Love and Marriage at Harpers, page 9
‘I love seeing what you bring and everything is refreshingly different,’ Sally told her when they’d made their final choices and three quarters of the new lines had been accepted into the London store. ‘But there is no doubt that as people we do have different tastes in fashion and matters of style.’
‘And that’s good,’ Jenni said. ‘I’m taking three new lines you’ve sourced home with me, and if you find anything more of the same quality, you can send me some samples.’
The exchange of ideas and sources was proving helpful to both buyers and now that they knew each other better, they could laugh and talk without fear of embarrassment or offence.
However, one thing happened that distressed both of them, and that was when the Home Secretary, Reginald McKenna, had public meetings by suffragettes banned.
‘How dare they do something so outrageous?’ Jenni demanded when she saw it in the newspaper.
‘Possibly in retaliation for the cricket pavilion in Royal Tunbridge Wells being blown up earlier this month…’
Jennie frowned. ‘I’m not sure violence is the right way…’
‘Even when the Movement is peaceful, they won’t let us march. There was an unruly crowd that broke up one of our meetings just before you arrived and I think that was probably the excuse they used to get the law through.’
‘Well, we shan’t tolerate it in New York,’ Jenni said, with a look of determination. ‘We have to stand together, Sally. Women must be free to speak their minds and to own their lives.’
Sally agreed, but it seemed the opinion in England was against them for the moment and she attributed that to the more militant actions of some members. However, she knew that they would continue to meet, but in secret.
The week seemed to fly by and Sally wished they’d had more time to go out together, but it was a working trip and Jenni had commitments back home.
‘Perhaps I can come over for longer at Christmas this year,’ she told Sally the night before her ship was due to leave. ‘I should like to have a holiday with you, really have time together. We might even go skiing together…’ She smiled. ‘I’m booked on the Cunard liner, the Aquitania, this trip…’
‘I’ve no idea how to ski,’ Sally said, laughing.
‘I can teach you,’ Jenni hugged her. ‘This has been fun and I learn something every time I come, Sally. I’ll write and I’ll send the stock you’ve chosen – and we’ll keep in touch…’ Jenni looked wistful, as if she would have liked to stay longer.
‘I hope you do come over for a few weeks at Christmas or next summer. I’d like to take you on an English seaside holiday,’ Sally teased. ‘We’ll walk on the sand with no shoes and eat fish and chips on the beach and candy floss…’
‘I shall miss you,’ Jenni said. ‘Don’t give up on us, will you, Sally? I promise it will be worthwhile in the end…’
Sally promised to look after the store and they finally parted late at night the evening before Jenni was due to board her ship. Jenni insisted on calling a taxi to take Sally home, because of the late hour. When she crept in at past eleven, Beth was sitting up in bed writing letters.
‘I thought you would be asleep,’ Sally said, but Beth shook her head.
‘I couldn’t sleep until I heard you come in,’ she said. ‘Did you have a good evening?’ Sally nodded and Beth smiled. ‘Shall you see Jenni again before she leaves?’
‘No, she will leave for Southampton first thing,’ Sally said. ‘Her ship sails the following day, but she wants to be there in plenty of time and it takes several hours on the train and then boarding is hectic, so she told me…’
‘You’ve had a busy time while she was here, Sally.’
‘Yes, I have, but it was fun – and Jenni approved all I’ve done, Beth. It made me feel so much more confident, lifted a weight from my shoulders. I’ve been working in the dark for months, but Jenni’s approval means that I can trust my judgement and go on as I have been.’
Beth nodded her understanding, her gaze steady as she watched Sally’s expressive face. ‘And Mr Harper – when is he coming over?’
‘Jenni didn’t know, but she thought soon…’
Beth nodded and yawned. ‘You’ll be glad when he comes; he can take some of the work on his shoulders,’ she said and settled down, snapping out her bedside light.
Sally undressed, climbed wearily into her own bed and switched off her bedside light. Jenni was fun, but she was very energetic and it was tiring just keeping up with her…
Sally’s last thought before she fell asleep was that she would be glad when Ben came back.
12
That weekend, Sally got ready for her day out with her friend, Sylvia. She wore a simple skirt and blouse with her red jacket and the cloche hat Jenni had admired. They had agreed to meet at the Lyons Corner House on Shaftesbury Avenue and Sally was the first there, standing outside in a chilly wind, waiting for ten minutes, before Sylvia arrived. When would the spring get here? It was the end of April and still cool sometimes.
‘I’m sorry,’ she exclaimed, ‘have you been here long? My bus was late…’
‘I was just thinking of going inside,’ Sally said. ‘I could do with a cup of tea and a bun…’
‘Yes, it is time we ate something,’ Sylvia said and smiled. ‘Thanks for coming, Sally – I wanted to tell you some news and to ask a favour…’
‘Let’s get inside first,’ Sally said. ‘That sun is bright, but it’s cold in the breeze.’
‘Yes, I know. It’s nearly May and officially spring,’ Sylvia agreed, ‘but it doesn’t feel much like it at the moment.’
Inside, they were shown to a table by one of the bright-faced girls who kept the popular restaurant running efficiently. Lyons had opened their first restaurant four years previously and others had blossomed since then, because they were cheerful, pleasant places and served their customers with courtesy and efficiency. Within moments of an order being given, a pot of tea for two, some toasted teacakes and a plate of little cakes was on their table.
‘That looks lovely,’ Sylvia remarked. ‘Good thing I had a raise this week…’
‘This is my treat,’ Sally replied firmly. ‘Tell me, have you been to the Chelsea flower show?’
‘No, I’d like to though.’
‘Yes, me too. Now, tell me your news…’
‘I’ve received a proposal of marriage,’ Sylvia said and gave a little giggle, ‘and I wanted to ask if you could lend me nine pounds…’
Sally stared at her in silence for a moment. She’d lent Sylvia money before and had never seen a penny of it back. ‘Firstly, congratulations on the proposal,’ she said. ‘Are you going to accept?’
‘Yes, I am,’ Sylvia nodded. ‘Frank is a travelling salesman and he says he’s mad about me. He wants to get a flat in London and I’ll live there and he’ll come and go rather than living in hotels…’
‘Do you care for him?’
‘He’s all right – yes, I like him,’ Sylvia replied. ‘He’s generous and he doesn’t expect too much – and I’d have security. He’s got a big insurance on his life and I’ll get the money if he dies…’
‘But you’re not in love with him?’ Sally wasn’t sure how she felt about Sylvia’s revelations. Her shallow nature had shocked Sally. She realised that she’d never really known her and that living with Beth, Rachel and Maggie had given her high standards. Sylvia seemed to realise that Sally was disapproving and blushed slightly.
‘I’d look after him if he was ill and I’m not after his money, but I’m fed up with being on my own. Marlene is all right, but she can be a bitch if things aren’t just right – and with Frank I’d have a real home…’
Sally nodded, not sure how to take what Sylvia was saying. Perhaps she was too ready to condemn for she had a good job and true friends. ‘And why do you want me to lend you nine pounds?’
Sylvia looked uncomfortable. ‘I know I never paid you what I owed you before – but you said it didn’t matter…’
‘And it doesn’t, but I’m not sure I can afford to lend you nine pounds – that’s a lot of money, Sylvia. I work hard for what I get and I don’t intend to throw it away.’
‘I’ll pay yer back once I’m wed,’ Sylvia said, looking sulky. ‘I’ve got to buy Frank a wedding present and the ring I want for him is six pounds – and I need a new outfit…’
‘I’m sorry,’ Sally said. ‘If that’s what this is all about – asking me for money – then I wish you had made that clear. No, I’m not going to give you nine pounds, Sylvia.’ She hesitated, then put her hand in her pocket and brought out three pound notes. ‘I have enough to pay for our meal and this – and it’s all I’ll give you. I don’t want it back. You can call it a wedding gift and do what you want with it, but that is all I can give you.’
Sylvia looked peeved but took the three pounds. ‘I thought I could rely on you – after all, we know things about each other…’
‘Is that a threat?’ Sally looked at her hard. ‘My employers know all there is to know about me, so do your worst – and I think I’ve had enough of this…’ She waved her hand at the waitress and summoned the bill. ‘Don’t ask to see me again, because I’m not interested…’
‘You needn’t fly up into the boughs just because of a measly nine pounds…’ Sylvia muttered. ‘Sit down and finish your tea…’
‘No, thank you,’ Sally said. She paid the bill and walked out, leaving Sylvia sitting there. Inside, she was angry and hurt. She’d thought they were friends, but it seemed that Sylvia had just seen her as someone to use, a meal ticket when she was short of money. She’d given Sylvia help in the past and she’d thought to get more from her under the guise of friendship.
Shaking her head in disgust, Sally caught the next bus to draw up. She felt sick with disappointment and got off a couple of stops from home, intending to walk her mood off before she joined her real friends. As she approached the apartment she shared with Beth and the others, she saw a car drawn up outside. Mick got out and came towards her, looking grim.
‘I take it you’ve just got back from meeting Sylvia?’
‘Yes. I didn’t stop long…’
‘Marlene just told me why she sacked her,’ Mick said and looked annoyed. ‘I’m sorry, Sally. I wouldn’t have brought her message if I’d known what she’s been up to – Marlene says she’s been stealing money and drinks. She confronted her when she told her she was going to get married and asked for some money to buy her clothes.’
‘She asked me for money too,’ Sally said. ‘I wasn’t inclined to do it again…’
‘Nor was Marlene.’ Mick shook his head in disgust. ‘We’ve both tried to help her, Sally. She won’t keep a job five minutes wherever she goes. Marlene is generous and gave her the benefit of the doubt, but she was ten pounds down in her takings this week and she said enough is enough.’
‘I shan’t meet Sylvia again.’
‘Good, I should think not. She’s forfeited any right to your friendship…’ He hesitated, then, ‘Would you like to go out to lunch with me?’
‘Yes, why not?’ Sally said. She was feeling thoroughly fed up and the prospect of a nice meal in his company was appealing. ‘I don’t have a penny on me. I should go in and get some…’
‘You won’t need it, I’ll be buying lunch…’ Mick frowned and then raised his eyebrows. ‘You gave Sylvia money?’
‘I gave her three pounds as a wedding gift, which was considerably less than she wanted.’
‘She didn’t deserve that much, if you ask me,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry that wretched girl asked you for money. It seems we all trusted her too much…’
‘I thought she was a friend, but she tried to blackmail me,’ Sally replied, ‘so I walked out on her. I shan’t get caught like that again…’
‘Forget her, Sally. Let’s go out and enjoy ourselves. I’ll take you somewhere different – and you can tell me what you think…’
‘Not more property?’ she asked with a teasing look.
Mick smiled mysteriously. ‘Well, you never know,’ he said and opened the car door for her. ‘It depends how good the food is…’
The food was exceptionally good. They both had Dover sole, pan fried with a delicious prawn sauce, soft creamy mounds of potato, petit pois and asparagus tips. Savouring every mouthful, Sally sipped the cool sparkling white wine and then ate her brandy snap with black cherries in kirsch and cream with equal pleasure.
‘Now, that really was a delicious meal,’ she told Mick as they drank coffee afterwards. ‘Where do you find these wonderful places?’
‘I ask my customers where they like to eat and then I try the menu for myself,’ Mick said and she knew he meant the customers of the pub he managed. ‘I was told about this place the other evening. The food is excellent, but the manager was dishonest and left his employer in the lurch when he ran off with his wife and most of his money…’
‘Oh, how terrible! The poor man must be devastated…’ Sally was all sympathy.
‘I imagine so,’ Mick agreed. ‘I dare say he was relieved to get an offer of a silent partner and some cash to keep him afloat…’
Sally quizzed him with her eyes. ‘Are you showing me how little I know about you?’
‘I’m trying to make you smile,’ Mick said. ‘I’m not a secret millionaire, Sally Ross. I simply got lucky – my uncle in Ireland died in May 1912 and left me his property, most of which consisted of two fields and a racehorse. I must have had the Divil’s own luck, because the horse won the Irish Derby in June last year and brought me a few bob in winnings – and then I sold him for a small fortune.’ His eyes lit with devilment. ‘The horse hasn’t won since…’
‘Did you drug it or something?’ Sally demanded, laughing.
‘No, I just talked it into winning and making me fortune…’
‘Oh, Mick, you idiot!’ Sally shed her cares as his teasing made her giggle. ‘Seriously, did it only win the one race?’
‘Just the one…’ Mick grinned broadly. ‘Honest to God, I’ve no idea why – but mebbe Uncle Sean had been training it up for that one race. He’d had it entered for months, so I let it run…’ He shrugged. ‘Everyone said it was a miracle and for me it certainly was. I used the money wisely and I now own a half share in three restaurants… well, Marlene’s place is a pub, but ’tis the same thing…’
‘So can I expect to experience more surprise meals like this one?’ Sally asked and Mick shook his head.
‘I’ve invested my windfall, and for now I’ll just carry on managing the pub and see what happens…’
‘You’ve chosen wisely,’ Sally said. ‘Everyone likes to go out for a celebration meal sometimes, so you should make a small fortune out of your businesses…’
‘I’ll just sit back and watch them grow, that’s the idea.’ Mick laughed softly. ‘I might carry on investing when I can; it’s become a habit, though I don’t always put my money into a place, even if the food is good.’ He looked thoughtful. ‘I was investigating a pub in Soho the night I saw you being attacked. I decided against that one… but I was glad I was there…’
Sally nodded, remembering the night she’d gone up to Soho Square to locate a woman of the streets in the hope of discovering someone to perform an abortion for Sylvia. She’d wondered why Mick was in what was rather a shady area and perhaps that had coloured her opinion of him without her realising.
‘I should never have been there,’ she confessed now. ‘If I’d known… I shouldn’t have got involved with Sylvia’s problem at all…’
‘You tried to do her a good turn, but she took advantage of you,’ Mick said. ‘I should stay clear of her in future if I was you.’
‘Yes, I shall.’ Sally sighed. ‘Life is so strange, isn’t it?’
Mick raised his eyebrows, but she shook her head. ‘I’ll take you home now, Sally. It looks as if it might come on to rain soon.’
‘April showers bring May flowers…’ Sally chanted and smiled. ‘You’re a good friend, Mick. I was feeling angry and upset when I left Sylvia but now you’ve cheered me up.’
‘Good, that’s what I hoped to do,’ he said. ‘I’ll get you back before the storm breaks…’
The sky was getting darker by the minute as they drove. Suddenly, lightning struck across the sky and there was a roll of thunder. Rain was driving down, making the roads slippery and puddles were forming everywhere.
Outside Sally’s flat, Mick drew the car to a halt and turned to look at her. ‘Thank you for having lunch with me,’ he said and then leaned forward. His lips caressed hers softly for a brief moment and then he sat back. ‘Get in quickly before you drown…’
‘Mick…’ Sally hesitated and he shook his head.
‘Go on, Sally Ross – there’s nothing to say…’
Sally nodded, opened the door and got out. She ran quickly to the small block of apartments, used her key and disappeared inside without looking round. She did not notice that Mick watched until she was safely inside – nor did she notice that across the road, another man watched from the shelter of a shop doorway. She did not see his frown or the look of hurt on his face as he walked away…
13
Sally was in her office early on Monday morning. She wanted to catch up on the stocktaking that she’d left while Jenni was over. It wasn’t necessary to check the lists as often as she did, but Sally liked to be on top of things. If something wasn’t selling it was important to know and if a line sold out quickly it was sometimes worth restocking the same item.
Sally’s head was bent over her work when the door of the office opened and she assumed it was the secretary.
‘Yes, please, I’m more than ready for coffee…’ Sally said and looked up with a smile. A chill went down her spine and the smile froze as she saw who was standing in the doorway. She got to her feet, staring at him. ‘Mr Harper… welcome back…’ Her words were scarcely above a whisper. ‘You didn’t let us know you were coming…’
