by Joan Jonker
‘That would be lovely,’ Jean said. ‘I don’t want to lose touch with you, Poppy, because without your help I wouldn’t have a new job to go to. And of course I do hope Charlotte keeps in touch.’
‘This is just a thought,’ Poppy said, ‘but what if our dinner hours don’t coincide? I know most offices close from one to two o’clock, but not all of them do.’
‘The girls in Papa’s office have a flexible lunch hour,’ Charlotte told them. ‘They take their lunch break to fit in with their work. Except for Papa and Andrew, who usually take their lunch break around two o’clock, or later. And of course they are not tied to time. Sometimes Andrew doesn’t bother, if he’s busy. He’ll have sandwiches sent in.’
As she was pushing the café door open Poppy said, laughingly, ‘That was very helpful, Charlotte. You have confused us now. So I think this Monday and Tuesday are out of the question, as I would probably be wasting my time. I’ll wait until Charlotte tells me what time you take your break, Jean. Will you be at the Grafton on Tuesday, Charlotte?’
‘Oh, yes, I’m really looking forward to it. And David is going as well. At least he promised he would.’
‘Then you can tell me what time Jean has her lunch break, and I’ll meet her here on Wednesday. Just to find out if she’s settled in her new job, and if she likes it And being nosy by nature, I’ll want to know about the people she’s working with.’
‘I’ll go to the counter and order,’ Jean said. ‘I’m not going to ask what you want, because it’s our last day and we’ll have what we always have.’ She took her purse from her pocket. ‘This is on me, for you’ve both been very good friends, and I hope it stays that way.’
Charlotte pulled her chair closer to Poppy’s. ‘Can I meet you here on Monday, Poppy? I know you’ll be wanting to look for a job, but you can spare an hour. I do enjoy being with you, and I’m lost at home. I don’t know what to do with myself. So say you’ll meet me, and perhaps Jean will be able to come. I could easily find out what her lunchtime is, but I know she wouldn’t want me to get involved. I don’t want our friendship to change just because of who I am. You wouldn’t ever stop being my friend, would you, Poppy? I’d be very sad if I lost you. Heartbroken, in fact.’
Poppy looked into the beautiful face, and found herself being moved by the appeal in the brown eyes as big as saucers. ‘You would make a fantastic actress, Charlotte. You have missed your vocation. You’ve brought tears to my eyes, that’s how good you are.’ She covered the girl’s hand with one of her own. ‘Of course I won’t stop being your friend. I wouldn’t care if you were the Queen, or as poor as a church mouse. I don’t choose friends for who they are, Charlotte, I choose them because I like them and enjoy their company. And because we will be there for each other when times are hard. And yes, I will meet you on Monday for lunch, but after that I can’t promise when I’ll see you again. At the Grafton, of course, because I need some pleasure in life. But not lunch every day, for I need to look for work, and I won’t be able to afford it. You can understand that, can’t you?’
Charlotte nodded. ‘Yes, of course I understand. I’ll meet you here on Monday.’ Her mind was working overtime, but she couldn’t tell Poppy what she was thinking. Her best bet was to have words with Papa tonight. She’d wangle a way to get him into his study, and tell him all the things in her head and her heart. ‘I don’t think you’ll be out of work long, Poppy. There must be plenty of offices looking for someone like you. Beautiful, intelligent, and kind.’
Jean came back carrying a heavily laden tray. ‘I told the girl at the counter I’d wait and carry the order myself, but I didn’t realize it would be so heavy. Would you take one of the plates off, Poppy, before I drop the lot?’
Poppy jumped to her feet. ‘You should have given me a shout, and I’d have lent a hand. It smells good, though. My tummy can smell it too and it’s starting to rumble. Mushroom soup is my favourite.’
Once the tray was emptied, Jean breathed a sigh of relief. ‘I’ll never offer to carry our lunch again. One of the waitresses can bring it.’ She stood the empty tray by the leg of the table before looking at Poppy. ‘Every soup is your favourite. If it’s vegetable, onion, tomato or mushroom, you always say it’s your favourite.’
‘Well, it is on that particular day! As my mam always says, hunger is good sauce. Everything tastes good when you’re hungry.’
‘I’d like to meet your mother, Poppy.’ Charlotte said. ‘She sounds nice.’
‘She’s more than nice, she’s lovely, and I love the bones of her. I was only nine when my dad died, and David was twelve, I think. So my mam had to be mother and father to us. She had a hard time, looking after us and working full time as well. We’d do anything for her, David and I, because, when money was scarce, there was always love and laughter to keep us warm.’
Charlotte was very moved. She’d never known what it was like to be cold and hungry, but she was learning that not everyone had the advantages that she had. ‘Do you think I will ever meet your mother, Poppy? I’m sure I’d really like her. She must be someone special to have children like you and David.’
‘Oh, dear, I can see you becoming a member of the Meadows family. You’ll be turning up on our doorstep with a blanket under your arm. And I’d have to turn you away because we only have three beds.’
Charlotte chuckled. ‘I can always sleep on your couch, or sit on a chair all night.’
‘You’ve left somewhere out,’ Poppy said, breaking off a piece of bread. ‘You didn’t mention the bath.’
‘Oh, Poppy, you are funny. However, I imagine it would be very uncomfortable trying to sleep in a bath, so I’ll settle for one of your chairs.’
You’d be well advised to settle for your own bed, sweetheart, for I’m sure you live in the lap of luxury. Not that it makes you any different from me or Jean, just that you probably get a better night’s sleep.’ Poppy screwed her eyes up and thought for a few seconds. Then she announced, ‘No, I make that sound as though my own bed is as hard as a plank of wood, and it isn’t. It’s really very comfortable and I snuggle up nice and warm.’
‘Me too!’ Jean said. ‘I have a very comfortable mattress, and my pillows are filled with the softest feathers. Same with Mother. She is very comfortable in her bed.’
Poppy chuckled. ‘Well, I must say this conversation is most interesting. It’s going to brighten up our day and put a spring in our step. I bet there is no one else in the whole of Liverpool who is having lunch with friends and discussing subjects like sleeping in a bath, beds that are as hard as a plank of wood, and feather pillows! Only old women would think that an interesting conversation. We should be discussing the latest fashion in clothes, whether we prefer two-inch heels or three-inch. Whether to let our hair grow to shoulder length or have it cut in a bob!’
‘There is one other thing we haven’t talked about that I’ve heard is a very popular topic of conversation,’ Jean said, ‘and that is the price of fish.’
Every customer in the café turned their heads at the burst of laughter. And the three friends were still chuckling when they stood outside the office block. ‘I enjoyed the lunch break,’ Poppy said. ‘It was like a happy farewell to Sutherland’s and went off with a bang.’
‘It was very funny, Poppy, about me sleeping in the bath, and the beds. And the price of fish was hilarious. I’m going over to see Papa now, and I’ll tell him all that has been said. I bet he’ll find it funny too.’
Before Poppy could stop them, the words came out. ‘Will you tell Andrew as well? You might as well brighten his day too!’
Ah, thought Charlotte, now that is a step forward. ‘Yes, I’ll go to Andrew’s office as well. I wouldn’t visit my father without also seeing my brother. Shall I tell Andrew you were asking after him?’
‘He won’t be interested. He’s probably got more on his mind. But if he does mention me, give him my regards.’
Jean looked at her watch. ‘We’d better go in, Poppy, it’s five to two. Don�
��t want to be late on the last day.’
‘You’re right, Jean. We want to leave with a clean record.’ Poppy squeezed Charlotte’s arm. ‘Whatever happens with Jean’s dinner break, I’ll meet you at the café on Monday at one o’clock. Is that a date?’
‘Oh, yes. I’m looking forward to it already. I’ll be there on the dot. And if Jean can’t be there, I’ll see her in the office and sort times out for the future. I hope we can continue as we have been. I’d miss our lunches very much.’
After looking at her watch again, Jean practically pulled Poppy up the steps, and they both turned at the top to wave to Charlotte.
Charlotte stood on the edge of the pavement and waited until the road was clear before crossing to the opposite side. Then she turned into Castle Street and hurried to the Wilkie-Brook’s office block.
‘Shall I tell your father you are here, Miss Charlotte?’ the receptionist asked. ‘He does have a client with him at the moment, but he should be free any time now.’
‘I’ll wait here then,’ Charlotte said, ‘and if the client is still there in ten minutes, you can ring my father and tell him I’m here. That might hurry their meeting along.’
‘Shall I make you a cup of tea while you’re waiting?’ the receptionist asked. ‘It won’t take a minute.’
‘Thank you, but no, I really couldn’t drink any more. I’ve just come from having lunch with friends. Don’t worry about me, I don’t mind waiting.’ Charlotte accepted the chair offered to her, and let her mind wander.
Her life had changed out of all recognition since the day she’d first met Poppy, and she felt as free as a bird. Now she was going to see her father, and she was sure he would find the conversation between her and her two friends really funny. She loved to hear his hearty laughter, and he always looked much younger when he was laughing. His home life was happy, as it was for her and Andrew, but real laughter was seldom heard in the large house. And when she’d spent some time with her father, she’d climb the stairs to Andrew’s office and cheer him up. And she had every intention of adding a few words to what Poppy had said. It was naughty, she knew, but it was in a good cause. She was hoping it would make him more daring next time he met Poppy. And that would be on Tuesday at the Grafton.
Charlotte noticed a gentleman passing the reception room, donning a hard hat before shaking his gloves and slipping his fingers into the soft kid. Then she heard the receptionist lift the telephone and dial a number. ‘Your daughter is in reception, Mr George. Shall I send her in?’
Charlotte was already out of the door when the receptionist said, ‘You can go in now, Miss Charlotte.’
Swivelling in his chair, George’s face lit up when his daughter came into the room. She always looked so happy, it seemed the room was filled with sunshine. ‘Well, young lady, what have you been up to that put that smile on your face?’
‘I’ve been to lunch with Jean and Poppy, and, oh, Papa, we have had so many laughs. It started when Poppy was talking about her mother, and I asked if I could meet her. Poppy said she could see me turning up on her doorstep one day with a blanket under my arm.’ Charlotte was in full flow now, and took George from sleeping in the bath to Jean’s saying one topic they hadn’t discussed was the price of fish.
Charlotte had a knack of impersonating people, and her facial expression changed to suit Poppy’s way of speaking, then Jean’s. George’s chuckle gradually turned into hearty laughter, and behind the laughter was his pleasure at the change in his daughter. She was no longer tied to the house every day, which was stifling and unhealthy for a young girl with a love for life and friends of her own age. It had been a lucky day for her when her brother had knocked a stranger over outside their office.
‘You really do get on well with Poppy, don’t you, my dear?’
Charlotte nodded. ‘I love Poppy, she’s my very best friend. And she has had a lot of sadness, too, Papa. Her father died when she was only nine, and David was twelve. And their mother had to go out to work to earn money to keep them. She adores her mother, and do you know what she said? She said she loves the bones of her.’
‘She must indeed be a fine woman, Poppy’s mother. And I can believe that her two children must love her very much.’ George nodded. ‘Yes, love her bones indeed! What a wonderful way of expressing it.’
‘Poppy has called me sweetheart several times, and when I told her I liked her calling me that she told me her mother has always called her sweetheart.’
George’s thoughts were very deep. Since meeting Poppy his beloved daughter had learned more about the lives of people not as fortunate as herself than her private education, and her parents, had ever taught her. ‘Would you like me to call you sweetheart? I would be very happy to, if you’ll let me.’
Charlotte’s eyes were like saucers. ‘Oh, Papa, that would be lovely! I’ll tell Poppy when I see her on Monday.’ Then the smile left her face. ‘But I don’t think Mama would like it.’
‘My dear girl, your mother would be delighted! I’m quite sure she will insist on being allowed to use the endearment herself.’
The sigh that came from Charlotte was one of happiness. ‘It’s been a lovely day, Papa, and now I’m going up to Andrew’s office. I have some news which will make him happy. I’ll add a bit to it, but it’s not wrong if what you add is to cheer someone up, is it?’
‘I’ll have to give that some thought, my dear, but I’m sure what you say is right. Now off you go, and I’ll see you later.’
Charlotte was humming as she climbed the steps to her brother’s office. The tune was one they played at the Grafton for a slow foxtrot, titled ‘I’ll See You In My Dreams’, and the girl thought it was very romantic. When she reached the office of Andrew’s secretary she asked, ‘Is my brother in, Wendy?’
‘Yes, Miss Charlotte. I’ll let him know you’re here.’
‘There’s no need,’ Charlotte said with an impish grin. ‘He’ll know I’m here when he sees me.’
Andrew was on the phone to a client, and with a finger he indicated that Charlotte should take a seat and not interrupt. Minutes later, his conversation finished, he set the phone down in its cradle and turned his attention to his sister. ‘You are looking very much like the cat that got the cream, my dear sister. What have you been up to?’
‘I’ve just come from Father’s office. I’ve been telling him how much I enjoyed having lunch with Poppy and Jean. We had some fun, Andrew. Would you like me to tell you? I bet you would laugh as much as Papa did.’
Andrew closed the file on his desk and put it into a side drawer. ‘Work is finished for this week, Charlotte, so go ahead and let the fun begin.’
Charlotte put on a better show for her brother because she was now word perfect, and went through all the actions. Next door, in her office, Wendy couldn’t hear every word, or see any of the actions, but Mr Andrew’s laughter was so hearty and infectious the secretary found herself laughing along with him.
‘You’ve enjoyed yourself today, Charlotte.’ Andrew was tapping the top of his desk with a pencil. ‘There has been a big improvement in your life. Does Mother know where you go and what you do? She’s never mentioned it in my presence.’
‘Some of the things I tell her are true, Andrew, and others are not so true. You know she knows about Poppy, and has even said she would like to meet her. But you also know what Mother is like, and I’m not taking a chance on her spoiling my friendship with Poppy.’
‘How is Poppy, by the way?’ Andrew tried to make his voice sound neutral, as though her answer wouldn’t be of great interest, but he couldn’t fool his sister.
‘Oh, she’s fine. Except I think she’s worried about her job. This is her last day at Sutherland’s. But she did ask how you were, and say I was to give you her regards.’
Andrew sat upright in his chair. ‘Did she really say that, Charlotte, or is it something you’ve made up?’
Charlotte was quick to answer. ‘No, I did not make it up, and you can ask her yourself next ti
me you see her.’
‘No, I believe you. And I’m sorry she’s worried about finding another job, but I’m sure she won’t find it a problem. Her appearance alone will stand her in good stead.’
‘Do you know what I think would be nice, Andrew, and I’m sure Poppy would love it. We could take her to the inn in the country. That would really take her mind off her worries.’
‘I’d leave that idea alone if I were you, Charlotte. We are only just making friends and I don’t want to rush things. It’s a nice thought, but not for the time being. I’ve only just got to the stage where she’s talking to me, and actually looking into my face. Please don’t spoil things for me. I know I sound like a lovesick teenager, but Poppy is the only girl I’ve ever felt like this about, and I don’t want to lose her.’
‘You won’t lose her, Andrew, because I believe she is really starting to like you. I can tell because she doesn’t pull back now when you hold her hand. That is a definite improvement, and a good sign. I’m meeting her on Monday at the café, and as she’s not working I’ll try to coax her to come here to see you.’
‘Don’t overdo it, Charlotte, please, or she’ll think I’m not capable of finding a girl without your help.’
‘No, she won’t. She won’t see anything wrong in my wanting to see my own brother when I’m in the city. She’ll be at a loose end, for she won’t have found a job before one o’clock on Monday.’
Poppy hung her coat up and put her handbag down by the side of her desk. ‘It won’t be long now, Jean. Three hours and we’ll have seen the last of this place.’
Jean nodded, but put a finger to her lips to warn Poppy not to say too much because Mr Hammond was in Mr John’s office. He was a nice man, very polite and gentlemanly. Jean fleetingly wished that he had taken over Mr John’s office years ago. How different her life would have been.
Both women turned when the office door opened and Mr Hammond came out. ‘Miss Meadows, Mr John Senior would like to see you in his office if you wouldn’t mind. Shall I take you, or can you remember your way there?’
