When Wishes Come True (26 page)

Philip’s cheeky grin reappeared. ‘I bet Miss Saunders didn’t boss Uncle Simon around, as you seem intent on bossing me.’ He held a hand to his heart. ‘But I won’t complain, for you are much more beautiful than Miss Saunders.’

Like giving a child a sweet to keep them happy, Evelyn blew him a kiss before she opened the door. ‘Thank you, my dear. And now I will collect my pencil and pad, and work shall commence in earnest.’

Philip was very fluent in his speech, and spoke clearly and slowly until he found Evelyn was more than keeping up with him. He dictated the last two letters at his normal speed. When he had finished he complimented her. ‘Very good, Mrs Sinclair, you can now go to the top of the class.’

‘Thank you, kind sir, I am pleased you are happy with me.’

‘I am more than happy with you, my dear, and will remain so as long as you remember it is my class you are in, and I am your teacher.’

Evelyn closed her note pad and pushed her chair back. ‘Ah, it will be interesting to know which lessons exactly you have in mind.’ She was feeling secure in the knowledge that his interest in her hadn’t dimmed, but was taking no chances until she had him in the palm of her hand. To do that she had to show she shared his feelings. ‘I wonder when I will find out?’ Without waiting for a reply, she left the office to type the letters ready for the lunchtime post.

Philip sat for a while staring into space. He couldn’t help himself where Evelyn was concerned, he was besotted with her. His only worry was that she didn’t feel the same about him. Was she just a tease? he asked himself. Then a voice in his head told him not to be stupid, a woman her age wouldn’t be childish enough to tease him. But he wasn’t entirely convinced. Only time would tell. So, trying to put her from his mind, he picked up the letters still to be answered, and as he read them composed the answers in his brain, ready to dictate later, probably after lunch. And thinking of lunch, Evelyn was back in his mind. They had an hour, and his apartment was only minutes away …

While Philip’s mind was on her, Evelyn was intent on typing the letters ready for the early post. While her hopes and the stakes were high, her feet were still on the ground. If an affair with him didn’t materialise she would need this job. Especially now when her salary had been increased. So she typed as quickly and as accurately as possible, and as she finished each letter asked Grace Carr to check them for errors. There was only one, and Evelyn was in high spirits to hear it. ‘Thank you, Grace, that is very good news. I’m getting back my speed now, thank goodness.’

As Evelyn left her chair, Grace asked, ‘How are you getting on with Mr Philip? He’s very good-looking, isn’t he?’ She giggled. ‘I know I could fall for him.’

‘Mr Philip is a gentleman, and very easy to work with.’ Evelyn stiffened. The last thing she wanted was for a young girl to be making cow’s eyes at him. ‘But I rather think he’s out of your league, dear, so I wouldn’t waste your time.’

‘You never know your luck,’ Grace called after her as she walked towards the office. ‘If you don’t try, you won’t get anywhere.’

Evelyn lifted her hand to show she’d heard before opening the office door to find Philip swivelling in his chair, fingers pressed together to form a steeple shape. She placed the letters before him, saying, ‘All ready for your signature, my dear. I have had Miss Carr check each one for spelling errors, so unless you really feel you ought, there is no reason for you to read them.’

‘Then I shan’t.’ He signed each letter with a flourish and handed them back to her. ‘Ask Miss Carr to attend to posting them, I want you back in here. There’s something I would like to ask you.’

Curious though Evelyn was to know what he had in mind, she didn’t want to delay the letters. ‘I’ll be back before you’ve had time to miss me.’

True to her word, in less than a minute she was sitting before him. ‘Now you can have my undivided attention, sir.’

‘Come to the apartment in our lunch hour. If you are afraid of being seen with me, we can make our way there separately. But I want a little time alone with you.’

‘Oh, Philip, I’m going shopping in my lunch hour! I’m sorry, but there are some things I need. Also, I have to change the five-pound note you gave me, otherwise I’ll have no coppers for the tram fare home tonight.’

‘That is a very poor excuse, my love. I can give you small change for your fare, and surely there is nothing so important that you need from the shops it can’t wait another day?’

He looked so disappointed, Evelyn found herself feeling guilty. She also realised for the first time that he was getting to her, she was really beginning to like him. ‘I was going to use the money you gave me to buy myself something nice to wear when I’m meeting you. Over the years I’m afraid I haven’t been able to afford the pretty satin underwear I was used to, nor the fine pure silk stockings and up-to-date shoes. There is little in my wardrobe that is modern and attractive, and I do so want to look my best for you. It will take me a while to get back to where I was a few years ago, but I’m determined to. I want to look my best for you.’

‘I wouldn’t care if you were dressed in sackcloth, my love, I find you very beautiful. But because spending an hour in your company would make me so happy, perhaps I can come up with a solution. Why don’t I give you some small change for your fares and any foodstuffs you may be in need of for the week, and then, if you are agreeable, it would give me great pleasure to buy the satin underwear I’m sure you would look wonderful in. I would delight in choosing it for you, and will have it at the apartment next time you come. Please don’t say no, my love, indulge me.’

Evelyn was stunned, her brain trying to take in too many things at once. One part of it was telling her to agree. This way she would be getting the best of both worlds. Money to last her the week, her satin under garments bought for her, and she would still have the five-pound note. On top of that, she knew that anything Philip bought would be far more expensive than the clothes she could afford for herself. But there was a niggle in the back of her mind that stopped her from answering him straight away. If she let him give her so much, what would he want in return? Oh, she knew he would expect sexual favours, she had never thought different and the idea didn’t bother her. But would he tire of her sooner if he thought of her as his mistress?

She sighed. ‘I don’t know, Philip. I feel torn between wanting to please you, and worrying that the time will come when you lose your respect for me because you believe I am only after your money. I would agree to your offer only if it is understood that I keep part of the life I have that makes me feel secure. My own home, although I don’t own it, my work here, and to retain what you call my air of mystery. If you agree then I would be happy about the financial arrangement, and would love to spend my lunch hour with you in your apartment.’

A slow grin spread across his handsome face. ‘And would you love to spend Saturday evening in my company? We don’t need to go out for a meal if you don’t wish to, I can arrange for one to be delivered. Whatever you would like to do, I will agree to. You see, my lovely Evelyn, I am completely captivated by you.’

‘It is still early days, Philip, let us not rush into anything.’ Evelyn could see the time coming when he would ask her to live with him, and she wasn’t ready for that yet. There was Amelia to consider, and that would be one piece of news that would put an end to any relationship if he found she’d lied to him. ‘We haven’t known each other long, let us take things slowly and enjoy getting to know each other. Like a courting couple, except it must be kept a secret during office hours.’

When Evelyn called for Amelia on Monday night, she was filled with the joy of living. And her expression wasn’t lost on Bessie. She had never known her neighbour look so happy, or be so pleasant and talkative. More than ever she was convinced there had been a great change in Evelyn’s life over the last few weeks, and from the brightness of her eyes, that change wasn’t anything to do with her old school chum. More likely it was a man who had brought it about.

‘Here’s the two shillings I borrowed from you yesterday, Miss Maudsley, and I owe you a debt of thanks, I don’t know what we’d have done without your help. You really are most kind. To me and to Amelia, who has grown very fond of you.’

‘And she’s a treat to have in the house,’ Bessie said, smiling at the girl who was looking from one to the other with apprehension. She was still afraid her mother would find out about the doll and forbid her to have it. ‘She’s company for me,’ Bessie went on, ‘someone to talk to instead of the four walls.’ Then she set a trap, wondering if her stuck-up neighbour would walk into it. ‘Yer can leave her any time, if yer want to go somewhere. To visit yer old school friend, like.’

Evelyn was hoping for this and gushed, ‘Oh, that
is
thoughtful of you. I’m sure Amelia would like that, I can tell she’s happy here. But I can’t allow you to feed her six days a week for a shilling, that would be most unfair. I’m expecting another raise in my salary soon. The man to whom I am private secretary is so pleased with my work he has intimated I will be receiving an increase in the next week or so. I am able, therefore, to give you two shillings a week, which should help you out.’

‘I like having the child here, I don’t do it for money. But an extra shilling would come in handy with the winter coming on and me needing extra coal. As I say, though, I would mind Amelia for nothing, she’s a mate to me.’ Bessie tilted her head. Her neighbour had walked into one trap, for there was no boss living that would give a worker a raise in pay twice within three weeks. Still, it was no skin off her nose if the woman lived in a fantasy world and was a compulsive liar. But would she walk into another? ‘She can stay here any time yer like, Mrs Sinclair. Perhaps when yer visit yer old school mate yer could sleep there overnight, save coming home in the dark?’

These words were music to Evelyn’s ears. ‘Well, if you wouldn’t think I was taking advantage of your good nature, it would be lovely to stay overnight at Elizabeth’s. I will write to her tonight, she’ll be really pleased.’

Amelia knew better than to show she was delighted. Her voice was soft when she asked, ‘Does that mean I’ll be sleeping here on Saturday night, Mother?’

‘Yes, it does. And I hope you realise what a lucky girl you are.’ Evelyn pushed herself off the couch feeling everything was going her way. The future looked very bright, except for the problem of her daughter, but she’d worry about that when the time came. Until then she intended to live the good life and take everything that Philip offered. ‘Come along, Amelia, I’m really quite hungry tonight. I have brought something in for our tea.’

Bessie opened her mouth to say the girl had enjoyed a meal only an hour ago, but closed it before the words came out. The most she’d be offered by her mother would be a sandwich, and she could manage that. It was funny that Bessie had never thought about it until the last few weeks, but never once had she smelled cooking coming from the house next door. It was no wonder the girl cleared her plate every night. When she’d finished her meal it was always as clean as a whistle.

Half an hour after Evelyn left with her daughter, Rita was knocking on Bessie’s front door.’ I haven’t got me bed with me, so yer don’t need to worry about me taking root in yer house. But you are the only bit of social life I get, sunshine. If it weren’t for our little chats I’d go round the bend with boredom.’

‘Sit yerself down, girl, yer know ye’re always welcome. And although I haven’t got any earth-shattering news for yer, I do have a tit-bit that might give yer something to think about. I’ll put the kettle on for a cuppa first, though, ’cos I always seem to find more to talk about when me whistle is whet.’ Bessie turned when she reached the kitchen door. ‘D’yer know, Rita, at one time I couldn’t stand women who had nothing better to do than jangle. Now I’m getting to be as bad as them. Not that I stand in the street gossiping, I don’t have time for that with going to work, but yer’ll see what I mean when I’ve made the tea and we can talk in peace.’

‘How is Amelia?’ Rita asked as she took the cup and saucer Bessie was holding out to her. ‘Still thrilled with the doll, is she?’

Bessie held the saucer steady while she lowered herself on to a chair. ‘If I’d spent a pound on a present for her, she couldn’t have thought more of it than she does that doll. She talks to it all the time, and sings to it when she pretends to be getting it to sleep. And when I’m in the kitchen, and she thinks I can’t hear her, she talks to it like her mother must talk to her. I can hear her saying, “Now, Daisy, what have I told you about keeping your dress clean? Just look at that mark, made with a dirty hand. I haven’t got money to buy you new clothes, so do as I say and make sure you wash your hands before touching anything. Don’t make me have to tell you again or I shall have to punish you. And remember, cleanliness is next to Godliness.”’

Rita shook her head and tutted. ‘She’s got the poor kid like an old woman, so serious and old-fashioned. The only time I’ve ever heard the girl laugh was here on Saturday for her birthday. And she looks so pretty when she’s acting her age, any mother would be proud to have her for a daughter. I know I would.’

‘Oh, she knows how to laugh, don’t worry. She has me in stitches sometimes when she’s taking off one of the girls in her class. We get on like a house on fire, me and her.’ Bessie tapped a finger against the side of her forehead. ‘She’s all there, Rita, believe me, and the more I see of her, the more I realise the poor kid learned from a very early age that the way to stay out of trouble is to do everything she’s told. She never answers her mother back, just keeps quiet and does as she says. But she’s a clever kid and must know that she doesn’t get the love and attention most children get from their mother. I’ve never seen the queer one give her a smile, never mind a kiss. Yer want to be here at night when it gets near the time for her mother to come and pick her up. She changes from a happy, laughing child to one who is a bag of nerves, terrified in case she says the wrong thing. It’s a crying shame, for she’s a girl crying out for love and attention.’