The Sea Shell Girl (21 page)

‘Who's currying favour now?' Merry whispered.

‘As there are only a couple of packages left awaiting collection, you may remain here, Miss Prim. Miss Dyer and Miss Brice, please see that the floor is swept. Goodness only knows what those girls have brought in on their boots,' Mrs Winter sniffed, looking at the floor as if expecting to see it alive with insects or worse.

Stifling the giggle that rose in her throat, Merry turned to collect the broom only to bump into Mrs Smale, who was hurrying through the door.

‘For heaven's sake, girl, do look where you're going.'

Before Merry could say anything, the manageress was addressing Mrs Winter. ‘Was that Mr Fairbright I saw leaving? Did he require me for anything?'

‘Don't worry, Mrs Smale, Mr Fairbright didn't even notice your absence. But then he was busy complimenting me on my new efficient system,' the supervisor smirked.

‘What new system?' Mrs Smale asked, her voice ominously low. ‘I didn't implement any new system.'

‘No, you didn't, did you?' the supervisor began, then noticed Merry and Freckles watching. ‘I thought I told you girls to get this floor swept.'

As they scuttled away, they could hear the shrill voice of their manageress berating the supervisor for exceeding her position. Merry could hardly believe how their assumed posh voices turned to common bawling when they thought they were out of earshot.

‘Blimey oh rimey, they're like a couple of fishwives,' Freckles muttered.

‘I can assure you the wives of fishermen never resort to such language,' Merry retorted, realizing for the first time how proud she was of her background. Poor they might be, but they always looked out for each other.

Over the next few weeks, the rivalry between manageress and supervisor became more heated, each vying to serve the most clients. Merry was kept busy shadowing Mrs Winter and had to admit the woman had soon got to grips with all the items they stocked, serving everyone quickly and efficiently. If there hadn't been the constant undercurrent, she would have enjoyed her work for she had already learned more than she ever had when Mrs Rose had been supervisor.

One afternoon Merry was busy tidying away the materials she had just shown to a client when she felt she was being watched. Looking up, she saw Mrs Winter giving her a strange look. She glanced quickly down at the counter in case she had made a mess, but everything looked neat and orderly.

‘I wonder if you might assist me?' a soft voice said.

Merry looked up again, then blinked. ‘Oh! Sorry, I mean how may I help?' she stuttered, staring at the fair-haired woman in surprise.

‘Goodness me, Saphira, this shop girl looks the very spit of you, darling, apart from that quaint accent and service uniform,' the woman's willowy, red-haired companion sneered.

‘Alexandria, really,' the woman protested.

‘Allow me to assist you, ladies,' the supervisor said quickly.

‘That's all right, Mrs Winter, I will attend,' Mrs Smale said, hurrying across the room and placing herself firmly in front of her subordinate.

‘We do indeed appear quite similar, don't we?' the elegant young lady continued, looking past Mrs Smale to Merry.

Merry nodded, taking in the similar white hair and blue eyes.

‘It is quite uncanny, is it not?' Alexandria commented, tossing her head so that the glossy artificial cherries on her hat clacked together.

‘It is, and she will certainly be the right person to advise me on my purchases.'

‘Alas, Miss Dyer is not yet fully trained so it is I who shall advise, modam,' Mrs Smale said, smiling as she leaning across the counter.

Immediately the women recoiled. ‘Indeed you will not,' the fair-haired woman declared, wrinkling her nose. ‘I wish for Miss Dyer to attend to me.'

‘I can permit Miss Dyer to shadow,' Mrs Smale condescended. ‘However, as manageress, I must insist you look to me for advice.'

‘Where is your etiquette, madam? If, as you say, you are the manageress then surely you must know the client is always right?'

As Mrs Smale opened her mouth to protest, Mr Fairbright hurriedly crossed the room to see what the fuss was about. It was only then that Merry noticed the other shoppers had stopped browsing and were watching the exchange with great interest.

‘Good afternoon, Miss Meredith. How kind of you to
grace our modest store with your presence. I hope nothing is wrong?' Mr Fairbright enquired.

‘Good afternoon to you, Mr Fairbright. I have heard good things about your emporium and as my friend and I were in the vicinity, we thought we'd call in and have a look. Allow me to introduce my friend, Miss Alexandria Courtland.'

‘Miss Courtland,' Mr Fairbright smiled and gave a little bow. ‘Welcome, both of you. How may we be of assistance?'

‘I require some new clothes for a forthcoming vacation and have been informed you are stocking part-made garments that only require one fitting. If this is true, you will be the answer to my prayers, for as usual I have left it much too late for my customary seamstress. She is quite brilliant, you understand, but requires me to try things on numerous times,' she trilled.

Mr Fairbright smiled indulgently. ‘I am honoured, my dear, and what you hear is indeed true. I am proud to say we stock only the finest materials, both in the usual bales and already pre-cut so that they merely require making up to your pattern. I am sure we can find something that will suit each of you.'

‘Tell me, Mr Fairbright,' Miss Meredith began, her blue eyes twinkling mischief, ‘do you hold the belief that the client is always right?'

‘Indeed I do, Miss Meredith. The client's wish is paramount,' he assured her.

‘I am pleased to hear it, for you see I requested this young lady here assist me,' she explained, smiling graciously as she gestured towards Merry. ‘A reasonable
request, don't you think, bearing in mind we appear to be of similar age and colouring?' Mr Fairbright nodded and glanced at Merry, but Miss Meredith hadn't finished speaking. ‘However, this manageress of yours insists I should be attended to by her. Perhaps you would be kind enough to relay to her that I have no desire to be served by an older woman whose breath smells of stale cabbage.'

‘Well, of all …' Mrs Smale began, but Mr Fairbright held up his hand.

‘Do not concern yourself, my dear. I am sure Mrs Smale has misunderstood your request. Miss Dyer, perhaps you will be kind enough to assist Miss Meredith and her companion,' he said, turning to Merry.

Then he frowned and turned back to the client, his eyes widening. ‘Goodness,' he muttered. ‘The similarity between you is extraordinary.'

‘It is rather, isn't it?' Miss Meredith agreed. ‘As such, Miss Dyer will be the perfect person to assist me.'

‘As you wish, modam. However, in my capacity as manageress I must insist I advise,' Mrs Smale said, having recovered her composure.

‘Mr Fairbright, will you please tell this annoying woman that it is Miss Dyer and Miss Dyer only to whom I will look for advice?' Miss Meredith requested, waving Mrs Smale away as if she were a bothersome fly. ‘I feel we are going to get on tremendously,' she added, smiling warmly at Merry.

As Mrs Smale stood glaring at them, Mr Fairbright coughed discreetly.

‘Miss Dyer, perhaps you would take these ladies up to
my office where you can discuss their requirements in private?' he suggested.

‘Oh, goodness me, is that the time?' Miss Courtland said, peering at the clock in the corner. ‘Saphira, darling, you will have to excuse me or I shall be late for my engagement. Now you have the services of this shop girl you really won't be requiring my assistance. Good afternoon.' With a swift nod that set the cherries clattering once more, the willowy redhead disappeared from the store.

‘If you would care for some refreshment, Miss Meredith, I shall have some sent up,' Mr Fairbright suggested.

‘That would be most welcome. The smell of all those horses on the street makes one quite thirsty, I find.'

‘Indeed. Right, Miss Dyer, you know the way, don't you?'

‘Of course, sir,' Merry replied.

Ignoring the withering look of Mrs Smale and the stunned looks of Mrs Winter, Freckles and Prunella, she led the way to Mr Fairbright's office.

‘I say, this is so exciting,' Miss Meredith said as she followed Merry up the stairs.

‘Please take a seat, Miss Meredith,' Merry said, showing her into the office. Then she looked around the room. What was the protocol? Should she sit in Mr Fairbright's chair opposite the client or pull one up alongside? However, the solution was provided when the woman perched daintily on a chair in front of the desk.

‘Isn't it fascinating how similar we are in looks?'

‘It is, Miss Meredith,' Merry agreed, taking the seat behind Mr Fairbright's desk.

The woman gave a tinkling laugh. ‘That formality makes me sound as old and stuffy as that woman
downstairs. My name's Saphira so you may call me that. What's yours?'

‘Merryn, but my friends call me Merry,' she replied. ‘But I can hardly address you so informally,' she began as Joanie came bustling in with a tray of refreshment. If the housekeeper was surprised to see Merry sitting in Mr Fairbright's place she didn't show it.

Silence descended as Joanie poured their drinks and passed them a plate of her home-baked biscuits. As the fragrant spices mingled with the smell of beeswax polish, Merry twisted her hands in her lap. How should she act? What should she say? Idly she picked up Mr Fairbright's pen.

‘Ah, you are going to make a list, good idea. I say, these are absolutely delicious,' Saphira commented, nibbling daintily at the edge of a biscuit. ‘Now, as I was saying earlier, I celebrated my eighteenth earlier this year and received a modest inheritance. I intend to use some of it to visit a dear friend and thus am requiring garments for travelling. Do you have materials that don't crease? There's nothing worse than arriving somewhere and finding one's skirts have rumpled and crumpled, don't you find?'

‘Indeed,' Merry replied, smiling politely and hoping the dress of her uniform still looked pristine.

‘Tell me, Merry, have you journeyed much?'

‘Oh, yes,' she replied. ‘I have travelled all the way from Cornwall.' Although Saphira nodded politely, Merry was certain she detected a hint of amusement in her eyes. Quickly looking down, she made a note to check for materials that would travel well.

‘I shall also require something in a waterproof material
in case the weather should turn inclement. Although I really cannot abide the terrible smell or funny feel of mackintosh,' Saphira said, wrinkling her nose.

‘Then you will be interested to know that Didcot and Fairbright have brought in a waterproof that has no smell and is comfortable to wear,' Merry replied, recalling what Mr Fairbright had told her that day in his office.

‘Really!' Saphira exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.

‘I believe previously that it was the coal tar used to dissolve India rubber that made textiles waterproof. Unfortunately, it also gave them that nasty smell. I am led to believe the new material has no odour and is pleasant to the touch,' Merry added, trying to remember all she'd been taught.

‘Well, in that case, I shall have to have something made up in this waterproof textile you mention,' Saphira declared.

‘Certainly,' Merry replied, adding ‘waterproof' to the list, then carefully pressing it with the blotter.

‘If you have finished your refreshments, perhaps you would like to come back down to the store. I can show you some materials I think will be suitable and, when you are happy we have met your requirements, introduce you to our dressmaker.'

As they re-entered the store, Mrs Smale, who'd obviously been hovering, came bustling over.

‘Is everything all right, Miss Meredith? Only, if you feel you need advice from a more experienced …'

‘Miss Dyer, please tell this wretched woman that if she doesn't leave us alone I will be making a complaint to Mr Fairbright,' Saphira requested.

As the manageress opened and closed her mouth in surprise, Merry swallowed. She could hardly tell her boss to disappear, could she? She saw Freckles grinning and giving her the thumbs up from behind the counter. Mrs Winter was smirking from behind the mannequin whilst Prunella was gazing at Saphira's elegant coat with something akin to envy. For a moment it was as if time stood still.

‘Ah, Miss Meredith, I trust Miss Dyer is looking after you?' Mr Fairbright asked, striding over to them.

‘Indeed she is, thank you. With her help, we now have a list of the items I require to buy and I must say her knowledge of your materials is admirable. Why, whoever knew there was now a waterproof that not only has no smell but is pleasant to wear?'

‘That will be her training, which I myself …' Mrs Smale began.

Saphira let out an exasperated sigh. ‘Mr Fairbright, might I please have a moment of your time?' she asked.

‘Of course, Miss Meredith. Would you care to step this way?'

As soon as their backs were turned, Mrs Smale rounded on Merry.

‘Come and see me the moment the store closes, Miss Dyer,' she hissed before turning to where their employer was now in earnest discussion with Miss Meredith. For once Merry didn't mind about the manageress's sniping.

‘Do I have to wait all afternoon for assistance?' a client demanded. As her strident voice carried round the store, Mrs Winter stepped forward to help.

‘Right, that's sorted at last,' Saphira said, returning to
Merry. ‘It is agreed that you and only you are to bring a selection of materials and trimmings to the dressing room. If that is all right with you, of course?' she asked.

Merry could only nod that this well-dressed young lady should seek her approval.

With her head buzzing with all she needed to collect together, she was only vaguely aware of Mr Fairbright taking Mrs Smale aside for a discussion and the woman striding back to the counter, her face like thunder.

After that, Merry was left alone as she scuttled back and forth with lengths of dress materials, trimmings and accessories she thought might be suitable. As instructed, she waited respectfully outside the dressing room until her opinion was sought. Once when she was tilting a hat to the right angle on Saphira's head, she caught sight of their reflections in the mirror. With their bright blue eyes and sleek white tresses, Merry couldn't help but marvel once more at their similarity, and if she were dressed in similar …

‘You have such a good eye for colour, Merry,' Saphira sighed, interrupting her thoughts. ‘Now let's see what else you have selected.' Merry duly held up a length of material for her to see the effect. ‘I would never have chosen this rose pink but it is so complimentary, it makes my face come alive somehow, don't you think?'