by Jonker, Joan
Bessie’s eyebrows shot up. ‘If he’s got an idea how to make money, why doesn’t he make some for himself?’
‘It doesn’t work like that, sunshine, I’m afraid. But you start and I’ll explain later what Reg has in mind. It won’t half surprise yer.’
‘Ooh, er, yer’ve got me wondering now. Why don’t you go first?’
‘I couldn’t stand the excitement, that’s why, sunshine, me heart would give out on me. So, off yer go.’
‘I hope God isn’t listening because while I was standing next door I committed two sins. I told a bare-faced lie, and I had bad thoughts. Still, they were in a good cause, and I’m sure God will take that into consideration. Anyway, I knocked next door on pretext of asking how Amelia was after she’d hurt herself. It was Her Ladyship who opened the door, and she tried to get rid of me quick by saying her daughter was fine. But I wasn’t going to be fobbed off, so I asked if I could see Amelia.
‘She called the girl to the door and yer’ll never guess how devious I was! I said Amelia seemed to get taller every time I saw her, and asked how old she was. Then, although I could tell the queer one was wishing I’d go and drown meself in the Mersey, Amelia took advantage of what I’d said, and told me she was seven now, but would be eight in a few weeks’ time. That’s when I started to lie me head off. I asked her when her birthday was, and when she told me the eighteenth of next month, I made a great fuss by pretending that was my birthday as well. Honest, Rita, I deserved a prize for me acting. I invited Amelia to come and have tea with me on her birthday, saying I’d never had company to celebrate mine with before.’
Bessie pushed a hand through her greying hair. ‘Honest, girl, I’ve had a ruddy good laugh about it. While I was frying meself an egg for me tea, the tears were blinding me I laughed so much. Anyone would think me and the girl had rehearsed what we were going to say. I could see her mother was blazing, but she didn’t have a leg to stand on when her daughter said she’d never been out for tea on her birthday before. And when I said I would make some fairy cakes, and jelly creams, I bet Her Ladyship was wishing I choked meself on them.’
Rita was sitting on the edge of the couch by now. ‘Yer don’t mean to tell me that Miss High and Mighty agreed to let the girl come here for a birthday tea?’
‘There was no way she could refuse without insulting me, was there? If she had refused, I’d have asked her if my house wasn’t good enough for her.’
‘Well, that certainly is a piece of news. They must have lived in the street for three or four years now, and that’s the first time she’s allowed the girl to mix with us riff-raff. Yer’ve worked wonders there, sunshine, and I’m glad for Amelia’s sake she’s got you to look out for her.’
‘It’s a start, isn’t it, girl? Who knows what will happen in the future? Yer know they say big trees from little acorns grow, all yer need is patience. So, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.’
‘I’ll get a birthday card for her,’ Rita said. ‘I’d buy her a present, but yer know what the money situation is, we’re living from hand to mouth like everyone else in the street. I’m just about keeping our heads above water.’
‘There’d be no point in buying her a present anyway, girl, ’cos she wouldn’t be able to take it home. Her mother would make her throw it right in the bin, then wash her hands thoroughly before touching anything. A card would be nice, though, she could leave it here if she thought she’d get into trouble.’ When Bessie sat back in a chair, she was so small her feet didn’t touch the floor, and as she couldn’t wait to hear what Rita’s husband’s idea was, she wriggled to the edge of the chair and leaned forward. ‘Well, yer’ve heard my news, so what was it Reg told yer to tell me?’
‘Will yer promise not to throw that cushion at me?’
‘Why would I do that? Ye’re not expecting me to get a cob on over what your Reg said, are yer? When have yer ever known me to really lose me temper with you? Other women in the street, yeah, but never you.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘D’yer think I won’t like it?’
‘Like it? I hope yer laugh yer ruddy head off, Bessie, same as I did. Yer see, it all started when I told Reg I was coming over here, and he asked me why I didn’t bring me bed ’cos I was spending a lot of time here and he was beginning to think I had a man on the sly, and your house was our meeting place. Anyway, that’s how it started, and I’ll tell yer the rest as long as yer promise we’ll still be mates afterwards?’
Children playing in the street, and neighbours standing at their door having a jangle, all looked over to Miss Maudsley’s house when the roars of laughter began. The children stopped playing, and the women stopped talking, as wave after wave of merriment reached their ears. And, laughter being contagious, it wasn’t long before everyone else had a smile on their face too. Bessie Maudsley’s mood was contagious. It cheered them up, and brought a little sunshine into their lives.
Chapter Four
Evelyn stopped briefly outside the building in Castle Street where she worked, and glanced at the gold lettering on a first-floor window which read ‘Astbury and Woodward, Solicitors’. Then she mounted the steps, pushed open the heavy door and hastily climbed the flight of stairs facing her. She was a little late this morning as she’d missed the tram she usually caught, and unless she could sneak in without meeting either of the partners she would receive a glare to reprimand her for her tardiness. But she was lucky. The only person she saw was Miss Saunders, secretary to the senior partner, Mr Astbury.
‘I’m sorry I’m late,’ Evelyn said, hanging her coat on the carved coatstand. ‘I’m afraid I missed the tram and had to take a later one.’
Mildred Saunders, a woman in her late-fifties, had been with the firm since she was eighteen years of age. She was plain, a spinster who still lived with her aged mother, and although always neat, to Evelyn’s mind she was dowdy. ‘You’re only minutes late, and I’m sure that on this rather special day, Mr Astbury would excuse you.’
‘Why is this a special day? Is it Mr Astbury’s birthday?’
‘No, but he has made up his mind that at the grand old age of seventy it’s time for him to retire. He will be staying on for two weeks for the new partner to acquaint himself with the clients he will be taking over.’ Mildred Saunders was usually prim and proper, always working with quiet efficiency and seldom indulging in conversation with Evelyn or the other female member of staff, Janet Coombes, secretary to the younger partner, Mr Woodward. But today she seemed different, and was wearing a smile as she spoke. ‘As I’ve worked with Mr Astbury for so many years, and am used to his ways, I feel I’m too old to begin with a new partner and have decided to retire at the same time.’
‘Is there someone ready to take over?’ Evelyn asked. ‘And if so, do you know him?’
Mildred nodded. ‘Mr Astbury’s nephew is taking over. He’s coming in today so you will meet him. He is also an Astbury, Philip, and is leaving his present firm to take up the position here. I have met him, he seems very pleasant.’
Evelyn couldn’t help herself from asking, ‘Is he a young man, then?’
‘I would say mid-thirties, but I’m not very good at guessing a person’s age. He has several letters after his name, which takes years of exams, so he’s certainly no younger.’ Mildred fixed her gaze on Evelyn for a few seconds. She had never taken to the woman somehow, but couldn’t put a finger on why. There was little known about her except that she was a widow, her husband having been killed in the war. One really should make allowances for her, and help her if it was possible. ‘I believe you told me once that before you married you worked in an office and were skilled in shorthand and typing?’
‘I did some secretarial work, like shorthand and typing, yes, but that was some years ago. I would be very rusty at it now.’
‘It wouldn’t take you long to get your speed up,’ Mildred said. ‘You’d be surprised how quickly it comes back to you. I only mentioned it because they will be taking on another secretary when I leave, and I thought
you might be interested. It would mean a rise of five shillings a week which should be an incentive. I’m sure it can’t be easy living on an Army pension.’
‘No, it isn’t.’ While Evelyn spoke slowly, her brain was working overtime. An extra five shillings a week … just think what she could do with it. The only drawback, was it meant she would have to work an eight-hour day for five days. The office didn’t open on Saturdays. It would be awkward with Amelia, but she couldn’t say this because she had never told anyone here that she had a daughter. ‘Thank you for telling me, Miss Saunders, and for considering me suitable. I will certainly give it some thought, and if I think I can make up for all the lost years, and not be a hindrance, then I would love to apply for the position.’
‘Why don’t you slip into my office while I’m taking dictation from Mr Astbury? I’ll be with him for half an hour, and in that time you could practise your typing. If anyone asks for you, I’ll say I’ve asked you to do some filing for me.’
‘You are very kind, Miss Saunders, and I’ll definitely take you up on your offer.’ Evelyn had already made up her mind she wanted the job if only for the rise in status it would bring. She’d manage somehow with Amelia, the girl was quite sensible and reliable. She could have a key and let herself in after school and make herself tea and sandwiches.’ May I use some of the office paper?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Mildred was wondering now whether she should have kept the news to herself for a while longer, as Mr Woodward’s secretary Janet had already met Mr Astbury’s nephew at a social event and taken quite a fancy to him. In fact, she’d talked about nothing else for a week afterwards. He was good-looking and a bachelor, which made him fair game for the unattached Janet. If she knew there was a possibility of gaining the position of secretary to a young man with film-star looks, she would move heaven and earth to secure that position. Janet had told Miss Saunders he’d gone out of his way to smile at her, but neglected to add that he’d smiled at every woman in the room. At least all the young and pretty ones. ‘Please don’t discuss our conversation with anyone, Mrs Sinclair. I only mentioned it to you because I thought you would be interested in the promotion,’ said Mildred nervously.
‘Which I appreciate. And I assure you it will not be mentioned elsewhere.’
Sitting at Miss Saunders’ desk later, with the typewriter in front of her, Evelyn felt a little nervous. Not about the fact that she would be leaving her daughter on her own for a couple of hours every night, she would get around that somehow. The girl was quite capable of looking after herself and surely wouldn’t come to any harm. Besides, she would benefit from her mother working full-time as they wouldn’t go hungry any more. No, Evelyn was nervous about passing the interview if she applied for the post. She would surely be asked about her speeds at both shorthand and typing, and it wasn’t something she could lie about. It would be almost impossible to get them up to the required speed within two weeks. The shorthand she might manage perhaps, for this she could do at home every night by asking Amelia to recite poems or repeat what she’d been up to at school that day. But how could she hope to impress at an interview if she could only have half-an-hour’s practice on a typewriter two or three times a week?
Evelyn sat up straight and shook her head to clear it. She had a chance now to try her hand again at something in which she was once very proficient. Why not take full advantage instead of wasting precious time? After fifteen minutes her fingers were losing their stiffness and she was remembering how the letters were placed on the keyboard. When Miss Saunders came into the office later, she raised her eyebrows in surprise for the keys were clicking away quite quickly.
‘Very good, Mrs Sinclair, I’m quite sure that within the two weeks available, you will be well up to speed.’
Evelyn smiled with pride at the compliment. It made her more determined than ever. After all, a new job could quite possibly change her whole life. Get her out of the rut she was in and back amongst people of her own class.
‘I hope you won’t think it very forward of me, Miss Saunders, but I would be grateful if you’d allow me the use of your office, and typewriter whenever possible,’ she said. ‘I would need to practise very hard to make a suitable applicant for the position which you say will soon be available.’
‘My office will be free after our lunch break, Mrs Sinclair. Mr Astbury is writing to all the clients who have retained him over the years. He wishes to let them know personally that he will be leaving and to thank them for their loyalty over the years so I imagine his dictation will take at least an hour. You are more than welcome to make full use of my office then.’
Mildred Saunders hadn’t realised until now how happy she would be to retire. She would have more time to devote to her mother, and even enjoy a limited social life herself. She would never have retired while Mr Astbury still worked, but both of them now deserved a more leisurely kind of life, and she could see herself sitting in the garden on a sunny afternoon, with her dear mother, enjoying a pot of tea. How blissfully happy she would be.
Evelyn tutted when her finger landed on the wrong key and the word on the paper came up as ‘would’ instead of ‘could’. ‘I really am very stupid,’ she muttered. ‘I should know better by now.’
‘We all make mistakes, even the best of us.’
She spun around, her face crimson. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t hear the door open and you’ve taken me by surprise.’ The man standing inside the door was tall and slim with pale brown hair and bright blue eyes. He was dressed in a suit of the finest tweed, an expensive shirt and silk tie, and wore an air of confidence that was so obvious you felt you could stretch out your hand and touch it. It was a long time since Evelyn had seen a man dressed in such fine attire, or one who was so very attractive. She pushed her chair back. ‘If it’s Miss Saunders you wish to see, I’m afraid she’s taking dictation from Mr Astbury. If you will tell me your name, I will let her know you are here.’
‘There’s no need, I’ve just come from my uncle’s office where he is keeping Miss Saunders very busy dictating dozens and dozens of letters.’ Philip Astbury leaned against the frame of the door, a man at ease with himself. ‘I was on my way to see Mr Woodward when I heard someone in here calling themselves stupid. I wasn’t listening at the door, it was ajar and I couldn’t fail to hear. I was rather curious to see this stupid person.’ He moved away from the door and approached her with hand outstretched. ‘Philip Astbury, delighted to meet you.’
Evelyn took his hand. ‘Evelyn Sinclair.’
‘I will be joining the firm as of today, but will not be taking over completely from my uncle until he retires in two weeks. In the meantime I shall be looking and learning, and making myself familiar with the files of our clients. And you, Evelyn Sinclair, what is your position here? Oh, and is that Miss Sinclair?’
She shook her head. ‘I’m a widow, my husband was killed in the war. And I’m more or less the junior here because I do the menial chores. I came back to work to give my life some meaning. I was wallowing in self-pity for too long and allowed myself to lose contact with all my friends. Consequently my social life was non-existent. At least coming here every day gives me a reason for getting out of bed. I don’t work full-time at present, but that may change in the near future.’
‘And would it be presumptuous of me to ask why you think you are stupid?’
Evelyn lowered her eyes coyly, remembering how Charles had found this habit very endearing. ‘It’s a while since I sat behind a typewriter and I was calling myself stupid for having forgotten the position of all the keys. I had no idea the door wasn’t closed properly or that I would be overheard. I’m not actually stupid, just finding it rather strange. But that’s something I can easily overcome, and I am determined to do so.’
Philip had an eye for a pretty face, and found Evelyn very pleasing to look at. A bachelor of thirty-three, he had many women friends, but with him it was a case of love them and leave them. He led a very enjoyable life as a single man and
no woman had yet been able to lure him away from it. ‘I hear Miss Saunders is leaving the same time as my uncle, and haven’t had time as yet to ask if they have found a replacement for her?’
‘I really don’t know.’ Evelyn didn’t want to pass on any information in case he repeated it to Miss Saunders. If she lost the trust of the older woman, she may also lose the chance of filling the vacancy. ‘I only found out an hour ago that Mr Astbury was retiring, and it came as a great surprise. It was an even greater surprise to hear Miss Saunders was retiring too, but having been secretary to your uncle for so long, and being so used to his ways, I imagine it would be difficult at her age to adjust to starting afresh with a new partner.’
‘So with whom am I going to have the pleasure of working? I hope it is someone pretty, and not an ogre with two heads.’
Evelyn thought it would be to her advantage to leave the room before this conversation became too personal, and questions were asked that she would have difficulty in answering. ‘It’s time for our morning break so if you’re going to see Mr Woodward, I will bring in an extra cup of tea for you. And would you prefer a digestive biscuit or a cream?’
‘That rather sounds as if I’m getting my marching orders.’
‘Not at all!’ Evelyn was beginning to think that here was a man who was so sure of himself he expected every woman to fall at his feet. But she felt sure this wasn’t the way to attract his attention. ‘I am not in a position to give anyone their marching orders. This is Miss Saunders’ office, lent to me only until she has finished taking dictation.’ She took the paper out of the typewriter, folded it in two then pushed her chair nearer to the desk. ‘I really must make the morning tea, I’m sure the partners and their secretaries are feeling thirsty.’ She squared her shoulders and held her head high as she passed an astonished Philip, who wasn’t used to being dismissed in such a manner. ‘I will see you in Mr Woodward’s office. It has been most pleasant talking to you.’