The Foyles Bookshop Girls

by Elaine Roberts

  Freddie laughed as he turned to face her, soaking up her smooth pale complexion and her long dark hair, which covered her ears and was piled high on top of her head, with soft curls cascading down. The pearls of the teardrop earrings she wore were just visible, bobbing with each step she took. Alice had discarded her hat today, in favour of a white bandeau, decorated with pale blue and white roses, which complimented her column style dress, partially hidden beneath her silk shawl with its tantalising fringe that swayed in the slight breeze. ‘You are always saying that, yet you are always a ray of sunshine.’ He stopped walking and stared at her. ‘What I love is your view on life. I am going to call it the sunshine outlook from now on.’ A humourless laugh escaped as he started walking again. ‘Everyone I speak to is talking about the possibility of war, the general strike and women wanting the vote, but not you.’

  Alice's smile vanished. ‘I could talk about all those things if you want me to. I also talk to people and read the newspapers, but I choose not to worry about things like that. After all, it may not happen.’

  Freddie frowned. ‘I wish I could be like that.’

  ‘My mother told me Poppy—’

  ‘Poppy?’

  Alice laughed. ‘Apparently, she started calling her grandfather Poppy when she was a small child and it stuck. She still calls him that, even though he’s no longer with us. I don't remember him, but my mother has some wonderful memories.’

  Freddie's smile crept across him as he watched her face light up.

  ‘When we were children, she and Grandfather were always relaying stories about him.’

  They took a couple of steps in silence. Nelson's Column towered above them, a familiar shape in the skyline, with the four bronze lions sitting at its base. Freddie placed his hand on her elbow as they weaved between other people going about their business. ‘It's always so busy around Trafalgar Square.’ He guided her past the National Gallery and down Pall Mall East. ‘Sorry, you were saying?’

  Alice gave him a blank look.

  Freddie laughed before shaking his head. ‘Poppy?’ He watched her eyes crinkle and her lips lift at the corners. She laughed, reminding him of birdsong, and he couldn't resist joining in.

  She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. ‘Sorry, it wasn't anything important. I was only going to say Poppy was quite philosophical about life. He used to say family are the most important thing of all, but don't let them or anyone else swallow you up. Be yourself and don't worry about things that you can't change.’

  ‘Good advice, but I expect that’s why Lily got taken to the police station.’

  Alice stared hard at his straight-laced expression, before a smile broke out. ‘Probably, but she’s right to stand up for what she believes in, no matter how upset father gets.’

  ‘And yet you’re not doing the same thing. Does that mean you don’t believe in the cause?’

  Alice's smile vanished. ‘No, it doesn't.’ She sighed and looked down at her white-gloved hands gripping the silver mesh purse. ‘No, it means I'm not as brave as Lily.’

  Freddie nodded. ‘It doesn't do for us all to be the same.’

  The hair on the back of her neck bristled. ‘Do you think chaining myself to railings, getting thrown into Holloway Prison and refusing to eat so I’d be force-fed would achieve much more? Then, of course, there’s always throwing myself in front of the King’s horse at the Derby like Emily Davison did last year.’ Alice shook her head.

  Freddie’s jaw dropped as he stared at Alice. ‘My goodness, I had no idea you were so passionate about it, but it sounds like they have your support.’

  Her eyes held a steel-like quality when she looked at Freddie. ‘I’m fighting my own battles of not having an arranged marriage and being able to go out to work. I want Lily to have a freedom of choice to do what she wants with her life and not be stuck in the Dark Ages.’ Alice took a deep breath. ‘The vote is obviously important, but good women are dying, or at best making themselves ill and losing their children in the process. It’s all such a waste. There are other ways. We’d be better off to become doctors and judges.’ She glanced down at the pavement. ‘So, no, it doesn't do for us all to be the same, but I should stand up and be counted.’

  ‘You will, when the time’s right for you.’ He gave Alice a sideways glance. ‘Your father used those same words when he talked about the possibility of war. He asked me whether I’d considered enlisting.’

  Alice stopped in her tracks and stared at him. ‘I hope you told him you won't be.’

  ‘He said judgements would be made on the men that don't fight for their country.’ Freddie paused as he took a deep breath. ‘I told him there's every possibility I’d be needed here as a police officer.’

  Alice nodded.

  ‘Freddie.’ Tony's voice rang out behind them.

  Alice groaned, wondering if they could pretend they hadn't heard him. She looked across at Freddie; his jaw was clenched. Without a word, their pace quickened.

  Freddie frowned. ‘We should’ve come out earlier and maybe had a meal before the theatre. We could have eaten at The Café Royal.’

  ‘Freddie, Alice,’ Tony shrilled down the road at them.

  People turned and stared. Alice's colour began to rise up her neck. There was no choice but to stop. The alternative was acute embarrassment.

  ‘Sorry,’ Freddie whispered as they slowed down their pace.

  Alice thinned her lips and shook her head slightly as they came to a standstill. She painted on her best smile before turning around.

  Tony raced up to them, a little breathless, but grinning from ear to ear. He turned and beckoned to Molly. ‘Come on, slow coach.’ She was a few feet behind Tony and had a sullen look about her.

  ‘Hello, Tony, Molly.’ Alice smiled at her friend but Molly's grim expression didn't change. Alice wondered what was going on with her lately. She seemed so unhappy. Perhaps she should organise a night out for the three of them, maybe the theatre or the music hall might be fun. It was about time Victoria threw herself back into socialising.

  ‘Where are you two off to?’ Tony pulled a packet of cigarettes, along with some matches, from his jacket pocket. Molly joined them and, without a word, placed her arm in Tony's.

  Freddie stepped aside, so someone could pass him. ‘We are going to see Pygmalion at His Majesty's Theatre. I’ve heard some good reports about it. Apparently, Mrs Patrick Campbell is excellent as Eliza Dolittle and George Bernard Shaw is receiving equally wonderful reviews—’

  ‘What a coincidence,’ Tony interrupted, before beaming at Alice. ‘We’re going to see that as well. Wouldn't it be great if our seats were next to each other?’

  Molly openly glared at Tony, before turning to scowl at Alice. ‘That is unlikely, especially as the tickets weren't bought at the same time.’

  ‘Well, we can walk to the theatre together.’ Tony grinned at the three of them, but no one returned his enthusiasm.

  It was clear Molly wasn't happy. Alice knew she should talk to her, but now wasn't the time and she wasn't sure Molly would tell her what the problem was. Their friendship had hit a rocky road without a cross word being said. Alice hoped her father and mother, Jack and Charlotte, were not in bad health. Although, with Jack being held in high esteem by the family, she felt sure she would’ve heard on the grapevine if something were wrong. Alice suspected it had something to do with Tony.

  Chapter 5

  August 1914

  The early morning sunshine was already showing its strength as Alice stepped over the threshold into Foyles bookstore. Once inside the shop, her eyes took a moment to adjust to the dullness. She wondered why she insisted on working at all, instead of soaking up the glorious weather, but then remembered her conversation with Freddie. Beads of perspiration were gathering on her forehead. She felt hot and sticky as she walked purposefully to the staff room to clock on, hoping she’d have time to splash her face before heading towards her counter.

  Once in position, she took a deep
breath. She brushed her hands down the soft black tulip-styled skirt, before straightening the black lace edged collar of her silver-grey blouse. The black buttons down the front added the finishing touch.

  ‘Morning, Miss Taylor, it is showing all the signs of being a warm day, don't you think?’

  Alice turned to see Molly, her face deadpan but her eyes struggling to hide the twinkle in them. ‘Good morning, Miss Cooper.’ Alice's formal tone played along. ‘The weather certainly looks promising; let's hope it stays that way for the weekend.’

  Molly beamed from ear to ear. ‘Let's hope so, especially as we’ve an extra day off for the bank holiday. I expect you’ve plans already; what are you doing?’

  ‘I don't know.’ Alice paused for a moment. ‘There’ll probably be the usual discussions, it’s the same every year.’

  Molly laughed. ‘So, what will win?’

  ‘Ah, let's see now.’ Alice lifted her finger and placed it on her lips, tapping it lightly. ‘The choices will be either the cricket match that's held every year at The Oval, or doing something much more exciting like going to Southend.’ The girls both giggled.

  ‘Sounds like it's Southend.’

  ‘Are we going to the seaside then?’ Tony chirped up behind them. ‘Hmm, someone smells lovely, let me guess.’ He paused to sniff the air, leaning into Molly before moving towards Alice and back again. ‘Is it jasmine or rose I can smell?’

  ‘It's probably rose.’ Molly tucked her arm through his. ‘This is an unexpected pleasure.’ She beamed up at him.

  Alice lifted her chin and her eyebrows drew together. ‘You shouldn't be in here, Tony. Molly will get into trouble.’

  ‘I only wanted to see my favourite girl for a few minutes.’ His eyes flitted from Molly to Alice, giving her a suggestive wink.

  The hair on the back of Alice's neck bristled while Molly's smile got broader, as she gazed adoringly up at him.

  Alice glared at him. ‘Don't you have a job to go to?’

  Molly frowned. ‘I don't want you to go, but Alice is right.’ She quickly looked around her. ‘And anyway, you'll be late for work.’

  Alice couldn't stop her smile from forming. It was a good job Freddie wasn't here; it looked like a crime was about to be committed.

  Molly moved from side to side as she tried to see down the aisles. ‘We are not open yet and if old Leadbetter catches you, we’ll all be in trouble.’

  Tony smiled at Alice before moving his gaze to Molly. ‘We can't have that now, can we, sweet pea?’

  Alice shook her head. She didn't consider herself a violent person but she had a strong urge to slap his face. Whatever his game was, she wanted no part of it. ‘Molly, best you get Tony out of here before we get caught.’ Alice walked around the counter in front of her and started preparing for the shop to open. After a few minutes, she looked up to see Molly guiding Tony to the back of the shop. She shook her head again; perhaps she should have a word with Molly, but it wasn't something she relished doing. Tony wasn't good enough for her friend, but Molly was clearly smitten.

  ‘Is everything all right?’

  Alice hadn't heard Victoria approach and gave a weak smile. ‘I don't know.’ She sighed, glancing at Victoria, before watching Molly disappear between the bookshelves. ‘I worry about Molly's infatuation for Tony. I'm sure she could do much better than him; he's such a womaniser.’

  Victoria followed her gaze. ‘You can't get involved in their relationship, even if it’s for the right reasons.’

  ‘I know, but it's hard to do nothing and he’ll hurt her in the end, it's just a case of when and with whom.’

  ‘You have to remember, not everyone’s as confident as you. Molly feels her parents owe everything to your family.’

  ‘That's nonsense, and by all accounts, her father helped save my great uncles, cousins and great grandfather from acute embarrassment. I don’t know the details, because it was a family secret that everyone actually kept. To be honest I think the older generation took it to the grave with them.’ Alice paused; her friend’s vacant expression told her she was rambling. ‘So, by all accounts, if anything, we owe Jack Cooper everything.’ Alice turned and smiled at Victoria. Her heart reached out for her friend as she took in her grey complexion and dull eyes. Her vibrancy had died along with her parents. Alice had been with Victoria when Freddie delivered the tragic news. Although neither of them had met him before that fateful day, he returned daily to check on them both. Alice had stayed with her until after the funeral, but four years on she was still lost in her grief. ‘Anyway, how are you today? I did enjoy our amble to Monico. We should do it again sometime.’

  ‘Yes, it was lovely to just have a wander. I don't know if I said so at the time, but thank you for the tea and cake. It wasn’t a place I’d normally go into.’ Victoria’s fingers rubbed the material at the side of her black skirt.

  ‘You did thank me, but it was entirely my pleasure.’

  Victoria furtively looked around in case Mr Leadbetter was hovering nearby. ‘I don't know whether you know or not but yesterday, one of the customers told me there was going to be a peace march in Trafalgar Square on Sunday.’

  Alice wrinkled her nose slightly and frowned. ‘A peace march?’

  ‘Yes, apparently they’re trying to persuade the government against getting involved over Germany and Austria declaring war on Russia. I think there’s more to it than that. Belgium is in the mix somewhere. I don't really understand it all.’

  Alice frowned. ‘I didn't know.’ She clasped her hands together on the counter.

  Victoria’s fingers wrung the side of her black skirt. ‘I'm only mentioning it because of Lily. I know she likes to get involved with these things.’ Her fingers twisted and turned, until they found a small hole by the seam.

  Alice tried to laugh, but it fell short. ‘Yes, she’s become quite a little activist, much to my father's annoyance. Perhaps I'll try and get her to come to Southend with us.’

  Victoria nodded and relinquished her hold on her skirt.

  Alice arched her eyebrows. ‘Thanks for telling me about it.’ She took a deep breath, wondering if she would get a chance to talk to Lily before the march.

  ‘Is that what you’ve decided to do then?’ Victoria forced a smile. ‘I mean go to Southend.’

  ‘Probably. Will you come with us? It’s been a long time since we spent the whole day together, outside of work that is.’

  Victoria's eyes darted around Alice, before she looked straight at her. ‘I don't think so. My money won't stretch that far, and then there's Stephen and Daisy to think about.’

  Alice nodded. ‘I know you have the responsibility of looking after them, but Daisy must be eighteen now. What age do they have to be before you can start going out and having fun again, Victoria? You used to be the life and soul whenever we went out.’

  Something flitted across Victoria's face but Alice wasn't sure what it was. ‘If it weren't for my brother and sister, I wouldn't have anything to live for. I don't earn enough to feed us all properly and pay the rent. The day my parents died, I also lost the man I loved, because it was all too much for him. So forgive me if I don't have the urge to be full of fun and laughter.’ Tears tripped over Victoria's long black eyelashes and trickled down her cheeks.

  Alice fought the urge to scoop her into her arms. ‘I'm sorry, Victoria, it was quite insensitive of me. I just want to help you, but I don't know how.’

  Victoria sniffed and ran her hands over her face. ‘Appreciate what you have, Alice; it can all be taken away in the blink of an eye.’

  *

  The train trundled towards Southend, the tall grey city buildings gradually diminishing, to be replaced by nature’s greenery. Freddie sat close to Alice. The train swayed them back and forth as it chugged along the tracks. She watched her impeccably turned out man brush his hand down his trouser leg, adjust his position to tug at the ironed-in pleat and straighten his jacket. His leg brushed against hers, hidden under her long pale blue s
kirt. Freddie reached for her hand; she gazed up at him and their eyes locked. She longed for him to hold her, to rest her head on his chest. Her stomach immediately somersaulted. Alice wondered if he felt the same way. As if he could read her thoughts, he lifted her hand and lightly brushed his lips on the top of it. She shivered at the butterfly touch. Blood raced through her veins. His dark hair was begging to have her hands run through it.

  ‘I'm so excited,’ Molly burst out loudly.

  Alice's attention was immediately pulled from him; the moment had been ripped away from them. She frowned. Would he ask for her hand in marriage today? Had he asked her father’s permission to do so? Why had no one mentioned it to her? Maybe that wasn’t what they’d been talking about. He was a policeman after all, so they could have been talking about anything.

  Freddie looked up; the love and want was clear. He sat up straight and gave a slight nod. A smile crept across her face.

  ‘What are you excited about?’ Alice laughed.

  Molly's eyes sparkled with happiness. ‘Look out of the window.’

  Alice did as she was bid. The clear sky bounced off the blue of the sea; it looked inviting. ‘It does look beautiful,’ she murmured to herself.

  ‘We have to go paddling.’ Molly tapped Tony's arm next to her. ‘Tony, can we go paddling, can we?’

  Tony opened his eyes and stared blankly at Molly, before following her gaze out of the window. He adjusted his sitting position and leant forward. ‘It certainly does look inviting.’

  Molly turned her adoring eyes to him. ‘Can we please?’

  Tony leant back in his seat and smiled at her. ‘You can do whatever you want, love.’ He looked over at Alice. ‘Are you going to take a dip?’

  Alice felt her colour rise. ‘It does look like you could throw yourself into it, so I may paddle with Molly.’

  Freddie laughed. ‘I may join the pair of you.’

  It wasn't long before the train began to slow down, gradually coming to a standstill at Southend Victoria station. They gathered their things together and proceeded to alight from the train. The heat of the day took Alice's breath away and seared her skin, but the sea breeze immediately gave a cooling effect.