The Sea Shell Girl (18 page)

‘Wish you'd stick up for me like that,' Freckles sighed.

‘You can look after yourself well enough,' he scoffed. ‘Whilst others bring out my protective side.' He gazed at Merry across the table, his meaning clear.

Just then Joanie clattered through the door with a loaded tray, and as Chester jumped up to help her, Merry breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Lucky duck,' Freckles whispered, digging Merry in the ribs.

‘Don't be silly,' she replied. After Nicco, the last thing she wanted was any involvement, especially with someone at work.

‘That smells wonderful, Joanie,' Chester enthused.

The woman beamed. ‘It's my special rabbit casserole and there's jam roly-poly to follow.'

‘Yum, yum,' Teddy said, rubbing his stomach in appreciation.

Eagerly they tucked in and the room fell silent apart from the scrape of cutlery on china.

‘My, that Joanie can cook,' Chester said, putting down his knife and fork. ‘The girl I marry will have to produce meals just like that.'

‘Oh,' Freckles said, looking crestfallen. ‘Me da says he'd rather eat in the alehouse than suffer one of my attempts. I suppose you can cook?' she asked Merry.

‘Yes, Mother and I take it in turns. At least, we did when I was at home.'

‘We had a cook,' Prunella sighed. ‘Mother would never dirty her hands in the kitchen.'

‘Horses for courses, dear,' Joanie said, as she reappeared and began collecting up their plates.

‘Oh, we never had horse, Joanie,' Prunella said with a shudder.

The others raised their brows but Joanie smiled. ‘I'm sure you never did, dearie. I'll get your pudding.'

‘What did you eat, then?' Nicholas asked.

‘Father had a fondness for game,' she said.

‘And woodcock perhaps?' Chester enquired.

‘Probably; why?' Prunella frowned.

‘Well, I've heard they're a delicacy, especially when cooked with their innards intact.'

‘Oh …' she shuddered again.

‘What was that you were saying earlier about nepotism?' Teddy asked quickly.

‘I'd forgotten about that,' Freckles said. ‘We couldn't figure out why Smelly had it in for Merry, like that. Anyway, it seems Merry got the job she wanted for Miss Brown, her niece. Isn't that right, Joanie?' she asked, as the housekeeper set their dishes of pudding before them.

‘It certainly is. She had a right go at Mr Fairbright. Tried to get him to change his mind but he said Merry was more suitable for the position and his decision stood. I think Mr Didcot only agreed to employ Mrs Rose to keep her sweet. The women share a bedsitter, you see,' she winked. ‘Well, I'll leave you to it.'

‘Blimey oh rimey, the mind boggles,' Freckles whistled.

‘I suppose it makes sense for them to share if they work together,' Prunella said. ‘After all, they're both called “Mrs” so they're probably widows.'

Freckles raised her brows and shook her head.

‘It's half-day closing tomorrow,' Chester said, endeavouring to keep a straight face. ‘We've had more clients this week so it will be interesting to see how much carriage trade there'll be after luncheon.'

‘I do hope I don't have to attend to one of Mother's friends' servants. That would be simply dreadful,' Prunella gasped.

‘It'll make a change from having to suck up to the snobs,' Freckles pointed out.

‘And it'll break up the week,' Teddy added.

‘Shall we make plans for after church on Sunday?' Chester suggested ‘What do you say to us all taking a ride on the horse tram?' He included them all in the invitation, but it was Merry his gaze rested on.

‘We can pretend we're toffs on a sightseeing trip,' Freckles jumped in, oblivious. ‘What do you think, Merry? Fancy a ride around the town?'

Merry's heart flipped. Would she?

Dressed in their best clothes, they waited excitedly by the Clock Tower for the tram. Prunella was looking so smart in her new season's attire that Merry felt quite the poor relation. Staring down at the old dress that barely fitted, she knew she'd have to purchase material and make a new one. She wondered if she might even use one of the new patterns the store sold. All thought of clothes disappeared when they heard the clip-clopping of horses rounding the corner.

‘We girls can sit at the front, then I can point out the sights to you two country bumpkins.' Freckles laughed. Chester looked momentarily deflated then smiled.

Merry gazed around at the tall brick warehouses, then the shops with their ornate frontages and striped blinds, which lined both sides of the wide street. She was staring down on the people bustling past at street level when Freckles gave her a nudge.

‘Now we know how one feels driving along in one's carriage, staring down at the
hoi polloi
,' she said in a fair imitation of Prunella. They hooted with laughter and even Prunella smiled.

‘What's that?' Merry gasped, staring at the grey structure they seemed to be approaching at eye level.

‘Blimey oh rimey, haven't you ever seen a train?' asked Freckles.

‘Not this high up.' Now they were crossing over a wide bridge with the sea on one side and a large lake on the other. As she felt the cool breeze on her face and breathed in the familiar salty tang, her pulses began to race. How she'd missed the briny ocean.

‘That was Halfpenny Bridge, and this has all been built for the dockyard,' announced Freckles importantly, but the others took no notice as the tram was pulling to a halt.

As they headed towards the river Chester endeavoured to walk beside Merry but Freckles, not wishing to be left out, linked arms with him. They passed through terraces of old brick houses, which had broken windows hung with scraps of dirty curtains. This was obviously a poorer area of the town and Merry shivered when she saw the skinny cats scavenging for scraps around the bare-footed urchins playing in the gutter. To think she'd thought her cottage in Porthsallos was tiny and run down. Compared
to this, it was a palace, and whilst the families were poor they went out of their way to ensure their children had boots on their feet, however worn and handed down they might be. Feelings of guilt curdled in her stomach. No matter how little food they'd had, her mother had always ensured Merry had eaten, whilst Grozen's foraging for wood meant the fire, provided at least some vestige of warmth. How ungrateful they must think her. She mustn't let many weeks go by before she paid them a visit, she vowed.

By tacit consent, they walked quickly on but as they got closer to the huge dockyard, with its wide expanse of water beyond, they noticed a small group of dirty, ragged children following them.

‘Whatever do they want?' asked Prunella, nervously pushing her hands further into her pockets.

‘Probably never seen anyone like you before,' declared Freckles. ‘With that fancy hat and mantle they probably think you're a toff and are hoping you'll throw them a few farthings.' As Prunella visibly shrank, Nicholas smiled reassuringly and moved closer to her.

‘Don't worry about them,' said Freckles. ‘It's the sailors falling out of the pub on the next corner you need to keep a weather eye out for. This is their entertainment area and they'll think any lady all dolled up like you is fair game.'

‘What kind of game?' Prunella squeaked.

‘Blimey oh rimey; game for a good time, of course.'

‘I suddenly feel quite faint,' gasped Prunella.

‘Don't worry, old thing, I'll look after you,' Nicholas declared.

‘Thank you, Nicholas, but I think I'd like to return to the tram before we are set upon.'

‘Suppose we'd better be getting back anyway,' agreed Freckles. ‘It's always a bit rowdy down here of a Sunday.'

Merry sighed with relief. There was no way she'd be returning to this Devonport place again.

The weeks sped by. It was one morning towards the end of summer and the girls had cleaned the shop and were setting out the stock ready to dress the bay window as usual.

‘Will we be displaying garments for the new season soon?' Merry asked, as she surveyed the straw bonnet, swathe of muslin and white lace gloves on the dummy.

‘Hardly, Miss Dyer. Why, it is still summer,' Mrs Smale sniffed.

‘Yes, but winter drawers on, as me grandma used to say,' Freckles giggled.

‘That's quite enough, Miss Brice,' the woman frowned.

‘But surely the clients will want some idea of what we will be stocking for when the weather gets cooler?' Merry persisted.

‘May I remind you that you are still a trainee, Miss Dyer?'

‘And a very competent one, if I may say.' They spun round to find Mr Fairbright behind them. ‘Do forgive me for startling you. You were so engrossed in your work you didn't hear me approach,' he said.

‘Good morning, Mr Fairbright,' Mrs Smale simpered. ‘As you can see, I am instructing our trainees in the dressing of the store's models.'

‘Indeed, and I am sure you will be giving thought to the new season's stock, which has already been unloaded into the stockrooms. In the meantime, I would like to address you all before the store opens.'

‘Please line up in front of Mr Fairbright,' Mrs Smale ordered. ‘He wishes to address you.'

As Mrs Rose hurriedly took her place beside the manageress, Mr Fairbright shook his head.

‘I think it would be more appropriate to have this meeting in my office, so if you would care to follow me … ?' he said, leading the way down the corridor and up the stairs.

‘Blimey oh rimey, I hope we're not in trouble,' Freckles whispered as Mr Fairbright took his seat behind the desk, then gestured for them to be seated.

‘Right, ladies, it is now some eight weeks since the store opened and whilst Mr Didcot and myself feel things are generally going well, there are some matters we feel need attention. Mr Didcot is, at this very moment, addressing the male employees in the same vein. Right now, first of all, are you all happy in your work?'

The question took them by surprise and there was stunned silence.

‘Well, of course we are, Mr Fairbright. I think I can speak for the entire department when I say we are all extremely grateful for the wonderful opportunity you have bestowed upon us. Although I must say, speaking as manageress, some are doing better than others,' Mrs Smale said, narrowing her eyes at Merry.

‘Watch out, claws at dawn,' Freckles whispered.

‘I entirely agree, Mrs Smale, and that is partly the reason for our meeting. In order to get a fair idea of how
everything has been progressing, Mr Didcot and myself have sent friends and family into the store unannounced – incognito, as it were. They all either bought or made enquiries about various items for sale, then, as instructed, made a note of who attended them and the manner in which they had been served. Their findings have been most interesting, to say the least.' Mr Fairbright glanced down at a sheet of paper in front of him. ‘Most of you are doing extremely well but I regret to say it is felt one of you will never make the grade and will be leaving us.' There was a collective gasp as they all looked from one to the other. Mrs Smale and Mrs Rose exchanged smug smiles.

‘Looks like they know who's going,' Freckles whispered.

‘I will be speaking to that member of staff later on,' Mr Fairbright continued.

‘If you would rather I did, Mr Fairbright …' Mrs Smale began.

‘Thank you but no, Mrs Smale. As I said, most of you are doing well and your progress has duly been noted on your record cards. These will, of course, be a contributory factor on whether you are asked to remain in service at the end of your probationary period. Now, before you return downstairs, I have here some caps, which Mr Didcot and I feel will enhance your appearance on the shop floor. Obviously they are black or grey to match your current uniform and I would appreciate it if you would put them on before the store opens for business this morning.'

‘You mean Mrs Rose and I will have to wear these caps as well?' the manageress spluttered.

‘All members of staff will be required to have their hair
covered, Mrs Smale,' he said, taking out his pocket watch and frowning. ‘Now if you have no further questions, it is almost time for the store to open.' As they filed out of the room, Mr Fairbright looked directly at Merry.

‘I'd be obliged if you would remain behind please, Miss Dyer.'

Merry felt sick. To be asked to remain behind could only mean one thing. She sneaked a peek at Freckles and saw the same dismay on her friend's face. Mrs Smale smiled smugly as she hovered in the doorway.

‘Please close the door behind you, Mrs Smale,' Mr Fairbright said firmly. ‘Now, Miss Dyer, I have a note here for you.' As he rustled through the papers on his desk, Merry thought her heart would stop beating. Whatever could she have done to be dismissed?

‘Ah, here it is,' the man said, passing her a folded piece of paper.

‘But why me?' Merry squeaked. ‘I've worked really hard.'

Mr Fairbright frowned. ‘Well, it's from your mother so naturally it's for you.'

‘My mother?'

‘Indeed. When I was in Porthsallos seeing how the ladies were progressing with their knitting, I made a point of telling your mother how well you were doing here. I understand you haven't returned home yet?' He paused and stared at her over his glasses.

Merry swallowed, feeling guilty that despite her intentions she had yet to return.

‘I keep meaning to only it's been so busy here during the week. Don't get me wrong, sir, I don't mind hard
work, but we only get Sunday off and by the time I've been to church there's not much of the morning left to make the long walk to Porthsallos. I'd only get a few hours at home before I have to turn round and come back …' Her voice tailed off as a picture of her mother and Grozen surfaced.

Mr Fairbright smiled gently. ‘I do understand, Miss Dyer, and your hard work has not gone unnoticed. However, family is important, is it not?'

‘Yes, sir,' she murmured.

‘Now, you will be pleased to know the ladies have produced some excellent frocks with not a hint of damping down to any of them,' he said, his voice lighter now. ‘I think our arrangement is going to work well. Everyone seems happy and your mother has agreed to teach some of them the shell design, which has proved so popular. Naturally, they all wanted the opportunity to earn the enhanced rate but I left it to your mother to decide who would be best suited.'

‘My mother is sorting that out?' Merry gasped, thinking how she disliked mingling with the others.

‘Hmm, quite the businesswoman, she is. I can see where you get your capabilities from, Miss Dyer.'

‘Me?' She looked at the man, fearful he was jesting. He stared candidly back.

‘I have heard good things about you, Miss Dyer. Apparently you are,' he glanced down at his sheet of paper, ‘polite; helpful and not afraid to step in where others fear to tread.'

‘Pardon, Mr Fairbright?'

To her surprise the man grinned. ‘That formidable
cupboard in the corner of ladieswear, which I believe Mrs Rose finds distasteful? I have to confess that was my sister setting the cat among the pigeons,' he grinned.

Merry stared at him in amazement. Surely that loud woman was never his sister?

‘She is somewhat of an actress,' he added, as if reading her thoughts.

‘I did notice she was friendly compared to some of the clients. I mean, most of them just ask for what they want and barely acknowledge us as people.'

‘Such is our lot, Miss Dyer, for we live in a class-based society.'

‘But you're one of them, sir, what with this large business and everything,' she commented, then put her hand to her mouth. Hadn't Grozen always told her to think before she spoke?

‘And it is because of this business that I am regarded as trade. Now, tell me, Miss Dyer, in your opinion does Mrs Rose contribute to the good running of ladieswear?'

Merry thought of the woman's mistakes with colours, the lies she had told and her general prissy demeanour, but she could hardly mention these to her employer, could she? As she cast around for something to say, he raised his brows.

‘Well, I, erm, I mean …' she stuttered to a halt.

‘Thank you, Miss Dyer. Although your loyalty is commendable, you have answered my question. Now it's high time you were on the shop floor or Mrs Smale will be wanting me to add another black mark to your record card,' he said, giving Merry such a complicit look she wondered just how much he knew.

‘Yes, Mr Fairbright,' she said. He nodded and looked back down at his papers. Knowing she'd been dismissed, she took her leave, but just as she got to the door he gave a little cough.

‘Just one more thing, Miss Dyer, I understand your grandmother has a special birthday coming up. I know she would appreciate your paying her a visit and I believe transport may already have been arranged so …' He let his sentence tail off and Merry nodded.

‘Oh, yes, I wouldn't miss her birthday, Mr Fairbright,' she assured him, clutching her note tighter. Out in the corridor she let out a sigh of relief, then smiled. Her grandmother deemed all her birthdays special. Suddenly Merry couldn't wait to return and see both her and her mother again. The St Peter's Fair celebrations would be well out of the way and she'd feel comfortable returning to Porthsallos. Putting the note in her pocket to read later, she hurried down the corridor.

As she entered the shop, Freckles came hurrying over, her grey cap slipping on auburn curls.

‘Blinking thing. I'll have to find some clips to keep it in place. Are you all right? What happened?' she asked, anxiety showing in her eyes.

‘Have you come to collect something, Miss Dyer?' Mrs Smale asked, a grin curling her lips.

‘Indeed I have, Mrs Smale.'

‘Well, do be quick about it; we have a business to run here.'

‘I know, so if you'd kindly hand me my cap I'll put it on ready to serve,' Merry said, giving the woman her brightest smile.

‘You mean you are staying?' she spluttered.

‘Of course. I have a job to do,' Merry replied, trying not to laugh as the woman gaped at her in amazement.

‘You mean Mr Fairbright didn't … ? Then who … ? Oh, here,' she said, all but throwing the grey cap at Merry.

Luckily the store began to fill up and there was no time for further questioning. Hastily affixing the cap over her coiled braid, Merry smiled at the woman who was waiting to be served.

‘How may I be of assistance, modam?' Mrs Smale asked, adopting the hoity-toity voice she reserved for clients.

‘I hear you have lengths of material that can be made into dresses here in the store?'

‘We do indeed, modam. What had you in mind?'

‘Well, I have noticed the evenings are becoming chilly already so something in a warm fabric, I think.'

‘Perhaps you will show modam something suitable, Miss Dyer?' the manageress said, her eyes glittering as she turned to Merry.

‘Of course, Mrs Smale,' she answered, trying not to laugh as she opened the cupboard containing the pre-cut materials. ‘Would this be suitable, madam?' she asked, displaying a length of dimity against her body as she'd been shown. ‘The woven texture gives it a warmer feel without being too heavy.' She heard the manageress's sharp intake of breath but, seeing the client's interest was piqued, she couldn't help adding, ‘The stripe adds a certain elegance, don't you think?'

‘You know, it does,' the woman nodded. ‘And how do I go about getting this made up into a dress?'

‘Thank you, Miss Dyer. I will attend to modam now. Our dressmaker is upstairs,' Mrs Smale said, ushering the woman towards the corridor.

‘But you'll need the matching thread as well,' Merry began, but she was talking to thin air.

‘Do you think I should go after them?' she asked Mrs Rose, who was hovering nearby.

‘Certainly not. How many times do we have to tell you that your job is to shadow? Besides, Mrs Smale will soon notice that you have been negligent,' the woman sniffed.

‘What?' Merry spluttered, but the woman was already attending to another client and had signalled Prunella to assist.

‘Do you think she sucks lemons in her spare time?' Freckles asked, as she returned from the stockroom with a handful of lace-edged handkerchiefs. ‘Here, can you imagine blowing your nose on one of these dinky things?'

Merry smiled. It was hard to stay cross with her friend's cheery banter.

‘I think they're for show really.'

‘You should see the new stock they've just unloaded. There are more of those lengths of fur, and some of the gloves are edged with it as well. Wouldn't mind a pair of them to keep me pinkies warm in the winter. Blimey, look at old Pru sucking up to Mrs Rose.'

Merry glanced over and saw that Prunella was smiling up at the woman and hanging on to her every word.

‘She's probably trying to ensure her position is safe,' Merry replied. Then, realizing what she'd said, she put her hand to her mouth.

‘So if hers is safe and yours is; that means it's yours truly for the chop,' Freckles sighed.

‘I hope not,' Merry said, putting her hand on the girl's arm.

‘Why did Fairbright ask you to stay behind …'

‘Miss Dyer, come here this instant.' As the manageress's voice cut across the room, Merry sighed.

‘Here we go. I'll tell you at luncheon.'

‘Blimey oh rimey, am I glad to get this thing off,' Freckles said, as she sank onto her chair in the staff-room. ‘Makes me feel like I've got nits,' she added, scratching her head.

‘Not over my tablecloth, please, young lady,' Joanie reprimanded as she hurried into the room with bowls of broth.

‘Sorry, Joanie,' Freckles said, looking anything but. ‘That smells good.'

‘You got carrot and potato in that from me old man's allotment. Proud as punch, he is, of his veggies. Cors, Mr Didcot pays a fair price. Where's young Pru?' she asked, looking at the empty chair.

‘I don't know,' Merry replied, exchanging a look with Freckles.

‘I'd better keep this warm then,' the housekeeper sighed, bustling out of the room with the remaining bowl. Just then Prunella hurried into the room, shaking her head.

‘Mrs Rose has been summoned upstairs to Mr Fairbright's office and Mrs Smale went marching up after her. In a right old state, they were. Oh, thank you, Joanie,' she said, as the housekeeper placed her bowl on the table.

‘Seems to be a bit of a hoo-ha going on upstairs,' she
informed them. ‘Neither of them wanted their luncheon so if you girls want seconds let me know.'

‘You seemed mighty pally with old Rose earlier,' Freckles said, turning to Prunella. ‘What was all that about?'

To their surprise the girl flushed and began sipping her broth with great concentration.

‘Secrets, eh?' Freckles persisted. The girl shook her head, then carefully set down her spoon.

‘If you must know, she said I was doing extremely well and that if I shadowed her all day, pointing out the colours of the ribbons and cloth, she would ensure it was noted on my records.'

‘So she does have a problem,' Freckles muttered.

Merry ran her fingers over her letter. She was dying to read it but realized this wasn't the time. Sighing, she put it back in her pocket.

‘Come on, it's time we went out to the yard. Heaven forbid Mrs Rose should find us with sticky fingers at inspection.'

It was Mrs Smale who was waiting for them. Her face was pinched, her lips a tight line.

‘I have to inform you that Mrs Rose has left us,' she said. ‘Until a replacement is appointed, it will fall to me to inspect you.'

‘Why …' Freckles began.

‘It is not your place to ask questions, Miss Brice. Although you can be sure I have made my feelings clear to Mr Fairbright. It is time to return to the shop floor,' she added.

‘Blimey oh rimey, she must be in a state: she never even checked our hands!' Freckles exclaimed.

With only four of them to attend to the clients, the
afternoon passed in a whirl of serving and wrapping. It was only when Merry was undressing for bed and heard the crackle of paper in her pocket that she remembered the note from her mother. Taking it closer to the candle, she squinted at the familiar writing.

Dearest Merry,

I hope this letter finds you well. Mr Fairbright says you have the makings of a good assistant, which pleases us greatly. We are well here and have mastered that shell pattern of yours. Don't know how you came up with that, but you always did have an eye for these things. Please know, daughter, we are very proud of you.

As you know, it is Grozen's birthday next week and she would so like you to be with her – as would I, of course. Nicco has kindly offered to collect you next Sunday and bring you back to Porthsallos for the day. Mr Fairbright says that will be in order. We miss you and very much look forward to seeing you.

Forever your loving mother,

Karenza

Carefully she blew out the candle and climbed into bed. Staring up at the darkening sky through the little skylight, she couldn't help letting out a heavy sigh. She'd been happy until she read the bit about Nicco collecting her. While it meant she would get to see her mother and Grozen again, would she never be free of him?