One Rainy Day (18 page)

‘Fair play to them, though, Amy, they spent years swotting for the jobs they’ve got.’ Poppy chuckled. ‘I’m as jealous as hell of them. They say if you can’t lick them, then join them. And that is what I intend to do. So that is today’s lecture over, and I’ll have a new one ready for tomorrow. Ta-ra for now, Amy.’

Before following Poppy out, Charlotte smiled at Amy. ‘Goodbye, and thank you for letting me stand in from the cold.’

Amy was talking to a filing cabinet when she said, ‘I don’t know her from Adam, but that girl’s got breeding.’

Outside, Poppy said, ‘You don’t have to walk back with me, Charlotte. Why don’t you go home where you’ll be nice and warm?’

‘Oh, it’s so boring at home, with nothing to do.’ Charlotte walked sideways so she could look Poppy in the face. ‘Why don’t you let me take you for lunch? What time do you have your break?’

Poppy paused. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, Charlotte, but I promised to have lunch with a woman from the office. She only has an elderly mother and no other family, so she lives a lonely life. I wouldn’t let her down, not when she’ll be looking forward to it.’

‘No, I can see you couldn’t let her down. You are too caring to hurt someone. But if you would allow me to, I could take you both for lunch. I would like that very much.’

Poppy was shaking her head. ‘We don’t go to a restaurant, Charlotte. We go to a little café because it’s cheap. Anyway, doesn’t your brother work in Castle Street? Wouldn’t he take you out for lunch?’

‘Of course he would. My brother is a wonderful man. And I love him dearly. But we see each other every day at breakfast, then again for dinner. I need some female company.’

‘You mean your brother doesn’t know you’re in town?’

‘No, he doesn’t know. There was no reason to tell him. I had that call to make over the delivery of the christening present, and then I saw you! Andrew would be very surprised if he knew I was so near.’ Charlotte was trying to keep count of the lies she was telling, so that when she said her prayers in bed she could say an extra one for each lie. Not that they were hurting anyone, for she was only trying to help. But she’d say her prayers to make sure. ‘I’m so happy I bumped into you, and I’ve enjoyed having someone my own age to talk to. And I’d love to take you and your colleague to the little café you mentioned. I know I’m childish for my age, but
that’s because I’ve never been given any responsibility. But I am not a snob, Poppy, I’m really not.’

Looking into the pretty face, a thought ran through Poppy’s head. Her mother had told her once that money doesn’t always bring happiness, and she was now seeing it for herself. She couldn’t be cruel enough to throw the girl’s kindness back in her face. ‘You can come to the café, Charlotte, I’m sure Jean would like some extra company. But I insist we all pay for our own meal. It won’t be what you’re used to, but it’s a warm, friendly place, and it’s very clean.’

Charlotte was delighted. ‘Oh, you are so kind, Poppy. I really do hope we can be friends.’

Poppy knew there was no chance of their ever becoming real friends, but she just didn’t have the heart to say so. Anyway, it was only a flash in the pan: Charlotte would soon tire of the difference in their circumstances. It was all a novelty to her now, but it wouldn’t last long. They’d probably never see each other again after today. ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to hang around for half an hour. I wouldn’t be allowed to let you wait inside. But if it gets too cold for you, then I’ll understand if you’re not here when Jean and I come out. Standing in the cold too long. with that bitter wind, you could end up with pneumonia. And I wouldn’t like to be responsible for that happening.’

‘I’ll be fine,’ Charlotte said. ‘My coat is very warm, and I’m stronger than I look. Don’t worry about me, Poppy, I won’t get blown away.’

Poppy felt guilty, but there was little she could do: her work came first. Anyway, the girl wouldn’t last half an hour in that weather. She’d be gone by the time she and Jean went out to dinner.

However, Poppy hadn’t reckoned on Charlotte’s determination, which was now stronger than ever. She had started
out hoping to find a way for Poppy and Andrew to get together, for she was a romantic at heart. But now her mission was twofold, for she really would like to have Poppy as a friend. She was straightforward and down to earth, and much more interesting than the girls who were members of her social circle. But even Charlotte’s determination wasn’t going to keep the cold wind from making her teeth chatter, so she hailed a passing taxi to take her back to her car. She asked the driver to wait until she’d picked up her gloves and scarf, and then he drove her back to where she’d started from. The gloves and the heavy scarf kept the cold at bay, so it was a chirpy young girl who greeted a very surprised Poppy and her colleague, Jean.

‘I thought you’d have gone home by now,’ Poppy said, shaking her head. ‘Either that or you’d have been turned into a block of ice. Anyway, this is my colleague, Jean, and Jean, this is Charlotte … er, a friend of mine.’

It wasn’t far to the small café, and once inside Charlotte was all eyes as they found a small table for three. The café was very busy, for it was noted for serving good food at a reasonable price. When Charlotte saw the menu she almost commented on how cheap the food was, but she remembered in time that her circumstances were vastly different from those of the people around her. ‘The soup smells very tempting, Poppy. Shall we order that?’

‘I think it would be our best bet,’ Jean answered her question. ‘It’s usually very tasty and you get a slice of bread with it.’

A whole new world was opening up for Charlotte. The customers in the small café were working-class people, wearing working-class clothes and speaking with working-class accents. But she wasn’t looking down her nose at them;
on the contrary, she was finding the warmth and friendliness very heartening. And she had to admit the soup was delicious and the thick slice of bread very fresh. She wouldn’t be telling Jane or Frances though, for then her little outing would become known to her mother, who would certainly be horrified and put a stop on any further outings. Besides, Andrew would find out, and she didn’t want him told until there was something to tell. When she got to know Poppy better, then she’d find a way of arranging an accidentally-on-purpose meeting. It would be wonderful if they fell in love with each other. How marvellous it would be to have Poppy as a sister.

‘What pleasant thoughts are you having that are bringing such a smile to your face?’ Poppy asked. ‘You look as though you’d lost a shilling and found half a crown.’

‘I’m smiling because I’m happy, Poppy. It’s been a very pleasant morning for me, meeting two of your colleagues. So different from my usual routine, which you would find very dull. I do hope you will allow me to join you and Jean again, sometime soon. I won’t be under your feet every day, just when I happen to be in town. Would that be all right with you?’

‘I suppose so, but as you heard me telling Amy, I’m hoping that sometime in the near future I’ll be looking for another job.’

Jean thought Poppy was being very optimistic. After she’d passed the shorthand course, it would take a long time to get her speed up. ‘Oh, I think you’ll be at Sutherland’s for another few months, Poppy. You still have a long way to go.’

Charlotte was sensible enough to know when pushing herself would be the wrong thing to do, so she spoke casually. ‘I’m sure I’ll see you both again before there are any big
changes. I’ve really enjoyed your company; you’ve been very kind. But it’s time for me to be on my way home, so I’ll leave you to have another cup of tea. I’d like to stay, but Mother worries if I’m out too long and she doesn’t know where I am.’ She wrapped the scarf round her neck and picked up her bag and gloves. ‘Goodbye, Jean. It’s been a pleasure to meet you.’ Then she bent and kissed a startled Poppy on the cheek. ‘Goodbye for now, Poppy. I hope to see you again soon.’ With that she went to the counter, paid for her own lunch, then with a wave and beaming smile walked out of the door and was lost to sight.

‘What a lovely girl!’ Jean said. ‘You’ve never mentioned her before. How long have you known her?’

‘I don’t really know her,’ Poppy said. ‘We met last week by accident. I never expected to see her again.’

Jean was curious. ‘How do you mean, by accident?’

Lost for words, Poppy said the first thing that came into her head. ‘I bumped into her in Castle Street last week. Or was it the week before? I can’t remember now. But we only spoke a few sentences, then we went on our way.’

‘She’s out of the top drawer, Poppy, you can tell. Her coat probably cost more than we earn in a year. But she’s a very likeable girl; you couldn’t fall out with her. She’s friendly, and not a bit stuck up.’

Poppy chuckled. ‘You mean she didn’t once look down her nose at us?’ She was sorry as soon as the words left her lips, and could have bitten her tongue off. ‘That wasn’t funny, and I shouldn’t have said it. She is a lovely girl, and she doesn’t deserve my sarcasm. All she wants is to be friendly.’

‘Well I thought she was very nice, and I’d like to see her again.’ Jean reached for her purse. ‘What I enjoyed was seeing her tucking into the bread and soup.’

Charlotte flagged down a taxi, and was soon back where her car was parked. She was feeling a warm glow inside, really happy that things had worked out so well. But in order that the tale she was preparing to tell her mother would not be all lies, she decided to drive to the specialist shop where the rocking horse was being made, for she’d been informed over the telephone yesterday that it was almost finished. All they had to do was add the inscription Charlotte had asked for. But she decided to see for herself that everything was to her liking before the firm delivered it to Jessica’s house.

The shop was on the outskirts of the city, and they specialized in making rocking horses that only the wealthy could afford. There was one on display in the window when Charlotte pulled up, and she could feel her excitement grow. She had been told that the man who made the horses was a perfectionist, and only took one order a month. Gazing at the model in the window, Charlotte could understand why. It was a work of art, so lifelike that any child would be thrilled to own it. Charlotte’s mind went back over the years, to when she used to pull on Andrew’s arm, pleading with him to let her have a ride on his horse. He always gave in to her in the end, but she was only allowed to play on it when he was in the room, watching her every move.

Charlotte looked to see if there were any people near, and then put a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. For a picture had come into her mind of herself and her brother. She must have been about three years of age, and Andrew nine. And in this picture, which was very clear, she was offering her doll to Andrew in exchange for a ride on his horse, and he was pushing her away, telling her boys didn’t play with
dolls. Poor Andrew couldn’t get away from her. She dogged his footsteps everywhere.

Some people walked past, and their chattering brought Charlotte out of her reverie. With a shake of her head, and a quiet sigh, she opened the shop door, setting off the tinkling bell fastened above the lintel.

A man came through from a back room, wearing a beige overall over his clothing. He recognized Charlotte immediately, as it wasn’t often they had a pretty young girl in the shop. ‘It’s all finished. Would you like to see it?’

‘Oh, yes, I can’t wait! Did you have the inscription put on? I want the baby to always remember that my brother and I were thinking of him on the day he was christened.’

‘Come through and see for yourself. I’m sure you’ll be more than satisfied.’

And the man never spoke a truer word, for the horse was a masterpiece. As she stroked the mane and tail of real hair, Charlotte had tears in her eyes. ‘It’s beautiful. The reins, stirrups, everything is just wonderful. Leo is a very lucky boy. Now, my brother settled the account with you this morning I believe?’

‘Yes, miss, the bill has been paid, and Mr Wilkie-Brook also gave me the address where the horse has to be delivered to. It will be there sometime between ten and eleven o’clock on Friday.’

‘Thank you.’ Charlotte shook his hand. ‘You’ve been very helpful, and you are very clever. I could never be as creative as you. I don’t have any talent at all.’

The man, middle-aged with a receding hairline, smiled. ‘I may have the talent, but you have the beauty.’

Charlotte blushed. ‘There are a lot of girls prettier than me.’

He chuckled. ‘Then I must need glasses. Are you sure I’ve put the horse’s tail on the right end?’

Charlotte was laughing as she walked towards the door. ‘The baby is only a few weeks old, and he won’t notice. But don’t be surprised if he brings it back when he’s older.’ She turned and thanked him again. ‘I’m more than delighted with your work. I shall go home now and sing your praises.’

‘Where on earth have you been all this time?’ Harriet asked. ‘I have been quite concerned about you.’

‘I wandered round the shops for a while, but didn’t see anything I liked. Then I had a light lunch in a small café, which I enjoyed. Then I went to the shop to make sure all was well with the rocking horse.’ Now there were no more lies to be told, Charlotte told her mother how pleased she was with the christening gift. ‘Oh, Mother, it far exceeds my expectation. The man is an artistic genius. But you will see it for yourself on Sunday, after the christening. And I’m so looking forward to seeing Andrew’s face when he sets eyes on it. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.’

Harriet smiled at her daughter’s enthusiasm. ‘I’m glad you feel satisfied, my dear, and I’m sure you have good reason to be. Now, be an angel and ring for Frances. I think we could both do with a cup of tea, and one of Jane’s delicious cakes.’

‘Guess who I bumped into today?’ Poppy asked as she sat at the dinner table, next to her brother and facing her mother. ‘Have a guess?’

‘How many guesses do we get?’ David asked. ‘I mean, there must be nearly a million people living in Liverpool, and this could take ages. Just give us a clue.’

Poppy frowned in concentration for a while, then her face lit up. ‘The clue was in the question.’