One Rainy Day (46 page)

‘Mine’s going in my bag as well.’ Joy’s bag wasn’t very big, so she had to fold the envelope. Then she began to chuckle. ‘I’m just thinking. I wonder if I’ll sleep better if I read the report before I go to bed, or whether I’d sleep better not knowing?’

‘You’d get no sleep at all if you don’t open it, soft girl,’ Jane said.’ At least if you open it you’ve got a fifty per cent chance of sleeping, and a fifty per cent chance of being awake all night. So, like the saying goes, yer pays yer money and yer takes yer chance.’

‘Make up your mind on the way to the bus stop.’ Poppy slipped in between the two friends and linked their arms. ‘And as it’s the last time you’ll be escorting me, let us part on a happy note, with smiles on our faces. For my part it’s been a pleasure knowing you, and I wish you well in the future. And just for interest, if you ever do decide to take up dancing, I go to the Grafton at least two or three times a week. It would be a lovely surprise to see you there.’

‘I’ve been trying to talk Jane into going to that Millington’s place you told us about, but it’s like talking to meself. I’ve mentioned it to a few people at work, and apparently Connie Millington is very well known. One of me workmates said if Connie Millington can’t make a dancer out of yer, then there’s no use in trying.’

They were at the bus stop now, and Poppy could see a bus in the distance coming towards them. ‘Here’s my bus coming, so I’ll say my farewell.’ She hugged and kissed both women. ‘Take care of yourselves and never fall out. You’ve got a good friendship going, so don’t ever let anything come between you.’

The bus came to a stop and Poppy hopped on board. ‘Thanks again for looking after me. Ta-ra.’ The bus started up and she stood on the platform waving until the two friends were out of sight. Then she took a seat, patted her handbag, and hoped the reference inside was good enough for her to start applying for a post as a private secretary. And until the bus reached the end of her journey, she kept her fingers crossed.

Eva opened the door to Poppy with expectation on her face. ‘Well, sweetheart, how did it go? Did you get the reference yer were hoping for?’

Poppy kissed her mother’s cheek as she passed. ‘I don’t
know, Mam. I haven’t opened it yet.’ She slipped her coat off and draped it over the arm of the couch. ‘None of the pupils were allowed to open their envelopes in the classroom, which surprised me at first. Then I realized the school had to be locked up at a certain time, and if we were allowed to open our envelopes, we’d have stood around talking and the caretaker wouldn’t have been able to lock up.’

‘I’ve been on pins, waiting for yer.’ Eva walked through to the kitchen. ‘Kettle is on the boil, so tea will be up in a jiffy.’ She popped her head into the living room to ask, ‘Have you really not opened it up, then, sweetheart? I’d have thought you’d be really eager.’

David came bounding down the stairs. ‘Well, how did you get on, sis?’ He looked at her closely. ‘I can’t tell anything from your face. Come on, put me out of the suspense I’ve been in for the last hour.’

Poppy opened her handbag and took out the envelope, which she handed over to her brother. ‘When our mam comes in, you can read what is written in there. If I read it out loud myself, I’ll probably end up crying and make a fool of myself. So you can read it, and I’ll know by the expression on your face whether I’ve passed with flying colours, or failed miserably.’

Eva bustled in. ‘We’ll have the tea in a few minutes. I’ll let it brew for a while.’ She pulled a chair out and sat down. ‘I don’t care who does what, but for heaven’s sake get a move on. It won’t be disappointing, I’m sure of that, but I’d like to know how good it is. The teacher said yer’d done well, sweetheart, and you’ve plodded on with homework when yer could have been out enjoying yerself, so let’s hope you can now reap the benefits. Open the envelope, David, and be quick about it.’

David ran a finger under the seal and took out a letter-headed sheet of paper. He winked at his sister before lowering his eyes to the paper. Poppy and her mother could see his eyes moving along the lines, but could tell nothing from his expression.

It was only a matter of seconds, but to Poppy it seemed an eternity. She’d been so sure of herself over the last few weeks, but now she wasn’t sure.

David didn’t look up, or say a word. Then when he’d finished reading, he folded the sheet of paper and passed it over to his sister. His face expressionless, and his voice matter of fact, he said, ‘Miss Meadows, if anyone came to me with this reference I would take them on immediately.’ His face alive now, he told her, ‘Poppy, that is a very glowing reference, and I am so proud of you.’

Poppy’s laughter was mixed with tears of joy. ‘Mam, can you pour the tea now, while I read what Mr Jones has said about me? Then you can read it and tell me what a clever daughter you’ve got.’

Poppy read that Mr Jones had no hesitation in recommending Miss Poppy Meadows to any employer who was seeking an employee who was capable, diligent, pleasant, and had all the qualities required of a private secretary. There was more about her speed at typing and shorthand, but Poppy couldn’t take it all in at once, and passed it over to her mother to read while she sipped the hot tea, and hugged herself mentally.

‘That’s wonderful, sweetheart,’ Eva said. ‘And I am very proud of my clever daughter.’

‘I’ve been going through the
Echo
,’ David told her. He was so happy he felt as though he was the one who had achieved what his sister had. ‘I couldn’t see anything for a private
secretary in the jobs vacant section, but they must come up some time. Now you’ve got that excellent reference, you can afford to be patient.’

‘You know I’m not the most patient person in the world, David, so I won’t be sitting on my bottom hoping that one night, perhaps in six months’ time, there’ll be an advert in the
Echo!
’ Poppy was feeling a warm glow inside. She was now nearer to getting a decent job than she’d ever been. ‘No, once this week is over, and I’m away from Sutherland’s, I’ll be active in looking for work. I can’t just sit around and wait.’

Eva looked across at her son. ‘Tell her you’ve got a little surprise for her, son, and make it two lots of good news she’ll have had in one day.’

‘Oh, you’ve been promoted!’ Poppy said. ‘That is good news.’

‘That’s not it, clever clogs,’ David told her. ‘Although that should happen within the next two weeks, I’m glad to say. No, what Mam is talking about involves not just me, but her as well. It’s something we decided weeks ago, but we thought we’d leave telling you until you’d finished the shorthand course. You’ve been so good at sticking at it, which we never thought you would, that we planned to give you a little treat.’

‘You shouldn’t be talking about treating me! If I’m out of work for a long time, you might have to keep me! I told you I won’t be entitled to any dole money.’

‘And we’ve told you not to worry, sweetheart,’ Eva told her. ‘Me and David bring enough in between us to keep the house going. The treat was your brother’s idea, so I can’t take praise for that, but I have helped a little with money.’

Poppy’s wide eyes went from one to the other. ‘Now you’ve got me curious. A treat could be anything from a slab of chocolate to second house at the pictures. And I wouldn’t say
no to either of them if the chocolates are Cadbury’s and Tyrone Power is in the film.’

‘Ah, I’m sorry to disappoint you, our kid, but we never thought of those when we were trying to decide what you would like.’ David pulled a face. ‘Sorry about that, but me and our mam thought you’d be more likely to appreciate a new dress for when you go for an interview.’

Poppy was silent for a while, then she said softly, ‘I couldn’t let you buy me a dress. At my age, I should be capable of buying my own clothes. I love you to bits, both of you, for thinking of me, but I couldn’t let you buy me a dress.’

‘Oh, not just one dress, sweetheart, but two dresses!’ Eva smiled at the wide-eyed surprise on the face of her beautiful daughter. ‘One from me, and one from David. You’ll need to look smart when you do go for an interview, and knowing you look the part will give you more confidence.’

‘I don’t know what to say.’ Poppy was feeling very emotional. ‘I could do with a decent dress, because the two I possess I wear for work and for going dancing. So I’ll be more than grateful to accept your treat.’

‘The envelope is in the drawer, David,’ Eva said. ‘Would you get it out and give it to Poppy, please? She might just see something she likes in her dinner hour tomorrow.’

When Poppy opened the envelope, there were four one-pound notes inside. ‘I feel terrible taking money off you, but I know I need decent clothes. My coat will last me until the beginning of next winter, when I’m hoping to be in a position to buy myself another. However, I do need a couple of smart dresses if I’m to impress any likely employer. But I’m taking this money on the understanding that I pay you back when I get myself a job.’

‘We’ll discuss that some other time,’ Eva said. ‘Right now you need to have clothes fit for attending interviews. And the place I’d start looking, if I were you, is the shop where we bought our coats. The lady had two rails of dresses in the back room, and you have to admit she is very reasonable. You could nip up there tomorrow in your lunch hour.’

‘Ooh, I don’t know about that, Mam, ’cos I always go to the café with Jean. Besides, the office is upside down at the moment, with Mr Hammond having to learn so much.’

‘I’m sure Jean wouldn’t object to you going on a message, sweetheart. It would be mean of her if she did, because she’s got a new job to start on Monday.’

‘I was just thinking Jean might not get a full hour for her lunch, anyway. I know if Mr Hammond needs her, then she’ll stay. She is very conscientious; she’d skip lunch to help out. So I might just get a chance to run up to that shop.’ Poppy was feeling good, and very lucky. ‘Well, all things considered, it’s been a pretty good day all round for me. Let’s hope my luck continues.’

‘It will, sweetheart, you’ll see,’ Eva said. ‘Don’t forget, Rome wasn’t built in a day.’

‘Our Poppy’s very late. I’m getting really worried about her.’ Eva paced up and down the living room, clasping and unclasping her hands. ‘She should have been in half an hour ago. Something must have happened to her.’

‘Mam, will you stop worrying,’ David said. ‘You’re going to turn me into a nervous wreck.’

‘I worry about her every time she goes out,’ Eva admitted. ‘Ever since that night she got attacked.’

At that moment a knock came on the door, and David was off his chair like a streak of lightning. When he opened the
door, his mother was at his heels. ‘Where the heck have you been, Poppy? Our mam’s been out of her mind.’

Poppy lifted the bags she was carrying, and squeezed past. ‘Give me a chance to get in,’ she said, ‘and I’ll tell you why I’m later than usual.’

Eva nearly tripped over her daughter’s feet in her haste to get into the light to make sure Poppy was not hurt in any way. And no matter what David said, she would always worry about Poppy. Wait until he got married and had a daughter himself, then he’d understand that mothers always worried about their daughters more than they did about their sons.

‘Oh, Mam, it’s been a really lucky day for me.’ Poppy’s face was aglow. ‘I’m sorry you’ve been worried, but I’m only a bit late.’ She put two bags on the couch. ‘Just wait until you see what’s in those bags. I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been in the last twenty-four hours. The good reference I got from Mr Jones, you and David giving me money to make myself look presentable, and wait until you see what I got for that money. I feel like pinching myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.’

‘Can we have our meal before you show us your dresses, sweetheart? Me and David kept the dinner back waiting for you. We’re hungry, and anyway, the meal will be burnt to a crisp if I don’t take it out of the oven soon.’

‘I can wait, Mam, even though I’m so happy I’d sing you a song, if I could sing. Go on, I’ll give you a hand putting the dinner out. But we’ve all got to eat at double quick time. I can’t sit still while those bags are unopened.’

The dinner was sausage and mash, and David helped to carry the plates in. ‘You haven’t forgotten we’re going to the Grafton with Sarah, have you?’

‘Of course I haven’t! It’s been a rare old day for me, one
way and another, but I haven’t forgotten the Grafton. I might even wear one of the new dresses. That’s if you don’t mind?’

David raised his brows. ‘Why should we mind? I can’t wait to see what there is about them to make you so happy.’

‘Then hurry and eat up,’ Poppy told him with a chuckle. ‘Ay, remember when we were kids, and we used to say that the last one to finish their dinner had to help Mam with the dishes?’

Like someone switching on the electric light, a picture came into David’s head, and as clear as day he could see himself and Poppy facing each other across the table. She was laughing and waving a fork at him, telling him he was a slowcoach and would have to help Mam with the dishes.

‘You were a bossyboots then and you still are, Poppy Meadows. Heaven help the poor bloke who marries you. I’ll have to have a word with him before the wedding, to make sure he knows what he’s letting himself in for.’

‘You’ll be married before me, brother, but I’ll not be having a word with your intended. She won’t need me to tell her she’s getting a good deal when she gets you.’

‘What makes you think I’ll be married before you? I haven’t even got a girlfriend yet.’ David pushed his empty plate out of the way. ‘Mind you, you must admit she’ll be someone with good taste. And according to my boss, I’ll be a man of means by that time.’

Eva collected the plates, saying, ‘Don’t count your chickens before they hatch, son, but it does look as though the Meadows family are going up in the world. I can see meself bragging about my son, who is a boss in his place of work, and my daughter the private secretary. I can just see Marg’s face if she heard me saying that. “Getting above yer bleeding self, Eva
Meadows. Don’t forget I knew yer when yer had sweet bugger all. So don’t be coming over all posh with me.”’