“Wait until the others see you! You don’t look like Frieda, you know. You look like a well to do, upper-class young lady about to head to finishing school. Perhaps in France?”
Frieda laughed at Kathleen’s comments, but her hands brushed the soft material of her new skirt. Kathleen had insisted she change as soon as they purchased it.
“Seriously, you look so ladylike. I guess it’s because I’m used to seeing you coming back from another tiring day at the hospital or up to your tonsils in study materials. You look sophisticated and almost carefree.”
Frieda took her friend’s arm and guided her to a small cafe. “Please sit down for a few minutes. I don’t know where you get your energy. I’m exhausted.”
Kathleen looked a little guilty. “I suppose I have been making you try on lots of outfits. I just get so excited watching you grow from the young girl we know and love into a wonderful young woman.”
Kathleen was speaking in rather a loud voice. Frieda blushed as people turned to look at her. “Everyone’s staring at us.”
Kathleen looked around. “Who cares? Why shouldn’t they stare, you look stunning. I can’t wait to see the men’s faces when they get to the party on Friday. They won’t believe their eyes.”
Frieda tried to keep her face expressionless. She didn’t want Kathleen to know she was dreading Friday night. What if Patrick ignored her in front of her friends? She’d be mortified.
The dinner was cancelled. Kathleen looked furious when she told Frieda Patrick was stuck at the hospital. Frieda couldn’t help wondering if it was an excuse, not that she could say that to Kathleen.
Chapter 26
“What’s in the post?” Kathleen asked as she walked into the office where Lily was already working.
“A letter from Bridget. Want to read it to me?”
Kathleen opened the envelope. There were two letters, one for Kathleen and one addressed to Lily.
“You forgot your glasses again, didn’t you Lily?” Kathleen couldn’t resist teasing Lily who hated admitting she couldn’t see without the new glasses.
“Are you going to laugh at me or read the letter?” Lily retorted.
Kathleen cleared her throat and read aloud.
Dear Lily,
What a sad world we live in. Johanna Chivers sounds like a lovely woman taken in the prime of her life. We would love to help. We can offer the twins a place in the orphanage here with us. To be honest, it will be a struggle to feed four more children, but we couldn’t dream of separating them.
Bella can help with Leonie, but not as much as we would have liked. Her business is going well but she can’t afford to take on another seamstress full time. What she can offer is a commission based position where Leonie could earn a percentage of all the sewing jobs she completes. It’s not ideal, but it’s the best we can do. The town is increasing in size and hopefully soon things will pick up. But there is some competition from these mail order catalogues. Their prices are very cheap and difficult to compete with. I try not to worry about our little town, but my neighbors feel like family. Speaking of which, tell Kathleen our younger siblings are barely recognizable these days. Carolyn says to remind Kathleen to write.
Kathleen glanced up at Lily. “I should write more. I just run out of things to say.”
“You? I never knew you to be short of words, Kathleen Green.”
Kathleen smiled at the teasing, but she knew Lily understood. It wasn’t a lack of things to say, but a lack of time. She seemed to have more work than hours available. Still, she must make more of an effort.
She continued to read,
Leonie would be welcome to live at the orphanage too if she’d like to be near her siblings, but would the Sanctuary be able to pay a little to support her? I hate asking, but things are a little stretched at the moment. We just invested in a massive tractor. Geoff Rees says it will help us increase our production of wheat. I don’t like it but Carl says we have to embrace new technology or we will lose the orphanage.. I love my husband, but sometimes his need to use the latest inventions is rather irritating.
Kathleen stopped reading, raising her eyes to meet Lily’s. “I didn’t realize things were so bad in Riverside Springs. Why didn’t Bridget write and ask for help? She is so independent, it’s beyond annoying.”
“Bridget never wants to worry anyone, least of all you. She knows you would fret. We can help her.”
Lily sounded so confident, but Kathleen had seen the accounts at the Sanctuary. The regular contributions they all made to the running of Carmel’s Mission only went so far.
“How? We just asked her to take on five more people? The children and Leonie may be too many to manage.”
Determination transformed Lily’s facial expression. “We will find a way. Do more fundraising or increase our own contribution. I won’t let that family suffer any more misfortune, and I’m not sending them to different homes. I made a promise and I intend to keep it.”
Relieved Lily was back to fighting form having been in the doldrums for the last few weeks, Kathleen returned to reading the letter.
I am sorry you are both dealing with so much pain and suffering. On a happier note, the McDonagh twins Megan and Eileen wanted me to tell you they are having their babies christened on New Year Eve. I miss my sister and would love if you could persuade her, Richard, and the children to come visit. They could drag you with them, Lily. Can you believe it is almost twenty years since the Collins family landed on your doorstep? How time flies past.
With love always,
Bridget.
Kathleen looked up from the letter, her eyes glistening. “Lily, can you believe Megan and Eileen are all grown up? I keep seeing them sitting on Mrs. Fleming's floor.”
“What age are they now? Twenty-two or three? Remember, Megan was dead set on coming back to New York. Now she is a farmer’s wife with a new baby and couldn’t be happier.”
“Geoff Ree’s nephew made her head spin, or at least that’s what Bella wrote. I’m glad they both found such good husbands after everything they went through.”
Kathleen sniffed, trying not to remember the horrible things that had happened to Megan and Eileen after they had found them a home via the orphan train. Thank God Bella was so insistent on checking up on the twins, or goodness knows what would have happened to them.
“Lily, what will we do? Would Leonie take on a position like that?”
“We must discuss it with her. She won’t need to earn much if we take care of her room and board. She earns a pittance at the Triangle and is used to giving up her wages to her mother. At least in Riverside Springs, she is safer than staying in New York. Her father could find them easily as it’s no secret they are living here.” Lily stopped talking, causing Kathleen to look at her.
“What is it? You’re worried about something, Lily.” Kathleen tried to ignore the shiver down her back. Lily didn’t look well, she was too thin and smiled less often than before.
“Does Bridget ever ask you about Maura?” Lily asked.
What had prompted Lily to ask that? Had she seen her?
Kathleen couldn’t speak for a second as painful memories. Her older sister had run off after robbing the Sanctuary and injuring Bella. Nobody had heard of her since.
“Have you seen her?”
“No, I haven’t. You know I would tell you if I heard anything. I was just thinking about your family and wondered.”
Kathleen stared at Lily’s face, wondering if she was telling the truth, but her friend held her gaze. She knew Lily wouldn’t lie to her, not an outright lie, but being best friends, they were protective of one another.
“No, Lily, Bridget never brings Maura up in her letters. Nobody does. Do you think she will ever come back, Lily? I know what she did was horrible, but I wish I knew she was safe. Happy too.”
“I don’t know, Kathleen. Stranger things have happened, as we both know. I shouldn’t have asked about Maura, I’m sorry. For now, let’s concentrate on sorting out
Leonie and her siblings.”
Kathleen played with her wedding ring as she considered the options.
“Leonie may find a nice young farmer and settle down to have her own family.”
“Kathleen are you going all romantic on me again?” Lily teased.
“No! I just think living in New York means Leonie will always feel responsible for her siblings. If they are happy living with Bridget in the Riverside orphanage, she could find a life of her own. That’s worth considering, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Kathleen, it is. I was only teasing. Come on, get your coat on and let’s see how the factory is progressing. Maybe you could frighten the builders into working harder.”
Kathleen threw the envelope at Lily but did so with a smile. Good old Lily could always cheer her up. The news from Bridget was good. It would be better if Leonie could have a well-paid position, but overall it was a good offer.
Lily didn’t catch up with Leonie until the following Friday. They were all having dinner together, Frieda too.
“Are you coming to Susie’s engagement party, Leonie? I’m going so we could go together.”
Lily glanced at Leonie, who looked torn. She caught the younger girl looking at her siblings.
“Leonie you should go. Cook will be here to mind the children. She’ll tuck them into bed with a story while you have some fun. You deserve it after working so hard.”
“You think it would be okay?” Leonie asked.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea. I hate the thought of Frieda coming home alone so the two of you will be company for each other.”
Leonie glanced down at her dress. Lily could guess her thoughts.
“I have some clothes in the spare room. You should look through them to see if there is something suitable in your size. There should be. We get so many donations from different people. Carrie, will you help Leonie find a dress for the party?”
The little girl jumped up immediately. “Come on Leonie, it will be fun!” Leonie took Carrie’s hand and together they went up to find new dresses. “Leonie, you will find one for me, too, won’t you?”
Frieda didn’t hear Leonie’s reply.
“Well done Lily, I thought it would upset Carrie if Leonie went out.”
“I think she was, but she’s at that age where she is young enough to distract. Will you talk to Leonie about the offer Bridget made? I spoke to her earlier, but she is worried about being a burden. She thinks Bridget has only offered because of Kathleen.”
“I’ll talk to her. I wish I could visit Riverside Springs. It sounds like a lovely place to live.”
“Maybe we could go to the christening and catch up with the Chivers after Christmas.” Lily glanced closer at Frieda’s face. “Do you want to leave New York?”
“Maybe. It sometimes seems a little small.”
“When you are trying to avoid someone you mean?” Lily prompted.
Frieda turned scarlet.
“Frieda, don’t get embarrassed. I know how you feel about Patrick, and I know you think he doesn’t feel the same. In time, things may change. But if you ever need to talk, you know I am here. I won’t tell anyone what you say, not even Kathleen. So if you need an ear, I am here.”
“Thank you, Lily.” Frieda glanced upstairs as they heard the girls laughing. “That’s a nice sound, isn’t it. I better get ready or we will be late.”
“Where is the engagement party?” Lily asked.
“On the streets outside the building, Susie lives in. She is marrying a man from work. Conrad and Maria invited me. Maria says I need to live a little. It should be a huge street party. The Italians like to celebrate. Susie has invited everyone, she is such a kind girl. She even invited the Jewish girls, but a lot of them have to go to Temple tonight.”
“It’s good to have the different communities mixing. Only by getting to know one another, can people see we are all the same.” Lily pushed Frieda toward the door. “Go before I get up on one of my soapboxes. Enjoy yourself.”
Chapter 27
“Leonie, you look so pretty. Your hair really suits you. You look like a Gibson girl.”
Leonie blushed at Lily’s praise. The young girl’s smile brightened up her whole face, her eyes gleaming with excitement and possibly a little nervousness too.
“We have to go or it will be over before we get there.” Frieda said bustling Leonie out the front door.
Cook fussed around the younger girl.
“Not likely, those Italians party until the early hours. You be good and don’t let any fancy young men turn your head, Leonie. You hear me?” Cook handed them each a parcel. “I baked a few cookies for you to bring with you. I made some chocolate ones Maria likes so much.”
Frieda kissed the older woman on the cheek. “You have a heart bigger than America. Thank you.” Frieda took Leonie’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go.”
They were lucky, catching a street car almost immediately.
“Have you been to a party like this before, Frieda?”
“A few times. Maria always invited me. I can’t always go because of the hospital.”
“Do you enjoy working there?” Leonie shuddered. “I couldn’t do it. All that blood and guts.”
“I have more good days than bad, so yes, I like it. Do you like your job?”
To her surprise, Leonie said yes. “I love to make things, and I’m lucky to be working at the Triangle.”
“Lucky?” Frieda couldn’t hide her surprise. Maria hated that factory.
“Yes, I know Maria doesn’t like it but it's much better than it was at the old place. We have more room to breathe with the high ceilings and light from the window. We have electric sewing machines. At the last place we had slow ones. You should see some places my friends work. In badly lit basements and they work longer hours than we do. I think I am lucky.”
Chastened by the younger girl’s gratitude, Frieda wondered just how many people in the tenements now surrounding them worked in worse conditions than those at the Triangle.
“There you are. Not too late tonight. It must be your doing, Leonie. Frieda is never on time.” Maria’s voice broke into Frieda’s thoughts.
“Hilarious, Maria,” Frieda pouted, pretending to be insulted. “If you’re mean, I won't give you the present Cook sent.”
“Cookies, please tell me they are chocolate. I love them.”
Leonie and Frieda exchanged glances and giggled as Maria almost inhaled her first cookie. “I think she meant you to share them!” Leonie mumbled, her words causing Maria to blush.
“Let’s find you some plates. You must taste Mama’s frittata.”
“What’s that?” Leonie whispered to Frieda.
“A dish made from potatoes and other ingredients. Mrs. Mezza is a very good cook. Try some.”
Some Italian musicians played various instruments as couples danced in each other’s arms, some under the watchful eyes of their parents. Frieda saw Leonie dancing with the same young man a few times. He kept making Leonie laugh.
“You having a good time?” Maria asked her.
“Yes, look at Leonie. It’s so good to see her laugh and forget her troubles for once.”
“Yes, she’s having fun but why aren’t you dancing my friend? Aren’t my Italian friends good enough for you?” Maria teased. “Conrad give Frieda a drink.”
Frieda took the drink from Conrad as Maria said, “I’m going over to check on Mama. Last time I saw her, our neighbor, Mr. Maltese, had taken her out dancing. She was breathless, but I think she had fun.”
She took a drink and coughed.
“Too strong for you?” he teased. “You’re probably used to a more refined wine.”
“I rarely drink,” Frieda said, putting her glass down on the table behind her. “I heard you are helping Lily with her new project.”
Conrad rolled his eyes. “I’m not cut out to be a boss. Those builders work so slowly, I want to roll up my sleeves and lend a hand.”
“Don’t let Lily or Kathleen
hear you saying that, or you just might end up becoming a brickie.”
Conrad laughed before someone called him to come over.
“Go. I want to find Leonie.” Frieda spotted the girl on the other side of the street.
“Are you having fun?” Even as she asked, Frieda knew the answer. Leonie looked so young and carefree.
“Frieda, taste this. I’ve no idea what it is, but it’s delicious. The spices burst into flavor.”
Frieda took a bite of the vegetable dish. It was good. A young man appeared carrying two drinks. Leonie’s face flushed bright red.
“Frieda, this is Deleo. He works at the Triangle. He’s training to be a cutter.”
“Nice to meet you Deleo.”
Deleo bent his head in greeting and muttered something, but Frieda couldn’t hear him. Judging by his color and his shifting from one foot to the other, he was very shy.
“Leonie, we should head home soon. We both have to get up early tomorrow.”
“One last dance, please Frieda. I love dancing. Please.”
For a second Leonie’s facial expression mirrored that of her sister, Carrie, begging Cook for an extra cookie. Just like Cook, Frieda couldn’t resist the plea in those big brown eyes.
“Okay, but then we have to go. It was nice meeting you, Deleo.”
Frieda walked back to Conrad and Maria. Why was Maria scowling? She followed her friend’s gaze to see Maria’s sister Rosa wrapped around a young man. Maria’s mama stood to the side, her face a mask of disapproval.
“I take it that’s Paulo?” Frieda whispered to Maria.
“Yes! Look at him making a show of my sister. Poor Mama looks like she will have a heart attack. But she daren’t do anything.”
“Why?” Frieda asked.
“Paulo is a Greco. Around here, he may as well be the President. Nobody will touch that family in case they end up swimming with the fish. In cement boots.”
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