When the taxi arrived on Monday morning, Ethel was grateful that Constance insisted on carrying her cases. She had worked in this house for so many years and it seemed strange to be leaving, nevertheless she put on a brave face. Constance looked close to tears so she said, ‘Don’t forget, you said you’ll come to see us this afternoon.’
‘I’d love to, Ethel.’
Mary lifted her case into the taxi and said, ‘Bloomin’ ’eck, it’s gonna be a job to take our stuff into the café and then lug it to the flat.’
‘Oh dear, I hadn’t thought of that.’
‘Ethel, leave that box and your other case behind. I’ll bring them with me when I come to see you this afternoon,’ Constance offered.
‘That’s good of you, love, and will make things a lot easier for us.’
‘Come on, missus,’ the taxi driver urged, ‘the clock’s ticking so your fare’s going up.’
Mary climbed into the cab, and after giving Constance a swift hug, Ethel got in too. She took a seat and then through the window she looked at the large, imposing house that she was leaving. There was no sign of Mr Burton Blake, and with his wife still in hospital, Constance was the only one who had come to say goodbye. She waved at the girl as the taxi drew away, still finding it strange that when Albie married Constance, the Burton Blakes would be his in-laws. Not that it would do the lad any good. They were mean with their wages and expected their staff to work very long hours with no extra pay, so if Albie hoped more money would come his way, he’d be out of luck.
‘Ethel, I’m so excited,’ Mary said. ‘We’re moving into my first proper home.’
Mary’s enthusiasm was infectious and Ethel at last smiled. ‘Yes,’ she agreed, ‘and we’ll turn it into a proper little palace.’
‘I love my new pink candlewick bedspread and it’ll look lovely with the pink curtains.’
Remembering how animated Mary had been when she chose them, clapping her hands with delight, Ethel smiled again. Mary was an enigma, sometimes sounding sensible, but at other times her behaviour was childlike. She’d have to guide her when it came to finding a new job. Mary had been taken advantage of by the Burton Blakes, working ridiculously long hours, and Ethel was determined to ensure that it didn’t happen again.
At last they arrived at the café, and climbing out Ethel paid the fare while Mary carried their cases inside. When she walked in behind her, the smell of bacon frying made her mouth water, and she was ready for a cup of tea.
They walked up to the counter, where a jolly-looking man who was balding but had twinkling green eyes said, ‘Good morning, ladies. What can I get you?’
‘I’ll have egg and bacon and a cup of tea, please,’ Ethel told him.
‘Bread and butter?’ he asked.
‘Yes, please.’
‘I’ll have the same,’ Mary said.
‘Right, sit yourselves down and when it’s ready I’ll bring it over to your table.’
‘Thank you,’ they chorused and then grinned at each other. They chose a window table and looked out to see that many costermongers had nearly set up their stalls, with others close behind them.
‘I see you’ve got suitcases with you,’ the man said as he placed their tea on the table. ‘Are you off on your holidays?’
‘No,’ Ethel told him. ‘It’s hardly holiday weather. We’re moving into a house close to here but can’t get the keys until eight.’
‘You’re not in a hurry for your breakfast then, which is handy. Neither of my waitresses has turned up yet, and until they do I’ve got to man the counter and the kitchen. This isn’t the first time for one of them, and to be honest I think I’m gonna have to let her go.’
‘If you need a replacement, keep my friend here in mind. She’s worked in a big house serving their meals, and though it isn’t the same, she’s got some experience.’
‘I haven’t waited on lots of tables though,’ Mary protested.
If her legs had reached, Ethel would have kicked Mary under the table, but instead she limited the damage by saying, ‘I know, but you’re a quick learner.’
‘I tell you what,’ the man said to Mary. ‘Leave me your name and address, and if I need to hire a new waitress, I’ll get in touch. Now, though, I’d best get your food cooked. Once the market traders have set up, they’ll be in here in droves for their breakfasts.’
When the man was out of earshot, Mary whispered, ‘Ethel, I haven’t got a clue how to be a waitress.’
‘It can’t be that hard, love. I should think you just take the customers’ orders and pass them to the kitchen.’
Mary looked doubtful and then the café door opened and a slim young woman with auburn hair dashed in. When the owner appeared in the kitchen doorway, frowning, she said, ‘Sorry I’m late, Percy. I’ll be honest and admit I overslept.’
‘At least you’re here now and it ain’t like you to be tardy. Do you know if Pat’s on her way?’
‘I haven’t seen her.’
‘Well, Helen, if she doesn’t turn up again she’ll have to go,’ he said, walking back into the kitchen.
The girl he’d called Helen put on an apron, then took orders for two more customers before a bell rang signalling her to the kitchen. She returned carrying two plates which she placed in front of Mary and Ethel. ‘There you go, ladies. I’ll just get your bread and butter.’
When the girl walked away, Ethel whispered, ‘Stop sniffing and use your hanky. Just in case you’re offered a job, when she comes back let’s see what we can find out about Percy.’
‘I thought we agreed I’m not in any hurry to find work.’
‘Yeah, I know, but if the opportunity arises I think you should go for it. It’ll be better than cleaning.’
‘Here you are,’ the waitress said, returning with the bread and butter.
‘Your boss seems like a nice man,’ Ethel mused. ‘He didn’t do his nut that you were late.’
‘He’s lovely, a proper joker, and he rarely gets angry,’ she said, but then the door opened to admit several more customers, so she hurried off.
‘Watch the waitress while you’re eating and it’ll give you an idea of what you’d have to do if Percy offers you a job.’
Mary nodded, and took Ethel’s advice. There was a smile on her face when they paid for their meal and left. ‘It didn’t look too hard and I think I could pick it up.’
‘Let’s hope you get the chance,’ Ethel said, pleased to see when they arrived that the agent was outside the flat.
The man opened the door, and kindly took Ethel’s case to carry it inside. He put it down in the front room and then said, ‘Welcome to your new home. If you have any problems, let me know. Here are your keys, and please see that your rent is paid on time.’
Ethel nodded an affirmative and took the keys, grinning at Mary when the man left. ‘Right, girl, this is it,’ she said, ‘a fresh start for both of us.’
Mary grinned back and as Ethel looked around the cosy front room she settled on a fireside chair. There was a gas fire in the hearth which meant there’d be no lugging wood and coal into the house. She lit it, and settled back, sighing happily. They had to get some shopping in, but for now she relaxed, deciding to unpack later as she enjoyed the sensation of being in their own home.
Constance wasn’t happy. Miss Pearson arrived, but she had none of Ethel’s warmth. The woman was respectful, but cold and distant. There was no offer to call her by her first name, and her voice was clipped. Shortly after, the first cleaner arrived. She was an attractive dark-haired woman who looked to be around forty, and went by the name of Janet Green. Constance showed her the dumbwaiter, then said, ‘After my father and I have had our breakfast, I’ll show you around the house.’
‘Yes, Miss, thank you, Miss,’ the woman said, her smile warm.
Constance liked her, but couldn’t feel the same about Rita Pearson. She just hoped her attitude would soften once she’d settled in. ‘Miss Pearson,’ she said, ‘my father has asked me to talk to you about the menus so I’ll come down to see you again after breakfast.’
‘Very well,’ the woman said. ‘Breakfast will be ready at eight.’
‘Thank you,’ Constance said, equally curtly. She then returned upstairs to find that her father was up.
‘I take it the new staff have arrived?’ he asked.
‘Yes, and breakfast will be served shortly.’
‘I’ll be in my study until then,’ he said coldly.
Constance felt as if all the warmth of the house had left with Ethel and Mary, and for the first time she found that she wasn’t so unhappy at the thought of leaving it too. She just wished it wasn’t to marry Albie Jones.
At noon, Albie got off his scooter and stood outside the Burton Blakes’ house, admiring the grandeur and architecture. He looked forward to the day when it would be his, but for now plastered a smile on his face as he rang the doorbell.
‘Albie, what are you doing here?’ Constance asked with no return smile of welcome.
‘I’ve come to take you out.’
‘The last time you were here you made it perfectly clear that we wouldn’t be seeing each other again until our wedding day.’
‘Yes, well, sorry about that. I wasn’t in the best of moods.’
‘I suppose you had better come in,’ Constance said.
Albie noted that her voice lacked enthusiasm and worried that his mother was right. There could be the possibility that Constance was bucking against marrying him, but now that he’d decided she was his golden goose, he didn’t want that. ‘Thanks,’ he said, throwing in a compliment. ‘You look nice.’
‘Me?’
‘Yes, you,’ he said, with his best smile. ‘Being pregnant suits you. You’re blooming.’
‘Thank you,’ Constance said, flushing as she led him into the drawing room. ‘Can I get you anything?’
‘No, I’m fine, thanks.’
‘Err … you said you want to take me out, but I’m afraid I have other plans for this afternoon.’
‘Can’t you cancel them? I was going to take you to meet my mother.’
‘I’m afraid not. Perhaps you could take me to meet her tomorrow.’
‘Yeah, I suppose so,’ he said. ‘How about I pick you up at around the same time.’
‘Yes, that would be fine.’
‘Right then, that’s sorted so I’ll be off,’ Albie said, and knowing he had to make the effort he walked up to Constance, pulled her towards him and kissed her. She felt stiff in his arms and the kiss was unreturned but that didn’t worry him. If she was a cold fish that suited him just fine. The less affection he had to show her, the better.
Constance barely looked at him as she led him to the door, her voice little more than a whisper as she said, ‘Goodbye, Albie. I–I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘Yeah, see you,’ he called, smiling as he climbed onto his scooter but inwardly thinking she was a mug, taken in by his act. He hadn’t thought she looked nice at all – she was plain, her dress drab and her face devoid of make-up. Not that make-up would make any difference; he doubted anything could improve her looks, and for a moment he felt a twinge of doubt about marrying her. But then he looked at the house again, coveting it and the money that could come his way when Constance inherited her father’s estate.
Yeah, he’d have to put up with her plain face, but being married wouldn’t stop him from seeing others – ones who aroused him in ways that Constance never could.
Constance watched Albie drive off, giving her a jaunty wave. She hadn’t expected to see him and felt bewildered, her emotions all over the place. As she’d pointed out to him, the last time he’d spoken to her he’d made it clear that they wouldn’t meet again until the wedding day, and his manner had been contemptuous. Today, though, he’d been different. She’d found him kind, he’d complimented her and even kissed her, though the shock of that had caused her to go rigid in his arms.
She closed the door and twirling her hair round her finger she wandered back into the drawing room, picturing Albie in her mind’s eye. She liked his face, his smile, but something didn’t feel right. His manner had seemed false, and though his smile was charming, it hadn’t reached his eyes – in fact it was almost as if he’d been acting. Yet why?
With no answers, Constance shook her head and went to get ready to see Ethel and Mary in their new home. She hadn’t told Albie where she was going, and wondered how he’d have reacted if she had. Would he have tried to stop her? Would he try to stop her when they married? Constance hoped not, because no matter what they said about Ethel, nothing would keep her away from the woman who had been so caring and comforting to her since she’d been a child. Ethel had been her refuge, and had held her when she cried over her mother’s coldness and distant manner.
Her mother might be coming home on Wednesday. Constance anxiously wrapped her arms around herself. She had always coveted her mother’s love, but now that she had let her down so badly she feared only continued rejection.
Sad, but ready to go out now, Constance picked up her bag and opened the front door to the waiting taxi driver who helped her down the steps with Ethel’s case. At least she’d get a warm welcome from Ethel, and that was something to look forward to.