) and a small leaf-patterned diamond brooch(£12,000) holding back a side off of her shiny gown. She had on a brace of diamond cocktail rings on her right-hand fingers(£10,000 & £12000 resp).

 

^^

 

Ginny was enticingly wearing a very shiny black satin off-shoulders gown with long white Lacey frills hanging down from the scooped neckline and puffy elbow-length sleeves. She also wore black satin gloves.

 

Her jewellery was a ruby rhinestone necklace(£35,000) with matching earrings(£22,500). One side of her hair was pulled back and held by a long diamond studded hair clip(£6,000). She also wore her favorite wide diamond cuff bracelet(£13,000)and 3 enticing rings((£10,000 each the smaller pair,£1800 the largest)

But the real showpiece was the eye-grabbing broach she had pinned to the gown just at her waistband. It had a sparrow egg-sized diamond at its centre surrounded by 3 rows of smaller diamonds. The top and bottom three stones of the third row were pear-shaped 5-carat diamonds. It looked like something from the royal jewels in the tower of London which indeed it was patterned after. Though that jewelled piece was worth a cool £2 million. this one was a fraction of the value at(£38,000).

 

Over the years Ginny had worn this exquisite piece on a gown several times and it had always garnered plenty of compliments and notice, with some thinking the piece was a genuine article from the Tower of London collection.

 

Which believe it or not has raised one or two issues during those times.

 

^^

 

Cadence was radiantly encased in a sleekly stunning eye-catching cracker of a gown. An off-one-shoulder solid canary yellow satin evening gown that fell sweeping elegantly down to her silver heels. Rhinestones encircled the waistline.

 

With it, she was proudly wearing her set of matched diamonds.

 

There was a gold necklace set with seven matching diamonds of 1 carat each, set in a V pattern. (£17,500) Her earrings were 3/4 diamond studs with a full 1 carat worth of diamonds dangling down, 3 to a side(£12,000) Around her right wrist was a wide gold bracelet set with two outer rows of 1/4 carat diamonds, with a layer of diamond chips in between(£15,500). A pair of diamond cocktail rings((£22,000 together) worn on her right index and middle fingers nicely completed her diamond ensemble.

 

^^

 

Dinner was an elegant affair, which for the price was expected.

 

I knew we were in for a soaking when the hostess was wearing a gown rivaling anything our girls were wearing. Even the snooty French waiters were in tuxes and cumberbunds. A roving pair of suited violinists meandered around would play for tips.

 

Later we went out dancing and drinking at a posh club on the other side of the city. Piling into a cab van to reach our destination.

 

Merrick and I took multiple turns on the dance floor with each of the girls. Being spelled only when they were asked to dance by several other males.

 

The girls' seemingly unstoppable desire to dance finally took its toll much later as we noticed they were getting much more clinging upon us when dancing.

 

Cadence, missing her boyfriend, seemed to be the neediest of the three. And at Ginny’s insistence, both Merrick and I, for her good, had to cut in and peel her off several times from strangers she had been drunkenly dancing a wee bit too close with, and finish off the dance with her.

 

The last time Merrick performed the task she didn't even realize she had started with someone else, my sister was that pie-eyed!

 

After we had closed down the dance club we were still raring to go.

 

(I do so miss being able to go clubbing all night without falling asleep.)

 

^^^^^^^

 

Heather told us of an after-hours place where we could still get a few drinks before heading home.

 

It was a fun sort of spot she had heard of. Like one of those old cellar speakeasies that one always sees in American noir films set during the depression.

 

You had to knock and when asked for a password just bribe them with a fiver to get in

 

We were all pretty happy drunks at that point and probably should have called it a night rather than go to an unfamiliar place in a dicey part of town we were strangers to.

 

But we were a group too well-pickled and sloshed who didn't care.

 

We found a cab and asked the driver if he knew where it was.

 

He did and we all squoze in.

 

It was just like Heather had said it ‘twas…

 

Located on a deserted side street lined with old Victorian-era discolored brick buildings, some of which still bore marks of the blitz.

 

To me, it looked like the post-war area where my favorite author Tony Broadbent would set up his main WW2 protagonist, Cat Burglar Jethro, in.

 

Going down the below street stairs we found ourselves at a sturdy door with a closed slot and a large iron lion's head with the knocker in its mouth. Once we banged it the slot opened and a pair of male eyes looked us down and down.

 

“Password?”

 

When asked that, both Merrick and I handed over a pair of crisp fivers before being let in.

 

It was an interesting place, to say the least.

 

The basement joint was located inside what looked like an old meat/eel butcher brick-lined cellar, and I swear the walls were still stained with some of the byproducts of that work.

 

No real natural lighting. If electricity was ever lost, we would be in total darkness.

 

 

££££££££££££££££££

 

No fancy hostess waiting to seat us here...

 

On our own, we managed to find a table in a far corner that fit our party. A gum-chewing waitress in a spandex dress came up and dryly took our drink order. We settled back to soak up the new surroundings.

 

We were literally in a smoke-filled, dimly lit room. Listening to the jazzy music played semi-well on the stage. Glittery costumed sultry-looking female singers walked the crowd.

 

For some reason, it reminded me of the old series of “Thin Man” movies.

 

We lit cigarettes and as the smoke began to curl up to the already smoke-layered ceiling, I felt that we were in a noir-style movie.

 

Cue in Nick Charles.

 

We were served our(watered-down) drinks and as we chatted found ourselves becoming mesmerized by the activity around us and becoming rather sleepy due to the lateness of the hour.

 

A snazzier tune started to play and our group rose enmass to dance.

 

I, however, suddenly had an annoying, but too overwhelming urge, to go to the loo and have a sit-down.

 

The old dimly lit redbrick room being used as the males ’s privy (as it was labeled) was deserted, with only one old stall of two there in working order.

 

Some wanker had done their wet business on the floor so I raised my feet against the door and was about to begin my business when these two blokes come in.

 

I held off, something about the way their feet moved about, and their hushed tones of voice told me to do so.

 

Also there was the fact one was checking the stalls to make sure they were empty. Fortunately, he did only a cursory glance.

 

They began to speak as I listened:

 

“Thanks for calling me, Ronnie”

 

“Anytime Fred, Can I bum a Cig, it's been a night tailing them here.”

 

I heard a match strike and soon smelled cigarette smoke.”

 

“Did you get a closer look at the ones I was telling you about ?”

 

The other one, Fred, his voice raspy answered

 

“Yeah, I got a peak. There’s definitely some of en could use trimming. Short notice though, and short-handed with the Scarborough and Heighton manor jobs both on tonight.“

 

“What about A lifter, Charlie? I saw him working around here earlier?”

 

Raspy didn't appear to agree and snickered...

 

“I wish Ronnie, Naw, we’re not talking about a wallet in the dames' purse here. I want …Well Anyway, I think the bluebird caught me trying to look. I had to back off. if I tipped my hand they may be skittish of any more close approaches from a stranger by now, and take flight.”

 

“That canary, though, definitely is wearing ice, not a huge amount, but no telling what other baubles the bird is sleeping with. And she looks to be alone. What do you think, should we call Dinky to tail?”

 

Raspy Fred didn't appear to totally agree...saying.

 

“I still find the blackbird’s feathers interesting, I agree it's maybe paste, but that sparkler at her waist, what she has on her wrist, soft paste or hard ice? Difficult to tell with only a glance. If the ice was real on her, they'd be worth a fortune. If the whole package hanging from all three was real…, well I’d go out and rob her blind me self right now. But would the Dame’s really be that naive to wear them out around here, would any of ‘em?”

 

 

Ronnie’s voice was now excited.

 

“It was Maurice who tipped me off back at the joint they were dancing. He squeezed one in with the blackbird. Swears her ice is hard, worth quite a bit. And his lady was in the loo with the 3, she confirmed their jewels as being real, including the bluebird’s pearls as well?“

 

“Maurice and his Dame may have been too excited to be accurate. Lilly would know if it's hard ice. If we can track her down quick enough before they fly away.”

 

With a very cold chill, it had finally dawned on me that the subjects of their conversation were our girls and their jewels!

 

As I remember I didn’t like the looks of either of the blokes who had asked Ginny to a dance while I was out on the floor with Cadence, I wonder which one had been Maurice?

 

But my thoughts were interrupted, the two were talking/scheming between themselves again.

 

“Go ahead call Dink to see if he wants the shadow job on them, the canary if they split off. Usual fee.

And Jack needs the cash, see if he is interested in plucking the ice from her flat tonight, usual split, I’ll try and have Lilly in for a looksee on the blackbird before she flies.”

 

“Jack is out again, I didn’t know that? He has talents that one, could sneak into an unlit room with a floor littered with empty cans and manage to lift the rhinestone collar from a snoozing Persian cat without it noticing.”

 

“Well, we're not talking about trimming a canary with rhinestones now are we?”Raspy snorted rudely

 

“No, we're not.”

 

“Let's get moving on this if Lilly can confirm the blackbird's diamonds are real we can still set up to lift the feathers of all three birds. Farm it out to the east end for a split of the job. Just come here before they fly off and hold the joint up. If we bend some noses so be it.”

 

“But call Jack first, if we can get him in on it, then the cut will be a lot less to pass around without the Eastenders involved. Because, aside from those three rich birds, the take from the other dames here are wearing tonight would not be enough to warrant a raid…”

 

“But I need to be sure of this. Not wasting good money on soft ice. We’ll use the phone across the street.”

 

I saw a cigarette drop to the ground, a shoe grinds it out as sparks flew. The two men disappear as I hear their footsteps walk with purposeful strides to the door and leave.

 

It was like a bloody movie I thought, except this was really happening.

 

Our girls had attracted the attention of the wrong kind this evening. That was on Merrick and myself. I guess we should have realized the dangers lurking about and had our group stick to safer venues.

 

It was very frustrating that I still had to wait while finally attending to my original business before leaving.

 

^^^^^

 

By the time I got back to our table. I found my lot had just ordered another round of drinks, and Ginny, Cadence, and Heather Merrick were on the dance floor, busting a rug as they say. Now alerted, I realized how temptingly, even provocatively, our girl’s jewels looked shimmering from their shiny tight gown-fitted figures

 

Couldn’t tip my hand, I would have to wait until we finished the drinks before herding them to safety without causing alarm.

 

The minutes passed as if in slow motion as I spent the time on guard trying to spot the pair, or anyone else( like a lady named Lilly ?) giving noticeable attentions to our girls.

 

But these would be professional thieves, and In all likelihood be the least suspects to be recognizable.

 

I talked to Cadence who was by then two sheets to the wind ( like us all, except now me). And planted a seed that we should all go back to the suite and everyone do a sleepover in our living room and tell stories.

 

She was too easy, taking off with the idea like it was her own, and soon was encouraging us all to get cracking and quickly finish our drinks

 

Finally, after some time spent tracking down the waitress to pay off the tab, we left the joint.

 

I had a few anxious minutes as I talked them out of grabbing a waiting cab and hailed a fresh one which we all piled in.

 

Everything was now suspect. The two gentlemen talking outside a pub across the street. People coming out of the establishment we were just in. Any of the vehicles that lined both sides of the street

 

I knew the girls were in a very vulnerable situation.

 

Becoming much more aware of how we all were so noticeably dressed. How the girl's jewellery sparkled, making them obviously tempting targets.

 

Since up till now I had not been considering any of this, I kept chastising myself over it.

 

I kept stealing unobtrusive glances in the side mirror to see if any vehicles were following, turning as our cab turned.

and did not breathe until we arrived safely back at the hotel.

 

Once we were inside I felt that we had given them, whoever they were, the slip.

 

And the fact that this whole situation appeared to be lifted from Tony Broadbent’s ‘The Smoke’ did not escape my atoll.

 

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Everyone was still all for changing into PJs and doing a sleepover so we could party a little longer.

 

Heather said sheepishly...

 

“I sleep in the round. Then giggled that she would just sleep in her dress. Wouldn’t be the first time.”

 

So with Cadence wearing her blue satin PJs, Ginny wearing my personal favorite long chocolate coloured satin nightgown and matching long robe, Heather in her gown, Merrick and I in our jams, we all sat around with drinks and talked into the early morning

 

Heather still had the broach pinned to her gown, sparkling, and Ginny was teasing me by still wearing her necklace and earrings, even Cadence still was wearing her rings and bracelet.

 

Seeing the jewels sparking intensely on the girls reminded me of the close call we had slipped out of earlier this morning.

 

We started on the balcony heading eventually back inside to the comfy warm couches. It was very early morning by now.

 

Merrick was into telling one of his lengthy Irish Drinking Stories. He fell asleep before finishing it. But no one noticed, we were all there before him.

 

££££££££££££££

 

Late the next morning I was waking up when I heard Cadence say

“That’s weird my room’s door is open.”

 

I open my eyes and see her go inside

 

At the same time, I see a yawning Heather going into her room.

 

Merrick is still out cold.

 

I hear Cade say "My balcony door is opened. Someone’s opened all the drawers.?"

Heather comes out, her gown half off, she was holding her jewel case, upside down.

 

“Merrick someone was in our room, my jewels are gone!”

 

Merrick springs up from the couch.

 

I hear a gasp from Cadence standing behind me.

 

“My rings and bracelet are all gone, but I was wearing them out here. Heather? You too, where is the broach you had on last night, did you just now take it off?

 

Shaking her head, she pulled up her gown for a better look. Her eyes confirmed that she hadn’t been the one who removed it.

 

Then, I felt Cadence place a hand on my shoulder. Saying as I turned…

“Hey, where is Ginny?”

 

She decidedly was not with us.

 

Cadence and I headed to the suite's closed master bedroom door. Merrick and Heather are on our tails.

 

Opening the door we all froze, momentarily in shock.

 

I said nothing, but from what I had overheard last night, and the events so far this morning, I wish I had now said something to the group.

 

^^^^

Ginny was wide awake.

 

Now only clad in her nightgown, she was laid out on our bed.

 

She had been gagged with one of her long satin gloves. Her hands were tied above her head, bound at her wrists with the satin sash from her missing robe. Her wrists had then been tied to the headboard with her other glove.

 

We immediately freed her and had her sit upright and drink some water mixed with bourbon.

 

We indeed, had all been robbed by a cat burglar….!

 

Ginny was sputtering mad at herself for allowing a thief to truss her up like she was.

 

“The bloke caught me off guard, he did. Otherwise, I would have walloped him good.”

 

Cadence and Heather were huddled on opposite sides of Ginny, as Merrick and I stood huddled in from of the bed where the girls sat.

 

We all were wondering what had happened but had to wait until she calmed down a bit before telling us.

 

Which she then did in great detail. Most of which is written below.

 

^^^^

 

“I had woken, needing to use the bathroom.”

 

“ I then got up and went to the master suite. Surprised that the door was closed.”

I went into the room shutting the door behind me, thinking someone may be already using the bathroom.”

 

“I turned to my left and saw a thin black-clad, masked figure looking at me, his torch shining on our open jewel cases.

I had frozen in horror, actually wondering if I was having a nightmare?”

 

“Wasn’t. I was bloody well in one!”

 

“He placed a finger to his lips, and moved so fast I had no time to react. He grabbed me and put his hand over my mouth”.

 

He snarled at me, holding me tight.

“If you want to keep your chums from being hurt, do as I say.”

 

“He didn’t pull his hand off until I nodded.”

 

“He pulled off the sash of my robe, had me drop my robe, and lay onto the bed. That’s when he gagged me and tied my hands together. Then to a bedpost. …!”

 

“The thief picked up my robe and laid it out at the end of the bed.”

 

“Then going to the dresser he emptied our jewel cases into my robe, your diamonds, sorry Cade.”

 

Told me he would sort it out later for the good ice that he had been told by those following us around last night we girls were wearing .”

 

“I'm sorry about yours also luv, and you too Heather!”

said Cadence.

 

Ginny looks up from Heather to me…”

 

I winced…

 

“So it appears someone saw us out and about clubbing and took a fancy to our jewels. They hired a ruddy thief to clean house!”

 

“After he emptied our jewellery cases, the wanker went back and took the rest from the dresser.”

 

Ginny looked at me….

“Took you for everything too my darling, billfold, money clip, your Rolex and cuff links, along with the silver cigarette case and matching lighter. Then he even took your tiger eye ring, it’s all gone.”

 

Then using his torch, he searched our drawers, throwing things on the robe. Our evening clutch purses also…”

She looked at Cadence, her eyes still wearing mascara

 

“Also, during all this, He kept shining his torch in my face, blinding me as he was making sure I watched.”

 

Cade murmured soothingly…

“He didn’t! You poor thing.”

 

Oh yes, he did. And Cadie luv, you know your back satin opera skirt with the rhinestone belt and matching jacket, the outfit I borrowed for tonight?

 

Cadence was drumstruck.

“No, He wouldn’t”

 

“Oh yes, he would, and did. If it looked to have some value to it, he stole it. And if it’s any consolation the greedy prat also found my purple silk dinner dress, with the gemstone embellishments hanging up in the closet, the one you were wanting to wear Cade.”

 

“Then he came back to me. looked at my earrings whistling as he pulled them off. Then he lifted my necklace, literally drooling, before yanking it off. Sadly I guess I had been fooling myself that he would forget them. Actually, I had almost forgotten myself that I had kept them on.”

 

“Then he began searching along my figure.”

 

Hearing me making a noise, she looked up at me.”

 

“Her was only searching for more jewelry my luv, for he was saying, you have anything else on you sister?”

 

“ He did a thorough job of it. Checked my fingers and wrists, along with his quick thorough pat down.”

 

Cadence snorted

He didn’t want to miss anything. Well, he didn’t, didn’t he then?

 

Ginny sighed,

No, his was thorough, I’d forgotten I had in my 2 Carot diamond navel stud

 

Cadence gasped

“He didn’t.”

 

Ginny nodded,

“Then after dropping in my stud, he shined his torch over the pile on my satin robe. How it’s all glittering.”

 

Ha picked up a jogger’s backpack from the floor bundled it up and stuffed it into his black backpack

 

“Putting on the backpack he shined his light onto me one last time. I never thought of checking your sleeping dames for jewelry. I’ll do that on the other two before doing your other rooms over…!”

 

“Thank you for everything luv!”

 

“Then he left”

 

“Into my room and did the same!”

sniffed Heather.

 

Cadence looked up:

“The prig was true to his word. He managed to slip off Heather’s broach, along with my rings and bracelet from us while we slept through all of it.”

 

“You poor dears!”

Ginny said, then beckoned…

“Come here you two.”

 

All three girls then got together in a group hug. Merrick and I not invited

 

From their cuddle, Heather asked

“Now what ?”

 

Ginny looking at Merrick and I, issued her summons.

“Order breakfast up. Then we need to get dressed while the lads call security, they’ll be having the proper cops called In.”

 

“Then when that lot is through with us, we’ll have ourselves a nice tea then go shopping for new dresses for dinner and dancing.”

 

“Right, lads?”

 

It was not a yes or no question to us.

 

So I just said.

“What better place for shopping than downtown London?”

 

That put a smile on our girl's faces.

 

Fini

 

Done