by Joan Jonker
‘If I go after another job, they’ll want to know why I left here. What am I supposed to tell them? I need a job because I live on my own. And what about a reference? I’ll need one to go to the Labour Exchange.’
‘I’m afraid I couldn’t give you a reference for work in another shop. Or anywhere where you would be handling money. Any possible future employer could give me a ring here, and I will discuss the matter with them over the telephone. I will not give you a written reference because I am not prepared to lie about your character, that wouldn’t be fair to any employer. But if a job comes along that doesn’t involve you working with money, then I will give a decent reference with regard to your punctuality and reliability as a worker. More than that I cannot do for you. And that is more than you deserve because you have only yourself to blame for this whole sorry mess. It is to be hoped you have learned your lesson. Stealing and telling lies will not bring you many friends. Once you lose a person’s trust, you never get it back again.’ Sarah Ormsby pushed her chair back and got to her feet. ‘I think you will be too late for your lunch now, so I suggest you either use our cafe on the top floor or go to the Kardomah. I’ll have your cards and wages ready for you by two o’clock.’
Frances Landers didn’t ask any questions, it was as though she hadn’t heard a word that had been said to her. ‘I’ll go and get some lunch, then. And I’ll stop by the counter on the way out, to tell that Helen Bleasedale I’m leaving and won’t be coming back. And after I’ve had my lunch, I will come up the side stairs to this office, I won’t go near the shop.’
The three women couldn’t get over how calm and matter-of-fact she was. No one would believe she’d been dismissed for stealing, which was gross misconduct. The seriousness of the situation didn’t seem to have sunk in. Or, if it had, she really couldn’t care less. There’d be no tears shed for the loss of a good job that had kept her in moderate comfort for so many years, or shame for betraying the trust put in her.
‘I’ll walk down with you, Frances.’ Mary Halliday followed her to the door. There were things needing to be said that would not be welcome, and she didn’t want any fuss made in front of the two Personnel Officers who were clearly out of their depth with a woman whose mind was unstable. ‘I won’t be long, Miss Ormsby.’
All the way down the stairs, Frances was muttering about the two toffee-nosed snobs and how they hadn’t frightened her. Mary let her carry on until they reached the bottom of the stairs and the doorway into Church Street. Then she said, ‘You do realise you will never be allowed into the shop again, even as a customer?’
‘Why not? I can come in to buy something if I like, they can’t stop me.’
‘Oh, yes, they can. You have been discharged for gross misconduct and, as far as I’m concerned, you’ve been let off lightly. But if you are seen in the shop again, for whatever reason, the police will be called and then everyone will learn the truth. So take my advice, Frances, and forget Woolworth’s. You are a good worker, very efficient, and with a bit of luck you won’t be long out of work. But heed the lesson you’ve been taught today.’
Mary took to the stairs again and never looked back. She’d been afraid of the woman coming into the shop one day and kicking up a stink. Hopefully, that wouldn’t happen now.
‘Has she left the premises?’ Sarah asked when Mary pushed the door open. ‘I was quite concerned at times because the woman is clearly not normal.’
‘She’ll be back for her wages, but after that you will never see Frances Landers again. And, yes, you’re right, the poor soul is far from normal. I just hope this episode has taught her a lesson and she mends her ways. She’s got off very lightly, and I told her so.’
‘I think you handled the situation very well, Mary,’ Miss Harper said. ‘She would never have responded to Sarah or myself as she did to you. Very well done!’
Sarah Ormsby sighed with relief. ‘I’ve had the unpleasant task of sacking quite a few members of staff in the years I’ve been here. I’ve encountered tears, shame, and often pleas for another chance. But never have I seen a reaction like the one we’ve just witnessed. There was no sign of tears, or shame, or even sadness at having to leave the job she’s held for many years. She doesn’t seem to have normal feelings at all. In fact, there was a moment I was actually afraid of her.’
‘Well, she’s gone now so the worst is over. But we are going to be a senior assistant short, and this will play havoc with filling in at breaks.’
‘You go and have your lunch, Mary, you deserve it.’ Sarah felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. ‘I’ll go along to the Managing Director’s office now, and inform Mr Sanderson of what has gone on. Then I need to make sure the wages are ready for Miss Landers to pick up. But if you could spare half-an-hour this afternoon, we’ll discuss what to do about staffing problems.’
Mary Halliday wouldn’t tell anyone for the world, but although he was well out of her reach she had a soft spot for the Managing Director. He was in his late-forties, tall and slim, with thinning sandy hair and hazel eyes. It was his gentlemanly manner and old-world charm she’d fallen for, but, as she frequently reminded herself, he was out of her reach. ‘Does Mr Sanderson know anything about Frances Landers?’
‘Only of our suspicions. He doesn’t know we were confronting her today because I wasn’t sure how things would work out. Thanks to you, I can tell him the situation has been resolved. Anyway, you run along and have your lunch. I’ll see you later.’
When Mary went up to the Personnel Office at four o’clock that afternoon her heart flipped when she saw Clive Sanderson there. She told herself that at thirty-nine years of age it was ridiculous to be blushing, but she couldn’t help it. She had never married, although there had been plenty of offers when she was in her early teens. But her father had died when she was only eighteen, and her mother couldn’t come to terms with his loss and frequently took to her bed, which meant that when Mary got home from work every night there was no time for the pictures or dancing. There was cooking and washing to do, and her mother to attend to. She never complained, though, because her parents had always been wonderful and she’d loved them dearly. But she had missed out on the social life her friends were having. And at twenty-seven, when her mother died, she was too old to go to dances on her own, and all her friends were married with children. So she now lived alone in the house where she was born. She still had friends, of course, particularly amongst the neighbours she’d known all her life. ‘Good afternoon, Mr Sanderson,’ she said to her boss.
‘Good afternoon to you, Mary.’ His smile was slow and gentle. ‘I’ve been listening to your praises being sung. Apparently you put in some sterling work with a difficult employee. Or should I say former employee?’ He rose and offered her his chair. ‘And I’ve also been hearing that we have some very loyal counter assistants, which makes up for the odd bad one.’
‘You could stake your life on most of the staff we have, Mr Sanderson, even the very young ones.’
‘That is precisely what we’ve just been saying.’ Sarah Ormsby, who seemed to be very pleased with herself over something, pointed to a chair in the corner. ‘Bring the chair over, Clive, we can’t have you standing. Miss Harper, who is aware of what I have in mind, will be along soon as she wants to know what you think of our plans. If you don’t think they’ll work then we’ll go back to the drawing board and begin again.’
They didn’t have to wait long for Miss Harper, who looked a lot more cheerful than she had a couple of hours earlier. She perched on the end of the desk to listen closely and watch for Mary Halliday’s reaction.
Sarah Ormsby sat forward in her chair and leaned her elbows on the desk. ‘I don’t want you to think we’ve arranged anything behind your back, Mary, because we haven’t. It’s just that Clive remarked on the part played by the two junior assistants, Virginia Porter for being honest enough to risk losing her job by reporting a thief, and Helen Bleasedale for helping us to catch her. Clive thought such loy
alty should be rewarded. So I’ll tell you what we have in mind and see if you agree because you have far more knowledge of the assistants than we do. I’d like you to tell me if you think Helen Bleasedale would make a good senior assistant? I know she’s only eighteen, and wouldn’t go on full senior wages for a year or so, but there would be half-a-crown increase on her present wage. What are your thoughts on that?’
Mary’s face broke into a smile. ‘Oh, she would be over the moon, and I can assure you she is as capable as any senior assistant in the shop. She’s an excellent worker and I would have no hesitation in recommending her for promotion. But that would mean taking on another junior.’
‘We have one in mind who I hope will meet with your approval.’
Mary showed her surprise. ‘You’ve got one in mind?’
‘Well, actually, it was you who put her in our minds. You will, of course, remember Marie Whittaker, from the stock room?’
The astonishment on Mary’s face brought a chuckle from Clive Sanderson. ‘I would say you have taken her by surprise, Sarah.’ This was the first time he had sat next to Mary Halliday; in fact there was seldom reason for them to meet. He realised now he’d never noticed how pretty she was. Whenever he had glimpsed her, he’d always thought her very businesslike and efficient. He knew that like himself she had never married, but that was all he knew about her private life. ‘Have you lost your voice, Mary?’
She looked at him and shook her head. ‘It’s just that I was expecting today to be a day for nasty things to happen – I really wasn’t looking forward to it when I got out of bed this morning. But I have to say that Helen Bleasedale, Virginia Porter and Marie Whittaker are three people I have come to like very much. In fact, Mr Sanderson, I think you should meet them and form your own opinion. I think that would be very interesting.’
Sarah Ormsby smiled, remembering how lively and full of laughter Virginia and Marie were when they came for their interview. Both had pretty, open faces and smiled a lot. ‘Yes, I think that would cheer you up no end, Clive. Three pretty, lively young girls whose smiles would warm the cockles of your heart.’
Miss Harper was enjoying this. It wasn’t very often they had such excitement in the office, and although she could do without the treachery of Frances Landers, she welcomed a little light relief. ‘Shall I bring Helen up first?’
Mary held up a hand. ‘You can’t leave the counter without an assistant, so would you ask Miss Sutherland if she would try and run the two counters for half-an-hour with the help of Miss Porter?’
Helen was mystified when told she was wanted by Miss Ormsby, and even more mystified when Ginny was put on the haberdashery counter for the time she’d be away. Under the watchful eye of Miss Sutherland, of course. But Helen wasn’t even given the chance to ask questions, only time to shrug her shoulders at Ginny to show she hadn’t a clue what was going on, and then she was stepping smartly after Miss Harper.
Across the aisle from Dorothy Sutherland’s leather goods counter was the jewellery counter which Ginny thought was wonderful, a real Aladdin’s Cave. There were rings, ear-rings, brooches and bangles, all shining with coloured glass stones. The rings went from a penny each to sixpence, and they were real bobby dazzlers. The senior assistant there was Margaret Sullivan – a proper live wire and always on the go. Even when she wasn’t doing anything, she looked busy. She had been watching the goings on with mounting excitement, and as soon as Miss Harper was out of sight crossed the aisle like a bullet from a gun. ‘It rather looks as though the rumour is true. I pooh-poohed the idea at first, but it seems I could be wrong.’
‘What rumour is this, then?’ Dorothy asked. ‘I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.’
‘Oh, haven’t you heard? The shop’s been buzzing with it! Apparently, Frances Landers told one of the girls she’d been offered a job with more money and she was taking it, leaving right away. As I said, most people didn’t believe it, but there must be something going on or why would they be taking Helen up to the office?’
‘I haven’t got a clue, Margaret, but we’ll find out as soon as she gets back. As for the queer one, I won’t miss her if she has left. I couldn’t stand the woman.’ Dorothy didn’t want to get too involved, so she cut the conversation short. ‘You’ve got two customers, Margaret, and I’ve got to keep my eye on Ginny.’
It was twenty minutes before Helen came back, accompanied by Miss Harper. She looked as though she was walking in a dream, but with a broad grin on her face and her eyes shining, it was a very happy dream. ‘Can I tell Miss Sutherland, please? It won’t take me a minute. I’ve got to tell someone or I’ll burst.’
Miss Harper didn’t have the heart to refuse. ‘You’ve got one minute, Miss Bleasedale, because, as you know, I have to take Miss Porter upstairs.’ She tried to keep the smile from her face when she heard the shrieks of delight from the next counter. As a senior staff member she wasn’t encouraged to get too friendly with the staff on the shop floor, but right now she envied the closeness of the two women who were hugging each other.
‘Why does Miss Ormsby want to see me?’ Ginny asked, giving a few skips to keep her feet in line with Miss Harper’s. ‘I’m not in trouble, am I?’
‘I’m not in a position to tell you, Virginia, but I can’t believe you would do anything to get yourself into trouble.’
When Ginny saw a man sitting in the office, she told herself she must be in for a lecture of some description if one of the big bosses was involved. But before she had time to worry, the door opened and Miss Halliday came through, followed by Marie. The two girls stared at each other in surprise, but because of the company they were in, they were too shy to acknowledge each other.
‘Don’t look so afraid, girls, there’s no cause for alarm. Quite the opposite, in fact.’ Oh, how Sarah Ormsby was going to enjoy this. It would more than compensate her for what had happened earlier. ‘This is Mr Sanderson, our Managing Director. Mr Sanderson, may I introduce Miss Virginia Porter and Miss Marie Whittaker?’
Clive jumped to his feet and solemnly held out his hand. ‘How do you do, Miss Porter? I am very pleased to meet you.’
His gentle voice and kindly eyes calmed Ginny’s racing heart. She smiled. ‘And I’m very pleased to meet you, Sir.’
Marie followed her friend, smiling and repeating what she’d said. But while Ginny might have had an inkling that she was here because of Miss Landers, poor Marie didn’t have a clue and was expecting the worst.
‘I won’t ask you to sit down because this isn’t going to take long. Come and stand either end of my desk, please, Miss Halliday has something to say to you.’
Mary Halliday was grateful to Sarah Ormsby for giving her this privilege, and with Clive Sanderson and Miss Harper also looking on, said, ‘I have some news that I think will please you very much. Firstly, Virginia, you will be staying on leather goods with Miss Sutherland. Would you be happy with that?’
‘Oh, I’ll be made up, Miss Halliday.’ Ginny laced her fingers together and held her hands to her chest. With a beaming smile, she told them, ‘Me and Miss Sutherland get on well together, she’s really nice to work with.’
‘Good,’ Sarah Ormsby said, ‘we thought you would be happy with those arrangements.’ She glanced sideways to where Marie was standing, her eyes showing she didn’t know whether being here was a good thing or a bad. ‘And now we come to you, Marie. Your good friend Virginia told me recently about how you have been brushing up on your arithmetic as you want very much to become a counter assistant.’
That didn’t sound like trouble so Marie giggled. ‘Did she tell yer me dad set me sums every night and she had to check them the next morning ’cos he seldom got them right? And coming to work on the tram, she gives me sums to do in me head. And I am getting better, Miss, I really am.’
‘I’m sure you are, Marie, I’m sure you are.’ Mary Halliday’s smile told how pleased she was. ‘Now, Miss Ormsby has something to tell you.’
‘Because of Virginia�
�s recommendation, Marie, and Miss Halliday’s, we would like to offer you the position of junior counter assistant.’
It took a few seconds to sink in, then that wonderful smile covered Marie’s face as she rushed around the desk to hug Ginny. ‘Ooh, ye’re a good pal, Ginny, I won’t ever forget yer for this. I’ll mug yer to a bar of chocolate when I get me wages at the weekend.’ Her laughter came from her heart. ‘Only a penny bar, mind, so don’t be expecting a tuppenny one.’
The office had never known such laughter as the two friends clung together. Their joy rubbed off on those watching. If the truth were known, the three women all had lumps in their throats and if it weren’t for the Managing Director sitting there, they would have shed tears of joy. Little did they know that Clive Sanderson too was very moved by the scene. Up in his office he saw little of what went on, hardly ever met any members of the shop staff, and he lived a lonely quiet life when he got home. Seeing these two young girls being made so happy by such a small change in their lives made him consider his own.
‘Marie, you will not be going back into the stock room. We have promoted Miss Bleasedale to senior counter assistant and you will go on haberdashery as her junior. Miss Harper will take you down and introduce you to her, before informing the stock room of the change. Any problems, please discuss them with Miss Halliday. And now you may go and start your new job as junior counter assistant. I am sure you’ll do very well.’
The two girls stopped at the office door and turned around. Ginny spoke for both of them. ‘We haven’t really thanked you, but we both want yer to know how grateful we are. And we won’t ever let yer down.’
After they’d left, Mary Halliday stood up. ‘I’d better get down and see how things are but I have thoroughly enjoyed the last part of this afternoon. I hope my sleep won’t be interrupted tonight with nightmares over Frances Landers as it was last night.’