The Sea Shell Girl

by Linda Finlay

  ‘And you needn’t come up with any rude name for me,’ Merry laughed. ‘Happy Christmas, Prunella,’ she added.

  Prunella pulled a face. ‘I’d much rather be staying here. Season’s greetings, Merry.’

  Merry listened to them clattering down the stairs then finished packing her bag ready for the morning. The presents she’d carefully wrapped rustled as she placed her nightdress on top and she smiled, thinking of the skirt she’d made for her mother. Even with her discount it had cost a small fortune, but as soon as she’d seen the warm woollen material she’d known her mother would love it.

  She was so looking forward to seeing Mother and Grozen. She thought of the beautiful bed jacket she’d purchased for the older woman. Although her grandmother would say it was too grand and she’d never wear it, Merry knew she would. As a gesture of goodwill, she’d even wrapped a pair of socks for Nicco. He might be possessive and dictatorial but he obviously still wanted her. If he hadn’t said he’d collect her tomorrow she’d have had a long walk in the freezing cold.

  A knock on the door interrupted her musing and, sighing, she went to answer it.

  ‘Mr Fairbright would like to see you in the parlour,’ Joanie said.

  ‘Mr Fairbright?’ Merry repeated. ‘Why?’

  ‘Don’t ask me, dearie, I was just leaving for home when he came bustling in insisting I come and get you straight away.’

  Quickly Merry smoothed down her skirts, then followed the woman down the stairs. When they entered the office she noticed that Mr Fairbright was dressed in his greatcoat and muffler, cheeks flushed from the cold and with a dusting of snow on his collar.

  ‘Ah, Miss Dyer, do take a seat, my dear,’ her employer greeted her. ‘Thank you, Joanie. I’m sorry to have held you up. Compliments of the season to you.’

  ‘And to you, Mr Fairbright,’ the housekeeper replied.

  ‘I was on my way home when I bumped into an old colleague who hails from Logh,’ Mr Fairbright said, turning to Merry. ‘Apparently snow there has blocked the roads. Mindful you were intending to travel to Porthsallos, I enquired if the higher road was passable. Alas, it is not, so I’m afraid you will not be going anyway, my dear.’

  ‘Oh, no,’ she murmured, disappointment flooding through her.

  ‘We are off to stay with relatives, otherwise I would have invited you home with me,’ he explained, looking so anxious that Merry forced a smile.

  ‘Don’t worry, Mr Fairbright, I’ll be fine,’ she assured him.

  ‘Well, if you are sure?’ he said, looking relieved. ‘The store is locked, of course, and as Jenkins will be caretaking, Joanie has left plenty of food in the larder so you must help yourself. Season’s greetings, my dear,’ he added before hurrying away.

  Up in her room, Merry lay on her bed and stared up at the moonlight. She’d so been looking forward to going home and seeing her mother and Grozen again. Now she’d be spending Christmas alone.

  What a strange day. In the past twenty-four hours she’d gone from despair to excitement at having passed her probation. Now she was back to despair.

  CHAPTER 32

  She must have fallen asleep for when she woke the room was flooded with the blinding brightness only snow can bring. It was Christmas, she thought, jumping excitedly from her bed. Then, remembering she’d be spending it alone, she shivered and slid back under the covers.

  ‘Happy Christmas, Mother and Grozen,’ she whispered, feeling another pang of disappointment that she couldn’t be with them. ‘I’ll be back to see you soon,’ she added. Then she laughed at her foolishness. As if they could hear her. Automatically her mind went to Carey but she firmly pushed thoughts of him away. She’d a good mind to go back to sleep, except her thoughts were ticking like the clock in the store.

  Quickly she dressed, then pulling her new blue shawl around her, hurried downstairs and out to the yard. Although it was perishing, everywhere was bright and glistening like a winter wonderland and she could hear the church bells pealing their Christmas message of joy. Having carried out her ablutions, and not relishing the thought of returning to her lonely room, she decided to take a brisk walk.

  She soon wished she hadn’t, though, for some houses still had their gaslamps lit and, peering in through the open curtains, she could see families gathered around their trees, opening presents and looking happy. Her heart flopped as she felt lonelier than ever. Back home in Porthsallos, her mother would be preparing the food, for no matter how meagre their rations she always managed to make their meal a feast. Grozen would be coaxing the fire into a warming blaze and the very thought made Merry shiver. How she wished she’d packed her knitted hat, she thought, rubbing her cold ears. Sighing as memories of home tugged at her heart, she turned and made her way back to the store. No one could have foreseen the early snow storms they’d been experiencing and it had been kind of Mr Fairbright to return and warn her about the roads being impassable.

  Well, she had been the one wanting to leave home in the first place, hadn’t she? And she was doing well, for not only had she had passed her probation period, she was to shadow Mrs Winter and be trained as an assistant supervisor. That would certainly increase her future prospects, she thought, her spirits rising. Why, the world was her limpet, as Grozen used to say.

  Scurrying back to the store, she made herself a hot drink then prepared a bowl of porridge. It was draughty in the staff-room and she took her meal up to her room and pondered on what she should do. She might have to spend the day alone but that didn’t mean she should be idle. At home, her hands had always been busy with her knitting. Remembering her pins and wool were lying neglected in the closet, her spirits lifted. She would make herself a hat to go with her shawl and gloves.

  Settling herself down in the little chair, she cast on the stitches and before long the familiar rhythm of her knitting gave her some measure of comfort. She tried not to think what her mother and Grozen would be doing. Of course, had she not spent her days off with Carey she could have gone back to see them before the snow had come.

  Carey … as if thoughts of him had conjured him up, a picture of his aquamarine eyes and gentle smile swam before her. Except it had all been a sham, hadn’t it? An act put on to charm the green girl from a fishing village. Hadn’t Mrs Smale warned her about men like him wanting only one thing? The thought that he had been using her, playing with her even, hurt but then hadn’t he compared her to a bluebell and Alexandria to a hothouse bloom?

  Alexandria … Merry shivered, remembering the malice in the girl’s eyes as she’d left the store. Obviously she wanted Carey, and having seen his house overlooking the river Merry had to concede she was probably more his sort. And wasn’t she a family friend, in and out of his house all the time? Admittedly he’d said Alexandria was Saphira’s friend, but Merry was certain that wouldn’t stop the woman calling upon him whilst she was away on her vacation. Hadn’t Grozen always said you should stick with your own as you know where you are with them?

  With the holiday over, they resumed their familiar routine in the store, except they were all fully fledged assistants now.

  ‘Doesn’t that window look bare without the tree?’ Freckles moaned as they prepared the store for opening the day after Boxing Day.

  ‘Yes, it does,’ Mrs Winter agreed. ‘However, doesn’t it give us an opportunity to create a stunning new display? The new stock is ready and waiting so, Miss Prim and Miss Brice, you will discuss which lines should be exhibited, bearing in mind the next season will be spring.’ As they looked out of the window at the slush-piled pavements, the new manageress laughed. ‘Vision, ladies, we need vision. A successful store always demonstrates its new stock to entice the clients.’

  ‘You mean we should con them nobs into parting with their money,’ Freckles laughed.

  ‘I prefer the word “persuade”, Miss Brice. However, I agree the general idea is to get the public thinking of purchasing new fabrics and accessories.’

  ‘And I guess the store needs to make
money in order to keep trading,’ Merry mused.

  ‘Exactly, and as long as the store makes a profit we have jobs. Now, as you have grasped the basic principle of trading, Miss Dyer, you will please shadow me today. As well as assisting with clients, I want you to observe exactly how I see to the running of the department.’

  ‘Yes, Mrs Winter,’ Merry replied, excitement rising. She would not only observe but prove she had the makings of a supervisor.

  ‘Miss Brice, I want you to go to the stockroom and select those materials and accessories you think will best entice the clients in. Miss Prim meanwhile will prepare the mannequins and shop window for displaying them.’

  ‘Blimey oh rimey,’ Freckles said, as she scuttled off to the stockroom. ‘She’s letting me choose.’

  Merry smiled at her friend. Things were certainly going to be different with Mrs Winter in charge.

  The week passed in a frenzy of activity. Having engaged her staff’s interest, Mrs Winter diligently explained how they should perform their new duties, then left them to it. By the time Sunday came, they were all exhausted yet exhilarated by all they’d achieved. It seemed the boys had also risen to their new challenges and spirits were high as they made their way out of church.

  ‘I think we should go out for a slap-up meal to celebrate,’ Freckles declared.

  ‘Well, if you’re paying,’ Chester replied. ‘I’m skint after Christmas.’

  ‘I’m sure you can treat us to a poke of chips,’ Freckles cried.

  ‘Actually we thought we might take a walk around the park,’ Prunella ventured, looking coyly at Nicholas.

  ‘I’ve arrange to see my pals,’ Teddy said quickly.

  ‘I really want to finish my knitting,’ Merry said. Although she’d enjoyed her busy week as trainee supervisor, she didn’t feel up to dealing with the antics of her friends. The only way she could keep her treacherous thoughts at bay was by keeping busy.

  Back in her room she changed out of her Sunday clothes, then picked up her pins. She’d just settled into the familiar rhythm when there was a knock on the door.

  ‘Someone to see you, Miss Dyer,’ Joanie called. Her heart plummeted. Obviously Nicco had decided to call. She only hoped he’d had the decency to knock on the staff door. Sighing, she ran down the stairs then stopped short.

  ‘Merryn, my dear, how truly lovely it is to see you again.’ Merry’s heart flipped as she saw Carey smiling at her. ‘I have been waiting outside in the brougham for an age and when you didn’t appear thought I’d better come and make sure you were all right.’

  ‘But why … ? I mean …’ She stuttered to a halt. Then her pent-up anger from the past weeks surfaced. ‘Tell me why you should expect me to be waiting for you after you left me high and dry on our last date – or should I say “dalliance”, for that is what I am to you, isn’t it?’

  His expression changed from one of delight to astonishment. ‘But surely you got my message?’

  ‘Message? Oh, I got the message loud and clear, Lieutenant Meredith.’

  ‘Look, Merryn, there has clearly been some mistake. I apologize for not being able to take you out for our pre-Christmas luncheon. I was that sore when I received orders to return to base, I can tell you. That’s why I sent that letter explaining I had to postpone our celebration until today.’

  ‘Letter? I didn’t receive any letter,’ she murmured, her anger evaporating as she took in his sorrowful expression.

  ‘Oh, Merryn, don’t tell me you were waiting for me?’ he cried.

  ‘Like a boat when the tide goes out,’ she whispered.

  ‘I am so very sorry, Merryn, and I can see by your attire you were not expecting to come out with me today.’ She stared down at her patched skirt and old blouse and sighed. Now she did look like a naïve girl fresh from the fishing village. ‘That was incredibly rude, Merryn. Forgive me. You look wonderful and I’ve missed you so much. Would you still consider spending time with me today?’

  ‘Well, I …’

  ‘Please say yes. I feel we need to clear the air and we don’t have to go to the Madison.’

  ‘I’m certainly not hungry but …’

  ‘Please, Merryn. At least agree to ride out with me.’ As he stood staring at her, his blue eyes clouded, she felt her anger dissipate.

  ‘Give me five minutes to make myself look respectable,’ she whispered.

  ‘I’ll wait outside,’ he said, his expression turning to one of joy.

  ‘Goodness, a woman who keeps to time,’ he quipped as exactly five minutes later she appeared beside the brougham. ‘I can only apologize again for my message not getting to you, Merryn. Be assured I shan’t rest until I find out what happened.’ Suddenly feeling shy to be in his company again, she smiled, then settled back in her seat. She was just deciding she’d play it cool when they turned the corner and two dark eyes glared at them through the window.

  ‘Oh …’ she gasped.

  ‘Goodness, what a bad-tempered-looking fellow,’ Carey remarked as the donkey cart overtook them.

  So her hunch about Nicco turning up today had been right after all.

  ‘Still, not to worry, I have been looking forward to this day for so long and, even if we have changed our plans, nothing is going to spoil it.’

  Merry nodded, as much to clear the image of Nicco from her mind as anything.

  ‘I’m still horrified that my letter didn’t reach you and will question my housekeeper when I next return home.’

  ‘Well, I guess these things happen sometimes,’ she said politely.

  ‘Tell me, did you have a good Christmas with your family?’ he asked.

  ‘The snow prevented my travelling to Porthsallos.’

  ‘What did you do?’ he asked, pale blue eyes clouding again.

  ‘I had a couple of days to myself,’ she grinned, making light of the time she’d spent alone. ‘I made myself a warm hat and spent the time reflecting on my promotion.’

  ‘Promotion?’

  ‘Yes, not only have I passed my probation I am to act as trainee supervisor to Mrs Winter, who is now our manageress.’

  ‘That’s wonderful. Congratulations, Merryn. A lot seems to have happened since last we met.’

  ‘Yes, it certainly has,’ she agreed, endeavouring to keep her voice light.

  ‘Well, a special occasion calls for a special drink,’ he said, tapping on the roof. As they drew to a halt, Merry looked out of the window and saw they’d stopped alongside the café beside the water she’d once visited with Nicco. Was this an omen, she wondered, glancing at Carey, but he had jumped down and was holding his hand out to help her.

  ‘Come along, we’ll have a glass of their best lemonade and perhaps I can tempt you to a cake?’ Her stomach growled in the most unladylike manner in reply, but he didn’t appear to notice.

  ‘Now tell me what else has been happening at Didcot and Fairbright,’ he invited as soon as they’d been shown to their seats.

  ‘Well, like I said, we all passed our probationary period and are now fully fledged sales assistants.’

  ‘Congratulations again,’ he said, raising his glass to hers.

  ‘Prunella is in her element dressing the mannequins. She shows quite a flair for it and only hopes she can stay.’ He raised an enquiring eyebrow. ‘Her mother has lined up a suitable marriage prospect – suitable in her mother’s eyes, that is,’ Merry explained. ‘She’s in love with Nicholas, an assistant in menswear, though. Freckles thinks they should elope.’

  ‘Freckles? That wouldn’t be the young redhead who watches us from the upstairs window, perchance?’

  ‘The very same,’ Merry laughed. Then remembering their earlier engagement when he didn’t show she asked him about his work. He sighed.

  ‘We all had our leave cancelled and were ordered back to base. Lots of briefings followed and we are to be deployed soon.’ His eyes clouded. ‘That is why I am so grateful you agreed to come out with me today. Tell me, Merryn, have I lost the opportunity to cont
inue walking out with you?’

  As she took in his ardent expression, she felt the stone encasing her heart begin to crack.

  ‘No, of course not,’ she whispered, her resolve dissipating like the early morning mist.

  ‘In that case, may I give you your Christmas present now?’ he asked, delving into the inside pocket of his coat. She glanced around the room but everyone was busy with their food. Curiosity getting the better of her, she tugged at the gold ribbon on the box, then gasped at the silver heart with its filigree edging.

  ‘Oh, it’s beautiful. Thank you, Carey.’

  ‘Would you like me to put it on for you?’ he asked gently.

  Fingering the delicate chain, she shook her head. She wasn’t ready for him to come that close yet.

  ‘Thank you, but I will wear it when the occasion is right,’ she whispered. He nodded, then quickly took a sip of his drink.

  ‘I understand,’ he said, and she had the feeling that he did. He cleared his throat and looked at her intently. ‘I just want you to know you have come to mean a lot to me. When I bought this I intended to ask if you would accept it as a token of my future intent,’ he said huskily.

  ‘Oh, you mean … ? But surely I am not suitable for …’ she began, as a picture of Alexandria and his beautiful house and garden surfaced unbidden. Leaning forward, he placed his hand over hers.

  ‘I can only apologize again for my message not getting through to you, and if I have been insensitive mentioning my feelings too soon after our, er, misunderstanding, then please forgive me. It’s just that I had it all planned: a pre-Christmas celebration, nice food, the best lemonade, and well, it all went wrong, didn’t it?’ As he sat there looking dejected, the last piece of shell around her heart fell away.

  ‘Not quite,’ she whispered. ‘This is quite the best lemonade I’ve ever had.’

  ‘Oh Merryn,’ he whispered, reaching out and taking her hand. ‘I only wish I didn’t have to go away for so long. You will wait for me, won’t you?’

  ‘I’ll think about it, Lieutenant Meredith,’ she teased.