The Girl from the Docklands Café

by June Tate

  Nothing else. No information about his business interests. She’d often wondered about that. How did he make his money? Well, perhaps now she’d find out! Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the heavy glass door.

  Seated at a small desk was a receptionist. ‘Good morning, madam. Can I help you?’

  ‘I’m here to see Mr Forbes. He is expecting me. Mrs Jessie McGonigall.’

  The girl rose from her chair and walked to a closed door, knocked on it and entered, closing it behind her. Moments later she opened the door and invited Jessie in.

  Larry Forbes, smartly dressed as always, smiled at Jessie as he stood up from behind his desk to greet her. ‘You did come. I wasn’t sure you would. Sit down and I’ll tell you about your position.’

  During the next hour, Forbes gave her all the details of what her post would entail. She’d have the clerk who’d been running the office before as an assistant to help her with the transition and to remain as an assistant once she was settled and up to date, and she’d have her own office.

  He then got to his feet. ‘Your office is through here,’ he said and led her to a door inside his office. There were two desks, one for her and the other for her assistant.

  ‘Having your office so close to mine will be an advantage for when I need a file or want to check on something,’ he explained. ‘Get yourself settled and I’ll send in Helen to help you in a while. Good luck, Jessie.’

  Left alone, Jessie removed her coat and hat, hung them up behind the door, then she sat at the desk. Behind her was a window that shed its light, making the office bright and airy. There were paper, pens, pencils and all the other paraphernalia required.

  There was a knock on the door.

  ‘Come in!’

  A young woman entered. ‘Good morning, Mrs McGonigall, I’m Helen Mitchell. I’m to be your assistant and I’m here to show you how Mr Forbes likes the office to run.’

  Jessie looked at the girl and liked what she saw. There was no animosity in her voice, having her position taken from her. She was neatly attired in a blouse and skirt, hair carefully dressed.

  ‘Thank you, Helen. I have a lot to learn and I’ll be more than grateful for your help. Shall we get started?’

  That first morning was extremely busy, with Helen showing Jessie what was required and Jessie taking copious notes as she worked. By lunchtime, she was exhausted, her mind in a whirl, but her inbred sense of organisation came to her rescue. She knew that it would take a few weeks before she would feel in control and blessed Larry Forbes for having the good sense to let Helen be her assistant.

  At lunchtime, he came into the office and sent Helen for her lunch break.

  ‘How are you getting on?’ he asked.

  ‘My head’s bursting with detail,’ she cried, ‘and it will take some time before I’m in control, but Helen is so helpful. Without her I’d be lost.’

  ‘That’s why she’s here. Now, you need a break. Opposite here is a pub that sells sandwiches, so I suggest we go there to recharge our batteries. Now don’t argue. I know you, you’d stay here and work. Well that isn’t a good idea. Your brain needs a rest. Come along!’

  He took her coat from behind the door and held it out for her.

  They sat at a quiet table in one corner of the pub with sandwiches and a half of bitter to wash it down. Jessie savoured the freedom of leaving the office as she relaxed and enjoyed her lunch. She had discovered that Forbes did indeed have a finger in several pies, but as yet hadn’t been able to study them, only where the files to the businesses were to be found, the names of the staff in each company and their level of pay. No doubt this afternoon, she’d learn even more.

  The hour for lunch was promptly kept and they returned to their respective offices, and so, Jessie continued to feel her way into her new job. At five o’clock, she said goodbye to Helen, collected her pile of notes and left the office. Her employer had already vacated his.

  When she walked into her house, she slumped down in a chair, took off her shoes and let out a deep breath. What a day that had been! Her brain was full of details that made her head spin. She closed her eyes for a moment to try to unwind. What she really needed was to sit in a bath, to relax. Oh, how she longed for the bathroom she’d had at the hotel where all she needed to do was turn on a tap! Reluctantly, she got up and laid a fire, filled some pans with water to warm when the fire took hold and after hauling in the tin bath in readiness, she sat down and waited.

  Her thoughts strayed to Conor. How she longed for him. To hear his voice, feel his arms around her. Just to know he’d be there. But the house seemed empty without him, as she did sometimes, when she allowed herself to think. The manner of his death still haunted her. Did he suffer? Was he conscious when he hit the water? She knew he’d been injured from the coroner’s report. Tears slowly trickled down her cheeks as she began to cry.

  Eventually, Jessie filled the bath and undressed, then pouring some Epsom salts in the water to help relieve her aching bones, she stepped into the bath and lay there, letting her body relax.

  She must be positive, she chided herself. Larry Forbes had offered her a job. She was earning money. The hours were reasonable. She was in a much better position than those poor men that had marched through the town, now having to fight the enemy. Some wouldn’t ever return to their families. She understood how that felt.

  The water in the bath had cooled and she climbed out, dried herself and put on some warm clothes, then started emptying the bath, carrying bowls of water to the kitchen sink, until the bath was light enough to drag to the kitchen and tip out what remained of the water into the yard outside.

  She cooked some sausages and boiled potatoes to mash, made a gravy and sat at the table to eat her dinner, reading through her notes as she ate. Tomorrow would again be a busy day and she needed her sleep. She’d not be late to bed this night.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  It was now two months since Jessie had accepted the new position and at last she felt she knew what she was doing. She now realised why Larry Forbes was a wealthy man. He was involved in so many businesses and he ran a very tight ship. She began to appreciate his ability to see an opportunity and run with it. His only failure as far as she could see was the hotel, but that had been a loss only through unforeseen circumstances. The war had played havoc in the business world, yet even so, he’d also benefited. He’d bought a factory, which was now making uniforms and doing well.

  Jessie was kept busy, filing away each monthly return and checking on the wages account from each business. In fact, she’d quickly uncovered a discrepancy in one, which had led to a sacking, but she’d saved Forbes from being cheated even further. Naturally, he was delighted.

  ‘I don’t blame Helen for missing this,’ he said. ‘That bugger was so very clever in covering his tracks. I’m really disappointed in Harry Briggs. He’s worked for me for some time, but it seems he’d started gambling and got into debt. Anyway, I’m taking him to court. It’ll be some time before he will be employed again. Embezzlement usually carries a custodial sentence. I’m taking you out to dinner as a reward.’

  ‘I was only doing my job!’ Jessie argued.

  He looked at her and frowned. ‘Is that your way of refusing my invitation, Mrs McGonigall?’

  She became flustered. ‘No, of course not.’

  ‘Then how about tomorrow? I’ll pick you up at seven o’clock,’ he said as he left the office.

  Helen looked across the room at Jessie and smiled. ‘You don’t look particularly happy at being invited out for a meal,’ she remarked.

  ‘It was just such a surprise, that’s all,’ said Jessie as she returned to her work, but in her mind she was asking herself why she was so reticent about accepting the invitation. To her, Larry Forbes was still an unknown force. She hadn’t forgotten the early days when they battled over the workman’s cafe. He could be ruthless, this she knew for a fact, and yet she’d enjoyed working for him at the hotel. There they’d made a great team
. He’d also been of great comfort when the cafe burnt down and now she was working for him again. He unsettled her – that was it! She’d always been able to cope with whatever life had thrown at her. She was a good judge of character as a rule, but he was still as much a mystery to her now as the first day they met. Being uncertain was not at all usual for her and she didn’t like it. In fact, it worried her. She didn’t like uncertainties.

  It was a cool April evening and Jessie wore a gown that Daisy had made for her in a chestnut-coloured silk. Over this she wore a dark-brown velvet coat to keep her warm. She dressed her hair carefully, twisting it on top of her head and pushed her favourite tortoiseshell comb in it. Standing in front of a full-length mirror she studied her reflection, turning one way and another.

  ‘Well, if I say so meself, Jessie McGonigall, you look bloody marvellous, so you do!’

  At that moment there was a knock on the door. Jessie felt a flutter of anticipation and nerves as she opened it.

  Larry, dressed immaculately, smiled as he gazed at her. ‘You look quite beautiful, Jessie. Shall we go?’

  They caught a tram to Watts Park and walked through to the Polygon Hotel, where Larry took her into the cocktail bar for an aperitif before dining. They sat at a table and settled down.

  ‘Oh, I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to tonight,’ he said. ‘I’ve not been out socialising lately, and I’m sure you haven’t either.’

  ‘Oh, and what makes you so sure of that?’

  ‘You needn’t be so defensive, Jessie, I know you. You lead a quiet life. Yes, you have lovely neighbours, but to go out on the town isn’t part of your social life and hasn’t been since Conor died. Tell me I’m wrong.’

  Shrugging, she said, ‘No, that’s true, right enough. It’s been sixteen months since I lost him, and my life changed in many ways.’ She gave a wan smile. ‘That’s how it is.’

  ‘It need not be. You are still a young woman and beautiful. You still have a full life in front of you, a lot to offer. You shouldn’t spend the rest of your life alone.’

  At that moment a bellboy came over and told Larry their table was ready.

  The dining room in The Polygon was classy and a little palatial, with its chandeliers and lighting. The head waiter led them to a table and, after taking Jessie’s coat, held the seat for her. A bottle of champagne was in an ice bucket beside the table. Another waiter came over and poured two glasses.

  Larry picked up his glass and held it up. ‘Thank you, Jessie, for a job well done.’

  She clicked hers with his. ‘That’s what you pay me for,’ she said and grinned broadly at her companion.

  ‘I do hope you don’t mind, but I’ve taken the liberty of pre-ordering.’

  ‘No, I don’t mind at all.’

  They had smoked salmon to start with and the waiter carried over a chateaubriand, carving it at the table. The steak looked succulent and the aroma smelt delicious. It was served with assorted vegetables and chipped potatoes, plus a bottle of red wine, which the waiter poured after Larry had tasted it and nodded his approval.

  ‘I hope my choice is to your liking, Jessie?’

  ‘It’s absolutely lovely. This steak is so tender. Thank you.’ She gazed at the man opposite her and began to wonder about his social life.

  ‘A penny for your thoughts!’

  She looked startled. ‘What do you mean?’

  He gave a soft smile. ‘Well, something was going through your mind as you looked at me.’

  She started laughing. ‘Oh dear, was it that obvious?’

  ‘So …’

  ‘I was just wondering about your social life. Do you have one?’

  He found this most amusing. ‘Of course I do! You can’t be in business and not have one. There are business meetings, business lunches etc.’

  ‘No, that’s not what I mean. I mean a personal social life.’

  With twinkling eyes, he looked at her. ‘Do I have a woman in my life, is that what you’re wondering?’

  She tilted her head as she returned his gaze. ‘Yes! That’s about it. Well do you?’

  ‘Not any more. There was someone once, but that was a long time ago.’

  Thinking of her own position, she asked, ‘Don’t you ever get lonely?’

  He studied her for a moment and, eventually, said, ‘Yes, I do. Very.’

  The waiter came over to remove their plates. Then he served the dessert. A delicious peach Melba served in a cut-glass dish.

  ‘I hope you like this,’ Larry remarked. ‘It was made to honour Nellie Melba, the opera singer, and is a favourite of mine. I imagine the peaches were grown under glass somewhere.’

  Jessie hadn’t eaten one before and really enjoyed it, taking each mouthful delicately and eating it slowly to enjoy every last morsel.

  ‘It’s really lovely,’ she declared.

  ‘You are such a pleasure to dine with, Jessie. So many women pick at their food, which I find such an irritation, but not you. The chef cooks for people like you. Someone who fully appreciates what’s placed before them.’

  ‘Ah well, Mr Forbes, you must remember I come from Irish stock who went through a famine! After that, families taught their children to appreciate whatever food they found on their plates!’

  ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, Jessie, it’s time to stop this “Mr Forbes”, except in the office. After all, we’ve been through enough together for you to feel able to call me Larry, surely!’

  Seeing the indignation of his face, she started laughing. ‘Alright! Good heavens, you don’t have to have a fit about it … Larry!’

  He looked bewildered. ‘You are the most cantankerous woman I’ve ever met!’

  ‘You’re not the first person to tell me that, nor the last, I expect.’

  ‘I suppose you could say it’s part of your charm, Jessie McGonigall! But sometimes …’

  She just grinned at him and sipped her champagne.

  After drinking coffee and a liqueur they walked back through the park, Larry tucking Jessie’s arm in his. There was a crescent moon in a clear sky. It was quiet and peaceful and after such a meal, Jessie was feeling thoughtful.

  ‘Isn’t it the saddest thing? Here we are, walking through the park, all quiet and peaceful, and across the Channel men are fighting and dying. It doesn’t seem right.’

  ‘There will always be power-hungry men, Jessie. You find it in all walks of life. I’ve seen it in business, then you see it in nations. Some men have only the good of their country at heart, for others, it isn’t enough. But come, young lady, let’s not become melancholy after such a nice evening.’

  They caught a tram back to the high street and walked through The Ditches to Union Street. Larry waited for Jessie to unlock her door.

  ‘Thank you for a lovely evening, Larry,’ she said. ‘I’ll see you in the office tomorrow.’

  He caught her by the shoulders and kissed her forehead. ‘And don’t be late,’ he said as he walked away.

  Jessie let herself into the living room, removed her coat and sat down. She’d really enjoyed the evening. The food was superb, The Polygon was comfortable and Larry was good company, but she didn’t know him any better. He was still a man of mystery. He’d said he was lonely and that had surprised her. He always appeared to be so self-sufficient. She wondered who the woman was who had once been a part of his life. What had happened there? she puzzled.

  Getting to her feet, she made for her bedroom. Work tomorrow. ‘Don’t be late!’ he’d said and he’d kissed her on her forehead. That had been a surprise! But when she considered this, she decided she hadn’t minded at all.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  The times of war were biting bitterly and food was getting short. Queues gathered outside all the food shops and prices rose. Germans were sinking ships carrying food supplies and then the Lusitania was another victim of a German submarine. To add to the horrors, Zeppelins had raided various towns, their bombs destroying houses and taking civilian lives.
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  Jessie and her neighbours, like everyone else, became experts at making food with very little meat. Many grew vegetables and kept chickens, as did her neighbours next door, but they had to kill a chicken when the boys were in bed asleep as they looked upon the birds as pets.

  However, work in the office continued. Some of Larry Forbes’s business interests were hit by the war, others were not. The factory making uniforms was kept busy and his finances were still healthy.

  The case against Harry Briggs came to court and, eventually, he was let out on bail to return two weeks later for sentencing. Larry had mixed feelings about it.

  ‘I’m sorry for the man getting himself into financial trouble through gambling, but he betrayed my trust. That I cannot forgive.’

  ‘Does he have a family?’ asked Jessie.

  ‘Yes, he does, which makes matters even worse.’

  ‘How will they manage?’

  He hesitated, then said, ‘I’ve found the wife a job in the factory, so at least she’ll be earning and able to feed her children, but I’ve warned her, not one penny is to be given to him or she’ll be out of work!’

  ‘What did she say to that?’

  He chuckled. ‘I can’t repeat what she said, but I can assure you her husband hasn’t a chance. He isn’t her favourite person at this moment. He’ll probably welcome prison to get some peace!’

  It had been a long day and Jessie was feeling weary as she walked home. She turned the corner of Union Street and heard hurried footsteps behind her. She looked round thinking it might be one of her neighbours, but she was confronted by a stranger. A man with his flat cap pulled down over his eyes and his collar turned up. He looked angry and Jessie felt a frisson of fear as she looked at him.

  The man grabbed her by her coat and, putting his face against hers, he spoke.