‘No. That’s for you to do when you’re ready. But don’t leave it too long. They are not fools.’
‘I know, sir,’ she said earnestly. ‘They have been so kind, and it worries me that I’m telling them lies, but I’m terrified they will make me leave.’ She turned her back on Harry, shaking with emotion and fear. ‘I’m so happy here, and if I have to go back on the streets … Well, I couldn’t stand that again, sir. I couldn’t!’
‘That is unlikely to happen again, my dear. I gather they have become very fond of you. You have friends now, and that includes me. So I want you to come and see me when you need help. Will you do that?’
‘Thank you, sir. You’re very kind.’
‘I can hear a “but” in your voice.’
Vicki took a deep breath. ‘I have had to rely on myself most of my life, and I find it hard to do anything else, but I will promise to see you when it is time to try to find Bill.’
‘Good.’ He smiled. ‘I look forward to seeing you then. Take care of that book, because I will need to study it again.’
As he walked away, Vicki felt a huge surge of relief. He wasn’t going to reveal her secret. She had a little longer.
Seven
How quickly this year had flown! They had been such happy months, but Vicki knew she couldn’t put off telling Mr and Mrs Howard the truth about herself any longer. Christmas was only two weeks away and she had decided that the New Year would be the right time to own up to her deception. The Howards had welcomed her into their home and made her feel safe and cared for, for the first time in her life, so she wanted to buy them each a little present to show her gratitude. She wandered round the busy Christmas market, wondering what they would like. She mustn’t spend too much, of course, in case she needed money later. Her insides clenched in pain at the thought of being out on her own again, but it had to be faced. Harry had kept his word and not told them who she really was, but the deception was becoming very difficult to maintain. She looked like a girl. There was no getting away from that fact now, and she was too fond of the Howards to deceive them any longer. She had been saving hard, so she would at least have some money for a while, but how she prayed that she wouldn’t have to survive out there on her own again. Even so, she wouldn’t blame the Howards if they were angry and told her to leave.
She swiped a tear away from her eyes and took a steadying breath. But there was Christmas to enjoy first.
‘We’re getting more and more ladies wanting their hair done.’ Bob smiled at his wife. ‘And it’s all down to your skill, Flo. Word is spreading fast, and using part of the barber’s isn’t good enough.’
‘I agree. It can get a bit crowded, but I don’t see what we can do about it.’
‘I might have the solution.’ Bob pulled out a chair from the table. ‘Sit down and we’ll talk about it.’
‘I know that look in your eyes.’ Flo smiled as she sat down. ‘Just what are you planning?’
‘What do you think about expanding our business?’
‘Well, we’re certainly getting a lot of trade. But we haven’t got the space to expand.’
‘The shop next door will be vacant in January, so how about opening a ladies’ salon?’
‘I’d like that, Bob,’ Flo told him eagerly. ‘And that place would be perfect.’
‘That’s what I thought you’d say.’ He gave a knowing smile. ‘I’ve already said we’d take it.’
Flo laughed. ‘What if I’d said no?’
‘Then I would have had to talk you into it. Now, you’ll need a young girl to train and help you.’ Bob pursed his lips. ‘The choice is obvious, and that means I’ll have to advertise for a lad for the shop. Doesn’t it?’
‘Ah, you’ve noticed.’
‘Of course I have.’ Bob shook his head. ‘And so has everyone else, but we’ve kept our mouths shut. I believe she’s sixteen now, and it shows. How desperate the poor little thing must have been. How are we going to get round this, Flo?’
Flo sighed. ‘I don’t know. I’ve felt several times she was on the point of telling me, but each time she’s backed off. Let’s leave it a while longer and see if she comes to us. The last thing I want us to do is frighten her and make her run away. If she does that, we might never find her again, and I couldn’t bear that to happen.’
‘Nor me. I think it would help if we make it clear we are offering her a job with you in the new shop. But it would be easier if she came and told us herself.’
Flo nodded. ‘I believe she will.’
‘I hope you’re right.’ Bob stood up at the sharp rap on the side door. ‘That will be Harry. I asked him to drop round.’
‘Just in time for lunch.’ Flo smiled in amusement. ‘I swear he can smell the cooking right up the road. Good job I always cook too much.’
‘Well, he might have to pay for his dinner this time because I’m thinking of asking him to help in the shop until I can get a new lad.’ Laughing, Bob went down to let his friend in.
‘Smells lovely in here,’ Harry said, kissing Flo on the cheek as soon as he walked in.
‘Yes, you can stay for lunch.’ Flo poured him a cup of tea from the ever-ready teapot. ‘Sit down and tell us what you’ve been up to.’
‘Thanks.’ Harry looked round. ‘Isn’t your little helper in today, Bob?’
‘Gone to the market to do a bit of Christmas shopping, but he’ll be back in time for lunch. He isn’t in the habit of spending money, though. We know he’s been saving every penny possible.’
Harry nodded. ‘Terrified about being turned out again, I expect.’
‘That will never happen,’ Flo declared forcefully. ‘We were never blessed with children, and we’ve come to love her like our own.’
Harry narrowed his eyes. ‘You said her. Has she spoken to you, then?’
‘That was a slip of the tongue. I must be more careful.’ Flo regarded Harry with suspicion. ‘How long have you known?’
‘The moment I set eyes on her. As soon as Bob told me about his helper, I went to a pub I know in Poplar and got talking to some of the locals. When I brought up the subject of a young boy who had been turned out to fend for himself, they hadn’t heard of one, but they told me about a fourteen-year-old girl. Evidently, her brute of a father just kicked her out. As soon as I saw her I knew she was that girl.’
‘Why didn’t you tell us, Harry?’ Bob demanded.
‘Because deceiving you is worrying her, and she intends to tell you herself.’ Harry drained his cup, put it down and sighed. ‘I asked her why she was doing this, and she said it had been impossible to get a job because she was a girl, so she did the only thing possible and dressed as a boy. She was desperate.’
Bob’s mouth set in a grim line. ‘The kid who came into our shop that day was just skin and bones, and could hardly stand up. But what courage! We saw what it took for her to just stay on her feet, and it was a relief to see her slowly gain in strength. How could a man do that to his own child?’
‘There are some bastards around. From the tales I was told about her father, he must be nothing short of a monster.’
‘I don’t doubt that, Harry.’ Flo refilled their cups. ‘For the time being, though, we must go back to thinking and referring to her as Jim. When he’s ready he will tell us, and until then we mustn’t even give a hint that we know.’
‘That’s best,’ Harry agreed, ‘but remember, that kid is very frightened. He thinks the world of you both, and is sure you will be angry at his deception. He expects to be turned out again.’
‘Never!’ Flo and Bob said together.
‘We have plans, and that includes all of us – even you, Harry.’
‘Uh-oh, I don’t like the sound of this, but tell me anyway.’ Harry listened intently while Bob explained about the new shop.
‘That’s a wonderful idea.’ Harry was nodding enthusiastically. ‘And I’ll certainly help you out for a while if you’re stuck, Bob. Explain all that to … er … Jim, as soon as possible.’
‘We intend to.’ Flo listened as the door downstairs opened and closed. ‘Change the subject now. He’s back.’
Flo and Bob smiled at each other when they heard Vicki running up the stairs, full of life and energy. They well remembered when every step had been an effort. They had longed to help, but the determination on her face told them not to. She had been fighting to hide her weakness as much as possible, and they had watched with admiration as she struggled. Now it was a joy to them to see the difference.
‘Hope I’m not late, Mrs Howard?’ Vicki burst into the room, cheeks glowing from the cold wind blowing that day. ‘The market was so crowded you could hardly move.’
‘Lunch won’t be for another half an hour yet, and Harry will be joining us.’
Vicki nodded. ‘Hello, sir. It’s chilly out there, but it hasn’t stopped people doing their shopping.’
‘I expect they’re all rushing to buy their last-minute gifts. Did you manage to get what you wanted?’
‘Yes, sir.’ Vicki smiled, and then turned her attention to Flo, her eyes shining with excitement. ‘I saw a girl with an amazing haircut. It was very short, perfectly straight, and framing her face. Like this.’ She tried to pull her own hair into the shape, and giggled. ‘My hair is too wavy to show you, but it was almost like a cap, and so black it shone blue in the pale sunlight. She looked beautiful.’
‘I think I know what you mean, but will you draw it for me? Then we can try it out on one of our clients.’
Vicki nodded excitedly. ‘I’ll do that. Can I help you with lunch?’
‘Thank you.’ She smiled fondly. ‘What would we do without you? You’ve become part of our family now. It was a lucky day for us when you walked into the shop.’
‘I was the lucky one,’ Vicki said, her voice husky with emotion. She remembered that day so well. ‘You gave me a chance, and I’ll always be grateful to you for that.’
‘Ah, you don’t owe us a thing,’ Bob said. ‘You’ve worked hard, and we’re going to promote you next year.’
‘Oh.’ Vicki stopped what she was doing and spun round quickly.
‘Yes.’ Bob was smiling broadly. ‘We’re opening a ladies’ salon in the shop next door, and we want you to be Flo’s assistant.’
‘But … but …’ Vicki looked from one to the other and then said in a whisper, ‘Won’t you want a girl for that, Mrs Howard?’
‘What I need is you. You have a real flair for ladies hair, and I’ll train you to become a stylist.’
Tears began to stream silently down Vicki’s face.
‘What’s the matter, dear?’ Flo asked anxiously. ‘Don’t you want to do that? You can stay in the barber’s if you’d rather.’
‘Oh, no, it isn’t that. I would love to work with you and learn how to become a good ladies’ hairdresser, but I don’t deserve to be given such a job.’
‘Now, that isn’t true,’ Bob declared. ‘You’ve earned the chance. What on earth makes you believe you don’t deserve it?’
Vicki looked down at the floor, unable to meet their eyes. ‘Because I’ve been lying to you all the time. I intended to tell you after Christmas, but this changes everything. I wanted a few more happy weeks before you threw me out.’
‘Nothing you’ve done will every make us do that.’ Bob was on his feet now and made Vicki sit down. ‘Why don’t you tell us what’s troubling you?’
Wiping the tears away from her cheeks, she took a deep breath, her heart heavy with fear. ‘I’m really a girl …’
‘We already know that.’ Flo patted her hand and smiled. ‘Victoria, isn’t it?’
She nodded and glanced up at Harry.
He held up his hands. ‘I never said a word. It’s obvious to anyone now that you’re not a boy.’
‘So you see, Victoria – or do you prefer Vicki?’ Bob asked.
‘Vicki, please.’ She felt overwhelmed with disbelief. They didn’t mind? They already knew? They hadn’t told her to get out!
‘Right, well, Vicki, we understand why you dressed as a boy. It took a lot of courage to survive your ordeal, and you did the only thing you could. We respect you for that. You didn’t ask for pity – you wanted to work your way out of the disaster you were in, and that showed a sound character.’
‘And that’s what we recognized when we saw you.’ Flo poured Vicki a cup of tea and placed it in her hands. ‘There was something about you that made us believe you were worth helping, and I guess that was what made those two strangers reach out to you.’
‘Yes,’ Harry nodded. ‘Does this mean I can start a search to see if I can find them? You mustn’t hold out too much hope, Vicki. We have precious little to go on.’
‘I know that, sir, but anything you can find out would be helpful. Thank you, sir.’ Vicki didn’t know whether to laugh or cry now – the relief was enormous. Everything was going to be all right! She could hardly believe it. All these months of worry and guilt had been unnecessary.
‘So, now that is out of the way, do you want to work with me in the new shop?’ Flo asked.
‘Oh, yes, please! Oh, but what about the barber’s? They need someone as well.’
Bob laughed. ‘I’ve roped Harry in to help until I can get a young lad.’
‘You’ll enjoy that, sir. The customers are all so nice.’ She gave him a dimpled smile. ‘They are very generous with their tips.’
‘I don’t know about enjoying it, but I’ll try to do as good a job as you. From what I’ve heard, though, that will be close to impossible.’
‘Oh, sir, you are funning me.’
Flo grinned. ‘I’m taking you shopping tomorrow, Vicki. I can’t wait to see you in pretty clothes and style your beautiful hair. We’ll go to Weston’s, up the road.’
‘Oh, but they’re expensive. I can’t afford clothes from there.’
‘Some new clothes will be our Christmas present to you.’
The clothes with which Vicki had left the house in Poplar no longer fitted, no matter how much she pulled and breathed in. She had grown quite a lot, and, anyway, they were far too shabby to go into a ladies’ shop with Flo. The frock was torn from squeezing in and out of the tiny window, and the coat was in a dreadful state.
There was a knock on her door and she opened it, her expression worried. ‘I can’t come out with you like this. I’ll be a disgrace to you, and I can’t wear the boy’s clothes where we’re going. I’ll go and get something from the market. They have a stall selling used clothes. They are cheap, but some garments are quite nice if you search through them.’
Flo was shaking her head as she studied Vicki critically. ‘No, no, I won’t have you wearing second-hand clothes. But I do agree that you can’t go out like that. Take those things off and throw them away. I’ll see if I have anything upstairs to fit you.’
‘I don’t mind them, Mrs Howard. I’ve only ever had second-hand clothes.’
‘Well, those days are over. Our ladies’ salon is going to attract a good class of customer, and we are going to look as smart as they are!’
Vicki watched Flo leave and hurry up the stairs, and then she sat down on the bed with a thump, unable to believe what was happening. Her mind had been in a whirl since yesterday, and a lump came to her throat as she gazed around her room. And it was still her room! She had been terrified about losing this security, and, even worse, it would have broken her heart to leave the Howards. But that nightmare hadn’t happened. In fact, the Howards seemed pleased she was really a girl, and her deception didn’t bother them at all. Vicki had never known such kindness and understanding existed, and she was having a job taking it all in. There had been no doubt in her mind that she would lose all this for lying to them. It was unbelievable, and she loved them for that. And that was another emotion she had never experienced before.
‘Here we are.’ Flo returned with an armful of clothes. ‘Let’s see if we can make some of these fit you. They’re on the tight side for me, so we might be able to do something with them. I’ve found
you some proper undergarments as well. It wouldn’t do to have you wearing a boy’s vest and pants.’
Half an hour later, with the aid of some hasty stitching, Vicki looked respectable. She stared in the mirror in disbelief. She had been thinking of herself as a boy for months now, and it was disconcerting to see a young girl looking back at her.
‘That will have to do until we can get you better clothes.’ Flo nodded, holding a brush in her hands. ‘I’ll have a quick go at your hair, but it will have to grow before we can style it properly.’
When they were ready to leave, Vicki said, ‘I have a bit saved up, so I can pay towards the clothes.’
‘No need for that.’ Flo chuckled. ‘Bob’s given me instructions to see you are dressed fashionably – and he’s given me the money – enough for both of us. So, let’s go shopping!’
The proprietor of Weston’s greeted them warmly, and Vicki recognized her as one of Flo’s regular customers. This made her even more nervous in case she remembered her as the boy who had shampooed her hair on many occasions.
‘And what can I do for you today, Mrs Howard? New stock arrived yesterday, so I’m sure we can find something stylish for you.’
‘I want a complete set of clothes for my niece, Victoria, and perhaps a frock for myself.’
If the shop owner wondered why Mrs Howard had a niece no one had ever heard of, she was too professional to let her curiosity show. Vicki quickly realized that Flo had introduced her like this to avoid questions. After all, it wouldn’t seem strange that she was buying clothes for a relative, would it? Whatever the reason, Vicki was relieved the woman had not shown any sign of recognizing her as Jim. She gazed longingly at the racks of lovely clothes and stifled a sigh of pure pleasure. How she was looking forward to being herself again!
After nearly two hours, Vicki felt as if she had tried on nearly everything in the shop, and there were a lot of items piled on the counter waiting to be parcelled up.
‘Try on this amber frock,’ Flo told her, holding out the most exquisite and fashionable garment Vicki had ever seen.
She stepped close and whispered, ‘You mustn’t buy me any more. I only needed one frock and a coat. Anything else I need I can get at the market. They do sell new clothes as well.’
Two Strangers Page 6
