by Dilly Court
‘Then why . . .’
He laid a finger on her lips. ‘For all the reasons I gave you this afternoon. It wouldn’t work, Ginnie. My eyesight might improve or it might not. Even if it does I won’t be able to operate again.’
‘But you’re still a doctor.’
His lips twisted into a wry smile. ‘Physician heal thyself. That’s ironic in the circumstances.’
She curled her fingers around his in an attempt to ease his pain, but there was little she could say that might comfort him. ‘I love you too, Nick. I’d do anything for you.’
‘Then go home and get on with your life. That’s the best thing you could do for me. If I know you’re happy and successful I can take what’s coming to me, but I’m damned if I’ll be a burden to you.’
‘But you still love me?’
‘I do.’
She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. He made a half-hearted attempt to push her away but she slid her arms around his neck and he responded, kissing her hungrily and hard; making no excuses. Her lips parted and she gave herself up to the overwhelming desire that robbed her of reason. Nick drew away first, looking deeply into her eyes. ‘I can see you,’ he whispered. ‘And even if I was stone blind I could still see your face. I’ll never forget you.’
‘Don’t. That sounds like goodbye.’
He twirled a strand of her hair around his finger, smiling sadly. ‘I guess it is, my darling.’
‘But we have a few more days.’
‘No, we don’t. I’ve booked myself into a rehabilitation centre. It’s time I did something for myself. You’ve made me see that.’ He brushed her lips with a kiss. ‘I’ll be leaving early in the morning.’
She watched from an upstairs window. Earl carried Nick’s suitcase to the waiting cab and Barbara hugged her son, waving him off with a smile that faded the moment the taxi pulled away. She leaned against her husband and Ginnie could only guess at the words of comfort that passed between them. Theirs was a solid relationship, the sort that Ginnie had always hoped might be hers one day, but now she knew that could never be. If she could not have Nick she would remain single and devote herself to making a success of her business. If only she had a magic carpet that would waft her back to England right away, but that was the stuff of fairytales. Her prince would not ride on a white charger to claim her hand, and for them there would be no happy ending. Nick wanted her to forget him, but it would not be easy to put him from her mind and impossible to banish him from her heart.
She crossed the landing and made her way downstairs. Earl was in the entrance hall studying the headlines on the newspaper. He looked up and smiled. ‘Hi, Ginnie. Did you sleep well?’
‘Yes, thank you. It’s a very comfortable bed and a lovely room.’
He nodded appreciatively. ‘We thought you might be at a loose end today, so I wondered if you’d like to come to the store and see how we run things here in Eagle Rock.’
‘I’d like that, if it’s no trouble.’
‘You might even pick up some tips from us, or you might give us some.’
‘I don’t think I could offer anything useful, but I’m sure I could learn from you.’
‘Then that’s settled. Let’s get some breakfast first. I always say you need a good meal to start the day.’
Miller’s Hardware store sold everything from horse tack to dry goods, building materials and seed. Ginnie shadowed Marilyn, who seemed to be the chief cashier and book-keeper as well as serving behind the counter if the other assistants were fully occupied. Bob was in charge of the lumber and building materials and Earl ran the whole business, and as far as Ginnie could see ran it very successfully. She did her best to help, but there was a limit to what she could do as the trade in this up and coming town was quite different from that in East London. Eagle Rock, she discovered, had only been a town since 1911 and seemed set to expand rapidly now that the war was over. Marilyn was just as enthusiastic about the town’s prospects and those of the store as Bob and his father, and Ginnie could imagine the three of them going on to even greater success. She wondered if she would be able to do the same at home, but America was a much larger and wealthier country and Britain was on the verge of bankruptcy, if not already bankrupt. She knew that it was not going to be easy, but the time spent in Miller’s store gave her plenty of ideas for modernising the shop in Collier Lane.
When the day finally came to return home, Ginnie had mixed feelings. She might be leaving her heart here in California, but her place was with Mum, Shirley and the children. She was sad to say goodbye to the family she had grown to love and she knew she would never forget a moment of her time in Eagle Rock. There were happy memories as well as the painful parting with Nick, but she was making a huge effort to come to terms with the fact that he would have to fight this particular battle on his own.
Marilyn drove Ginnie and Danny to Burbank airport and there was a tearful farewell at the check-in. Marilyn promised to write whenever she had a spare moment and insisted that she would send Ginnie an invitation to her wedding, but as she boarded the DC-3 Ginnie wondered if she would ever return to Eagle Rock. Nick had decided their future for them and she had been forced to accept his decision, but as she gazed out of the window after take-off and saw the country disappearing beneath the clouds, she knew that it was not finished. It would never be over.
Danny leaned towards her. ‘Are you okay, Ginnie?’ He handed her a hanky and she realised then that tears were pouring down her cheeks.
‘I’ve got something in my eye,’ she murmured, blowing her nose.
‘Cheer up. I’ve got something for you.’ He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a small package.
‘A present?’
‘It’s not from me. Open it and see.’
Her fingers trembled as she tore off the wrapping paper to reveal a small box. She lifted the lid and saw, nestling on a bed of midnight-blue velvet, a small golden eagle brooch. She took it out and laid it in the palm of her hand.
‘It’s from Nick,’ Danny said in a low voice. ‘I went to see him at the rehab centre and he said he wanted to give you something to remember him by.’
‘I could never forget him, not in a million years.’ She pinned the brooch to her cotton blouse. ‘It’s beautiful. Will you thank him for me?’
Danny took a slip of paper from his pocket and placed it in her hand. ‘You can write and tell him what you think of it. I wasn’t supposed to give you the address, but I know you’d want to drop him a line or two.’
‘Just to say thanks,’ Ginnie murmured, tucking the slip of paper into the box and stowing it safely inside her handbag. ‘I really love the brooch. Thank you.’
‘Don’t thank me. I can’t take the credit. Nick described what he wanted but it was Marilyn who chose it.’
‘I’ll thank her too.’ Ginnie leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. ‘This doesn’t feel like the end, Danny. I’m not giving up on him, ever.’
Chapter Seventeen
After the comparative warmth of California, returning home to an English winter and the bomb sites of London was enough to dampen even the most optimistic person’s spirits. Cherry Lane, with its front gardens dug over ready for planting potatoes and the bare branches of the trees dripping rainwater onto sodden pavements, was a depressing sight. Ginnie tried not to make comparisons but the house seemed even more cramped and shabby than it had before she made the trip to America. Shirley was tired and crotchety and Mildred spent most of her time grumbling about the untidy state of her home. If Ginnie had been missed neither her mother nor her sister was letting on, although she suspected that they might have noticed her absence more if the housekeeping money had not been forthcoming. They enquired politely as to Nick’s progress, but Mildred remained tight-lipped whenever his name cropped up in conversation and Ginnie had the feeling that Shirley considered she had had a lucky escape.
After her mother and sister’s initial curiosity about the way of life in California an
d even more questions about what it was like to fly high above the clouds, Ginnie realised that their interest had waned, especially when Shirley discovered that the population of Los Angeles did not consist entirely of movie stars. She seemed to have the idea that idols like Errol Flynn and John Wayne might be seen moonlighting at the pumps in gas stations, and that Ava Gardner and Lauren Bacall worked in diners waiting on tables while resting between movies. Neither her mother nor Shirley mentioned the cost of Ginnie’s travels, but it was obvious to her that they thought the money could have been better spent.
Ginnie missed Nick more than she dared to admit and in her heart she knew that her feelings for him would never change. It would have been easier if she had had someone to confide in, but Danny had moved into a shared house in East Grinstead and was fully occupied with his new job at the hospital. She was beginning to feel like a visitor in her own home and she was glad to escape to the shop every morning. At least Livvie seemed to have coped while she was away and no crises had developed during her absence.
Fred Chinashop was pathetically pleased to see her. ‘No one makes a cup of tea quite like you do, Ginnie,’ he said, clutching her hand. ‘I’ll miss you when I retire later this year, but at least I know that my shop will be in safe hands.’
‘Is it all settled, Fred? I can take the lease over and I’ve got planning permission to knock the two shops into one?’
He nodded, sipping his tea. ‘It came through while you were away.’ He pulled out a grubby hanky and mopped his eyes.
Ida thrust a plate of Rich Tea biscuits under his nose. ‘Stop snivelling you big baby and have something to eat.’ She offered them to Ginnie. ‘I haven’t had time to do any baking because I’ve been working full time in the shop.’
‘No, thanks,’ Ginnie said, smiling. ‘Mum made me have a bowl of porridge before I came to work. Maybe later.’
‘I’ll have one.’ Livvie reached out and snatched a biscuit. ‘There’s the bell now, Ida. You can serve the customer while I bring Ginnie up to date.’
Ginnie cringed inwardly. She did not care for the tone Livvie had used and it would not have hurt her to say please.
Ida did not seem to have taken umbrage. ‘You see?’ she said, smiling proudly. ‘I’m indispensable.’ She put the plate on the desk and hurried out of the office.
‘And I’d better get back to my shop.’ Fred downed the last of his tea, smacking his lips. ‘That was just the ticket. I’ll see you later, ladies.’ He left with a cheery wave of his hand.
‘Well, I see nothing’s changed,’ Ginnie said, looking round at the tidy office with a smile of approval. ‘How are the takings? It’s always quiet in January and February but hopefully things will pick up soon.’
Livvie flipped the account book open. ‘Take a look for yourself. It’s not been too bad, but we could do better. Anyway, now you’re back we can really begin to make changes. I’ve got plenty of ideas but of course they’ve got to have your approval.’
‘Since when did you bother what I thought?’ Ginnie examined the rows of figures, nodding her head. ‘This seems pretty good. We’re on the right track, and I picked up some good tips in Eagle Rock.’
‘So how did it go? Or shouldn’t I ask?’
Ginnie slumped down at the desk, pulling a face. ‘I must invest in new office furniture. How Dad put up with this uncomfortable old chair for so many years, I’ll never know.’
‘If you don’t want to talk about Nick, I quite understand.’ Livvie glanced out of the window. ‘There’s Jimmy. He’s just come back from a delivery. Hold on a moment. Don’t go away.’ She hurried out through the back door and Ginnie could hear her rattling out instructions to Jimmy, but there was a harsh note in her voice that made Ginnie rise swiftly to her feet. She went to stand in the doorway. ‘Hello, Jimmy. Everything okay?’
A wide grin almost split his face in two as he barged past Livvie and lumbered towards her. ‘Welcome home, Miss Ginnie.’
He looked so much like a happy schoolboy that she was moved to give him a brief hug. ‘It’s good to see you too. I’m pleased to see that things are going well.’
His smile dimmed. ‘She’s not like you,’ he muttered. ‘I wouldn’t stay working here if you was to sell up to the likes of her.’
Ginnie stared at him in surprise. ‘There’s no question of that, Jimmy. I’m expanding the business and I’ve no intention of selling to anyone. Who gave you that impression?’
‘Is he grumbling about me?’ Livvie strolled up to them and Jimmy backed away.
‘I ain’t said nothing. It was just what I heard.’
Livvie took a small pad from her pocket and tore off a leaf, thrusting it into his hand. ‘There’s a measuring-up job to do now. That’s the address and don’t stop for endless cups of tea and a chat. I want you back here by midday. Is that clear?’
Jimmy nodded wordlessly and shambled over to the van. He climbed in without a backwards glance and drove off.
‘That’s no way to speak to him,’ Ginnie said coldly. ‘And what’s this about someone buying me out?’
‘He has to be kept in order. If you don’t spell things out he doesn’t understand.’
‘I’ve never had any trouble with Jimmy and neither did my dad. He’s a bit slow on the uptake but he’s a good worker and he’s loyal.’
‘Only because no one else would hire him.’ Livvie smiled, but there was a calculating look in her eyes. ‘Come on, Ginnie. Don’t let’s fall out about a trifle. I’ll try to be more patient with him in future.’
‘Come into the office,’ Ginnie said stiffly. ‘I want to know what’s been going on and I don’t think you’re telling me everything.’
Livvie followed her inside and closed the door. ‘Don’t fly off the handle, but there is someone interested in buying the shop. You could sell up and settle all your debts in one go.’
‘Who said I’ve got debts?’
Livvie perched on the edge of the desk. ‘Shirley went to see my father asking for money. She wanted him to make her an allowance.’
‘Oh, no,’ Ginnie gasped. ‘How could she do such a thing?’
‘She told him that your mother couldn’t afford the rent on the house in Cherry Lane. It seems that your father left her rather badly off.’
‘Shirley had no right to go begging, especially to your father. I’ve been keeping the family since Dad died.’
‘That’s a bit unfair on you, isn’t it? I mean you’re still a kid.’
‘I’m sick of hearing that,’ Ginnie said angrily. ‘I’ve proved that I can make a go of the business. We’re just starting to show a bit of a profit and when I take over Fred’s shop we’ll expand and do even better.’
‘My father realises that, which is why he’s offering to buy you out.’
‘Mr Mallory wants to buy me out?’ Ginnie stared at her in amazement. ‘Why would he do a thing like that? He’s got oodles of cash.’
‘And he wants to invest some of it. He sees it as a good business opportunity, and he thinks it might be a good career for me, just in case the dearth of eligible bachelors leaves me high and dry on the shelf. Although of course we know that’s not going to happen.’
‘Your father wants to buy my shop so that he can put you in charge?’
‘That’s about it, old bean. I’ll put a manager in, of course, and you might even like to apply, but—’
‘Get out.’
‘What?’ Livvie’s faced paled beneath her expensive maquillage.
‘I said get out. I thought you were my friend, Livvie, but you’ve been scheming behind my back and planning to take away my living.’
Livvie raised herself to a standing position and her expression darkened. ‘I’ve kept this shabby little shop going while you’ve been pursuing your blind Yankee boyfriend.’
‘How dare you.’ Ginnie faced up to her, fisting her hands at her sides. ‘Nick was fighting for all of us when he was wounded and I wasn’t chasing him.’
‘Have it your own
way, but if you sack me you’ll miss the opportunity of a lifetime.’
‘Get your hat and coat.’ Ginnie marched out of the office and went straight to the counter where Ida was ringing up a sale. ‘Excuse me.’ Ginnie reached across her and snatched a handful of notes from the till. ‘I’ll explain later.’ She turned to find Livvie standing behind her. ‘Take this. It should cover your wages for the time I was away in America and a week’s money in lieu of notice.’
‘You can’t sack me,’ Livvie said breathlessly. ‘I’m your business partner.’
‘You most certainly are not. You were just helping out because your father made you take a job as punishment for your malicious act of vandalism. I’ve been paying you and Ida as casual workers, and the only person officially on the payroll is Jimmy.’
‘You’ll regret this, Virginia Travis. You promoted me to manager.’
‘You know very well it was only a temporary arrangement.’ Ginnie sighed and shook her head. ‘I really thought I could trust you. I thought we’d moved on but I realise now that I was mistaken.’
Livvie glared at her with narrowed eyes. ‘You bitch. You’ll suffer for this.’
‘Go home and tell your father that we don’t want anything from him. I can look after my family and I’m not selling my shop to him or to anyone.’ She walked to the door and held it open. ‘Get out of here and keep away from me and my family.’
‘You’re forgetting that I’m Antonia’s aunt. She’s just as much part of my family as yours, although I have doubts about Colin’s parentage. I rather suspect that his father was a sewage worker.’
‘You haven’t shown any interest in Shirley’s children and your parents haven’t acknowledged them, so don’t pretend that you care. I want you and your family out of our lives for good.’
Livvie shrugged on her coat and rammed her beret on her head. ‘This is all the thanks I get for slaving away in this ghastly little shop. You haven’t heard the last of this. My father will sue you for every penny you’ve got.’
‘He can try,’ Ginnie said calmly. ‘But he’d be wasting his time. I don’t own anything of value. The shop is rented from the council and, as you discovered, our house is heavily mortgaged. But one day it will be different. I can promise you that.’