by Joan Jonker
Her brother came in carrying a bottle aloft. ‘It’s half full, ladies, we’re in luck.’ He put the bottle on the table and took hold of the three glasses his sister was handing over. ‘Sit down, sis, and I’ll pour.’
‘Only half a glass for me, son,’ Eva said. ‘Drink always gives me a headache.’
‘Half a glass it is then, Mam. And now we’re settled, my dear sister can tell us about the other brainwave she’s had.’
Poppy stuck out her tongue. ‘It was no brainwave, clever clogs, because me brain stopped working when I bumped into the bloke who knocked me over yesterday.’
Surprised, Eva said, ‘Go ’way!’ while David swallowed a mouthful of sherry before saying, ‘You didn’t, did you?’
‘Well, strictly speaking, I didn’t actually bump into him, but he was standing in front of me and I couldn’t walk through him. If I’d seen him coming I would have crossed the road, but my head was in the clouds and I didn’t see him until he was standing in front of me. He’s very well spoken, very posh, and really good-looking into the bargain.’
‘What did he have to say for himself?’ David asked. ‘I hope you told him about the state of your raincoat.’
Poppy shook her head. ‘He was so nice I couldn’t bring meself to argue with him. He couldn’t apologize enough for being so clumsy, and he wanted to compensate me for any damage to my clothing. I was glad I was facing him and he couldn’t see the tear in the raincoat. I have to say I believe he’s a good bloke, very kind and understanding. But I couldn’t let it go at that, stupid person that I am. I had to be sarcastic. And it served me right when I told him he and his girlfriend had apologized enough, and he informed me it wasn’t his girlfriend, it was his sister.’
‘Oh, I don’t think he’ll be stopping you again, sweetheart,’ Eva said. ‘Fair play to the man if he went out of his way to say again how sorry he was, and to offer financial help for any damage. To be turned down twice is like a snub, so I doubt you’ll see him again.’
‘I did think about it a few times during the day, and my conscience pricked me. I’m not usually rude to people, but I think I was peeved at the time because it’s hard to be dignified when ye’re scrambling to get up off the pavement. Anyway, as yer said, Mam, he’ll probably give me a wide berth in future.’ Poppy saw her brother filling up his glass, and she passed her empty one over. ‘Don’t be hogging the bottle, David. You’re not the only one with a thirst.’
David held the bottle up to the light. ‘Just enough for another glass each.’ He grinned mischievously, then relented. ‘Okay, kid, a glass full for you, and a half one for me. Then we’re quits.’
While Poppy and her brother raised their glasses of cheap sherry, only the finest wine was being poured in the dining room of the Wilkie-Brook residence. The family had finished their meal, and the housekeeper was clearing away the dishes. ‘Shall I bring in the coffee now, Miss Harriet?’ she asked, ‘or would you prefer it a little later?’
‘We’ll have it now, Frances, please. We’ve got friends coming for a hand of whist, and we’ll be retiring to the drawing room then.’
Andrew waited until the door closed on the housekeeper before saying, ‘Don’t count me in for the cards, Mother. I’m not a good player and I don’t enjoy it anyway.’
‘Me neither, Mother, so count me out too,’ Charlotte said. ‘I find it so boring. I would much prefer to go for a run in the car.’
Harriet was not pleased. ‘Really, Andrew, you and Charlotte should know you do not go out when we have visitors. The Hedleys would think it dreadfully rude if you weren’t here. I’m disappointed you could even consider insulting them so.’
‘Mother, I will willingly be here to welcome them, and also put in an appearance when they are leaving. But I really would like some time on my own. Perhaps, as Charlotte mentioned, a short run in the car.’
Charlotte clapped her hands, her face aglow. ‘Oh, that would be absolutely thrilling, Andrew. Can I come with you?’
Harriet’s lips were set in a straight line, which was not a good sign, and George knew his wife would waffle on until she talked the children into giving in to her wishes. And he wasn’t in agreement with her. He and his wife, and the guests they were expecting, were a different generation from Andrew and Charlotte, and were quite happy to spend the evening playing cards. But it wasn’t fair that the youngsters should be bored. And he approved of Charlotte’s going out with Andrew. He was more down to earth than his sister, and would teach her there was more to life than shopping for clothes she didn’t need, or playing tennis with friends who also led idle lives. ‘I agree. Our children should get out more, Harriet, my love. Andrew is cooped up in the office all day and needs some fresh air. And Charlotte would be good company for him.’
‘But our guests, George! What will they think? That they are not good enough company?’
‘Harriet, my darling, have you forgotten what you were like at their age? When we were courting you would never consider a night at home having a game of chess with your parents. Every night you insisted on my taking you to the theatre or a dinner dance. You quite wore me out.’
She gave him a stern look. ‘We were courting, George, planning on marrying each other. The situation is quite different. Andrew and Charlotte are brother and sister, and single.’
‘And that is how they will remain if they are confined to their home every night. They are hardly likely to meet a partner if they’re playing cards with people twice their age.’ There was love in his smile which melted his wife’s heart. Briefly she went back over the years, and she could see herself with George, walking across the ballroom floor at the Adelphi hotel, he so handsome and she in a pale blue, full-skirted evening gown.
‘You are quite right, my love. I had almost forgotten what it was to be young and carefree.’ And in a rare show of affection in front of the children, she left her chair to kiss his cheek. ‘You were very dashing in those days, George, and I was the envy of all my friends.’
George took hold of her hands. ‘And you, my love, are as lovely today as you were then.’
Andrew and Charlotte looked on with amazement tinged with emotion. To make light of his feeling of sentiment, Andrew said, ‘This is almost as good as sitting in the Playhouse watching a romantic play.’
His father chuckled. ‘You may find it hard to believe, my boy, but your mother and I were very much in love, and we weren’t afraid to show it.’
Harriet returned to her chair, the stern look replaced by a shy smile. ‘Your father is right, I’m turning into an old fuddy-duddy. You should be with people of your own age. So poppy off, the pair of you, and enjoy yourselves. I’ll tell the Hedleys you had a previous engagement.’
Charlotte jumped to her feet, her face beaming. ‘Can we go to Southport, Andrew, to the Prince of Wales hotel? There may be a dinner dance on.’
‘I’m not making any promises, Charlotte, because it would mean my changing into suitable clothes. And I really don’t feel like that sort of night out. What I had in mind was a drive into the country, where it would be quiet and peaceful. Not quite up your street, dear sister, but I’m prepared to take you to one of your friends’ houses, if you like. You could make a few phone calls and see if there is anything on which would be more to your taste than a drive in the country.’
Charlotte shook her head vigorously. ‘No, I would much prefer to come with you, Andrew. We could stop at one of those quaint hotels and have a drink. I would enjoy that very much.’
‘No fancy clothes, Charlotte,’ Andrew warned. ‘We go out in the clothes we’re wearing now.’
Harriet’s jaw dropped. ‘That is unthinkable, Andrew! You’ve worn those clothes all day! Really, I’m surprised at you.’
George would have intervened, but Charlotte got her words out first. ‘Mother, we are going for a drive in the country, and nobody in the country dresses up because they never go out.’
‘That’s not quite how it is, Charlotte,’ George said. ‘You do
have a lot to learn. People who breed cattle, or work in the fields, play a very big part in our lives. Without them you would have no bread on the table, or meat and potatoes on your plate. Plus, of course, vegetables and fruit. They could not produce those very necessary foodstuffs if they worked the fields in top hat and tails.’
Andrew bit back the words that came to his mouth. His sister would never understand that there were people who didn’t possess a change of clothes. She had never known poverty, as indeed he himself hadn’t. But he was well aware that there were people who, through no fault of their own, were living hand to mouth. ‘Come on, Charlotte, let’s go. A breath of country air will do us both good.’
Charlotte wrapped the rug over her knees and tucked it in each side to keep the cold out. ‘Where are we going, Andrew?’
Andrew set the car in motion and backed out into the road. ‘I thought we’d drive to Crosby, then on to Southport through all the pretty villages. We can stop for a drink at one of the country pubs, then go along the coast road. I need fresh air to blow the cobwebs away, so we could walk around the lake if it isn’t too cold for you.’
‘Oh, it won’t be too cold. This coat is very warm and I’m wearing a scarf and gloves.’
‘Oh, talking of your coat has reminded me of something,’ Andrew told her. ‘It’s nothing exciting, but remind me to tell you when we stop for a drink.’
‘It can’t be very interesting if it’s only about a coat, so you may as well tell me now.’
‘I can’t take my eyes off the road, Charlotte, and I want to see the expression on your face when I’m telling you. You have the type of face which gives away what you are really feeling, which means you are not good at lying, or hiding your reactions.’
‘You’ve contradicted yourself there, Andrew, and have now got me very curious. First you say it’s not exciting, and then you say you want to see the expression on my face when you’re telling me. It’s nice to know I’m not good at telling lies, for I should hate anyone to think of me as a liar.’
‘Have patience, my dear sister, I’ll tell all when I don’t have to keep my eyes on the road. And don’t look forward to my having something of great importance to tell you, because you’ll be disappointed. In fact I’m regretting already that I even mentioned it.’
They drove on with little conversation between them, except for pointing out a particularly nice house or garden. Presently they came to a country pub with a thatched roof, and old-fashioned lanterns in the windows which lit up the cosy interior. ‘Oh, isn’t it quaint?’ Charlotte said. ‘Please let’s go in. It is absolutely charming.’
Andrew laughed at her expression. She was nineteen years of age, but still a little girl at heart in some ways. ‘Keep your voice down when we go in, Charlotte, for they’re country folk around here and might not welcome toffs in their local. Nor would they appreciate anyone they thought was looking down on them.’
It turned out that Andrew’s warnings were not needed, for the manager behind the bar beamed a welcome at them, as did the men sitting at the small round tables with pints of ale in front of them. Weather-beaten faces, rough hands, heavy farming boots still bearing traces of soil, and coats torn and smelling of animals and earth. After a day toiling in the fields, the farmers were exchanging views on the state of the crops and the cattle. Their talking had ceased when the strangers walked in, until the smiles and greeting from Andrew and Charlotte had the men treating them like one of their own, which is the way of country folk.
‘Sit by the fire, miss, and I’ll put another log on.’ The manager came from behind the bar and picked up a log from the pile next to the huge stone fireplace. ‘It’s a raw night out there.’
The farmers all agreed in their local accent. They weren’t used to having customers in their bar who were obviously not from their neighbourhood. They were quite taken with the pretty Charlotte, who had never seen anything like the two-hundred-year-old pub with its old beams and flagged floor. She was intrigued and enchanted, asking all sorts of questions of people who were more than happy to reply. Her smile genuine, her eyes bright with interest, she loved the warmth and the atmosphere. The small pub was like a wonderland to her, and she fell in love with it. And when Andrew suggested it was time to leave, she begged him to stay a little while longer, reminding him he had something to tell her about. So Andrew gave in, on the understanding that it didn’t look good sitting there talking without buying a drink. Not good for business.
When Andrew ordered two glasses of port, and a round of whatever the farmers wanted, plus the landlord himself, there were many voices and glasses raised in thanks.
‘That was very thoughtful, Andrew,’ Charlotte said, ‘and I’m so glad you did it, for they are such friendly people. I bet Father would love this place.’
‘You can tell him about it, Charlotte, but don’t mention it to Mother, for she wouldn’t approve of me bringing you somewhere like this.’
‘You will bring me again, though, won’t you?’ his sister begged. ‘If I ask you nicely?’
‘Only if you will be quiet while I tell you what happened today.’
‘What did happen today, Andrew? Was it something that pleased you?’
‘I bumped into the young lady I pushed over yesterday. You remember her, don’t you?’
‘Of course I do! I could hardly forget such a happening. Did you ask if she had been hurt?’
‘She barely spoke to me. I offered to compensate her for the cleaning or repairing of her coat, but she said she would never take money off me, and as she was perfectly all right I shouldn’t worry about her. It was an accident and couldn’t be helped. And with that she flounced off as though she couldn’t get away quickly enough. Oh, she did say my girlfriend had been very kind, and when I said you were not my girlfriend but my sister, she said you were very pretty.’
‘That was nice of her, considering the circumstances. Although I have to say she is far prettier than me. I really thought she was quite beautiful.’
Andrew nodded. ‘I would very much like to see her again. To get to know her. I really was taken with her, Charlotte, but unfortunately she doesn’t want to know.’
His sister leaned across the small table to look into his face. ‘I do believe you’ve fallen for her, Andrew. Or am I imagining it? Has Cupid been busy with his arrow?’
‘I’ve only met her twice, and she’s made it quite plain that she would be perfectly happy never to set eyes on me again. And yet I can’t get her out of my mind. I have never felt like this about any girl, my dear sister, and I hope I can trust you to keep what I’ve told you a secret. I don’t know the girl’s name, or where she lives or works, or if she already has a boyfriend, or even a husband. All I know is that she walks past our office block every day, or has done for the last two days, and she delivers letters for a firm. And while I am very sure that I would like to get to know her, she seems equally sure she doesn’t want to have anything to do with me. I’m telling you this because I need to tell someone.’
‘How could she not like you?’ Charlotte couldn’t understand anyone’s not liking her brother. He was good-looking, kind, caring and very lovable. ‘I’m sure if she got to know you she would like you. If you’ve met her two days running at the same time, why can’t you meet her tomorrow? Wait for her to come along and pretend it’s a coincidence.’
‘I’m sure she wouldn’t fall for that. In fact it would probably cause her to change her route, and then I’d never see her again. I don’t even know her name, so how can I find out where she works or lives?’
Charlotte had many ideas running through her head at the same time, making it impossible to think straight. She’d go over it in bed tonight, and come up with a way to help the brother she loved. ‘Can I make a suggestion, Andrew? I know I’m not as clever as you, but if you let a week go by before bumping into this girl of mystery, then she wouldn’t think anything of it. She’d put it down to being a pure accident. But don’t push her too hard, or she might no
t like it. As you say, she may already be spoken for.’
Andrew sighed. His sister was right. He couldn’t push the girl into liking him. He’d leave it for a week, and then try again. If persistence might pay off, then persist he would.
Chapter Seven
While she was sorting the morning mail into separate piles for the two partners, Poppy kept an eye out for Jean Slater coming out of Mr John’s office, where the secretary was at present taking dictation from him. She’d been summoned to his office soon after he arrived, for apparently when he reached his home last night he had remembered a very important letter that should have been answered by return of post. It was from one of the firm’s best clients, and he had put it aside, intending to give it special attention after he’d dictated replies to the other letters. However, the matter had slipped his mind. Now he wanted a reply sent off as soon as possible, which meant, of course, that Poppy would be ordered to deliver it post-haste. And he would probably check the times she left the office and returned.
Poppy heard the office door open and Jean came out with pad and pencil in her hand, and a not too happy expression on her face. She rolled her eyes as she passed Poppy’s desk, and said softly, ‘He slips up, but everyone else has to take the blame. He can be very unpleasant when things don’t go his way, and if I didn’t need the money I’d have told him long ago to get lost.’
Poppy made sure the office door was still closed before crossing the floor to the secretary’s desk. ‘If you think you are hard done by, how d’yer think I feel? I’m the sucker who will be expected to deliver that letter, running all the way. Is it any wonder I want to get away?’
‘Are you still intent on shorthand lessons?’ Jean asked. ‘You’d be a fool if you don’t.’
‘I’ve already signed up for the full course. Two nights a week for twelve weeks.’
