Mrs Boots

by Deborah Carr

  I was thinking that to offer her a uniform might be helpful. If Miss Buttons does not have suitable clothing for shop assistant work, then to offer her an alternative item of clothing to her own might be the best option. Learning to wear smarter clothes is also something that she might need practice in doing. People shouldn’t but do judge others by their clothing. Those of us who have always been blessed enough to wear good clothing know nothing of how it must feel to wear clothes that others might look down upon.

  You are very kind and thoughtful, Florence. I feel certain that Miss Buttons will make the most of your support and hopefully will use what she learns from to you achieve all that she hopes to in her own future.

  My warmest thoughts and admiration for your efforts.

  As always,

  Jesse

  Florence was bolstered by his confidence that she was doing the right thing. His advice was excellent as she had known it would be. He didn’t mock her idea, which so many men might have done, but she was realising more each day that Jesse wasn’t like other men. When he said that he valued her thoughts about a matter, he told the truth. He was never threatened by her intelligence but encouraged her in everything that she pursued.

  She folded his letter and slipped it back into the envelope. Now she needed to approach her father and put her ideas into action.

  Chapter 20

  That evening, as she locked the shop door and closed up for the night, Florence felt happier than she had in weeks. She still hadn’t found the right time to speak to her father, preferring to do so when he was alone. Helping Lily out, even in the small way that she and Amy had already done, had raised her spirits. She locked the shop door and walked out the back door leading to the hallway at the bottom of their flat stairs, eager to get to her bedroom and reply to Jesse’s latest letter.

  27 Queen Street

  St Helier

  Jersey

  21 October 1885

  Mr J Boot

  16–20 Goose Gate

  Nottingham

  Dearest Jesse,

  Thank you for your assistance in the matter regarding Lily Buttons. I will take your advice and am certain that between Amy and me, we will be able to source a uniform for Lily.

  I haven’t, as yet, spoken to Father, partly because he always seems to be either busy with customers, or with Mother, or out with friends. I have one concern though that I would also like to write to you for counselling on. It is this. Father has always insisted that W. H. Rowe is a family-run business. He doesn’t believe there is ever any reason to employ others when we have enough members of our family to call upon to carry out the work. Ordinarily, I agree with him. However, in the case of Lily, I need to find a way to persuade him that she will be worth the expense of a wage.

  My issue is how to broach that subject. I feel the need to have answers ready before he asks the questions that I am certain he will put to me.

  Can you help me, do you think?

  I look forward to reading your thoughts on the matter.

  I must add that I continue to miss you, terribly. I thought it would be easier as time passed, but it somehow is more difficult to be without you.

  My love, as always,

  Florence

  She waited impatiently for Jesse’s reply. She knew with confidence that he would have a solution to her problem and, once she had heard from him and had all the answers she needed, she would face her father. How had she been lucky enough to find a man who followed her own passions and beliefs? She was truly blessed, of that she was certain. She had always assumed that the only way to live a satisfying life of her choosing was to remain unmarried, but having met and fell in love with Jesse, she realised she had been wrong to be so determined not to marry. Then again, she reasoned, Jesse was unlike most men. She was exceptionally lucky that he had chosen her to be his wife; the thought made her heart swell with joy.

  She knew without doubt that she and Jesse would be in agreement about finding ways to help the people nearest to them in what every way they could, and it made her long for their future together to finally begin.

  A few days later, Florence received Jesse’s reply. It was short but gave her the answer she needed.

  16–20 Goose Gate

  Nottingham

  26 October 1885

  Miss Florence Rowe

  27 Queen Street

  St Helier

  Jersey

  Dearest Florence,

  I have given your suggestion about offering work to Lily much thought. It is a very thoughtful thing for you to do. I believe she will agree to come and work at Rowe’s Stationers; however, as you say, your biggest barrier to making this happen will be your father’s belief that as a family business, only members of the family be employed there. A solution is definitely needed to counteract this.

  Have you considered offering to relinquish a portion of your wages to partially cover those that will be needed to pay for Lily’s time? You have no need to save your money. I have more than enough for both of our futures, and when we are married, I will support you fully.

  I’m sorry that this letter is brief, but I hope it holds the answer that you were waiting for. I must hurry, the carriage is waiting outside to take me to a meeting at the factory and I cannot be late. Let me know what you think and how your suggestion is received by your father.

  As ever, your loving,

  Jesse

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Florence said, reading the rest of Jesse’s letter to make sure she didn’t miss any other suggestions of his. She could train Lily up to be her replacement, so she could work under Amy and then, when she married Jesse and left, they would not feel her loss in the shop. It made good sense.

  She sighed contentedly, aware that by what he’d said in his letter, Jesse was confirming, once again, his commitment for their marriage. She folded the letter and pushed it into her writing slope. Not wishing to speak to her father in front of her mother, she decided she would speak to him the next morning, before she lost her nerve.

  The following morning, Florence waited for a lull between customers and went up to stand behind the counter with him. She needed to put her idea about Lily to him and there was no time to waste if she was to help the girl.

  ‘Father?’

  ‘Florence?’ he replied, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

  She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. ‘I’ve been thinking.’ She clasped her hands together in front of her skirts, to hide the fact that they were trembling slightly.

  He finished writing down the sale in his book. Then, screwing the lid back on to his fountain pen, he placed it on the wooden counter and stared at her.

  ‘I can tell by the tone in your voice that this is important.’ He narrowed his eyes, all amusement vanishing. ‘This isn’t another issue with Mr Boot, I hope?’

  His question irked her, but wanting to help Lily, she hid any reaction. ‘No, it’s nothing to do with him.’

  He sighed. ‘I’m relieved to hear it. Go on then, tell me. Whatever it is that’s playing on your mind must be dealt with.’

  She told him about her idea to help Lily. ‘We’re bound to need extra help in the lead up to Christmas and it’s only a few weeks away now.’ When he didn’t reply immediately, she added. ‘I’m happy to take a reduction in my own wages, if you wish,’ she explained, playing her ace card and hoping it worked. ‘I want to help her but I’m unsure how else to do it without it appearing to be giving her charity. I know she wouldn’t accept that from me, or anyone else. She’s a very proud girl.’

  He stared at her thoughtfully while he digested her suggestion. She wished he would stop staring at her so intently. His dark eyes seemed to bore into her mind and she was concerned that he would somehow be able to work out what she was thinking. When he finally looked away, she closed her eyes briefly, relieved to watch him pick up his pen. He unscrewed the lid and began making calculations on a notepad he kept under the counter. He worked silently until he had finished h
is workings.

  ‘You care that much for this girl you’ve only met a handful of times that you would forgo part of your wages?’ He seemed concerned.

  ‘Yes,’ she answered, aware that he knew she had always saved since starting to earn a wage. She had never made a secret of wanting to open her own business. She supposed he must be surprised, but she didn’t understand why. Surely, he must know that when she and Jesse married, she wouldn’t need to open her own business, but could work with him in his.

  ‘I don’t need very much,’ she explained. ‘I have a roof over my head, plenty to eat and even my own bedroom now. Honestly, Father, I believe it’s the very least I should do.’

  He patted her arm. ‘You are a good and caring girl, Florence. I’ve always knew you cared a lot for others; however you know I’ve only ever employed family members to work with me here,’ he said thoughtfully.

  Florence didn’t answer. She knew he was only thinking out loud and wasn’t asking her a question. She was relieved he hadn’t rebuffed her suggestion instantly. She waited patiently for him to decide, aware that if she interrupted his thoughts his first reaction would be to say no.

  He tapped his moustache with the end of his fountain pen. Eventually, after what seemed like several minutes, but was probably only one, or two, he looked at her. ‘I will give her a chance.’ Florence gasped. ‘Only the one, mind. She may start work here on Saturday from eight-thirty until one p.m. If she behaves herself and there’s no light-fingered nonsense, then she can come back the following Monday. We’ll do it on a week-by-week basis at first. I don’t want to commit myself until I see what she’s like and also how quickly she picks things up.’

  Florence beamed at him. ‘Thank you very much, Father. I promise you won’t regret giving her this chance.’

  He mumbled something and then went back to scrutinising to his sales book and began working through the day’s takings so far. ‘I’d better not. You’re the one who’s going to see a deduction in your wages, so I’ll make her your responsibility. Is that fair?’

  ‘Yes, absolutely,’ she said, excitement coursing through her.

  He had agreed. She could barely believe it and couldn’t wait to share her news with Jesse. She was certain he would have done the same as her in her position. She gazed out of the window and, seeing a young girl about Lily’s age, Florence wished she was able to tell Lily now; however, she would have to wait until she next came to see them at the shop.

  Chapter 21

  If Florence had been hoping to see Lily immediately, she was disappointed. Several days passed and she was beginning to think that her great plan would come to nothing if she didn’t speak to Lily soon. She hadn’t been to see them at the shop at all and Florence couldn’t help wondering if she was all right. If only she knew where to find her. Even if she did know, Florence was well aware that to visit their home could not only incite a violent reaction from Lily’s dad, or his friends, but would almost certainly cause trouble for Lily. She couldn’t be responsible for causing more issues in the girl’s life and decided that she would have to wait for Lily to visit her.

  Florence was on her way back from visiting friends with her parents and Amy one evening in late October, when she spotted a girl coming from the opposite direction, turning into Waterloo Street. She was sure she recognised the shawl and hoped it was Lily.

  ‘Was that Lily?’ she asked, interrupting Amy’s flow of words.

  ‘Where?’ Amy looked around and obviously hadn’t seen her.

  ‘Sorry,’ Florence said, not wanting to miss the opportunity of catching up with the girl while she had the chance. ‘Tell Mother and Father I won’t be long. I must go after her. I need to know that she’s all right.’

  She didn’t wait to hear her sister’s answer and hurried ahead of them, hearing her parents’ voices as they stopped to ask Amy where she was going.

  She walked as fast as she could without breaking into a run. It would not do to be seen acting in such an unladylike way, however much she was desperate to catch up with Lily. She was grateful for her long legs and lengthy stride as it helped her cover the ground and soon catch up with the girl. She didn’t want to call out to Lily again, in case she ran off.

  She was one step behind her when Florence reached out and gently tapped Lily on her right shoulder.

  She spun round, eyes wide with fright and her mouth open. ‘Oh, it’s you, Miss Rowe,’ she said, her hand going to her chest. ‘You gave me such a fright.’

  Florence was mortified to have shocked her. ‘I’m so sorry Lily. That wasn’t my intention at all.’

  ‘It’s fine. I didn’t hear you coming up behind me, that’s all,’ Lily said, panting slightly.

  Florence assumed her breathlessness was due to the fright she had just given her. ‘I didn’t mean to … it’s just that I’ve been concerned about you,’ she admitted. ‘We haven’t seen you at the shop for a couple of weeks and I had been hoping to speak to you about something.’

  Lily frowned and refolded the green shawl Florence had given her over her chest. ‘Nothing’s wrong, is it?’

  Florence shook her head, feeling her hat wobble. She must have rushed the pinning of it earlier, she thought momentarily. ‘Not at all.’

  ‘I’m wearing the shawl you lent me.’ Lily rested her hand on the hem of the woollen garment. ‘I’ve really been grateful for it, thank you.’

  ‘I’m glad you like it. In fact, it’s how I recognised that it was you,’ Florence said, smiling. She knew she had little time before having to go and catch up with her parents. She didn’t want to upset them, today of all days. ‘I wanted to speak to you about some work, at Rowe’s Stationers.’

  Lily stared at her silently for a few seconds. Florence wasn’t sure if she was trying to think of an answer, or merely confused and thought she had better explain further.

  ‘When you were last at the shop you mentioned that you had ambitions to be a shop assistant.’

  Lily nodded slowly. ‘I did.’

  ‘Well, I spoke to my father soon after and he said he would be willing to give you several days’ work each week. Starting this Saturday morning, if you’re interested. For a trial period, of course.’

  Florence was aware that when the Christmas rush was over there would be fewer customers in the shop and her father might wish for things to return to there only being family members working in the shop. However, a few weeks might make all the difference to the Buttons family. She could see by the pinched look in her pale cheeks that she was desperate to make money to help her family.

  ‘Tomorrow? Are you sure, Miss Rowe?’ Lily asked, brightening immediately.

  ‘Yes, absolutely certain. Do you think you’ll want to come along and see if you like it?’

  Lily’s face lit up and eyes glistened. ‘I would, Miss Rowe,’ she said quietly. ‘Very much. Me dad has been in Newgate Street again. He’s still there, in fact.’

  ‘It might only be for several weeks during the run up to Christmas,’ she said, not wishing Lily to bank on the job lasting forever.

  ‘Any time at all would be grand,’ Lily said. ‘I’ve never worked in a shop before, though, and don’t know what to do.’

  ‘You will report to me and I’ll show you all that you need to do.’

  ‘That would be wonderful, Miss. Truly wonderful.’

  ‘Good. Come to the shop tomorrow at eight-thirty,’ Florence said cheerfully, relieved that it was a Saturday. She gave Lily the times and smiled. ‘I look forward to showing you how everything works.’

  Lily seemed to gather herself. ‘Thank you, Miss Rowe. You don’t know what this will mean to me. Ma will be cheered to think that I’m working in such a posh place.’

  Rowe’s was hardly posh, Florence thought, but it did have good standing in the town, and she was happy to hear that Lily was delighted with her offer.

  ‘Then I’ll wish you good day and see you in the morning. I’d better be on my way, or my parents will wonder where I’ve go
ne.’

  Lily smiled at her. ‘Thanks very much, Miss Rowe. You really are very kind to look out for me in this way. I wish I’d gone back to see you before now, but I’ll be very happy to come and work for your family. I promise I won’t let you down.’

  ‘I know you won’t, Lily,’ she said, feeling like she had been given a gift.

  Florence’s thoughts immediately turned to Jesse and how he would react to this good news. The pain in his joints worsened in colder damp weather and so far it had already snowed in Nottingham. She was concerned about him and had been dreading having to celebrate Christmas without him. Now, though, she had Lily coming to work with her and she could focus all her attention on training her.

  Chapter 22

  ‘Yes, I know you’ll look after her, but I felt that as I had persuaded her to come and work here, then the very least I could do is be here to welcome her and show her what Father will be expecting of her.’

  ‘Well, I’d also like to help her sometimes, that’s all I’m saying,’ Amy argued. ‘I know it was your idea, but I’m looking forward to seeing her again. She’s a dear girl and I hope she can get the hang of working here to the level Father will expect.’

  At that moment the brass bell jangled. Florence looked over to the door to see Lily step into the shop.

  Florence could see that she seemed terrified. It must have taken a lot of courage for her to come here today, she mused, hurrying over to her.

  ‘Good morning, Lily,’ she said, a wide welcoming smile on her face. ‘We’ve been looking forward to you working here with us.’ She waved Amy over.

  ‘Have you?’ Lily asked, looking surprised. ‘I’ve been really scared about this morning, but excited too.’

  ‘Good morning, Lily,’ Amy said as she joined them.

  ‘You mustn’t be worried,’ Florence reassured her. ‘This is your first day and both Amy and I will be here to show you anything you need to know. We only expect you to get a feel of what we do here at first. Then as the days go on, you’ll find everything will start to feel a little more familiar.’