One Rainy Day

by Joan Jonker

  ‘You can tell me later. Let’s get in. We don’t want to give Mr John an excuse to contradict what we told personnel.’

  The two women were in for a shock, though, for by nine thirty Mr John had not put in an appearance. Poppy got on dealing with the mail as usual, and typed a few letters, but still no sign of their boss. There was nothing else for her to do, or Jean, until clients’ letters had been seen by Mr John, and answers to them dictated to Jean. This left the two women doing jobs that really didn’t need doing, like making sure the files in the filing cabinets were in order. Which they were, for that was one of Poppy’s responsibilities.

  ‘I wonder where he is?’ Jean said in a whisper. ‘Perhaps he’s not well, or he’s had an accident.’

  ‘That would be too much of a coincidence, Jean,’ Poppy said. ‘There’s more to it than that, I’ll bet. And I definitely think it has something to do with what happened on Friday. But I’m surprised that no one has come to tell us what is going on.’

  Just at that moment the office door opened and a strange man came into the room. He was tall and middle-aged, with a receding hairline and a healthy complexion. The two women had seen him many times in the building, but didn’t know who he was.

  ‘Good morning, ladies. My name is Cecil Hammond and I work upstairs with Mr Sutherland Senior. He has asked if you would be kind enough to go to his office, and I am to take you. I believe you are Miss Slater and Miss Meadows?’

  Poppy nodded, for Jean was looking uncomfortable. ‘I’m Miss Meadows, and my colleague is Miss Slater. Can you tell us why Mr Sutherland wants to see us? Is Mr John not well?’

  Mr Hammond waved them to the door. ‘I will leave it to Mr Sutherland Senior to explain why he wishes to see you. Please follow me.’

  The two women didn’t speak as they walked up the stone steps to the floor above. They passed the first door, then Mr Hammond opened the second door with a flourish. ‘Miss Slater and Miss Meadows, Mr Sutherland.’

  The man seated behind the desk left his chair and walked towards them with hand outstretched. He looked to be in his sixties, with white hair, medium build and rounded shoulders. After shaking hands, he pointed to the two chairs set down to face him across the desk. ‘Take a seat, please, ladies.’

  When the women were seated, Mr Sutherland leaned his two elbows on the desk and made a temple of his fingers. ‘I was given some unsettling news on Friday from the Personnel office. Two members of staff, both working in my son’s office, had handed in their notice. The reasons I was given for this were garbled, and I would like to hear from the two members of staff involved what their reasons were for wanting to leave the firm. You have nothing to fear, I can assure you, but I really would like the truth. It is my firm, and I am therefore responsible for what happens to members of my staff. So, please, what is the real reason you have decided you no longer wish to work here?’

  The two women exchanged glances, and Poppy saw that Jean was a bag of nerves. ‘I will tell you, Mr Sutherland, and Miss Slater can interrupt if I miss anything out, or if she doesn’t agree with any part of my version.’

  Poppy started from the time she walked into the office on the Friday morning, and told him everything. She saw Mr Sutherland slowly shaking his head, and there seemed to be sadness mixed with his bewilderment. Poppy felt sorry for him, but he had every right to know what was going on in what he called his firm. ‘Miss Slater has been subjected to Mr John’s temper and rudeness for the many years she’s worked here, and I too have had reason to dislike much of his attitude. But I’m not as shy or gentle as Miss Slater, and I put up with it because I needed the job. However, I would never have tolerated the temper and bad language that my colleague had to suffer. And last Friday was the last straw. When Miss Slater told Mr John she was handing her notice in because she’d been offered a job elsewhere, with better conditions and a higher salary, he went crazy. I was in my own office and as I did every other morning I wondered how she could stand there and have insults hurled at her. Then he criticized her looks and her ability, and I couldn’t sit and listen to a lady … and Miss Slater is a lady … being insulted. So I went in for her sake, really, and he bawled at me to get out. So I decided I’d leave when Jean leaves.’ Poppy heaved a sigh. ‘And that is it, Mr Sutherland, but you can ask Miss Slater for her version if you wish.’

  ‘No, I’ve heard enough, and I can’t tell you how sorry I am. An apology isn’t enough for what you have suffered, especially Miss Slater, so I would very much like you both to withdraw your resignation. I can assure you there would be no repeat of the harsh treatment you were made to undergo.’

  For the first time, Jean spoke. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, but I have been offered a job elsewhere, and I start next Monday. I couldn’t back out of the agreement now, not after my new employer was kind enough to take me on.’

  ‘Then I can only apologize once again,’ Mr Sutherland said, ‘and wish you well in your new job.’ He looked at Poppy. ‘What about you, Miss Meadows? Can I coax you to stay on?’

  Poppy didn’t have to consider the offer, for she was quite sure she didn’t want to come back into this building after Friday. She’d never been happy here. But she did have some sympathy for Mr Sutherland. He couldn’t be held responsible for his son’s actions. ‘I’m sorry, Mr Sutherland, I had already made up my mind to move on. But I do appreciate your kind offer. Miss Slater and I are sorry you have become involved in a situation which must be upsetting for you.’

  The two women would never know how hurt and disgusted Mr Sutherland had been by his son’s behaviour. There had been strong words between father and son, and Mr John had been told to expect a large drop in salary, until he proved himself worthy of his father’s trust. And for the foreseeable future a watchful eye would be kept on him.

  ‘I wish both of you well, and hope you will be happy in whatever position you take.’ He shook hands with both women. ‘Mr Hammond will be taking over my son’s office for the rest of this week, and I would be grateful if you would help him familiarize himself with the daily routine, and also our valuable clients. I am sure with your help the office will work as normal and none of our clients’ business need be disrupted.’ He waved a hand towards the door. ‘I’m sure you will get on well together, for Mr Hammond is an old friend and colleague.’

  When the two women returned to their office, Mr Hammond asked if Jean would acquaint him with the filing system. But Jean suggested it would be better to sort the post so the day to day running of the office would continue as usual. It was a priority to answer the day’s correspondence, and they should start immediately so that the letters could catch the post that afternoon. She retired, with Mr Hammond, to Mr John’s office, where she read each letter out to him and suggested what the reply should be. Having worked for years with the same clients, she knew their business inside out. Mr Hammond was amazed at her efficiency, and was quite happy for her to take over the day’s work. Tomorrow he would start asking questions, but today he’d leave it to the two capable members of staff to get the office back on track.

  The two women worked as a team, with Jean typing replies, and Poppy addressing the envelopes ready for posting that day. They wouldn’t catch the lunchtime post, but the four o’clock collection would see them arriving at their destination the next morning.

  ‘I’ve got two letters for Mr Fortune’s office, Jean,’ Poppy told her. ‘Shall I run up with them now?’

  Jean, her fingers flying over the keys, nodded. ‘We’re late for dinner, you know. It’s half past one.’

  ‘We can go out when I come back from Fortune’s. The café is open all afternoon, thank goodness, ’cos I’m feeling peckish now.’ Poppy slipped her coat on and picked up the letters. ‘I’ll be as quick as I can.’ Once outside the building, she didn’t dawdle. She took to her heels and walked as fast as her legs would carry her. When she reached her destination she was out of breath, and her eyes went to the ceiling when she passed the two letters over to Amy. ‘It’s hectic in
our office, Amy, so would you take those up to Mr Simon right away, and ask if there’s any reply?’

  ‘Why, what’s the panic?’ Amy was disappointed. She’d been hoping for a chinwag to brighten up her day. ‘Someone ill, or what?’

  ‘Mr John didn’t come in. He’s got a cold, apparently,’ Poppy lied. Amy loved listening to gossip and passing it on to all and sundry. If Poppy told her the truth, it would be round every office in Liverpool before the day was out. ‘Me and Jean are running the office, and we’re rushed off our feet. We haven’t even had a dinner break yet, and I’m starving. So be an angel and see if you can get a quick answer from Mr Simon. If I don’t get a drink or something to eat soon, I’ll be passing out.’

  ‘I’ll try, seeing as it’s you. Lean on the counter for support, ’cos I don’t want to come back and find you passed out on the floor.’

  Five minutes later Amy came back to say there was no reply. After thanking her profusely, Poppy set off back to Sutherland’s and Jean. And it was a different Jean from the one she’d worked with for nearly four years. Allowed to work as she wanted to, without fear of being shouted at, the new Jean was confident and efficient. The change in her was unbelievable, and Poppy was full of praise for her. ‘You could run this office on your own, Jean, as long as you had someone like me to help out. You’d leave Mr John standing. In fact you’ve been doing his job for years.’

  ‘Thank you, Poppy. I’ve got to say I’ve enjoyed this morning, doing what I know needed doing, without someone bawling at me. If he were to walk in now, I wouldn’t take orders from him. And Mr Hammond said I’ve done remarkably well. He’s going to get more involved tomorrow, when we’re back to normal.’

  Jean, will you shut up now, please, and let’s go for something to eat. I’m absolutely starving! Put your coat on and let’s go. Never mind straightening the papers and putting the cover on the typewriter. I warn you, I’m in danger of dying of starvation any minute.’

  Feeling ten years younger, and lighter in heart, Jean linked arms as they walked out of the office door. ‘Poppy Meadows, you don’t half exaggerate.’

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Poppy stood in the corridor of the school waiting for the lesson to be over. She could see through the glass that the pupils were closing their books and putting them in briefcases or handbags Tonight was the last night of the course, and all the pupils would be getting a reference from Mr Jones, the teacher. Poppy couldn’t wait to get hers. But she couldn’t just barge in and expect him to hand over her reference before the other pupils. So she waited, and as she watched she noticed such a difference in the atmosphere, she could almost feel it from where she stood. There were smiles on all the faces, and she could hear the good-natured banter. The ordeal was over now, and each one of the people in that room would be receiving a reference to say they had passed the course and could add shorthand to their list of qualifications when applying for a job.

  While Poppy’s main objective in coming tonight had been to pick up her reference, she did have another reason. She wanted to say goodbye to Joy and Jane, who had befriended her when she was feeling lonely, having joined the course when it was in its third week. They’d been really good to her, walking her to the bus stop and waiting with her to see she got on safely. She would have been lost without them.

  Then Poppy saw some of the men and women walking towards Mr Jones’s desk, so she pushed the door open, smiled as she passed him, and made her way to where her two friends were sitting.

  ‘We were just talking about you,’ Jane said. ‘It’s a wonder yer ears weren’t burning.’

  Joy chuckled. ‘Why don’t yer tell her the truth! We were calling yer all the lousy beggars going for not coming to see us to say goodbye.’

  ‘I’ve been standing in the corridor for ages,’ Poppy told them. ‘I didn’t like coming in until the lesson was over. You might have known I wouldn’t miss seeing you for the last time. You’ve been good mates, and I don’t forget people who have been good to me.’

  ‘Ah, you’re making me feel sad,’ Joy said. ‘We’ll walk yer to the bus stop tonight for the last time.’

  ‘Oh, dear, dear, dear,’ Jane tutted. ‘I hope you’ve got a hanky with yer, Joy, ’cos I can’t stand people who use the back of their hand. Dirty beggars.’

  ‘You’ll soon cheer up when you read the good reference Mr Jones has for you,’ Poppy said. ‘You’ll be walking tall with your shoulders straight and your head held high.’

  Jane pulled a face. ‘Didn’t you hear him say none of the envelopes are to be opened in the school?’

  ‘No!’ Poppy shook her head. ‘Why can’t we open them?’

  Joy piped up. ‘I can understand why he’s said that. Think of all the commotion if someone didn’t get as good a mark as they were expecting, and the person next to them got good marks and started bragging. It would cause mayhem! I know I’ll be mad if you get higher marks than me.’

  Poppy agreed. ‘I can just see this room looking like a battlefield. That wouldn’t happen, I was exaggerating, but some of us might get a big disappointment.’ She looked over to the teacher’s desk, and there were only about ten people in the queue. ‘We may as well join the line. I feel a bit sorry for Mr Jones. He’s done his job, and it’s not his fault if some of us don’t make the grade.’

  ‘Oh, you’ll have made the grade, Poppy,’ Jane said. ‘You’re his blue-eyed girl.’

  ‘Listen, Jane, if I get a good reference I’ll have deserved it. Ever since the first night I came here, I’ve spent all my spare time working on it. At least two hours every day, and all day Saturday and Sunday. I’ve worked ruddy hard and expect a good report.’

  ‘I was only joking,’ Jane told her. ‘Don’t be getting in a twist.’

  ‘Some things are not funny, Jane,’ Joy said, ‘and that wasn’t funny. I’m fed up telling you to think before you open your mouth.’

  ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, don’t let’s fall out,’ Poppy said. ‘We’ve been good friends and I’d like to remember you as friends, and not scratching each other’s eyes out.’

  ‘Me and Jane are always arguing,’ Joy said, smiling. ‘If we didn’t have a row every night, we’d think we were sickening for something. We never carry it over to the next day, though, because neither of us can remember what the argument was over.’

  ‘We can remember what it wasn’t about,’ Jane said. ‘And that’s a feller, because we haven’t got one. We are doomed to be old maids.’

  ‘Don’t be daft,’ Poppy said. ‘Anyone listening to you would think you were ancient. I’ve told you if yer went dancing you’d soon meet some nice blokes.’ She noticed there were only three people at Mr Jones’s desk. ‘Come on, there’s only three there now, let’s get our results before the caretaker comes to lock up. And I’m not opening the envelope until I get home. My mam will have the kettle on the boil, and I’ll sit by the fire with a cup of tea and read what fate has in store for me.’

  Mr Jones looked over his glasses and smiled. ‘Good evening to you, ladies. I hope you have found the course rewarding, and that it will help you in your careers.’ He handed each of them a sealed envelope. ‘There will be another four-month course starting in late autumn if you feel you would benefit from a refresher course. Not that I think you’ll need it, ladies. I’m quite sure you are all capable of moving onwards and upwards. I wish you the best of luck for the future.’

  Outside the gates of the school the three women stood holding the envelopes in their hands. ‘I’ve a good mind to open mine now,’ Jane said. ‘I can’t wait until I get home. I haven’t got the patience.’

  ‘Well, if you do, don’t you dare read it out loud, or I’ll clock you one,’ Joy told her. ‘Keep it to yerself because I don’t want to know, not before I know how I’ve got on myself.’

  ‘Me neither.’ Poppy opened her handbag and slipped the envelope inside. ‘When I do open it, I’ll either jump for joy, or cry my eyes out. And I don’t intend doing either in the main road
with people going past.’

  ‘Mine’s going in my bag as well.’ Joy’s bag wasn’t very big, so she had to fold the envelope. Then she began to chuckle. ‘I’m just thinking. I wonder if I’ll sleep better if I read the report before I go to bed, or whether I’d sleep better not knowing?’

  ‘You’d get no sleep at all if you don’t open it, soft girl,’ Jane said.’ At least if you open it you’ve got a fifty per cent chance of sleeping, and a fifty per cent chance of being awake all night. So, like the saying goes, yer pays yer money and yer takes yer chance.’

  ‘Make up your mind on the way to the bus stop.’ Poppy slipped in between the two friends and linked their arms. ‘And as it’s the last time you’ll be escorting me, let us part on a happy note, with smiles on our faces. For my part it’s been a pleasure knowing you, and I wish you well in the future. And just for interest, if you ever do decide to take up dancing, I go to the Grafton at least two or three times a week. It would be a lovely surprise to see you there.’

  ‘I’ve been trying to talk Jane into going to that Millington’s place you told us about, but it’s like talking to meself. I’ve mentioned it to a few people at work, and apparently Connie Millington is very well known. One of me workmates said if Connie Millington can’t make a dancer out of yer, then there’s no use in trying.’

  They were at the bus stop now, and Poppy could see a bus in the distance coming towards them. ‘Here’s my bus coming, so I’ll say my farewell.’ She hugged and kissed both women. ‘Take care of yourselves and never fall out. You’ve got a good friendship going, so don’t ever let anything come between you.’

  The bus came to a stop and Poppy hopped on board. ‘Thanks again for looking after me. Ta-ra.’ The bus started up and she stood on the platform waving until the two friends were out of sight. Then she took a seat, patted her handbag, and hoped the reference inside was good enough for her to start applying for a post as a private secretary. And until the bus reached the end of her journey, she kept her fingers crossed.