The Girl from the Corner Shop

by Alrene Hughes

  *

  It was almost dark by the time Helen got off the bus at All Saint’s church, but luckily the Co-op was still open for her to pick up some milk and bread. She had just let herself into the house and drawn the blackout curtains in the kitchen, when there was a knock on the front door. It was Ada. ‘I’ve a message for you,’ she said. ‘Can I come in?’ Helen hesitated. She didn’t trust Ada one bit, but she could hardly say no to her.

  ‘All right, come through to the kitchen.’

  Ada looked so smug that Helen felt like smacking her, but instead she asked, ‘So, what’s the message then?’

  Instead of answering, Ada cast her eyes round the kitchen. ‘I see you’ve tried to make it a bit more cosy in here.’

  Helen wasn’t in the mood for Ada’s slights. ‘What’s the message?’

  ‘Well… a man was knocking at your door this afternoon – a good-lookin’ fella. It was lucky I was just coming out to go to the shop and I told him you were at work. Least, I think that’s where you were.’

  ‘Ada, just tell me what the message is.’

  ‘He said his name was Frank and he was a friend of yours.’ She put the emphasis on the word ‘friend’. ‘He asked me to tell you that he’d call round later tonight after his shift.’

  ‘Thanks for that. Now, I really need to make something to eat. I’ve had a long day.’ But Ada didn’t move.

  ‘He told me that you’re a widow… That weren’t what you told me when you moved in.’

  ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake!’ Helen couldn’t keep her anger out of her voice. ‘Yes, I am a widow, but I can’t see what that has to do with you.’

  ‘Maybe it’s not my place to say this,’ and Helen saw that smug look on her face again as though she’d got something over on her. ‘I’ve noticed him before round your house.’

  ‘So? He helps me.’ Helen waved her hand at the shelves and the table and chairs. ‘He was my husband’s friend.’

  ‘Oh, that’s all it is then?’

  ‘I don’t like what you’re suggesting. I think you’d better go.’

  Ada didn’t move. ‘And then, there’s the gentleman who dropped you off in his car, very late at night that was.’

  Helen shook her head in disbelief. Ada had been watching that night when Mr Fenner left her home after their tea at the Lyons’ Corner House, but Pearl was also in the car. She was about to explain that he was her boss, but why should she and anyway it would make no difference to Ada.

  ‘How dare you make insinuations like that.’

  ‘Like what? I’m only sayin’ what I saw and what some people might think.’

  Helen took her by the arm and pushed her towards the door. ‘You’d better get out of my house, right now.’

  Ada shrugged her off. ‘Don’t be getting on your high horse. I know what I saw and, if you ask me, you’re no better than you should be.’

  Helen drew herself up to her full height, towering over her. ‘Get out of my house!’ Ada opened her mouth as if to argue, but one look at the anger in Helen’s face and she backed off.

  ‘Hmm, well don’t expect me to take any more messages from your fancy men!’

  As soon as Ada was over the threshold Helen slammed the door behind her. Back in the kitchen she slumped in the chair and wept. God, what a day, she thought. I don’t know… attacked at the identity parade, then Mr Fenner’s anger, followed by Ada’s nasty accusations. But you got through this awful day, she told herself, and wiped away the tears. She had stood up to those people because they were wrong and she was right. What did Ken say? ‘You kept your nerve, didn’t flinch.’ Well, she didn’t know about that, but she did know that she wouldn’t be a soft touch any longer.

  She sat a while with her eyes closed, still in her coat because the room was bitterly cold. She should really light the fire and make something to eat, but she was exhausted. She must have dozed off and awoke with a start at a knock on the door.

  ‘Who is it?’ she shouted.

  ‘A friend,’ came the answer, and there was no mistaking the laugh that followed.

  She opened the door. ‘What the heck?’

  ‘A present,’ said Frank and he carried a large cardboard box into the kitchen and set it on the floor.

  ‘What is it?’ asked Helen.

  ‘Hold on to the box while I lift it out.’

  Helen gasped. ‘Is that a—’

  ‘A paraffin heater, yes, an old one. One of the lads was selling it. I cleaned it up, gave it a new wick and filled it with paraffin. It’ll give off a lot of heat. What do you think?’

  She reached for her handbag. ‘It’s great. How much did you pay for it?’

  ‘I’ll not take any money, Helen. This house is freezing; you can’t live like this.’

  ‘I know, it’s just that sometimes I don’t light a fire when I get home from work. I just go to bed.’

  He shook his head. ‘Well, now you can come home and light the heater. Have you had your tea?’ Helen shook her head.

  ‘I thought that might be the case,’ and he reached inside his coat and took out something wrapped in newspaper. ‘I brought these for us.’

  She smiled. ‘I thought I could smell chips and vinegar when you came in. Here, give it to me and I’ll put them in the oven while I make a brew.’

  Frank knelt down and got to work on lighting the heater and it wasn’t long before the blue flame could be seen flickering in the window of the heater’s chimney and, by the time the tea was brewed, the room was already warming up.

  They ate the fish and chips out of the paper and Helen thought about mentioning Ada, but decided against it. She didn’t want to repeat what she had said, it was too embarrassing. Instead, she told him about the identity parade.

  ‘For God’s sake, Helen, you could’ve been injured. I don’t think they should’ve asked you to face the woman and, not only that, she knows you’re the one reported her.’

  ‘Don’t worry about me, it was fine.’ She wondered about mentioning that she was thinking about joining the police. ‘There was a policewoman who looked after me and she was telling me all about the Women’s Auxiliary Police Corps. They’re looking for women to join up.’

  His eyes narrowed. ‘It’s a tough job, the police. Walking the streets, dealing with all sorts of characters. You’re not thinking of joining them, are you?’

  ‘I don’t know… I’d like to do something worthwhile, helping people, you know?’

  ‘It’s no job for a woman, Helen, and Jim would tell you the same thing. You’ve no experience of the way people live, scum of the earth some of them.’

  ‘But she said it was mostly helping women and children and the people bombed out of their homes.’

  ‘Yes, but think it through – dead bodies, some of them unrecognisable, neglected children, abused women. You’ve got to understand that police work, like the fire service, is a miserable business. Take my word for it.’

  ‘But you do it and Jim did it and he always said he never felt more alive than when the fire station bell rang and he was on his way to put out a fire.’

  ‘You’re right there, but I know one thing, he’d not be happy about you joining the police.’

  Chapter 10

  ‘Hello, ladies,’ DC Kershaw greeted them with a beaming smile. ‘Guess what I’ve got for you?’

  Helen jumped out of her chair. ‘Have you got the clothes back?’

  ‘Indeed, I have.’

  Now Pearl and Dorothy were on their feet too. ‘Where are they?’

  ‘At the bottom of the stairs. I’ve a couple of constables taking them into the basement right now.’

  ‘Mr Fenner will be so pleased,’ said Pearl.

  ‘He should be. We’ve recovered nearly all the stock and arrested the other man – trying to flog them on the market.’

  ‘That’s great news,’ said Pearl. ‘I’ll go and tell him, and Dorothy you go down to the basement and do a quick inventory of the stolen goods.’

  When they
’d gone Helen thanked him. ‘Ken, if it hadn’t been for you getting in touch with the Oldham police, this business could have gone to the wall and all these people would be out of work. Now, you’ve got our stock back, things will be easier, and I won’t be the whipping boy any longer.’

  ‘Has the boss been giving you a hard time?’

  ‘Well, let’s say I’m not his favourite employee. He only keeps me on because he doesn’t want to be short-staffed. Anyway, Rita’s coming back next week so I’ll be getting my cards.’

  ‘Then what are you going to do?’

  ‘I’m not sure.’

  ‘I thought you were going to find out about the WAPC.’

  Helen pulled a face. ‘I was, but everybody seems to think it’s a bad idea. Like I wouldn’t be up to it.’

  ‘And you believed them?’

  Helen looked away, embarrassed.

  ‘Look at me, Helen.’ She turned her head, saw the concern in his face. ‘They haven’t seen your strength of character, like I have. You’re a curious mix. Yes, you’re sympathetic and caring, but there’s something steely about you. I saw it in your eyes when that woman attacked you. You’re stronger than you think. Why don’t you go to Bootle Street – there could be a job waiting for you, if you’ve the courage to take it?’

  ‘I’ll need to think about it a bit more.’

  Ken smiled. ‘I hope that—’

  ‘Well, you two,’ Pearl stood in the doorway. ‘You’ve put a smile on Mr Fenner’s face – for a while anyway. He says thank you and he’s asked me to send a letter to the chief constable.’ She held out her hand and Ken shook it.

  ‘Well, you know where to find me, if you’re in need of a bobby,’ he said and with a nod to Helen he left.

  When he’d gone, Pearl explained that Mr Fenner had decided, with Rita fit to come back to work, she would have to leave on Friday. ‘I’m so sorry, Helen, I’ve been trying to convince him to keep you on. You’ve far more nous than Rita will ever have and then there’s your modelling. We’d have our own model on the premises, but he wouldn’t have it.’

  ‘I’m not surprised. He never liked me.’

  ‘It’s not you, he’s a miserable bugger. He’s like that with everybody. But I’ve got a bit of good news. There’s a supper club on Friday night and he wants you to come.’

  ‘What? Pearl, I told you I didn’t want to go there again.’

  ‘I know, I know, but I was thinking you’d need the money to tide you over till you get a new job.’

  ‘I’m not doing it, Pearl.’

  ‘But Mr Fenner asked for you specially.’

  Helen raised an eyebrow.

  ‘He did. He even said he’d double your money as a bit of a bonus for all you’ve done.’

  Helen hesitated. The extra money would buy her a bit of time while she decided what to do next.

  ‘Go on, Helen, say you’ll do it, please.’

  And Helen saw again the same look in Pearl’s eyes that day when Fenner had ranted at her about the theft of the stock. How on earth could she put up with him?

  She sighed. ‘All right, I’ll do it this last time – for you – but I’m leaving at ten o’clock.’

  *

  Helen had never expected to be wearing the cerise cocktail dress again and, truth be told, she felt no more at ease in it than last time. At least now she knew what to expect and the four pounds made it worthwhile. The Grosvenor Hotel was still luxurious, but she wasn’t overawed this time. The men still looked wealthy, well-fed and well-dressed, but that didn’t make them decent people. Pearl delivered the same instructions to the girls, but this time she knew that some of them, at least, would be much more than waitresses. She didn’t blame them – they had to make a living.

  When the men arrived in the Connaught Suite, she was kept busy handing out drinks and avoiding their advances. There seemed to be more than last time and the card tables were busier. She looked for Laurence, but he wasn’t there.

  An hour or so later, the buffet arrived and Pearl asked Helen to take a tray to room sixteen, just along the corridor where a meeting was being held. Balancing the heavy tray with one hand, she managed to knock on the door. A man’s voice shouted, ‘Come in.’ She had to put down the tray to open the door and by the time she had done so, the man was there in the doorway. He was tall and his dark hair was slicked back with brilliantine. She held out the tray expecting him to take it, but he had already turned his back. ‘Come in,’ he called over his shoulder. ‘Just put it on the coffee table.’

  Helen was surprised to find herself in a large room with two armchairs either side of an ornate fireplace. Across the room was a huge bed. Stranger still was that there was only the man on his own. Wasn’t there supposed to be a meeting? She set the tray down and turned to go.

  ‘Just a minute, you’re Helen, aren’t you?’ He was standing with his back to the fireplace.

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  He was smiling, his teeth straight and white. ‘I’m Charles Brownlow. You don’t recognise me, do you?’

  Helen was still wondering why she had been sent to this room. Had there been a mistake? She had no idea who he was.

  But the man was still smiling and talking. ‘Don’t look so worried. Why should you recognise me? Will you sit down?’

  ‘I can’t, I’m needed at the supper club. Mr Fenner—’

  ‘Oh, don’t worry about Harold, he’s an old friend of mine. You won’t get into trouble. Please, sit down and I’ll explain everything.’

  He looked respectable but, more than that, he seemed important. There was something about the way he spoke that made her do as he asked.

  ‘I saw you a few weeks ago,’ he said, ‘when you were modelling at Fenner’s. I told Harold then that I thought you could go far. He didn’t agree, but he knows nothing about that side of the business.’ He paused and stared at her. ‘Hmm… to be honest, Helen, I’ve thought about you a lot since then.’

  She lowered her eyes. What did this man want with her? How could she interrupt him and tell him she had to go?

  ‘The thing is, Helen, there’s something about you: a vulnerability that draws the eye, a naivety. As a model you give the clothes an extra dimension on the catwalk.’

  Helen heard the words, but she had no idea what they meant. Was he saying she was good at modelling? Is that why she was sent to this room? She stood up. ‘I’m sorry, sir, I don’t know why I’m here. I’d better get back.’

  ‘Wait. There’s a chance I could get you plenty of modelling work and who knows what that could lead to?’

  She hesitated. Was he offering her a job?

  He pressed on. ‘Will you do something for me? Walk to the window and back again.’

  She did what he asked. Then he told her to face away from him. ‘Your shoulders need to come back a bit. Permit me to show you.’

  And Helen gasped as he pressed a cold hand between her shoulder blades and another just below her throat and she felt her posture change. ‘Now you’re even taller, you see what I mean?’ He withdrew his hands and placed them on either side of her neck. ‘Your neck is one of your best features, but you must elongate it. Raise your chin, please, straighten your neck. Do you feel the difference?’

  She couldn’t nod, his hands were round her neck, but she whispered, ‘Yes, I see. Please let me go.’

  ‘In a moment, there’s one last thing,’ and he slid his hands from her neck down over her shoulders and on to the top of her arms. ‘No, you mustn’t tense up. Now, slowly lower your shoulders and breathe out.’ Her eyes felt heavy, she sensed his head bowing towards her, felt his lips against her skin.

  She pulled away from him, but his hands caught her round her waist and he turned her into his arms. ‘I want to help you, Helen, wouldn’t you like that?’

  ‘Let me go, please.’

  ‘But I’m offering you the chance to be a model and… so much more.’

  He went to kiss her and she tried to push him away.

  ‘But I
thought…’ He sounded confused. ‘Harold said…’

  She stopped. ‘What did Mr Fenner say?’

  ‘Only that you were a widow and you’ve lost your job…’ The look of shock on Helen’s face was enough for him to let go of her. ‘I’m sorry, but I was led to believe that you and I might come to some arrangement.’

  ‘Arrangement? What kind of arrangement?’

  ‘I’ll get you work as a model and…’ He looked abashed. ‘I could set you up in a house, where I would visit you. You’ll want for nothing, I promise you. Just like Harold and Pearl.’

  She could hardly take it in. Did such things go on? Bad enough that a complete stranger would proposition her, but even more unbelievable that Pearl and Mr Fenner… She shuddered at the thought. ‘Get out of my way,’ she shouted, but he didn’t move.

  ‘Helen, please, I’m terribly sorry. I was just so taken with you, I couldn’t get you out of my mind these past weeks. My behaviour just now was unforgivable, I know, but please could we start again? You could get to know me and—’

  ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake!’ She pushed past him and rushed out the door and down the corridor.

  The nerve of the man. How dare he! But her real anger was directed at Fenner and Pearl. They’d deliberately sent her to that bedroom so he could… She stopped outside the supper club door – what did he say? ‘I was led to believe that you and I might come to some arrangement.’ It was Fenner and Pearl who had arranged the whole thing, giving her away like a side of beef. She’d get her coat and bag and leave right now – never mind staying to ten o’clock. The clothes rack was just inside the door and it took no more than a few seconds to collect her things. But when she turned around, Fenner was standing in front of her.