Two Strangers (8 page)

Wiping the tears away from her cheeks, she took a deep breath, her heart heavy with fear. ‘I’m really a girl …’

‘We already know that.’ Flo patted her hand and smiled. ‘Victoria, isn’t it?’

She nodded and glanced up at Harry.

He held up his hands. ‘I never said a word. It’s obvious to anyone now that you’re not a boy.’

‘So you see, Victoria – or do you prefer Vicki?’ Bob asked.

‘Vicki, please.’ She felt overwhelmed with disbelief. They didn’t mind? They already knew? They hadn’t told her to get out!

‘Right, well, Vicki, we understand why you dressed as a boy. It took a lot of courage to survive your ordeal, and you did the only thing you could. We respect you for that. You didn’t ask for pity – you wanted to work your way out of the disaster you were in, and that showed a sound character.’

‘And that’s what we recognized when we saw you.’ Flo poured Vicki a cup of tea and placed it in her hands. ‘There was something about you that made us believe you were worth helping, and I guess that was what made those two strangers reach out to you.’

‘Yes,’ Harry nodded. ‘Does this mean I can start a search to see if I can find them? You mustn’t hold out too much hope, Vicki. We have precious little to go on.’

‘I know that, sir, but anything you can find out would be helpful. Thank you, sir.’ Vicki didn’t know whether to laugh or cry now – the relief was enormous. Everything was going to be all right! She could hardly believe it. All these months of worry and guilt had been unnecessary.

‘So, now that is out of the way, do you want to work with me in the new shop?’ Flo asked.

‘Oh, yes, please! Oh, but what about the barber’s? They need someone as well.’

Bob laughed. ‘I’ve roped Harry in to help until I can get a young lad.’

‘You’ll enjoy that, sir. The customers are all so nice.’ She gave him a dimpled smile. ‘They are very generous with their tips.’

‘I don’t know about enjoying it, but I’ll try to do as good a job as you. From what I’ve heard, though, that will be close to impossible.’

‘Oh, sir, you are funning me.’

Flo grinned. ‘I’m taking you shopping tomorrow, Vicki. I can’t wait to see you in pretty clothes and style your beautiful hair. We’ll go to Weston’s, up the road.’

‘Oh, but they’re expensive. I can’t afford clothes from there.’

‘Some new clothes will be our Christmas present to you.’

The clothes with which Vicki had left the house in Poplar no longer fitted, no matter how much she pulled and breathed in. She had grown quite a lot, and, anyway, they were far too shabby to go into a ladies’ shop with Flo. The frock was torn from squeezing in and out of the tiny window, and the coat was in a dreadful state.

There was a knock on her door and she opened it, her expression worried. ‘I can’t come out with you like this. I’ll be a disgrace to you, and I can’t wear the boy’s clothes where we’re going. I’ll go and get something from the market. They have a stall selling used clothes. They are cheap, but some garments are quite nice if you search through them.’

Flo was shaking her head as she studied Vicki critically. ‘No, no, I won’t have you wearing second-hand clothes. But I do agree that you can’t go out like that. Take those things off and throw them away. I’ll see if I have anything upstairs to fit you.’

‘I don’t mind them, Mrs Howard. I’ve only ever had second-hand clothes.’

‘Well, those days are over. Our ladies’ salon is going to attract a good class of customer, and we are going to look as smart as they are!’

Vicki watched Flo leave and hurry up the stairs, and then she sat down on the bed with a thump, unable to believe what was happening. Her mind had been in a whirl since yesterday, and a lump came to her throat as she gazed around her room. And it was still
her
room! She had been terrified about losing this security, and, even worse, it would have broken her heart to leave the Howards. But that nightmare hadn’t happened. In fact, the Howards seemed pleased she was really a girl, and her deception didn’t bother them at all. Vicki had never known such kindness and understanding existed, and she was having a job taking it all in. There had been no doubt in her mind that she would lose all this for lying to them. It was unbelievable, and she loved them for that. And that was another emotion she had never experienced before.

‘Here we are.’ Flo returned with an armful of clothes. ‘Let’s see if we can make some of these fit you. They’re on the tight side for me, so we might be able to do something with them. I’ve found you some proper undergarments as well. It wouldn’t do to have you wearing a boy’s vest and pants.’

Half an hour later, with the aid of some hasty stitching, Vicki looked respectable. She stared in the mirror in disbelief. She had been thinking of herself as a boy for months now, and it was disconcerting to see a young girl looking back at her.

‘That will have to do until we can get you better clothes.’ Flo nodded, holding a brush in her hands. ‘I’ll have a quick go at your hair, but it will have to grow before we can style it properly.’

When they were ready to leave, Vicki said, ‘I have a bit saved up, so I can pay towards the clothes.’

‘No need for that.’ Flo chuckled. ‘Bob’s given me instructions to see you are dressed fashionably – and he’s given me the money – enough for both of us. So, let’s go shopping!’

The proprietor of Weston’s greeted them warmly, and Vicki recognized her as one of Flo’s regular customers. This made her even more nervous in case she remembered her as the boy who had shampooed her hair on many occasions.

‘And what can I do for you today, Mrs Howard? New stock arrived yesterday, so I’m sure we can find something stylish for you.’

‘I want a complete set of clothes for my niece, Victoria, and perhaps a frock for myself.’

If the shop owner wondered why Mrs Howard had a niece no one had ever heard of, she was too professional to let her curiosity show. Vicki quickly realized that Flo had introduced her like this to avoid questions. After all, it wouldn’t seem strange that she was buying clothes for a relative, would it? Whatever the reason, Vicki was relieved the woman had not shown any sign of recognizing her as Jim. She gazed longingly at the racks of lovely clothes and stifled a sigh of pure pleasure. How she was looking forward to being herself again!

After nearly two hours, Vicki felt as if she had tried on nearly everything in the shop, and there were a lot of items piled on the counter waiting to be parcelled up.

‘Try on this amber frock,’ Flo told her, holding out the most exquisite and fashionable garment Vicki had ever seen.

She stepped close and whispered, ‘You mustn’t buy me any more. I only needed one frock and a coat. Anything else I need I can get at the market. They do sell new clothes as well.’

‘Just try this on, and that will be the last, I promise – apart from a pair of shoes, of course. You must have those.’

From the look of pleasure on Flo’s face, Vicki knew it would be hopeless to argue, and she couldn’t do that in the shop. There were other customers as well, and they all seemed to know Flo.

The frock fitted perfectly, and when she stepped out of the fitting room there was complete silence in the shop. Everyone was staring at her, and she fidgeted nervously. ‘It’s all wrong for me, isn’t it?’

‘It’s lovely.’ Flo made Vicki turn round and round. ‘Oh, my dear, you are such a beautiful girl. You must have that frock. It brings out the colour of your eyes.’

‘You’ll have to watch her, Mrs Howard,’ one customer said, laughing. ‘You’ll have all the young men in the district after her.’

Vicki glared at the woman who had spoken, making her fall silent, and then looked away. ‘Oh, no, they won’t,’ she said under her breath. ‘I don’t want this frock! You’ve spent too much on me already,’ she added hastily, realizing that she had spoken too sharply.

‘All right, my dear. I think we’ve bought enough, anyway. I just wanted you to have something special, but if you don’t like it, then we’ll leave it.’

Vicki quickly changed, and she was relieved to be away when they left the shop. Flo quickly ushered her into a shoe shop, and finally the shopping was finished.

As they walked back, loaded with bags, Flo asked, ‘Why did that woman’s remarks upset you so, Vicki?’

‘I don’t want men after me! I’m never going to marry and end up like my mum.’

‘Not all men are cruel, my dear. Look at Bob. He’s the kindest man you could ever wish to meet. We’ve been married for twenty-three years, and I’ve never regretted one of them. We’re very happy together.’

‘I know you are. From what I’ve seen, though, there are more unhappy marriages than happy ones. I’m not going to risk it.

‘You’ll change your mind when you fall in love.’

Vicki shook her head vigorously. ‘Never!’

Eight

The day they were given the keys to the shop next door was very exciting, and they couldn’t wait to start turning it into the elegant salon they had planned so carefully. They had talked of little else over Christmas, and it had been the happiest one Vicki had ever experienced and she had savoured every moment. There had been so much laughter and joy at the giving of presents, and she had helped Flo prepare and cook a large chicken with roast potatoes and all sorts of vegetables. Then they’d had a Christmas pudding, and at tea time a trifle and Christmas cake. There had been so much food that Vicki had wondered how they were going to get through it, but there were so many people dropping in and nothing went to waste.

There was an almost permanent smile on her face now as she gazed around the shop. It was in a terrible mess, but they couldn’t wait to get started on the transformation. A local handyman was going to help clear the place of rubbish and put up shelves, and then a plumber would fit two sinks. They had spent a long time deciding on the kind of chairs they wanted and other necessary pieces of furniture. They had chosen peach and white for the towels, and the same shade of peach for smart salon aprons.

It was hard work, but after only a week they were ready to open.

Flo sat in one of the chairs and looked around with obvious satisfaction. ‘All we need now are customers. How are we doing with bookings?’

‘Quite good.’ Vicki opened the large appointment book. She had been given complete charge of this side of the business, and she was proud and determined to be the most efficient assistant any hairdresser could have. ‘We have twelve for next week, so far, starting from Tuesday, and I’ve asked each of your regulars to spread the word.’

‘That was a good idea, and twelve isn’t bad for a start.’ Flo stood up. ‘We’ll give ourselves Monday to finish off the final details, and then open for business on Tuesday. I don’t know what I would have done without you, my dear. You’re a good organizer. Do you know that?’

‘I enjoy arranging things.’ Vicki smiled, pleased with the compliment. Christmas and the work to get the salon ready had been a joy, and adding to her joy was the relief of not having to pretend any more. She was also delighted to be wearing feminine clothes again. The Howards had taken her deception with understanding, and for the first time in her life she felt secure and cared for. It was a heady feeling, and, looking back, it seemed worth all the suffering she had gone through, abandoned and hiding in that terrible warehouse.

When Bob, Sid and Harry walked in to inspect the work they had done, Vicki’s thoughts turned to the two strangers who had reached out to her with kindness. She was happy – but were they? What had happened to Bill? She had often wondered if he would turn up again, but he never had. And when she tried to remember every detail about the man at the station, she had the impression that he had been tense and harassed, and yet he had taken the time to stop and help a young girl in desperate need. She worried about them.

‘My word,’ Sid turned slowly to study everything, ‘you girls have worked hard.’

‘They certainly have.’ Bob nodded his approval. ‘It’s all very tasteful, and the colour scheme has a calming effect.’

‘The colours were Vicki’s idea,’ Flo said, ‘and I’m pleased the way it has turned out. We have the look I was aiming for. The bookings are already coming in, so we are going to open on Tuesday.’

While the opening was being discussed, Vicki went over to Harry. ‘Have you been able to find out anything yet?’

‘I haven’t had much time, but the coat of arms on the book belongs to the Ashington family. George Ashington was born in 1796 and made his fortune in trade. As far as I can discover, he had three ships carrying cargoes of all kinds. His descendants inherited great wealth, and I’ll start looking into this further as soon as Bob finds a lad for the barber’s.’ Harry spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, making them laugh.

‘I’m trying,’ Bob told him, ‘but why don’t you just admit you’re enjoying yourself in the shop?’

‘Can’t look gloomy, can I? I’d never get any tips if I scowled at the customers.’ He gave Vicki a sly wink. ‘As I was saying, the Ashingtons’ home was sold some years ago. Perhaps the contents were sold as well and that was how your stranger got hold of the book, but I’ll try to find someone in the family. It won’t be easy …’ He glanced across at Bob. ‘And it will take time!’

Bob just smiled and said nothing.

The first two days of business were slow, but, as the week went by, they became busier and busier, and when they had locked up at the end of Saturday, Flo and Vicki collapsed into chairs, smiles on their faces.

‘What a week!’

Vicki agreed, her smile broadening. ‘And the appointment book for next week is filling nicely. Your shop is going to be a success.’

‘
Our
shop, my dear. This is
our
shop.’ She laughed softly. ‘Two customers have said they want their hair cut like yours. You’re setting a new trend, Vicki.’

‘What? A short back and sides!’

‘It has grown a little. Another month and I’ll really be able to do something with it.’

‘Are you girls going to sit there all night?’ Bob asked, looking through the door. ‘We’re starving so Sid has gone to the chippie. It’s going to be fish and chips all round this evening.’