by Anna King
‘I would very much like to dress you, madam.’ Her eyes were on Annie. ‘Let me see now…’ Expertly she assessed Annie’s body. ‘I would hazard a guess at your size, madam. You fit a forty hip; am I correct in my assumption?’
Annie could feel her face flush, and chastised herself for an old fool. What was she afraid of anyway? More to the point, when would she get another chance to be fussed over in a swanky shop like this? Besides, this woman had been kindness itself since they had first walked through the door.
Annie relaxed.
‘I’ve been making me own clothes for donkey’s years, and using the same auld pattern; but aye, you’re probably right.’ Her confidence returning, she stepped nearer the cupboard. She had willed herself to remain polite but aloof; that was until she saw the rows of clothes hanging on a gold-plated rail. Beside her Jane gasped audibly, for she too had never seen such grand clothes as these – not even in all the posh, well-known stores in Oxford Street.
Edna saw their open appreciation and felt a warm glow of pride. She searched through the rows of clothes, her hand resting on a silver-grey costume. It was a plain outfit, but the cut of the design and the feel of the cloth screamed quality.
‘I think this will fit you, madam. Unless you don’t like it. There are many outfits I can show you. I can also assure you that every garment you see is my own original design. So when you wear it for a party, or social occasion, you won’t have to worry that another woman will turn up in the same costume.’
Annie let out a gusty laugh.
‘I don’t think there’s any chance of that, love, not where we live.’ Then her mood changed. Taking the soft material, she ran her hands over the smooth silk, her eyes wistful. She had never been a woman to covet expensive clothes. Raised in Ireland, one of eight children, living from hand to mouth, she had been grateful for any item of clothing. It had been the same when she married and started a family. Her top priority, like her mother before her, had been to make sure her children were fed and warm. Their clothes had either been bought from Paddy’s Market, or she had made them herself. So the notion of one day wearing fine clothes had never even entered her mind.
Now, looking at the outfit draped over her arms, Annie felt a sudden urge to cry. She again felt the soft fabric, then she too was in a cubicle. For five long, agonising minutes she stood still, holding the material as if it would break if handled too roughly. Then she was pulling off her old clothes with indecent haste.
Slightly nervous at being left on her own, Jane gulped loudly as the posh lady said, ‘Well now, miss. Have you seen anything that has caught your eye?’
There was so much genuine warmth in the woman’s voice that Jane responded happily, ‘Oh, yes, lady.’ She let her fingers lovingly caress the rows of gowns. ‘Everything. Just about everything in your beautiful shop.’
She let out a joyous laugh, and the sound brought a feeling of awe and admiration to Edna’s heart for this girl who couldn’t be much more than fifteen and was afflicted with such a terrible blight on her beautiful face.
‘May I try on this one, please?’ Jane was holding a sky-blue linen dress up against her slim figure.
‘But of course, my dear, of course.’
Edna led the excited girl to the only empty cubicle left. As she had done with Josie and Annie, she pulled the curtain across to afford privacy, even though the shop was closed. Then she stood back and waited, and was surprised to find her stomach churning with pleasurable excitement. She hadn’t felt this way for years.
After several minutes the end curtain was pulled back and Edna found she was holding her breath, then Josie stepped out and Edna exhaled.
‘Does… does it look all right?’ Josie asked hesitantly.
Edna’s hands were folded across her flat stomach as she surveyed the woman before her. The transformation was extraordinary. The red dress fitted as if it had been made for her, except for the length. It was a little short, just covering Josie’s ankles, revealing the soft red leather shoes beneath.
‘You look magnificent, madam. It only needs lengthening a bit, but that can soon be remedied.’
Josie looked down.
‘Actually, I prefer it like this. It would be a shame to drag the skirt along the street. It would be filthy before I got home. Besides…’ She smiled shyly. ‘What’s the point of wearing these lovely shoes if they’re gonna be covered up? The only thing I’m worried about is that I’ve lost quite a lot of weight lately. Now I’m feeling better I’m bound to put it back on again,’ she said, adding almost apologetically, ‘I do like me food.’
‘Well then, madam, perhaps this outfit will harden your resolve to keep slim.’
They fell silent, and for a few minutes it seemed as if they were the only two in the room. Then the moment was shattered by Annie’s booming voice.
‘Will someone help me with these confounded fastenings. Jasus, but a body could tie themselves in knots trying to keep their modesty.’
Annie came trailing out of the cubicle, her hands behind her back, fiddling with the hooks that bound the dress together.
Edna sprang forward.
‘Here, madam, let me help. It is quite easy once one gets the hang of it.’
Annie grunted.
‘If ye say so, but I don’t have the time to waste—’
She lifted her head and stopped, her jaw dropping at the sight of Josie.
‘Holy Mary! Begod, Josie, sure an’ ye look like a princess.’
Josie blushed, her head swinging from side to side. She wasn’t used to compliments.
‘Don’t ye be shaking your head at me, Josie Guntrip. Ye look gorgeous, doesn’t she?’ Annie turned to Edna. ‘Will ye tell her, woman?’
Before Edna could confirm Annie’s remark, she heard the swish of a curtain, then Jane was staring at Josie, her expression mirroring that of her mother.
‘Ooh, Josie,’ she breathed quietly in admiration.
A sudden clapping of hands brought their attention back to the proprietor.
‘Now, now, ladies. We still have work to do. If you will permit me?’
She looked to Josie. A little bewildered, Josie followed the prim, kindly woman to the saloon, and let herself be seated in a blue velvet chair. She gazed at her reflection in the gilt-edged mirror. She hardly recognised herself. Then she felt gentle hands undo her French pleat, allowing her hair to fall in soft curls framing her face. But Edna hadn’t finished yet. Her steps light, she pulled open a drawer and took out an embroidered box. Taking out a sparkling jet necklace, she placed it around Josie’s neck. Then she fastened a pair of matching earrings to Josie’s lobes and stood back for a better look.
There was a silence in the air that was almost palpable.
Josie stared back at her reflection in wonderment and felt tears prick the back of her eyes – and hers weren’t the only eyes in the room that were moist.
Edna busied herself fastening the back of Annie’s dress. It wouldn’t do to show emotion in front of customers.
‘You will need a corset, madam,’ she was saying to Annie. ‘It will give the costume a better fit. I can also attach a bustle, if you like.’
Standing in front of a full-length mirror, Annie stared at her reflection, hardly recognising herself. She gave a short laugh to cover her embarrassment.
‘Me backside’s big enough, thanks very much, and I’ve never worn a corset in all me life.’
With the dress fastened, Annie could see the rolls of fat around her stomach and waist, her excess weight emphasised by the cut of the expensive cloth, and felt a wave of shame. There was a time when she’d had a beautiful figure. Then the children had started to arrive, and with each birth she had put on a little more weight. It had been a gradual process and Paddy had never complained. Oh, he’d teased her from time to time about her expanding figure, but his words had always been spoken with love.
‘If you would like to try on another outfit, madam, I have a selection in larger sizes.’ Edna was wa
tching Annie with concern, as if she could read the older woman’s thoughts.
Annie looked again at her reflection. It was a lovely costume. From the moment she had seen it, she had set her heart on having it.
‘No thanks. This one will do just fine. But you’re right about me needing a corset. You’d best be getting me the strongest one you’ve got, ’cos it’s going to have its work cut out to make this body look presentable.’
Chapter Ten
The women had entered the shop just after twelve. It was now two o’clock, and they were still there, sitting in their new finery, drinking tea from bone china cups and generally getting on like a house on fire. Josie had parted with almost thirty pounds as if they were shillings, and she didn’t begrudge a penny of it.
In the past two hours all formality had been dropped. Every one of the women had had a hugely enjoyable time, and, if asked about their day, each would have given a different version.
Annie had experienced her first day up the West End; and her last, for all she’d enjoyed it. She had come up here for Josie’s sake, but even though the owner of this place had been kind, the East End markets were where she belonged. But she would always remember this day, and she had a new outfit to remind her. She couldn’t wait to show it off to Paddy and the lads, though where she would get the chance to wear it she didn’t know. Unless Pat married that loose piece. It would almost be worth having Freda for a daughter-in-law if it gave her the chance to show off her new look. She shuddered at the thought.
Jane, on the other hand, couldn’t wait to show off her new blue dress, and the soft lemon blouse and skirt Josie had so kindly bought for her. But the clothes weren’t the only new things Jane had acquired; for Edna Walker had kindly shown the young girl how to apply make-up. Annie hadn’t been too pleased about that, as she considered any woman wearing make-up to be either an actress or a woman of loose morals. But even she had grudgingly admitted that the expert application of foundation did wonders in toning down Jane’s birthmark, giving her daughter some much-needed confidence.
But it was Josie’s day, and what a day it had been. And it wasn’t over yet.
When it was time to leave, both Josie and Annie prepared to change back into their everyday clothes, but Edna Walker wouldn’t hear of it. Before they could protest, she had their old clothes packed neatly away in expensive-looking carrier bags and was shooing them out of the shop, a wide smile on her face.
Closing the door, Edna went to the window to watch the three women walk away. When they had disappeared from view, she dropped the curtain. Still smiling, she began to tidy up before leaving for home.
* * *
When the door closed behind them, Jane, with the exuberance of youth, almost skipped away from the shop, eager to show off her new appearance. Josie and Annie, on the other hand, stayed rooted to the spot, feeling exposed and uncomfortable. Then Josie felt a warm, rough hand grasp hers and gained a modicum of comfort from the gesture.
Like children pushed out into the world for the first time, they walked slowly behind Jane, their steps quickening as they realised that, instead of looking out of place, they now blended in with the affluent pedestrians.
Becoming braver with each step, they began to relax, their postures straightening, their heads held high. Gentlemen raised their hats as they passed, and Annie couldn’t help but hope she would run into that snooty pair who had treated her like dirt. But what really lifted their spirits was when they walked past a group of workmen, and elicited loud, appreciative whistles; plus a few colourful comments that made Josie blush.
As they continued their journey, Josie attracted many admiring glances. She cut a splendid figure in the dark red costume and matching silk hat. She hadn’t been sure about the hat at first. It was small and elegant, with a wisp of lace adorning the edge, and complemented the outfit perfectly.
With the sun picking out the flecks of gold in her shiny brown hair, she presented a splendid sight.
A sudden rumbling in her stomach reminded Jane that none of them had eaten since breakfast.
‘I don’t know about you two, but I’m starving. Let’s find a restaurant. There must be dozens of them up here.’
‘You’re being very generous with Josie’s money, aren’t ye, love?’ Annie remonstrated with her daughter.
‘It’s all right, Annie. I was thinking the same meself. I wouldn’t have gone into one of those places before. But now…’ She grinned. ‘If I say so meself, we’ve scrubbed up well. We’re as good as any of this lot. Besides, I’m sweating in this lot. I wish I’d asked Mrs Walker to put the coat in with me old clothes now. So let’s find a restaurant before we pass out or lose our nerve; or both.’
Annie nodded in agreement, the sweat pouring from her.
‘You’re right enough there, love. Though I’m not sure if I’ll be able to sit down in this blasted corset. I feel like a trussed-up turkey waiting to go into the oven.’
She stopped for a rest and caught sight of herself in the window of a bakery, and suddenly she forgot her discomfort. Even though she knew she looked grand, she still wasn’t entirely happy with the grey hat that accompanied her new look. To her mind it looked like a dead pigeon perched on her head, and she said as much to Josie and Jane. Her comment brought forth gales of laughter from the younger women, which in turn attracted attention from passers-by.
The women walked on, still laughing. They hadn’t gone more than a few steps before stopping outside a swish-looking restaurant.
‘This one looks all right… doesn’t it?’ Josie asked tentatively.
Annie pressed her nose against the patterned glass, trying to see inside, though with no success. Instead she turned her attention to the menu displayed outside.
‘Jasus! Would ye look at these prices. It’s downright robbery…’
‘Annie!’ Josie laughed. ‘I doubt any of us will be coming back up here in a hurry, so let’s round off the day with a nice meal.’
Before Annie could protest further, Josie, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, had opened the glass-panelled door and ushered Jane and Annie inside.
They were greeted by a waiter impeccably dressed in a starched white shirt, black waistcoat and pin-striped trousers with a front pleat so sharp they looked as if they could cut paper.
‘Good afternoon, ladies. If you would care to follow me, I’ll lead you to your table; unless of course you’ve made a reservation.’
Flustered, Annie turned to Josie for guidance, but Josie’s attention was elsewhere. Following her friend’s gaze, Annie jumped as her own eyes came to rest on a couple sitting far back in the corner, their hands entwined, their heads close together in intimate conversation. The man said something then laughed. Picking up his glass, Rory idly glanced towards the door and almost jumped out of his chair at the sight of his mother, sister and Josie framed in the doorway.
Chapter Eleven
Rory looked into his wallet for the umpteenth time, his stomach churning as he realised how quickly his savings were dwindling. If he continued spending at this rate, he would be broke within a month; if not sooner. He had been giving his mother a bit extra along with his housekeeping every week since he’d first started work. Since Cathy had come back he had stopped this practice. He had been prepared for an inquisition from his mother, and that first week had braced himself for an ear-bashing. But Annie had just looked at the money, then up at him, before turning her back on him. And that had scared him far more than his mother’s temper ever could.
For weeks he had been expecting some comment about where he was disappearing off to for hours on end, because before Cathy had come home he had spent all his free time with his brothers. He knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that his entire family must be aware of his renewed relationship with Cathy, yet so far no one had said a word – not even that mouthy tart Pat had hitched up with.
A rush of guilt and shame engulfed him as he recalled the day he had asked his mother for his bank book. In all the y
ears he’d been saving, he had never before taken the book from his mother. He’d frequently asked to look at it, to see how much he had saved, but had been happy to leave it with his mother. He had liked the idea of having money behind him. It made him feel secure; made him feel important. Now, after nearly ten years of saving, he had blown most of it in a matter of weeks. What would happen when it was all gone? Would Cathy still want him then?
A wave of panic swept over him, and he felt beads of perspiration break out on his forehead. She was due to leave tomorrow. Back to that fat, rich bastard in Knightsbridge! His mouth tightened into grim lines. He hated the thought of her being mauled by any man; he hated her leaving; but as much as he loathed the idea, he had to admit that her going would give him some much-needed breathing space. If he was to keep her then he had to find some way to make more money. Yet even as his mind worked furiously, Rory knew he would never be able to find the sort of money to hang on to a woman like Cathy. Worse still, he loathed himself for trying to buy her love. If it was some other man in his place, Rory would look on that man with scorn, mocking him for being gutless.
His hands balled into fists at his sides. It was ironic in a perverse kind of way. He had left Josie to be with Cathy. Now, in a twist of fate, Josie had come into the kind of money he needed to keep Cathy with him. Although he knew that even if he had the sort of sum Josie had inherited, it still wouldn’t be enough. Cathy was used to having unlimited funds at her disposal. So even if he’d had Josie’s good fortune, sooner or later the money would run out; and Cathy along with it.
