by Rosie Clarke
The same thing had been reported by Mr Brown, head of the men’s department. ‘A silk tie, Mrs Craven. Worth four shillings and sixpence. Not a huge amount – but still, one does not like petty theft. I would swear that it wasn’t one of my staff…’
‘A customer?’ Rachel had asked and he’d frowned.
‘My staff are vigilant and I keep an eye on the counters myself – but it may have happened when I was on my break…’
‘I suppose these things happen,’ Rachel had told him, ‘but report it to Mrs Harper and do your best to see it doesn’t happen again…’
‘One thing…’ Mr Brown had hesitated. ‘I hate to cast aspersions when I’ve no proof – but I saw a girl from one of the other departments in here the day the tie went missing. She was near the silk ties, but I didn’t see her take anything…’
‘One of the girls – do you know her name?’
‘I’ve seen her in the store. I think she may work in your old department, but I couldn’t swear to it…’
Mr Brown had described the girl as having reddish-brown hair. Rachel knew that one girl in her old department had that colour hair, but without proof she could do nothing – except keep an extra sharp eye out for pilfering.
Work problems should stay at work!
Rachel got into bed and closed her eyes. She had her room to herself again now, because they had decided she should and the others didn’t mind sharing. It was nice having her own room, but she hadn’t minded Maggie sleeping in the other single bed.
Once again, her thoughts returned to William Bailey. Rachel enjoyed meeting him for tea and lunch – but if he wanted more than friendship – and she sensed he did, could she really trust him?
Rachel had thought her marriage to Paul happy, but at the last he’d turned bitter, almost as if he blamed her for his debilitating illness, as if he resented that she would go on living after he was gone. At the end, he’d told her he still loved her and begged her forgiveness. She’d kissed him and told him she loved him, but the hurt had gone deep. It made her grief harder and for a long time she’d felt as if she could never trust or love again, but gradually the hurt had faded and she’d been able to remember the good times, the happy days when Paul had been so generous and kind, even though they’d never had much money to spare.
Life with William would be very different. He had a private income, inherited from his family, and a well-paid if precarious job as a Member of Parliament. Yet she knew that he didn’t have to earn a wage and if she became his wife, she would be secure for life – but she would not marry him for that reason. Her job and friendships at Harpers meant too much to her to be given up lightly. Of course, she didn’t know for sure if he would ask her to be his wife.
Smiling at her own foolishness, Rachel went to sleep. He would ask when he was ready, and she was quite content in her job at Harpers. She wasn’t sure that she was prepared to give up her independence to be a wife. Paul had always insisted that she must stay at home to take care of him, but she rather liked working and perhaps she would prefer to remain at Harpers rather than disappear into the background like so many wives.
Rachel checked her watch after she hung her jacket up in the cloakroom and placed her bag in her personal locker. It was a good system at Harpers and ensured that there was no pilfering of personal items; Sally had introduced it after a couple of girls had had a few shillings taken from their purses. No one had been caught and it was felt too awkward to question the staff over small thefts, though she’d been told to keep her eyes open for any unusual activity.
Leaving to start her first tour of the store, Rachel began with the ground floor, her sharp eyes moving over the counters, checking that everything was in place and nothing left on the floor or out on the counters. The cleaner was usually reliable, but on two mornings she’d picked up litter from the previous day. It was strange how ladies who looked very smart would carelessly drop a bus ticket or a receipt on the floor.
She was aware that the premises next door was in the process of being made ready to become a part of Harpers but wasn’t sure whether any work had yet been done as no one had said anything about it to her, and Mrs Harper was not in as much as she had been because of her pregnancy and so Rachel didn’t see her as often as she had once.
Everything on the ground floor was perfect and she stopped to watch as Mr Marco moved the blinds to gain access to his latest window display. He was so clever and he insisted on keeping everything secret until the last moment so that the staff was as surprised as the crowds that gathered to see the windows revealed whenever they were changed.
He turned and saw her, winked and then disappeared behind the blind. Rachel smiled to herself. Everyone liked Mr Marco, who always had a smile or a word for them – but she sometimes sensed he hid a secret sorrow from the world, though he’d never spoken of it and she would never dream of asking.
Seeing a girl scurrying towards the lifts, Rachel frowned. Janice Browning was cutting it fine; another minute and she would be late. Rachel wondered if Beth was strict enough over timekeeping. When she was the supervisor for the bag, hat and scarf department, she’d jumped on anyone arriving late, because once you let it go, the girls took advantage – or some of them did.
Frowning, Rachel took the lift up to the next floor and was in time to hear Beth telling Janice that she was only just on time. Maggie was already at her counter and Marion was rearranging the hat stands, which was supposed to be Janice Browning’s job. She’d thought they looked particularly nice recently and now knew why. Janice wasn’t the artistic one; it was Marion’s work.
‘Good-morning, Mrs Burrows,’ she said and smiled. ‘The department looks very nice. I congratulate you – and you, Miss Kaye. That colour combination is excellent…’
She noticed Janice Browning shoot a look of dislike at Marion and realised she may have made a mistake. By noticing and praising Marion’s work, she might have upset the older girl. Rachel knew that jealousy could sometimes cause trouble between the girls and decided not to mention that Miss Browning had been a little late. After all, it was no longer her job and Beth must manage it herself.
‘I shall get on,’ she said. ‘I will speak to you later, Mrs Burrows…’
With a nod of her head, she left them and continued her tour of the shop. Only if Beth came to her with a complaint about a member of staff could she do anything to help.
8
‘When will you get the keys for the new property?’ Sally asked her husband as they were dressing for work that morning in early April.
‘I expect today,’ Ben said, grinning at her like a small boy with a huge ice cream cornet. His eyes were sparkling, the excitement barely hidden. ‘I’ve made an appointment with a builder at four this afternoon and I hope to get the ball rolling.’
‘At last it’s ours,’ Sally nodded her approval. ‘Lawyers always seem to drag their feet – I can’t wait to see it…’ Her hand went surreptitiously to the small of her back.
‘Impatient one,’ Ben said and moved towards her, concern replacing the glee. ‘Does your back hurt again?’
‘A bit,’ she admitted, ‘but I’m all right, so don’t fuss…’
‘I know you won’t stop working until the last minute,’ Ben said, ‘but don’t neglect yourself, Sally. You’re very important to me – and to Harpers…’
‘I know.’ She smiled up at him. ‘I’m not an invalid, Ben. I’m just having a baby.’ And it wasn’t that long to go now, only a month to six weeks according to her doctor’s opinion.
‘But it’s my baby and you’re my wife,’ he murmured as he took a tie from the selection hanging on the back of his wardrobe door. ‘Is this one right with this suit?’ He held it against him.
‘It’s all right – but this is better,’ she said and took one slightly darker from the selection. ‘This tones well…’
‘See, I can’t even dress myself without you,’ he said and laughed as she shook her head and disappeared through the bedroom do
or, across the wide hall to their kitchen.
Sally hadn’t been able to eat much first thing in the early weeks of her pregnancy but now she was hungry all the time and she started on her favourite iced biscuits as she waited for the toast to brown.
Mr Marco was waiting for Sally when she arrived at her office. He looked as if he was about to burst with news, so she put a finger to her lips, because the new window displays were a secret. Once inside and the door firmly shut, she said, ‘Well, did you get her?’
‘Yes, she has agreed to do it,’ he said, his eyes lighting with triumph. ‘I told her we were both in love with Eliza Doolittle and adored her performance and that we’re devoting a whole window to her and the show – and she said she didn’t normally agree to do publicity for stores, but she would for us.’
‘That’s wonderful,’ Sally said. ‘I’m thrilled. I loved Pygmalion when Ben took me to see it on the opening night at His Majesty’s Theatre and Mrs Patrick Campbell was brilliant as Eliza. I’m so pleased she agreed.’
‘She is coming into Harpers the morning we unveil the window and she will sign autographs if anyone wants – and they will. I wouldn’t mind betting we’ll be swamped.’
‘Yes, I’m sure we shall,’ Sally agreed. ‘Congratulations, Mr Marco. You’ve pulled off a coup by persuading her to come – how did you manage it?’
‘Well, I’ve met her at theatrical parties with a friend, who just happens to be a friend of a friend of hers…’
Sally nodded. She knew that Mr Marco was moving in artistic circles these days. He had – at least on the surface – got over the tragic loss of his lover and seemed to be out most evenings, either at the theatre or a party given by someone in that world.
Sally’s secretary brought in coffee after he’d departed, together with a plate of pink-iced biscuits. Sally ate them all while she drank a cup of coffee. When her appointment arrived, she ordered more coffee for him and invited the representative to sit down.
‘I hope you’ve brought something nice for me to see, Mr Charles?’
‘I think you will like our new lines,’ he said and placed a smart jeweller’s case on the desk. It was made of maroon Morocco leather with brass clasps and when opened revealed three layers lined with sheepskin. On each layer were several pieces of jewellery. The top two layers had silver jewellery, much of it similar to stock she’d bought before, but when he showed her the bottom layer, a little gasp of pleasure left her lips.
‘Beautiful…’
‘It’s lapis lazuli, Mrs Harper. I thought you would appreciate it…’
‘I do, very much – but what sort of price can you give me?’
The representative smiled confidently as she picked up the beautiful pieces one by one to admire them, her fingers moving over the deep shine of the stone with reverence.
‘You know I always give you a special price, Mrs Harper – and as this line is very new, I can do quite a good deal for you…’
When the representative left nearly an hour later, he had an order for three hundred pounds and Sally had six beautiful pieces of lapis lazuli jewellery on her desk. She’d ordered quite a few of the silver pieces, some of which she’d bought before, and several more pieces of lapis lazuli, some set in silver and some in 9 carat gold. Mr Charles had allowed her to pick six pieces from his stock and the rest would be delivered the next week.
It was more expensive jewellery than they’d stocked before, perhaps too expensive for the ordinary woman to purchase for herself as a treat, because it started at two guineas for a simple brooch and went up to five for a more elaborate piece. However, husbands, brothers and doting grandfathers often spent as much or more on gifts for loved ones and they would be the buyers of these wonderful Art Nouveau pieces.
Ben had actually bought Sally a wonderful lapis lazuli pendent set in 18 carat gold and given it to her over dinner the evening he’d secured the purchase of the shop. It had taken her breath away and she’d scolded him for spending so much money on her.
‘I wanted you to have it,’ he’d told her with a smile. ‘You’re worth it – and one day it will be diamonds from head to foot, Sally.’
‘You spoil me,’ she’d said. ‘I love it – and no diamonds could ever be as good…’
Lapis lazuli was a special stone, not just because of its wonderful deep blue colour but because it was mystical and Sally knew there were myths and stories surrounding such stones. It was said to be the stone of royalty, honour, gods and power and to help its wearer to wisdom and truth. As she priced up the items she had, Sally decided she would visit the library and research it more. If Beth and the girls knew the stories and could tell the customers, it would help to sell the jewellery and they would need to push them because these pieces were so expensive.
Mr Marco would feature them in the window when she had more stock, make a display around these special pieces in some way. If she could find a suitable myth, he might design a window about the story and make it as magical as she felt the stones deserved. He was such a talented designer that she knew he would do it justice.
Leaving the office, Sally went down to her favourite department. Beth was serving a customer with jewellery; Marion Kaye was wrapping silk scarves for a customer, while Maggie served another with leather gloves. Janice Browning was putting two of the new spring hats into the fancy boxes.
Sally felt pleased to see the store so busy. The free gifts and special window display, together with the champagne and chocolates offered to customers on the ground floor, had brought the crowds for their anniversary back in March. However, the profit margins had been small that week and she was uncertain whether her gamble had paid off. The trick was to sell more at the right price so that they made a healthy mark-up and turned over the stock at a good rate. Fortunately, Mr Marco’s windows seemed to attract crowds every week. It was because they kept the blinds up until they were finished and he was so clever that people often stood and stared for ages, taking in all the little things he’d done to amuse and titillate the senses.
Janice Browning came up to her when her customer had gone and Sally congratulated her on her sale.
‘Oh, I like to serve my customers, Mrs Harper,’ she gushed. ‘I think it’s because I give them such good advice that they buy more…’
‘Well, done, Miss Browning,’ Sally said with a crisp nod. Something about the girl grated on her nerves, though she was an excellent salesgirl. ‘Excuse me now; I must speak to Mrs Burrows…’
Beth had finished serving her customer and Sally went up to her, showing her the lovely pieces of lapis lazuli jewellery.
‘It looks expensive,’ Beth said as she touched it reverently. ‘Is it just these few pieces?’
‘For now, but I’ve ordered more. Mr Charles let me have these from his stock. He only does that for special customers… at least that’s what he said,’ Sally said, smiling, because she knew the little tricks the representatives used to flatter her and persuade her to buy. It didn’t always work, because Sally knew exactly what she wanted the minute she saw it but always held out for the best price.
‘Well, they are expensive, but I’ve sold three bracelets at thirty-five shillings this morning, all as birthday presents, so they should sell as gifts…’
‘Yes, that is what I’m hoping for,’ Sally said. ‘We’ve done well with that particular representative’s stock before, so fingers crossed…’ She frowned, placing a hand to her back and giving a little sigh. ‘Do you know, I think I shall have to…?’ She was going to say sit down, but before she could finish, her head went fuzzy and she started to sway.
Beth rushed to catch her before she could fall and Marion brought a chair. Together, they lowered her on to it and Beth supported her as Maggie brought a glass of water.
In another moment, Sally’s head had cleared. She sat up straighter and apologised. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘That was foolish of me…’
‘You need to rest,’ Beth said. ‘Shall I help you to the office – or or
der you a taxi?’
‘No, I’ll be fine,’ Sally said firmly. ‘It was just a little faintness. I dare say I need my lunch. Ben will be here soon.’ She looked round at the girls. ‘You will oblige me by not mentioning this to anyone.’
‘Of course, Mrs Harper,’ Marion, Maggie and Beth said instantly.
Janice Browning went to serve a customer who had just entered the department.
‘Do you want me to come up with you?’ Beth asked.
‘No, I’ll be fine now,’ Sally said, smiled and walked out of the department. Her head had cleared and she was annoyed. What a nuisance that she’d turned faint like that. She hoped none of the customers had noticed, because if they had, Ben would learn about it very soon and then he would probably insist that she stopped coming into work, and she really wasn’t ready to that just yet.
Ben arrived with flowers and the keys to the building next door. Sally had ordered sandwiches and a salad for them, which they ate together in the office. Ben drank a glass of wine to celebrate, but Sally had orange juice. She was feeling fine again and looking forward to viewing the new premises.
‘We can have a walk round before your builder turns up,’ she suggested. ‘I’d like to see what I think before you two get to work on it.’
‘Of course, you would,’ Ben laughed. ‘No doubt you will turn all my plans upside down – but it will be for the better…’
Sally smiled. She’d already had her say, but she was too excited to delay her visit until four and couldn’t wait to grab her jacket and follow Ben into the street and then into the empty property.
It smelled of tobacco and something she thought was aniseed but the shop was spacious and there was a huge storeroom behind it which could be opened out for better use. It had stairs up to the flat above and Ben had previously mentioned putting in a lift to make it easier for their customers.