The Sea Shell Girl (22 page)

‘It does indeed. You look truly beautiful,' Merry agreed.

‘Thank you. I shall take two lengths. You should purchase some in this colour too,' Saphira suggested.

Merry smiled politely, knowing she could never afford such riches on her meagre wage.

‘I have been pondering our likeness in appearance,
Merry, and feel I must ask. Are you by any chance related to the Merediths of Merrivale, here in Devonshire?'

‘Why no, I come from Porthsallos and am Cornish through and through,' Merry assured her.

‘Perhaps the stork collected us from the same angel, then deposited us under different gooseberry bushes,' Saphira replied. As her tinkling laugh echoed around the dressing room, Merry couldn't help smiling too. ‘Oh, well, back to the task in hand. It's quite trying ensuring one has enough changes of outfit to cover every occasion, don't you find?'

Merry nodded politely as she turned back to her list. Choosing new materials and accessories a chore? And to think all she desired was enough material to make a single new dress.

When Saphira finally decided she had all the material, trimmings and accessories she needed, Merry showed her upstairs.

‘This is Mrs Stitches,' she said, introducing Saphira to the dressmaker.

As her tinkling laugh rang out once more, the woman grinned.

‘Dreadful name, isn't it? It wasn't till after my Arthur proposed that I realized what I'd let myself in for. Still, could be worse, I suppose. I mean, imagine if it were Darning?' she chuckled. ‘Now please take a seat and tell me how you want your outfits finished.'

As Saphira sat down in front of the woman's treadle, Merry excused herself. She was about to make her way back downstairs when Mr Fairbright beckoned her from his office.

‘Is everything all right, Miss Dyer?' he enquired.

‘I think so, sir. Miss Meredith seems happy with her all purchases.'

‘Yes, I saw the mountain of materials you carried up with you. The store's takings will increase handsomely,' he said, rubbing his hands with glee. ‘No doubt Mrs Smale is, at this very moment, totting up all the sales in the ledger.'

‘Yes, sir. I did wonder, though …' She tailed off, not wishing to appear rude.

‘Do go on, Miss Dyer.'

‘Well, sir, you know the store's policy is to allow clients to have their purchases on approbation? Will that apply to the part-made garments as well?'

Mr Fairbright frowned. ‘Is there any reason they should be any different?'

‘When clients purchase materials they are presumably given on approval before their own dressmaker makes them up. I mean, you could hardly accept material back if it had been turned into a dress to someone's measurements, and if Mrs Stitches makes up the part-made garments whilst the goods are on approbation …'

‘And the client decided she didn't approve of the fabric later on, she might refuse to pay, you mean?' Mr Fairbright supplied.

Merry nodded. ‘Not that I wish to imply Miss Meredith would …' She realized she was in danger of insulting the woman she'd spent most of the afternoon advising. And after she'd treated Merry so well too, not like that condescending companion of hers. Whatever had made her ask such a stupid question? Of course, Mr Fairbright would have already thought of everything. Grozen had been right when she'd told Merry she should think before speaking out.

‘You know, Miss Dyer, that is indeed a very good question and I have to confess one that neither Mr Didcot nor myself has given any consideration to. I shall make a note to discuss the matter at our next meeting and you can be sure I will have an answer for you then. Now you'd better get back to the shop floor before Mrs Smale comes looking for you.'

‘Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,' Merry said, but as she turned to go Mr Fairbright called her back.

‘Miss Dyer, I almost forgot. There is something delicate I wish to ask you.' He sat there looking so uncomfortable that Merry wondered what on earth she could have done. The tick of the clock on the mantel sounded loud in the ensuing silence. She could hear the sound of hooves on the cobbles below and remembered how Mr Fairbright had said he could see out over the yard from this office. He hadn't witnessed her committing some minor misdemeanour, had he?

‘Miss Dyer,' Mr Fairbright cleared his throat before continuing. ‘Please tell me in the strictest confidence, of course, is Mrs Smale's breath less than fragrant? I have never detected anything myself but, suffering from asthma as I do, my sense of smell is not particularly good.'

‘Well, Mr Fairbright, in the interest of your clients I do feel you should know it has been commented that her breath smells of old cabbages.'

Her employer smiled. ‘That's the thing I like about you, Miss Dyer. I can rely upon you to be direct. I shall get Mrs Winter to mention it to her, sort of woman to woman; perhaps suggest she chew some parsley after her meals,' he added.

Merry tried not to grin as she took her leave and made her way back down to the shop floor. How she hoped she'd be there to witness the fireworks that would certainly ensue. However, all such thoughts were quickly dispelled the moment Mrs Smale caught sight of her.

‘How magnanimous of you to join us, Miss Dyer,' she hissed, the shadows cast by the gas globes making her
look more fiendish than ever. ‘Did it really take that long for you to introduce Miss Meredith to the dressmaker?'

‘No it did not, Mrs Smale. Mr Fairbright called me into his office.'

The woman's eyes narrowed. ‘And pray what did our esteemed employer wish to discuss with one of his lowly trainee assistants?'

‘He said how pleased he was with the number of purchases Miss Meredith made,' Merry replied, thinking it prudent not to mention her bad breath. The woman let out such a hiss it could have been mistaken for the gas globes and Merry wished she'd remained quiet.

‘And naturally, I have already entered them in the ledger. However, Mr Fairbright wouldn't be so pleased if he were to see the abominable state you've left the dressing room in. Go and tidy the stock away immediately then give the room a thorough cleaning. I shall inspect everything before supper.'

‘Yes, Mrs Smale,' she replied, knowing it was quicker just to agree. Seeing the worried looks Freckles and Prunella were giving her, she smiled in assurance to them as she passed.

Whilst the dressing room did need tidying, she'd been careful to keep the materials stacked in their colour ways so it took her only a few minutes to put them neatly back in their places in the cupboard. Seeing the rose-pink silk, she remembered Saphira's words and couldn't resist holding the material up to herself. Immediately her face looked energized, as if she'd been for a walk along the beach. If only, she thought, sighing as she carefully folded the material away and closed the door.

Determined to make the changing area look spotless, she smoothed the velvet covers on the chair straight and shook out the chiffon scarves clients were encouraged to place around their necks when trying things on. Then, as she was giving the mirror a polish, her attention was caught by something sparkling on the floor. It was a gold chain with some kind of stone attached. Picking it up, she ran her fingers over the blue heart and couldn't help thinking how similar it was to the trinket her mother always wore, although that was dull and lustreless by comparison. It must have come adrift when Saphira had been trying on a garment, she thought. She was just wondering whether the woman was still upstairs with the dressmaker, when Mrs Smale came bustling into the room.

‘Have you not finished, Miss Dyer?' she snapped, then caught sight of what Merry was holding. ‘Stealing from a client is grounds for instant dismissal,' she added, a gleam sparking in her eyes.

‘Stealing?' Merry gasped, shaking her head. ‘You misunderstand, Mrs Smale. I found this on the floor when I was tidying up …' she said, holding out the necklace, but the woman snatched it from her hands.

‘Come with me,' she ordered, striding towards the stairs.

‘Hello there, is everything all right, Merry?' Chester asked, leaping aside as Mrs Smale almost barged through him.

‘I don't think so,' Merry whispered, her heart beating faster than the tall-case clock in the corner.

‘Miss Dyer,' the manageress cried, and with a helpless look at Chester, Merry scuttled up the stairs.

‘Come,' Mr Fairbright ordered as Mrs Smale rapped briskly on his office door.

‘Mr Fairbright, this girl here is a thief. She has been caught stealing a client's necklace and …'

‘Now then, steady on, Mrs Smale. That is a dangerous accusation. I am sure there has been some misunderstanding. Perhaps you would start from the beginning,' Mr Fairbright ordered, his voice measured.

Bewildered, Merry stared at him and then around the little office where only a short time ago she had been commended for her service, hardly able to believe she was being accused of theft.

‘… And so you see, Mr Fairbright, in my capacity as manageress, I have to recommend you dispense with Miss Dyer's services immediately,' Mrs Smale concluded.

Mr Fairbright stared from the necklace the woman had placed in front of him to Merry, his brows furrowing.

‘I don't think Miss Dyer …' he began.

‘Oh, you may think butter wouldn't melt in her charming little mouth, but you haven't seen her behaviour on the shop floor. Miss Dyer criticizes the way I dress the mannequins, suggesting I might be behind the seasons, if you please. She rushes forward to attend to clients when, as you know, we observe a strict code of practice with senior staff …' Her voice tailed off as Mr Fairbright held up his hand.

‘That's quite enough, Mrs Smale. As manageress it is your duty to encourage trainees to fulfil their potential. We all have our strengths and weaker areas, do we not?' He paused, looking pointedly at her. ‘The enthusiasm and opinion of all members of staff is vital to the good running of the store and …'

‘But you have no idea …' she butted in.

‘I think I am beginning to see for myself, thank you. The store is still open, Mrs Smale, so I'd be obliged if you would return to the shop floor.'

As the woman stood there gaping like a guppy, Mr Fairbright turned to Merry. ‘Perhaps you would care to explain how you happened to have this in your possession?' he asked.

‘I told you, Mr Fairbright …' Mrs Smale began, then, seeing the look on her employer's face, flounced from the room.

Mr Fairbright took his red spotted kerchief from his pocket and dabbed his forehead but Merry could wait no longer.

‘Mr Fairbright, I found this on the dressing-room floor when I went to tidy up. It is my belief that it came adrift whilst Miss Meredith was trying on a part-made garment.'

‘That would make sense,' he agreed, picking up the necklace and running the chain through his fingers.

‘I intended to find out if Miss Meredith was still on the premises and return it, but Mrs Smale came into the dressing room and, well, she accused me of taking it. I would never do anything like that, I assure you,' she cried.

To her surprise, Mr Fairbright smiled. ‘I never for one moment thought you would, Miss Dyer. After all, I do recall you pointing out to Miss Brown that she had overpaid you. No, your integrity is not in question.'

‘You mean you aren't going to dismiss me?' she asked, hoping flaring in her breast.

‘I most certainly am not. Mr Didcot and I have high hopes for your future here, Miss Dyer. However, as Miss
Meredith will obviously have left by now, my immediate concern is to see this is returned to her at once. She will doubtless be anxious when she notices a necklace of such worth is missing.'

‘Yes, I expect it's of sentimental value to her,' Merry said, thinking how devastated her mother would be if she found her own trinket missing.

‘I think you misunderstand, Miss Dyer. Unless I am mistaken, this is a sapphire of some monetary value,' he said, taking out his pocket watch and frowning. ‘It is nearly time for the store to close so it would probably be prudent for you to go directly to the staff-room.'

‘But Mrs Smale …' she began.

‘You may also leave the matter of Mrs Smale with me. It appears she needs to be put right on this and a number of other things,' he said. ‘Good evening, Miss Dyer.'

‘Good evening, sir,' she replied, taking her leave and hurrying down the stairs. It was only when she reached the staff-room and sank onto her chair that she realized she was trembling.

‘Well, hello there,' Chester said, coming into the room a few moments later. ‘Hey, are you all right, old thing?'

‘I think I am now, thank you, but it's certainly been a day and a half.'

‘Freckles filled me in,' Chester said. ‘What a rat bag old Smelly is. Can't have her upsetting my favourite girl, now can I? I'll have to think of something more appropriate than a frog, though.'

Before she could answer, Freckles and Prunella rushed into the room, anxious to hear how she'd fared with Mr Fairbright. Merry stared around the table, thankful to
have the support of these wonderful people who had become her friends.

Filing onto the shop floor the next morning, the young women were surprised when they were greeted by their supervisor and not the manageress.

‘Mrs Smale is with Mr Fairbright so it is up to me to see that everything is ready for when the store opens,' Mrs Winter announced in her clipped tones.

‘Hope she's getting her comeuppance,' Freckles whispered.

‘Miss Brice?' the supervisor asked with a quirk of her immaculate brow.

‘I said it's amazing how much stuff you can buy for tuppence,' Freckles smiled, gesturing to their trimmings drawer.

‘It is indeed remarkable what the store sells for such a modest sum, Miss Brice. Now I think it is high time we arranged the window to reflect the changing seasons. Perhaps you would collect some fur fabric from the stock cupboard along with some warm gloves and mufflers.'