Christmas at the Foyles Bookshop (The Foyles Girls)

by Elaine Roberts

  Molly had chosen a calf-length, white wedding dress. The white underskirt was covered in layers of lace, while the long sleeves tightened at the wrists. The bodice was covered with detailed embroidered lace, with a white sash under it. The veil was a perfect match for the dress and was held in place with the orange blossom her mother loved so much.

  Molly took a deep breath, before giving a nervous laugh. ‘Stop worrying, it’s all good, he’ll think I’ve changed my mind if I don’t hurry up.’

  ‘Molly, you look wonderful.’ Charlotte beamed, her eyes welling up. ‘I’m glad you decided to carry your gran’s bible, instead of flowers. You’ve always been your own person, and I want you to know that I’m very proud of you, even though I don’t always show it.’

  Molly blinked quickly. ‘I love you, Ma.’

  Sophie looked at her through watery eyes. ‘Be happy. Andrew is a good man.’ She leant forward, giving her granddaughter a kiss on the cheek. ‘You will never know how much you are loved by all of us, and I’m thrilled to see this happy day.’ She turned as quickly as she could, to lean on Lily.

  Molly’s tears pricked at her eyelids. She reached out and grasped her gran’s hand. ‘Thank you.’

  Sophie nodded. ‘Let’s go, Lily, or the wedding will probably be over before I’ve made it to my seat at the speed I walk, and I need to make the most of this beautiful silver-grey gown.’

  Lily chuckled. ‘We have plenty of time, so no rushing please.’

  Charlotte lifted her hand, to touch the soft skin of her daughter’s cheek. ‘Ready?’

  Molly nodded, catching her mother’s lily of the valley scent she had used sparingly, that morning.

  With Victoria’s help, Charlotte gently pulled a short layer of the veil over her daughter’s face. She beamed at her daughter. ‘You look beautiful. Andrew’s a lucky man.’ Tears filled her eyes.

  They all stood motionless for a moment. Jack cleared his throat, while straightening his blue tie, and the blue cufflinks on his white shirt.

  Molly closed her eyes, stopping her own tears from falling. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered, opening them again.

  Charlotte leant towards Jack and kissed his cheek, before turning on her heels and stepping forward. Her shoes clattered on the stone floor, as she walked towards the front pew. She nodded towards Alice’s family and Daisy, before taking her seat, next to her mother.

  The priest stepped forward and the chords of the pipe organ filled the air. The congregation stood up as one, and with Alice leading the way, the two bridesmaids slowly walked down the aisle, in single file, towards the waiting priest, in step with each other and Mendelssohn’s ‘Wedding March’. The white lace and pale pink satin underlay of the column dresses swished around their calves, and their white shoes clipped, with every step they took. The bridesmaids each carried a small, round posy of fresh cut flowers, made up of white and pink roses and baby’s breath.

  Molly stood in the vestibule with her father, gazing up at him. ‘I hope I don’t make a fool of myself, by tripping up or something.’

  Jack looked adoringly at his daughter. ‘No matter what, I will always be here to catch you.’ He paused, tucking his daughter’s hand under his arm. ‘I suppose this is it, time for me to give you away.’ His eyes became watery. ‘You look beautiful. I am so proud of you, and all that you stand for. You are beautiful, inside and out.’

  ‘Thank you, Pa; please remember my family and friends are everything to me.’ She blinked quickly. ‘We need to go, before I’m the first bride to walk towards her groom, blubbering her eyes out.’

  Jack laughed and squeezed her hand. ‘Ready?’

  Molly nodded, and they stepped forward together, in line with the bridesmaids. One hand gripped her father’s arm, while the other carried her grandmother’s worn and well-thumbed bible.

  Charlotte stood, proudly watching her daughter and husband, as they followed the girls towards the altar.

  Andrew clutched his hand in front of him; the knuckles were white, as the bone tried to break free of his skin.

  Victoria nodded and beamed at him and Elizabeth, as she followed Alice along the front pew, past Mrs Cooper.

  Molly and her father finally drew level with Andrew. ‘You look beautiful, Molly. You’re making me the happiest man alive, today.’

  Her eyes lit up and she smiled back at him. ‘Then, we are making each other happy today.’

  The priest cleared his throat and nodded at the pair of them.

  They nodded back, in unison.

  ‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…’

  *

  The Foyles Bookshop door had been closed on the last customer. The shop was cooler for having shut out the sunshine that had shone relentlessly, through the open doorway.

  Victoria grinned up at Mr Leadbetter. ‘It’s been lovely to have you back, sir, but I hope you haven’t been overdoing it today.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Miss Appleton, I think my age is catching up with me.’ Mr Leadbetter gave a faint smile, running his fingers around the inside of his stiff, white collar. ‘But I understand you managed very well, without me.’

  ‘That’s very kind of you to say, but I think the girls will tell you otherwise.’ Victoria giggled. ‘I made Alice and Molly stay with me, after the staff had gone home. We checked the shop together; it’s very spooky when there’s no one in here and you hear all kinds of noises, that you don’t hear during the day.’

  Mr Leadbetter chuckled. ‘I know what you mean.’ He paused as he looked around at the loaded shelves. ‘It’s almost as though the shop is settling down for the night, the groans of the floor and the stairs letting you know they’re worn out from the busy day they’ve had, but you soon get used to it.’

  ‘You make the shop sound like a living and breathing thing.’

  ‘I suppose that is how I see it.’ Mr Leadbetter found himself straightening a book, on a shelf within arm’s reach. ‘I once found a man wandering around upstairs; he couldn’t find his way out of the store.’ He roared with laughter. ‘He frightened the life out of me. It’s a wonder I survived the night.’

  Victoria’s eyes widened. ‘Oh my goodness, I probably would have screamed the place down. I expect you have so many stories you could tell.’

  Mr Leadbetter’s eyes sparkled. ‘Indeed I do, Miss Appleton. Indeed I do.’

  Alice waddled over towards Victoria. ‘Good evening, Mr Leadbetter, I haven’t had a chance to ask you how you are now. I expect this first day back has been tiring for you.’

  ‘I am well, Mrs Leybourne. Thank you for asking, and I should also thank you for driving me home, when I embarrassed myself.’

  Alice shook her head. ‘It was not an embarrassment, sir; we were all genuinely concerned for your welfare.’ She eyed him sheepishly. ‘It’s not for me to tell you what to do, but you clearly still look a bit peaky. You need to make sure you get as much rest as you can, for the time being, at least.’

  Mr Leadbetter frowned. ‘I appreciate your kind thoughts, Mrs Leybourne. I think it was just the heat, but if not, I have Miss Appleton to lighten the load for me.’

  Alice smiled. ‘We were all quite concerned for you, sir, but it’s good to have you back.’

  Mr Leadbetter nodded. ‘I’m expecting Miss Cooper, or perhaps I should say Mrs Greenwood, back tomorrow. Is that right?’

  The girls grinned. ‘Yes, sir,’ they chorused as one.

  Mr Leadbetter smiled at them both.

  Alice glanced at Victoria. ‘Are you ready to go?’

  Victoria nodded.

  The girls both looked up at their manager, speaking in unison. ‘Goodnight, Mr Leadbetter.’

  Mr Leadbetter pulled the shop door open and stood aside. ‘Take care, ladies, and I’ll see you tomorrow.’ The girls nodded, stepping out into the late afternoon sunshine, and the busy Charing Cross Road. The door thudded shut behind them.

  Victoria frowned. ‘I hope Mr Leadbetter is going to be all right.’

  Alice looke
d back at the closed door. ‘The trouble is, he’s not getting any younger.’

  They stepped forward, each lost in thought, as they weaved in and out of people rushing to go about their business, some stopping at stalls to buy drinks and snacks. A grey-haired man rushed past them, clutching a pound note high in the sky. Curiosity got the better of them and they turned to see what was so urgent, but the man was just handing over his money to a flower seller.

  Victoria smiled. ‘Someone’s in for a treat tonight.’

  Alice laughed. ‘They certainly are.’ She tucked her hand under Victoria’s arm. ‘I’ve been wanting to talk to you today. In fact, I wanted to talk to you yesterday, but with the wedding and everything, I didn’t get a chance.’

  Victoria gave a wistful smile. ‘Wasn’t it a lovely day? I think Molly got it just right. She looked beautiful and it was clear for all to see how much Andrew loves her. She’s a very lucky woman to find such love.’

  Alice lost her concentration for a moment. ‘It was lovely. I couldn’t agree more, it was a beautiful day all round. Mr and Mrs Cooper looked so happy and proud. Going inside that church reminded me of my own wedding to Freddie.’

  Victoria nodded. ‘Wasn’t it wonderful that Elizabeth was her brother’s best man, or should I say woman? They are so close, I’m pleased Andrew broke with tradition. I was so happy for them.’ Victoria momentarily stepped off the pavement, to avoid a child running towards her. ‘Mrs Cooper was telling me Andrew had booked the Savoy Hotel for their wedding night, as a surprise for Molly. She would have been thrilled. She was always saying how she’d like to go inside that hotel, or even better, spend a night there, but she couldn’t afford it.’ She beamed at Alice. ‘Isn’t that wonderful?’

  Alice couldn’t help laughing at Victoria’s joy. ‘It is wonderful. Molly looked beautiful and there was no doubt about how much she loved Andrew; it shone from her soul.’

  ‘It did. I’m so happy for them both, and Mr and Mrs Cooper, it’s all worked out in the end.’

  Alice nodded. ‘It was a good day all round and she will be full of it tomorrow.’

  ‘That she will, and rightly so.’ Victoria smiled. ‘I won’t get any work out of her tomorrow, that’s for sure.’

  The girls giggled as they stepped across Sutton Street and headed towards Oxford Street.

  Alice glanced down at the pavement, for a moment. ‘Look, I want to talk to you about something. In fact, I wanted to talk to you yesterday, but the opportunity didn’t arise.’

  Victoria stayed silent, staring ahead, waiting to hear what was so important that Alice had kept giving her strange looks yesterday.

  Alice frowned. ‘Please don’t think it’s anything bad.’ She looked left and right along Oxford Street, before dragging Victoria across the road.

  Victoria turned to her friend. ‘What is it, for goodness’ sake? I knew something was bothering you yesterday, but I guessed it was because I am the last person to get married, and let’s face it, it’s not going to happen anytime soon. I haven’t even got a boyfriend; in fact, Daisy is likely to get married before me. I know everyone thinks I’ll be the dried-up spinster, left on the shelf.’

  Alice stopped in her tracks. ‘What?’ The person behind collided into her. Alice turned. ‘Sorry.’ She took a step forward, to catch up with Victoria. ‘I don’t understand. Am I that bad, that you thought I was going to give you the “it’ll be your turn soon” speech?’ Anger spots filled her cheeks. ‘I thought we knew each other better than that.’ She stepped past Victoria, shaking her head as she went.

  Victoria reached out and grabbed Alice’s arm. ‘Wait, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things, I need to stop and think before letting my emotions run away with me. I’m sorry for speaking out of turn, it’s not fair on you or Molly. It’s just I know everyone thinks I’m going to be an old maid, and they’re probably right, because I’ve had thoughts about being a crazy cat lady and always being the aunt and not the mother.’

  Alice turned to face her friend. ‘If you end up being a crazy cat lady or “an old maid”, you do. Time will tell, but I’m not the one to say that to you. You’re a lovely person and any man would be lucky to have you on their arm, let alone as a wife.’ The anger spots began to fade. ‘I’ve been on the end of your tongue before. Remember the pawn tickets? You don’t think I’m brave enough to risk that again, do you?’

  Victoria gave a wry smile. ‘I was wrong then, as well.’

  Alice shook her head. ‘We were both wrong then, but I don’t think I’m wrong this time.’ She paused. ‘Do you want to hear what I’ve been busting to tell you, since I left you at Endell Street Hospital.’

  Victoria took a deep breath. ‘All right.’ She stepped nearer to her friend and placed her hand under Alice’s arm, as they walked forward together.

  ‘I want you to understand that what I’m about to say is a bit of a long shot.’

  Victoria tutted. ‘Will you please just say it and get it over and done with?’

  ‘All right.’ Alice took a breath. ‘When we were talking at the hospital, you introduced me to Nurse Atkins – didn’t you once say her name was Mabel?’ She gave Victoria an expectant look, waiting for the penny to drop.

  Victoria gave her a blank expression. ‘I know that, but—’

  ‘No buts. Do you know whether Mabel Atkins was ever married? She clearly isn’t now, because she’s a nurse, but there’s a war going on, so she might have been, and his name might have been Sid.’ Alice stopped, looking like the cat that had got the cream.

  Victoria stopped, yanking at Alice’s arm. Realisation suddenly spread across her face. ‘Her husband was called Sid. I remember her telling me he died when the Germans dropped some bombs on Greenwich; at least, I think that’s what she said.’ She paused. ‘Do you really think it’s possible she knew my parents?’

  *

  Victoria had forgotten that, when she left Foyles with Alice, she was meant to be walking towards Endell Street, but at least it had given her time to pick up the photograph. She gripped her handbag strap tight, her fingernails digging into the palm of her hand, leaving red welts when she released her grip a little. Without a thought, Victoria turned right, onto Tottenham Court Road. The summer heat made the daily odour of the spent hops from the Horseshoe Brewery overpowering. The stench hung in the evening air, but her mind was too full of Mabel and Sid to notice. How did Mabel know her parents, and why hadn’t she said anything? Should she ask her, maybe show her the wedding photograph? Of course, it might not be her at all. She fought the urge to take it out of her bag and have another look. She didn’t have time to dawdle; she was going to be late.

  An old lady shouted out as Victoria trotted past her stall. ‘Buy some flowers, luvvie; they’re fresh.’

  Victoria peered over her shoulder. ‘Sorry, I’m already late.’ She carried on striding up New Oxford Street, beads of perspiration forming on her forehead, as she weaved past the many barrows and sellers that were still out, trying to sell their wares.

  ‘Come on ladies and gents, don’t make me take ’ome this food. I’ll only get into trouble wiv the wife.’

  Victoria smiled as she sped past and turned right into High Holborn. Thank goodness it wasn’t a long walk to Endell Street. She pulled her handkerchief out of her skirt pocket and dabbed at her face, guessing it was probably crimson in colour. It wasn’t long before she turned left and saw the large open gates to the hospital. Victoria stopped to catch her breath; she still hadn’t worked out whether to speak to Mabel about her parents or not. A horn beeped behind her. She jumped out of the way, having been oblivious to the fact she was blocking ambulances coming to the hospital. A voice shouted in her head. Come on, snap out of it, either you talk to Mabel about it, or you don’t; it’s pretty simple. Victoria shook her head and pulled back her shoulders. She didn’t have time for this.

  The receptionist saw Victoria as soon as she walked through the door. The hospital was still bright, with the late evening sun
shine beaming through the windows, and vases full of cut flowers were placed on every available space. ‘Evening, Victoria, Mabel was looking for you earlier; I think you’re meant to be working with her, on Joan of Arc Ward again.’

  Victoria nodded, forcing herself to smile. ‘I think I’ve only ever worked with Mabel, since I’ve been coming here.’

  The lady laughed. ‘That’s because, where possible, they like the volunteers to report to the same nurse. It helps you to get to know the staff, and the patients’ needs, better.’

  Victoria nodded. ‘Thank you, that explains it.’

  A young nurse came rushing in, who Victoria didn’t recognise, trying desperately not to run. ‘Sorry, Elsie, I’m late and I hope the sister doesn’t notice. Where am I meant to be?’

  Elsie smiled. ‘St Catherine’s, but you’re too late. Sister has already been asking if I’ve seen you.’

  The nurse groaned, lifting her eyes heavenward.

  ‘I told her I thought I saw you going into the ladies’ room.’

  The nurse smiled. ‘You’re a darling, Elsie.’ She ran towards the staircase and disappeared from view.

  Elsie chuckled. ‘One day she’ll get shot, or I will, for covering up for her.’

  Victoria nodded, as her gaze followed where the nurse had been. She wondered who the nurse was. ‘I suppose I’d better get going as well.’ She climbed the stairs, one at a time, perspiration trickling down the side of her face, as she pulled open the door to the ward. The sun cast its shadows and rays of light through the many windows, giving a warm feeling. The vases of flowers, along with the many books and newspapers scattered around, helped to give it a homely feel.