by Rosie Clarke
‘That was Mr Henry and would you believe it, he’s taken almost everything we had in the showroom. All he left were a couple of plain cloche styles, Lizzie. He paid me in cash – look.’
‘Good gracious,’ Lizzie said as she took a small wad of crisp five pound notes and tucked it in her till. ‘Do you think he sat up last night making them?’
Everyone burst into laughter. The joke wasn’t that funny, even though the thought of Mr Henry forging banknotes was amusing, but it helped to clear the tension everyone had been feeling.
‘What have you got ready that isn’t someone’s order?’ Beth asked, looking round.
‘Well, there are those soft silk berets – and a few basic hats, but nothing fancy. I shall have to get busy,’ Lizzie said. ‘I think Mr Henry may be our only customer, Beth, so I’ll work and leave you and Jean to stocktake.’
*
However, in thinking that the terrible night that had just passed would deter her customers from coming out, Lizzie was far from the truth. They had a stream of customers, because, they all said they were determined that Hitler wasn’t going to make them hide at home in fear; it was business as usual in London, even though transport was almost non-existent in some parts of the city. Some customers were content to order from the styles on show or Lizzie’s design book, but several were disappointed she had so little ready-made stock to offer. It was a relief when Tilly walked in halfway through the morning.
‘Thank goodness you’re here,’ Lizzie cried and gave her an overall. ‘You can start right now – if it suits you?’
‘Yes, my neighbour is looking after my daughter so there’s nothing to stop me,’ Tilly said and looked delighted as Lizzie dumped a pile of basic shapes in front of her and told her to make them look special. ‘I’m going to enjoy this… I wish I’d come before.’
‘You’ve chosen just the right moment,’ Lizzie said and went back to cutting some of her more elegant shapes.
As she worked, she heard the showroom bell going several times and the sound of Beth’s voice. Tilly had finished ten stylish hats and Lizzie took them through herself. To her surprise she saw a queue of three customers, none of whom were known to her.
‘May I help you?’ she asked one gentleman.
‘Yes, please,’ he said and looked at the hats she’d brought in with interest. ‘I haven’t been here before, but I’m impressed…and I should like to buy from you.’
‘We’re always happy to welcome new customers. How did you hear of us?’
‘My regular supplier was bombed last night. He’s lost his workroom and most of his stock, though he has some materials at a different location – but he told me to try here. Joseph Wainwright Milliner, don’t know if you’ve heard of him?’ Lizzie shook her head. ‘Well, he says he’s had enough and he’s getting out of London, retiring. I shouldn’t be surprised if he offers his remaining stock to you, Miss Larch.’
‘I should be interested in looking at it,’ Lizzie said. ‘I’m grateful to him for sending me his customers… Mr…?’
‘Ralph Stevens,’ he said. ‘I own and run a department store in the West End. Hats are only a small part of my fashion business, but they are more readily available than clothing these days.’
‘Well, I’m afraid we don’t have as many styles to show you as usual. We seem to have had a run on our stock today. I thought after last night we should be slow, but it’s exactly the opposite.’
‘Everyone is determined to show they haven’t been beaten,’ Ralph Stevens said. ‘I think a night like last night just brings out our fighting spirit as a nation.’
‘Yes, I believe you’re right,’ Lizzie agreed. She looked round as Tilly brought another four hats through. ‘Ah yes, now this is one of my more expensive styles – I could make up a special order for you in a day or so.’
‘This is exactly what my customers are looking for,’ he said pouncing on the white straw with lots of ribbon and a huge silk bow. There just aren’t many people making these now, Miss Larch.’
‘No, I think we’ve all been trying to be sensible with softer styles or something more suited to these times of austerity. Utility hats almost – felt fedoras with just a bow or a stylish feather.’
He nodded agreement. ‘Yes, and those styles appeal to the younger client, but my older ladies do like their pretty hats…’
Lizzie served him with six more hats and took an order for another twelve of her fancier styles. She was thoughtful as he took his leave, because while she needed her business to grow she hated to think that she was profiting from another’s misfortune.
However, when Joseph Wainwright called to see her that afternoon with an offer for her to buy his remaining stock, she didn’t feel so bad; he was well into his seventies with a shock of white hair and faded blue eyes.
‘I’ve been sending all my customers your way, Miss Larch,’ he told her. ‘I’ve admired your work from a distance and I thought you might like to purchase my stock. I still have some good silk, tulle and quite a few boxes of trimmings, which I kept separate from the workrooms just in case.’
‘I should like to see them,’ Lizzie said and made arrangements to meet him at the small lock-up later that evening.
After he’d left, Lizzie remembered what Sebastian had said about not being out late at night by herself and asked Ed if he would like to go with her.
‘Certainly I will, Lizzie,’ he said. ‘It was good of Joseph to give you the offer. He was known for the quality of his stock, so it ought to be decent stuff.’
‘Well, if he really has some nice silk trimmings I’ll be very interested in buying them.’ She smiled at him. ‘It’s turned out to be a good day for us after all, Ed…’
*
Lizzie was delighted with the rolls of materials and at least a dozen boxes of ribbons, lace and silk flowers she was able to purchase at a price that was fair to both her and Mr Wainwright. He promised to deliver them to the showroom the next day and they parted company on good terms.
Ed congratulated her on making another friend in the business. ‘You could have knocked him down, but you gave him what he asked and he appreciated it, Lizzie. He’ll send more of his regular customers your way. It’s always good to have friends in the business.’
‘Yes; besides, I liked him and I thought he offered a fair price. I don’t want to cheat anyone, Ed – and especially not someone who has lost so much.’
He laughed and shook his head at her. ‘Oliver would say you were too soft, but I like the way you are, Lizzie – and you deserve all the success that comes your way, despite the efforts of someone who wanted to hurt you.’
‘After last night my little troubles seem as nothing,’ Lizzie said and pulled her collar tight around her neck as she felt suddenly cold. ‘We haven’t had a warning yet tonight. Do you think the Germans are giving us a rest?’
‘They’re probably just letting us think that and then they’ll come back again with a vengeance,’ Ed said. ‘We didn’t think it could get any worse than it was last year in October, but last night… I pray I don’t ever see that again. So many old buildings have gone, Lizzie; they really had it in for us. It’s a miracle St. Paul’s is still standing. I heard it was hit, together with the British Museum, Westminster Hall and the Lords…’
Ed saw her to her door and waited until she was inside. She asked him in for a cup of cocoa but he refused. Beth was sitting listening to music on the radio but she turned it off as Lizzie entered and smiled.
‘Was it worth the bother?’
‘Yes, I bought enough stock to keep us going for some weeks,’ Lizzie said. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m going to bed. I’m worn out after today. It’s ages since we’ve sold hats we’ve only just finished.’
‘I’ll make the cocoa,’ Beth said. ‘It was lucky Tilly turned up. She’s going to make a difference to your business, Lizzie – you won’t miss me.’
Lizzie yawned and then looked at her askance. ‘You know that’s rubbish, Beth. Yo
u’re my special friend. I shall miss seeing you every day. We’ve shared everything these past few months and it won’t be the same without you. Besides, Tilly won’t be there all the time; she’s having another baby and I’m not sure what will happen when she has two little ones to look after.’
‘I shall miss coming in to work,’ Beth admitted but walked through to the kitchen. After a pause Lizzie followed her.
‘Is something wrong? Are you upset or worried?’
Beth hesitated, then, ‘A bit nervous. Have I done the right thing, Lizzie?’
Lizzie looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Only you can answer that, Beth. If you’ve changed your mind you can stay here with me until you’re sure of what you want.’
‘Yes, I know.’ Beth sighed and then laughed. ‘I expect I’m just being silly. No, I can’t change my mind now. Bernie is a good man and I can’t let him down…’
Lizzie yawned and left her to it and went upstairs to look in on the children, because she knew Beth was too stubborn to change her mind. If she’d made a mistake she wouldn’t admit it. She could only hope that her friend would not regret her decision.
Chapter 12
‘You look really lovely,’ Lizzie said as she saw Beth dressed in the white gown and pretty lace veil that she’d managed to buy with the extra coupons Bernie had got for her. He’d told her that some were his own and some from a friend, but Lizzie suspected they were bought on the black market. However, she didn’t voice her suspicions, because she knew Beth wouldn’t have used them if she’d guessed.
‘Thank you,’ Beth said, ‘and thank you for all your presents, Lizzie. The money will come in useful… give me a bit of independence.’
Lizzie hadn’t been able to think of a suitable gift for Beth so she’d given her two pretty hats, the silver coffee pot and some money. It was enough so that Beth could pay for things she wanted without having to ask her husband for every penny, and for a girl who had been used to having her own wages that was important.
‘I’d hoped you would become a partner one of these days, as we expanded,’ Lizzie said, ‘but Bernie wouldn’t allow that, so I wanted you to have something.’
‘It’s more than I’ve ever had in my life before,’ Beth said. ‘I shall put it in the Post Office and save it until I need it.’
Lizzie nodded but didn’t answer, because Mrs Court entered with a lovely bouquet of lilies, roses and ferns that Bernie had sent for Beth. After that, Lizzie was kept busy greeting friends and helping Beth’s family with organizing the cars and the guests leaving from their house. Dottie was there minus her children, whom she’d left with her mother-in-law for once, but Mary had telephoned to say she was on duty at the hospital and couldn’t make it. Beth’s granny, mother and some distant cousins were amongst those crowding into the cars. Lizzie and Dottie were Beth’s maids of honour and Lizzie had left Betty with Aunt Miriam who adored the beautiful little girl and insisted on coming over to Lizzie’s house to look after her, despite any grumbles she might have from her husband.
At the church everyone clustered round the bride as they waited to go in, and then it was just Beth, her father and the maids of honour. Lizzie and Dottie walked behind Beth as she drifted down the church aisle on her father’s arm and the organ played the wedding march. Beth’s parents were smiling, happy that their daughter was getting married and would be respectable, no longer an unmarried mother but the wife of a man with an important job at the munitions factory.
Beth handed the bouquet to Lizzie when she took her place at Bernie’s side. For a moment Lizzie thought she saw distress in her friend’s eyes, but dismissed it as fanciful nonsense. Beth wouldn’t marry a man she didn’t really like or respect – would she?
Once the ceremony was over, the bride and groom emerged into the sunshine of a late May morning. A small crowd had gathered outside and Beth was showered with homemade confetti.
A fairly lavish reception followed. Mrs Court whispered to Lizzie that Bernie had provided all the tinned ham and also the tinned fruit for the trifles – and he’d sent the pork for the sausage rolls, but even he hadn’t been able to produce a proper iced fruit cake and they’d settled for two tiers of fatless sponges iced with jam and some whipped fresh cream, which their milkman had wangled for them.
‘I don’t know where Mr Wright got it all,’ Mrs Court said, a little frown creasing her brow, because she didn’t approve of black market goods and even she had started to wonder. ‘If it wasn’t Beth’s wedding I’d have sent it back, but she deserves a nice do.’
‘Yes, she does,’ Lizzie said. ‘Perhaps we shouldn’t inquire too deeply just this once.’
‘Well, just this once,’ Mrs Court agreed but she was still looking doubtful. ‘I didn’t think Mr Wright was that sort of man…’
‘Well, he probably did it because he’s so fond of Beth and wanted her to have the best – and we don’t know where it came from, do we? He might have friends who obliged him.’
Beth’s mother nodded, but she wasn’t convinced. Lizzie knew that you couldn’t provide this kind of meal on the sort of rations they all had to manage with. Most people had friends who helped out for weddings and special parties, but she was certain Bernie had got his supplies on the black market…
Beth asked Lizzie to go upstairs with her when she went home to change for her honeymoon. Lizzie helped her out of her dress and stood watching as she put on her new suit and one of the hats Lizzie had made for her. She looked pale and nervous and Lizzie was suddenly anxious for her.
‘You are all right with this, Beth?’
‘It’s too late now if I’m not,’ the practical side of Beth came out and she gave Lizzie a lopsided grin. ‘Just nerves about tonight, Lizzie. I know I’m being silly – it isn’t as if I’m a shy virgin, is it?’
‘No – but he isn’t Mark,’ Lizzie said and squeezed her hand impulsively. ‘If ever things go wrong, you know you’re welcome at my house, Beth.’
‘You’re not going to live in Sebastian’s house then?’
‘Not until he comes home for good anyway.’
‘I thought it might be safer there than in the East End,’ Beth said, ‘but they seem to be leaving us alone since that awful night. Bernie says they’ve turned their attention elsewhere for the moment.’
‘Yes, thank God. I’m not sure we could’ve taken many more nights like that last one. People were weeping on the streets – yet they carried on as best they could as if nothing had happened.’
‘Fighting spirit,’ Beth said and lifted her chin. ‘That’s what we Brits are best at – and I’m a Brit…’
‘Of course you are and braver than most,’ Lizzie said. ‘It may not be as bad as you think, love – and remember what I said, you can come to me if you need to…’
‘Ah, there you are, Beth,’ her mother said, entering the bedroom. ‘Bernie is ready to leave when you are and the car is here.’
‘Yes, I’m ready now.’
‘Good luck,’ Lizzie said and squeezed her hand.
She hung back at the top of the stairs as Beth went down to be greeted by more home-made confetti and the congratulations of her friends and family. Bernie smiled at her as she reached him, and then, just for one second, he glanced up at Lizzie. The expression in his eyes was so strange at that moment that it made her shiver. In an instant it had gone and he was smiling at Beth, fussing over as she kissed the twins goodbye and left them in her mother’s care for the next week. Matt screamed and punched as Beth handed him back to her mother, but Bernie touched his bare leg with one finger and the child turned to look, his screams ceasing abruptly.
Lizzie had an awful foreboding. She wanted to call out to Beth, to warn her to come back, but Beth didn’t catch her eye and then they had gone out to the waiting car. It was too late now. She was Bernie’s wife and he wouldn’t just let her walk off.
No, she was being silly. Bernie was in love with Beth and he was probably just a bit nervous on his wedding day. She hadn’t seen dislike in
his eyes when he looked at her. Lizzie must have mistaken it – or it was a trick of the light, and yet Bernie seemed to be telling her that he’d got Beth now and she’d better keep her distance or else…
*
Beth woke to hear the sounds coming from the adjoining bathroom and a feeling of distaste crept over her. Bernie was washing, cleaning his teeth to be more precise, and the noise of his gargling and spitting irritated her. She closed her eyes as she tried to shut out the previous night, when he’d spent nearly half an hour in the bathroom before coming to her. She hadn’t found the sound of his ablutions particularly romantic and when he finally climbed into bed beside her, she’d wanted to push him away – but of course she couldn’t. It was what being married was all about as far as Bernie was concerned. He’d promised her so many things and Beth knew she had to keep her side of the bargain.
It was bearable after the first couple of minutes when he climbed on top of her, and after a quick fumble at her breasts he’d parted her legs and thrust into her. Had she been a virgin it would have been unbearably painful, but because she’d had the twins she hardly felt anything. It crossed her mind that Bernie was much smaller down there than Mark had been, and he was certainly no great lover. Half a dozen thrusts and it was over, leaving Beth feeling empty but relieved. After a moment, he rolled off her, pecked at her cheek and then closed his eyes.
Within minutes Bernie was snoring. Beth knew he’d drunk quite a bit that evening after they arrived at the hotel in Brighton. It was a lovely place, what Beth would call posh, and they’d had a nice meal of roast chicken with potatoes and beans, accompanied by some lovely wine. Beth had drunk two glasses, because it helped to ease her nerves, but Bernie had finished the bottle.
His efforts at making love had been pitiful, but at least it had been over quickly, Beth thought. Maybe she could bear it, if only he wouldn’t spend so much time making those revolting noises in the bathroom! She’d been a fool to sacrifice personal happiness for security, but she’d made her decision and she must live with it.