The Girl from Kingsland Market

by June Tate

  It was a frantic four weeks! Marj had made a deal with her friend in London and had acquired some good clothes, with more to come if required. The women had been to several auction sales, which had been an education. There they realised that the dealers always got the best bargains. They managed to buy some items, but the stuff they really wanted, the dealers could afford and they couldn’t. Being canny women, they advertised in the local paper for furniture items and found this to be to their advantage.

  Eventually opening day arrived. Across the front of the shop was the name: TRASH AND TREASURE. Inside the bright showroom stood the counter and three dress rails full of attractive gowns for all occasions. There was also a display of long necklaces, a popular item with the ladies, and a selection of fashionable cloche hats in various colours.

  Across the room they had four chairs surrounding a table with a vase of flowers, a couple of footstools on a rug and a colourful pot on a high stand with a large aspidistra in it. It looked like a corner of a cosy room. There was a rocking chair and a chest with brass handles beside it. Then a table with a collection of mixed items − odd, pretty china cups and saucers, combs for hair, a couple of ladies’ fans. Opera glasses. It was like an Aladdin’s cave.

  Phoebe and Marj stood looking at their efforts. Marj hugged her friend. ‘Well, would you ever believe this? I’ve stood outside this market in all kinds of weather at my stall and been ’appy in my own way, but today I can’t believe ’ow thrilled I am to ’ave put that bloody stall away for good!’

  ‘I just wish Mum and Dad could see this day,’ Phoebe said wistfully.

  ‘Oh, darlin’, believe me, they’ll be up there looking down on us, pleased as punch, of that I’m certain. Well, shall we open the door to the public?’

  ‘We’d better, there’s a queue already.’ Phoebe walked to the door and unlocked it. ‘Welcome to Trash and Treasure,’ she said and stepped back.

  Tony, standing at his stall, looked across the market and saw the people clamouring to enter the shop. He was thrilled for Marj’s sake as well as Phoebe’s. At one time he thought he was going to lose this wonderful woman he’d married, and it had nearly destroyed him, but now all he could do was smile with happiness.

  Later that afternoon, Ben arrived. He looked round and saw several empty places where things had been sold. Ladies were there sorting through the gowns, being shown into the stockroom to try them on, where a curtain had been put up to give a modicum of privacy.

  ‘How’s it going?’ he quietly asked Phoebe.

  ‘You wouldn’t believe it,’ she said, grinning broadly. ‘We’ve been so busy, it’s just as well we have some reserve stock. We’re going to have to use it already!’

  ‘That’s marvellous, darling. I think we should all go out to dinner tonight and celebrate. I’ll go and make arrangements with Tony. I’ll see you later. I’ll come and help you when you close. Why don’t you put a notice in the door asking the public if they have any goods of quality to sell, you might get lucky?’

  ‘What a brilliant idea. I will. See you later.’

  It transpired that one or two of the customers had already approached Marj about things they’d like to sell, and she had a list of goods and addresses to visit during closing hours.

  That evening, they arranged for a neighbour to sit with Tim and the four of them went out to dinner. Ben ordered a bottle of champagne to celebrate. He held up his glass. ‘To Trash and Treasure!’ The others echoed his words.

  He and Tony sat listening while their two wives gave them a detailed description of their first day. Marj was first. ‘’Ere! I had to rescue one gown from two ladies. Both wanted it and neither would let go. I was terrified they was going to rip it between them, so I took it off them and tossed a coin to find a winner. Really, such be’aviour!’

  ‘There was a reporter from the local paper taking pictures of the shop! He was asking about me and Marj setting up business together. He said the article would be in tomorrow’s edition,’ Phoebe told them.

  ‘I know,’ said Ben. ‘He’s a mate of mine and I mentioned about you both starting out. He said it sounded interesting, you both being traders before. A bit of local interest, he said.’

  ‘Ooh! We’ll be in the papers, Phoebe! Local stars, love. We won’t charge for autographs, they can ’ave them for free!’

  ‘It’s great publicity, Marj. We best go in early to make sure we’re ready.’

  ‘What ’appens if we’re too busy to go to sales for new stock, that’s my only worry?’

  ‘We’ll send the men! After all, they are part of the business, they can do some work! We’ll tell them what we need and if they see something they think we can sell and they can get it at a good price, they can buy it. Ben can go when he’s off duty and Tony whenever there’s a sale we can’t get to. A day away from the market will be a treat, won’t it, Tony?’ Phoebe was grinning as she put the question to him.

  He looked across the table at Ben. ‘What have we done? We have created two dragons, breathing fire – and I’m no St George, they scare me to death!’

  The men started laughing at the look of consternation on the women’s faces.

  ‘I’m only joking,’ Tony assured them. ‘Frankly, I’d enjoy the change, what about you, Ben?’

  ‘I’m delighted to be a part of the actual business. Who knows, if the shop does well enough, you and I could retire!’

  This caused much hilarity and the meal ended on a very happy note before they made their way home after such an exciting day, all ready for the morrow.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  The reporter had done a good job. On an inside page there was a picture of the shop and one of Marj and Phoebe standing outside. The man had done his homework and had written about Phoebe’s father working a stall until he’d had to go to war and how she’d taken over at such an early age and carried on until her eventual marriage to the local detective. He had done the same about Marj, covering her long history in the market and her marriage to Tony, another trader, and now the ladies’ latest enterprise. It was indeed a fascinating story of local interest. The women were thrilled.

  During the day, some of the traders came in to congratulate them and tease them about the publicity, but it was all done with good humour. It also brought in more customers who’d read the piece. For Phoebe it was even more touching, as one or two remembered her father, which meant so much to her as they all spoke so highly of him. She told Tim all about it over dinner that night.

  Although the boy was pleased, he looked a little sad. ‘I don’t remember that much about him, Phoebe. Only little things – and that’s awful!’

  ‘No, it isn’t, Tim,’ Ben assured him. ‘You were only five when he went away to war. You at least have some memories of him, there are many children who were even younger than you who never knew their father, so don’t feel badly about it. It’s just the way things are during wartime. He would be very proud of the boy you’ve grown into. I know that because I’m proud of you, and so is Phoebe.’

  ‘Don’t forget you’re coming to work in the shop on Saturday, Tim, because we need another pair of hands.’

  This seemed to pacify him. ‘I’ll get to spend time with Marj, too. It’ll seem strange not to see her behind a stall and with no Ben to buy fish and chips for!’

  ‘No, and we won’t have them smelling out the shop either! But you can have them at lunchtime if you eat outside, well away from the door,’ Phoebe told him.

  Tim hadn’t seen the shop until he went with Phoebe on the Saturday. Once inside, he was more than surprised. ‘Oh, Phoebe, it’s so posh!’

  Marj happened to walk in at that moment. ‘We’ve come up in the world, Tim. What do you think?’

  ‘It’s lovely.’ He looked around. ‘It’s really special. All these lovely things.’ He wandered around looking at everything. ‘No toys, though!’

  Marj and Phoebe looked at each other. ‘I never thought of that,’ said Phoebe.

  ‘Maybe we shou
ld in future. We could try a few pieces and see what happens.’ Marj hugged Tim. ‘Thanks, lovely boy, if you get any more ideas say so, all right?’

  ‘All right,’ he said, suddenly feeling important. He went off to find Laura and tell her all about his new job in the shop. Then he took her inside to take a look, walking her round it, showing everything on sale in detail.

  ‘Will you look at him,’ Marj said. ‘He’ll make an excellent salesman.’

  ‘I’m determined he won’t be working a stall,’ Phoebe said.

  ‘Quite right too!’ Marj agreed.

  During the next two months, business continued to thrive and Tony found himself visiting auctions and house clearances more and more. Eventually it was decided that he would give up his stall to concentrate on the buying. It seemed that he had a good eye for a bargain and was a great asset to the shop.

  Gowns would arrive from Marj’s friend in London when required, as the ladies that had discovered the shop were delighted with the different styles that were on offer, and many of them had special requests for gowns for special occasions, which Marj would endeavour to find with the help of her friend − at a price, of course.

  Tim’s suggestion about the toys had paid off and there was a corner of the shop designated to the needs of children, including a selection of children’s clothes as well as toys.

  The women had discussed items for men, as they were not represented in any way, but they decided against it. ‘We really don’t have the room,’ Phoebe said. ‘I think we should stick with what we’ve got, but I think we could enlarge our selection of hats, they’ve sold well.’

  Marj’s friend had given them an address of a wholesaler of hats and they had acquired more stock, which was moving quickly, to their delight.

  Towards the end of the summer, business was so good, the four of them met at Phoebe and Ben’s home to plan for the future. It was suggested they rent the empty shop next door and move the furniture there, leaving Trash and Treasure to continue to sell all the other items. They worked out their finances against the profits they’d made and decided it would be a good idea. Ben would take over from Tony when he was off duty, to allow Tony to continue his buying, and if this didn’t work they would hire someone to work in the shop so it was always covered.

  ‘Blimey!’ exclaimed Marj. ‘Would you ’ave ever believed it this time last year when we stood outside selling from our stalls! Now look at us, livin’ the life of Riley!’

  ‘All because you were ill,’ Phoebe reminded her.

  ‘It was your idea, love. I’d ’ave never ’ave thought of it.’

  ‘We have to think of a name for the new shop,’ Ben said. ‘Any ideas?’

  ‘Masters and Jackson, I would suggest,’ said Tony.

  They all agreed it had a certain ring about it. They decided to get two men in to paint the shop as they were all too busy to do it themselves. In the meantime, Tony would spend his time buying stock for when they opened.

  ‘We’ll have more room when they take the furniture out,’ said Phoebe, ‘we could build up the clothing section, which is where we make the most money.’ And so it was decided.

  At Christmas, the market was decorated as usual, the stalls with their lanterns and decorations, the phonograph playing carols, the two shops tastefully decorated. Extra toys were bought in to help fill the stockings of expectant children, which sold well, and on Christmas Eve the four of them gathered at Ben and Phoebe’s. Marj and Tony were staying with them over the holiday so they could all celebrate together.

  As they all sat down to dinner on Christmas Eve, Ben poured them all a glass of champagne, even a small one for Tim, which delighted him. Then Ben stood up.

  ‘I want to make a toast. Little did I know when I was posted to the market as an undercover policeman that I would have been so lucky to not only meet the woman who would become my wife and a young boy who would become my son, but also Marj and Tony, my two great friends. Look at us now! Business partners into the bargain.’

  Everybody cheered.

  ‘I just want to thank you all for being in my life. But there is one more thing, which makes it complete: my darling wife is pregnant! Our baby is due in June.’

  Everyone spoke at once. Marj got up and hugged Phoebe and planted a kiss on Ben’s cheek, Tony shook Ben’s hand and kissed Phoebe. Tim, who had been told the good news earlier, was looking delighted.

  ‘So, my dear friends, a toast to friendship and a new arrival!’

  They all repeated the toast and drank. Tim wrinkled his nose from the champagne bubbles, which made him sneeze to everyone’s great amusement.

  Marj put an arm around the boy. ‘So darlin’, you’ll ’ave a brother or a sister, but whichever it is, you’ll always be my favourite boy!’

  He flung his arms around her. ‘Oh, Marj, I do love you!’

  Blinking away the tears that threatened to flow, she looked at him. ‘And I love you too and don’t you ever forget it!’

  That night as they lay snuggled up together, Ben looked at Phoebe. ‘Thank you for making me so happy. Imagine it all began when you sent Tim over to me on my first day in the market to ask if I wanted some fish and chips!’

  She started laughing. ‘My mum always used to say a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach!’

  ‘There! There’s me sure it was because of my good looks.’

  ‘Oh, that was part of it. Had you been a shabby, ordinary-looking soul I’d have let you starve.’

  He chuckled softly. ‘No, you wouldn’t, you’ve too soft a heart for that.’

  Sighing she said, ‘We’ve been through so much when you think of it. You helped me when Mum died, when I had trouble with Percy Stanley, when Marj was so ill. Those were dire days.’

  ‘But we came through them, darling, and now we’ve the businesses, both making money, two great partners and a baby coming. How lucky we are. Now, you know that Tim will get us up early, so I suggest you get some sleep, because tomorrow is going to be a busy day.’ He kissed her. ‘I love you, Mrs Masters.’

  ‘I love you too, now go to sleep.’ But as she closed her eyes, she thought back to the early days and how Ben had been at her side helping her through so much. He’d been like a rock when she was really struggling and before she knew him well. She and Tim were so lucky to have found him and now he’d have another child to raise. Their life was complete, and it would be good for Tim to have a brother or sister of his own. She let out a sigh of contentment. Ever since she’d opened the shop, she’d been so busy that finally she’d laid to rest the ghost of Percy Stanley. No longer did she have bad dreams about him, she never even thought about him any more. He was now very much buried in the past. She had so much more to think about. Especially now. Tomorrow was Christmas Day, peace on earth and goodwill to all men, as the saying goes. That’s exactly how I feel, she thought. ‘Merry Christmas, everybody,’ she whispered as she snuggled down next to the man she loved.

  There was little goodwill inside Winchester Prison on Christmas Day. Percy Stanley was found dead in one of the toilets with his throat cut and a note pinned to his top. I WARNED YOU, it read.

  Acknowledgements

  I don’t know who to thank for giving me the ability to write which allows me to do the work that I love. I am so blessed. Thank you, Judith Murdoch, my agent of over twenty years, who saw something in my first manuscript.

  All the editors I’ve worked with who have helped me along the way, I thank you and also my two daughters, Beverley and Maxine, who have loved and encouraged me.

  We hope you enjoyed this book.

  Do you want to know about our other great reads, download free extracts and enter competitions?

  If so, visit our website www.allisonandbusby.com.

  Sign up to our monthly newsletter (www.allisonandbusby.com/newsletter) for exclusive content and offers, news of our brand new releases, upcoming events with your favourite authors and much more.

  And why not click to follow us on Faceboo
k (AllisonandBusbyBooks)

  and Twitter (@AllisonandBusby)?

  We’d love to hear from you!

  About the Author

  JUNE TATE was born in Southampton and spent the early years of her childhood in the Cotswolds. After leaving school she became a hairdresser on cruise ships the Queen Mary and the Mauretania, meeting many Hollywood film stars and VIPs on her travels. After her marriage to an airline pilot, she lived in Sussex and Hampshire before moving to Estoril in Portugal. June, who has two adult daughters, now lives in Sussex.

  junetate.info

  By June Tate

  The Reluctant Sinner

  Born to Dance

  Brides of War

  The Docklands Girls

  An Uncertain Heart

  The Girl from the Docklands Cafe

  The Girl from Kingsland Market

  Copyright

  Allison & Busby Limited

  11 Wardour Mews

  London W1F 8AN

  allisonandbusby.com