He led Lucy through to the kitchens and introduced her.
‘Hello, Lucy,’ Martha said. ‘Now, you two be careful. Mind you tell your mams where you’re going. And don’t let Lucy get that pretty dress all mucky, our Harry.’
‘I won’t, Gran.’
Armed with food for the ducks, the pair set off down the drive and out of the gate. Walking a few yards to the right, they were soon standing on Sheep Wash Bridge and staring down into the waters of the River Wye. The ducks gathered beneath them, pecking each other and darting for the food as it was thrown.
‘It’s lovely here. You are lucky to live in the countryside,’ Lucy said shyly.
Harry shrugged, looking around him and trying to see the village through the eyes of a stranger.
‘It’s so dirty and smelly in the city,’ Lucy said, closing her eyes and lifting her face to the sun. She breathed in deeply. ‘It’s so fresh here. I bet your mam’s washing isn’t covered with smuts every week.’
Harry laughed. ‘No, I have to admit, it isn’t.’ He paused and then added, ‘I don’t know if I’d like to live there all the time, but I would like to see the city. My aunty Emily loves it there.’
‘Why don’t you ask her if you could come and stay with her in the school holidays and then I could show you around?’
‘Would you? Wouldn’t your mates tease you, being seen about with a boy?’ Lucy looked at him. With his fair curly hair, hazel eyes and his skin lightly tanned through being out of doors a lot of the time, she thought him the handsomest boy she’d ever seen. No, her friends would not tease her; they’d be envious. And even if they did, she really wouldn’t care. She shook her head. ‘But what about you? Wouldn’t you get made fun of for going around with a girl?’
Harry grinned. ‘Nah, they’d be jealous.’
By the time Harry had shown her more of the village and they’d returned to the celebrations, they were firm friends and when Lucy had to leave with her parents, Harry wangled himself an invitation to spend a week of his summer holidays with Emily and Trip. As the charabanc rattled down the village street, Harry was the last one watching it disappear around the corner.
Thirty-One
Two weeks after Lizzie’s wedding, Emily said, ‘You’re looking a bit peaky, Nell. Is everything all right?’
‘I reckon I’m pregnant.’
‘Nell, that’s wonderful.’ She paused. Nell didn’t seem enthusiastic.
‘Is it? If I can’t work, Steve’s money’s not going to be enough to keep five of us.’
‘Mm.’ Emily was thoughtful. There was no easier job that Emily could give Nell. She couldn’t drive, nor were her educational skills sufficient to use her on the administrative side.
‘Look, leave that with me. I’ve got an idea I’ve been mulling over for a while now, but I need to talk to Trip.’
‘I don’t want charity,’ Nell snapped. ‘I don’t want you creating a job for me.’
‘I wouldn’t do that.’
‘Yes, you would. You have done. What about Ruth Nicholson? And Bess Dugdale, if it comes to that. And I’m not sure that Trip didn’t find a job for Steve. Though,’ she added grudgingly, ‘I suppose I should be grateful for that.’
Emily hid her smile. She admired Nell’s prickly pride, though it was difficult to handle at times. With deliberate mildness, she said, ‘Steve’s now renting a workshop – you know that. He’s his own boss and, as for Ruth, she’s doing a valuable job that releases me to do other things. And she’s brought us a lot of new customers through her old contacts, so no, Nell, I wasn’t being philanthropic when I offered her a job.’
Nell put her hands on her hips and glared at Emily. ‘I might agree with you if I knew what you were talking about.’
Emily turned away. She hadn’t meant to embarrass Nell by using big words and to try to explain now would only make matters worse. Living with Trip had extended Emily’s vocabulary, but she must guard against appearing to talk down to her friends; that would never do.
But Nell wasn’t done yet. ‘And don’t go telling anyone else about me until I’m sure. I haven’t told Steve or me mam yet.’
Emily glanced back. ‘Steve’ll be pleased, won’t he?’
But Nell only shrugged, picked up a handful of spoons and leaned into her machine. Their conversation was at an end.
‘Trip,’ Emily began as they finished their evening meal and cleared away the dishes together. ‘Have you got any workshops at the factory that are still empty?’
‘Just one, but it’s quite small. That’s why I’ve been unable to let it. It’s not really big enough even for a little mester, who might want to employ one or two men. I thought a while back that you might take it, but then Mr Hawke’s Broad Lane workshop was usable again and it made more sense for you to take that one. Why?’ He smiled tenderly. ‘Has my ambitious wife come up with yet another idea to extend her enterprise?’
Emily giggled. ‘Maybe, but first you must promise me that you’ll keep a secret. Nell would have my guts for garters if she found out I’d told anyone – even you.’
‘Wives shouldn’t keep secrets from their husbands,’ Trip said, pretending loftiness, then he laughed and added, ‘Do tell.’
‘Nell thinks she’s pregnant.’
‘That’s great news. I bet Steve’s thrilled, isn’t he?’
‘That’s the point. He doesn’t know yet.’
Trip stared at her. ‘Why ever not? I hope you wouldn’t keep it from me – not again – even if you weren’t absolutely sure. You wouldn’t, would you?’
Emily wound her arms around his waist and leaned her head against his chest. ‘Of course not. It’ll happen if it’s meant to.’
He kissed her forehead. ‘It’s not for want of trying, is it? So, what’s this about a workshop?’
‘I’ve had an idea I’ve been thinking about for a while now, but when Nell told me her news this morning, things seemed to slot into place. But she was defensive when she thought that I might be trying to find her an easier job.’ Emily went on to repeat her conversation with Nell.
‘Mm. I see. Well, I don’t really, because you haven’t told me what your idea is yet.’
‘With the high unemployment in the city, there are a lot of girls and young women who might want to learn a new skill. I thought I could set up a small workshop to train a new generation of buffer girls.’
Trip frowned. ‘But will they be wanted? I mean, even once they’re trained, there might not be work for them.’
‘Things’ll get better. It might take a while, but the Depression can’t last for ever.’
Trip sighed heavily. ‘I wish I had your optimism.’
‘So, you don’t think it’s a good idea?’
‘I think it’s a wonderful idea. I’m just not sure it would lead to employment for them, that’s all. You might be getting their hopes up for nothing. But I presume, despite what she said, you are thinking of Nell.’
‘Yes, but don’t tell her, whatever you do.’
‘But she’s your best worker.’
‘True, but I’m not thinking of her doing nothing. She’d still be able to do some buffing, just not all the time.’
‘She’ll see through you. She’s as sharp as the knives she polishes.’
Emily laughed wryly. ‘I know and that’s why I’ve got to go about this very carefully. Anyway, I’ll come and look at your vacant workshop tomorrow.’
‘This is a perfect size, Trip,’ Emily exclaimed, clapping her hands as she stood in the middle of the workshop in Trippets’ factory and turned full circle to take in everything about the room. ‘Can I have it and if so, what rent would you charge?’
‘Ah, now let me see.’ Trip stroked his chin, pretending to be mulling the matter over. ‘Tell you what, I’ll do what Nathan Hawke did in the early days. Rent free for a month until you get going and then a minimum rent. You won’t actually be producing work here that will bring money in, will you?’
‘I could charge a fee fo
r their training, I suppose.’
Trip shook his head. ‘They wouldn’t be able to afford it.’ He paused, then added, ‘Do you intend to pay them?’
‘Not until they can produce work that’s saleable.’
‘You’re a hard woman, Mrs Trippet.’
‘It’s business,’ Emily retorted.
Trip chuckled. ‘I don’t think Nell will see it that way.’
‘I knew it,’ Nell exploded when Emily had patiently explained her idea. ‘You’re trying to find me easier work.’
‘How do you make that out? I’ll still expect you to do some work, but most of the time – especially at the start – you’ll be training the girls.’
Nell nodded. ‘And I suppose you’ll be arranging for me to sit down while I do that, won’t you?’
Emily shrugged. ‘You could, if you wanted to.’
‘Well, I won’t.’ She paused and then added, ‘Why do you want to get rid of me, Emily? I’m your best buffer. You’ve said that yourself.’
‘Of course I don’t want to get rid of you,’ Emily countered. ‘I just thought, with all the unemployment just now, offering training to a few would be helping. I know it’s only in a small way but, surely, anything’s better than nothing. Don’t tell me you don’t know of girls or young women who are desperate for work?’
Nell wriggled her shoulders, then sighed. ‘I can’t deny that. I’ve had three girls ask me recently if they could come here as errand lasses and learn the trade. They know how it works, see.’
‘With my idea there’d be no need for them to work as an errand lass first. But talking of errand lasses, how’s Winifred shaping up?’
‘Orreight. I’ve tried her out on a wheel in the dinner break and, yes, I think she’ll do well. Her sisters have been giving her a bit of tuition in their own time, too.’
‘There you are, then. We do need proper training for young girls. They can’t all be errand lasses and learn that way. So, what’s it to be, then?’
Nell turned away towards her machine. ‘I’ll give it some thought and let you know tomorrow.’
Thirty-Two
‘I told Steve and me mam last night about – about – well, you know.’
‘And were they pleased?’
Nell smiled, suddenly strangely self-conscious. ‘Steve’s happy as a pig in muck, as you say, though I’m not so sure about me mam. She’s not good on her legs at all now. Lucy’s growing up and is a real help about the house, but I don’t think mam could cope with a baby now.’
‘Baby?’ Lizzie’s sharp ears had overheard. ‘Who’s having a baby? Is it you, Emily?’
Emily didn’t answer so Nell was forced to say, ‘No. It’s me.’
Lizzie’s face was a picture and then she flung her arms around Nell. ‘How lovely.’ She drew back and stared into Nell’s face. ‘What is it? Aren’t you happy about it? Oh, Nell, there’s nothing wrong with you or the baby, is there?’
‘No, it’s just that I can’t afford not to work and Mam’s not as young as she was. She’ll never cope with a young baby.’
‘But my mam could. She’s never been so fit since we moved – thanks to Emily.’
Nell shot a look at Emily, but said nothing.
‘And she loves looking after little ones. She’s hanging her hat up for Emily to get cracking and have another one and as for me, you should hear her going on at Billy. It gets quite embarrassing at times. You’d think no one in the world had ever had a grandchild before.’
Since their marriage, Billy had moved in with Lizzie and her mother in Cromwell Street, though he had been reluctant to leave his mother alone in the court off Garden Street. But it seemed Ruth was quite content. ‘Eddie comes round almost every night. I’m not lonely, I promise you, and you’re better off with Bess. It’s a nice house she’s got.’ There’d been a wistful note in her tone and silently Billy wished that Eddie Crossland would get on with it and propose to Ruth. That way she, too, could leave the back-street court.
‘So, think about it, Nell. When you have the baby, you could pay my mam a bit to look after it. Is that what you and Emily have been whispering about?’
‘Sort of,’ Emily said carefully.
Nell sighed. ‘You’d better tell her. She’s got ears like an elephant when it comes to secrets. In fact, you’d better tell all of ’em.’
Machines slowed and Ida and Flo joined them. Their faces were solemn, as if they were expecting bad news. There was so much of it just now in their city, where work was concerned. But as Emily explained swiftly, their expressions lightened. ‘If Nell does go to Creswick Street, can you carry on teaching Winifred between you?’
The three women glanced at each other and then chorused, ‘Yes.’
‘You’d be daft not to take up Emily’s offer, Nell,’ Lizzie added bluntly.
‘But I don’t need mollycoddling. I worked up to the very last day when I had Lucy.’
Lizzie laughed. ‘She did. Her waters broke as she was standing at her machine. We had a right job to get her home.’
Nell had the grace to smile wryly. ‘All right, then, Emily, you win.’
Emily touched her arm. ‘It’s not a case of winning, Nell. This is something I want to do and you’re the best person to help me.’
And if, at the same time, it eased Nell’s workload over the next few weeks and months, then that would be a bonus. But Emily kept these thoughts to herself. She’d got Nell’s agreement and – for the moment – that was all she wanted.
During the August school holidays, Harry came to stay. Two days after his arrival, Nell and Lucy arrived at Emily’s door early one evening. ‘We’ve come to take Harry to the pictures,’ Nell said. ‘There’s a Laurel and Hardy on at the Palace in Union Street. We thought he’d love that.’
‘He would,’ Emily said, but added doubtfully, ‘What’s the rest of the programme, though? Is it suitable for a nine-year-old?’
‘Oh phooey, Emily, don’t be such a sobersides. I know the manager there. He’ll let us in.’
‘That’s not what I’m worried about, Nell. It’s what Amy and Josh would say if I let him see something – well, inappropriate when he’s in my care.’
Nell grinned. ‘You can put all the blame on me. If I don’t tell you about the other film or films, you can’t be held responsible, can you?’
‘You’re impossible, Nell,’ Emily laughed. ‘All right, then.’ She turned and called him. ‘You’ve got visitors, Harry, and they’ve come to take you to the cinema.’
‘Lucy!’ The boy’s pleasure at the sight of the friend he had made in Ashford was plain for them all to see. Politely, he added, ‘And Aunty Nell.’
‘We need a gentleman to escort us, you see,’ Nell’s eyes twinkled. ‘And we thought of you.’
‘May I go, Aunty Emily?’
‘Yes, of course.’
As they walked away, with Harry between them, Emily heard Lucy say, ‘Get ready for a surprise, Harry. It’s quite a shock when you hear the talkies for the first time, but it’s a nice surprise.’
Emily shook her head, a little unsure as to whether she had done the right thing. But she needn’t have worried. When Harry returned later, he was vague about the other films he had seen, and their story line, but he enthused about the Laurel and Hardy and recounted all their antics in detail. Emily was forced to wonder if Nell had primed him to say little about the other films on the programme.
‘Did you have a good time, Harry?’ Trip asked.
‘It was great, Uncle Trip.’
‘We have another treat for you. Next week, Amy Johnson’s new Gipsy Moth aeroplane is on display at Coles in town. We’ll take you to see it, if you’d like,’ Trip told him.
The boy’s eyes shone. ‘Oh Uncle Trip, that would be wonderful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.’
Trip laughed and ruffled his hair. At nine, Harry was growing into a very handsome boy and a nice one too. He was well mannered and patient with his younger cousin, Lewis. No doubt it had to do with
having a younger sister and brother.
‘Wait until you hear what else we’ve got lined up for you,’ Emily said, laughing at the boy’s delight. ‘If you can stay long enough, we’ll take you to Sheffield’s Aviation Week. It starts at the beginning of September.’
Harry’s face fell. ‘I have to go back to school then.’
‘I’ll write to your mam and dad and see if they’ll let you stay.’
Josh wrote back at once to say, ‘I’m sure the head teacher won’t mind for once. After all, it could be regarded as educational!’
It was a merry family party that set out on Saturday, 23 August. Harry could hardly contain his excitement at seeing the famous Amy Johnson’s plane close to and Lewis, infected by his cousin’s enthusiasm, kept asking questions non-stop.
‘Is it a real moth, Daddy?’
‘No, no, Lewis. It’s just the name of a make of aeroplane.’
‘Is it going to fly today?’
‘I don’t think so. It’s just for everyone to look at.’
They queued to see the aircraft and it took them over an hour to reach the display. Harry stood in awe. ‘It’s so big, isn’t it?’ he whispered.
‘We’ll have to move on. I’m sorry, Harry, but other people are waiting to see it too. You know how long we had to wait.’
But Harry dragged his feet, his gaze still on the aeroplane until at last he had to leave.
‘I’ll buy you a photograph of it,’ Trip promised. ‘I’m sure there will be some on sale. You can keep it as a memento of your visit. And in a few days’ time we’ll be going to the air show. That’s something to look forward to, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, Uncle Trip,’ Harry said dutifully, but they could see he was bitterly disappointed not to be allowed to stay longer, just drinking in the sight of the Gipsy Moth.
At the beginning of September, Harry’s excitement rose again at the promised visit to the air show at Coal Aston, several miles south of the city. Trip drove them all there and paid the admission fee.
‘I see they’re offering flights,’ Trip said quietly to Emily. ‘What do you think? Would Josh or Amy mind if I took him up, d’you think?’
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