Love and Marriage at Harpers, page 17
‘You’ve got him twisted round your little finger…’ Beth laughed. ‘Well, just be careful you don’t get carried away in Paris… moonlight and romance and all that…’
‘Oh Beth!’ Sally looked up with a wry smile. ‘Sometimes I think he really does care, but others…’ She shook her head. ‘I’ve tried not to care, Beth, but I do like him so very much. I can’t help myself…’
‘Is it wise going to Paris with him?’
‘Probably not, but I’m going…’ Sally arched her eyebrows. ‘What can he do – seduce me? If he did, I might say yes…’ She winked at Beth. ‘Besides, it’s Paris; he has all the travel documents sorted for us and I may never get another chance if I don’t go now…’
‘Sally! You wouldn’t sleep with him…’
‘Why not? Maybe it will end in tears, but if it’s all I can have…’ she laughed again. ‘We need to live a little dangerously, Beth. I don’t want to end up like Miss Hart, living alone in a small flat with no one who cares when she’s ill. I can’t move on until this thing with Ben Harper is settled – perhaps a passionate affair will clear the air…’
Beth looked at her doubtfully. ‘You may get hurt…’
‘I’ve been hurt before,’ Sally said. ‘Perhaps because I was too careful – next time, I’ll throw caution to the winds and see what happens…’
‘I don’t blame you. I’d love to visit Paris…’ Beth nodded. ‘Come and eat your tea then. This ham is delicious. I pinched a bit and it was lovely…’
The two girls looked at each other and sat down to eat. They got on so well and enjoyed sharing the flat, but both of them knew that the time to move on was close.
‘We’ll always be friends, won’t we, Beth? When you’re married and I’m – well, whatever happens, you’ll always be my friend…?’
‘Of course I shall,’ Beth said and smiled. ‘And so will Rachel and Maggie. We bonded when we were some of the first of Harper’s girls and that will never change. Life moves on and we’ll change, but we shan’t forget each other.’
22
Aunt Helen brought the bridesmaids’ dresses for a final fitting on the Sunday after Rachel and Maggie returned from Skegness. They had both got a nice delicate colour to their cheeks and the rose silk looked particularly well on Maggie and Sally, though Rachel could have done with a deeper shade. Each of them had a straw hat with a dark crimson rose on the brim, which Sally had bought cheap from the wholesalers, and when the three were dressed, they looked a picture of fresh prettiness.
‘Oh, you do all look nice,’ Aunt Helen said. ‘I’ve done a good job, though I say it myself.’
‘The gowns are lovely,’ Beth agreed, thinking that her aunt seemed more her own self, ‘and far less expensive than shop bought. I must pay you for your time, Aunt, but the material wasn’t ruinous…’
‘No, I shan’t accept payment – it’s my little gift to you,’ Aunt Helen said. ‘I’m giving you my silver tea and coffee service as a wedding present, Beth. Gerald has his own and prefers that I use that – so I want you to have mine and the gowns are a little extra.’
‘You’re too good to me.’ Beth kissed her on the cheek. Had she been worrying for nothing or was her aunt putting on a brave face? She had certainly chosen a wonderful gift for her. Beth had managed to buy a few bits and pieces for her future home, but a silver tea and coffee set was a desirable gift. She had some linen that had been her mother’s, but anything of value had been sold to pay bills when Mama was ill. Because Beth had so few relatives, she did not expect to have many lavish gifts for her wedding. Her friends were putting together to buy her something nice and she knew that Harper’s was giving her some money, because Sally had arranged a collection, but the silver service from her aunt was special.
‘Your husband still hasn’t found anywhere for you to live, I suppose?’ Aunt Helen asked.
‘Jack says he’d rather wait and buy a place,’ Beth said. ‘We’re going to live with Fred for a while – just until we get straight…’ It wasn’t quite what she’d wanted, but she knew Jack was right. It was silly to pay rent for a couple of smelly rooms when they could stay in Fred’s pleasant cottage – and he was more like a father to her than a work colleague.
‘Well, I dare say you will manage,’ Aunt Helen said and nodded. ‘You’re not the only young couple to live with in-laws…’
‘Yes,’ Beth agreed. ‘I’m sure it will be fine…’ She looked at her aunt. ‘Are you all right?’
‘Just a bit tired – and no, it wasn’t making your dresses, Beth. Gerald has been away for a month and I don’t always sleep well these days. I think I hear noises in the house… and that’s foolish. Gerald says it is the house and it creaks…’
‘Yes, it does. I heard creaking upstairs the day I called when you weren’t there,’ Beth said. ‘You probably have loose floorboards…’
‘Yes, perhaps that is what it is,’ Aunt Helen agreed, but her gaze slid away, making Beth wonder. ‘I’ll get off then – and I shall see you on the day of your wedding, if not before…’
Beth nodded and kissed her again. ‘Take care of yourself.’
She went down to the ground floor and called a cab for her aunt, seeing her safely inside before going back up to the flat. After she’d been driven away, Beth’s smile faded. Someone had been upstairs at Gerald’s that day and she suspected it had been her aunt – had she been hiding because the evidence of her husband’s brutality had been impossible to conceal? It was worrying, but until Aunt Helen asked for her help there wasn’t much she could do, except let Gerald see that she wasn’t going away and would be keeping an eye on him.
Rachel was tidying the sitting room when Beth returned. She smiled at Beth.
‘Your aunt is a good seamstress. Those dresses are really well made.’
‘Yes, she is…’ Beth sighed. ‘I thought she looked tired and subdued, Rachel. I wish with all my heart that she’d never married that awful man…’
‘It is a shame that he doesn’t treat her right,’ Rachel agreed. ‘I sometimes wonder if any men are to be trusted…’
‘Have you seen that man again? William Bailey…’
Rachel shook her head. ‘No, and that makes me angry. The least he could do is apologise…’
Beth looked hard at Rachel. ‘You really liked him, didn’t you?’
‘More fool me,’ Rachel said, sighing. ‘He was such good company and so kind and generous, Beth. I really thought we might have the start of a relationship…’
‘Perhaps I’m being unfair, but I don’t trust him – and after the way Gerald treats my aunt…’
‘Yes, I know.’ Rachel touched her hand. ‘Don’t let your aunt’s disappointment spoil your happiness with Jack. I had years of happiness with my husband before he became ill. Things changed then and it hurt me… but I was getting over it until…’
‘That wretched William Bailey!’ Beth said. ‘Just wait until I see him. I shall have something to say to him… and he won’t think I’m a mouse or a child…’
‘How fierce you are,’ Rachel said, smiling. ‘I suppose William is entitled to his opinions, but I can’t help wondering whether he asked me out simply to find out more about our movement.’
23
The weather was lovely on Monday and Tuesday, though on Wednesday it was overcast and a little cool for August, almost like an autumn day in summer. Rachel was glad of her warm wool jacket when she left Harper’s that evening; it was red to match the jaunty felt cloche she wore and suited her mood of determination. She wanted to do some shopping before going back to the flat and had started to walk along Oxford Street, which was still thronged with people, lights twinkling from café windows and the brightly lit window displays of the department stores, when she felt the tap on her shoulder.
‘Rachel, please let me talk to you…’ Turning, she saw the man who had made her so angry. She took a deep breath, torn between hitting him with her cane shopping basket or sticking her long steel hat pin into his hand but decided against either because he might put it down as childish behaviour. ‘I know I owe you an apology. I’ve been trying to see you – but I think you were away…’ William Bailey looked at her, appearing subdued and apologetic.
‘I went to the sea for a holiday with a friend,’ she said with a regal nod. ‘I agree – you do owe me an apology, sir. You may make it and then leave…’
‘You’re very angry, aren’t you?’ William looked at her hesitantly.
‘I think you might be angry if I had described you as foolish or childlike in your opinions and actions…’
‘I didn’t say those things,’ William said, looking at her earnestly. ‘I may have said that certain actions carried out in the name of the Women’s Movement were foolish and the actions of wilful children – and don’t you think they are, Rachel? Is it really sensible to throw one’s self in front of a racehorse in full flight or to put bombs where innocent people could be hurt?’
‘Certainly, I do not agree with some of the action taken by the militant members of our group…’ she conceded, because she too thought such actions rash. ‘Yet I admire Emily’s bravery and devotion to the cause…’
‘Brave certainly, but also foolish. I knew you could not think it wise or useful…’ he said and looked eager. ‘I wanted to know more about your movement, Rachel. I’d seen you and your friends leaving the meetings and I wanted to get to know you – but after I’d spoken to you a few times, I realised you were intelligent and lovely and I never meant to hurt you. I spoke at that meeting, but my speech was written for me because I was too busy to do it and I didn’t realise how it would look or sound until I saw it in the paper…’
‘You deceived me…’ she said, still angry with him. ‘You got me to talk about the Movement and how I felt and then you gave that wretched speech…’
William had the grace to look ashamed. ‘Yes, and I wish I’d cut my tongue out first. I was told it was a popular stance and that I stood more chance of being elected at the next by-election if I took an anti-suffragette stance…’
‘Well, good luck to your campaign…’ Rachel said coldly. ‘Please, let me go now, Mr Bailey. I’m tired and I have things to do…’
‘You won’t forgive me?’ He looked so upset that her heart ached.
‘Of course I forgive you,’ she said in a softer tone. ‘I am a rational, reasonable woman – but that doesn’t mean I wish to see you again. Good evening, sir.’
He stood back and let her walk on. Rachel immediately felt a pang of regret. She had enjoyed lunching with him, but he had let her down.
Rachel did her best to put Mr Bailey and his opinions from her mind. Some of the shops were not yet closed and she shopped for food; her basket was filled with bread, fruit, fresh salads and cheese by the time she got home. Inside the door of the flat was a small table where all the post was placed so that they could all find it easily. Picking up a letter addressed to her, she realised it had come from Minnie, one of the two spinster sisters who had lived in Mrs Malone’s boarding house when Rachel was residing there. Minnie seldom wrote unless it was an invitation card and Rachel felt instinctively that something was wrong. The sisters had been fine when she’d visited just before her holiday with Maggie.
Taking the letter into the kitchen, Rachel slit the envelope and read the single sheet, gasping in shock as she realised why Minnie had written to her.
‘Is something the matter?’ Beth asked, seeing her standing with the letter in her hand. ‘You’ve gone white…’
Rachel looked up. ‘Minnie’s sister has suddenly died. I’ve told you about them, I know. Neither of the sisters has ever married and they make a precarious living by their sewing.’
‘She must be devastated…’ Beth said and looked up as Sally came in to the flat. ‘Rachel has had some bad news…’
‘I’m sorry I’m late,’ Sally said. ‘I went to visit Miss Hart this afternoon. We’re off to Paris in the morning and it’s my last chance to visit for a week – but you were saying Rachel has bad news?’
‘A friend of mine has died,’ Rachel said. ‘I think I shall leave my supper and go straight over. I’ll take a taxi…’
‘I’m so sorry.’ Sally touched her hand in sympathy. ‘I had some good news today – Miss Hart is very much awake and she knew me. Her speech is a little affected and her left hand is paralysed, but the nurses told me it is a small miracle that she is alive.’
‘I’m pleased for her,’ Rachel said. ‘I’ll hear all your news when I get back – but I must go. Poor Minnie will not know what to do…’
‘If there is anything I can do – when I get back from Paris…’ Sally said, but Rachel hardly heard her as she left. Minnie was such a sweet person and she knew that the death of her sister would leave her vulnerable and alone.
‘I’m so glad you came,’ Minnie said, clinging to Rachel’s hands. Her eyes looked red and she was visibly distressed. They’d spent two hours discussing the practical stuff. Mildred’s body had been taken away for examination, because the death was very sudden. ‘They are going to do tests to see why she died…’ A sob left her and her hands were trembling. ‘What am I going to do without her, Rachel?’
‘I’ll help you all I can,’ Rachel said. ‘I can help arrange the funeral once the coroner releases her to you for the burial. I have a little money saved…’
‘Oh no,’ Minnie murmured, shaking her head. ‘Mildred paid into an insurance fund for her funeral – we both do, because there is no one else to do it, you see. Money isn’t the problem just yet, though she was the one who dealt with our customers. I can manage – but it is just losing her so suddenly…’
‘Yes, of course it is,’ Rachel agreed. ‘Just let me know when you’re ready and I’ll come over again. Is Mrs Malone making things difficult for you?’
‘She has been kind – everyone is kind,’ Minnie said. ‘But you are our friend, Rachel. Mildred would have wanted you to know…’
‘Just remember that you were your sister’s greatest friend. She would want you to carry on as best you can,’ Rachel told her.
‘Yes, thank you,’ Minnie said. ‘I’ll be all right now – it was such a terrible shock.’
When at last Rachel left her, she felt so sad. Minnie was making the best of things, but she would be lost without Mildred to guide her. Rachel wished that she could do more, but death was final and she couldn’t bring Mildred back. If the flat had been larger, she might have taken Minnie home with her that evening, but that wasn’t an option. She would have to see what she could manage after the funeral.
Beth made Rachel a cup of cocoa and a tomato sandwich for her supper on her return. She listened to the sad tale of the sister who was left to cope.
‘If I can do anything to help…’ she said, and then smiled. ‘Supposing, I was to move in with Fred and his sons before the wedding, Rachel? If Maggie shared with Sally, you could take Minnie in with you…’
‘Oh, Beth, that is so lovely of you to offer, but I’m not sure what the others would say…’
‘I don’t mind – if Maggie doesn’t,’ Sally assured her. Maggie shook her head. ‘You tell your friend she can come to us if she likes, Rachel…’
‘Not until after the wedding,’ Rachel said decisively. ‘We all want to be with you the night before your wedding and help you get ready that morning, Beth. Minnie will stay where she is for the moment and then I’ll talk to her and see how she is getting on.’
Before she left for Paris, Sally insisted that Maggie could use the bed in their room she shared with Beth; Rachel could then offer the spare bed in her room to Minnie if she wished. Rachel spoke to Minnie of Sally’s generous offer when she visited that evening, but she declined.
‘It is so kind of you and your friends, Rachel,’ Minnie said, a tear trickling down her cheek. ‘I do not feel it would be suitable for the moment. When my sister is buried and your friend, Miss Ross, is married… perhaps then…’ She faltered, unable to go on. ‘I am coming to terms with my loss. I know life will never be the same, but as yet I am not sure what I want to do…’ Minnie sighed. ‘There was a time when I might have married…’ She shook her head. ‘It was all so long ago and I couldn’t leave my sister…’
Rachel was surprised, for Minnie’s words seemed to hint that she’d once had a chance of a different life but had turned it down for her sister’s sake. It had always seemed to Rachel that Mildred was the stronger of the sisters, but now she wasn’t as sure. ‘As I said before, if there is anything I can do…’
‘Oh Rachel, dearest, just having you here has helped me so much…’ Minnie smiled. ‘I still remember that lovely restaurant you took us to on my birthday last year. It was such a pleasant evening and I thought…’ She shook her head. ‘I wished we might go out more often, but Mildred was always so anxious about saving money. She feared old age, you see. I suppose the time will come when I can no longer sew, if I live that long. Mildred feared it and now she’s gone…’
‘I didn’t realise…’
‘Father never allowed us to have a life while he lived, but he had lost most of his money, as I believe we told you once before. I might have married after Papa passed away, but Mildred needed me and I couldn’t desert my sister. Her plain sewing was good and she cut out all the patterns, but she said it was my embroidery that sold our work. She knew she would never marry and she feared that she would end in the workhouse or starve to death…’
‘Oh, poor Mildred,’ Rachel said and a cold shiver went through her. How many spinster women did die lonely deaths, often due to the cold and lack of decent food? Without a husband or children, there was no one to care for them and the only place they could find shelter was the workhouse. ‘She must have felt so insecure.’
