Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls

by Rosie Clarke

  Glancing at her reflection in the long cheval mirror, Rachel asked herself the question that had hovered at the back of her mind for weeks now – what was she going to say when William Bailey asked her to be his wife? Rachel was certain now that it was a matter of when rather than if; he had hovered on the brink more than once and she knew that if she’d pushed it just a little, he would have spoken.

  He’d talked about his home in the country, about his work and his need for companionship. ‘I don’t want my wife to be just in the background like a shadow,’ he’d assured her the last time they’d been out for a meal. ‘There will be some entertaining, especially if I become a minister – but I want to know that on cold winter evenings and Sunday mornings, I shan’t be alone in my old age…’ He’d given her that special look then. ‘Don’t you feel the need for companionship, Rachel?’

  She’d answered him vaguely, even though she’d known what his questions were leading up to, telling him about how much she enjoyed sharing the flat with the girls from Harpers and her job. He’d looked thoughtful and then changed the subject to the play they were going to see later.

  Rachel hadn’t been ready for a proposal then, but she’d decided that she was now. William was right. Beth had already moved on and Maggie would do so one day. Minnie might struggle to find another home, but Rachel knew that she wanted more than just friends. There was no relationship like that of marriage, especially if it was good. Her marriage to Paul had been good before his illness and she knew enough of William now to believe it might be even better being his wife. She thought she was ready to try…

  Well, he would speak this evening or walk out of her life for good. Rachel knew that the dress she was wearing would open the way for his proposal and it would be her answer that determined the future.

  ‘That’s the doorbell,’ Minnie said, popping her head round the door. ‘I’ll answer while you finish getting ready, Rachel dear – and, if I say so myself, the embroidery on the front panel makes your dress look even better.’

  ‘Yes, it does,’ Rachel said with a smile, because it was Minnie’s work that had made it a little different.

  She dabbed a drop of her special perfume behind her ears and on her wrists and then picked up her long white evening gloves. Dinner and the theatre; it was so long since she’d been spoiled like this and she was going to enjoy every second and, yes, she believed she knew what her answer would be.

  Minnie sat looking blankly at the wall after Rachel had gone out with her gentleman friend. She’d looked so lovely, much younger than she normally did, and Minnie knew that she would come back with a ring sparkling on the third finger of her left hand. Rachel hadn’t said anything, but Minnie knew in her heart. She deserved it, of course she did! Minnie wished her well and wanted her dear friend to be happy, but the thought of returning to a boarding house like the one she’d lived in with her sister for years filled her with dread. She’d been so happy here with dear Rachel and that sweet little Maggie. How could she face the future without seeing their faces every morning?

  Minnie angrily wiped away a tear of self-pity. She would not give into these selfish thoughts! Her friends must not sacrifice their happiness for her as she had years ago for Mildred. After their father died and they were both left with so little to live on, Minnie had known that she could never leave her sister. Without her, Mildred’s existence would have been even more deprived and miserable – and so she had told her dearest Jonathan that she could never marry. He hadn’t believed her at first and begged her to be his wife, but she’d been steadfast. Minnie had been torn in two, hurt by seeing his pain at her rejection and yet she’d known she had no choice, even though it had broken her heart. Mildred could never have lived as his dependent; she thought Jonathan a soft fool – and so Minnie had given him up.

  She’d only regretted it now and then during the years she’d spent supplying the embroidery that made Mildred’s plain sewing so popular, because she sincerely loved her sister and was content to work with her. The pretty day dresses and evening gowns they made for others all showed evidence of Minnie’s talent somewhere, even if it was just an edging to a sleeve or a tiny motif on a pocket. Besides, Jonathan had soon married and that had shown her that he hadn’t truly loved her…

  No, she’d made the right decision and she wasn’t going to brood on it now, even though her heart raced every time Mr Stockbridge came up to the department and now and then she wondered what might have been. In hindsight, she knew marriage to him could have been wonderful.

  She never used Mr Stockbridge’s first name, because he was the manager and it wouldn’t be right, even though he could never be anything else but Jonathan to her. Now, she made herself remember the good times with her sister. Mildred had thanked her as she lay on her deathbed.

  ‘I know what you did for me,’ Mildred had said, gripping her hands. ‘It’s your time now, Minnie – find love, success and be happy, I beg you…’

  It was so easy for Mildred to say, but Minnie was no longer a young girl in the first flush of beauty; she was nearly forty and a spinster. What man would look at her and want her for his wife?

  Shaking her head, Minnie knew she had lost her chance for love and happiness. Rachel still had a chance and Minnie would not deny her for the world – but what would she do without her?

  The door of the apartment opened and Minnie looked up in expectation of Rachel’s arrival, but it was Maggie. She came in looking pink-cheeked and full of life and it made Minnie smile.

  ‘Did you have a good evening, Maggie dear?’

  ‘Yes, I enjoyed it – and, do you know, Marion Kaye turned up at the classes this evening!’

  ‘You weren’t sure if she would come, were you?’

  ‘She thought it might not be possible, but she came – and she was so good at everything. Mrs James said she is a born nurse.’ Maggie went through to the kitchen to put the kettle on. ‘Becky Stockbridge came as well. Marion and I made sure she got her bus home safely. Becky couldn’t do the chest compression properly, but she soon got the hang of bandaging…’ her voice drifted away as she went into the bedroom, returning just as Minnie was wiping away a foolish tear. ‘Is something wrong, Minnie dearest?’

  ‘Oh no, nothing at all, dear,’ Minnie lied, though the mention of Jonathan’s daughter had made her want to cry – that girl might have been hers! Maggie’s excited chatter had made the emotion well up in her and that was so foolish! ‘Just a bit of a headache that’s all. I’m so glad you all enjoyed yourselves…’

  ‘Why don’t you come next week?’ Maggie said suddenly. ‘To the first-aid classes – we all ought to learn, just in case. You could come to the women’s meeting too, if you’d like. Beth can’t get away much these days and if Rachel is busy, I’d like company walking home – that’s if you’d like to…?’

  ‘What a lovely girl you are,’ Minnie said, cheering up instantly. ‘Yes, I should like it very much. Rachel did say I should join, but Mildred would not have approved…’

  ‘We don’t join the more militant groups,’ Maggie said and smiled. ‘We march wearing our sashes and carry banners, but we don’t smash windows or blow things up.’

  ‘I don’t think I could,’ Minnie said faintly, but the girl’s enthusiasm made her smile and then the door opened and Rachel walked in. She looked happy but bemused and Minnie knew even before she took her gloves off that she had important news.

  ‘Oh Rachel,’ Maggie cried as she spotted the gorgeous sapphire and diamond cluster ring. She hugged her, whirling her round in a circle. ‘That is fabulous – and it matches your dress so well.’

  ‘It is a beautiful ring, dearest, Rachel,’ Minnie said. ‘I’m so happy for you, and you look beautiful.’

  ‘William says I should wear blue more often,’ Rachel smiled, still looking as if she wasn’t quite sure what she’d done. ‘He says I’ve made him the happiest of men.’

  ‘I hope that he deserves you,’ Minnie said and went to kiss her cheek and admire
the ring in more detail. It was expensive and looked gorgeous on Rachel’s hand. ‘When shall you be married, Rachel dear?’

  ‘William would like it to be soon,’ she replied. ‘I told him I need at least three months.’ She smiled at Minnie and Maggie. ‘I have no intention of leaving you two in the lurch. I shall ask around and find someone to share the flat with you.’

  ‘I think Janice Browning would share with me if I want,’ Maggie said. ‘I don’t know if there’s anyone you could bear to share with, Minnie?’

  ‘I haven’t thought of it’ Minnie swallowed hard. ‘I could pay a little extra to keep my own room perhaps; I do have a few savings…’

  ‘I’ll ask around before we decide,’ Rachel said decisively. ‘Don’t say anything to Miss Browning yet, Maggie. I might find someone more suitable.’

  ‘I’d rather have someone like you,’ Maggie said, ‘but I don’t grudge you your happiness, Rachel dearest. I’m so very pleased for you both.’

  ‘Yes, well, I feel very lucky,’ Rachel said. ‘William says he doesn’t mind if I stay on at Harpers for a while, but eventually he will buy a house in his constituency and I shall play the part of a politician’s wife, but not before he is promoted to be a minister, and, of course, we’ll keep his flat in London because we shall be here often.’

  ‘So, we shan’t lose touch…’ Minnie said, hoping her voice didn’t give her longing away. It wouldn’t do to make Rachel feel guilty, because she’d been so very good to her.

  Rachel turned and beamed at her. ‘I don’t intend to lose touch with any of my friends at Harpers – you all mean far too much to me.’

  Minnie’s eyes filled with tears but she blinked hard. What a silly billy she was for fretting! Rachel was her true friend and she would never be alone while she had friends like Rachel and Maggie.

  11

  ‘Ah, Miss Gibbs,’ Mr Stockbridge said as he approached Maggie that Friday morning. ‘I wondered if you would like to come to lunch with Becky and myself on Sunday. I have to leave afterwards to visit someone I’ve been neglecting and I don’t want my Becky brooding on her own…’

  ‘I should love to, sir,’ Maggie said, ‘but I had promised Minnie that I would have lunch with her…’ She hesitated, then, ‘I expect you’ve heard that Mrs Craven is engaged to be married?’ He nodded. ‘She is going out with her fiancé and that would leave Minnie alone…’

  ‘Then you must bring her too,’ he said and smiled as if it were settled. ‘I know Miss Minnie. She does excellent work in our dress repairs and alterations – and I’ve been meaning to ask her about making a special dress for Becky.’ He put a finger to his lips. ‘I’m giving a party for my daughter later this summer when she is eighteen and I want her to have a very special gown…’

  ‘Minnie would love to do it for her – and I can get her measurements easily,’ Maggie said, feeling excited for her friend. ‘Becky is very lucky to have you as her father, sir.’

  ‘I’m the lucky one,’ he said and gave her a look of sympathy. ‘You must miss your own family, Miss Gibbs.’

  ‘I do, sir…’ She caught back the sigh. ‘Especially my father – he spoiled me just like you do Becky.’

  ‘I dare say he believed you worth it.’ Mr Stockbridge checked his watch. ‘Now, don’t forget to ask Miss Minnie. We shall expect you at twelve-thirty prompt.’

  Maggie hid her smile as she walked away. Mr Stockbridge was kind and generous, especially to his daughter, but he did expect his orders to be carried out. It was not so much an invitation to lunch as an order, but Maggie didn’t mind. Mr Stockbridge’s house was a bit like Beth’s aunt’s had been before her unfortunate marriage, with spacious rooms and electricity and a bathroom, even though it was an end of terrace. It had a small garden, which was mainly flagstones interspersed with flower beds, many self-seeded and roses. Mr Stockbridge wasn’t a brilliant gardener, but he tended his roses and they flowered well into the autumn, though, to give him his due, he didn’t have much time. His life was divided between Harpers and the daughter he adored and he had little time for anything more.

  It was busy in the department all day. Maggie sold six silk scarves and five pairs of leather gloves, all to different customers. She noticed that her supervisor had sold several pieces of jewellery and when there was a quiet moment, she went to look at the display case.

  ‘I love those lapis lazuli pieces,’ she said. ‘Becky likes jewellery and I know she would adore that pendent, but I couldn’t afford it even if I save from now until her birthday…’

  ‘They are rather expensive,’ Mrs Burrows said and smiled. ‘You need to get someone to share with you… perhaps her father…’

  Maggie shook her head. ‘He is getting her something special, but it is a secret. I can’t tell anyone.’

  ‘Becky would not expect you to buy her anything like that,’ Mrs Burrows said. ‘Unless you combined a birthday and Christmas present…’

  ‘Yes, perhaps I could.’ Maggie looked thoughtful. ‘Mr Stockbridge invited me and Minnie to lunch on Sunday. He doesn’t want Becky to be on her own, because he has to visit someone later.’

  ‘Well, that will be nice for you both – I’m sure Minnie will enjoy it. You told me the house is very nice…’

  ‘A bit like your aunt’s was…’ Maggie said and then blushed. ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned her.’ She was anxious in case she’d upset her friend because of the terrible tragedy of Aunt Helen’s death, but Mrs Burrows shook her head.

  ‘Yes, you should. Aunt Helen ought to be remembered. She should never have married that rogue,’ Mrs Burrows looked sad. ‘Who could have known what a trickster he was?’

  Maggie hesitated, then, ‘Will you go to his trial – that awful man’s…?’

  ‘No, I shan’t attend Gerald’s trial,’ Mrs Burrows told her, her eyes dark with remembered grief. ‘Both Fred and Jack said it was a bad idea – but Fred is going to pop into court and listen to him being charged and he’ll go back for the verdict – but Harold says he’ll hang…’

  Both girls shivered at the awful thought, then Maggie nodded. ‘He deserves it. He is an evil man and the law is right, he should be punished harshly.’

  ‘Yes…’ Maggie saw sadness replace the repulsion in her friend’s eyes.

  However, Mrs Burrows saw some customers entering the department then and it was back to business. ‘Return to your counter, Miss Gibbs – Miss Kaye won’t cope alone,’ Mrs Burrows said, becoming the efficient supervisor once more.

  Maggie went back to the scarves and gloves. Marion Kaye had started to serve a gentleman with a pair of grey leather gloves for his girlfriend, but Maggie was soon showing silk scarves of all hues to a fussy lady who didn’t know what she wanted. When she at last decided on the first scarf Maggie had shown her, paid and departed, it was time for her break.

  ‘You and Miss Kaye can go together today,’ Mrs Burrows said. ‘Miss Browning and I will hold the fort until you return.’

  Maggie frowned because it wasn’t often they were allowed to take a break together.

  ‘I think Mrs Burrows is going to give Miss Browning a telling-off,’ Marion said. ‘She was rude to a customer who couldn’t make up her mind over a hat this morning. I know Mrs Burrows heard what she said, but I don’t think Janice knows…’

  ‘What did she say?’ Maggie was shocked, because you were never rude to your customer no matter what.

  ‘She said she had other customers to attend to and it was plain to see that the only hat that suited the customer was the black one. She went off and didn’t buy anything…’

  ‘No!’ Now Maggie was horrified. ‘How could Janice? No one ever speaks like that to a customer.’ She didn’t truly like Janice Browning, though she tried not to let it show, but there was something about her that seemed a little secretive, a look in her eyes as if she were laughing at them all.

  ‘She did – I think she’s in a bad mood, something to do with her family,’ Marion said. ‘She lives with her grandmot
her, because her mother went off with a man three years ago and her father is on the ships.’

  ‘Did she tell you that? She never speaks of her family to me.’

  ‘It was after I was away and she sympathised with me for having to look after my sister, said she’d had a rotten home life too…’

  Maggie nodded, feeling sympathy for Janice. Living with her grandmother, who was probably old-fashioned, couldn’t be much fun – especially as her mother had run off with a man who wasn’t her husband. ‘That’s rotten luck for her – but she can’t take her distress out on the customers.’

  ‘No, she can’t and that is what Mrs Burrows will tell her,’ Marion said and sighed. ‘It isn’t easy when things are wrong at home, Maggie – but once you’re at work you’re a Harpers’ girl and you can’t let the side down.’

  ‘You’re so right,’ Maggie said. ‘I wish you could come and stay with us, Marion, be my flatmate when Mrs Craven leaves, but I know you can’t.’

  ‘I wish…’ Marion looked wistful. ‘I’ll never be able to do that – not until Milly is grown up and all the boys are at work. Kathy could stay home once she’s finished school, but it wouldn’t be fair to her.’

  ‘Is your mother not getting better?’

  Marion shook her head. ‘Sometimes, I think the problem is in her mind, Maggie. She isn’t coughing now and the fever cleared up a couple of weeks ago, but she’s no better in herself. If she comes down, she does hardly anything and then goes back to bed…’