The Sea Shell Girl (23 page)

‘Blimey, while the cat's away,' Freckles giggled to Merry as she hurried across the shop floor.

‘Miss Prim, perhaps you would change the display of buttons and silks to go with the heavier fabrics that we shall be using. I notice you have an artistic eye.' Prunella beamed and eagerly turned her attention to the task. As Merry wondered what she would be assigned to do, Mrs Winter pointed towards the mannequins that were positioned on either side of the window. ‘Miss Dyer, you will assist me in re-dressing these.'

The next hour passed in a flurry of activity as they did
as they'd been asked. By the time they were dismissed for their breakfast, the store had been transformed.

‘Blimey oh rimey, old Smelly will have a fit when she sees what Frosty's done,' Freckles chortled, waving her spoon in the air.

‘Well, you have to admit it does look more suitable for the colder weather,' Merry said.

‘I think Mrs Winter is quite nice really,' Prunella said. ‘At least she let us all help.'

‘She's only trying to get one up on Smelly, Pru. Surely you realize that. Come on, eat up or we'll be late for inspection.'

However, Mrs Winter merely glanced at their appearance when they filed into the store. Instead she proudly announced that as Mrs Smale was still with Mr Fairbright, she would take charge of the running of the department.

‘Of course, that means we shall all have to work harder but I know I can rely upon your assistance,' she said, her lips curling into a grin as she looked at them. ‘Now it's time for the store to open,' she added.

‘It's like she's turned into a human being,' Freckles muttered as they took their places behind the counter.

Trade was brisk, with clients drawn into the store by the new window display. They were kept so busy with requests to see the warmer fabrics and accessories that they hardly noticed when Mrs Smale finally appeared. As she stood in the doorway taking in the changed displays and the re-dressed mannequins her cheeks flushed bright red. Narrowing her eyes, she marched over to Merry.

‘You are wanted in Mr Fairbright's office right away.'

‘Come,' Mr Fairbright called, and Merry swallowed hard as yet again she found herself entering his office.

‘Ah, Miss Dyer, this is Lieutenant Meredith, Miss Meredith's brother. I sent word that you had found his sister's necklace and he has come to collect it on her behalf. Whilst he is here, he wishes to thank you personally for handing it in.'

Merry turned and saw the tall, fair-haired man standing beside the window. Smiling, he crossed the room and held out his hand. Merry glanced uncertainly at Mr Fairbright, who nodded encouragingly. As the man clasped her hand firmly in his, a tingle shivered up her arm and she stared at him in surprise. Eyes, a paler blue than his sister's, gazed intently into hers.

‘My sister told me of your similarity in looks and I have to admit the likeness is remarkable. We are both deeply grateful for your honesty in handing in her necklace. Saphira was quite distressed when she returned home and found it missing. Then she received word from Mr Fairbright that it had been found in the store and I was immediately dispatched to collect it. It belonged to our grandmother and is irreplaceable so we would be happy if you would accept this small reward as a token of our appreciation.' He took a package from his inside pocket and held it out.

‘Oh, no, please. I was only doing my duty,' Merry protested.

The lieutenant gave her a searching look and Merry felt her breath catch in her throat.

As he continued to hold out the package, Mr Fairbright chuckled. ‘Miss Dyer is a woman of principles so I think you are going to have to admit defeat, Lieutenant Meredith.'

‘A Meredith never admits defeat, Mr Fairbright. However, he is prepared to compromise. In order that I may express the gratitude of both my sister and myself, would you do me the honour of dining with me, Miss Dyer? I believe Sunday is your day off, so perhaps luncheon?'

‘Oh,' she said, surprised that this fine gentleman should want her company. ‘But I …' she cast around the room, wondering how to reply.

‘How thoughtless of me: a charming lady such as yourself will already be booked up for months ahead,' he said, looking so serious that she burst out laughing.

‘No such luck, I'm afraid.'

Mr Fairbright coughed discreetly. ‘I told you Miss Dyer was nothing if not candid, Lieutenant.'

‘Indeed you did, Mr Fairbright, and I have to say such frankness is quite refreshing. Most young ladies would demur and then pretend to consider. Personally, I find such games tiresome. Dare I hope you will permit me to call upon you at noon on Sunday, Miss Dyer?'

‘Yes, why not?' she said recklessly, then wondered why both men chuckled.

Mr Fairbright coughed again. ‘As Miss Dyer's employer, might I enquire where you will be taking her?'

‘The Madison, I think, the food there is always good. I
promise behaviour beyond reproach and her safe return by five o'clock,' he replied formally, although Merry was certain she saw his lips twitch.

‘Blimey oh rimey, you mean that toff asked you out?' Freckles gasped, as Merry updated them over their midday meal.

‘Yes, but only to show his appreciation for me handing in Miss Meredith's necklace.'

‘That's his excuse,' Freckles chortled. ‘Old Smelly will have a fit. Where's he taking you?'

‘Somewhere called the Madison,' Merry replied.

As Freckles whistled, Prunella turned to Merry.

‘You do realize that is the best hotel in town?'

‘Is it?' Merry gulped. Whatever had she been thinking of, accepting such an invitation?

‘Oh, yes. Father used to meet his business associates there. It is incredibly smart. Apparently the
maître d'hôtel
was trained at the finest hotel in France.'

‘The
maître
what?' Merry asked, giving up all pretence of eating her broth.

‘
Maître
d'hôtel
– he oversees the dining room, ensures the table has been laid with the correct cutlery, the right wine is served with each course and …'

‘Each course?' Merry squeaked. ‘How many will there be?'

Prunella shrugged. ‘Five, maybe six, although at luncheon you might get away with only four.'

As Merry looked aghast, Freckles sighed. ‘Blimey oh rimey, girl, whatever have you got yourself into? One knife, fork and spoon is enough for me.'

‘What do you mean?' asked Merry.

‘One set of cutlery for each course,' replied Freckles, laughing at Merry's obvious disbelief.

‘There's nothing to it,' Prunella assured her. ‘You just work from the outside in.'

‘So what will you wear? You can hardly go to a swanky place in your Sunday threads, can you?' Freckles pointed out. Merry shook her head and stared around the room as if seeking inspiration.

‘You may borrow my new bonnet and mantle,' Prunella offered.

‘And I can put your hair up in that new style. I know, let's have a dress rehearsal on Saturday night after work,' Freckles said excitedly.

Merry smiled gratefully at her friends. What had she been thinking by accepting Lieutenant Meredith's invitation?

For the rest of the week as Merry went about her work, her emotions fluctuated from the giddy desire to see him again to nerves at how she should conduct herself. Would she be permitted to keep Prunella's mantle on during the meal? Even if she'd had the money to purchase new fabric, there was no time to make a replacement for her best dress. And what would she talk about? A lieutenant such as he would hardly be interested in hearing about the daily routine of the store. Round and round the questions rolled in her head until she thought it would burst.

When the store finally closed its doors on Saturday night, Freckles led her excitedly upstairs to their room.

‘Well, how do I look?' she asked some fifteen minutes later as she twirled in front of the candle.

‘She looks a dolly dazzler in your bonnet and mantle, doesn't she, Prunella?' Freckles declared.

Prunella looked unsure but as she opened her mouth to say something, there was a sharp rap on the door and Mrs Stitches bustled into the room.

‘I've managed to get this finished,' she puffed, holding out something in rose-pink material. ‘Mind you, it was touch and go whether I'd get it done in time. That Miss Meredith sent me a commu … communi … a note asking me to turn one of the lengths of silk into a blouse for you, Miss Dyer. Said as it suited her so well she knew it would be perfect for you and she wanted to thank you for finding her necklace.'

Merry stared at the woman in surprise. ‘This is for me?' she asked.

‘That's what I said, dear. Worked all day to get it finished, I have, not that she said anything about you needing it for tomorrow, but I guessed you'd want to look your best.'

‘But how did you know my size?' Merry frowned.

‘That Miss Meredith said to make it up the same as hers. Well, I'd best be off or the old man will be back from the alehouse and wondering where his supper is.'

As the door closed behind her, Merry continued staring at the blouse in bemusement.

‘That must have cost a bit,' Freckles whistled. ‘Well, hurry up and pop it over your dress, then you can put the mantle on top.' Merry did as they suggested, then stood back for them to see.

‘That's much better. The pink blouse makes all the difference, doesn't it, Pru?' Freckles pronounced.

‘Yes, you look all soft and womanly now,' Prunella agreed.

‘And it hides those straining seams,' Freckles chortled. ‘Now, you'd better get some beauty sleep or you'll have bags like saucers under your eyes by the time his nibs arrives.'

Promptly at noon Lieutenant Meredith's brougham pulled up outside the store. As Merry approached, the driver opened the door and let down the step for her. If only her mother could see her being treated in such style, she thought.

‘How lovely it is to see you again, Miss Dyer.'

‘And you, Lieutenant Meredith,' she replied, settling herself on the leather squab.

‘Please call me Carey. We can hardly dine together whilst being so formal. May I be so bold as to call you Merryn?'

She nodded. ‘My friends call me Merry.'

‘Delightful, and it rather captures your sunny nature. However, Merryn is a pretty name and you're a pretty girl so I shall call you that,' he replied. As his aquamarine eyes gazed at her admiringly, she felt the heat of a blush creep over her cheeks. Flustered, she looked out of the window and was pleased when he called to the driver to drive on.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was so highly charged she barely noticed the passing scenery. It was only when Carey began pointing out various landmarks that she relaxed enough to look at him again. Now he was gesturing towards a large ship with smoking funnels and tall masts that towered over the buildings in the distance.

‘That's the transatlantic Royal Mailboat anchored offshore.'

‘Why does it have to wait out there?'

‘It is simply too big to enter the inner harbour,' he said.

They rounded a corner, and an imposing limestone building with towering chimneys and a turret at one corner appeared in view. ‘Our destination,' he proudly announced.

She blinked in amazement. Were they really going in there?

No sooner had the driver pulled to a halt than a uniformed porter hurried over to greet them. He led them up three steps and through the revolving doors, where another uniformed man stepped forward to greet them.

‘May I take your mantle to the cloakroom for you, madam?'

‘Oh, yes, thank you,' she said, fumbling for the clasp. Smiling, Carey leaned forward to help and she caught a whiff of his spicy cologne, felt the warmth of his touch through the thin material of her blouse. Quickly she smoothed down the folds of her dress, glimpsing her clumpy black shoes in the process. Hopefully nobody would notice, she thought as a well-dressed woman wearing elegant jewel-encrusted slippers passed by.

‘Allow me to show you through to the lounge,' the man said, leading the way along a burgundy-carpeted corridor.

‘May I get you some drinks, sir?' he asked as they took their seats in the comfortable lounge overlooking the water.

‘As we are celebrating I think we will have a bottle of elderflower champagne at the table, if that's all right with you, Merryn?' Carey asked, looking to her for confirmation. Champagne? Goodness, she thought, accepting the
embossed leather-covered menu the waiter handed her. She almost gasped in dismay when she saw the numerous dishes listed.

‘I can recommend the venison pâté with melba toast, followed by the turbot,' Carey suggested. ‘And I'm told the roast sirloin is particularly good here, unless you would prefer to select from the à la carte menu, of course?'

She shook her head in disbelief that there was even more choice.

‘Whatever you suggest will be fine,' she replied, thinking that no matter how delicious it was, she'd never manage half of it anyway. Although the blouse covered the upper part of her dress, she was still mindful of the straining seams across her hips. The man finished noting down their order and moved away.

‘What a delightful view,' she said, looking out over the harbour to Plymouth Sound and the Breakwater beyond.

‘I see we share a love of the sea,' he said. ‘My sister did let slip that you hail from Porthsallos, which is a fishing village, I believe,' he enquired, looking at her as if her answer really mattered.

‘Yes, it is, and the pilchards have been plentiful this year providing plenty of work.'

‘Your father is a fisherman?'

‘My father died before I was born,' she said quietly.

‘I am sorry; that was clumsy of me,' he replied, looking upset.

‘You weren't to know. I lived with my mother, Karenza, and Grozen before coming to Plymouth.' He quirked a brow and she told him how she'd come to call her grandmother by that name.

‘She can be a bit formidable but is as soft as silk underneath. Mother's easy-going – as long as you tell the truth, that is. She has a right thing about honesty.'

‘Good for her,' he applauded. ‘The world would be a better place if more were like her.'

Their conversation was halted by the arrival of a smart black-suited gentleman with a white bow tie.

‘Your table is ready, sir,' he announced, giving a little bow.

They followed him into a bright, airy room, where a silver-haired man in a white jacket was playing a piano softly in the corner, and were shown to a table for two in the bay of the window. Merry couldn't believe it when her chair was pulled out for her and a snowy white napkin was placed on her lap. She watched in fascination as the man took a bottle from a cooler beside the table, gently eased the cork from the bottle, then poured the fizzing liquid into their glasses. Only then did she notice the array of shiny cutlery and other crystal glasses set in front of her.