‘Ahh, that old chestnut.’ Daisy shook her head. ‘And pray tell us, why does he have to explain himself to you, or anyone else come to that? If the powers that be are happy enough with why he’s not being shot at, then it should be good enough for you.’
Lily sucked in her breath as she tried to hold in her shock at Daisy’s words. In her own way, was she secretly defending Peter Albright?
The burly man leant back, as though he was preparing for Daisy to slap his face. He didn’t take his eyes off her, as he growled back at her. ‘I suppose, with all our children gone, you don’t like to think others are shirking off.’
Lily took a step nearer. ‘You must understand, a lot of men want to do their bit, but for health reasons they can’t, and it doesn’t help anyone for them to be bullied about it.’
The burly man nodded and turned to the young lad. ‘Sorry, mate.’ He stretched out his arm for a handshake and the young lad accepted it.
The girls nodded. Lily put her hand over theirs. ‘Well done; have a good day and enjoy the sunshine, while you can.’
The girls slowly walked away. Daisy looked over her shoulder a couple of times.
‘That was a bit of a bouncer, wasn’t it?’
Daisy frowned. ‘What?’
Lily giggled. ‘Sorry, it’s a cricketing term; you’ll have to blame my grandfather for that one. Did that hit a nerve with you? I wondered if you were defending Peter.’
‘Of course not.’ Daisy studied the ground in front of her. ‘I just get sick of hearing about it.’
*
Victoria studied the inside of her mother’s heavy oak wardrobe before placing her cup and saucer back on to the tray. ‘Alice, can you see what that is, at the bottom? It looks like a chest, or box of some sort.’
Alice leant in and reached down, grabbing the side handle of the dark wooden chest. ‘I don’t know what’s inside, but it’s heavy.’ She took a deep breath and yanked at the handle, pulling it out.
The three girls stood staring at it for a while. A layer of dust covered the top of it and Alice’s fingers had left their mark.
Molly didn’t take her eyes off the box. She wrinkled her nose and sneezed, as the dust began to settle around her. Pulling a white cotton handkerchief from her skirt pocket, she delicately brushed it across the end of her nose. ‘It looks more than a wooden box; with the black studded metal strips, it’s how I imagine a sea chest would look.’
Victoria reluctantly moved her gaze away from the box and started to rummage amongst the clothes on the bed, before finally pulling an apron free. She wrapped part of it around her hand and brushed it over the top of the box.
Alice hadn’t taken her eyes off the box and watched Victoria moving the dust to one end. ‘Shall I go and find a dustpan and brush? It might be easier.’
Victoria shook her head, but kept her eyes peeled on the box. She couldn’t recall ever having seen it before, but why would it have been hidden away like that? She stooped and pushed hard on the edges of the box, but it didn’t open.
Molly rested her hand on Victoria’s arm. ‘It looks like there’s a lock.’
Victoria threw her arms down by her side. ‘Well, where’s the key? Why isn’t it sitting in the lock? Do you think my mother had it on her, when she died?’
Alice shrugged. ‘I don’t think so, and anyway, the police brought all their belongings to you, remember.’
Victoria nodded, staying silent for a moment. ‘Then the key must be here, somewhere.’
Molly glanced at Alice and whispered, ‘I’m sure we’ll come across it as we sort through the drawers and everything. You just have to be patient.’
‘I know. It just feels important that I open the chest.’ Victoria paused for a moment. ‘I wonder where it came from. I’m sure I’ve never seen it before.’
Alice hugged her friend. ‘Come on, Victoria, the best thing will be to keep working, then we might come across the key.’
Molly turned away and carried on opening drawers, emptying the contents onto the bed. She was careful to press down on everything she lifted out, in case anything was wrapped inside the many socks, nightdresses, cardigans and underwear, but there was nothing. Molly sighed as she pulled open yet another drawer. All this made her realise she had to sort through her things, before she got married to Andrew. She gave a small gasp when she peered into the drawer. ‘Victoria.’
Victoria and Alice looked up and took the step towards Molly, who hadn’t moved. They both looked down at the same time.
‘Oh my goodness.’ Victoria grabbed Alice’s arm. The drawer was full of children’s clothes, little boy’s clothes. ‘They must be Stephen’s, but why would they keep them?’ Victoria lifted up a pair of very small blue trousers. ‘They are so tiny.’ She noticed something wrapped in paper and bent down to pick it up. She placed it on the bed, carefully unfolding the paper. ‘Look.’ She peered back at the girls. ‘It’s a baby’s christening gown.’
Alice and Molly looked at each other for a second. Molly stepped nearer. ‘It looks beautiful; there’s some quite intricate embroidery work.’ She patted Victoria’s back. ‘I think my ma kept my christening gown. I’ll ask her and we can compare them and see who had the best, me or you.’ She did her best to sound light-hearted, but wasn’t convinced she had pulled it off.
Victoria stared hard at the delicate material that had been wrapped up so carefully. ‘I don’t know what to do with it, with any of it.’
Alice took a step towards Victoria. ‘You should talk to Daisy. It doesn’t have to be your decision, alone.’
Molly didn’t take her eyes off the outfit. ‘You should keep it, for when you have children.’
A strange noise escaped from Victoria. ‘Oh yes, because that’s likely to happen, isn’t it?’
Alice glared at Molly.
‘Look, Victoria, I know all this is upsetting.’ Molly waved her arms around the room. ‘I really do, but don’t start feeling sorry for yourself about the future. It hasn’t happened yet, and it’s yours for the making. Ted will return, or you’ll meet someone else, but it’ll be when you least expect it. Look at me and Andrew.’
Victoria sighed. That was the problem – she didn’t want anyone else, but Ted seemed to have stopped writing. Maybe she wouldn’t have any choice in the matter. She began wrapping the gown back in the paper. ‘I’ll speak to Daisy; she might want to keep it.’
Alice returned to the drawer that the christening gown had been in; it was a shame to disturb the tiny items of clothing. ‘I understand why they would have kept that gown, but I wonder why your parents kept these?’
‘Who knows?’ Victoria turned to Alice. ‘I remember them as being practical; fun, but practical.’ She looked back at the bed. ‘Some of their clothes look expensive as well. It doesn’t make sense.’
11
Victoria had been speaking to a customer, helping her to find a particular book. The lady hadn’t understood what order they were in on the shelves. She must remember to talk to Mr Leadbetter about her concerns. The books were in publisher order, and not many people would know how to make sense of that.
Mr Leadbetter had been watching his new protégé going about her business. She could easily take over once he retired, and was very good with customers, both old and young alike. ‘Everything all right, Miss Appleton?’
Victoria smiled, even though he still scared her a little. ‘Yes, sir.’ She peered over her shoulder, watching the customer she had just been chatting to. ‘I have had customers come up to me unable to find the books they are looking for. They don’t understand our system on the shelves.’
Mr Leadbetter bristled; was she criticising his beloved bookshop? ‘Did you explain that everything was in publisher order?’
Victoria nodded. ‘I did, sir, but each has come back and said they didn’t know who it was published by. They barely know who has written the book.’
Mr Leadbetter tightened his lips and stared down the aisle and at the books crammed on the she
lving. ‘I suppose I can see that could be a problem.’
Victoria followed his gaze. ‘I think, in the beginning, it probably wasn’t, but now we have so many books, it’s proving to be so.’
Mr Leadbetter puffed out his chest. ‘I don’t think it’s affecting sales, so it can’t be that much of a problem. In fact, they may well be finding other books to read, while they’re looking.’
Victoria chuckled. ‘That could well be true, sir. I just thought I’d mention it.’
Mr Leadbetter hitched his thumb into his waistcoat pocket. ‘Are you enjoying being on the shop floor?’
‘I am, sir. Thank you for giving me the opportunity; I do appreciate it.’
Mr Leadbetter nodded. ‘I’ve been meaning to talk to you about the young girl that works near Miss Cooper.’
Victoria’s heart pounded in her chest. ‘Yes, sir.’
Mr Leadbetter kept his eyes fixed on her. ‘I haven’t seen her today, have you?’
‘I’m not sure which young girl you mean, sir.’
Mr Leadbetter chuckled to himself; this young lady would go far in life. ‘I believe she was a little upset, when she was last in.’
‘Oh, you mean Edith.’ Victoria clasped her sweaty palms together, wondering how vague she could get away with being. ‘I understand she had received some bad news, sir.’
‘Oh, I hope it’s not family troubles.’
‘I think so, sir. I hope you don’t mind, but I sent her home to see her mother. I was hoping she’d feel better today and come to work. I’m sorry if I made a mistake.’
Mr Leadbetter pulled his fob watch from his waistcoat, flicking the gold lid open. ‘It sounds to me as though you did the right thing; I hope everything is all right.’ He pressed the lid down and returned the watch to his pocket. ‘I don’t know where this morning has gone to; it’ll soon be lunchtime.’
Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. ‘If you don’t need me here, sir, I thought I’d go and check on Albert, before lunch.’
Mr Leadbetter laughed. ‘I hear you and he have had some strange conversations together.’
Victoria looked up and straightened a book that was hanging precariously off the shelf. ‘If you mean the conversation we had about his cockney rhyming slang, then you would be correct. I don’t know what he’s talking about sometimes, but I feel I should keep an eye on him, being down in the basement by himself.’
‘From what I hear, he’s not on his own for very long down there; good job he works while he chatters.’ Mr Leadbetter turned to walk towards the open doors of the shop. ‘Don’t forget to have your lunch break, though.’
‘No, sir, I won’t.’ Victoria watched him walk away, glad he hadn’t told her off for sending Edith home, although she hadn’t told him the whole truth. She frowned as she made her way to the basement, hoping she had done the right thing. Pulling open the door between the staff area and the basement sent the usual shiver down her spine. Victoria shook her head; she should be used to going down these stairs by now, but the usual fear of being stuck down them jumped into her head. Stop it. Before she could think another thought, she ran down the stairs and pushed open the basement door. The heavy wood creaked under her hands.
Albert looked up. ‘Hello, Miss Appleton.’
Victoria smiled at the old man. ‘Good morning, Albert.’
‘I take it yer must be getting over yer fear of coming down ’ere now, being one of my regular visitors these days.’
‘Who said I was frightened of coming down here?’
Albert grinned. ‘No one did, but every time yer come down ’ere, yer look like the devil himself is after yer.’
‘I’m trying to be braver, but the thought of being locked in here frightens me.’ Victoria looked down at the grey floor. ‘It sounds idiotic when I say it out loud; I’m a grown woman.’
Albert shook his head. ‘Don’t worry yerself about it.’ He beamed at Victoria. ‘There’s many a woman that would like to be stuck down ’ere wiv me, I can tell yer.’
Victoria giggled. ‘I’m sure that’s true, Albert.’
Albert picked up his piece of rag and began wiping the book in front of him. ‘How yer doing, anyway? ’Ave yer ’eard ’ow young Edith is doing?’
Victoria frowned. ‘How do you know about Edith?’
‘I told yer, not much gets past me.’
‘I never realised people gossiped so much.’ Victoria picked up a book and stared at the black and white cover. ‘I don’t think I’ll read this.’ She looked at Albert. ‘The Magician, by W. Somerset Maugham; it looks a little creepy.’ She put the book down again.
‘I’ve still got yer other one saved for yer.’ Albert nodded towards the corner of the table.
‘I know, I haven’t forgotten.’
Albert fixed his gaze on her. ‘So, what’s ’appening then?’
‘Nothing much.’ Victoria flicked through The Magician.
Albert dropped his rag on to the table. ‘Well, yer don’t ’ave to tell me, but I will say this, yer look a little sad, if yer ask me.’
Victoria’s eyes widened. ‘Sad?’
‘Yep, sad, it’s in yer eyes.’ He paused, not taking his eyes off her. ‘Yer know, my dear old ma, God rest her soul, used to say the eyes are the window to the soul, and I reckon she was right.’
Victoria sighed. ‘I’ve been going through my parents’ things and it’s just upsetting, that’s all.’
‘Aye, it would be.’ Albert picked up his rag again. ‘It was a big thing yer did after they died, looking after yer bruvver and sister.’
Victoria opened her mouth to ask how he knew about that, but then his words ‘not much gets past me’ bounced into her mind. ‘I’ve come across photographs my parents are in, but I don’t know who the other people are or where they were taken.’
Albert could feel his throat tightening. He coughed. ‘Sorry, the dust gets on my chest from time to time.’
Victoria nodded. ‘You need to take care, perhaps pop out and get some fresh air.’
Albert remained silent for a moment. ‘Yer should bring some of the photographs in, and I’ll take a look. I probably won’t know, but old Leadbetter might. He’s quite travelled, yer know.’
Victoria’s eyes lit up. ‘I’m open to any help I can get, thank you. I’ve brought a couple in today, so maybe I’ll pop down with them later.’ She brushed her hands together. ‘I suppose I had better get on; I don’t want to get the sack.’
Albert nodded as he watched her walk towards the door. ‘Take care now.’
*
Victoria stood hidden between two aisles of books, watching Alice smile at a customer, before handing over the bill payment slip. It was strange, watching someone else doing the job she had done for years. Things were changing. Alice had a family of her own and would, no doubt have her own home before long. Molly would be next. She watched Molly stroll towards Alice; they stood talking for a moment. Victoria wanted to go over and see what they were nattering about, but something held her back. Molly’s laughter could be heard around the shop, and she quickly clamped her hand across her mouth. Victoria couldn’t take her eyes off her friends. As they leant into each other, all smiles and laughter had disappeared. She turned and moved from her hiding place, quickly straightening the shelves around her. She couldn’t give up, though. Would she always be the single aunt? Would she become a crazy cat lady? Would she just become a sad and lonely old woman? Going through her parents’ things had churned her up, and she hadn’t heard from Ted for weeks. Tears pricked at her eyes. He might be no more, but how would she know?
‘Miss Appleton.’
Victoria blinked rapidly and forced her best customer friendly smile, before she turned round. Her eyes widened and her smile faded. ‘Edith, my goodness, how are you?’
Edith gave a tentative smile. ‘I’m not too bad, thank you.’
‘At least your ma hasn’t killed you. I take it you’ve told her?’
Edith laughed. ‘Yes, I’ve told her and, yes,
she went mad and told me I was stupid for getting myself into this situation.’
Victoria nodded, holding onto the thought that Edith was smiling.
‘Anyway, when she eventually calmed down, she gave me a cuddle.’ A tear tripped down her cheek. ‘So I’m not being shipped off anywhere to have it, or getting the baby adopted. Me ma says I should hold my head up high and we’ll get through it together.’
Victoria stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Edith. ‘I’m so happy it’s turned out well. Your ma sounds like a wonderful mother, so you should trust her and the love she has for you.’
Edith stepped back and looked up at her manager. ‘I can’t help feeling I’ve disappointed her, though. I don’t think it’s the future she had hoped I’d have.’
‘Of course it isn’t.’ Victoria frowned. ‘But you must understand, all our futures could be whipped away at any time, so none of that matters. Your ma just wants you to be happy, and to have an easier life than she’s had.’
‘That’s more or less what she said.’
‘See, I said your ma sounded like a wonderful woman.’
Edith giggled. ‘If it’s all right, I would like to come back to work tomorrow. I need the money more than ever, now.’
‘Of course, just come in at the usual time.’
‘Thank you, and thank you for listening to me ramble on, and for giving me the courage to speak to me ma.’
Victoria smiled, before bending her head slightly. ‘You’re most welcome. Now get yourself off and enjoy what’s left of your day.’
Edith nodded, before turning around and heading towards the shop door, seemingly oblivious of the hard task ahead of her.
Victoria shrugged; it had turned out well, and that was all that mattered at this time. She turned to look back at Alice and Molly, but Alice was serving customers and Molly was nowhere to be seen.
‘Excuse me.’
Victoria looked around at the woman’s voice. ‘Yes, madam, can I help you?’
The young woman twisted her hands in front of her. ‘You work ’ere right, only I’m looking for a book.’
Christmas at the Foyles Bookshop (The Foyles Girls) Page 13
