Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls

by Rosie Clarke

  ‘Then yer can finish it yerself,’ Dick Mitchell said rudely. ‘Come on, Bingo, Jed, Charlie, we’re goin’…’

  ‘You can’t just walk off like that,’ Ben protested. ‘What am I supposed to do now you’ve torn it apart?’

  The man shrugged. ‘Buggered if I care,’ he replied. ‘If yer don’t get them lintels in sharpish, the whole bloody lot will fall down – but that’s yer problem, mate. Call me when yer ready ter talk – but the longer yer leave it, the more it will cost…’

  Ben stared after the men as they walked out. He’d heard of people being held to ransom like this, but he hadn’t expected it to happen to him, though he knew back home bribes were often paid to firms to keep the men on site. This was England, damn it! He’d expected them to behave like gentlemen and stick to their bargain…

  What the hell did he do now? Ben puzzled over it. He’d had difficulty in finding builders with the right expertise in the first place, because quite a few had told him they didn’t want to work for an American. He’d been quoted ridiculous figures and thought he was getting it done for a reasonable price, but if he paid their demands now, he would go way over budget and he already owed the bank as much as they would lend him.

  Ben knew everyone thought he was rolling in money because he was American. Unfortunately, being born the other side of the Atlantic didn’t make him a millionaire. He owned a medium-sized store that made a small profit but could easily tip into the red if things went wrong and he just couldn’t afford to be blackmailed like this.

  Leaving the property, Ben locked up and pocketed the keys. He hated having to go home and tell Sally that he’d failed, but he could see only one way out – and that could cost him a fortune. It might even lose him Harpers and he was damned if he was going to give into a blackmailer.

  Frowning, Ben didn’t see the man coming towards him until he almost walked into him. ‘Hey!’ a voice he recognised said. ‘What did I do…?’

  ‘Mick…’ Ben blinked at him. ‘Sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going.’

  Mick grinned at him. ‘I expect being a father does that to you – sleepless nights and all that. Congratulations on having a lovely girl, by the way. I got a peek at her when I visited Sally two days ago – but I wasn’t allowed to stay more than ten minutes. A fire-breathing nurse almost threw me out…’

  ‘I’ve met her,’ Ben laughed. ‘Sally only came home yesterday and she would still be there if I hadn’t engaged my own nurse to look after her at home. They wanted to keep her another week, but you know my wife – she’d had a week in the hospital and she wasn’t prepared to stay another day. The dragon sister wanted to keep her in, but I went over her head and brought Sally home in a private ambulance.’

  ‘Good for you,’ Mick said. ‘So, if it’s not sleepless nights – what is the problem?’

  Ben swore softly. ‘I don’t suppose you know a good builder who won’t try to cheat me and walk off the job, do you?’

  ‘Ah, I see.’ Mick nodded. ‘I might know someone who could help – why don’t we have a drink to celebrate the birth and talk about it?’

  ‘Really? You might know someone?’ Ben’s brow cleared. ‘I’ll take you up on that – Mitchell has me over a barrel.’

  ‘Ah, you didn’t use Dick Mitchell, did you?’ Mick frowned. ‘He’s a lying, cheating devil and you’re well rid of him. If you give into his blackmail, he’d bleed you dry, Ben. I can give you a few names – but there’s a good chap I know and he owes me a few favours.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Ben said and grinned. ‘I don’t mind admitting that this could break me, and with the situation the way it is…’

  ‘Yeah, things are a bit dicey one way and another,’ Mick said. ‘It’s nearly lunchtime. Why don’t we go to a pub I know and talk about it?’

  Ben felt relieved he’d bumped into Mick as they parted later. He already had a new builder who was starting on site in the morning and his price was less than that rogue Mitchell’s in the first place. It seemed that Michael O’Sullivan was a good man to know. He had contacts all over London and Ben was convinced that he would do well to join forces with Mick at some time in the future. Mick had somehow raised funds to go ahead with his latest project and was already moving in a new manager and staff.

  ‘I’m going to make that the last one for the moment,’ he’d told Ben, ‘and if I were you, I’d hang on to any cash you have goin’ spare. I think the situation in Europe looks unstable – the Kaiser is spoiling for a fight, if you ask me, building up his forces. He doesn’t do that for the fun of it and I’ve got friends who think there’s trouble brewing out there.’

  ‘Yes, I agree,’ Ben had replied. ‘I keep thinking it may just blow over – some riots and violence over there but contained…’

  ‘It’s what we all hope for,’ Mick had said and shook his head. He’d sipped his pint of dark bitter beer. ‘Now, let’s forget war and talk about how your daughter and wife are getting on. How does it feel to be a father?’

  ‘Wonderful,’ Ben had said and smiled, letting go his inner tension. ‘As soon as she’s feeling better, you must come and have a meal with us. Tell us all about your new hotel.’

  20

  ‘How’s my best girl then?’ Reggie was waiting at the end of the lane for Marion as she got off the bus that evening. ‘Are you coming for a walk with me on Sunday afternoon?’

  ‘It depends if Ma is all right,’ Marion said but smiled at him. ‘I want to, Reggie, I like being with you – but you know my family comes first…’

  ‘I know,’ he said and smiled. ‘You wouldn’t be my Marion if they didn’t, but I’d like to court yer properly, ask yer ma and make it official…’

  ‘Now, don’t talk daft,’ Marion said, even though he made her want to smile. ‘Just because you danced with me at the social doesn’t make me your girl, Reggie Jackson.’

  ‘I danced three times with yer and walked yer home,’ he said and his eyes met hers steadily. ‘Everyone knows that means we’re courtin’ – everyone but you.’ His eyes teased her.

  She laughed and shook her head. ‘You will have to try a lot harder than that,’ she challenged. ‘We’re friends, but we’re not courtin’ yet – and I have to get in and get the tea on…’ She thought of something and nodded. ‘Thank you for those lovely new potatoes. They’re earlier than Robbie’s and they were lovely for supper last night.’

  ‘You’re welcome. I’ll have some peas soon.’ He looked at her longingly. ‘I could take yer down the pub later; buy yer a port and lemon…’

  ‘The day I let you buy me a port and lemon down the pub, you might as well put a ring on me finger,’ she stated and saw his eyes light up.

  ‘I’ll be looking forward to that,’ he said. ‘I’ll get yer ter admit yer me girl one of these days, Marion Kaye, you see if I don’t…’

  ‘We’ll see,’ she said and ran the last few steps to her kitchen door. There she turned to look and saw him watching her. Pleased, she waved and went inside.

  Kathy was at the sink, washing a cup and saucer. ‘I made Ma some Bovril in a cup and she drank it all,’ she said, ‘but she wouldn’t have any toast.’

  ‘Well, the Bovril will do her good,’ Marion said and smiled. ‘I’ve got a tin of corned beef or sausages for supper – which do you want?’

  ‘I should like the corned beef,’ Kathy said. ‘Reggie’s mum gave me some beetroot out of their garden and I’ve cooked it. I like red beet with corned beef and mash.’

  ‘Yeah, it’s lovely,’ Marion said. ‘It was nice of Reggie’s mum to give us some of the beetroot from her garden.’

  ‘Reggie told her to – he would give you anythin’ he had,’ Kathy said, looking at her a little enviously. ‘I wish it was me he wanted, Marion – I’d take him like a shot…’

  ‘You’re not yet fourteen,’ Marion reminded her. ‘Far too young to get married, Kathy.’

  ‘I know, but I want someone like him when I do. You’re lucky, Marion. Yer don’t want ter throw ye
r chances away, Reggie Jackson is one of the best. All the girls round here are after him, but he only has eyes for you.’

  ‘Well, I like him,’ Marion conceded, because she wasn’t ready to admit her feelings might be a lot more, even to herself. ‘But I’ve got tea to cook and then there’s the washing and Ma to think of…’ Her mother didn’t seem to be getting any better, though she was no worse. Perhaps that was because Pa hadn’t been home recently and they all knew that the longer he stayed away, the better for all of them. ‘And I like my job at Harpers. If I’m lucky, I might get promoted soon…’

  For most young women, marriage meant the end of going to work and having fun with their friends. Marion wasn’t ready for that yet, even though she did like Reggie a lot.

  Marion was early for work the next day. She hadn’t been able to sleep for a while and she was awake early, which was unusual for her. She didn’t know if it was because of what Kathy had said about being careful not to lose Reggie. Her thoughts occupied her as she walked briskly to work, enjoying the warmth of the day and the fresh air.

  Shrugging off her troubling thoughts, Marion went into Harpers, inhaling the smells and taking in the lovely things all round her. It was so nice working here and she felt a spurt of happiness just being one of Harpers’ girls; she walked through the ground-floor counters to the lift, and up to her department. There, she hung her coat in the cloakroom and started removing the covers from the hats and brushing them gently to make sure they had no dust on them.

  ‘Currying favour again, I see…’ Janice Browning’s sarcastic voice made Marion jump. ‘You’re always playing up to Mrs Burrows – teacher’s pet, that’s what you are.’

  ‘Don’t be daft,’ Marion said, refusing to be cowed by her. ‘I’m just doing my job, as you should – and if you don’t like it, hard luck.’

  ‘You snotty little bitch,’ Janice said, squaring up to her. ‘I’ll get you back one of these days, you see if I don’t, getting me into trouble…’

  Marion thought she was about to hit her but then heard the voices of Mrs Burrows and Miss Gibbs as they entered the department.

  Janice moved away, her eyes narrowed menacingly as she mouthed a silent warning at her.

  Turning away, Marion ignored the other girl. Janice was mean and spiteful and very jealous. She hadn’t started tidying up to gain favour with Mrs Burrows but just because she enjoyed her job. Janice worked for a wage and didn’t care about Harpers or the people that worked with her, but Marion loved the store and the colleagues she worked with; it was like paradise coming into this lovely place with all the beautiful things around her. She felt it was a privilege and never stopped feeling grateful that she’d been given the job.

  ‘Ah, Marion, I see you got started early,’ Mrs Burrows said. ‘That is excellent. I have a feeling we’re going to be busy today. Mr Marco has a lovely new window and people always come to see them on the first day.’

  Marion nodded, feeling excited. When she had her break, she would pop down and look at the window from outside the shop. She was as curious as the people who crowded there to see the blinds come down – and she liked Mr Marco. He was always so kind to her, smiling and winking in that cheeky way of his.

  She sighed with content, because life was good right now. Her job made her feel happy and she was lucky to be courted by a gentle man she trusted and was beginning to have feelings for. If things went well, she would soon earn a few more shillings and that would make all the difference to her family.

  Feeling the malevolent gaze of Janice Browning on her back, she turned and felt chilled. Why did the other girl hate her so much?

  ‘Come along, Marion, take your place,’ Mrs Burrows said. ‘I have a feeling it will be a good day for us all.’ She stopped by one of the hat stands and frowned, looking at a pale blue straw. ‘What happened to this – Janice, Marion?’

  ‘What is wrong?’ Janice asked. ‘I haven’t seen that before – did you put it out, Marion?’

  ‘No, I don’t think so.’ Marion went to look at the hat, which was priced at thirty-five shillings. The ribbon had been ripped away from the straw and was hanging loose. Gasping, Marion looked at Janice and caught the glimpse of malice in her eyes. ‘I brushed the hats as usual, Mrs Burrows – but I don’t recall this being here…’

  Mrs Burrows picked it up and looked at it. ‘It almost looks deliberate,’ she said. ‘Fetch another hat, Miss Kaye – and then you can take this to Miss Minnie in the sewing room and ask her if she can repair it.’

  ‘Yes, Mrs Burrows.’ Marion hardly dared to look at her. ‘If I did it, I’m very sorry…’

  ‘I think Miss Minnie will be able to repair it and no harm done,’ Mrs Burrows said but frowned at both of them. ‘I hardly need to remind either of you that these hats are expensive. Damage like this would normally have to be paid for – but fortunately I do think Miss Minnie will be able to disguise what has happened.’ Her gaze narrowed. ‘Just make sure it doesn’t happen again…’

  ‘Creep,’ Janice hissed at her as she passed her. ‘Next time you may not be so lucky…’

  Marion looked at Janice. She couldn’t mistake the look of triumph in her eyes now. She’d done it herself hoping to get Marion into trouble, but there was no way she could prove it and Mrs Burrows could quite easily have stopped the money out of her wages…

  Marion turned away. She’d known for a while that Janice didn’t like her, but now she knew that the girl was dangerous and decided to keep away from her as much as she could.

  21

  ‘I know it isn’t your birthday,’ Tim said as he handed Maggie a box of chocolates and a small posy of flowers when they met that weekend. ‘I just wanted to give you a present…’

  ‘Oh, Tim, you spoil me,’ Maggie said and smiled at him. They were on their way to have tea at his father’s house and he’d also bought chocolates and flowers for Beth. ‘It is a lovely surprise, thank you.’ She smelled the little posy of roses and lily of the valley, inhaling the wonderful perfume. ‘I love lily of the valley and you seldom see it, except in expensive shops.’

  ‘I know – Beth told me she bought you some perfume last Christmas.’ Tim grinned. ‘I’m off to the coast for a few weeks, Maggie – training, flying over the sea, they said…’

  ‘Oh… I shall miss seeing you,’ she said and felt a pang of loss which she quickly dismissed. ‘I do enjoy our outings together.’

  ‘We don’t leave until next weekend,’ he said. ‘I managed to get tickets for Pygmalion on Tuesday – I thought you might like to see it?’

  ‘Oh yes, I should love to, but they’re like gold dust,’ Maggie said. ‘How did you manage to get them? Beth said there was a queue when she tried, so she gave up.’ She smiled reminiscently. ‘Mr Marco persuaded Mrs Patrick to come into the shop when he did that wonderful display featuring the show… it was a huge success for Harpers. People queued to see her and she was wonderful. I got her autograph myself…’

  ‘Then you will enjoy the show. A friend of mine had them and, well, I won them from him in a card game,’ Tim said and laughed. ‘He said it was them or wait for pay day to settle what he owed, so I grabbed these because I thought you would like them.’

  Maggie frowned at him. ‘I should like to go, but I’m not sure I approve of gambling…’

  Tim nodded and looked half ashamed. ‘Dad would kill me if he knew – but it helps to pass the time, Maggie. Sometimes, when we’re not training, it gets boring, so the chaps like to gamble. It’s only for a few bob…’

  ‘Even so, it is a bad habit,’ Maggie said. ‘I shan’t tell your father, but it’s not a good idea, Tim.’

  ‘I know, but I’m not addicted. Some of the chaps are, but I only do it when I’m bored.’

  ‘I thought you loved flying?’

  ‘Yes, I do – and I’ve passed all my exams, but…’ He shook his head. ‘I can’t explain, Maggie. But I promise I’ll stop if it upsets you.’

  ‘Don’t promise if you can’t keep your w
ord.’

  ‘I can and I will,’ he said. ‘It was never more than a way to pass the time. Some of the chaps drink a bit too much, some gamble and some smoke… well, stuff that isn’t good for them. I think that’s stupid, but I’ll stick to a flutter on the horses in future.’

  Maggie looked at him. ‘You don’t have to do what I say, Tim – but I care about you. My father always said gambling was a fool’s game, but if it’s just for fun…’

  ‘I’ll stay clear of it from now on,’ he promised. ‘You know I’d do anything for you, Maggie love…’

  Maggie shook her head at him. Their bus had arrived at its stop and they got down, Tim giving her his hand to help her jump the last bit. They were laughing as they walked round the back and into the kitchen, where Beth was making ham sandwiches.

  Tim presented her with the flowers and chocolates and she thanked him. Fred smiled and told Maggie to sit down and he took her coat to hang it up for her. Everyone started talking and laughing and they were soon eating their tea and enjoying themselves.

  Maggie forgot about the gambling. Tim had promised he wouldn’t let it become a habit and she trusted him. She smiled at him across the table and he winked at her. Maggie saw Beth smile and knew she’d seen the look pass between them.

  Maggie was serving a customer when Mr Stockbridge entered the department that Monday morning. He seldom visited the departments, leaving that to Rachel and Mrs Harper, when she was back at work, but he was looking pleased with himself.

  ‘Becky asked me to let you know she would be coming to the first-aid classes with you again and…’ He paused thoughtfully, ‘If I allowed her to attend the meeting at the Women’s Movement, could you assure me that she would not be caught up in anything violent or illegal?’