by Linda Finlay
‘Right, ladies, my first job is to tell you to look out for fingersmiths. Apparently there have been reports of thefts from other stores, so keep alert, and if you spot anyone loitering suspiciously you are to notify myself or, if I am busy, Mrs Winter.’
‘Are these people dangerous?’ Prunella whispered, glancing anxiously around the empty store.
‘No, I don’t think so, Miss Prim. More like opportunists. However, Mr Jenkins will be keeping a weather eye on us in ladieswear.’
‘Oh, that’s a relief, I don’t think. He couldn’t wrestle a rat,’ Freckles whispered. Privately Merry agreed but the manageress, full of her importance, was in full flood.
‘With the store being so busy it would be easy for someone to pocket an accessory or some small item. That is why Mr Fairbright has taken the precaution of having our displays moved to higher shelves.’ She gestured to the display stands, which had indeed been raised. ‘Clients can still see them but will require assistance should they wish to examine anything. However, we will need to be vigilant.’
‘Don’t worry, Mrs Smale, I’ll keep me peepers peeled,’ Freckles declared.
‘Thank you, Miss Brice. Just one other thing before you go to your stations. As these next two weeks are predicted to be our busiest time of year, from today until Christmas Eve the store will be remaining open during the luncheon period. You will therefore stagger your meal break with each taking no more than twenty minutes.’
‘Blimey oh rimey, that’s slave labour,’ Freckles muttered.
‘Miss Brice?’ Mrs Smale sighed.
‘I said I suppose it will be a favour,’ Freckles said innocently.
Mrs Smale gave her a sharp look. ‘If by favour you mean you are prepared to give your time freely, then I’ll inform Mr Fairbright of your kindness, Miss Brice. He did assure me your efforts would be reflected in your Christmas box but …’ She left her words hanging.
‘Then it would be rude to refuse his generous offer,’ Freckles grinned.
The day passed in a hectic whirl as, despite the cold weather, clients descended upon the store, intent on fulfilling their Christmas lists. The shop was so busy that even the manageress and supervisor temporarily buried their differences as they endeavoured to deal with everyone. Merry had never wrapped so many purchases in a day, and ensuring the counters were tidy and the stocks replenished took all her attention. She was just attaching another reel of ribbon when a familiar voice made her stomach sink.
‘I say, girl, do you think you can assist?’
Fighting down the desire to wipe the sneer from the haughty Alexandria’s face, and ignoring the titters of her friends, Merry forced a smile.
‘How may I help you, Miss Courtland?’
‘I am in need of Christmas gifts for my staff. I have no idea what to buy them and thought with you being a shop girl you would,’ she said with an affected sigh.
‘May I interest you in a cup of cheer?’ Joanie asked, appearing at the woman’s side with her tray of mulled wine.
Alexandria sniffed and shook her head. ‘At this time of day, I don’t think so, do you?’ she replied, turning to her friends, who shook their heads too. Looking put out, Joanie moved on to another group of clients.
‘Shame, it’d warm you up, you old trout,’ Freckles muttered.
‘I beg your pardon,’ Alexandria exclaimed.
‘I said there’s a lot of cold air about,’ Freckles responded with a polite smile.
‘Who exactly are you buying for?’ Merry asked quickly as she saw Mrs Winter making her way towards them.
‘Well, the cook, the housekeeper and I suppose I’d better get that maid of all things something as well. Tea towels or dusters would fit the bill, I suppose.’
As the woman waved her gloved hand in an offhand manner, Merry felt her temper rising. ‘A bit boring, though, don’t you think?’ she ventured, ignoring the woman’s raised brow. ‘I understand that these days it is the done thing to give a gift of a personal nature to show one’s gratitude. Or do you not feel that would be appropriate?’
‘As I thought, this is more your sort of thing, so what would you suggest?’
‘With the weather being as it is, something to keep them warm would be appreciated, I’m sure,’ Merry replied, staring at the fox fur stole and matching hat Alexandria was wearing. ‘How about a nice warm shawl each, or a hat or some gloves?’ As the woman’s brow arched even higher, Merry fought down the urge to laugh. ‘We have some lovely ones in the finest wool. But they are rather expensive so perhaps that is more than you wanted to spend?’
Aware that her friends were waiting for her answer, Alexandria nodded and waved her hand. ‘Money is not an issue, Miss Dyer. I really don’t have time to spend in idle speculation. Select whatever you judge suitable and add it to my account.’
‘Of course, Miss Courtland,’ Merry demurred. ‘Be sure I shall arrange to have three of our finest shawls with matching hats and gloves gift-wrapped and set aside for collection as per your instructions.’ She watched as the woman swallowed hard.
‘Getting ideas above your station, shop girl? Well, you can be sure I shall not forget this,’ the woman hissed before turning and marching from the store, followed by her friends.
‘Goodness, well done, Miss Dyer,’ Mrs Winter cried. ‘I came over to assist only to find you selling some of our finest knitwear.’
‘Well, I’m sure her staff deserve to receive good-quality presents for their services,’ Merry replied. ‘Especially having to deal with that haughty madam every day,’ she added under her breath.
‘Blimey oh rimey, girl,’ Freckles muttered. ‘Imagine if we was on commission, you’d be getting a jolly good Christmas present of your own. Mind you, I didn’t care for the way she glared at you as she left. Now I know what they mean when they say “if looks could kill”.’
Merry shrugged, thinking it wouldn’t do the woman any harm to treat her staff, for once, especially if she spoke to them in the same condescending manner.
It was a long day and by the time the store closed all Merry wanted to do was eat her supper and fall into bed. However, as she made her way to the staff-room Mr Fairbright beckoned her from the stairs. Her heart sank. Don’t say Miss Courtland had complained about her. To her relief, though, her employer smiled.
‘Ah, Miss Dyer, I just wondered if you had that letter for your mother? The recent cold snap has left our stocks of knit frocks sadly depleted and I am journeying to Porthsallos tomorrow to collect more.’
Merry’s heart sank. Although she’d started it, having spent her precious time off sewing and going out with Carey she hadn’t got round to finishing it.
‘Well, actually, I did start it …’ Really, she had no excuse.
Seeing her flustered look, Mr Fairweather shook his head. ‘I know you have been busy, Miss Dyer, but it would only take you a minute to finish it, surely? I suggest you do so this evening, then leave it on the hall table. I will collect it first thing before I leave.’
‘Thank you, sir,’ she muttered.
‘I know you intend going home for Christmas but a letter confirming that would mean a lot to your mother.’
‘Yes, Mr Fairbright,’ she replied, and although he’d spoken mildly she felt as if she’d received a telling-off from the schoolmaster.
‘Come on, Merry, we’ll walk with you to the staff-room,’ Chester said, catching up with her as she made her way down the hallway. ‘We had such an exciting afternoon, didn’t we, Nicholas? Teddy saw a chap pocketing one of those new …’
‘Sorry, Chester, I’ll not be eating with you tonight. I have something I must do,’ she interrupted, hurrying towards the back stairs.
‘What’s up with her?’ Teddy asked.
‘That lieutenant’s giving her ideas above her station, if you ask me,’ she heard Chester reply.
CHAPTER 31
Ideas above her station indeed, Merry thought as she lit the candle in her room and took up her sheet of paper. Although she w
as fond of the other assistants, there was no denying the lack of privacy got on her nerves at times. At least at home her mother and Grozen would sense when she needed to think and leave her alone – well, most of the time, anyway. Quickly she read what she’d already written.
Dear Mother and Grozen,
I hope this letter finds you well. I was pleased to receive yours and thank you most sincerely for my lovely shawl and gloves. The colour is perfect and …
Taking up her pencil, she thought for a moment then began to write.
they are ideal for the snow and cold weather we have been having. I wonder if you have had much snow in Porthsallos. Hope you are keeping warm and the fire well stoked, Grozen. We have been very busy here. Would you believe Mr Fairbright arranged for a fir tree lit with candles to be placed in both of the bay windows? It all looks very festive and brings lots of people into the store.
She paused, wondering if she should mention Carey. But knowing they still expected her to marry Nicco, she decided against it.
I miss you both very much and am very much looking forward to seeing you when I come home for Christmas.
Ever your loving
Merryn
Placing her letter on the side to take downstairs first thing, she turned her attention to what she should wear for going out with Carey on Sunday. It might still be a few days away, but if the activity in the store today was anything to go by, she’d be hard-pressed to find any free time later in the week.
Knowing she shouldn’t miss another service, and trusting it was too near Christmas for Nicco to be visiting Plymouth, Merry joined the others for church on Sunday morning.
‘Are you coming out with us today?’ Chester asked as they walked out through the lychgate.
‘Merry’s got a date with the dashing lieutenant, so you’ll just have to treat yours truly to another poke of chips,’ Freckles teased, linking her arm through his.
‘We’re coming with you, though,’ Prunella said, smiling at Nicholas, who flushed and nodded.
‘Well, I’m no goose-gog so you can count me out. I’m off to see my pals anyway,’ Teddy said, waving his hand in farewell.
‘Hope you know what you’re doing, Merry,’ Chester said.
‘What do you mean?’ she asked.
‘Well, that lieutenant’s sort, they’re … oh, nothing,’ he sighed.
‘Come on, there’s the tram,’ Freckles squealed. Merry watched as her friends sped off on their excursion, then made her way towards the store.
Back in her room, she checked her appearance in the little mirror and wondered where Carey would be taking her today. Her heart gave a leap at the thought of seeing him again. It might only have been a week since they’d last met but she’d really missed him. Remembering he’d said they would be having a special pre-Christmas celebration, she put on her cashmere wrap and ran back down the stairs so as not to keep him waiting.
The hall clock struck twelve and, knowing he was always punctual, she peeped through the window but there was no sign of him. She perched on the chair in the hallway but was so excited she couldn’t keep still and began pacing the floor. The clock struck the quarter-hour, then the half-hour but still he didn’t appear. He must have been delayed, she thought when the clock chimed a quarter to one. Surely he would have sent a message if he wasn’t coming? Perhaps something better had come along, the little gremlin in her mind warned. Had he spent the previous evening at a party? Saphira might be away but hadn’t he said Alexandria was a family friend and always visiting? She paced the floor, her treacherous thoughts getting the better of her. By the time the clock chimed the hour she had to acknowledge that he wasn’t coming.
Probably never had any intention, that gremlin muttered as she hurried up to her room. Well, she didn’t care anyway. Except she did, and it hurt. Heedless of her finery, she threw herself down on the bed and sobbed until she had no tears left. Then anger swept through her. Even if he had changed his mind, he should have had the decency to let her know. Jumping up, she changed into her old skirt and blouse, wrapped her blue shawl around her shoulders and ran out to the yard.
After rinsing her face at the pump, she returned to her room. She was blowed if she’d waste the rest of her day off; it was only a week until Christmas. She’d wrap her presents then prepare her things ready for going home. How pleased she was Mr Fairbright had reminded her to write to her mother and Grozen, and how she missed them.
The next week passed in a blur of clients and wrapping. If there was a stone where her heart used to be then she chose to ignore it. Although Freckles and Prunella had looked askance when they returned on Sunday, for once they’d respected her privacy and hadn’t intruded. She was grateful for that, although she suspected it was Prunella who’d kept their inquisitive friend from prying.
Now it was Christmas Eve and, to their surprise, Mr Fairbright closed the store early and they were summoned to his office.
‘Well, ladies, first of all I would like to thank you for all your hard work over the past months. Your probationary period is almost at an end and Mr Didcot and I thought it would be opportune to tell you our findings before you depart for the festivities. Mr Didcot is, as we speak, addressing the staff from menswear.’
‘That is most considerate of you, Mr Fairbright,’ Mrs Smale smiled, patting her bun self-assuredly.
‘Not at all, Mrs Smale. However, I shall begin with you, Mrs Winter,’ he said, turning to the supervisor. ‘You have shown exceptional talent in your dealings with both the staff in the ladies’ department and the servants who call to collect their employers’ wares. Therefore, when you return after the festivities it will be in the role of manageress.’
‘But …’ Mrs Smale gasped.
Freckles and Merry exchanged surprised looks.
‘Bear with me if you will, Mrs Smale,’ Mr Fairbright said, holding up his hand. ‘Miss Dyer, you have shown a comprehensive understanding of the stock and a good rapport with our clients so you have passed your probation with flying colours. In future you will shadow Mrs Winter and assist as trainee supervisor.’
Merry gulped. ‘Thank you, Mr Fairbright,’ she whispered. Trainee supervisor? Well, that would certainly give her something to focus on when she returned after the holiday. Goodness, whatever would her mother say?
‘Obviously you have a lot still to learn but Mrs Winter assures me you show great promise.’ He smiled at Merry and then addressed them all. ‘Mr Didcot and myself feel it will enrich your careers if you each take on a specific responsibility for the running of the department.’
‘But what about …’ Mrs Smale began.
‘All in good time, Mrs Smale. Now, Miss Prim,’ he smiled at Pru. ‘I am pleased to say you too have passed your probation with flying colours. I am led to believe you have shown a distinct flair for displaying our merchandise. In future, you will take responsibility for seeing the mannequins are seasonally dressed and that our stock is shown to best effect. Mrs Winter, of course, will advise.’
‘Goodness, thank you, sir,’ Prunella said, flushing with pleasure.
‘Miss Brice, I have heard you are particularly good at giving names to, er, well … everything,’ he said, his eyes twinkling.
‘Now that is very true, sir,’ Mrs Smale smirked.
‘Well, when the store reopens it will be receiving new stock and instead of using the usual generic names, we feel it would create interest for our clients if our collections were given individual titles. You, Miss Brice, will have responsibility for this, a job at which I am confident you will excel,’ he said, smiling at Freckles.
‘Blimey oh rimey, thank you, Mr Fairbright,’ Freckles gushed.
‘Obviously your pay will be enhanced to reflect these extra duties, and when you return you will find waiting for you the black uniforms and caps denoting your status as fully fledged assistants.’
‘But what about me?’
‘Ah, Mrs Smale, where would we be without your meticulous writing up of the ledgers? It
is clear you have an aptitude for figures, and with business flourishing it is essential to have someone dedicated to keeping the store’s accounts. We would deem it an honour if you were to become our bookkeeper.’
‘But clearly there is no room for me in the store,’ she said, glaring at Mrs Winter.
‘We appreciate such a job requires the utmost concentration and have arranged for the office behind this one be prepared for you.’
‘You mean I have been elevated to a position upstairs with an office of my own?’ Mrs Smale simpered. ‘I must agree I am indeed worthy of greater things than being on the shop floor.’ She smirked at Mrs Winter, who nodded in a conciliatory manner.
‘Right, ladies, all that remains is for me to wish you the compliments of the season and to hand you your Christmas boxes.’
‘Goodness, I can hardly believe it,’ Merry said, once they were up in their room.
‘Did you see old Smelly’s face when Fairbright announced Mrs Winter was going to be manageress? For a moment there, I reckon she thought she was out on her ear,’ Freckles giggled.
‘I can’t believe I’m going to be in charge of the mannequins,’ Prunella sighed. ‘It will give me something to look forward to whilst Mother is wittering on about marriage.’
‘Right, let’s get our things packed, then we can be off. Chester and I are going for a noggin to celebrate. Do you two want to come with us?’
‘And play gooseberry? No, thanks,’ Merry said, laughing for the first time in a week. Carey might not value her but it seemed Mr Fairbright did. She would enjoy Christmas with her family and then concentrate on her position here, for hadn’t it always been her ambition to make her own way? ‘I’ll get an early night before Nicco collects me in the morning.’
‘Father is already waiting outside in his carriage,’ Prunella sighed.
‘Well, come along then, girl. I’ll walk down to the yard with you. Merry Christmas, Merry,’ Freckles chortled. ‘And you needn’t get any ideas about me kowtowing to you when we get back.’