The Foyles Bookshop Girls

by Elaine Roberts

  Alice laughed. ‘You’re joking with me, aren't you? Perhaps I should be on the stage, what do you think?’

  Victoria laughed. ‘Maybe.’ Guilt swamped her and the laughter was quickly replaced by a frown. ‘Or perhaps you’ve led a lucky life.’

  Alice smiled. ‘I think you’re right. I’ve led a lucky life, especially when you compare it with what you’ve been through.’ She paused, staring down at the pavement, wondering whether she should continue or not. ‘Everyone has bad times you know; admittedly some are worse than others, but I’ve had my moments. Things aren't always easy.’ She paused, casting Victoria a sideways glance. ‘I worry about Lily and all this demonstrating she’s doing.’ She took a deep breath. ‘My mother looked terrified when I got home last night and Lily was quite defiant.’

  Victoria's arm squeezed her friend's hand. ‘Lily’s always been passionate in believing she’s right, even when she isn't.’

  Alice nodded. ‘It's not that I disagree with the fundamentals of it all, but she’d been escorted home by a policeman.’

  Victoria's jaw dropped and her eyes widened. ‘I bet your father was furious. No wonder your mother was frightened.’

  ‘Yes, he wasn't too pleased and, obviously, I got into trouble for not stopping her.’

  Victoria shook her head. ‘What? Is he sure? Doesn't he know Lily at all?’

  Alice gave her a feeble smile. ‘Apparently not. Lily, to her credit, spelt out the consequences of that action to him, but I think it made matters worse.’

  Victoria gave a hollow laugh. ‘Lily’s always been strong willed, a bit like Daisy.’

  Alice looked across at her. ‘I'm glad you said that, and I don't want to tell tales but Lily told me Daisy was also at the demonstration.’

  Victoria's pale features turned ashen; her eyes darted around as if searching for a memory.

  ‘Lily didn't know if she’d been arrested, but I thought you should know.’

  ‘She never mentioned it,’ Victoria whispered, remembering she’d sat in the chair and cried until sleep rescued her. She hadn’t seen her sister until that morning and had no idea what time Daisy and Stephen got home. She’d tried to talk to them but they’d flounced out of the house early, leaving her alone with her worries about what would become of them all.

  ‘No.’ Alice took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. ‘I didn't know whether to say anything or not, but as you say, we’ve been friends a long time.’ She paused, staring at Victoria’s complexion and feeling a little bit scared she may have tipped her over the edge. Maybe Lily was more astute than she realised. ‘I'll ask Freddie if he can find out, and maybe sort it out quietly.’

  Victoria nodded. ‘I don't want him to get into trouble, but I can't pretend that wouldn't be appreciated.’ She gave a weak smile.

  ‘How is Daisy?’

  Victoria sighed. ‘It's a constant battle. She hates working as a domestic so I offered to try to get her work in Foyles, but that didn't go down well.’ Victoria looked down at the pavement for a moment. ‘It's hard being a parent to an eighteen and sixteen-year-old, especially when you are only twenty yourself.’ She sighed and looked across at Alice. ‘You know, every time I make a suggestion or try to explain things, they just explode and tell me I'm not their mother.’

  Alice nodded. No words came.

  Victoria's eyes became watery. ‘I miss my parents so much. It has been a hard four years without them.’

  Alice's vision became blurred; she sniffed. ‘I don't know what to say. I'm afraid I don't have any words of wisdom. The only thing I’d say is you do a marvellous job and your parents would be proud of you, keeping the family together. I know I couldn't do it.’

  Victoria's laugh was hollow. ‘You don't know what you can do until you’re thrown into a situation that’s out of your control.’

  Alice gave Victoria's arm a light squeeze. ‘I expect that’s true but you’ve proven yourself to be a strong woman and don't you forget that.’

  They walked along Oxford Street in silence, neither stopping to look in the shop windows. Men stood in groups, puffing on their cigarettes, plumes of smoke swirling around them, before disappearing in the breeze. Their chatter followed the girls down the street, making it clear there was talk about the general strike action that was being planned.

  Alice broke the silence. ‘You know, if everyone isn't talking about the possibility of a general strike, then they are talking about whether we’ll end up going to war.’ She sighed. ‘It seems to me it's all doom and gloom.’

  ‘Yes, I must admit I'm thankful that if we do go to war, Stephen is too young to enlist.’

  ‘I know what you mean because I have the same thoughts about Charles. To be honest, I try not to think about it.’ Alice took a deep breath. ‘Robert will make father proud, and mother distraught, by enlisting straight away.’

  Victoria nodded. ‘I expect you’re right. Even as a child, I remember Robert as always being dutiful.’

  Alice laughed. ‘Dutiful? As the eldest of four, he’s just plain bossy if you ask me.’ She paused for a moment. ‘He was always telling tales on us and he liked to pull the “I’m the eldest so I know best” phrase, but actually he doesn’t always.’

  ‘Maybe that’s how Daisy and Stephen see me.’ Victoria chuckled. ‘Perhaps I should ask them.’

  Alice tapped her friend’s hand. ‘Nonsense, you had no choice. The position was thrust upon you. Robert did though; he just liked being father’s favourite and that’s the difference.’ She smiled. ‘He drives Lily and Charles mad.’

  They turned left onto Regent Street.

  ‘Do you think Freddie will enlist?’ Victoria frowned as she looked across at Alice.

  Anxiety chased Alice's smile away. ‘I don't think so; the police will be needed here.’

  Victoria gave her a sideways glance. ‘I'm surprised you and Freddie haven't got married by now.’

  Alice laughed. ‘He has to ask me first.’

  ‘Well it's about time he did. Trust me, four years is an eternity.’ Victoria frowned as she looked at Alice. ‘It's definitely time he proposed.’ She blinked rapidly as she stared hard at the pavement. He was a constant reminder that her friend’s happiest moment was inextricably linked to the worst day of her own life.

  Alice wanted to talk about Ted, to know whether Victoria had heard from him since he walked away from her within months of her parents dying, and whether she still had feelings for him, but she couldn't bring herself to rake through that pain again.

  The two adjacent pyramid signs of the Café Monico were just ahead; people were milling around outside. Alice pushed the wooden door, which opened into a large room filled with round wooden tables and matching chairs. Arched mirrors on the wall gave the illusion of space, while the white roman pillars gave it grandeur. The panelled ceiling was edged with scrolled mouldings. Large potted palms were strategically placed around the room.

  Victoria's jaw dropped. ‘This is beautiful.’ She looked around her. ‘I haven't been in here before.’

  Alice smiled as she watched her eyes moving around the room. ‘I don't come much; only when I fancy a real treat.’

  Their heels clattered on the tiled floor as they were shown to a table.

  Alice smiled at the waitress, dressed in a floor length black dress with a pristine white apron tied around her waist. ‘Thank you. I know what I want, do you, Victoria?’

  Victoria pulled out her chair and sat down. ‘I can never say no to a chocolate layer cake, if you have any.’

  ‘Hmm, I’m tempted but I think I’ll stick with a slice of lemon cake please, and’ Alice looked across at Victoria, ‘we'll have two teas.’ Victoria nodded her agreement.

  Moments later, they were tucking into their slices of cake, before pouring tea from the white china pot.

  ‘This is delicious; so light.’ Victoria scooped another piece on her dessert fork. ‘I love chocolate cake. My mother used to make it all the time so it’s a bit of a weakness of mine.’r />
  Alice laughed. ‘Cake is a weakness full stop.’ She picked up the lid of the teapot and gave the hot liquid a stir before replacing it. ‘I'm always being told it's all in the brewing.’ She lifted the pot and poured the golden hot liquid into the china cups.

  Victoria added a splash of milk to her tea. ‘It looks a fine cup.’

  Alice followed suit before automatically picking it up to take a sip, but the steam warned her it was too hot. A shadow passed over Alice's eyes as she returned her teacup to the matching saucer. ‘I can't remember the last time we were out shopping together. We used to spend most of our time in Liberty's and John Lewis, do you remember?’

  Victoria patted her lips with the white linen napkin. ‘The choice of embroidery threads from John Lewis is always wonderful, but I haven’t bought any for a long time.’ She smiled before continuing. ‘We did use to have fun wandering up and down Oxford and Regent Street, especially in the milliners. What about all the hats the three of us used to try on, so many styles and colours, we used to spend hours in there.’

  Laughter bubbled to the surface as the pair of them reminisced.

  Victoria rested her hand on her chest as tears of laughter rolled down her cheeks. ‘Do you remember Molly bought that awful wide brimmed lacy thing.’ She giggled. ‘I’m sure I’ve never seen it on her head.’

  A clatter ricocheted around the coffee house, making Alice jump in her seat. She turned to see a red-faced waitress stooping to pick up some of the broken crockery.

  Victoria shook her head. ‘I expect the owners will make her pay for those breakages, so that’ll be at least a day's wages lost.’

  Alice watched the young girl; she momentarily looked up and caught her watching her. It was only then Alice realised it was the waitress who had served them. She picked up the large broken pieces and placed them on a tray, while another waitress appeared with a broom and started to sweep the residue away from the customers. ‘If that's true, it's a shame.’ Alice wondered if she could offer to pay for the breakages without insulting anyone. Perhaps she could speak to the owner, or leave a large tip for the waitress.

  Chapter 4

  Alice gave a weary sigh and pulled at the three-quarter length sleeves of her white blouse. She wriggled her toes inside her shoes. Her feet ached and tiredness swept over her. She glanced across at Victoria, who was still serving customers at the booth. It had been another busy day at Foyles and Alice hadn’t had the chance to talk to her about Daisy. The sun being out hadn’t stopped the customers from coming in and searching through the thousands of books. She caught sight of Mr Leadbetter leaning over, talking to a customer. Her mouth formed a ready smile when she remembered him reassuring and guiding a tearful customer out of the shop earlier that day. He had looked uncomfortable dealing with such emotions, but the lady had got lost on the third floor. It had happened to several customers since Alice had started working there. She began tidying up the counter and stacked the books that hadn't been collected, never understanding why customers went to the trouble of picking a book but then not coming back to collect it. When she had finished, she placed her pen neatly on top of her bill payment pad, ready to store it away when the shop closed for the evening.

  ‘Here, let me.’

  Alice stopped what she was doing and looked up. She watched the tall dark-haired man in a police uniform reach effortlessly for a book on one of the higher shelves. The three gold stripes on his arm appeared to sparkle against the dark blue of the uniform. A smile played on her lips as he passed it to the old lady stooped next to him.

  ‘There you go. Is there anything else you need while I'm here?’

  The old lady giggled. Her grey pallor took on a pink hue and her smile revealed crooked brown teeth. The tangle of her grey hair hid the soft curls from view. ‘I'm sure there’s a lot you could do for me, sergeant, but even the thought of it makes me come over all unnecessary.’ Her cackle filled the shop. ‘So I'm afraid I’ve to make do with D. H. Lawrence's Sons and Lovers.’ She waved the book in the air.

  ‘Cheeky.’

  Alice giggled. There was something about Freddie Leybourne that attracted the ladies. She couldn't deny he was a handsome man. He was clean cut, which emphasised his kind brown eyes. She smiled as pride rushed through her veins. Of course, it might only be something to do with a man in a uniform. Whatever the reason, they all liked to flirt with him, particularly the older ones.

  Freddie turned and beamed at Alice. ‘Shall I escort you to the beautiful lady behind the counter?’ He held out his arm for the old lady.

  The lady looked up at him; her blue eyes danced with mischief. ‘This is definitely my lucky day.’ She placed her arm through his. ‘Do you think your wife would mind if I ran away with you?’ Her raucous laughter was louder than ever.

  ‘You,’ Freddie Leybourne smiled at her, ‘are a little bit naughty.’ He tucked his own book under his other arm and held out his hand. ‘Let me hold on to your book.’

  She passed her book to him and then wiped a tear from her eyes with a handkerchief from the pocket of her threadbare coat. ‘Actually, I can't run anywhere. It would have to be a very slow hobble.’ The lady smiled and took a deep breath, inhaling a woody, citrus smell. ‘Handsome and smells wonderful; someone’s a lucky woman.’ She stared ahead at Alice. ‘So, is the beautiful lady your wife?’

  Freddie opened his mouth to speak but the lady continued before he could form any words.

  ‘No, that can't be so because once men are married, they generally stop seeing their wives as beautiful, so she must be your girlfriend.’

  ‘I don't know if I agree with that, but the outcome is correct.’ He laughed into her mischievous eyes and patted the fingers that were gripping his arm. ‘I could do with you on the police force. Would you like a job?’

  The old lady cackled. ‘Do you know, I think I'm a little bit past my best years.’

  Freddie was still smiling when he placed the two books on the counter in front of Alice.

  The old lady stared at her. ‘I hope you realise you’re a very lucky young lady to be stepping out with this delightful police sergeant.’

  The colour rose in Alice's face, but she couldn't help but smile at her cheekiness. ‘Indeed I am.’

  Freddie didn't take his eyes off Alice. ‘I was thinking of taking her to Her Majesty's Theatre to watch Pygmalion next weekend.’ A smile crept across his face as he looked down at the lady on his arm. ‘What do you think?’

  ‘You should snap him up lovey, before someone else does.’ The lady winked at Alice. ‘It might be worth my while getting arrested, just to have some time in his company again.’

  Alice laughed as she picked up both books and her pen.

  ‘The D. H. Lawrence book is mine.’

  ‘You’ve made my day, so I think the book can be my treat.’ Freddie grinned from ear to ear.

  Alice nodded.

  ‘No, I can't let you do that.’ The lady frowned. ‘I live on my own, so talking to you has been my treat.’

  Alice hesitated, with her pen poised over her pad.

  Freddie gave a slight nod in her direction.

  She wrote the titles down on the pad, along with the price, and gave it to Freddie to take to the payment booth.

  ‘There's a chair.’ He patted the lady's fingers. ‘Take a seat while I go and pay for the books.’ He held onto her as she lowered herself onto the upright wooden chair. His eyes clouded when he glanced across at Alice. ‘Did Lily get home all right the other night?’

  Alice immediately flushed a bright pink. ‘Yes, thank you.’

  Freddie nodded. ‘She’s lucky I was on duty or she probably would’ve been charged, along with the rest of them.’

  ‘I… I didn't realise.’ Alice lowered her eyes, unable to look at him.

  ‘Sorry, Alice, I thought you knew…’

  ‘No, I didn't.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Was Daisy with them?’

  ‘Daisy?’

  Alice's eyes darted around the s
hop, quickly taking in the old lady sitting on the chair, thankful she was now rummaging through her bag and not paying them any attention. ‘Victoria's sister,’ she whispered. ‘Lily said she was with them and I'm concerned she got arrested.’ Alice frowned. Her eyes welled up as she remembered her friend's pale features. ‘Victoria has had such a lot on her plate since her parents died, I'm not sure she could cope with any more.’

  Freddie took a couple of steps towards Alice. ‘Leave it with me and I'll see what I can do, but I can't keep favouring the two girls, because if word gets out, I could be in trouble.’

  ‘Surely not, an upstanding citizen like yourself.’

  They both looked around to see Tony.

  His eyes were sharp as they looked from one to the other, and back again. ‘Come on, you look as guilty as hell so please tell, what will you be in trouble for?’

  Alice’s gaze darted from Tony to Freddie. He was staring tight-lipped at Tony. She rested her hand on his arm. ‘Freddie, you’d better go and pay for the books.’ Fidgeting from one foot to the other, Alice turned her attention back to Tony. ‘I didn’t see you there, have you come to meet Molly?’

  *

  Luke Taylor pulled open the heavy door to the Gentlemen's Club in St James's Street. Although he had been a member there for nearly forty years, he still got a thrill every time he walked into the large entrance, with its magnificent marble pillars and high ceilings, above the wonderful oak and marble staircase. Every time he entered the prestigious club, it reminded him how far he had come, ‘but only by association’ a voice echoed in his head.

  He was seventeen years old when he decided to travel to London from Norfolk to look for work, not realising how it would change his life forever. His charm had quickly won over Arthur Gettin. Convincing him he had potential to be a great architect had been easy and it had secured him work as an apprentice in his son, Edward's, company. It hadn't taken him long to discover Edward would be missing for some time, as he was mourning the loss of his wife, Alexandra. Luke, unashamedly, used the time to his advantage.