Love and Marriage at Harpers, page 6
‘Yes, of course you will. I’m pleased she is coming for a visit – it wasn’t fair the way they both deserted you, leaving you to sink or swim on your own. It would have served them right if you’d walked out and let the store go to pot!’
‘Beth!’ Sally laughed at her vehemence. ‘It really wasn’t that bad, love. Jenni has kept in close touch all the time and done nothing but encourage me. She felt responsible for her friend’s death because she let her have her ticket on the Titanic and the little boy needed someone to help him get over the shock of losing his mother and being snatched from the sea. Luckily, she thinks he doesn’t remember the sinking at all when he is awake, though he cries for his mother… but he has bad dreams, which she thinks is due to the sinking.’
Sally paused. ‘I’ve spoken to Mr Stockbridge and he and Mr Marco think we should have a minute’s silence in the store next Tuesday for the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, just as a mark of respect.’
‘Yes, I’m sure Miss Harper would appreciate that – although she won’t be here, will she?’
‘No, but Mr Marco intends to put something in the window and it will remain for a week or two, so she’d see it then…’
Beth nodded. She could excuse Jenni Harper for returning to America, but not her brother. Mr Harper had decided Sally was the right person to buy for his store, made much of her and then deserted her, and if Beth had had her way, he would have been punished for causing her friend distress. However, she knew things didn’t work that way. The Ben Harpers of this world usually got whatever they wanted. She smiled and gave Sally a hug, deciding to say nothing about it; after all, it was Sally’s life and she was the only one who could make changes.
9
Sally woke from a pleasant but muddled dream. She’d been walking down the aisle of a country church wearing one of the fancy wedding hats she’d purchased for the store. As she went outside into the sunshine, she turned to smile at her husband and saw that it was Mick – and then she woke up with a start.
What on earth had put that idea into her head? Sally laughed as she dismissed the dream as nonsense. It was seeing Mick at Marlene’s pub and what Beth had said about him being a partner in the business. Was it possible that she’d underestimated the Irishman? Surely she wasn’t that mercenary she could suddenly see a man as her husband just because he half-owned a restaurant? No, it was just a stupid dream. She didn’t dislike Mick now, but her heart still pounded when she thought of Ben Harper.
Where was the wretched man?!
Sally shook off the lingering thoughts as she washed and dressed for work. It hardly mattered if Mick had half a dozen businesses. She was attracted to Ben Harper and she couldn’t get him out of her head, even though she knew he’d never given her any reason to hope he might care for her. She might daydream about him, but her common sense told her not to be foolish. She had a good job, friends she liked and trusted and life was better than it ever had been. It would be foolish to give all that up for the sake of a man who had shown no romantic interest in her.
At her office, she glanced through the post which had been put on her desk for her attention, then read a few paragraphs of the daily paper, looking at an advert for the new Morris Oxford car and thinking how helpful it would be if she had one and could drive herself rather than waiting for cabs or buses, which were paid for from her expense account as the buyer for Harpers. She would have to purchase the car herself and that was more than she could afford just yet.
The day ahead was busy. Sally had three appointments with travelling salesmen, all of whom worked for garment manufacturers. She had found that it was best to invite the salesmen to the store and take them to the department. If they showed their new styles to the supervisor and she liked them, it helped Sally to decide whether or not they were likely to sell. She did not always follow the advice of the women who worked in the department, but often they were broadly right.
That day, she chose six evening gowns, two dozen day dresses for spring and summer and an assortment of skirts, several short jackets that fitted into the waist and a whole range of fine silk blouses; all of them would be in size 36 through to 42. Above that size needed a different style and cut and would be purchased from yet another firm that specialised in larger sizes.
The salesmen who came regularly knew that she drove a keen bargain and the sensible ones gave her the best price without haggling. Sally had learned, during the strike of clothing workers, that there were many layers in the business and now went to the firms that produced the garments rather than wholesalers whenever possible. Most were happy to deal with Harper’s, though a few still insisted that she go through their chosen wholesaler. These were the named brands and more expensive, and though it was necessary to stock them, especially in the larger sizes, she’d discovered that a good range of medium priced goods turned over faster and pleased their younger customers.
That day was a good day, though much of it was spent dealing with figures and sales reports and Sally was feeling tired when she left Harper’s later that evening. She was startled when she saw a man get out of a car just ahead and come to her, but then saw it was Mick and relaxed. He gave her his easy smile.
‘I thought you might let me take you out for a quiet supper?’
Sally hesitated, a little surprised he should ask, and then nodded. ‘Why not?’ she said, smiling. ‘To be honest, I’m tired and I’d like to relax over a glass of wine…’
‘Right you are, me darlin’,’ Mick said and grinned from ear to ear. ‘I know just the place. I was wantin’ to try it out and I think it’s just what you need, Sally.’
Sally let him hold the door of the smart De Dion car for her and slid into the passenger seat. Of French manufacture, the seats were covered with smooth leather and it smelled nice, as though it had been polished with lavender beeswax.
‘What made you think of taking me to supper tonight?’ Sally asked as he drove off into the traffic.
‘Sylvia wants to see you. She asked me to pass on the message and here I am,’ Mick replied without glancing her way. ‘She was sorry to have missed you when you visited and she has a day off next Sunday week. She wondered if you would meet her and have lunch somewhere – enjoy a day out with her…’
‘Yes, that sounds lovely,’ Sally said, smiling as she looked at him. ‘You didn’t have to take me to supper to ask me that, Mick.’
‘Sure and couldn’t I have asked just for the pleasure of your company, Sally Ross?’
‘Yes, if that’s true,’ Sally said. ‘I’ve had a hard day at work and I shall enjoy being looked after by a friend.’
‘And what else should I be thinkin’?’ Mick teased. ‘If it’s after romance you are, my love, then we’ll choose another day when neither of us has been working fit to kill ourselves…’
His words piqued her interest and she looked at him properly. ‘I don’t really know what you do, Mick.’
‘Sure you do, Sally. I’m the bar manager across the way from the hostel…’
‘Yes, but that’s not all, is it? Do you have an interest in Marlene’s pub, Mick?’
‘Now what in the world put that into your head?’ he said, but laughed softly, sending her an appreciative glance. ‘I could never fool you for long, could I?’
‘So why are we going to supper this evening?’ Sally was amused as she saw his mouth twitch. ‘You want my opinion about somewhere you’re thinking of making an offer for…’
Mick gave a shout of laughter. ‘You’ll be the end of me, Sally Ross. I may even have bought it already and want you to see if you’d like to work there…’
‘I have a good job where I am, Mick…’
‘Aye, that you have,’ he agreed. ‘But you’re not happy at present and if I could put the smile back in those lovely eyes, I’d give the world and count it well done…’
‘Mick! You’re a charmer and a flirt,’ Sally said, but she was laughing. The worries of her day seemed to slough off and she felt relaxed. ‘Yet there is a lot more to you than I first thought…’ He was a businessman and an entrepreneur and Sally was seeing a whole new side of him.
‘I’m after thinkin’ that you put me down as a worthless rogue, and mebbe you were not far wrong.’
‘No, I was wrong,’ Sally told him. ‘You’re a good friend, Mick. I shall never forget what you and Bridget did for us that night. If you hadn’t fetched Bridget, Sylvia would have had to go to the hospital because the bleeding wouldn’t stop – and we should both have been in trouble over an illegal abortion.’
‘I only wished you’d told me what you needed in the first place,’ Mick said. ‘Sylvia is better now, but she may never have a child because of what that butcher did to her and that’s a sad thing for a woman…’ He looked grave and Sally felt remorse strike her. Why had she gone to Soho and found a woman who could tell her where an abortion could be done?
‘I didn’t know what to do for the best. Sylvia was crying and desperate. I advised her to have the baby and let the Sally Army give it to a deserving couple for adoption, but she wanted to get rid of it – so I asked someone and was told of that woman…’
‘And Sylvia might have died,’ Mick said. ‘It’s a crime against God to kill a babe that way, but if it must be done, then Bridget will do it safely. She’s as skilled as most doctors and she only does it if it’s safe – but she tries to talk the mothers into having their babies if she can.’
‘If society didn’t blame the woman every time an unmarried girl became pregnant, more of them would have their babies out of wedlock and keep them.’ Sally sighed. ‘I’ve known girls try to kill themselves rather than let anyone know they were in trouble…’
‘Was that at the orphanage?’ Mick asked, looking at her intently.
‘Yes, I had a friend called Janet. She was fifteen and she fell in love with a young traveller off the fair. When he moved on, she discovered she was pregnant and there was no way she could marry. Janet was terrified of telling the nuns and she tried to cut her wrists in the bath…’ Sally took a sobbing breath. ‘They found her and she was sent to hospital and then away to a place in Ireland. I never discovered what happened to her, but she was a Catholic and she had committed unforgivable sins. I was told that she would be punished and that her child would be given to a good woman to bring up…’
‘You had a hard upbringing.’ Mick said, and looked at her sadly. ‘My mother was a good Catholic woman and I know how unforgiving the church can be, especially to women they believe have sinned. Eve has a lot to answer for, so she does,’ he said in a lighter tone. ‘Getting Adam thrown out of Paradise.’
He pulled the car into a parking space. The restaurant was in Putney and the exterior looked old; covered with ivy, it had an air of permanence and solidarity that spoke of quality. A short distance away, Sally could hear the sound of the water and somewhere in the darkness the horn of a riverboat sounded.
Inside, there was the smell of cooking and coffee brewing and, overhead, were lanterns that gave off a gentle sparkle. The tables were covered in red and white checked cloths and set with small lamps and posies of spring flowers that added to the welcoming atmosphere and gorgeous smell.
‘This is lovely, Mick,’ Sally said. ‘Really pleasant and comfortable…’
‘Let’s hope the food is as good,’ he said and a wicked smile lit his eyes. ‘I booked a table for us, but they have no idea who I am…’
Sally laughed. She was genuinely enjoying herself and glad she’d agreed to come. Once, she would have turned him down without giving him a chance, but she owed him at least this for what he’d done for Sylvia and her that night, when Sylvia looked like bleeding to death.
They were shown to their table by a smart waiter, who held the chair for Sally. A menu was presented and they were left to peruse it for a few minutes. It was varied, with dishes ranging from steak, chips and mushrooms to veal done in a special sauce and lobster bisque with home-made rolls and butter.
‘I should like the home-cooked ham, salad and jacket potato,’ Sally said to Mick. ‘I like it that they have simple food as well as some fancy dishes.’
He studied the menu a little longer and then nodded. ‘It could be a little more adventurous with some dishes, but it depends on how they cook the food…’
‘What made you buy without trying it first?’ Sally asked.
‘I know that the atmosphere is right and I can make it a success,’ Mick replied, sounding confident. ‘I did it with Marlene’s place and I can do it with this – it just takes the right people to run it…’
Sally nodded and smiled as the waiter returned for their order. Mick ordered a bottle of white wine that Sally liked and her choice, choosing a breaded veal cutlet with sautéed potatoes and peas for himself. She would have thought he was a steak and chips man and realised that she didn’t know him at all. She’d thought him just the manager of an East End pub, but he was a businessman.
The starter, when it arrived, was all that she had expected and beautifully cooked and presented. Sally enjoyed it very much – listening to Mick telling her stories about his devout Catholic mother, who went to church every day of her life, and his less than devout father, who had had to be driven to confession once a month, made her smile.
‘My father spent his nights drinking and my mother spent her days praying for him to be forgiven his sins,’ he quipped. ‘Between the two of them, we kids didn’t get much of a look-in, but it taught us to be independent…’
‘At least you had a good mother,’ Sally said. ‘I never knew mine.’
‘I preferred my father, for he was a cheerful soul, though I vowed never to follow his path and I left Ireland as soon as I could…’ Mick laughed softly. ‘My sister became a scold, but I sent her money to look after Mam, which she did until my mother died.’
‘You had a family; I envy you that,’ Sally said. ‘With all their faults, they were yours.’
‘It’s right you are,’ Mick agreed. ‘One day I hope to have sons and daughters of my own, but they’ll have a loving home and a mother who spends her time caring for them, not on her knees on a stone floor.’
‘Then you must choose wisely,’ Sally said and smiled at him.
‘Aye, I will…’ He gave her a long, considered look. ‘And now let’s see if this food is as good as it looks…’ He watched the waiter set their main meals in front of them, nodding as Sally tasted and smiled.
‘It is good…’ She glanced up as two men walked in and were shown to another table, recognising them instantly. It was Mr Marco and the same young man he’d been with when she had lunch at Marlene’s pub. As they sat down and looked at each other over the wine list, Sally knew instinctively that they loved one another.
‘Something wrong?’ Mick asked and Sally shook her head. She would not draw his attention to the two men any more than she had Beth’s, even though she’d been aware of them being shown to a discreet table at the time.
‘Nothing – it’s all perfect.’ Sally smiled at him and avoided looking across the room so as not to embarrass Mr Marco.
After they had eaten, Mick paid the bill and tipped the waiter generously but said nothing to the staff about having bought the place. He’d told Sally there was a time and a place for everything and he would make changes in his own time.
‘So what did you think?’ he asked as he drove her home.
‘I liked it very much,’ Sally said. ‘I think it could have been a little busier and I don’t know why it wasn’t…’
‘At the moment they fall between two stools,’ Mick explained. ‘The food is well cooked but not adventurous enough to tempt the regular diners – this is more for folk who just want a quick supper because they’re hungry, but the prices are a bit high to ensure that all the tables are filled every night. So we either retain the high prices and make more effort with the menu and increase the range of the wine list, or we make it cheap and cheerful…’
‘So which are you thinking of doing?’ Sally asked.
‘Which would you do?’
She thought for a few moments. ‘I think it is too nice a place to go cheap and cheerful. I would put white tablecloths on the tables and bigger flower arrangements about the room, improve the menu and the wine list and keep the prices about the same or slightly higher for the top-of-the-range dishes…’
‘Agreed,’ he said and looked at her as he stopped the car outside her apartment block. ‘So – when do you take over?’
Sally laughed and shook her head. ‘My advice I give for free,’ she said, ‘but I’m not ready to leave my job at Harper’s.’
‘Then I thank you for your advice and a pleasant evening,’ Mick said, smiling as he got out and opened the car door for her. ‘If you change your mind, you know where I am…’
‘Yes – and thank you,’ Sally said. She hesitated, then leaned towards him and kissed his cheek. ‘Thank you for caring, Mick. You’re a good friend and I shan’t forget.’
She left him, knowing that he watched until she was safe inside the flat.
Going out with Mick had helped her over the tiredness that had made her feel down when she left work. He was good company and there was far more to him than she would ever have guessed.
10
‘Miss Gibbs, would you take these stock sheets up to Miss Ross on the top floor please?’ Mrs Craven requested that Friday morning. ‘She wanted them as early as possible because she has a meeting with a representative later…’
‘Certainly, Mrs Craven,’ Maggie said and smiled at the woman who was her friend, head of department, and sometimes a substitute mother, all rolled up in one. ‘I’ll be as quick as I can…’
‘No need to rush,’ Mrs Craven said. ‘You may take a tea break before you return if you wish…’
