by Joan Jonker
‘First things first, brother dear. You need to find a wife, and I need to find a husband. And as you are the oldest, it’s up to you to start the ball rolling.’
‘You may have a long wait, dear sister, for there is no one on the horizon.’
‘Oh, you never know, brother, for I’ve heard that love can take you by surprise. It will hit you when you’re not looking.’
Chapter Ten
‘I must congratulate you on your brilliant brainwave, my dear.’ Harriet looked across the breakfast table at her daughter. ‘Michael and Jessica were beside themselves with pleasure. A rocking horse for their new son is an ideal gift. Jessica has had a room made into a nursery, and she’s already making plans on where to stand it.’
Mother and daughter were lingering over a late breakfast, George and Andrew having left for work over an hour ago. ‘The person most thrilled was Andrew,’ Charlotte said. ‘He has so many happy memories of his own rocking horse, he was delighted when I suggested a joint present from us both for baby Leo.’
‘An inspired choice, my dear girl. Well done!’
‘I’ll be going out later, Mother, after I’ve bathed and dressed.’
‘Oh, are you meeting someone for lunch? A male friend perhaps?’
‘No, Mother.’ Charlotte kept her eyes on the piece of toast in her hand. She couldn’t face her mother and tell a lie. ‘I’m going down to the shop to make sure the horse will be delivered to Jessica’s on Friday. And I’ve asked for an inscription to be put on, so I need to check on that as well. It would be so disappointing if it wasn’t perfect.’
‘Your father is picking our gift up today or tomorrow. As you know, we chose to buy a silver rattle and small round tray, both inscribed with the baby’s full name and date of birth.’
‘Yes, you did tell me, Mother, and I’m looking forward to seeing them. When he’s old enough to understand, he can be told all about the day he was christened. How all his parents’ friends were there, and how proud his godparents were.’
When Charlotte pushed her chair back and stood up, her mother asked, ‘Will you be having coffee before going out?’
‘No, Mother, I’ll go straight out when I’m ready. I may spend some time looking round the shops, so don’t worry if I’m a little late getting back.’
‘On your way to the stairs, would you call in the kitchen and tell Frances she can have the table cleared now?’ Harriet dabbed the heavy linen napkin on her lips. ‘I’ll retire to my room now.’
Charlotte was a nervous driver, and was never really happy behind the wheel except in the country, where there was little traffic and she could put her foot down. She hated driving in Liverpool, where there were trams and buses to cope with as well as cars, so she decided not to go into the heart of the city, and parked her car in a side street off London Road.
The walk into the city centre was downhill, and there were lots of shop windows to gaze in, displaying wares of every description. Looking in one shop, Charlotte couldn’t believe you could buy a pair of shoes for just five shillings! And she was even more bewildered when the clothes shop next door had quite a pretty dress in the window for only twelve shillings and elevenpence! Her eyes were moving to another dress in the window when she saw a clock on the wall inside the shop, and it told her it was turned eleven o’clock. She would have to hurry if she was to stand any chance of being successful in completing her mission.
Charlotte’s plan was a secret. She had told no one, for she knew she would be talked out of it. Even she knew in her heart that what she had in mind was far-fetched, but she was willing to make a fool of herself for the sake of her brother. The girl in the raincoat wouldn’t talk to Andrew, but it was possible she would talk to his sister. If she did, all well and good, and if not, then nothing had been lost. So Charlotte positioned herself at the bottom of Castle Street in a spot from where she would see Andrew if he came out of his office for any reason and have time to hide from him, and she would be able to see the girl in the raincoat whichever direction she came from. It was a gamble, but she’d once heard her father say ‘You won’t get anywhere if you don’t try’ and she was trying. If she didn’t she would always regret it.
It was a cold day, and Charlotte had left her scarf and gloves in the car. So with her coat collar turned up, and her hands in her pockets, she braced herself against the wind coming in from the Mersey. She’d stay until twelve o’clock, and if there was no sign of the girl, then she’d give up and go home.
Charlotte had no sooner set the time in her head than she saw the girl walking in her direction. She knew it was her right away, because there weren’t many people lucky enough to have such an abundance of golden hair. And besides, she was wearing the white raincoat. There was no time to rehearse what she would say, or what excuse she could give for being where she was. Taking a deep breath, Charlotte started walking towards the girl, who, as last time, was clutching several items of post.
Few people would have succeeded as Charlotte did. She was by nature very naïve and trusting, and when she stood in front of Poppy with an innocent smile on her pretty face, it would have taken a hard-hearted person to brush her aside.
‘Oh, I say, fancy bumping into you! Do you remember me?’
Poppy was suspicious, and made sure Charlotte was alone before answering, ‘Yes, I remember you. I have good reason to, don’t you think?’
‘Oh, yes, of course you do. But it was an accident, and my brother and I were devastated.’ Charlotte’s smile was so innocent it would have melted the hardest heart. ‘I am so glad to have met up with you again.’
‘What are you doing here?’ Poppy asked. ‘I’m sure you don’t work, do you?’
Charlotte shook her head. ‘No, I don’t work.’ She had early on decided it would be wrong to tell the girl a pack of lies. She wouldn’t be very impressed when she found out, and anyway it wasn’t a crime to be rich. Charlotte’s father had worked hard for what he had. He hadn’t stolen it. ‘My family don’t think I should work. They’re afraid I’d get lost in this big bad world. The reason I’m here now is because some friends of ours are having their baby christened on Sunday, and I’ve been seeing to the present.’
Poppy looked into the girl’s open, friendly face, and couldn’t bring herself to be abrupt. But she had letters to deliver and it was her job. ‘Look, it’s very nice seeing you again, but I really must get about my business.’ She held the letters out. ‘I have to deliver these on time, or I’ll be in trouble. So I’m afraid I’ll have to press on.’ She put a hand on Charlotte’s arm. ‘Please don’t think you or your brother have to keep apologizing for last week. It was simply an accident. And now I really must leave you.’
‘Oh, can I walk with you? I promise I won’t keep talking and hold you back. It’s just that I don’t have anything to do now, and I don’t often get a chance to talk to a girl who is about the same age as myself. My name is Charlotte, by the way.’
‘Mine is Poppy. And I must say you would find what I do very boring. But if you want a bit of company, then I don’t mind if you walk with me.’
Charlotte’s face lit up. ‘Oh, that is kind of you. And what a lovely name you have. Poppy really suits you.’
As they walked, Poppy explained how her name came about, and smiled at her companion’s enthusiasm. It was obvious they were from divergent backgrounds, but she couldn’t help warming to the girl who was used to such a very different lifestyle.
When they reached the offices Poppy visited every day, she said, ‘I am usually in here for about twenty minutes. Would you not be better going home?’
‘I don’t mind waiting for you. I’d like to walk back with you, for as I’ve said I don’t often get the chance for girls’ talk. I’ll wait here for you, if I may.’
‘Oh, you don’t have to wait out in the cold,’ Poppy said. ‘You can come in with me, but there’ll be no chairs to sit on or fire to warm you, I’m afraid. So, be it on your own head.’
The next half-hour
had Charlotte learning more about the real world, and how other people lived. Poppy passed the letters over to the receptionist, Amy, and they were taken through to the main office, where they would be read by the various solicitors, and Amy would be notified whether there were to be replies or not. During the wait, Amy and Poppy enjoyed their usual exchange of opinions on the men they worked for. Charlotte was so quiet they forgot she was there, but the girl was soaking up the conversation and the atmosphere. How different it all was from her own quiet, aimless daily routine.
When a clerk came with a message to say there were no replies, Poppy jerked her head. ‘Come on, Charlotte. I have to get back to the office.’ As she pulled her gloves on, she told Amy, ‘I’m hoping not to be doing this much longer. I’ve started a shorthand course at the local night school, and I’m determined to move on. To better meself. But I’ll keep you up to date with how I’m getting on. I’ll be around for a while yet.’
‘If you manage it, kid, I might have a go myself,’ Amy said. ‘This is a dead end job, and I’m chocker. Go in one of the offices upstairs and it’s lovely and warm. If they want anything they don’t even have to get off their backsides. They just ring a bell and anything they want is put in front of them.’
‘Fair play to them, though, Amy, they spent years swotting for the jobs they’ve got.’ Poppy chuckled. ‘I’m as jealous as hell of them. They say if you can’t lick them, then join them. And that is what I intend to do. So that is today’s lecture over, and I’ll have a new one ready for tomorrow. Ta-ra for now, Amy.’
Before following Poppy out, Charlotte smiled at Amy. ‘Goodbye, and thank you for letting me stand in from the cold.’
Amy was talking to a filing cabinet when she said, ‘I don’t know her from Adam, but that girl’s got breeding.’
Outside, Poppy said, ‘You don’t have to walk back with me, Charlotte. Why don’t you go home where you’ll be nice and warm?’
‘Oh, it’s so boring at home, with nothing to do.’ Charlotte walked sideways so she could look Poppy in the face. ‘Why don’t you let me take you for lunch? What time do you have your break?’
Poppy paused. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, Charlotte, but I promised to have lunch with a woman from the office. She only has an elderly mother and no other family, so she lives a lonely life. I wouldn’t let her down, not when she’ll be looking forward to it.’
‘No, I can see you couldn’t let her down. You are too caring to hurt someone. But if you would allow me to, I could take you both for lunch. I would like that very much.’
Poppy was shaking her head. ‘We don’t go to a restaurant, Charlotte. We go to a little café because it’s cheap. Anyway, doesn’t your brother work in Castle Street? Wouldn’t he take you out for lunch?’
‘Of course he would. My brother is a wonderful man. And I love him dearly. But we see each other every day at breakfast, then again for dinner. I need some female company.’
‘You mean your brother doesn’t know you’re in town?’
‘No, he doesn’t know. There was no reason to tell him. I had that call to make over the delivery of the christening present, and then I saw you! Andrew would be very surprised if he knew I was so near.’ Charlotte was trying to keep count of the lies she was telling, so that when she said her prayers in bed she could say an extra one for each lie. Not that they were hurting anyone, for she was only trying to help. But she’d say her prayers to make sure. ‘I’m so happy I bumped into you, and I’ve enjoyed having someone my own age to talk to. And I’d love to take you and your colleague to the little café you mentioned. I know I’m childish for my age, but that’s because I’ve never been given any responsibility. But I am not a snob, Poppy, I’m really not.’
Looking into the pretty face, a thought ran through Poppy’s head. Her mother had told her once that money doesn’t always bring happiness, and she was now seeing it for herself. She couldn’t be cruel enough to throw the girl’s kindness back in her face. ‘You can come to the café, Charlotte, I’m sure Jean would like some extra company. But I insist we all pay for our own meal. It won’t be what you’re used to, but it’s a warm, friendly place, and it’s very clean.’
Charlotte was delighted. ‘Oh, you are so kind, Poppy. I really do hope we can be friends.’
Poppy knew there was no chance of their ever becoming real friends, but she just didn’t have the heart to say so. Anyway, it was only a flash in the pan: Charlotte would soon tire of the difference in their circumstances. It was all a novelty to her now, but it wouldn’t last long. They’d probably never see each other again after today. ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to hang around for half an hour. I wouldn’t be allowed to let you wait inside. But if it gets too cold for you, then I’ll understand if you’re not here when Jean and I come out. Standing in the cold too long. with that bitter wind, you could end up with pneumonia. And I wouldn’t like to be responsible for that happening.’
‘I’ll be fine,’ Charlotte said. ‘My coat is very warm, and I’m stronger than I look. Don’t worry about me, Poppy, I won’t get blown away.’
Poppy felt guilty, but there was little she could do: her work came first. Anyway, the girl wouldn’t last half an hour in that weather. She’d be gone by the time she and Jean went out to dinner.
However, Poppy hadn’t reckoned on Charlotte’s determination, which was now stronger than ever. She had started out hoping to find a way for Poppy and Andrew to get together, for she was a romantic at heart. But now her mission was twofold, for she really would like to have Poppy as a friend. She was straightforward and down to earth, and much more interesting than the girls who were members of her social circle. But even Charlotte’s determination wasn’t going to keep the cold wind from making her teeth chatter, so she hailed a passing taxi to take her back to her car. She asked the driver to wait until she’d picked up her gloves and scarf, and then he drove her back to where she’d started from. The gloves and the heavy scarf kept the cold at bay, so it was a chirpy young girl who greeted a very surprised Poppy and her colleague, Jean.
‘I thought you’d have gone home by now,’ Poppy said, shaking her head. ‘Either that or you’d have been turned into a block of ice. Anyway, this is my colleague, Jean, and Jean, this is Charlotte … er, a friend of mine.’
It wasn’t far to the small café, and once inside Charlotte was all eyes as they found a small table for three. The café was very busy, for it was noted for serving good food at a reasonable price. When Charlotte saw the menu she almost commented on how cheap the food was, but she remembered in time that her circumstances were vastly different from those of the people around her. ‘The soup smells very tempting, Poppy. Shall we order that?’
‘I think it would be our best bet,’ Jean answered her question. ‘It’s usually very tasty and you get a slice of bread with it.’
A whole new world was opening up for Charlotte. The customers in the small café were working-class people, wearing working-class clothes and speaking with working-class accents. But she wasn’t looking down her nose at them; on the contrary, she was finding the warmth and friendliness very heartening. And she had to admit the soup was delicious and the thick slice of bread very fresh. She wouldn’t be telling Jane or Frances though, for then her little outing would become known to her mother, who would certainly be horrified and put a stop on any further outings. Besides, Andrew would find out, and she didn’t want him told until there was something to tell. When she got to know Poppy better, then she’d find a way of arranging an accidentally-on-purpose meeting. It would be wonderful if they fell in love with each other. How marvellous it would be to have Poppy as a sister.
‘What pleasant thoughts are you having that are bringing such a smile to your face?’ Poppy asked. ‘You look as though you’d lost a shilling and found half a crown.’
‘I’m smiling because I’m happy, Poppy. It’s been a very pleasant morning for me, meeting two of your colleagues. So different from my usual routine, which you would find very dull. I do h
ope you will allow me to join you and Jean again, sometime soon. I won’t be under your feet every day, just when I happen to be in town. Would that be all right with you?’
‘I suppose so, but as you heard me telling Amy, I’m hoping that sometime in the near future I’ll be looking for another job.’
Jean thought Poppy was being very optimistic. After she’d passed the shorthand course, it would take a long time to get her speed up. ‘Oh, I think you’ll be at Sutherland’s for another few months, Poppy. You still have a long way to go.’
Charlotte was sensible enough to know when pushing herself would be the wrong thing to do, so she spoke casually. ‘I’m sure I’ll see you both again before there are any big changes. I’ve really enjoyed your company; you’ve been very kind. But it’s time for me to be on my way home, so I’ll leave you to have another cup of tea. I’d like to stay, but Mother worries if I’m out too long and she doesn’t know where I am.’ She wrapped the scarf round her neck and picked up her bag and gloves. ‘Goodbye, Jean. It’s been a pleasure to meet you.’ Then she bent and kissed a startled Poppy on the cheek. ‘Goodbye for now, Poppy. I hope to see you again soon.’ With that she went to the counter, paid for her own lunch, then with a wave and beaming smile walked out of the door and was lost to sight.
‘What a lovely girl!’ Jean said. ‘You’ve never mentioned her before. How long have you known her?’
‘I don’t really know her,’ Poppy said. ‘We met last week by accident. I never expected to see her again.’
Jean was curious. ‘How do you mean, by accident?’
Lost for words, Poppy said the first thing that came into her head. ‘I bumped into her in Castle Street last week. Or was it the week before? I can’t remember now. But we only spoke a few sentences, then we went on our way.’
‘She’s out of the top drawer, Poppy, you can tell. Her coat probably cost more than we earn in a year. But she’s a very likeable girl; you couldn’t fall out with her. She’s friendly, and not a bit stuck up.’
