One Rainy Day (55 page)

Poppy nodded. ‘Yes. She told me there were other signs, but I’m not repeating them to you in the middle of a dance floor.’

‘Would anyone notice if I stole a quick kiss now?’ Andrew asked. ‘If it was the right sign, it could be the start of a romance, don’t you think?’

‘Oh, I think a few people would notice a couple kissing as they danced past. Let’s have a night out on our own, to get to know each other better.’

‘That would be wonderful,’ Andrew said, his tummy doing somersaults. ‘How about tomorrow night?’

Yes, that would be fine. You can call for me at home. Then you could meet my mam.’

‘I can’t wait,’ Andrew told her, ‘so I’m going to steal a sly kiss. And I don’t care if every person in the room sees me.’ He put a finger under Poppy’s chin and raised her face. Then, softly, he brushed his lips against hers. Neither knew the effect on the other, but later, Andrew admitted to seeing stars, while Poppy said she felt as though she was floating on air.

‘Would your mother say that was a good sign?’

‘That I don’t know, and I won’t be asking her. But if you were to ask me, then I’d say that was a very good sign.’

‘I am so looking forward to meeting your mother. I’m eager to know every little thing about you, Poppy, and meeting your mother is a good start.’

Little did they know what the next day was to bring.

John Sutherland, or Mr S., as Poppy called him, put his signature to the last letter, then handed them over to her. ‘See that they get the lunchtime post, Miss Meadows.’

She smiled at him. ‘I’ll see to it right away.’ She was halfway to the door when he called her back. ‘Before I forget, would you ask Miss Simpson to organize tea and biscuits for later? I’m expecting a lady visitor, and would like to offer her some light refreshment. She’s the wife of a friend of mine, and rang last night to say she had shopping to do in town, so would call in to see me. If need be, tell Miss Simpson to send one of the juniors for cakes or biscuits. My friend knows her way up to my office, and I’ll give you a ring when she arrives.’

He was used to Poppy’s playful ways by now, and found them refreshing. So he smiled when she said, ‘Your friend will be treated like royalty. I shall make the tea with my own fair hand. And I’ll make sure there are no broken biscuits.’

It was a quarter past two when the phone on Poppy’s desk rang. ‘Would you come through, please?’

Poppy stopped by Lorna’s desk. ‘I think his visitor has arrived, so better put the kettle on.’ Then she patted her hair, smoothed down her skirt, and made sure the seams on her stockings were straight.

When the door opened and Poppy came in wearing a smart white blouse, a figure-hugging black skirt, and walking
like a model, Harriet Wilkie-Brook was taken aback. Her husband hadn’t exaggerated when he said the girl was stunning. Apart from a face that was perfect, and an outstanding figure, the girl held herself well.

‘Miss Meadows, this is a friend of mine, Miss Harriet.’

Harriet inclined her head in answer to Poppy’s smile. Then, as planned, she feigned surprise. ‘Meadows, that sounds familiar. Your name wouldn’t be Poppy by any chance?’

It was Poppy’s turn to show surprise, but hers was genuine. ‘Yes, my name is Poppy Meadows.’

‘Well, I do declare! My son and daughter often speak of you. And I believe you have met my husband?’ Harriet was almost as good an actress as her daughter. ‘What a coincidence, John! I am so glad I called in, for I have heard so much about this young lady from Andrew and Charlotte.’ She left her seat to shake Poppy’s hand. ‘I am delighted to meet you, my dear. My son and daughter speak of you so warmly, and they’ll be delighted when I tell them how I came to meet you this afternoon. Do please come and visit us sometime in the near future, so we can become acquainted. Will you do me the honour of calling one day? Andrew would bring you. Or Charlotte, who is forever singing your praises. Promise you will pay a visit very soon?’

Poppy was in a dilemma, and looked to Mr S. for guidance. She worked here, he was her boss! But he seemed to be quite pleased about the turn of events, and there was no help coming from that quarter.

‘I will try to visit you, Miss Harriet. When I next see Andrew or Charlotte, we’ll talk about it.’ She gave a wide smile, which made Harriet hope her son would claim this extraordinary girl before someone else did. She was quite enchanting, and would be so good for her son.

‘Shall I ask Miss Simpson to bring the refreshments through, Mr S.?’

‘If you would, Miss Meadows. And don’t forget the sugar. Both Mr Hammond and myself have a sweet tooth.’

Before turning, Poppy said, ‘It was nice meeting you, Miss Harriet.’

‘We’ll meet again soon, my dear, I’m sure.’

Poppy was a bag of nerves as she went over the events of the day with her mam and David. ‘I didn’t even know what to call her, because I can’t remember their second name. I know it’s a double barrel one, but that’s all!’

‘What are yer getting yerself in a state for, sweetheart?’ Eva asked. ‘She didn’t eat you. She’s not an ogre.’

‘I know. She was very nice, actually. But it was in my place of work, and here she was, treating it like a social event. It was embarrassing, to say the least. Anyway, I’d better make an effort and get myself ready. Andrew will be here soon.’ She noticed there was a sly smile on her brother’s face. ‘What are you looking so pleased about?’

‘I’ve had a feeling for a long time that Andrew was going to be part of your life. And it looks as though I was right. And Charlotte! She says a prayer every night that you and Andrew fall in love.’ David wasn’t often serious, but he was now. ‘And I don’t think you could find a better bloke if you searched the whole world over. I’ve said to Mam, he’s someone who is sincere and you could trust him with your life.’

Eva asked, ‘Do you love him, sweetheart?’

‘I’ll tell you later tonight, Mam. Right now I’d better put a move on. I don’t want to keep him waiting.’

Poppy was coming down the stairs when she heard the car pull up outside. ‘I’ll go, Mam!’

Andrew looked at her and their eyes locked for a few seconds. Then he held his arms out and Poppy stepped down into them. ‘You know what happened today?’

‘Yes, Mother told me. You’re not upset about it, are you? She meant no harm, and she’s never stopped singing your praises since she got home. She told the housekeeper and the cook. They all know Andrew has a beautiful friend. Mother’s last words to me as I left the house were, “If you let that girl get away, you’ll have me to answer to.”’

Poppy looked up at him, her arms round his neck. And without a word being spoken, their lips met. It was their first real kiss, and they parted only to sigh with happiness. Then Andrew claimed her lips again. This time it was a lover’s kiss and left both of them light-headed. Andrew broke the spell long enough to ask, ‘Is this what your mother meant?’

Poppy didn’t answer. She took his hand and pulled him up the steps and into the living room. ‘Mam, David, this is my boyfriend, and we love each other.’

Liking Andrew on sight, and having heard from David that he was a good man, Eva was delighted. She kissed her daughter, and hugged Andrew. ‘You make a lovely couple.’

‘We’ll be back later, Mam, and you can get to know Andrew. But first I want him to drive me to his home so I can meet his parents properly. And most of all, I want to see my very best friend, Charlotte. I want to thank her for bringing me and Andrew together. She did it by fair means or foul, but she did it, and I love her for it.’

Half an hour later, and without giving advance warning, Andrew walked into the house with Poppy on his arm. And never had the Wilkie-Brook house known such joy and laughter. Frances and Jane were brought in from the kitchen, and they were taken aback when Poppy kissed them. They
weren’t servants to her, they were people like herself, who were working for a living. She’d known from the minute she’d set eyes on Andrew and Charlotte that they came from a rich family, but she didn’t care, because her own family had riches of a different kind. She would have loved Andrew whether he was rich or poor, and it showed on her face when she looked at him. And Andrew was in a world of his own. He couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful girl he had thought he would only see in his dreams.

George and Harriet were so overjoyed, there were tears in their eyes as they hugged each other. But the happiest of all was Charlotte. She stood between her brother and her very best friend, and she clung to both of them. She told herself God must have forgiven her for the lies she told, for had He not granted her wishes? Poppy would always be in her life now, and that was the best present that anyone could give her.

Six months later, George Wilkie-Brook and his friend John Sutherland sat in the smoking room of the club. The smoke from George’s cigar and John’s pipe swirled around them. ‘Well, old boy.’ George said, looking happy and contented. ‘It’s been a very interesting six months, don’t you think? And one I have enjoyed immensely, I have to say. From the moment Poppy set foot in our house, on Andrew’s arm, we have known nothing but laughter and happiness.’

‘Your son is a lucky blighter, I have to say,’ John told his old friend. ‘There are not many girls like Poppy. Prince or pauper, everyone is equal in her eyes. I was afraid she would be leaving me to get married soon after she and Andrew declared their intentions, but she is determined to carry on working, for which I am very thankful. I never much enjoyed going
into the office every day until Poppy came along. Now I look forward to it.’

George chortled. ‘She soon put Harriet in her place, and that’s something no one else has ever done. My wife thought it wrong that her son’s fiancée should do anything so lowly as go out to work, but Poppy said she would carry on working even when she and Andrew are married. And on her twentieth birthday, last month, when they got engaged, she loved the ring he bought her, but refused a very expensive watch. She intends to continue living with her mother, who, by the way, gets on like a house on fire with Harriet. Like Poppy, she’s down to earth and doesn’t pretend to be something she’s not.’ George raised his hand to a waiter standing near. ‘Two glasses of your best claret, please, Joseph.’ Then he turned back to John.

‘My son is the happiest person in the world. He idolizes Poppy, and she feels as strongly about him. Harriet and I are well pleased with our life, now there is more to interest us. And, of course, it is much more lively. Poppy has a very remarkable sense of humour.’ Then George remembered he had something else to tell his old friend. ‘Oh, another thing Poppy has done, which I shall be eternally grateful for, is bring my beloved Charlotte into the real world. She never knew what it was to work for her money, but all that has changed. She helps in Andrew’s office almost every day now, so she can go to lunch with Poppy and another friend, Jean. And she has a boyfriend. He is the son of one of Andrew’s clients, and a very likeable young man. He had never been to a dance in his life, apparently, until he met Charlotte. Now he goes dancing with her, Poppy and Andrew. And I have to admit, John, that while I am a wealthy man, like yourself, I do think we missed out on life when we were their age.’

‘One can’t go back, old boy,’ John said. ‘We spent years of our youth sitting exams, in order to make money in later life. You can’t have it both ways.’ He looked pensive for a while, then asked, ‘When will Poppy and Andrew be getting married? I’ll be sad to lose her.’

‘From what I’ve heard, John, you won’t be losing her for a while. She has said she will only stop working when two things happen. One is when they start a family. And the other is when her brother David gets married and he and his wife live with Eva. Poppy has stated in no uncertain terms that she would never leave her mother to live alone. David has a girlfriend now, but he wants to get on in his job and be earning a decent salary before he thinks of settling down. So Poppy will be with you for some time yet.’

‘That makes me feel very happy.’ John looked at his watch. ‘I’d better be on my way, or Poppy will say she can tell by my breath that I’ve had one drink too many.’

George chortled. ‘The wench has us all in her spell, and loving it. And it all came about because of one rainy day.’