One Rainy Day (17 page)

Andrew was surprised at his sister’s interest, and really
pleased. ‘It would be hard to replace Mrs Stamford; I really would struggle without her. I don’t have to ask for anything: she knows precisely what I want, and it’s handed to me before I’ve even mentioned it.’ He was now completely relaxed, and chuckled. ‘I’ve told her she’s wasting her time as a secretary. She could earn more money as a mind reader.’

‘I’m glad she’s there to look after you,’ Charlotte said. ‘To make sure you are warm and mollycoddled. Give her my regards and tell her I’ll call and see her soon. And the two girls in the typing room were nice too! If my memory serves me right, they are Miss Williams and Miss Kennedy. I imagine they are a lot of fun.’

Andrew was even more surprised now. ‘Fancy you remembering their names! I imagined you would have forgotten them by now.’

Now Charlotte chose her words carefully. ‘I remember everything about that day, Andrew, because it was a day of change for me. Change from the dull routine of my life. I can picture your office in my mind, where your desk and chair are, and where Mrs Stamford’s office is. I can picture her face, and also the two typists. Then I was in Father’s office for the first time, and that was exciting.’ She put a hand on her brother’s arm. ‘And I also clearly recall the girl in the raincoat. I can see her face now, and she is very pretty. Beautiful, in fact.’ She tried to sound nonchalant when she asked, ‘Have you seen her since, by any chance?’

‘Only the once, which I told you about, when she wouldn’t even listen to me. I know she still passes our office every day, for I happened to be standing by the window on Friday and saw her.’

‘It was a pity she wouldn’t allow us to help her,’ Charlotte said. ‘But I can understand her reasons, and admire her for
them. Taking money from us would have made her feel like a beggar, and she was obviously a girl with too much pride to be bought off. I still think it was a pity, though, for she is so lovely, and I bet she is a fun person.’

‘That is something we will never find out.’ Andrew turned the key in the ignition. ‘Perhaps we should head for home now. Michael and Jessica will be there explaining to our parents what their role will be at the christening. Remember they have been asked to be godparents, and Mother is delighted. She and Father are taking their role very seriously. Second parents to the baby. To be there for the child if help is ever needed.’

‘We’ve been invited to the church for the ceremony, and also for the luncheon afterwards,’ Charlotte reminded him. ‘And it is customary to buy a gift for the child. Something in silver, usually, with their name inscribed on it.’

‘I have been puzzling about that,’ Andrew said. ‘There’s very little you can buy for a boy. Do you have any thoughts on the matter?’

‘Yes, I have, my dear brother, and if you agree with my choice, then we can buy it between us. I was getting worried because it is difficult to buy for a baby boy. A girl is easy, as a bangle or necklace is an ideal gift. Anyway, I had this brilliant idea, and rang Jessica. When I told her what I had in mind, she was utterly delighted.’

Andrew slowed the car down to look at his sister’s face. ‘Well, come on, are you not going to tell me what this brilliant idea was? I can’t agree to anything if I don’t know what it is.’

‘I’m surprised you didn’t think of it yourself.’ Charlotte’s eyes were bright with excitement. ‘I want you to tell me what you have in your bedroom that you most cherish? Something
you’ve had since you were two years old, and would never let me play with.’

Andrew’s foot came down hard on the brake, and the car came to a standstill. ‘My rocking horse!’ His face was more animated than Charlotte had seen it in a long time, and she felt cheered. ‘Of course,’ Andrew said, his open palm hitting the steering wheel. ‘How clever of you, Charlotte. It is the perfect gift. I used to get such fun from mine when I was young, pretending I was a cowboy riding the prairie. I have so many memories of the pleasure it gave me, I would never part with it. It will stay in my bedroom until I have a son of my own.’

‘Oh, that’s lovely.’ Charlotte put her arms round his neck. ‘I’m so happy I thought of it as a gift we can give from both of us.’

‘Have you seen one that is suitable, Charlotte? Time is running out. The christening is on Sunday.’

Charlotte’s face was radiant. She was always happy when she pleased someone, but doubly happy when it was the brother she loved. ‘I’m way ahead of you, Andrew. I don’t dally when I know something needs doing. The rocking horse is being specially made, and the shop has promised faithfully it will be delivered to the Parker-Browns’ house on Friday.’ She tweaked his ear. ‘And I added a bit on the order. I’ve asked the shop to put a small sign on the side of the horse, almost out of sight, to say it was from Uncle Andrew and Aunt Charlotte, and the date. Now don’t you think I’ve been not only clever, but thoughtful as well?’

‘I think you have done a terrific job, and I am very proud of you. When you meet your knight on a white horse, fall in love and marry him, I will make sure your first son is given a rocking horse as a christening present.’

‘First things first, brother dear. You need to find a wife, and I need to find a husband. And as you are the oldest, it’s up to you to start the ball rolling.’

‘You may have a long wait, dear sister, for there is no one on the horizon.’

‘Oh, you never know, brother, for I’ve heard that love can take you by surprise. It will hit you when you’re not looking.’

‘I must congratulate you on your brilliant brainwave, my dear.’ Harriet looked across the breakfast table at her daughter. ‘Michael and Jessica were beside themselves with pleasure. A rocking horse for their new son is an ideal gift. Jessica has had a room made into a nursery, and she’s already making plans on where to stand it.’

Mother and daughter were lingering over a late breakfast, George and Andrew having left for work over an hour ago. ‘The person most thrilled was Andrew,’ Charlotte said. ‘He has so many happy memories of his own rocking horse, he was delighted when I suggested a joint present from us both for baby Leo.’

‘An inspired choice, my dear girl. Well done!’

‘I’ll be going out later, Mother, after I’ve bathed and dressed.’

‘Oh, are you meeting someone for lunch? A male friend perhaps?’

‘No, Mother.’ Charlotte kept her eyes on the piece of toast in her hand. She couldn’t face her mother and tell a lie. ‘I’m going down to the shop to make sure the horse will be delivered to Jessica’s on Friday. And I’ve asked for an inscription to be put on, so I need to check on that as well. It would be so disappointing if it wasn’t perfect.’

‘Your father is picking our gift up today or tomorrow. As you know, we chose to buy a silver rattle and small round tray, both inscribed with the baby’s full name and date of birth.’

‘Yes, you did tell me, Mother, and I’m looking forward to seeing them. When he’s old enough to understand, he can be told all about the day he was christened. How all his parents’ friends were there, and how proud his godparents were.’

When Charlotte pushed her chair back and stood up, her mother asked, ‘Will you be having coffee before going out?’

‘No, Mother, I’ll go straight out when I’m ready. I may spend some time looking round the shops, so don’t worry if I’m a little late getting back.’

‘On your way to the stairs, would you call in the kitchen and tell Frances she can have the table cleared now?’ Harriet dabbed the heavy linen napkin on her lips. ‘I’ll retire to my room now.’

Charlotte was a nervous driver, and was never really happy behind the wheel except in the country, where there was little traffic and she could put her foot down. She hated driving in Liverpool, where there were trams and buses to cope with as well as cars, so she decided not to go into the heart of the city, and parked her car in a side street off London Road.

The walk into the city centre was downhill, and there were lots of shop windows to gaze in, displaying wares of every description. Looking in one shop, Charlotte couldn’t believe you could buy a pair of shoes for just five shillings! And she was even more bewildered when the clothes shop next door had quite a pretty dress in the window for only twelve shillings and elevenpence! Her eyes were moving to another dress in the window when she saw a clock on the
wall inside the shop, and it told her it was turned eleven o’clock. She would have to hurry if she was to stand any chance of being successful in completing her mission.

Charlotte’s plan was a secret. She had told no one, for she knew she would be talked out of it. Even she knew in her heart that what she had in mind was far-fetched, but she was willing to make a fool of herself for the sake of her brother. The girl in the raincoat wouldn’t talk to Andrew, but it was possible she would talk to his sister. If she did, all well and good, and if not, then nothing had been lost. So Charlotte positioned herself at the bottom of Castle Street in a spot from where she would see Andrew if he came out of his office for any reason and have time to hide from him, and she would be able to see the girl in the raincoat whichever direction she came from. It was a gamble, but she’d once heard her father say ‘You won’t get anywhere if you don’t try’ and she was trying. If she didn’t she would always regret it.

It was a cold day, and Charlotte had left her scarf and gloves in the car. So with her coat collar turned up, and her hands in her pockets, she braced herself against the wind coming in from the Mersey. She’d stay until twelve o’clock, and if there was no sign of the girl, then she’d give up and go home.

Charlotte had no sooner set the time in her head than she saw the girl walking in her direction. She knew it was her right away, because there weren’t many people lucky enough to have such an abundance of golden hair. And besides, she was wearing the white raincoat. There was no time to rehearse what she would say, or what excuse she could give for being where she was. Taking a deep breath, Charlotte started walking towards the girl, who, as last time, was clutching several items of post.

Few people would have succeeded as Charlotte did. She was by nature very naïve and trusting, and when she stood in front of Poppy with an innocent smile on her pretty face, it would have taken a hard-hearted person to brush her aside.

‘Oh, I say, fancy bumping into you! Do you remember me?’

Poppy was suspicious, and made sure Charlotte was alone before answering, ‘Yes, I remember you. I have good reason to, don’t you think?’

‘Oh, yes, of course you do. But it was an accident, and my brother and I were devastated.’ Charlotte’s smile was so innocent it would have melted the hardest heart. ‘I am so glad to have met up with you again.’

‘What are you doing here?’ Poppy asked. ‘I’m sure you don’t work, do you?’

Charlotte shook her head. ‘No, I don’t work.’ She had early on decided it would be wrong to tell the girl a pack of lies. She wouldn’t be very impressed when she found out, and anyway it wasn’t a crime to be rich. Charlotte’s father had worked hard for what he had. He hadn’t stolen it. ‘My family don’t think I should work. They’re afraid I’d get lost in this big bad world. The reason I’m here now is because some friends of ours are having their baby christened on Sunday, and I’ve been seeing to the present.’

Poppy looked into the girl’s open, friendly face, and couldn’t bring herself to be abrupt. But she had letters to deliver and it was her job. ‘Look, it’s very nice seeing you again, but I really must get about my business.’ She held the letters out. ‘I have to deliver these on time, or I’ll be in trouble. So I’m afraid I’ll have to press on.’ She put a hand on Charlotte’s arm. ‘Please don’t think you or your brother have
to keep apologizing for last week. It was simply an accident. And now I really must leave you.’

‘Oh, can I walk with you? I promise I won’t keep talking and hold you back. It’s just that I don’t have anything to do now, and I don’t often get a chance to talk to a girl who is about the same age as myself. My name is Charlotte, by the way.’

‘Mine is Poppy. And I must say you would find what I do very boring. But if you want a bit of company, then I don’t mind if you walk with me.’

Charlotte’s face lit up. ‘Oh, that is kind of you. And what a lovely name you have. Poppy really suits you.’

As they walked, Poppy explained how her name came about, and smiled at her companion’s enthusiasm. It was obvious they were from divergent backgrounds, but she couldn’t help warming to the girl who was used to such a very different lifestyle.

When they reached the offices Poppy visited every day, she said, ‘I am usually in here for about twenty minutes. Would you not be better going home?’

‘I don’t mind waiting for you. I’d like to walk back with you, for as I’ve said I don’t often get the chance for girls’ talk. I’ll wait here for you, if I may.’

‘Oh, you don’t have to wait out in the cold,’ Poppy said. ‘You can come in with me, but there’ll be no chairs to sit on or fire to warm you, I’m afraid. So, be it on your own head.’

The next half-hour had Charlotte learning more about the real world, and how other people lived. Poppy passed the letters over to the receptionist, Amy, and they were taken through to the main office, where they would be read by the various solicitors, and Amy would be notified whether there were to be replies or not. During the wait, Amy and Poppy
enjoyed their usual exchange of opinions on the men they worked for. Charlotte was so quiet they forgot she was there, but the girl was soaking up the conversation and the atmosphere. How different it all was from her own quiet, aimless daily routine.

When a clerk came with a message to say there were no replies, Poppy jerked her head. ‘Come on, Charlotte. I have to get back to the office.’ As she pulled her gloves on, she told Amy, ‘I’m hoping not to be doing this much longer. I’ve started a shorthand course at the local night school, and I’m determined to move on. To better meself. But I’ll keep you up to date with how I’m getting on. I’ll be around for a while yet.’

‘If you manage it, kid, I might have a go myself,’ Amy said. ‘This is a dead end job, and I’m chocker. Go in one of the offices upstairs and it’s lovely and warm. If they want anything they don’t even have to get off their backsides. They just ring a bell and anything they want is put in front of them.’