Christmas at the Foyles Bookshop (The Foyles Girls)

by Elaine Roberts

  ‘Miss Appleton.’

  Victoria looked up, her eyes damp with unshed tears.

  Mr Leadbetter looked at the customer waiting to be served. A little girl was hanging onto the woman’s skirt and a smaller child was in her arms. ‘My apologies, madam, but we just need to relieve Miss Appleton for a moment.’ He peered at the child in her arms. ‘Would you like me to hold him, while you pay for your books?’

  The lady’s face lit up. ‘That would be wonderful, thank you, but I’m afraid he’s quite heavy.’ She gently passed the baby over to him.

  Mr Leadbetter opened his arms to take the child. The boy stared at him with big brown eyes.

  ‘It’s so difficult trying to carry a child and have one hanging on your skirt all the time. The trouble is, they miss their father.’ She sighed. ‘We were lucky he came home for a few days, but then he got shipped out again and that’s how I ended up with this one.’

  Mr Leadbetter smiled at the woman, before looking back at the child. He could feel his throat tightening. ‘They are a precious gift. I know it’s hard, but try to enjoy them, because one day they will be away from you and the family home forever.’

  The woman stopped hunting for the change in her purse and momentarily looked up at him. ‘That sounds like a voice of experience.’

  Mr Leadbetter’s lips thinned. ‘It is, madam.’

  The lady put her purse away and picked up the bill payment slip. She opened her arms, for the child to be placed into them. ‘Thank you for your kindness, sir.’

  Mr Leadbetter smiled at the young woman. ‘You take care of yourself, and your children. Hopefully, your man will be home soon, safe and sound.’

  The lady nodded, before turning away. She glanced over her shoulder at Mr Leadbetter, smiling as she nodded her thanks again.

  Mr Leadbetter cleared his throat. ‘Right, Miss Appleton, I wish to talk to you. Follow me.’ He turned and walked towards the back of the shop, to the staff area.

  Victoria looked around her with wide eyes. She caught Alice staring in her direction. Her friend shrugged her shoulders, before giving a reassuring nod. Victoria could feel her tears were not far away. Since Mr Leadbetter had said he wanted to see her, her mind had been moving like a film reel going over everything she might have done wrong. He had never wanted to see her away from her position before. She hoped she wasn’t going to get the sack. She was thrilled Molly was back at Foyles, but she didn’t want to lose her job just so Molly could have one. Memories of how poor her family were not so long ago bubbled to the surface. Nausea rose up her throat as she remembered the humiliation of pawning her parents’ possessions, that had become so important to her, just so she could put food on the table. Was she about to be catapulted back to those dark days? Seven years ago, when a sixteen-year-old Victoria had been told the devastating news her parents had died in a train derailment it had crushed her. She hadn’t had time to grieve for what was lost; she was immediately thrown into being a parent to her younger sister, Lily, and brother, Stephen.

  Victoria felt herself wilt under the weight of responsibility, which sat heavy on her slim shoulders.

  ‘Miss Appleton.’ Mr Leadbetter frowned as he looked at her pale features. ‘Come on, you’re not going to your death.’ He looked around him, before continuing. ‘I don’t know what’s got into you three today, not that Mrs Leybourne has done anything, but when one of you is affected by something, then all of you seem to be.’ He shook his head. ‘Let’s hope I’ve made the right decision.’

  Victoria gingerly stepped forward. ‘What… what decision?’

  Mr Leadbetter sighed. ‘If you come with me, you’ll find out. It’s meant to be good news, but I’m beginning to wonder.’ He turned and headed into the staff area again.

  Good news. Victoria trotted behind him. ‘I’m sorry, sir.’

  The room was empty of people, apart from Mr Leadbetter’s large frame sitting at a table. He stood up and pulled out a chair, indicating for Victoria to sit down. She did as she was bid and the old wooden chair scraped on the tiled floor as she adjusted her position. Victoria pulled back her shoulders and clasped her hands together on her lap. She could feel the beads of perspiration forming on her forehead.

  ‘Now.’ He looked down at her fingers pressing hard into her hands. He looked up again. ‘I don’t know why you’re so worried, it’s not as though you’re in trouble.’ He paused for a moment. ‘Is there something I should know?’

  Victoria shook her head. ‘No, sir, it’s just that you have never had concern to call me to one side, so I thought you were going to give me the sack.’

  ‘The sack? No, dear girl, far from it.’ A smile hovered on Mr Leadbetter’s lips. ‘Although the three of you do drive me to distraction at times, but I suppose I wouldn’t have it any other way.’ He chuckled. ‘As for Miss Cooper, well…’ He shook his head. ‘Anyway, that’s not what we are here to discuss.’

  Victoria suddenly realised she had been holding her breath and gasped for air. ‘No, sir.’

  Mr Leadbetter cleared his throat and smiled at Victoria. ‘Now I want to make you an offer, it’s a serious one, so I want you to give it proper consideration.’

  Colour rose in Victoria’s cheeks. She coughed and wrapped her arms around her waist, wanting the ground to open up and swallow her. ‘Sir, I don’t think it’s a good—’

  ‘Wait, you haven’t heard it yet.’ Mr Leadbetter leant forward, resting his forearms on the table. ‘I want you to become a floor manager. I can’t promise it will be a permanent promotion, but it will give you valuable experience. You are very good with customers and you get on well with other staff members.’ He laughed. ‘Mind you, it might be wise to leave Miss Cooper to me for the time being.’

  Victoria stared at him, shock holding her rigid.

  ‘What do you think?’ Mr Leadbetter studied her for a moment. ‘I know it’s a big step, because you’ve been in that payment booth for a long time, and it is difficult dealing with some of the staff, especially if you get on well with them.’

  ‘To be honest, I can’t believe you’re offering it to me, but I am very grateful for the opportunity.’ Victoria loosened her grip from her waist. ‘I thought—’

  ‘Yes well, now you know it was good news.’ Mr Leadbetter blustered. ‘You always act professionally, as indeed do I.’ He scraped back his chair on the tiled flooring. ‘Can I assume it’s a yes?’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘Good, you can start today.’ He smiled. ‘If you have any problems or situations you are not sure about, then come and find me.’

  ‘I will, Mr Leadbetter.’

  ‘Remember, it’s all about the customer. We want them to return to Foyles, war or no war.’

  Victoria stood up, the scraping of her wooden chair across the floor filling the silence. She shook her head as she watched him leave the staff area. How could she have ever thought he was going to act inappropriately, and what did that say about her? Pulling the envelope from her skirt pocket, she ran her fingers over it, smoothing out the creases where she’d held onto it so tightly. She was desperate to read it, but now was not the time, so she thrust it back into her pocket.

  2

  Victoria’s black shoes clipped the red and black floor tiles as she stepped towards the doorway of the shop. She stopped and looked over her shoulder at the table where she had just been sitting with Mr Leadbetter. There was no evidence that they had been there or of the conversation that had taken place. She hoped she wouldn’t let him down. A tingle ran through her and a smile lit up her face; she was going to be a floor manager. She had the urge to jump up and down, clapping her hands. She couldn’t wait to tell Daisy later, or write to let Stephen know. It would be good to have some real news in her nightly letters to her brother. Victoria wondered if her parents would have been proud of the three of them. She blinked quickly; of course they would. Her hand slid inside her black skirt pocket. Her slender fingers came into immediate contact with the crumpled envelope. Taki
ng a deep breath, Victoria pulled back her shoulders, lifting her head slightly, ready to step through the doorway. Voices filtered through to the staff area. She froze. Would she know what to do? Her eyes widened. She folded her arms across her waist, gripping her sides tightly, crumpling the soft cotton in her fists. Victoria shook her head. Alice or Molly had better experience to do this job. She had only sat in the payment booth.

  A man’s gravel voice reached her. ‘I see the newspapers are saying the Germans are on the retreat.’ His words were quickly followed by several deep coughs.

  ‘Let’s hope so,’ a deep voice responded. ‘It’s been nearly three years now and the longer it goes on, the less chance there is of my sons coming home—’

  ‘Are you all right?’ a woman’s frail voice interrupted. ‘Shall I get someone?’

  The coughing and wheezing continued.

  Without a thought, Victoria rushed into the shop, not noticing the gathering of people watching the scene in front of her. She grabbed one of the many wooden slatted chairs that were scattered around the edges of the shop, for the man to sit on. ‘Sit still and I’ll get you some water.’ Rushing back into the staff area, she quickly turned on the cold tap. The water gushed noisily into the sink, drenching everything in its path, including her white blouse. ‘Damn.’ Victoria jumped to the side and quickly turned down the tap, before filling a clean cup. She stared down at her wet blouse, hoped no one would notice it then she rushed back into the shop.

  The man’s hacking cough was causing some customers to stop and stare, while others shook their heads and continued about their business.

  Victoria rested her hand on the back of the elderly man’s thin wet coat. ‘Here, sip this.’ She fought the urge to wipe her hand down the side of her skirt.

  The man closed his eyes for a second, before reaching out for the cup. His fingers gripped the handle tightly, his knuckles almost visible through the translucent skin. He took a couple of tentative sips, before rubbing his eyes with a piece of grey rag. ‘Thank you.’

  Victoria turned her head away slightly, as his smoke and coffee-filled breath wafted in her direction, mingling with the stench of his damp clothing. She nodded. ‘Is there anything I can get you? You can sit for as long as you want to.’

  The man cleared his throat. He gave a faint smile, baring his brown stained, jagged teeth. ‘No, I’m fine. Thank you for your kindness.’

  Victoria forced a smile. He sounded anything but fine.

  ‘Is everything all right here?’ A familiar voice came from behind the gathering of people.

  Victoria watched as the customers broke apart, allowing Mr Leadbetter to come through. ‘I think so, sir. This gentleman has a terrible cough, so I fetched him a drink.’

  Mr Leadbetter nodded, turning his attention from Victoria to the man sitting on the chair. ‘How are you feeling now, sir?’

  ‘Much better, thank you, I don’t know what came over me.’

  The owner of the frail voice stepped forward. ‘It’s all this talk of the war.’

  A small boy tugged at the lady’s long coat. ‘Will my daddy be home soon?’

  You could have heard a pin drop. The old lady bent down as low as she could, to talk to the child. ‘Hopefully, young man, all the daddies will be home soon, and when that happens, we’ll have a party. Would you like that?’

  The boy beamed, showing the gaps where his two front teeth once were. He shyly nodded. ‘Will we have jelly?’

  Everyone laughed.

  ‘Of course, you can’t have a party without jelly.’ The lady groaned, as she pulled herself upright and ruffled the boy’s hair. ‘Now, I must get on before I forget what I came in here for.’

  Victoria grinned at the boy’s innocent smile. He looked up at his mother. ‘Can we really have jelly when Pa comes home?’

  The young woman forced a smile that didn’t reach her watery eyes. ‘Of course you can.’ She grabbed her son’s hand and shook it. ‘Come on, let’s go and find you a book.’ She paused for a moment and looked across at Victoria, who nodded her encouragement. ‘Your father will be pleased when he hears how well you can read.’

  The boy’s face lit up. ‘I love jelly.’ His voice faded as they moved away.

  Victoria chuckled as she watched them go. Molly would be at her best, helping them. A wave of sadness washed over her, as it dawned on her that the years the men had been gone would be lost forever.

  The man with the gravel voice nudged her elbow. ‘There you go, love.’ He passed her the empty cup. ‘It seems to have worked a treat. Thank you.’

  Victoria took the cup and the man pushed himself up off the chair. ‘Please go careful, sir.’

  The man nodded and disappeared through the lines of bookshelves.

  Mr Leadbetter watched Victoria for a moment. ‘Are you all right, Miss Appleton?’

  Victoria jerked round to face him. ‘Yes, sir.’ She looked down at her shoes. ‘I’m sorry, I haven’t moved very far, so I’m afraid I haven’t done very much.’

  Mr Leadbetter smiled. ‘On the contrary, Miss Appleton, you have achieved a lot. Those customers will be telling everybody what you’ve done and of your kindness, so they, and others, will be back.’

  Colour immediately began to fill Victoria’s cheeks. ‘Thank you, sir. I must admit, it feels strange not being in the payment booth.’

  Mr Leadbetter chuckled. ‘You’ll soon get used to it.’ He turned and walked away, stopping only to talk to a customer.

  Molly’s laughing tones broke into Victoria’s thoughts. ‘I knew it was you that boy was talking about, in between the jelly and the old lady.’

  Victoria turned and gave her friend a huge hug, trying to force a frown, but the smile won. ‘What are you doing over here?’

  ‘I have just shown a customer where to pay, and said I’d wait and take her back to collect her book.’ Molly giggled. ‘Truth be known, I was desperate to find out what old Leadbetter wanted to see you about.’ Molly raised her eyebrows and her eyes widened. ‘Why aren’t you in the payment booth? Oh God, he hasn’t fired you has he, because if he has, I’ll leave. I didn’t want my job back so he could get rid of someone else—’

  ‘No, he hasn’t and you’re rambling.’ Victoria chuckled. ‘I’ve missed you. I’m so glad you’re back.’

  Molly quickly looked over her shoulder. ‘I’ve got to be quick, I can’t get into trouble on my first day.’

  Victoria shook her head. ‘It won’t be just with Mr Leadbetter, either.’ She paused for a moment. ‘I’ve been promoted, to help Mr Leadbetter.’

  Molly’s jaw dropped a little. ‘What? Are you kidding me?’

  Victoria watched her friend’s eyes widen, as she stared intently at Molly. ‘No, I’m not.’

  A smile lit up Molly’s face. ‘Oh goodness, now I am in trouble! Still, we can’t let your promotion break up a wonderful friendship.’

  Victoria burst into laughter. She stopped abruptly and frowned. ‘Do you think Alice will mind?’

  ‘Why should she?’

  *

  Daisy stretched her neck, as she ran her fingers around the stiff, white shirt collar, tugging it away from her throat. The black tie felt like a noose around her neck. She studied herself in the gilt-edged mirror hanging above the fireplace, turning her head one way, then the other. The framed photograph of her parents caught her eye. She picked it up from the cold marble mantelpiece and stared at their poker-straight faces. Daisy shook her head. It wasn’t how she remembered them; they had been full of fun and laughter, before they had been lost to them forever. She tilted the picture slightly and gasped. She hadn’t noticed before, how much likeness there was between Victoria and their mother. The grandfather clock chimed in the hallway.

  ‘Sorry Ma and Pa, but I’m going to be late if I don’t hurry up.’ Daisy carefully placed the frame back down. ‘I don’t feel like this today.’ She sighed. ‘Hopefully, I’ll be working with Lily; you know, we have quite a laugh when we’re together. She’s not
as serious as her older sister, Alice.’ She paused as she placed the narrow-brimmed hat on top of her brown hair, which had been neatly rolled up. ‘At least we won’t be on the “women of the night” watch.’ She giggled. ‘I suppose there could be a “women of the day” watch.’ Her laughter faded, as she studied the photograph again. ‘You know, Victoria has done a wonderful job keeping us together as a family, especially as Ted disappeared just after you died.’ Daisy’s vision blurred. ‘I don’t know what we’ll do if Victoria ever meets someone and gets married.’ Laughter suddenly erupted from her. ‘Hark at me, Ma, twenty-one years old, most women have a family at my age.’ She paused. ‘Well, they did before this so-called Great War robbed us of our menfolk. I’m not sure how many eligible men there will be when it finishes, if it ever finishes.’ A small sigh escaped. ‘You know, I could spend my life as a spinster, never knowing the love you and Pa had together.’ She shook her head and reached for her navy-blue jacket. Glancing towards the window, Daisy took a couple of steps towards it. The rain hadn’t given up. It pounded against the glass panes, before driving down the glass to join the rivers that had already formed. People were rushing by, avoiding the puddles and not stopping when the tips of their umbrellas clashed. She looked up at the grey clouds swirling in the wind; the rain was here to stay. Daisy straightened the long, green curtains that Victoria had carefully sown by hand. A cold draught rippled through them and Daisy shuddered, wishing she didn’t have to go out patrolling the streets. She pulled them closer together.

  The thud of the doorknocker dropping made Daisy jump and release the material, as though her fingers were burnt. She stepped across the brown, threadbare carpet, into the hallway, wrinkling her nose as she passed the highly polished oak coat stand and console table. The only sound was her black leather shoes as they gave the occasional squeak on the tiled floor. She took a deep breath as she reached up, to turn the handle.

  ‘Hello, Daisy, I thought I’d give you a knock. It’s a miserable day out here.’