by Deborah Carr
She watched him leave. How perfect that Jesse was going to help resolve their problem of how to help Lily get away. He was such a kind man, so thoughtful and resourceful. Hearing voices coming down the stairs from the flat, Florence went to join Amy and Lily in the hallway.
‘Amy has explained everything to you?’
Lily nodded.
‘And you’ve had something to eat and drink?’
‘Yes, thank you,’ Lily said in a quiet voice.
Amy went to the window to check on the carriage, before turning back to Lily. ‘Now, remember, if your friend isn’t at home, you can always come back here. Be careful to ensure that your father’s friends aren’t about first, though, because you don’t want them to know that you have our shop as a place to come and wait.’
‘I’ll remember.’
‘Good girl.’
The carriage drew up alongside the front door and Jesse stepped down, immediately coming to join them in the shop.
‘Are you Lily?’
‘Yes, sir,’ she said, her voice more timid than ever.
‘This gentleman is Mr Boot,’ Florence explained. ‘He’s the man accompanying you to your friend’s home. You can trust him.’
Florence and Jesse exchanged glances. She could see the kindness emanating from his eyes and knew without doubt that she and others could trust this man with their lives, should the need arise.
‘I’ll send you a message later, when I’m settled,’ he said quietly to Florence, before turning his attention to Lily. ‘Come along then, young lady. I believe it’s time we took you away from here.’ He walked out to the pavement and checking the street quickly before waving for her to follow him. She glanced at Florence for a second before running to join him.
Taking her hand, he helped her up into the carriage, wincing as he stepped up to join her. Florence noticed how badly the poor girl trembled. She gave her a friendly wave as Jesse instructed the driver to leave.
As the carriage moved away, Jesse touched the rim of his hat and gave Florence a nod, and then they were gone towards King Street and the other end of the town.
Amy and Florence barely had time to register what had happened when their father arrived back at the shop. He took off his hat and hung it on the coat stand before walking to stand behind the counter.
‘Sorry I was longer than expected.’ He opened the till, as he always did when he had been out. ‘Has it been busy here today? Anything of interest I should know about?’
Florence glanced at Amy, unsure what exactly she should tell him.
She saw him staring at her and realised he had noticed their exchange.
‘Florence? Have I missed something?’
Chapter 9
Florence’s father was intrigued, as she had known he would be. ‘I’m very proud of you two girls,’ he said, hugging them both. ‘And of your mother for her part in the girl’s rescue.’
‘Thank you,’ Florence and Amy said in unison. It was wonderful to receive praise from him, Florence thought, aware that she would have not done anything differently even if her father was opposed to their becoming involved in the event.
‘That poor mite,’ he said, after they had finished explaining what had happened. ‘And me absent and unable to help you. We shall have to pray for her at chapel on Sunday.’ He opened his till book and wrote something down. ‘At least Mr Boot arrived when he did,’ he said after he had finished. ‘That really was fortunate.’
‘It was,’ Florence said, ignoring her sister’s amused grin as she looked at her from the rear stationery display.
‘I hadn’t realised he was coming to the island again so soon.’
Amy grinned. ‘I don’t think any of us had. Had we, Florence?’
‘Sorry?’ Florence suddenly realised her sister had been speaking to her. ‘No, I hadn’t expected him here so soon.’
Two customers came into the shop, and, after checking that they didn’t need any assistance, her father walked over to where Florence and Amy were sorting through new books.
‘Is he staying at the Pomme d’Or again?’ her father asked.
‘I’m not sure,’ she replied. ‘I assume so. He said he’ll send me a message later.’
Her father thoughtfully straightened several pen holders either side of a wooden tiered display of gold fountain pens. ‘I suppose you will be hoping for more time away from the shop, no doubt?’
She hadn’t dared hope he would give her more time, not yet. She had only just allowed herself to think about spending more time in Jesse’s company, but not when, or where, she might see him.
‘If you don’t mind.’
He raised his hand to touch her right cheek, smiling at her fondly. ‘My independent, funny, middle daughter,’ he said almost to himself. ‘I never expected you to find any man interesting enough to spend time solely with him. You always seemed to prefer the company of groups of friends.’
‘I know,’ she said, half to herself. ‘The surprise is as big to me as it probably is to you all.’
He lowered his hand. ‘And I am happy to allow you to take the time to accompany our friend around the island. It will do you good to go out and see places you probably haven’t thought to go to for several years. I’m also remiss at doing the same.’
‘Me, too,’ Amy said, smiling to the customers as they left without buying anything. ‘I think we often don’t put ourselves out to do things because we know we can do them any time.’
Florence couldn’t help agreeing. ‘And then we don’t bother to do them at all. It’s a shame really, when you think about it that way.’
Another customer entered the shop and her father clapped his hands to hurry her and Amy to start doing some work. They heard the gentleman ask about scrap books for his wife as they both rushed off to find something to keep themselves busy.
Florence went to the storeroom to carry out a small check of the recently delivered portable leather goods for their female and male customers that her father had begun stocking against the order she had made. She couldn’t help being distracted by her thoughts of Jesse’s unexpected arrival. The thought of him wanting to see her again made her stomach flip. The prospect was exciting.
Thankfully Florence didn’t have to wait very long until a delivery boy from the Pomme d’Or arrived with a folded piece of paper for her. She retrieved her small change purse from her pocket and tipped him, but he told her that he was to wait for a reply and take it immediately back to Mr Boot at the hotel.
Florence would rather have read the note in private but didn’t like to keep the boy waiting any longer than was necessary. Smiling at the familiar writing, she hurriedly read Jesse’s script.
Dear Florence,
I wish to report that your young friend was safely delivered at her friend’s home in Hue Street. She asked that I pass on her thanks to you and your family for their concern and assistance.
I am, once again, ensconced at the Pomme d’Or Hotel. I would very much like to ask you to join me for Afternoon Tea in the splendid gardens at the back of the hotel, this afternoon. I understand, however, if this it too short notice.
The messenger will wait for your reply.
My best wishes,
Jesse
‘One moment, please,’ she said, waiting until her father finished wrapping two books for a lady’s maid at the counter.
When the girl had left the shop, Florence quietly asked him if she could have time off that afternoon.
‘I have no problem giving you permission,’ he said, ‘but you will have to let your mother know before you leave for the hotel.’
‘Can I not simply say that you are happy for me to go, if she asks me?’ she pleaded, nervous to ask her mother in case she refused to let her go.
Her father took her lightly by the shoulders. ‘I know you are old enough to know your own mind, but your mother worries about you no less than she did when you were younger. You may tell her that I am happy for you to go, but also that you would like
her permission before accepting the invitation. It would show her that you do consider her feelings still.’
As much as she would have liked to argue with her father, she knew better than to attempt doing so. She also couldn’t ignore that what he said made sense.
‘I shall go upstairs and ask her now,’ she said, not wishing to keep the boy waiting.
She found her mother in the living room dusting the mantelpiece.
‘Mother,’ she said quietly, not wishing to give her a fright so that she dropped the precious porcelain dog she was holding in her left hand as she wiped underneath it, ‘would you mind very much if I accept an offer of afternoon tea at the Pomme d’Or gardens this afternoon with Mr Boot? Father is happy for me to go, but I wanted to be certain you did not mind.’
Her mother slowly replaced the ornament, staring at it for a second before moving it slightly. She turned to Florence, a knowing expression on her face, and shook her head.
For a horrible moment Florence thought her mother was going to withhold her permission. Then her mother shrugged. ‘I have my reservations about Mr Boot, as well you know, but I cannot in all honesty refuse you permission to take tea with him. Not if your father is happy for you to do so.’
Florence had to resist the temptation to hug her mother. It wasn’t because her mother rarely showed emotion, but because she knew that if she did, her mother would realise quite how important being allowed to spend time with him was to Florence. It was not something she had even come to terms with yet and it wasn’t something she was ready to share with anyone.
‘Thank you, Mother,’ she said calmly before leaving the room, delighted to be able to give the boy the answer she had hoped for.
As soon as the boy had left, her father said, ‘As your sister will be covering for you this afternoon, I think you should redo the leather goods display she was going to be working on this morning.’
Florence agreed. She couldn’t wait to go and see Jesse again and the thought of keeping busy and helping the time to pass was an appealing one. ‘I’ll start immediately.’
As she worked, she planned what she could wear. Earning her own money, albeit not a high wage due to her job being with her family’s business, it still gave her the freedom to keep up with most fashions when it came to dresses and hats.
She had recently treated herself to a new summer dress and, although she had worn her new hat on her outings with Jesse, her dress hadn’t quite been ready. Yes, she thought satisfied, I’ll wear my new white dress with the blue trimmings.
Despite being busy, the next two hours still seemed to take an age to pass. The shop was busy, and Amy didn’t look too impressed that she was, once again, being given time off from the shop. Florence knew that she would have to offer to cover for Amy to have some time away from work once Jesse had gone back to the mainland again. It was only fair.
Although her mother had shown her concern at Florence’s growing closeness to Jesse, the calm way her father had accommodated Jesse’s request to see her that very day with little notice, made her believe that he didn’t have such qualms. It was a relief. Her mother was a strong person and stood up for what she considered right, but Florence’s father always seemed to have the final word, and on this occasion that was a welcome relief to her.
‘Florence,’ her father called, when the shop was empty, ‘you may go and change for your outing, if you wish.’
She took twenty minutes to freshen up and change into her new summer dress and hat. She studied her reflection in the mirror, and, satisfied, took a deep breath to gather herself, picked up her bag and went downstairs to say goodbye to her father and sister.
She was very much looking forward to meeting Jesse again this afternoon. She had just reached the doorway at the side of the shop when her father motioned for her to wait.
‘Ask Mr Boot if he would like to accompany us to chapel on Sunday. He might wish to go on his own elsewhere, of course, but I think we should invite him to join us.’
‘Yes, Father,’ she said, happy to have another reason to spend time with the man she realised she was becoming fonder of with every encounter.
Florence decided to walk to the hotel to meet Jesse. It was a beautiful day and thankfully not too hot. It would give her time to prepare what she would say to him once she was in his company. The streets were busy, but that was to be expected in mid-September when the weather was still warm and the holidaymakers enjoying the afternoon air.
She arrived at the hotel in good time. Walking through the arched entrance from the front, Florence entered the beautifully manicured gardens at the rear. It took a moment for her to spot Jesse, but there he was, looking suave in a pale-brown suit. He was seated at a table shaded by one of the trees and looked relaxed as he studied the people around him, his right hand resting on the top of a dark-coloured wooden cane.
The gardens were busy with waiters scurrying back and forth, carrying trays of silverware, or cake stands displaying finger sandwiches, scones, cream, jam and delicate fancies.
The maître d’ saw her and hurried over. ‘May I help you, miss?’
‘I’m here to meet Mr Boot,’ she said. ‘He’s a guest at your hotel.’
‘Boot?’ He checked his list of bookings. ‘Ah, yes, of course. Please, follow me.’
She did as he asked, both of them having to step to the side of the path a couple of times to avoid the busy waiters. She wondered if it was always this busy on a summer’s afternoon. She assumed so; it was protected with the building walls high on three sides of the garden, sheltering the outside space from the worst of any winds that might blow in off the sea.
Jesse looked up as they neared and, smiling widely, stood to greet her. ‘Miss Rowe,’ he said formally, for the maître d’s benefit, ‘how wonderful to see you again.’
The man pulled a chair out for Florence, pushing it closer to the table as she sat. Once the two of them were settled, he said, ‘Afternoon tea for each of you?’
‘Yes, please,’ Jesse said. He smiled at Florence. ‘I’m told it is the best on the island.’
Happy with this compliment, the man left them to go and deal with their order.
‘Is it?’ Florence asked, intrigued. She wouldn’t be at all surprised, going by the amount of people seated in the gardens.
‘I don’t really know,’ Jesse admitted. ‘However, looking at the food as it’s been placed on the nearby tables, and the cheerfulness of the people here, I presume it must be one of the top venues to enjoy such a treat.’
Florence giggled. It occurred to her that she sounded like a silly young girl and blushed slightly. She pretended to be absorbed by the tables nearby until her face cooled a bit.
‘It is wonderful to be able to see you again, Florence,’ he said, smiling at her and looking, she thought, very handsome.
‘I was very happy to see you so unexpectedly at the shop earlier today,’ she said. ‘Thank you, too, for helping with poor Lily. I have to admit I still feel a little shaken by the whole incident. I hate to think of her having to deal with such things at all, let alone at such a young age.’
‘Unfortunately, there are too many families spoiled by the vice of drink,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘I know of too many to focus on just one or two. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve worked with my chapel for many years trying help improve the living conditions of the residents, the education of their children and their working conditions in the factories in my area as much as possible.
Recalling his Wesleyan practices, she asked, ‘Father said to ask you if you’d like to accompany our family to chapel on Sunday. Unless you already have a preference for an alternative chapel that you would like to attend.’
He shook his head. ‘No, I haven’t. I was going to ask at the hotel tomorrow for some suggestions. I would very much like to join your family.’
She couldn’t help smiling. ‘Father will be pleased,’ she said, unsure whether he knew that it was she who would be the most delighted for him to accompa
ny them.
‘Where do you worship?’
‘Grove Street,’ she said. ‘It’s on the same street where my family lived when I was born. We’ve always attended the same church. It’s beautiful inside and I always love going there.’
He opened his mouth to reply, when two waiters arrived at their table and set down the silverware, food and accompaniments, pouring the first cup of tea for each of them.
‘This looks splendid,’ Jesse said, waiting for Florence to indicate the sandwiches she fancied and then doing the same. ‘I’ve been looking forward to this since I was last here.’
‘You have?’
‘Yes.’ He smiled. ‘I have to admit that I was intending asking you to join me for afternoon tea during my previous visit here, but when it was cut short, I had to wait. I had already seen others enjoying this and have dreamt of sharing an afternoon such as this with you.’
Her eyes widened in surprise to hear him vocalise his thoughts in such a way. For a moment she could not think of a thing to say, despite being happy to hear him profess such a thing. ‘Well, this all looks delicious. Thank you very much for inviting me.’
They both ate a cucumber sandwich and Florence couldn’t help thinking how lucky she was to have met this attractive and caring man. Her life that she had thought so enriched before meeting him seemed dull and far less interesting now that she had spent time in Jesse’s company.
She noticed a couple who were friends of her parents sitting at a table in a far corner. The wife, usually such a timid woman, was craning her neck to see who Florence was with, oblivious that Florence was watching her, too. The woman then spoke behind her hand to her husband. Silly woman, thought Florence; it wasn’t as if she could hear what they were saying from so far away. Maybe that was the woman’s point, she realised. She wanted Florence to know she was gossiping about her.
She smiled, satisfied when the woman blushed and turned away.
‘Do you know them?’ Jesse asked, amused.
‘Yes, a little.’ She thought she had better explain their behaviour. ‘This is a small island and they know you’re not local. They are probably trying to work out who you are and why I’m here with you this afternoon.’