by Rosie Clarke
‘As I said, my room is big enough for two to share and I would be happy to give you a bed for a while,’ Sally said. ‘We share expenses and you can put five shillings in the pot to help cover them, as we both do each week.’
‘I could pay seven and six – it’s what I paid my aunt,’ Beth said. ‘Thank you so much, Sally – but you should ask Mrs Craven if she minds first…’
‘Naturally I will, but I’m sure she won’t mind,’ Sally said. ‘I’ve got work to do, but I’ll come back at about a quarter to one armed with pads and pencils…’
Beth and Sally worked solidly for three hours that afternoon. By the end of that time, Sally had all the sheets of figures and stocklists she needed and gathered them all into her folder with a satisfied nod of her head.
‘I didn’t mention overtime pay, but there will be five shillings extra in your wages on Friday,’ she told Beth as they went downstairs.
Fred was still on duty. He’d been taking deliveries of new stock that afternoon and had waited to lock up after them, though Sally had her own key to the staff entrance.
‘Been busy, ladies?’ he said as he saw their smiling faces. ‘I’m locking up now – have you finished for the day?’
‘Yes, thank you, Fred,’ Sally said and showed him her bulging folder. ‘I’ve got work to do, but I shall do the rest at home this evening…’
‘A lovely young woman like you should be out having a good time…’ Fred looked at Beth and winked. ‘I think you’ll find someone is waiting for you, Miss Grey…’
‘Well, she’s free to go now, because we’ve finished,’ Sally said. ‘You get off, Beth, and I’ll be down in a few minutes, Fred…’
‘Righto, Miss Ross.’
‘What do you mean?’ Beth asked, but he just smiled mysteriously. Her curiosity was piqued, but when she emerged into the street, she saw that a man was leaning against a lamp post just outside. She caught her breath, looking at Jack Burrows in surprise. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I thought it was your half day,’ Jack said. ‘Dad told me you were working extra hours – so I went somewhere for a couple of hours and came back. I thought I might see you home, Beth.’
Beth’s heart did a little happy dance as she saw the smile in his eyes. ‘Shouldn’t you be at work or something?’
‘I’ve got this week, including Sunday, to do as I like,’ he said. ‘Next Monday I report back to the ship and then we’ll be off to New York. I shan’t see you again until sometime in August, which is why I thought I’d meet you from work every day this week… make the most of the time we have before I’m on duty again.’
She looked up at him and then she smiled. ‘I should like that,’ she said. ‘You can come back to the house with me – and stay for supper. It will probably be cheese or tomatoes on toast. Aunt Helen didn’t cook a roast this Sunday.’
‘Sounds wonderful to me.’ Jack looked pleased. ‘I didn’t bring the bike tonight, but I could tomorrow…’
‘Why not?’ she said, feeling as though she was being swept up by a strong wind. ‘It will give the neighbours something to talk about – but I shan’t be living there much longer…’
‘Oh, why?’ Jack asked as they went to stand in the bus queue. ‘Aren’t you happy there?’
‘I wasn’t when I first moved in,’ Beth admitted. ‘My aunt is getting married and she will give up the house. It will be difficult to find anywhere as nice…’
Jack nodded but made no comment as they boarded the bus and moved down to the front. When the conductor came, he paid their fares, even though Beth offered her money.
Aunt Helen was in the parlour working at her sewing when Beth brought Jack in. She glanced up and then took her spectacles off to take a closer look.
‘And who is this gentleman?’ she asked.
‘This is Fred Burrows’ eldest son, Aunt Helen,’ Beth said. ‘I told you – he was commended for bravery. He works on ships as a steward and we’re friends. Jack came to meet me from work and I’ve asked him to stay for supper…’
‘Maggie hasn’t come in yet,’ Aunt Helen frowned. ‘Well, Mr Burrows, perhaps you’d like to sit here and tell me a bit about yourself while Beth gets our supper ready. I made a cheese, onion and potato pie, Beth. You just need to pop it in the oven – and there are stewed raspberries and custard for afters.’
‘You’re in luck.’ Beth smiled at Jack before abandoning him to her aunt’s questioning. She expected that Aunt Helen would give him the third degree, but to her surprise her aunt’s laughter reached her even before she’d put their supper into the oven to heat. She was setting the table when her aunt walked in followed by a grinning Jack. ‘What was so funny?’ Beth asked, looking at her aunt, but she merely shook her head.
‘Mr Burrows has travelled a lot and he has a great many stories to tell,’ she said mysteriously. ‘I am sure he will tell you.’ She disappeared into the pantry and brought out a bottle of pale ale and her favourite tipple, Jerez sherry. ‘We can offer you a glass of beer, Mr Burrows, or a sherry?’
‘Thank you, that is kind, but a glass of water is all I need,’ Jack said. ‘But don’t let me stop you…’
‘We seldom drink,’ Aunt Helen said and put the bottles on the dresser. ‘Do you not drink, Mr Burrows?’
‘I find it best not to,’ Jack said. ‘In my job I see the effects of overindulgence all too often and so I hardly ever touch it…’
‘Quite right,’ Aunt Helen said and Beth could see her mentally ticking off another good conduct mark.
Jack said all the right things about her cooking as they ate and he told a funny story about an elderly passenger he’d served on board the ship that he’d sailed on from New York for his last voyage.
‘He had a habit of popping his false teeth in a glass and leaving it in all sorts of odd places,’ Jack told them. ‘One of the young stewards saw them when he took the tray from the cabin but never thought a thing about them. They were thrown overboard with the rubbish and the poor passenger was forced to stick to soft foods for the rest of the voyage.’
‘How awful for him,’ Aunt Helen said. ‘It isn’t really funny – but you can’t help laughing – but why didn’t the steward realise what they were?’
‘He told me that he thought the passenger wanted them cleaned – the way they put their shoes out, you know?’ Jack grinned. ‘It was his first job. He put the glass down with the used plates and turned away, meaning to come back, fetch the teeth and give them a clean – but when he looked, the Chinese cook’s assistant had taken all the plates and thrown everything into the waste bin. Before he could be stopped, he’d disposed of the rubbish over the stern…’
‘I didn’t realise ships did that…’ Aunt Helen said.
‘We have to dispose of waste food,’ Jack said. ‘On passenger ships there can be quite a lot sometimes – besides, the gulls take most of it almost before it hits the water and if there’s any left the fish will soon gobble it up.’
‘Yes, well, I suppose it make sense,’ she agreed. ‘It just doesn’t sound nice…’
‘There are a lot worse things go into the sea than food waste,’ Jack said, ‘but we shan’t talk about them at table…’
At that moment, Maggie entered the kitchen. She looked surprised to see Jack sitting at the table and then smiled. ‘Please don’t get up, Mr Burrows. I’ve just come to fetch the last of my things, Aunt Helen…’
‘You’re leaving us this evening?’ Aunt Helen looked upset. ‘I thought you might stay a few more nights…’
‘I just have one more heavy case,’ Maggie said. ‘Ralf is in the hall with it. I thought I would just say goodbye…’ She looked a little tearful, as if she’d only now realised that it wasn’t so easy to say farewell to friends.
Beth stood up and went to her, kissing her cheek. ‘You’re not going to the ends of the earth,’ she said. ‘I shall see you at work tomorrow – and you will come to Aunt Helen’s wedding still?’
‘Oh yes, of course,’ Maggi
e said.
‘Well, take care of yourself, my dear.’ Aunt Helen got up and took something from the dresser drawer. She put a small parcel into the girl’s hands. ‘A little present from me – I hope you’ll keep in touch. Beth will give you my new address when I have it…’
Beth went out into the hall, where Ralf was waiting with a large suitcase. ‘You should have come through,’ she said. ‘We were just about to make a pot of tea…’
‘Thank you, but we shan’t stop,’ Ralf said. ‘Mother didn’t want us to be too late back…’
‘Oh, of course…’ Beth glanced at Maggie, smiled and then nodded. ‘I’ll see you in the morning…’
She watched as the two of them left. Maggie seemed a little subdued and it made her wonder whether her friend would enjoy living under Mrs Higgins’ roof as much as she’d thought she would…
Returning to the kitchen, Beth discovered that Aunt Helen and Jack were at the sink. Aunt Helen was washing the dishes and Jack was using the tea towel with authority.
‘That’s not the first time you’ve done that,’ Beth said and Jack nodded.
‘After my mother died, we had to look after ourselves. Dad brought us up to be independent – and my job has taught me to turn my hand to anything.’
‘Yes, I suppose you have to do many things as a steward on board ship,’ Aunt Helen said and he agreed.
‘I keep the cabins clean and smelling fresh, change sheets, bring snacks and drinks to the staterooms, even a full three-course meal. When I’m not doing that, I serve at one of the bars – and, on occasion, I’m asked to dance with the ladies who don’t have a partner. Then there are the gentlemen who need a hand getting to bed… and are occasionally unwell all over the floor…’
‘You do have a busy time,’ Aunt Helen observed as she poured the water away and wiped her hands. ‘You will make someone a good husband, Mr Burrows…’
‘Oh, I shall expect my wife to wait on me hand and foot when I’m at home,’ Jack said and winked at Beth. Aunt Helen saw the wink and laughed.
‘Well, I imagine you two might like a chance to talk over a pot of tea. I have some work to do. You may bring me a cup, Beth, and then sit and talk to your friend for a while – but don’t forget you have a bus to catch in the morning…’
‘Yes, Aunt Helen, thank you,’ Beth said. ‘I’ll put the kettle on now…’
Jack sat down at the table as Beth put the kettle on the hob and her aunt disappeared into the parlour. ‘Am I mistaken – or did your young friend look a bit upset?’ he asked as she set a tray with cups and saucers, milk in a jug and the sugar bowl.
‘I thought so too,’ Beth said as she warmed the pot before adding three spoons of loose tea. ‘Maggie was excited about going to live in Ralf’s home, but she seemed nervous… a bit regretful…’
‘Yes, I thought that,’ Jack said. ‘In a way, it’s like living with her in-laws, and I’m not sure that ever really works.’
‘Perhaps not,’ Beth said. ‘Miss Ross – she is the buyer I worked with on the stocktake this afternoon – has told me that I can share her room when my aunt lets the house go, just until I find somewhere else.’
Jack made a wry face. ‘I know how hard it can be to find a decent room. We have shore time between jobs when we’re overseas and on some of the runs it’s almost impossible to find anything clean, unless you go to an expensive hotel.’
‘Do you like working on the ships?’ Beth asked. ‘It seems to be hard work?’
‘We earn every penny – but some of the passengers are generous and you make good tips. I save mine because I want a business of my own one day…’
‘What kind of business?’
‘I hadn’t really thought of it, not seriously – just that one day I’d be my own boss…’
‘It’s something to think about,’ she said, ‘but I don’t think you should rush into anything, Jack. You have a good job – you should enjoy that for a while…’
‘Except that I’m not sure I shall enjoy being away from you for weeks at a time,’ Jack told her. ‘I’m fond of Dad and Tim – but there wasn’t anything to stay put for until I went to bed last night and couldn’t stop thinking about you and how I couldn’t wait until Sunday to see you again…’
‘Jack! You don’t know me…’ Beth gasped, her nape tingling at the look in his eyes.
Jack stood up and came towards her. ‘I don’t know you, Beth, and you don’t know me – but what I do know for certain is that I want to be with you as much as I can…’
She smiled up at him. ‘I’d like that very much, Jack Burrows – and I hope we shall get to know each other well, but…’ Beth took a deep breath. ‘It’s too soon, Jack. I thought I loved someone once, but that didn’t work out well, because I didn’t know him – and I don’t know you…’
‘If I loved you, Beth, it would be forever,’ Jack said, his expression so serious that something clutched at her heart. ‘I’m not going to declare my undying devotion now – I know we need to take things slowly, but I’m hoping we can do just that…’
33
Beth felt as if she was walking on air when she got to work the next morning. She hung up her light jacket and tidied her counter, and then saw Maggie enter the department. One look at her pale face told her that something wasn’t quite right.
‘What’s the problem, Maggie love?’ she asked, putting the formality of their working titles to one side. ‘Has someone upset you?’
‘It’s my mother…’ Maggie spoke in hushed tones. ‘The police came round yesterday evening and told us that she has been found…’
‘They came to Ralf’s home? How did they know you were there?’
‘I gave my address to Mr Stockbridge as soon as I knew I was moving, and the police said they’d got it from the store.’
Beth moved towards her, putting an arm about her waist. ‘What did the police say about your mother?’
Maggie’s eyes filled with tears. ‘She’s very ill, Beth. They say she’s dying in an infirmary. She doesn’t have any money and they think… they say her accomplice took it all and then deserted her. She asked for me and they came round to Ralf’s mother’s house…’ Maggie gulped. ‘Mrs Higgins didn’t know about the scandal and she was upset when the police came looking – Ralf said she didn’t mean to be harsh, but she told me she would not have been as welcoming had she known what my mother was accused of…’
‘Has your mother been accused of anything formally?’
Maggie shook her head. ‘The police said she was too ill to question and they say that if I don’t visit her by this evening, it may be too late.’ Her eyes met Beth’s. ‘Ralf’s mother says I should not go because it looks as if I’m condoning her behaviour. According to her, my mother is at the very least a thief and mostly likely a murderess…’
‘Oh no!’ Beth cried. ‘She ought not to have said that to you…’
‘Ralf said it would be better if I didn’t go – but I have to, Beth. I know I said I didn’t care, but she’s dying…’
‘Of course you must go,’ Beth said sympathetically. ‘Jack is going to meet me after work this evening, but we could both come with you…’
Maggie thanked her but had to take her place at her counter because they both had customers. During her break time, Maggie confided in Mrs Craven, and in the end it was she who insisted on accompanying her to the infirmary to visit her mother.
‘It was kind of you to offer to go,’ she said to Beth, ‘but I feel this needs an older woman. Maggie quite rightly wants to see her mother, but she must not be compromised or bullied. I shall accompany her and then take her home and sort things out with Mrs Higgins.’
So it was arranged that Mrs Craven would look out for Maggie and Beth was able to go out for the evening with Jack, as they’d previously arranged. He took her to a small restaurant and they sat all evening talking and laughing over the excellent food.
‘This is where I’m in my element,’ Jack told her with a grin. ‘I think I s
hould have been a chef – or maybe just the manager of a place like this…’
‘You like food,’ Beth said and looked at him thoughtfully. ‘And you’ve certainly learned how to look after people. Why don’t you take a course in the things you don’t know about managing a hotel?’
‘I’d never given it a thought,’ Jack said. ‘I could study while I’m away – there must be places where I could take some sort of course to earn a diploma or a certificate…’
‘It’s something to think about for the future,’ Beth said and smiled as he touched her hand. ‘There’s no hurry about any of it, Jack. I shall enjoy getting to know you when you’re home – and I could write to you when you’re away…’
‘I probably wouldn’t get them,’ he said. ‘We call in at various ports, but although I can send you cards, yours might miss me…’ He looked at her seriously. ‘While I’m away, will you get a photograph done for me, so I can take it with me in future…?’
Beth made a mental note to write him some letters, chatty, friendly missives telling him about her feelings and what she’d done at work. She would have a small batch ready for him to take with her photo on the following Monday and while he was away she would write about her life every day and give them to him for the next voyage.
She lay for a while that evening thinking about Maggie and wondering how she’d got on visiting her mother. It seemed unkind of Mrs Higgins to want to deny her, when she must know that Maggie was upset. Not for the first time, Beth wondered about her friend’s snap decision to move in with Ralf’s family. It had seemed a brilliant idea, but Maggie didn’t really know any of them yet – even Ralf.
Beth knew it was easy to think yourself in love with someone. She’d loved Mark, but she’d been young then and she thought now that she would probably have realised that he was the sort of man who would sulk and get angry if he didn’t get his own way, which meant that she might not have been happy with him.
For years, Beth had regretted having to give him up, but now she’d begun to see that perhaps Mark had never been right for her, and that meant her mother’s refusal to let her go had been a blessing in disguise.