by Joan Jonker
‘Are you free on Friday night, brother dear?’
‘Why? Do you want to go for a run in the country?’
‘Far from it. In the other direction, actually.’ Charlotte was delighted now. She felt very close to getting what she wanted. ‘I want you to take me to a dance in a hall called the Grafton. I don’t know where it is, but I’m sure you can find out. Poppy is going to be there with her brother, David, and another boy and girl. I gather it’s a big dance hall, plenty big enough for Poppy to get lost in if she doesn’t want to see us. But she won’t, she’ll be happy, I know she will.’
‘And what excuse are you going to give our parents? Don’t expect me to lie, Charlotte, because I won’t.’
‘I’ll tell them I want to go to a dance, and would like you to drive me there, and bring me back home. That won’t be telling lies, will it?’ Charlotte’s legs were swinging like mad. ‘In fact, Andrew, I might tell Papa the truth, and he can talk Mother into agreeing.’
‘I would feel happier if you did that. I don’t like being deceitful, even in the cause of love.’
‘Papa always goes to his study for a last tot of whisky and a cigar. As soon as I hear Mother coming up to bed, I’ll nip down and have a talk to him. I’ll be very careful what I say, Andrew, and I promise I won’t tell any more lies. If Papa says I can’t go to the dance, I won’t try to coax him.’ She gave a cheeky grin. ‘Well, not much, anyway. And I’m not doing all this for you, my dear brother, I have my own interests as well. Poppy is as important to me as she is to you. I would be sad if I were to lose her friendship. I’d pine, and be very ill.’
Andrew chuckled. ‘I don’t know whether you’re better at getting round Father, making up stories, or being a detective. But I do know there is a fairy godmother out there somewhere, looking after you.’
Charlotte’s legs stopped swinging. ‘Oh, I never knew about her. Who is she, Andrew?’
‘Who is who?’
‘My godmother, of course. You just said she was looking after me, so you must know, or you wouldn’t have mentioned her.’
‘I said your fairy godmother, Charlotte. Like the ones you see in the pantomimes, like Cinderella. Not a real godmother.’
Once Charlotte got her teeth into anything, she wouldn’t give up, ‘But I must have a godmother, everyone does. Baby Leo has. I’d like to know who mine is. And yours, Andrew. You must have one too.’ When her brother didn’t answer, she insisted, ‘We must both have godparents, and I’m going to ask Mama who they are.’ She was halfway to the door when her brother called her back.
‘Charlotte, you’ll upset Mother very much if you mention godparents. And I’m sure you don’t want to hurt her, or make her cry, do you?’
‘Of course I don’t want to make Mama cry. That would be cruel, and I’m not cruel, Andrew, I wouldn’t hurt anyone. But I don’t understand why my asking her who my godmother is would upset her.’
‘I will explain to you, if you promise not ever to repeat one word of what I tell you, for, as I have said, Mother would be upset. So sit quietly and listen carefully.’ Andrew thought deeply before going on. ‘You are old enough to be told now, because you are an adult and have to learn that most people have sadness in their lives. So there must be no crying: you shall act like a grown-up. Mother had a sister called Helen, who was twenty years older than her, and they were devoted to each other. Helen was my godmother when I was christened, and I can vaguely remember her when I was a toddler. She never married, for she suffered from ill health from the time she was born. When you were two weeks old, it was understood that Helen would be your godmother also. Now you must remember, Charlotte, that I was very young at the time, and my memory of those few weeks is very faint. I remember very little. However, I learned over the years from different family members that Helen died a week before you were to be christened. Mother was so distraught, I believe, she refused to allow anyone else to be your godmother. She probably regretted it later in life, but the loss of her beloved sister was something she didn’t recover from for many years.’
‘Oh, poor Mama.’ Tears filled Charlotte’s eyes, but she wasn’t going to cry, she must be brave. So she clenched her fists so hard she could feel her nails digging into her palms. ‘Thank you for telling me, Andrew. It was very thoughtful of you. I have never wondered about a godmother, but I might have done one day, and I would have hurt Mama without knowing.’
‘The reason you never wondered, Charlotte, is because you’ve had no cause to. You have been pampered all your life, given anything and everything you needed. You’ve never even had to ask, because Mother and Father have doted on you since the day you were born. They did the same for me. I wanted for nothing. But sometimes you can be suffocated by too much kindness. That was why I was so determined to go to university, and it was the best move I ever made. I found I couldn’t have everything I wanted just for the asking; I had to work for it. And if you achieve something you have worked for, then believe me, Charlotte, you appreciate it much more than if it was handed to you on a plate.’
Charlotte jumped down from the bed and flung her arms round Andrew’s neck. ‘Oh, I do love you, and I’m going to do my best to be as good as you are. From this very minute, I am starting to grow up and act my age. I know Mama won’t let me go out to work, but she can’t stop me going to see you and Papa at the office. I am quite decided that in future, Charlotte Wilkie-Brook is going to be a woman of determination. No longer will I do childish things. Those days are gone.’
Andrew drew her arms from his neck and smiled at the serious expression on her face. ‘Charlotte, I don’t want you to change. We all love you as you are … happy, funny and beautiful. All I ask is that you think before you do anything. Such as bringing Poppy to my office without telling either of us what you were up to. I’m not going to get anywhere with her if you keep pulling stunts like that.’
‘I promise I won’t do anything like that again, Andrew, but I did help Jean to get a job where she will be happy. That was really my first ever good deed. And I have one more good deed to accomplish before I start being grown up and sensible. I’m going along to Papa’s study now, and if I come back with a huge smile on my face, you’ll know I’ve accomplished part of my second good deed. Keep your fingers crossed for me, my lovely brother, because my smile could bring a bigger one to your face.’
Charlotte listened with her ear to the study door, in case there was someone in with her father. She heard nothing but silence, so, bending her finger, she rapped on the door. ‘It’s your loving daughter, Papa. May I come in?’
‘Come in, dear girl, but you’ll have to suffer the cigar smoke I’m afraid. This is the one time of the day I look forward to, when I can sit in solitude with a glass of whisky in front of me, and a cigar in my hand. And no one to tut and wrinkle their nose at the smoke.’
‘I’m rather partial to the smell of cigars,’ Charlotte told him. ‘It’s a manly smell. You wouldn’t find a wimp with a cigar in his mouth.’
George laid his cigar in the large crystal ashtray. ‘Where on earth did you hear the word wimp? You do surprise me sometimes, Charlotte. And frighten me.’
‘Papa, don’t you give me a lecture. I’ve just had one off my brother, and even you must agree that two lectures in one day is far more than one person can bear.’
George hid his chortle behind his whisky glass. ‘Oh, and what, pray, did you do to deserve a lecture off Andrew? Your brother is far too fond of you to lecture you without good cause.’
Charlotte sat on the edge of the desk and began to swing her legs. In her mind she was telling herself she must go very carefully here, or her mission would not be successful. ‘Andrew told me, in a very nice way of course, that it was time I grew up. And he’s right, of course, because I do act childishly for my age. I have vowed to change and behave like a grown-up.’ She winked as she smiled at the man whose love for her was there in his eyes, for her to see. ‘Since I’ve met Poppy and Jean, I’ve tried to be as grown up as
they are, and I have learned a lot from them. I do hope you and Mama don’t try to stop me seeing them, for I would be devastated, Papa. I feel Poppy is like a sister to me; I am really fond of her. Apart from being so beautiful, she is kind, gentle, and really funny. I am at my happiest when I’m with her.’
‘You will not be stopped from seeing her, my darling, for I can see for myself that she is good for you. And I know that if your mother met her, she would be captivated by her, and won over. We must try to arrange a meeting. Do you think you could persuade her to pay us a visit?’
Charlotte put on her business head. She would love to bring Poppy to meet her mother, but there was something more important she wanted to do first. And to do this, she needed the help of her father. ‘Papa, you know how I asked for your help in giving Jean Slater a job? Well, can I ask for your help again? After all, I did you a good turn with Jean, because she really is a very good worker.’
George was always intrigued by the way his daughter could manipulate him without his being aware of it until it was too late. ‘What are you up to now, my dear? I hope you are not going to take me into a situation where I must lie to your mother.’
‘Let me tell you what I want to do, and how happy it would make not just me, but Andrew also. You see, Papa, I truly believe that my brother fell in love with Poppy the day of the accident. He was holding out his hand to help her off the ground, and I saw the look on his face. I’m not telling tales out of school, Papa, I’m telling you because I want him to be happy. He’s admitted to me how he feels, and I’ve thought of a way they can meet, without her having an excuse to walk away or ignore him.’
George sighed. ‘What do you want me to do for you, Charlotte, that won’t involve deceiving your mother?’
‘I know Poppy is going to a dance on Friday night, somewhere in Liverpool. She is going with her brother, David, and two other friends. Now if you would help me to get Mama to agree to Andrew’s driving me to the dance and back, then he and Poppy could meet socially. I know they would get on well together if they were given the chance.’
George was thoughtful. ‘Are you sure Andrew would want this? It’s not just one of your ideas, is it, Charlotte? If it is then your brother will be very angry with you, and your mother and myself most displeased. For you would be playing with people’s feelings, and that would be most unfair.’
‘Papa, Andrew knows I am in here right now, and he knows why. He really, really likes Poppy, but you know yourself he is shy around females. He will never ever run after her, he’s not the type. But I know them both, Papa, and I’m certain they would be good together. And where better to get close to someone than in a dance hall? If Andrew is too shy to approach Poppy, then I’ll drag him over. And she couldn’t really refuse if he asked her to dance.’ Charlotte slid off the desk. ‘Are you going to help me with Mama?’
‘I don’t think I need to, my darling. I think you are quite capable of persuading her yourself. I’m not asking you to go against your mother’s wishes, but you really don’t have to tell her the tale you’ve told me. You and Andrew are old enough to do as you please, and go where you like. And if you are going together then I can’t see any objection from your mother. If there is, I will definitely step in.’ George puffed on his cigar. ‘And Andrew really likes Poppy, does he?’ He nodded his head. ‘He’s got excellent taste. Now go and tell him so.’
Charlotte knocked on her brother’s door, and waited for him to answer before she walked in with her hips swinging from side to side. ‘Who did you say was childish, and should learn to grow up? I’ll have you know your sister now has all her plans in place.’
A smile covering his handsome face, Andrew asked, ‘What have you done with Father? Twisted his arm?’
‘He has told me we are both old enough to go where we please, and do as we please. We don’t need permission, but it would show respect, and stop any worry, if we told our parents what we were up to. He will take our side if Mama raises any objection to our going to a dance on Friday. As long as I’m with you, there’ll be no refusal.’ She stood in front of him, devilment in her eyes. ‘It’ll be up to you on Friday night, Andrew. I’ve set everything up, so now you’ll have to do your part. Which is the easiest, for all you’ll have to do is ask a beautiful girl to dance with you.’ She kissed his cheek. ‘Sleep well, brother dear.’
Chapter Twenty-Two
When Poppy arrived for work on the Friday morning, she found Jean waiting for her by the steps. ‘What are you standing here for? The wind is enough to blow you over.’
‘I’m a nervous wreck, Poppy. I haven’t closed my eyes all night. My tummy is turning over, my head is bursting and I feel like being sick.’
‘Why didn’t you stay in bed if you feel so bad? Go home, now. You must be sickening for something. You’ve never missed a day’s work since you’ve been here, so no one is going to tell you off.’
‘You don’t understand, Poppy,’ Jean said, her lip quivering. ‘I’m not sick, just afraid! I’ll never be able to go to Mr John and hand my notice in. I haven’t got the guts. You know how sarcastic he can be, the way he bawls and shouts. I couldn’t stand there and listen to him. My legs would give out and I’d end up making a fool of myself by crying.’
‘So what do you intend to do?’ Poppy felt sorry for her friend, but also a little angry. Jean had been treated like a slave for years, then out of the blue she was handed a new job on a platter. She didn’t have to look for it; it was given to her. She should be full of the joys of spring this morning, and instead she was dithering. ‘You are going to give your notice in, aren’t you? You’ll have to do it today or you won’t be able to leave next Friday. So come on, Jean, buck up. You can’t let Charlotte and her father down after they’ve been so kind. That would be a terrible thing to do.’
Jean took a deep breath. ‘No, I can’t let Charlotte down. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I did. Come on, we’ll go in. But if you see me weakening, give me a good telling off.’
The friends walked up to the office in silence, but when Poppy was hanging her coat up, she turned her head to where Jean was taking the cover off her typewriter. ‘I can’t believe you’re frightened of Mr John. You should be on top of the world this morning, looking forward to giving your notice in. I’d swap places with you any day, because your life has been improved in every way. Nice people to work with, and a raise in pay into the bargain. It’ll be a pleasure getting out of bed every day.’
‘Poppy.’ Jean swivelled in her chair. You’ve heard him being rude to me, but he saves the worst until you go out to deliver the letters. Then he looks me up and down as though I’m scum, and his language is foul. That’s every day, and it’s normal. So what is he going to be like today, when I tell him I won’t be working for him after next week? He’ll hit the roof.’
‘Let him hit the roof. Don’t take any notice of him. If he sees you’re frightened he’ll go on all the more. He relishes seeing someone kowtow to him.’ Poppy felt like giving Jean a good shake, but it wouldn’t achieve anything: it would make matters worse. ‘Don’t you want to start your new job the week after next, or have you changed your mind?’
‘Oh, I want to go, Poppy. The atmosphere there is so much better than here. And Mr Robert is really nice. I can’t imagine him raising his voice, never mind swearing.’
Several unopened letters lay next to Poppy’s typewriter. It was part of the morning ritual. The staff in the front office would sort the post out and take it to the solicitor’s office it was intended for. ‘I’ll have to get started on this post, Jean, so we’ll talk later. And I’ve got two letters to answer from yesterday, which I must make sure catch the twelve o’clock post.’
Jean was at the filing cabinet, later, when Mr John came out of his office. ‘My office, now!’ he barked, bad temper written all over his face. He never passed the time of day with his staff; that was unheard of.
Poppy raised her brows as Jean was passing her desk, and mouthed, ‘Tell him now
, and get it over with.’ She leaned back in her chair to listen to any raising of voices. And she didn’t have to wait long, for Mr John was in a foul temper for some reason they would never know, and when Jean told him she was handing her notice in, he went berserk. Poppy was horrified. She heard him laughing like a maniac, asking who would give a dowdy spinster a job. She was an eyesore, she was no good at her job, and he certainly wouldn’t give her a reference.
Poppy found she couldn’t sit there and let a brute of a man talk like that to any woman, especially a friend. She scraped her chair back and strode towards Mr John’s office. She was so angry she didn’t knock, but walked straight in and up to his desk, where she stood next to a white-faced Jean. ‘How dare you speak to Miss Slater like that? What sort of monster are you to shout at a lady in language fit for the gutter?’
‘Get out of here!’ The man’s face was distorted with rage. ‘Who the hell do you think you are to barge in here without knocking? Get out, back to your typewriter, before you find yourself out on your ear.’
Words were racing around in Poppy’s head. When Jean left, she would be the one having to put up with being treated like a slave. Could she cope? Oh, no, her pride wouldn’t take being spoken to like that by anyone. ‘Oh, I’m not waiting for you to sack me. I’ve come in here to give you notice that I will be leaving at the same time as Miss Slater. We’ll be going down to the personnel office to hand in our notice officially at lunchtime. Until we do leave, if you try any of your dirty tricks, or even look sideways at us, I won’t hesitate to go to your father and tell him exactly what sort of man his son is. And how badly you treat your staff. He’ll find out anyway, because I fully intend to give your behaviour as my reason for leaving.’
John Sutherland’s veins were bulging, blue and purple, and beads of sweat were breaking out on his forehead. He looked very threatening, and Jean was terrified. ‘Let’s go, Poppy.’
