A Family For Christmas

by Linda Finlay

  James helped Eliza into her cloak and they made their way down the stairs and outside, where the stiff breeze carried the tang of salt towards them. She inhaled deeply then sneezed.

  James laughed. ‘Ozone beats those country smells any day – if you can take it, that is,’ he ribbed. ‘Come on.’ He held out his arm for her to take and they set off at a brisk pace. Before long James turned right and she could see the waves bouncing off a high, curved wall, sending spray everywhere.

  ‘What’s that?’ she asked.

  ‘’Tis the breakwater, built to protect the boats. Those stones sticking out for steps are known as Granny’s Teeth.’

  ‘You’re joking,’ she laughed, but he shook his head.

  ‘Straight up; and that building’s the lifeboat station. Those things with sails are fishing boats,’ he teased, then groaned when she dug him in the side with her elbow. ‘We’ll stroll around the harbour and you can tell me all about your week.’

  Excitedly she told him all her news, ending with her offer of a job with Sam and Nan.

  ‘I can’t believe how kind they’ve been, especially as they hardly know me.’

  ‘Ah, but you come with the recommendation of their grandson.’ She turned to face him.

  ‘You mean you knew this would happen?’ she asked, staring at him in amazement.

  ‘I hoped it might,’ he admitted. ‘However, make no mistake, Grandfa’s astute and can suss anyone out in seconds. If he hadn’t taken to you he wouldn’t have agreed to you staying one night, let alone for the week. His brain is still sharp but, as I’m sure you’ve seen, he needs assistance with fetching and carrying. Nan’s still as nimble as ever, but the truth is neither of them is getting any younger and although they work hard, they seldom turn much of a profit. Here we are, nearly into December and whereas other stores are already displaying Christmas stock nothing has changed in their shop.’

  ‘Perhaps I can help,’ Eliza offered, thinking back to last year in the perfumery.

  He gave her that smile that made her insides melt. ‘I’m sure you will. We’re extremely busy at the tannery ourselves with orders for new saddles and equipment for the hunts. I’ve told Guv I’ll work on in the evenings but my Sundays off is sacrosanct,’ he assured her. Her insides rippled with happiness but she wasn’t sure how to reply, so she kept quiet. While he seemed nice and trustworthy, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t disappear, like Duncan or Amos had, was there?

  The next morning, whilst Nan and Sam were busy serving customers, Eliza scrutinized the stock. Bright ribbons tied around the tablets of soaps and jars of salts would lend a more celebratory air to the displays and encourage people to buy them for presents. Although the little shop smelled fragrant, it really did need to look more festive in the run-up to Christmas. She remembered Monsieur Farrant saying one had to tempt folk to buy. She was just jotting down some notes when Sam called for her assistance.

  They were so busy for the rest of the week that it was Friday before she thought any more about Christmas preparations. Nan was upstairs taking her break when a lady dressed in a sapphire jacket with long, close-fitting sleeves edged with lace came into the shop. Her overskirt was drawn up at the sides and bunched up at the back with a matching ribbon, while her hat also had a matching ribbon tied around the brim and under her chin. To Eliza, her whole appearance looked a trifle overdone. As Sam was busy behind his screen, she moved forward to attend to her.

  ‘May I be of assistance?’ she asked politely.

  The woman smiled stiffly. ‘I’m merely gleaning ideas for Christmas purchases. This year I particularly need to impress my future daughter-in-law.’ The woman lowered her voice. ‘She comes from gentry, you know.’

  ‘Here at Cary’s we have so much to offer the discerning young woman,’ Eliza said, pointing to the display of soaps and salts, lotions and salves. The woman nodded. Then remembering her training at the perfumery, Eliza added, ‘What fragrance does she like?’

  ‘Well, that hardly matters, does it? It’s the look of the present that counts,’ the woman said, lifting a bar of soap to her nose. ‘This smells nice but one tablet would hardly impress, would it? I called in here to gain inspiration before going to the renowned departmental store in Exeter. There, one can select a box elaborately decorated and filled with products guaranteed to draw admiration and cries of delight when opened,’ the woman expanded, waving her arms theatrically around.

  ‘I’m sure that must cost you, madam.’ The woman stared at Eliza in surprise.

  ‘Of course, but that is hardly the point. One wouldn’t wish to appear mean by giving anything that looked less than generous.’

  ‘Actually, madam, we offer a similar yet more personal service right here in Salting Regis,’ Eliza declared, determined that if this woman was going to spend a lot of money then it would be here in the apothecary’s shop. She saw Nan watching from the doorway, her eyes wide with shock.

  ‘Then where are your displays?’ the woman asked, looking around.

  ‘Actually, madam, this is where we beat the other stores hands down. Here at Cary’s we guarantee that no two boxes will ever look the same.’

  ‘Really?’ the woman cried, her eyes gleaming with interest. ‘And how, may I ask, is that possible?’

  ‘By allowing the customer to select the products they wish to purchase, tell us the colour they wish the box to be lined in, and whether the decorative bow should be large and flamboyant or small and tasteful. Should you care to use our services, your gift box will be ready within twenty-four hours. And, of course, we wouldn’t even think of invoicing until you call to inspect the finished box.’

  ‘Really, that all sounds quite splendid. The idea of somebody else purchasing the same gift always fills one with horror, don’t you find?’ Eliza nodded, thinking Grampy was right when he’d said that a fool and his money were soon parted.

  ‘Well, madam, I’m sure your son will have had the good taste to choose someone similar to his mother, so perhaps you would like to sample the fragrance first. Then we can select how many items you would like the box to contain,’ Eliza said, holding out the various soaps.

  ‘I rather think Daphne would like this,’ the woman said, pointing to the lily of the valley.

  ‘A wise choice indeed, madam, so sweet and innocent yet sophisticated somehow, don’t you think?’

  ‘That’s why I chose it, young lady. Now I wish you to select one of simply every product, and have them displayed in a box lined with green velvet and tied with a large, golden bow. I shall call at noon tomorrow to collect.’ And with that the woman nodded and swept from the shop.

  Eliza turned triumphantly to Nan, but the old lady shook her head.

  ‘What have you done, Eliza?’ she muttered.

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  ‘But that’s the way to increase your sales, surely?’ Eliza protested. ‘Present the customer with a something tailored to their requirements and they’ll buy more products.’ She was sure that’s what Monsieur Farrant had said.

  ‘The principle is good, Eliza, but we have no fancy cloth for lining the box.’

  ‘Then I’ll get some from the haberdasher’s or the market,’ she said.

  ‘But we’ve no money to buy any,’ Nan explained. ‘The ingredients I purchased for making extra soaps and things for Christmas took the last of our reserves.’

  ‘I’m sure we can find something,’ Eliza said, gazing hopefully round the shop.

  ‘I wish we could because that idea you had was a sound one, and I could just picture the window adorned with pretty boxes. Never min
d, you meant well, and I’ll explain to the customer when she returns tomorrow,’ Nan said, patting Eliza’s shoulder reassuringly. ‘You go and have your luncheon. I’ll send Sam up when he’s finished with his customer.’

  Determined not to be thwarted, Eliza racked her brains. There must be something she could use, she thought, munching on her cheese. Having promised the woman she could have the box lined in the colour of her choice it was up to her to come up with the goods. It wouldn’t be fair to leave Nan to face the woman’s wrath. Oh, why hadn’t she kept her mouth shut? But she knew the answer. It was because she’d promised James she’d try to help them increase their sales. Well, sitting here fretting wouldn’t help.

  On her way back downstairs, she passed the coat stand and stopped in her tracks. There before her hung the answer. It would make the perfect lining, but could she cut it up? Should she? Dare she?

  All afternoon she pondered, then realized she had little choice. It had been her suggestion and therefore it was her responsibility to fulfil the order.

  ‘May I select one of each lily of the valley product, Nan?’ she asked later as Sam was locking the shop door.

  Nan gave her a shrewd look. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve thought of something?’ she asked, gathering together the items herself and handing them to Eliza.

  ‘I hope so. Can you tally the cost for me?’

  As Nan jotted the sum down in her cash book, Eliza hurried up to her room. An hour later, she surveyed her handiwork and smiled.

  ‘What do you think?’ she asked, throwing open the parlour door and holding the box aloft.

  ‘Well, I never, that’s quite a work of art,’ Nan exclaimed. Then her eyes narrowed. ‘Oh, Eliza, you’ve never cut up your beautiful cloak?’

  ‘Needs must when the devil drives, as my grampy used to say,’ she quoted.

  ‘But where did that beautiful ribbon come from?’ Nan asked, fingering the gold-edged gauze.

  Eliza grinned. ‘Monsieur Farrant insisted the dressmaker make me a toque and it was so flamboyant I asked her to remove the bow. I’d quite forgotten I’d hidden it in my treasure box. It’s a shame I didn’t bring all the other posh outfits he had made. The fine material would have come in useful,’ she sighed.

  ‘You did right to leave them behind, young lady,’ Grandfa admonished from his armchair. ‘A clear conscience means more than fancy fripperies.’

  ‘You’re right, of course,’ she said quickly, then turned back to Nan. ‘Add something for the cost of the box, velvet and ribbon to that of your products, plus a bit for time and effort and you should make a good profit.’

  ‘She’s got something there, Nan,’ said Sam, looking up from his paper again.

  ‘I’ve got plenty of velvet left to line more boxes. If we use some of the money that customer pays to buy ribbons in different colours, we’ll be able to offer a service to rival anyone in the city. Your products are the best you can buy, Nan, and if you display prettied-up boxes in varying sizes and prices in the window, they would catch people’s attention as they walk by,’ she cried, excitement rising as she visualized them.

  ‘Let’s see how we get on tomorrow first,’ Nan cautioned.

  The customer was delighted at the beautifully presented gift box. ‘I shall have no hesitation in recommending the service I have found to my friends,’ she announced grandly. As the bell tinkled behind her, Eliza and Nan collapsed on the counter and burst out laughing.

  ‘How kind, I’m sure,’ Eliza announced in a fair imitation of the woman.

  Sam frowned over the top of his spectacles, but when he saw the little pile of coins in Nan’s hand, his eyes widened.

  ‘Well done, Eliza. I reckon you should go and purchase those ribbons you were talking about,’ he said.

  Although James was delighted with Eliza’s scheme, he wasn’t too happy that she had only her old shawl to wear out walking the next day.

  ‘Are you ashamed of me, James Cary?’ she asked, glaring at him.

  ‘I could never be ashamed of you, Eliza. I’m just worried you’ll catch your death in that,’ he said, putting his finger through one of its many holes.

  ‘Oh, James, don’t nag so,’ she giggled. ‘I’ll save up and buy another cloak. The main thing is that with Sam and Nan agreeing to my idea, they should turn over a profit and that’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?’

  He nodded. ‘Quite the little business woman, aren’t you?’

  ‘Not really, it’s only what I learned at the perfumery.’

  ‘Beauty and brains, I’m a lucky guy and no mistake,’ James smiled lovingly at her, making her feel warm all over.

  Then she stared down at her built-up boot and sighed. Beauty, indeed! But James was speaking again.

  ‘Talking of the perfumery reminds me, Farrant came snooping around again yesterday. Seems to think you’ve gone off with a receipt book of his. More worried about that than you, to be honest. Anyhow, I told him I’d never seen one and sent him packing.’

  Eliza shivered but it had nothing to do with the cold.

  ‘Look, this wind’s bitter,’ he said as another gust blew in from the sea. ‘Let’s go into the café over there. Carla does a mean chocolatina,’ he said, gripping her arm and leading her across the street.

  As they sat sipping the delicious concoction of coffee, chocolate and cream, James grinned at Eliza across the table.

  ‘Thought I’d stay with Father over the holiday so we can spend the time together,’ he said.

  Her heart soared. For the first time ever, she’d have a Christmas to look forward to.

  ‘He said you could even come over for a drink if you wish. Now believe you me, that’s a first.’

  ‘Won’t he be spending Christmas with Sam and Nan?’ she asked.

  James shook his head. ‘Truth is, he’s become a bit of a recluse. If it wasn’t for Nan’s baking, goodness knows how he’d survive.’ He then fell silent and Eliza had the sense not to say any more. He took another sip of his drink.

  ‘I’m afraid I’ll only be able to get you a little something for your gift, Eliza. My wages at the tannery are pitiful, to say the least. In the New Year, when I finish my apprenticeship, things will improve and I’ll be able to treat you to something special.’

  ‘Oh, James, you really don’t need to buy me anything. Just spending Christmas with you and your family will be special enough.’

  ‘Don’t you have anyone to …’ he began, but stopped when he saw her face.

  ‘It was different when my sisters were at home. Now they have their own lives and seldom return, not that I blame them.’ She shuddered. ‘The only person I wish to contact is Fay, the woman who took me in. You remember me telling you how, unbeknown to me, she undertook to be my guardian.’

  He nodded. ‘Haven’t you been in touch at all?’ he asked.

  ‘I started to write to her but gave up,’ Eliza confessed. ‘She wanted me gone, after all. Anyway, Monsieur Farrant said he’d penned a letter advising Fay of my progress.’

  ‘So you’ve had no contact with her since you left?’

  ‘No. Probably thought she’d done her duty by me,’ she sighed.

  James reached across the table and squeezed her hand. Their eyes locked and, seeing the love reflected in his, joy flooded through her. Then she remembered other eyes, the colour of chestnuts, gazing lovingly at her and pulled her hand away.

  ‘We’d better get back and see if Nan needs any help,’ she said, jumping to her feet.

  ‘You remind me of a little sparrow, Eliza. You edge tenta
tively closer, then, just when I think I’ve gained your trust, you hop away again.’

  She stared down at the floor, knowing what he said was true.

  ‘Don’t underestimate me, though. James Cary might be patient but he is also persistent,’ he said. Then with his winning smile, he took her arm and they made their way back to the shop.

  As word of their gift boxes spread throughout the town, Eliza and Nan worked flat out satisfying demand. Nan found remnants of different-coloured material in her closet and Eliza spent her time lining the various sized boxes that Sam used for the delivery of his orders, decorating them with elaborate bows. Although she still helped Sam when necessary, he and Nan agreed she would begin her training in the New Year.

  Before they knew it, the last Sunday before Christmas dawned. James arrived early and Nan shooed him and Eliza out of the way, saying she wanted to spend the day baking. Sam grumbled good-naturedly at having to make do with a late ‘pot luck’ luncheon instead of his beloved roast, but he was looking tired and Eliza knew he would welcome a bit of peace and quiet.

  There was a bitter breeze blowing, whipping up waves on the slate-grey sea, and as they hurried towards the café, Eliza tripped. It was only James grabbing her that saved her from falling.

  ‘Steady,’ he said.

  ‘Sorry, my foot goes numb in the cold and although these boots are better than my old ones, I still have to think before I step,’ she explained. ‘Bet you think I’m a right clumsy clod.’

  ‘Actually, I think you are the loveliest, sweetest, prettiest girl I’ve ever met,’ he declared.

  ‘If you think that, then you must be blind,’ she muttered. ‘Pretty I am not.’

  He frowned and shook his head but said nothing.

  They hurried into the café, welcoming the warmth from the little fire as they settled at their favourite table and ordered large mugs of Carla’s speciality drink.

  ‘Well, here’s to you, Eliza,’ James said, raising his mug to hers. ‘Grandfa reckons takings are up, thanks to you and your boxes.’