Christmas for the Shop Girls
Page 27
‘The only thing I’m landing on him is this,’ said Lily.
She stood on tiptoe and kissed Jim on the lips.
‘There,’ she said. ‘That’s my statement of intent.’
‘Lily! Jim! It really is too cold to be out there.’
Dora was standing in the scullery doorway, her arms wrapping her cardigan across her chest.
‘Come here, Mum!’ called Sid. ‘You’re missing the big event!’
‘What? Do I have to?’ But she was already coming towards them. ‘You’re as bad as they are, Sidney, not got the sense you were born with, any of you—’
‘Look, Mum! Look what Jim gave me!’ Lily waved her left hand in her mother’s face. Dora peered, then took a step back. She looked from Lily to Jim and back again. ‘He says he’s saving up for the real one!’
Dear Lily. Dora loved her daughter with a passion she rarely showed, but she was clear-sighted about her too. She’d often wondered as Lily grew up, headstrong and determined, outspoken and independent, if she’d ever settle down. Then Jim had come along, quiet, thoughtful, considered, rather shy – in so many ways Lily’s opposite, but in fact a perfect foil for her. He’d grounded her; she’d brought him out of himself. Dora knew they’d make a success of their life together.
‘Well, what do you say?’ Sid prompted.
‘You don’t mind, do you, that I didn’t ask your permission?’ Jim was suddenly worried.
‘Don’t be daft, I couldn’t be more pleased!’ Her tone was brisk but the delight was there in her smile and her eyes. ‘I hope you’ll be very happy. No – I know you will!’
‘Oh, Mum!’
Dora folded Lily into her arms. Her baby … all grown up. Sid, standing by, could see the emotion his mother was holding back. He patted her on the shoulder.
‘I’ll put the kettle on,’ he said. ‘Nothing like a nice cup of tea, eh?’
‘You do that,’ said Dora. ‘Go on in, all of you, I’ll just have a minute out here. It’s not that cold once you’re used to it.’
The three of them trooped in, Sid in the middle, his arms round Jim and Lily’s shoulders.
Dora stood and looked up at the sky, the crisp half-moon and the stars. They were on the cusp of a new year. Who knew what that would bring? Peace, hopefully – but, thought Dora, she had much to be thankful for in this past one. Whatever was to come, they’d get through it like they had the last four years of war – both in their family, and with friends. With kindness, with caring – and with love.
Author’s note
The four Shop Girls books have been written in hard times for traditional shopping. Department stores were having an especially tough time. The inspiration for Marlows, the original Beatties store in Wolverhampton, had already been swallowed up by House of Fraser when I began the series: it closed its doors before this book was completed, when the group fell into administration and was taken over. I was lucky enough to talk to some of its staff and even see the first in the series, A Store at War, advertised in the store. I’m grateful to all the people who worked at Beatties and shared their memories and experiences, adding colour to my fictional world. Then, just after I delivered this book, came coronavirus – and the landscape of not just retail but our entire way of life has possibly changed for ever. One thing’s for sure: Lily, her family, friends and colleagues would have Kept Calm and Carried On – somehow. Hard-working, determinedly cheerful: that’s the real Blitz spirit.
The virus affected the production process for this book, too, so special thanks to my agent, Broo Doherty and editor, Lynne Drew, her assistant Lara Stevenson and to Felicity Denham, Jennifer Harlow and team for publicity. Isabel Coburn, Sarah Munro and Alice Gomer worked harder than ever to get the books into all available outlets, and my thanks once again to Claire Ward and her team for the inspired Christmassy cover.
The more I write, the more I realise how much I owe to two of my past BBC Editors: Vanessa Whitburn, who led The Archers team so dynamically and creatively for over twenty years, and Sean O’Connor, who gave me so many opportunities to stretch myself with my writing. Thanks also to Deirdre Burton, a friend and mentor for over thirty years, and to Mary Lapworth for her reminiscences about 1940s shoes! Part of this book was written in Joanie and Malcolm Elliot’s ‘dungeon’ (actually very comfortable), so many thanks to them for their generous hospitality. Friends I’ve thanked before know who they are, I hope – my debt to them is as large as ever.
My family – husband John, daughter Livi, her husband Ashley – continue to encourage me to Keep Calm and Carry On – with the writing, that is – frankly I think it suits them to have me occupied! But it suits me, too. I love my characters as if they were family – and I know that many of you have taken them to your hearts as well. Despite only planning four books initially, I can’t bear to leave them, so the good news is that there will be a fifth Shop Girls title to look out for, The Victory Girls is coming in spring 2021. I hope you’ll want to read on – or read back, if this is your first encounter with the Shop Girls. Please let me know if you enjoy the books – post a review on Amazon or Goodreads or find me on Facebook at Facebook.com/joannatoyewriter. And (with apologies to Vera Lynn) I know we’ll meet again when it’s safely possible at book festivals and library talks.
Jo Toye
May 2020
Keep Reading …
If you enjoyed Christmas for the Shop Girls, the next novel in the heart-warming Shop Girls series, The Victory Girls, is coming in spring 2021 and is available to pre-order now
If you haven’t read the first three novels in the Shop Girls series, they are available now
It’s 1941 and as the air raid sirens blare, Lily Collins is starting work in Midlands department store Marlow’s.
But her friendship with young salesman Jim draws her into a swirl of secrets. With the war progressing to crisis point, Cedric Marlow and his staff must battle nightly bombings and the absence of loved ones to keep going.
Click here to buy now
It’s 1942 and as shortages of staff – and goods – begin to bite, young Lily Collins is nervously stepping up to sales junior at Marlow’s department store.
Bombs are still falling and Lily and fellow shop girls Gladys and Beryl need a stiff upper lip to wave boyfriends, husbands and brothers goodbye, especially with a baby on the way and grim news on the wireless.
Community, family and friends rally round as her home town – and the whole country – is tested once again.
Click here to buy now
Summer 1942. Despite grim reports on the wireless and rationing hitting hard, Lily Collins and her fellow shop girls are determined to put out the bunting for a family party.
Then comes the knock on the door that everyone dreads. Lily’s family, always the heart of her world, is rocked to the core. The small Midlands town – and Marlow’s – must face their greatest challenge yet.
Click here to buy now
About the Author
Jo worked on the production team of The Archers for ten years and then on the scriptwriting team for twenty. She’s written several spin-off books about the programme and on TV wrote for Crossroads, Family Affairs, Doctors and EastEnders. Christmas for the Shop Girls is the fourth novel in the Shop Girls series.
Jo loves to hear from readers – find out more about the next book in the series on her Facebook page, and do share a review on Goodreads or Amazon if you’d like to, as it really does help other readers.
Also by Joanna Toye
A Store at War
Wartime for the Shop Girls
Heartache for the Shop Girls
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