An introduction.

 

‘Fanny’s Farthing’ traces the footsteps of progress and centres on two outrageously lovable characters established in the first novel of this series, ‘Percy’s Pawnshop’. Norah Shaw and her daughter Connie had managed to create the nightclub, named after a dubious charity, that gathered discontinued and redundant coins. Significant changes were on the horizon, not least the imminent compulsory purchase of the building and its intended demolition.

Norah excelled in its management and quickly became a woman deeply respected in the community. Given the starting point and the reputation of a prostitute driven strip-tease joint, she’d managed to constrain membership through a selective process that created particular, wealthy and discerning members. The club operated discreetly and was open each Thursday, Friday and Saturday between nine o clock and midnight, with security managed by Dougie Glenn and his twin sons who ensured anti-social problems were dealt with and minimalised. Having been Norah’s first nude model due to financial necessity, Connie retired to make way for younger and more appealing ladies, much to her admirer, Bernard’s delight, however advances for a closer relationship were rejected in favour of Connie’s independence. The models were paid handsomely and sheltered from members’ advances by strict rules that were rigorously enforced by the club’s co-owner (Dougie.) and his sons. Subject to stringent codes of behaviour (Plus available cash.), all were welcome to Fanny’s Farthing. The astute early decision to dedicate a whole weekend every month in support of local causes suspended objections and delivered a handsome dividend in respect and gratitude for much-needed funds.
Aware of desperation, Norah was anxious to provide safety for others thrust into circumstances both she and her daughter had faced previously. Women petitioning sexual favours for cash would be encouraged to a contained space in the club and banned from communicating with members unless specifically approached. Men with money were the club’s clientele, and she knew those who placed the trust of their own families in jeopardy wouldn’t care anyway. Wealthy ‘Trouser Trout’s were there to be fleeced, and she carried clippers, sharpened to perfection.

The title to the building housing Fanny’s Farthing and Percy’s Pawnshop had been handed to Percy’s grandson Eric, who ran the pawnbroker’s business based on equal partnership alongside Hannah and Bernard. Both grandparents, who had retired and moved with their eldest daughter and her tribe to a massive house in leafy Seymour Grove, were on hand with scrutiny and advice. Eric’s parents had been moved to a house closer to his parents in Old Trafford, big enough to accommodate both Eric and Hannah, although acknowledgement to decency, berthed them separately.
Change was in the air, and the skyline of Manchester developed silhouettes of concrete buildings that housed displaced communities.

 

The good fortune generated at the home of Lady McManus touched all connected with Percy’s Pawnshop. However, there was an increased sense of foreboding as the council’s slum clearance became a reality and the area drained population. Percy’s passing trade dwindled, and the demand for ‘junk’ furniture no longer seemed relevant. Bernard, ever the student, attended night school and passed examinations that enabled the pawnbroker’s licence to be transferred to his name. Eric’s newly acquired interest in antiques and fine art had been overseen by Eric’s Gran alongside Hannah and developed into a fledgling business of potential. Talk of attending colleges and university was dismissed due to Eric’s previous academic failure. Instead, he and Hannah attended frequent auctions and antique fairs, gleaning practical advice from other dealers and experts.
Gran instantly recognised the value of space in Fanny’s Farthing and convinced Norah (With the promise of a 20% handling fee.) to allow a display of old jewellery and feminine artifacts in the club. Both women knew the value to a man with a troubled conscience, and a well-heeled captive clientele would fetch good profit all around. Hannah learnt a lot from Gran, and that specialist knowledge was carried into her partnership with the Pawnshop, which had become unrecognisable from Percy’s time in control. Old furniture, previously available for pennies and sold in shillings, was replaced with purposely sought pieces priced in guineas. (twenty-one shillings.) There was also a workshop where damaged furniture could be restored. The pawnbroker’s side of the business had developed alongside the antique influence to generate more and more customers who would happily make a unique journey rather than pass by the window.

 

Eric maintained a close friendship with the American, Eli, whose mother was about to embark on a new life in his home country, and often visited. They established a market for shop fittings removed from condemned properties, particularly banks subject to demolition. Eli’s advice on auction purchases was invaluable and often led to lucrative sales exported directly to the U.S. The relatively new shipping containers had become a permanent feature in the loading area of the building, much to Norah’s chagrin. Dougie Glenn and his twins were always on hand, willing to help with the odd heavy tasks and transport.
Acquisition of a van and driving lessons improved the working environment at Percy’s. A second-hand Commer van was a clear asset for furniture deliveries, and held a secondary ‘taxi’ benefit, with a dining chair anchored to the floor in the back, which invariably left its anchoring point to sprawl its occupant around the interior whenever abrupt manoeuvres were applied.
The building took on a life of its own and generated an air of close support for its existence.

Both businesses had progressed beyond recognition, carrying support and devoted camaraderie in their wake.

As the sword of Damocles hovered, the challenge increased almost daily, and bulldozers were in clear sight, threatening to terminate intensely fought and hard-won successes.