by Deborah Carr
Chapter 26
Easter 1904
John had invited Frank to stay at St Heliers for the Easter holidays. Florence and Jesse liked him very much and were happy for him to stay whenever he wasn’t able to return home to Canada for the holidays. It was hard to believe that John was now fifteen. He only had two more years before leaving school, although Jesse was determined for him to continue his education and go to university.
Florence knew by reading John’s school reports that passing many exams was not presently something that his masters expected of him. Jesse, of course, disagreed and believed that if John applied himself more diligently to his studies, then he still had time to achieve something worthwhile.
‘How are you getting along with your studies, Frank?’ Jesse asked over lunch on Frank’s second day staying with them. ‘Do you expect to pass all your exams and go on to university?’
Frank finished his mouthful of boiled potatoes and nodded. ‘I hope to pass all my exams, sir, apart from German,’ he said. ‘I’m not very good with languages, but my father said I won’t need them when I start working with him full time on the farm.’
Jesse looked confused. Florence wished he would stop questioning Frank and knew it was only so that he could bolster his argument when it was time to speak to John about returning to school after the holidays.
‘If you’re returning to Canada, then will you attend university there?’
‘No, sir. My father doesn’t think it’s necessary that I do. He said after I finish at this school, I’ll learn all I need to know from him to carry on our family business.’
Jesse nodded thoughtfully and glanced at John, who, Florence noticed, appeared to be trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible. She didn’t blame him; conversations about his schooling always seemed to rile both John and her.
Later that afternoon when the boys were out for a walk, Jesse and Florence sat in the conservatory reading.
Jesse was the first to break the silence. ‘Do you think I’m wrong expecting John to continue with his education and attend university?’
She placed her forefinger in her book and partially closed it. ‘I think it’s worth him going if he does well in his final exams, but I don’t expect him to do all that well. We both know John is a kind, thoughtful, and caring boy, but he’s not the most academically gifted.’
‘He would be if he focused a little more on his studies.’
Florence tilted her head to one side. ‘Jesse, I long for the day when John has finished his education and can be the man he’s meant to be.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘That we can discuss this endlessly, but all that happens is you are disappointed and I’m frustrated that you expect things from John that he is unable to give you.’
‘I only do it because I worry that if I don’t he won’t make anything of himself.’
Florence softened her tone. She knew that Jesse cared what happened to their son, but she wished he wouldn’t be so hard on him all the time. ‘Just remember, Jesse, John is not you. He’s had a very different upbringing to you, and to me. We can’t expect him to see things as we do, or to worry about the same things. I know you want the best for him but he needs to be allowed to become the man he’s meant to be.’
Jesse stared at her. She could see he was nonplussed and knew that she was wasting her time trying to change his mind about John and his expectations of him.
‘Can we at least wait and see how well John does before jumping to conclusions?’
Jesse stared at her thoughtfully. ‘Yes, I’ll do as you ask.’
***
The following morning, Florence was relieved to return to work and have something other than John’s education to focus on. She had left the boys at the house and Dorothy and Margery were visiting their friends for the day. What she was looking forward to today was giving Lily and two of the other women in her office the news that they had been promoted to oversee larger departments in the stores.
Florence knew that Lily’s career was paramount to her. She couldn’t help thinking that if Lily hadn’t come across Thomas Danby when she had and been put off by his spineless treatment of her, then maybe she might have met and married someone else by now. As soon as Florence had the thought, she felt guilty. It wasn’t as if Lily had ever acted, or admitted that she felt, dissatisfied with her life. Lily enjoyed having a career, as did she, Florence mused.
Lily had made friends with a large group of the other women at Boots and never said she felt lonely. Florence was grateful to her friend for always being there whenever she needed someone to confide in. She was happy to be able to reward Lily for all her hard work over the years at Boots and knew that the validation this promotion brought would mean a huge amount to Lily. She also hoped that the extra money in Lily’s wage packet might help her to afford a few luxuries now and then.
Lily’s promotion also meant an invitation for her to Plaisaunce, along with the other staff who would hear today that they were being rewarded for all their hard work.
Florence checked the twenty letters to the relevant members of staff, then asked Miss Tweed to arrange for each member of staff to come to her office individually so that she could personally thank them and tell them the good news.
When it was Lily’s turn, Florence told her about her promotion and the increase in her salary and then handed over the letter and enclosed invitation to Plaisaunce that weekend.
Lily read her letter and beamed at Florence. ‘Thank you so very much, Florence. I’m delighted and I know you well enough to understand that this truly is because of my work and nothing to do with us being friends. I really appreciate that, too.’
Florence was relieved she didn’t have to reassure her friend. ‘You deserve this, Lily. You’ve worked tirelessly for Boots since your arrival and it’s because of your diligence and thoughtfulness that you have reached managerial status in the firm.’ Florence smiled at Lily and lowered her voice in case the next member of staff she was to meet was already waiting outside her office. ‘I’m proud of all you’ve achieved. When I think back to that frightened young girl coming to work at Rowe’s Stationers that first day –’ she sighed and placed her hand on her chest ‘– well, I find it hard to imagine that she grew up to become not only a dear friend to me but also one of Boots’ most valued members of staff.’
Lily opened her mouth but didn’t say anything. She shook her head. ‘You were always so kind to me, Florence, and gave me a chance when I had no experience, and little confidence. I always wanted to emulate your work ethic and this huge honour shows me how far I’ve come. You’ve made me very happy.’
Florence gave her friend a tight hug. ‘I hope you’ll be free to come down to Plaisaunce for the weekend?’
Lily nodded. ‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
***
Florence loved the riverside summer home in Plaisaunce that she and Jesse had built with its recreation club house and extensive grounds. They had chosen the large plot on Wilford Lane, in the pretty village of Wilford, and had already spent many weekends there with their family. It was only twenty minutes from their home by carriage, and even less now that Jesse was going to buy a car, but Florence always felt like she was on holiday when she was staying here.
Jesse had wanted somewhere for them to retreat to as a family, mostly in the summer months, but also a place where they could entertain managers and members of staff from the various Boots stores or factories. They often invited them to stay with their wives and enjoy social events and musical evenings, wanting their guests to be able to relax away from work among the furnishings that Florence had enjoyed taking months to track down. It had been important for her to achieve just the result she wanted – something between a home from home and a private members’ club. Everything had to be just right for their guests’ experience at Plaisaunce because Florence and Jesse were determined that everyone they invited to their summer home would remember their t
ime there with fondness.
Today, twenty managers and their husbands, or wives, including the newly promoted staff, would be visiting. Florence had also invited her servants from St Heliers and from her chair on the veranda she could see some of them enjoying the lawn tennis. Two teams were also competing on the bowling green and Florence grinned as she thought how noisy they were being and doubted members of an actual bowling club would be so exuberant.
She looked over at her guests taking in the fun atmosphere. Some were reading, others were chatting, and by the whispered conversation next to her, it was clear that some were catching up on gossip. She looked around her at the happy, smiling faces and knew that she was incredibly lucky to be in a position to be able to provide such a welcoming place for these wonderful people. She only wished she could help even more people.
Florence especially enjoyed watching Jesse relax. He was now dressed in his smart brown velvet jacket as he sat on the veranda in his bath chair and enjoyed an in-depth conversation with one of his managers.
Florence noticed the two women on the next table had finished their conversation and were watching her.
‘I think it’s time I do what I expect of everyone else and start having fun. What do you think?’ She closed the folder on her lap, shutting away the work that she had been doing.
‘Quite right, Mrs Boot,’ the older woman, Mabel, said reddening slightly. ‘You should be enjoying today as much as the rest of us.’
‘Yes,’ agreed her companion, whom Florence recognised at Ethel from the Dry Goods Department. ‘We wouldn’t be here having this lovely day without your invitation and you deserve to enjoy time away from work, like we do.’
‘Thank you, ladies,’ Florence said, their kind words making her happy. ‘You’re enjoying yourselves then?’
‘We are,’ they agreed.
‘Ever so much,’ Mabel added. ‘We all love working for you and Mr Boot. We know we’re very lucky to have such thoughtful employers.’
Florence was touched. ‘That’s very kind of you to say so. I hope you’re going to enjoy listening to the brass band. They’re made up wholly of Boots employees. Have you heard them before?’
Mabel and Ethel shook their heads.
‘They only formed last year, but they’re extremely good. Well, I’ll leave you to enjoy your afternoon,’ Florence said, not wishing to impose on the women any further.
She had already checked with her staff at Plaisaunce that all the preparations had been finalised for the rest of the Boots employees that were expected to arrive for the event in the next two hours. Her final duty had been to ensure the gentleman delivering and setting up their firework display had also arrived and she had been assured that this was the case
Florence momentarily looked across the immaculate shrub-filled flower borders surrounding the lawn as a cheer interrupted her thoughts. She smiled, relishing seeing so many people enjoying the entertainment that she and Jesse had laid on for them.
She hadn’t noticed Lily coming to join her. She stood by Florence’s table and cleared her throat. ‘Good afternoon.’
Florence studied her friend’s expression and couldn’t miss the strained look on her face. ‘Hello, Lily. Please, sit down. Would you like me to ask for some tea to be brought through to us?’
Lily shook her head. ‘No, thank you.’
‘You seem worried.’ Florence folded her hands in her lap. ‘Is something the matter?’
Lily grimaced and stared across the garden to the river where several male members were splashing each other at the water’s edge while their wives sat chatting in the sunshine.
A thought occurred to Florence. ‘Shall we take a stroll?’ she asked, aware that Ethel and Mabel were close enough to hear their conversation.
‘Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you.’
They walked down the nearest pathway, past the people bowling and on towards the lawned area by the river. ‘We’ll have more privacy down here.’
They walked in silence for a few moments and finally, just when Florence thought Lily had changed her mind about speaking to her, she cleared her throat. ‘I bumped into Thomas Danby the other day.’
Whatever Florence had been expecting to hear, this was not it. She stopped walking and turned to Lily. ‘Are you all right? Did he say anything to you?’
Lily bent to pick a long blade of grass that the gardeners must have missed. ‘It was strange. I did have a pang of regret that I had never married.’
Her admission saddened Florence. ‘Oh, Lily. Are you all right?’
Lily dropped the grass and smiled at Florence, who hoped it wasn’t too forced. ‘I’m fine. I only felt that way for the briefest moment.’
‘Truly?’ Florence studied her friend, hoping she was being truthful about how the unexpected meeting had made her feel.
Lily laughed. ‘Yes, I had the tiniest pang of what might have been. Not if I’d married him, because I know that to have done so would have been a disaster, but it made me think how life might have been if I had married.’
Florence rested her hand on Lily’s arm. They walked on together.
‘Florence, please don’t worry. I’m only telling you because I wanted to share this with someone who knows me well enough and who had met him. Nothing more. I soon recovered from my momentary lapse of sense and have been relieved ever since that I’m a career woman, valued by my employers. I can do whatever I choose to out of work hours. I live where I want, as long as I can afford it, no man tells me what to do, or treats me like their private servant, and my time is my own. I love my life, I really do, and I wouldn’t change it for anyone now.’
‘You sound like I used to before I met Jesse,’ Florence said with a laugh. ‘If I’m honest, I wasn’t surprised that you didn’t crave having your own children.’ She wondered if she might have overstepped the boundaries of their friendship when Lily didn’t reply. ‘I’m sorry, that was rude of me. I should never have—’
‘Nonsense, Florence. We have been friends for years and I’m sure you know me better than anyone else. You are right. I’ve never longed to have children. Being the eldest child and having the constant responsibility of caring for my siblings – and most of the time my mother – since I was eight put paid to any notions of parenthood.’
Florence stared at the river as they walked along the grassy bank. She was relieved she hadn’t insulted her friend by her remark and understood completely why Lily would think in such a way.
‘No. I’m happy working and making my own decisions,’ Lily continued.
Florence nodded, relieved. ‘Good for you.’ She spotted two of Lily’s colleagues waving in their direction from the tennis court. One was holding up a racquet and pointing to it.
This was Lily’s time and Florence was delighted that her friend was relishing every moment. ‘I think you’re wanted,’ Florence said, laughing and pointing over to the tennis courts. ‘It looks like your friends are hoping you’ll play doubles with them.’
Lily grinned. ‘Do you mind if I cut our conversation short and go to join them? I’m not very good really, and only ever play when you invite me here, but I do enjoy the exercise.’
‘Not at all,’ Florence said, waving her away. ‘Go, before they find another player to take your place.’
Florence watched Lily run along the grass towards the tennis area, thrilled to see her friend enjoying her day out so much. Yes, Lily Buttons had exceeded all Florence’s hopes for her, and it made her want to do much more for the many other women who worked for her.
Later that evening, as Florence and Jesse waved off their guests who were not staying at Plaisaunce for the firework display, Lily greeted them on the pathway with the two women that Florence recognised from the doubles match earlier.
‘I hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves today?’ Jesse asked.
‘Very much,’ Lily said, and the others agreed. ‘We’re going to fetch jackets and then watch the fireworks.’
‘Splendid,’ Jesse
said. ‘We’re also looking forward to them, aren’t we, dear?’
‘We are.’ Florence noticed that he was having difficulty walking again today and hoped that the chair she had arranged to be set out for him was waiting. ‘You three run along for your jackets and make sure you have some of the hot drinks that will be laid on in front of the pavilion. It’s been such a warm day, but this evening is rather chilly for my liking.’
The women ran off and Florence linked arms with Jesse. ‘Would you like me to ask for a blanket to be brought out for you to cover your legs for the display? I wouldn’t want you to be cold and you’ll be sitting still for about fifteen minutes.’
Jesse leant over and kissed her on the cheek. ‘You look after everyone so well, my darling. I worry sometimes that you’re so focused on me, the children, and all your girls that you occasionally forget yourself.’
Florence hugged his arm to her. ‘I don’t worry about me. I know you’re making sure I’m well cared for, so I don’t have worry, do I?’
Jesse nodded. ‘I suppose you’re right. We make a good pair, don’t we?’
‘We do,’ she agreed, enjoying having some time alone with him during their busy day to reminisce before the evening entertainments began. ‘And we always have done.’
Chapter 27
June 1904
Florence could barely take in that the months were flying by so fast. It had been a busy spring and Florence was enjoying the warmer weather. She was also looking forward to the summer holidays and having John back home once again.
She had finally caught up at the office since her arrival back in England from a shopping trip to the continent a few weeks before. It had been tiring, with back-to-back meetings with suppliers and being entertained in the evening over meals by producers of the products she was looking to source for the Boots stores.
Most importantly, her shopping trip had been a huge success. Jesse had been delighted with all the deals she had made and had assured her that her hard work would pay off over the following summer and winter now that they could introduce exciting new stock for their customers. He always enjoyed supplying items that other local stores weren’t able to sell.