On Christmas Day

by Rosie James

  Lexi had been greeted very cordially by the owner of the shop – like everyone in the town, he knew who now owned Bert’s Place, and Lexi Martin was going to be one of his good customers. But he had had to regretfully point out that supplies were becoming a matter of great concern, thanks to the German U-boats sinking so many ships bringing in wheat and other essentials from abroad. ‘We are just about managing at the moment,’ the grocer had said, ‘but we can all see rationing coming in the not too distant future.’ He had shaken his head sadly. ‘These are terrible, terrible times.’

  Thinking over what the man had said, Lexi’s expression clouded as she walked back home. Although her life seemed to have turned a corner where she could only see a bright future ahead, the war was still raging, men were still dying, and it seemed wrong to feel happy. And it didn’t help still seeing Lord Kitchener’s face still pointing out at everyone from those huge posters …

  She quickened her step, determined not to ruin her present euphoria by dwelling on things which she, personally, could do nothing about.

  Anyway, she knew they were going to be ready in time for the café’s first customer, because her father had been going down there day after day. And Lexi had been surprised at just how good he was at fixing things, at making new drawers and shelving. She’d never seen him do anything like that before – well he’d never been home long enough before. But he seemed to enjoy doing it, and Cecilia had confided to Lexi that she thought this new venture was helping Albert get well, and putting colour back into his cheeks again. He was certainly looking more like the Albert Martin they’d all once known.

  And as for Johnny, her Johnny … Lexi smiled to herself as her thoughts ran on. Johnny often came over to see her and to know how everything was going on, and she knew that he never wanted to tear himself away. But he was a good son, and was spending much of the time with his father and Alfred, learning the ropes of his future life. And when Johnny told Lexi that, when the time came, Reynard would be ready to welcome her into the family fold, well, what more did she need?. She had it all – apart from that big house – but as soon as she saw the one that stood out from all the others she’d seen advertised, she would know it straightaway as the house she wanted. And she’d buy it, because the money was there in the bank. And the best part of it all was that now her mother didn’t need to work so hard – and would never need to work at that laundry ever again, though Cecilia still refused to give up her mending!

  Making her way up through the town, Lexi paused to glance in at the last estate agent’s window she would come to before going along to the cottages.

  Running her eye down the row of properties on display, Lexi suddenly bent forward, frowning. What on earth … ? She was looking at a picture of the sweet shop! And it had the ‘For Sale’ notice on it.

  Without stopping for a second, Lexi opened the door and went inside. The middle-aged man at the desk got up immediately. He had seen her looking in.

  ‘Can I help you?’

  ‘The sweet shop – it’s for sale again?’ Lexi asked.

  ‘It is,’ the estate agent said, ‘the owners had to put it back on the market due to health, or financial problems apparently.’ He paused. ‘The burglaries they sustained came as something of a shock to them, put them off the retail trade so they said, but …’ he lowered his voice and looked around covertly. ‘I’ve heard rumours that that that was all a put-up job for insurance purposes – but we shall never know the truth of that.’ He shrugged. ‘Anyway, we don’t expect the shop to hang around for long because there’s already been considerable interest.’

  ‘I am interested,’ Lexi said at once.

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, really. I know the property very well and I can buy it straightaway. I have the cash;’ Lexi said.

  The man stood back, hardly believing his ears. If he was hearing aright, it would be a red letter day! Because sales of property, any property, took time and bargaining. And he’d never dealt with such a very determined, and very young woman, either. He gripped the back of his chair for a second … he hoped he wasn’t having a funny turn.

  Gathering himself together, he pulled out a chair for Lexi, then he sat down opposite and opened a file in front of him.

  ‘Now then, I had better take some details,’ he began, and Lexi spoke up.

  ‘I haven’t got long, but I’ll give you my name and address and the name of my solicitor.’ She paused, then – ‘For a sale this quick, I would expect a certain reduction in the asking price,’ she said calmly. ‘I am sure we can agree terms.’

  Lexi felt her cheeks flame at what she’d just said. She had offered to buy Miss Lewis’s sweet shop without a second thought! But this was investing, wasn’t it! This was investing some of her money, not leaving it in the bank or under the bed! That’s what Mr McCann had declared that everyone should do … invest, to make money work for you! And of all people, Lexi Martin was in a position to know that, in the right hands, the sweet shop would be a very good investment indeed – because it had always made consistent profit. And that’s what business was all about – profit!

  With all these thoughts flitting through her brain like flies, Lexi admitted that her decision was thanks to the regular – very useful – little sessions she’d had with Mr McCann when she’d come back with the rents. He’d often wanted her to stay behind in the kitchen for just a few moments longer to talk about how business works … how money works … And Lexi had always listened politely. Well, she’d sometimes thought that Johnny’s dad seemed a bit sad and lonely – especially when Johnny wasn’t there – so she’d been happy to hear what Mr McCann had to say, and to learn from him.

  Now, Lexi quickly scribbled her name and address – and that of that solicitor – on the pad the estate agent had given her, and stood up to leave. ‘I will go straight down to Mr Mayland’s office, and tell them what I am doing,’ she said. ‘I am sure they will be in touch with you without delay. But please remove your advertisement for the shop from the window.’ She smiled at the estate agent, before adding – ‘As I have said, I have the cash to bring this to an immediate end, and I do not want any misunderstanding in the matter.’

  Obviously overwhelmed by what had just taken place, the man grasped Lexi’s hand and shook it. ‘We shall be glad to do business with you, Miss Martin,’ he said, ‘and I am sure we can come to an arrangement regarding the asking price.’

  As she left the building Lexi could have done cartwheels down the street. The beautiful Walcot Street sweet shop was going to be hers! Hers! She had just bought it – well, almost. She’d always felt that it belonged to her, and now it really was going to happen. But first, she must hurry down to talk to Mr Mayland who would see that it was all put down in writing and made official.

  Then Lexi must walk over to Henrietta Road and knock on a few doors to enquire as to the whereabouts of a certain lady.

  Because Lexi would soon have a job for Jean Lewis – and the accommodation that went with it.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  A few days later in the kitchen at Grey Gables, Lexi, Cecilia and Anna were sitting at the table going over everything once again. In a couple of weeks the café would be re-opening, and they had to make sure that there would be sufficient cakes and pastries on offer.

  For the first time, Lexi was beginning to feel a bit anxious. ‘What if too many customers arrive at the same time and there’s not enough of everything – or, worse, what if no one turns up at all?’ she said, biting the end of her pencil, and Anna wagged her finger.

  ‘Now, stop worrying, Lexi,’ she said firmly. ‘Mr Bakewell was such a popular figure in the town, people will come to honour his memory, if nothing else. And if all the food runs out, well, we’ll just have to ask everyone to come back tomorrow. And we can always use the excuse that thanks to the war, it’s difficult to get some things.’ Anna patted Lexi’s hand. ‘For a start, you can count on three dozen fresh scones, and three dozen custard tarts from me every day
– but I shall have to practice with the rice pudding slices before they go on sale. I haven’t quite mastered those yet.’ Anna said.

  ‘Oh, you are so kind, Anna,’ Lexi said, ‘and of course I will pay you for all the ingredients, and buy whatever else you need.’

  ‘And we’ll have made Victoria sponge cakes, and oat biscuits, Lexi,’ Cecilia broke in, ‘and we can keep on baking down at the café, can’t we. You’ve ordered all the fruit squashes, and Dada has promised to cycle out to that farm to buy the milk and eggs each day, hasn’t he? So, it’s all going to be all right. She smiled. ‘Dada had no trouble tidying up Mr Bakewell’s bicycle, did he, or mending the punctures.’ Cecilia glanced at Anna. ‘My husband is so much better, and seems to really be enjoying himself helping Lexi, and … and perhaps he may want to stay with us for a while longer this time,’ Cecilia added wistfully.

  Lexi began to cheer up at all the encouragement. ‘One thing I’ve decided is that I shall advertise in the Chronicle a week before we open,’ she said, ‘and it will state that on the first day, all soft drinks will be free for children.’

  ‘Really, Lexi?’ Cecilia said, ‘Isn’t that a bit premature? It’s going to take time for you to make a profit, isn’t it? You don’t want to give money away before you’ve made any!’

  Lexi raised an eyebrow. ‘You have to speculate to accumulate, Mama,’ she said. ‘That’s what Mr McCann has told me. You have to spend some, to make some, and a fairly small offer like that will encourage parents to come along and buy other stuff, won’t it? Anyway, I shall learn as I go along, but Mr Bakewell gave me a lot of advice about how to run the café, so I am going to do it like he did. He was often generous – especially to the children. And remember, it’s his money that I shall be spending.’ Lexi’s eyes misted. ‘I hope he’s going to be pleased with me,’ she added.

  ‘Of course he will,’ Anna said briskly. ‘And did you say that you might get some occasional help at the counter?’

  Lexi waited before answering. Apart from telling Johnny, she hadn’t uttered a word to anyone about her latest acquisition because it was very early days and the sweet shop would not be hers for several weeks. And she hadn’t had time to search for Miss Lewis yet, either.

  Lexi cleared her throat, trying to pave the way to break the news. ‘I will eventually have to employ extra help behind the counter,’ she said, ‘because although Mama says she will serve as often as she can, she still has her mending, and Phoebe and Joe – and Dada - to look after.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure we’ll manage between us, Lexi,’ Cecilia began, but Lexi spoke again.

  ‘What I haven’t told you, Mama,’ she said slowly, ‘is that … um … I have just bought the sweet shop. The sweet shop is mine. Or soon will be.’

  For a few moments there was stunned silence. Then – ‘What did you say?’ Cecilia said hoarsely.

  Taking a deep breath, Lexi explained exactly what had taken place recently, and both her mother and Anna seemed totally overwhelmed at the news.

  ‘So how on earth are you going to do it all … do everything?’ Cecilia said. ‘I’m afraid it’s going to be all too much for you, Lexi …’

  ‘No, it isn’t,’ Lexi said firmly, ‘because although she doesn’t know it yet, Miss Lewis will be mostly in charge of the shop – I told you the other day that she’s back in Bath for good and has nowhere to live – but if she agrees with my plans for her, I will make sure she isn’t over-worked. So I will be there regularly to ease any pressure.’ Lexi swallowed. ‘So that is one of the reasons I will need help at the café sometimes. And at the shop. I’ve already spoken to the headmistress of our school about any twelve-year-olds who she thinks might be ready to take on a little job.’ Lexi didn’t look at her mother as she continued. ‘When you are ready to leave school, you just know it, and the headmistress assured me that there are several young pupils who are due to leave, and who she considers would be ready and willing, and would be very valuable trainees – at an occupation suitable for them, naturally.’ Lexi paused. ‘I am sure that Miss Lewis will love taking another youngster under her wing, like she did me. And … and I will feel proud if I can start someone else on the road to employment,’ Lexi added.

  ‘Oh, Lexi,’ Cecilia said faintly. ‘Whatever next are you going to come up with?’

  But Anna broke in, smiling. ‘Can I tell Mr McCann about all this?’ she said. ‘He will not be at all surprised at your news – he has told me that he thinks you have the makings of a real business woman.’

  Lexi sat back, thankful that she’d broken the news to her mother, and it had helped having Anna there as well. ‘Of course you can tell Mr McCann,’ Lexi said, ‘but he may already know, because I told Johnny yesterday.’ She made a face. ‘We haven’t seen very much of each other since he’s been home, because of Johnny being with his father and Alfred all the time. And of course, I’m busy, too.’

  Anna clapped her hands. ‘Aren’t we lucky that we’re all here, and all busy – and happy. What more could we ask for?’ She smiled at Lexi. ‘And Johnny mentioned this morning that he will be coming up to the cottage later on, hoping to see you. And that he wants to take you into town for a little treat – if Miss Lexi Martin can be torn away from her beloved café!’

  Later that evening, and hand in hand, Lexi and Johnny walked slowly into town. He glanced down at her.

  ‘You’re not wearing your ring,’ he said. ‘Surely you are allowed to, now that your father has given us his blessing?’

  ‘I’ve got it with me,’ Lexi said, ‘and you can put it on my finger later. But I didn’t want Mama to think you’d already given one to me – it would look as if we’d taken their approval for granted, so I’ve kept it hidden. But now I can tell her that you gave it to me tonight. And so we are officially engaged!’

  ‘Being able to talk to Mr Martin was something I didn’t think would ever happen,’ Johnny said, ‘and by the way, as I said before, that little ring is just for now, Lexi. As soon as I’m earning, I will buy you a much better one, a much bigger one.’

  ‘I’ll never want a bigger one than this,’ Lexi said firmly. ‘Peeping at it every day kept me going, and gave me hope that it would come right for us eventually.’

  Walking slowly, they made their way down to the Abbey Hotel. It was a warm evening and there were quite a few people strolling idly through the streets, looking in at the windows. And Lexi thought, for the hundredth time, how strange it was that others were able to enjoy a normal life while young men were out there fighting and dying. To her, it didn’t make any sense at all.

  They arrived at the hotel and were shown to a small table in the corner of the lounge. As they sat, Johnny glanced at Lexi. ‘I would love to buy us a bottle of champagne,’ he said, ‘but sadly, you are still too young to drink in public so we’ll have to make do with soft drinks to go with our snack.’

  Lexi smiled up. It didn’t matter to her what they had to eat or drink. She was sitting on top of the world, and nothing else mattered. ‘I would like an orange squash first, and then coffee with our sandwiches,’ she said.

  Presently, the waitress came over to take their order, and after a moment, Lexi reached into her pocket for her ring, and passed it across to Johnny. ‘Are you going to get down on one knee?’ she murmured.

  Johnny gazed at her longingly, then he took the ring and carefully placed it on Lexi’s finger before raising her hand to his lips. I wish we could just pack a case and go straight to Gretna Green – now, tonight,’ he murmured. ‘I can’t bear to think how long it’s going to be before we are actually married, Lexi. Because I love you so much.’

  She moved forward so that their faces almost touched. ‘And I have no words to tell you how much I love you,’ she said softly. Then, smiling, she added – ‘But I’m sorry to point out that I don’t have the time to marry you, at the moment, Johnny McCann – because I have two businesses to make a go of. You hadn’t forgotten that, had you?’

  They remained there, desperate to
kiss, but managing to refrain. There were others in the room, after all1

  ‘At least we are here together now … just us … it is our official engagement night, after all,’ Johnny said softly. ‘And it doesn’t have to be a secret anymore.’

  Presently, their food arrived, and they’d only just toasted each other with the squash, when Lexi said suddenly –

  ‘Oh look – Miss Lewis has just come in!’

  They both stared over as Jean Lewis was shown to a table on the other side of the room, and Lexi said – ‘Johnny, may I ask her to join us? Would you … would you mind very much if she shared our table?’ Lexi paused. ‘She is there, alone and I’m sure she’d be glad of our company. And – as you know – I have some rather special news for her’

  Johnny heaved an inward sigh. So much for having Lexi all to himself on this rather special night. But he just smiled. ‘Of course. Go and ask her,’ he said.

  ‘So, what do you think, Miss Lewis?’ Lexi said excitedly, ‘Is my plan, my suggestion that you come in with me of any interest to you? Or maybe you already have accommodation and the little job you were looking for?’

  Jean Lewis sat back, smiling for the first time. ‘No – I haven’t found anywhere yet, Lexi, every flat and cottage I looked at just did not appeal – and of course I cannot look for work until I have somewhere to live …’ She leaned over and grasped both of Lexi’s hands in hers. ‘All I can say in answer to your question, Lexi, is that I am afraid I shall wake up and find this is all a dream … a wonderful, unbelievable, tremendous dream! To think that I may be returning to my old home, my real home, and that I shall be helping you with running the shop. I am sure you can understand how I am feeling at this moment.’