The Sea Shell Girl (30 page)

‘Ah, Miss Dyer, I just wondered if you had that letter for your mother? The recent cold snap has left our stocks of knit frocks sadly depleted and I am journeying to Porthsallos tomorrow to collect more.'

Merry's heart sank. Although she'd started it, having spent her precious time off sewing and going out with Carey she hadn't got round to finishing it.

‘Well, actually, I did start it …' Really, she had no excuse.

Seeing her flustered look, Mr Fairweather shook his head. ‘I know you have been busy, Miss Dyer, but it would
only take you a minute to finish it, surely? I suggest you do so this evening, then leave it on the hall table. I will collect it first thing before I leave.'

‘Thank you, sir,' she muttered.

‘I know you intend going home for Christmas but a letter confirming that would mean a lot to your mother.'

‘Yes, Mr Fairbright,' she replied, and although he'd spoken mildly she felt as if she'd received a telling-off from the schoolmaster.

‘Come on, Merry, we'll walk with you to the staff-room,' Chester said, catching up with her as she made her way down the hallway. ‘We had such an exciting afternoon, didn't we, Nicholas? Teddy saw a chap pocketing one of those new …'

‘Sorry, Chester, I'll not be eating with you tonight. I have something I must do,' she interrupted, hurrying towards the back stairs.

‘What's up with her?' Teddy asked.

‘That lieutenant's giving her ideas above her station, if you ask me,' she heard Chester reply.

Ideas above her station indeed, Merry thought as she lit the candle in her room and took up her sheet of paper. Although she was fond of the other assistants, there was no denying the lack of privacy got on her nerves at times. At least at home her mother and Grozen would sense when she needed to think and leave her alone – well, most of the time, anyway. Quickly she read what she'd already written.

Dear Mother and Grozen,

I hope this letter finds you well. I was pleased to receive yours and thank you most sincerely for my lovely shawl and gloves. The colour is perfect and …

Taking up her pencil, she thought for a moment then began to write.

they are ideal for the snow and cold weather we have been having. I wonder if you have had much snow in Porthsallos. Hope you are keeping warm and the fire well stoked, Grozen. We have been very busy here. Would you believe Mr Fairbright arranged for a fir tree lit with candles to be placed in both of the bay windows? It all looks very festive and brings lots of people into the store.

She paused, wondering if she should mention Carey. But knowing they still expected her to marry Nicco, she decided against it.

I miss you both very much and am very much looking forward to seeing you when I come home for Christmas.

Ever your loving

Merryn

Placing her letter on the side to take downstairs first thing, she turned her attention to what she should wear for going out with Carey on Sunday. It might still be a few days away, but if the activity in the store today was anything to go by, she'd be hard-pressed to find any free time later in the week.

Knowing she shouldn't miss another service, and trusting it was too near Christmas for Nicco to be visiting Plymouth, Merry joined the others for church on Sunday morning.

‘Are you coming out with us today?' Chester asked as they walked out through the lychgate.

‘Merry's got a date with the dashing lieutenant, so you'll just have to treat yours truly to another poke of chips,' Freckles teased, linking her arm through his.

‘We're coming with you, though,' Prunella said, smiling at Nicholas, who flushed and nodded.

‘Well, I'm no goose-gog so you can count me out. I'm off to see my pals anyway,' Teddy said, waving his hand in farewell.

‘Hope you know what you're doing, Merry,' Chester said.

‘What do you mean?' she asked.

‘Well, that lieutenant's sort, they're … oh, nothing,' he sighed.

‘Come on, there's the tram,' Freckles squealed. Merry watched as her friends sped off on their excursion, then made her way towards the store.

Back in her room, she checked her appearance in the little mirror and wondered where Carey would be taking her today. Her heart gave a leap at the thought of seeing him again. It might only have been a week since they'd last met but she'd really missed him. Remembering he'd said they would be having a special pre-Christmas celebration, she put on her cashmere wrap and ran back down the stairs so as not to keep him waiting.

The hall clock struck twelve and, knowing he was always punctual, she peeped through the window but there was no sign of him. She perched on the chair in the hallway but was so excited she couldn't keep still and began pacing the floor. The clock struck the quarter-hour, then the half-hour but still he didn't appear. He must have been delayed, she thought when the clock chimed a quarter to one. Surely he would have sent a message if he wasn't coming? Perhaps something better had come along, the little gremlin in her mind warned. Had he spent the previous evening at a party? Saphira might be away but hadn't he said Alexandria was a family friend and always visiting? She paced the floor, her treacherous thoughts getting the better of her. By the time the clock
chimed the hour she had to acknowledge that he wasn't coming.

Probably never had any intention, that gremlin muttered as she hurried up to her room. Well, she didn't care anyway. Except she did, and it hurt. Heedless of her finery, she threw herself down on the bed and sobbed until she had no tears left. Then anger swept through her. Even if he had changed his mind, he should have had the decency to let her know. Jumping up, she changed into her old skirt and blouse, wrapped her blue shawl around her shoulders and ran out to the yard.

After rinsing her face at the pump, she returned to her room. She was blowed if she'd waste the rest of her day off; it was only a week until Christmas. She'd wrap her presents then prepare her things ready for going home. How pleased she was Mr Fairbright had reminded her to write to her mother and Grozen, and how she missed them.

The next week passed in a blur of clients and wrapping. If there was a stone where her heart used to be then she chose to ignore it. Although Freckles and Prunella had looked askance when they returned on Sunday, for once they'd respected her privacy and hadn't intruded. She was grateful for that, although she suspected it was Prunella who'd kept their inquisitive friend from prying.

Now it was Christmas Eve and, to their surprise, Mr Fairbright closed the store early and they were summoned to his office.

‘Well, ladies, first of all I would like to thank you for all your hard work over the past months. Your probationary period is almost at an end and Mr Didcot and I thought it
would be opportune to tell you our findings before you depart for the festivities. Mr Didcot is, as we speak, addressing the staff from menswear.'

‘That is most considerate of you, Mr Fairbright,' Mrs Smale smiled, patting her bun self-assuredly.

‘Not at all, Mrs Smale. However, I shall begin with you, Mrs Winter,' he said, turning to the supervisor. ‘You have shown exceptional talent in your dealings with both the staff in the ladies' department and the servants who call to collect their employers' wares. Therefore, when you return after the festivities it will be in the role of manageress.'

‘But …' Mrs Smale gasped.

Freckles and Merry exchanged surprised looks.

‘Bear with me if you will, Mrs Smale,' Mr Fairbright said, holding up his hand. ‘Miss Dyer, you have shown a comprehensive understanding of the stock and a good rapport with our clients so you have passed your probation with flying colours. In future you will shadow Mrs Winter and assist as trainee supervisor.'

Merry gulped. ‘Thank you, Mr Fairbright,' she whispered. Trainee supervisor? Well, that would certainly give her something to focus on when she returned after the holiday. Goodness, whatever would her mother say?

‘Obviously you have a lot still to learn but Mrs Winter assures me you show great promise.' He smiled at Merry and then addressed them all. ‘Mr Didcot and myself feel it will enrich your careers if you each take on a specific responsibility for the running of the department.'

‘But what about …' Mrs Smale began.

‘All in good time, Mrs Smale. Now, Miss Prim,' he
smiled at Pru. ‘I am pleased to say you too have passed your probation with flying colours. I am led to believe you have shown a distinct flair for displaying our merchandise. In future, you will take responsibility for seeing the mannequins are seasonally dressed and that our stock is shown to best effect. Mrs Winter, of course, will advise.'

‘Goodness, thank you, sir,' Prunella said, flushing with pleasure.

‘Miss Brice, I have heard you are particularly good at giving names to, er, well … everything,' he said, his eyes twinkling.

‘Now that is very true, sir,' Mrs Smale smirked.

‘Well, when the store reopens it will be receiving new stock and instead of using the usual generic names, we feel it would create interest for our clients if our collections were given individual titles. You, Miss Brice, will have responsibility for this, a job at which I am confident you will excel,' he said, smiling at Freckles.

‘Blimey oh rimey, thank you, Mr Fairbright,' Freckles gushed.

‘Obviously your pay will be enhanced to reflect these extra duties, and when you return you will find waiting for you the black uniforms and caps denoting your status as fully fledged assistants.'

‘But what about me?'

‘Ah, Mrs Smale, where would we be without your meticulous writing up of the ledgers? It is clear you have an aptitude for figures, and with business flourishing it is essential to have someone dedicated to keeping the store's accounts. We would deem it an honour if you were to become our bookkeeper.'

‘But clearly there is no room for me in the store,' she said, glaring at Mrs Winter.

‘We appreciate such a job requires the utmost concentration and have arranged for the office behind this one be prepared for you.'

‘You mean I have been elevated to a position upstairs with an office of my own?' Mrs Smale simpered. ‘I must agree I am indeed worthy of greater things than being on the shop floor.' She smirked at Mrs Winter, who nodded in a conciliatory manner.

‘Right, ladies, all that remains is for me to wish you the compliments of the season and to hand you your Christmas boxes.'

‘Goodness, I can hardly believe it,' Merry said, once they were up in their room.

‘Did you see old Smelly's face when Fairbright announced Mrs Winter was going to be manageress? For a moment there, I reckon she thought she was out on her ear,' Freckles giggled.

‘I can't believe I'm going to be in charge of the mannequins,' Prunella sighed. ‘It will give me something to look forward to whilst Mother is wittering on about marriage.'

‘Right, let's get our things packed, then we can be off. Chester and I are going for a noggin to celebrate. Do you two want to come with us?'

‘And play gooseberry? No, thanks,' Merry said, laughing for the first time in a week. Carey might not value her but it seemed Mr Fairbright did. She would enjoy Christmas with her family and then concentrate on her position
here, for hadn't it always been her ambition to make her own way? ‘I'll get an early night before Nicco collects me in the morning.'

‘Father is already waiting outside in his carriage,' Prunella sighed.

‘Well, come along then, girl. I'll walk down to the yard with you. Merry Christmas, Merry,' Freckles chortled. ‘And you needn't get any ideas about me kowtowing to you when we get back.'

‘And you needn't come up with any rude name for me,' Merry laughed. ‘Happy Christmas, Prunella,' she added.

Prunella pulled a face. ‘I'd much rather be staying here. Season's greetings, Merry.'

Merry listened to them clattering down the stairs then finished packing her bag ready for the morning. The presents she'd carefully wrapped rustled as she placed her nightdress on top and she smiled, thinking of the skirt she'd made for her mother. Even with her discount it had cost a small fortune, but as soon as she'd seen the warm woollen material she'd known her mother would love it.

She was so looking forward to seeing Mother and Grozen. She thought of the beautiful bed jacket she'd purchased for the older woman. Although her grandmother would say it was too grand and she'd never wear it, Merry knew she would. As a gesture of goodwill, she'd even wrapped a pair of socks for Nicco. He might be possessive and dictatorial but he obviously still wanted her. If he hadn't said he'd collect her tomorrow she'd have had a long walk in the freezing cold.

A knock on the door interrupted her musing and, sighing, she went to answer it.

‘Mr Fairbright would like to see you in the parlour,' Joanie said.

‘Mr Fairbright?' Merry repeated. ‘Why?'

‘Don't ask me, dearie, I was just leaving for home when he came bustling in insisting I come and get you straight away.'

Quickly Merry smoothed down her skirts, then followed the woman down the stairs. When they entered the office she noticed that Mr Fairbright was dressed in his greatcoat and muffler, cheeks flushed from the cold and with a dusting of snow on his collar.

‘Ah, Miss Dyer, do take a seat, my dear,' her employer greeted her. ‘Thank you, Joanie. I'm sorry to have held you up. Compliments of the season to you.'

‘And to you, Mr Fairbright,' the housekeeper replied.

‘I was on my way home when I bumped into an old colleague who hails from Logh,' Mr Fairbright said, turning to Merry. ‘Apparently snow there has blocked the roads. Mindful you were intending to travel to Porthsallos, I enquired if the higher road was passable. Alas, it is not, so I'm afraid you will not be going anyway, my dear.'

‘Oh, no,' she murmured, disappointment flooding through her.

‘We are off to stay with relatives, otherwise I would have invited you home with me,' he explained, looking so anxious that Merry forced a smile.

‘Don't worry, Mr Fairbright, I'll be fine,' she assured him.

‘Well, if you are sure?' he said, looking relieved. ‘The store is locked, of course, and as Jenkins will be caretaking, Joanie has left plenty of food in the larder so you
must help yourself. Season's greetings, my dear,' he added before hurrying away.