The Shop Girls of Lark Lane

by Pam Howes

  Jack wasn’t the type of man that liked being bossed around by women. Alice would soon know her place. He cared for her, of course he did, and loved her in his own way, and he’d look after her the best he could. He was grateful that she wanted to be with him and was willing to give her share of the house towards making his dreams come true. But he hoped she wouldn’t expect too much in the mushy words and flowers department. It wasn’t his thing. As far as he was concerned, you showed a woman love with actions, not words. And if it was anything to do with him she’d not be going short of the former. He’d waited a long time for Alice, and he couldn’t wait to make her his and to show her what she’d been missing.

  11

  Alice caught up with Sadie at the tram stop the following morning. She’d just popped into Shaw’s and Mr Shaw had arranged to come over to the house tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully she could get off work a bit earlier. She’d met Sadie outside school, but told her she’d got an errand to run and would see her at the stop. She posted Millie’s letter after queuing for a stamp, avoiding eyes that tried to make contact, and then puffed up to the stop in time for the tram that got them to Lewis’s just before ten o’ clock.

  ‘Sorry about that,’ Alice said. ‘I’ll explain when we’re sitting down and I get my breath back.’

  ‘Sounds mysterious,’ Sadie said, raising an eyebrow as the tram squealed to a stop. They jumped on board, found seats upstairs and sat down. ‘Right, come on. What have you been up to?’

  Sadie’s jaw dropped as Alice told her some of the weekend’s events. ‘Bloody hell. I knew he fancied you, he told me. But a few dates with him and you’re getting married?’

  Alice shrugged. ‘We’ve had a few nice times, yes, and we’ve been really good pals for years. He stood by me all through the war, and as you know he was there for me when Mam and Terry died. It just feels the right thing to do. There’s no point in us waiting ages.’

  ‘But selling your house and living at the Legion, isn’t that rather drastic?’

  Alice finished her tale of how the decision had been made and why. ‘So you see, it’s the best thing all round. Brian gets his education; we get a lovely big flat to live in and also a decent business to run. Well, Jack will do most of that because I love working at Lewis’s and I might as well keep it on for the bit of extra money. I’ll help Jack out at the weekend. He’ll get barmaids in during the week. We’ll manage just fine and I’ll be better off than I’ve been for a long, long time.’

  Sadie nodded. ‘Sounds like you’ve got it all worked out. Wish I was in a position to buy your house for me and Gianni.’

  ‘Ah, well, that’s the next bit of news I was going to tell you. Hopefully, Millie and Jimmy will buy it, and very soon at that.’ She told Sadie what was happening with the pair and their plans to come back to Liverpool.

  ‘Flipping heck! You lot are full of surprises. Well, let’s hope it all falls into place. Fancy Millie being pregnant. That’s lovely. Bet she’s thrilled to bits.’

  ‘She is. I am, too, and I’m so glad she’s coming home.’

  ‘So when are you and Jack setting the date?’ Sadie asked as the conductor came upstairs and shouted for any more fares. ‘Two to Ranelagh Street, please.’

  Alice took the tickets from him and handed over her fare with Sadie’s. ‘As soon as we can. I’m telling Terry’s mam tonight when I go to pick Cathy up. I’m not looking forward to it, but it has to be done, and then that’s it, there’s nothing to stop us. I think the banns have to be up for twenty-eight days and then we can get married as soon as the time’s up and the registrar can fit us in. Hopefully we’ll be married by the end of August and move into the Legion very soon after. I know it’ll be a mad rush and people will be raising eyebrows, but Jack and I haven’t done anything yet and we won’t until after the wedding. He said he doesn’t want people talking and he also made it quite clear that he doesn’t want us to have any kids.’

  ‘And how do you feel about that?’

  Alice shrugged. ‘Fine. I think. I always wanted more kids with Terry, but Jack and I will have enough on our plates with Brian, Cathy and the business.’

  ‘I’m inclined to agree with you,’ Sadie said. ‘But in that case don’t leave it all up to Jack to be careful, because you know what men are like. Look how easy you and me copped for Gianni and Cathy.’

  Alice nodded. ‘I’ll have to read up and see what I can do as an extra precaution. I don’t want anything happening to spoil things before we start.’

  ‘Very wise,’ Sadie said as the conductor called, ‘Anyone for Ranelagh Street?’

  ‘Here we are. Let’s get to it, gel.’

  * * *

  Lewis’s haberdashery department, close to the top of the stairs, was buzzing with mid-morning shoppers as Alice and Sadie took their places behind the counter. A short queue had formed and a tall skinny woman with a red jacket and matching headscarf caught Alice’s eye.

  ‘Can I help you, Madam?’

  ‘You can, chuck. I’d like a pattern for a matinee jacket and bootees for a new baby please,’ the woman replied.

  ‘Certainly.’ Alice reached under the counter and lifted out a box of baby knitting patterns. She leafed through several and selected a handful, laying them out on the glass counter top. ‘These are all from birth to six months,’ she explained.

  ‘I don’t want owt too complicated,’ the woman said, sifting through the patterns. ‘Me daughter’s in the family way, so it’s me first grandchild and I’ve never really knitted before, just socks for the soldiers and them was never quite right, looked more like mittens than socks, the WI woman in charge told me. But the other grandma is knitting like it’s going out of fashion and I don’t want ’er showing me up, like.’

  Alice nodded, trying to suppress a grin, remembering how Terry’s mum and her own mother had gone into competition overdrive to knit when Cathy was on the way.

  ‘I’m sure you’ll do her proud. All new mums are very grateful for everything you grandmas do for us.’

  The woman smiled. She chose a pattern and handed it to Alice. ‘Do you think I’ll manage this one, queen?’

  Alice chewed her lip, trying to think of a tactful answer other than no. ‘Erm, you might find it a bit too complicated with that lacy yoke. What about this?’ She handed a simple stocking-stitch jacket pattern to the woman.

  ‘It’s too plain.’ The woman pursed her lips.

  ‘But if you choose your wool in a nice pastel shade, pretty buttons and white ribbon to trim it with, I think you’ll be on to a winner. And your daughter will be thrilled to bits that you’ve made an effort. She does know you’re not an experienced knitter, doesn’t she?’

  ‘Aye,’ the woman said. ‘She told me to buy something ready-made, but I’m determined that ’is mother’s not going to push my nose out. Now what colour wool do you think it would look nice in?’

  ‘I always think lemon is a safe bet until a baby is born,’ Alice said. ‘With white ribbon threaded through the neck and cuffs, it will look lovely.’

  ‘Righto then, gel. I’ll take your advice and can you sort me out the right size of knitting needles as well?’

  Alice parcelled up the woman’s purchases and handed over her change. ‘Good luck to you, and congratulations in advance.’

  ‘Thanks, chuck.’

  Sadie nodded after the woman. ‘I know her. I’m sure her daughter was in our class at school. Marilyn something or other. You know, always had her hair in plaits, sort of pale gingery colour, and she had loads of freckles.’

  ‘Marilyn Dawes?’

  ‘That’s her. Wonder who she’s married to?’

  Alice shook her head. ‘No idea, but if Mrs Dawes comes back for more wool we can ask; although I wouldn’t hold your breath on that score. Her grandchild will be starting school by the time she’s finished knitting that jacket.’

  ‘I have to say you were very diplomatic there, Alice. I’d have sent her up to babywear for a ready-made one.’

>   ‘Mrs Lomax, Mrs Romano, I need a word with you please.’ Miss White, the supervisor, came over to them, brandishing a clipboard and pen. She pushed her glasses up her nose and gave her usual half-smile that didn’t quite reach her steely grey eyes. ‘We’re moving your counter across to the back of the floor by the lift for the time being. We need to make a bit more room for school uniforms. It’s coming up to that busy time of year, as you know, and we’re really struggling for space. We’ve a new contract for more grammar schools and I’ve a fresh batch of blazers coming in. They need to be placed centrally where they can be seen. Management have decided this is the ideal spot because it’s close to the stairs. I’ll have some boxes sent over in a short while and you can begin to pack your stock. Make sure you label each box so that you can locate things easily enough. Give me a shout when you’re all packed and ready and I’ll get a couple of men to carry the boxes across the floor. There’s a counter and some shelving back there with more storage space than you have here. Everything will need a good clean because of all the dust that’s in the air. We all have to do the best we can for now.’ She sighed. ‘Sadly it’s looking like it’s going to take a few more years before the store is anywhere near back to normal again, much longer than we first thought.’

  Alice nodded. This was the second time they’d had to move their counter since she’d been working here, but with two-thirds of the store being rebuilt there wasn’t a lot of choice. No doubt they’d still be over by the back wall once the Christmas stock started to arrive in the autumn and Miss White would want the prime spot again for that. God only knew where the grotto would be located this year, or if there was even going to be one. Nothing had been said.

  ‘I know it’s a bit early, but go and have your break,’ Miss White said. ‘I’ll hold the fort and the packing boxes will be here for you to make a start when you get back.’

  ‘Before we go, can I please ask a favour?’ Alice said. ‘I need to finish a bit earlier tomorrow if possible. Will that be okay?’

  Miss White raised an inquisitive eyebrow. ‘It’s a bit short notice, Mrs Lomax?’

  Alice nodded. ‘I know, but I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. I have an appointment, you see.’

  ‘An appointment?’ She looked Alice up and down. ‘Mrs Lomax, you shouldn’t really make appointments during your working hours. I presume that as you have done, it must be something important. I do hope it’s nothing serious health-wise.’

  Alice knew she wouldn’t get away without telling the supervisor what sort of an appointment she had made.

  ‘No, nothing serious and it’s not a doctor’s appointment either. I’m hoping to sell my house. I have a man coming to discuss it with me tomorrow afternoon. It’s the only time he can fit me in this week.’

  That wasn’t strictly true, it could have been any afternoon – tomorrow was just the soonest he could do and she was keen to get the information she needed as soon as possible.

  ‘Oh, I see. You’re moving then?’

  ‘Eventually,’ Alice replied. ‘But not from the Aigburth area.’ That was it. She was saying no more, otherwise it would be all over Lewis’s by dinnertime and before she had a chance to talk to Granny Lomax. People would insist on giving her advice and telling her she was being impulsive to think about marrying Jack with no lengthy courtship behind them, and not to give up her only bit of security for anyone. Maybe she was mad for going ahead with the idea, but she was still going to do it anyway.

  ‘Very well, Mrs Lomax. Maybe you can make up the time another day rather than lose your pay.’

  ‘Yes, thank you. I’ll arrange to do that.’

  Sadie linked Alice’s arm as they made their way to the cafeteria. ‘Did you cop her raised eyebrows? Bet she thought you were in the family way and you with no man in tow. Well, not one that anybody knows about yet, anyway. Sticky bun with your brew?’

  Alice laughed. Sadie’s observations were probably right. ‘Oh yes please. I’ll find us a place to sit.’

  She grabbed a table by the window that four girls were just vacating and sat down, looking out at the street below where some workmen were carrying hods of bricks and others, standing on scaffolding, were throwing chunks of damaged masonry down to the area of pavement that was fenced off from public use. It was such a shame. The damage to the store was so extensive, it might have been easier to demolish the lot and rebuild from scratch. But at least they had jobs and that was something to be thankful for. Many women who had held things together while the men were away fighting had since found themselves out of work, losing the jobs they’d loved to the returning male workforce.

  ‘No sticky buns so I got a couple of scones,’ Sadie said as she came to the table with a tray. ‘Hope that’s okay?’

  ‘Fine by me,’ Alice said. ‘I’m starving.’ She yawned. ‘Oh, do excuse me. I’m feeling really tired. I didn’t sleep too well last night. My mind was going over and over everything.’

  ‘I’m not surprised,’ Sadie said. ‘You’re about to take a bloody big step into the unknown. Marrying a man you’ve not really spent a lot of time with and taking on a business as well. Oh, I know he cares about you, but I’d still be having massive panic attacks if it was me.’

  Alice shrugged. ‘If you think about it, I’ve actually spent more time with Jack than I ever did with Terry. I know him really well. We get on just fine. Okay, I know he likes a drink or two, but I’m sure that’s only because he’s lonely when he’s at home on his own. Maybe it helps him to cope. I bet he’ll cut right down once we’re married.’

  Sadie raised an eyebrow. ‘Maybe he will. But he is a bit of a ladies’ man, don’t forget. He’s got a right roving eye. I hope that stops too when you’re married.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure it will. He was single up until yesterday and men have all got roving eyes when they’re not with someone special.’

  ‘And are you?’

  ‘Am I what?’ Alice sipped her tea and stared over the top of her cup.

  ‘Are you Jack’s someone special?’

  Alice lowered her eyes and split her scone in two. ‘He hasn’t told me that he loves me if that’s what you mean, well not in so many words, but he’s sort of implied it and his actions make me think he does.’

  ‘And have you told him you love him?’

  Alice shook her head. ‘Not yet. It’s not like it was with Terry. That was proper love, you know. This is – well – I suppose this is convenience for us all. It’s something I just have to do. Love will grow in time.’

  Sadie shook her head as Alice looked away. ‘I hope you’re right, Alice. I really do.’

  * * *

  Granny Lomax stared in horror at Alice. The cup she’d been drinking tea from lay on the hearth rug in a puddle, along with the saucer and a shortbread finger that had been balanced on one side. Alice leapt to her feet and ran into the kitchen for a cloth to clean up the spillage before it left a stain on the light-coloured rug. Cathy was in the back garden with her little friend Debbie, who had come to play after school. The pair were sitting on the lawn with a collection of Cathy’s dollies and toy pram and cot. Alice took a deep breath and walked back into the lounge. She knelt down in front of her silent mother-in-law and proceeded to mop up the spilt tea.

  ‘I don’t know what to say,’ Granny Lomax eventually spluttered, her face as white as the hanky she was using to mop at the tea splashes on her beige pleated skirt.

  ‘I’m sorry my news has given you such a shock,’ Alice said, trying to stay calm and in control of the situation. ‘I know it won’t be easy for you to accept, but it’s what Jack and I both want.’

  Granny shook her head. ‘Well, for what it’s worth, I think you’re making a dreadful mistake. There’s something about that man I just don’t trust. And to think he’ll be moving into the house my Terry was so happy in. How could you even think of letting a relationship develop beyond friendship, never mind agreeing to marry him, Alice?’

  Alice drew a deep breath. She re
ally didn’t want to fall out completely with Granny, but she was determined not to let her spoil the plans she’d made for the future.

  ‘He won’t be living with me in the house for long, none of us will. I’m selling it, hopefully to Millie and Jimmy.’

  Granny looked puzzled. ‘I thought they were moving abroad?’

  ‘They changed their minds. They’re staying in England now and moving back to Liverpool. Millie is expecting a baby and wants to live a bit closer to her mam and dad.’

  ‘I see. So where will you go if you sell your house to Millie? And what about the children? What do they think?’

  ‘The children will be with me and Jack, of course. Brian is fine about it all and we’ll tell Cathy tonight. We’re taking over at the Legion and will be living in the accommodation above the club. It’s a huge flat and will give us so much more space than we have at the house. My share of the sale will pay the bond we need to get into the business. I’ll help Jack run the club when I can, but I’m going to stay on at Lewis’s for now as I love my job. Another thing we need to plan for is Brian’s education. I can’t afford for him to go to college and university if I don’t sell the house. His share will be put to one side to help with the cost of it all. I swore I’d do my best for him when Mam died, and that’s what I’m going to do. Jack will back me all the way with that. He and Brian get on and always have done. Jack’s as keen as me that my brother finishes his education and gets a good job in time.’ Alice took a deep breath to stop herself waffling on, and looked at her mother-in-law.