Ruby sat in Elizabeth Pennington’s office, her notebook tightly clutched in her lap. She surreptitiously watched Elizabeth finish her conversation with her husband, Joseph Carter, whom she had asked to join their meeting.
‘So, Ruby…’ Elizabeth smiled as she and Joseph joined Ruby in the comfortable seating area by the window. ‘I hope you’ve had a little time to think about what we can do next with the main window. It’s been three days since we cleared the Titanic display and I’m keen to start work on something to cheer and inspire the public. We all need a burst of something beautiful to get us through what will be a most horrible time for so many.’
Joseph sat down beside his wife on the settee. ‘I have put several workroom staff on standby if you need some extra stitching and altering done, Miss Taylor. The new window must be a priority. A large part of Pennington’s reputation and attraction are our windows. With the curtains closed, it only reminds people of the Titanic tragedy, rather than giving them hope for the future.’
The importance and expectation of Ruby’s ideas was obvious, and she sat a little straighter in her chair, battling the tumble of nerves in her stomach. ‘It’s very generous of you to allow me use of your staff, Mr Carter. Their help will be most welcome. I’ve written up notes for two ideas, but I am leaning towards one more than the other. I’m quietly confident it shouldn’t take too long to design and erect the display if we get to work as soon as possible.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’ He smiled and glanced at his wife. ‘Have you shown Miss Pennington?’
‘No, not yet. I—’
There was a knock on the office door before Mrs Chadwick, Elizabeth’s secretary, walked briskly into the room, her glasses perched on the end of her nose. ‘Miss Pennington, I have Esther Culford here. She wondered if she might impose on your time for a few moments?’
‘Of course.’ Elizabeth immediately leapt to her feet, pleasure brightening her green eyes. ‘Show her in, please.’
Ruby swallowed, her nerves escalating. As Pennington’s previous head window dresser, Esther Culford’s reputation preceded her. Arguably, she’d had as much of a hand in Pennington’s new, equal opportunity philosophy as Elizabeth and Joseph before Esther had left the store to birth her baby. Her eye for detail, innovation and excitement for change, had played an integral part in bringing Pennington’s into the twentieth century.
Ruby’s mouth dried. How would she ever measure up to Esther? Would Elizabeth ask Ruby to share her ideas in front of Esther? The notion was terrifying.
‘Esther! Oh, my love, it is so wonderful to see you.’ Elizabeth embraced her friend. ‘Haven’t you brought darling Beth with you?’
Esther laughed. ‘No, your namesake is happily playing with her brother and sister at home. I made my escape and left them with Helen. Our nanny is a godsend, you know that.’ She turned and nodded at Ruby. ‘Hello, Ruby.’
‘Hello. It’s nice to see you, Esther.’
‘You, too.’ She opened her arms to accept Joseph’s embrace. ‘Joseph.’
‘Come and join us,’ he said, waving towards an empty armchair. ‘You might have some helpful input into Ruby’s plans for the main window.’
Ruby’s heart sank and her hands ever so slightly trembled. Any hope of Esther not being involved had been futile. Well, she was here now so there was no other option than to dig deep and find the confidence to get through this meeting with passion and verve. Prove herself capable of executing a good job.
‘I’d love to,’ Esther said, as she sat down. ‘My mind has been filled with worry and grief ever since the sinking. Lawrence is beside himself trying to get Harriet home. We think she will be on the first ship to leave America for England. At least, we hope she is.’ Her eyes filled with concern as she looked around the group. ‘The sombre tone of her telegrams indicated she is much changed. Not herself at all. I cannot imagine what she’s been through.’
Elizabeth took Esther’s hand. ‘I have the same concerns about Amelia. Her telegrams have convinced me she was trying to be happy when she really isn’t at all. She wants to stay in New York and continue with the scouting assignment, but I worry she wants that for fear of disappointing me should she abandon everything we had planned.’
Esther set her bag on the floor and sighed, tiredness shadowing her gaze. She pushed a blonde curl behind her ear. ‘Well, there is little any of us can do when the survivors are thousands of miles away. Harriet wants to get back to Culford Manor as soon as possible and…’ She looked at Elizabeth and then Joseph, a silent something passing between the friends that Ruby couldn’t decipher. ‘She wants Lawrence, me and the children to come and live with her there. Permanently. I really think we have no choice but to agree, considering all Harriet has been through.’
‘Surely you won’t go?’ Two spots of colour leapt into Elizabeth’s cheeks. ‘After everything that happened in that house, how Harriet was so awful to you when…’ She blinked and looked at Ruby as though suddenly remembering she was there.
Ruby immediately stood, her cheeks burning that she been party to a conversation that clearly concerned personal and private matters. ‘I should go. It was lovely to see you again, Esther.’
‘Oh, no, Ruby stay.’ Esther’s hazel eyes softened, her smile kind. ‘I’d love to hear your plans. It will be a welcome distraction, I promise.’ She looked at Elizabeth and Joseph. ‘Why don’t you both join Lawrence and me for dinner tonight at the house? We can talk more then.’
Joseph nodded. ‘We’d love to.’
‘Absolutely.’ Elizabeth squeezed Esther’s hand before turning to Ruby. ‘I’m so sorry, Miss Taylor. I fear I am no more myself than anyone else these past few days. Why don’t you share your ideas with us and Mrs Culford?’
‘Of course.’ Ruby sat down and pushed her fears away. This was yet another chance that Miss Pennington was giving her. An opportunity for Ruby to show what she could do and hopefully gain the added benefit of Mr Carter’s and Esther’s approval too. ‘I would appreciate everyone’s opinion.’
Inhaling a strengthening breath, Ruby opened her notebook and scanned her notes before studying each of the three faces in front of her. All their eyes were upon her, alert and interested.
‘Considering the pain and suffering happening across Great Britain and America at the moment, I think it would be good for the public to see a display at Pennington’s that can only provoke feelings of hope, optimism and happiness.’
‘Hear, hear.’ Joseph Carter leaned forward on the settee, his blue eyes gently encouraging. ‘What do you have in mind?’
Ruby pulled back her shoulders. ‘Weddings.’
‘Weddings?’ Elizabeth frowned. ‘Surely weddings are the last thing anyone will want to think of when so many have lost husbands, wives, sons and lovers? Wouldn’t a wedding theme risk being insensitive?’
Ruby’s throat dried. For two days she’d agonised over a premise to bring smiles to people’s faces, to lift their hearts and look to brighter horizons. Had her overwhelming instinct that weddings were the ultimate symbol of hope been wrong?
‘I disagree.’ Esther stood and walked behind the settee, her gaze firmly on Ruby’s. ‘Tell us more. What can you see in the window?’
Ruby cleared her throat and mustered every ounce of her floundering confidence. ‘Well, I was thinking a country chapel background with an entire family wedding party present, along with a few farm animals, flowers, blue skies and sunshine. A June bride. Puppies and kittens…’ Her heart picked up speed as her vision filled her mind’s eye. ‘A pretty sister holding an infant and her husband proudly standing beside his new family. Rebirth, hope, starting again… a family dream for the future, love and care. A much-needed dose of buoyancy showing our customers that as much as we have been struck down by pain, loss and grief, we will rise again to a better future.’
The only sounds in the room was the swish of tyres through the rain-sodden street outside the open window, interspersed with the odd snatch of raised voices and a crying child. Heat slowly inched up Ruby’s neck to burn in her cheeks as Miss Pennington, Mr Carter and Esther stared at her, their expressions still and considering.
‘Of course, if this idea is not to your liking…’ she babbled, ‘then I can show you the ideas I have for maybe a baby theme or just family as a whole or—’
‘Weddings…’ Joseph Carter murmured, his gaze on Ruby as he slowly nodded. ‘What do you think, Elizabeth?’
Miss Pennington turned to her husband and then Esther. Esther’s staid expression slowly softened as her smile grew wider.
Elizabeth grinned and faced Ruby. ‘Superb idea, Miss Taylor. Truly inspired. I cannot think of anything more fitting to rouse people’s spirits and look to happier times. Weddings mean family and friends united and hopeful for a young couple who have their whole lives ahead of them. Your idea will remind people of what matters. Love, trust and care. Family, children and loved ones.’ She looked at her husband and Esther a second time. ‘Are we all in agreement?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘Without a doubt.’
Ruby exhaled as her relief rushed out a whoosh of air. ‘Oh, I’m so pleased. I was so worried that you—’
‘No need to worry anymore,’ Miss Pennington laughed. ‘Go back to the design department and further your ideas. As soon as you know what you need to get started, let me know and you will have mine and Mr Carter’s full support. We have just over a month to bring your idea to fruition. As of the 1st of June, Pennington’s will unveil its new, hopeful main window. Congratulations.’
‘Thank you so much.’ Ruby clutched her notebook to her chest, desperate to escape the office so she might hurry to the shop floor and tell Victoria her news. ‘Shall I get started straight away?’
‘Absolutely.’
Ruby left the office and walked as fast as her legs could carry her along the wood-panelled executive corridor. Once inside the lift, she leaned against the wall and grinned, ignoring the attendant’s curious glances.
At last, everything in her life seemed to be taking a turn for the better. First, escape from her mother and now a Pennington’s window all of her own. She had never felt so blessed.