18

‘You wanted to speak to me?’ Gwyneth asked as she tentatively stepped through the open office door.

‘No need to look worried. I’m not about to sack you,’ Sarah grinned. ‘Can you close the door?’

Gwyneth frowned, but did as requested before sitting down. ‘What’s the problem?’ she asked in her gentle Welsh lilt. ‘I’ve noticed you have a worried frown on your face when you’re on the shop floor.’

‘I do have a problem and wondered if you’d be able to help me?’ she replied, before outlining what had been happening with the takings on certain counters.

‘You can’t speak to our illustrious manager?’

‘Well, no . . .’

‘He’s part of the problem, I assume?’

‘I don’t know, although I have doubts about him, as well as others. It’s such a mess,’ she sighed.

‘I’ll help all I can, just say the word. Oh, and I’ll not tell Mike.’ She smiled. ‘That is unless you plan to rob the store, as he would know I had a secret. It comes with him being a policeman for so many years.’

‘There’s enough of that going on without me joining in,’ Sarah chuckled, feeling a weight drop from her shoulders, knowing that Gwyneth was part of the team. ‘I want you to be my eyes on the shop floor, especially at times when Clemmie is collecting the takings from the tills. It will mean moving counters, though.’

‘A change is as good as a rest, as they say, but surely you don’t suspect Clemmie. Betty would be mortified.’

‘No, not for a moment. Clemmie has been a star in all this, and it was she who noticed that takings had dropped on a few of the tills at certain times.’

‘And with certain staff on those counters?’

‘Yes, I’m afraid so, but I plan to put a stop to it. This is a list of your duties, and on which counters. All I want you to do is keep your eyes open and inform me if you have any concerns.’

‘I can do that. I assume I’m not the only counter assistant you’ll be speaking to?’

‘No, there will be two others: Claudette and Jessie. I dare not make too many changes or the person who is doing this will get wind of what is happening . . .’ She stopped speaking as someone knocked on the door. ‘Come in.’

Maureen popped her head around the door. ‘Sorry to interrupt you,’ she apologized, looking between the two women. ‘I hope there’s nothing wrong. I thought you looked worried when you were in the staff room?’

‘Everything’s fine,’ Sarah assured her, forcing a smile onto her face. She hated keeping things from her mother-in-law, but felt it best to keep mum for the moment.

‘That’s good to hear. I’m off home shortly, and me and your dad were going to take the kids up the park with a ball for a kickaround – that is, your dad and the kids will kick a ball and I’ll cheer from the sidelines,’ she chuckled. ‘We’ll drop them off at yours later on, after they have had tea with us.’

‘That’s so good of you, Maureen, thank you,’ Sarah said, feeling grateful for the woman’s help. She waited until the door had closed and Maureen’s footsteps had faded away down the long corridor.

‘There is something else, which means me putting you on the confectionery counter while I try out some new procedures.’

Gwyneth’s eyes lit up. ‘My favourite counter!’

‘It may not be, once I’ve explained a little more about the missing stock,’ Sarah said with a grimace.

‘Oh, well, I’ll give it a go,’ Gwyneth said. ‘I reckon I’m going to be doing more detective work than my husband. When do I start?’

Sarah spent the rest of the day speaking with the other counter assistants that she’d decided could help with her plan. Maisie’s daughter, Claudette, suggested that Dorothy Billington should be taken on board, even though she only worked Saturdays and the occasional few hours after school.

‘After all, Aunty Betty and Clemmie are aware of what’s going on, and it would be awful if they had to keep a secret – even worse if Dorothy found out they were keeping a secret from her.’

Sarah had agreed and managed to speak to the girl when she arrived after school. Dorothy was keen to help, albeit a little nervous. She was a younger version of her sister, Clemmie, although her hair was longer and was plaited for school. ‘We won’t have to accost anyone, will we?’

‘No, I just want you to keep an eye open for anything that you don’t feel is right. If you see anything, you can speak to Gwyneth, if she is on the shop floor, or make a note to tell me in your break. Can you do that?’

‘I think so. Is Claudette in on the secret too?’

‘She certainly is. Would you like to work with her, if it makes you feel more confident?’

‘Oh yes, please, I do like working alongside Claudette; she’s a lot of fun.’

‘As long as you work and don’t chatter,’ Sarah told her, wondering if she’d done the right thing.

Back in her office, she managed to sort out a few pay queries before it was time to accompany Clemmie on her final visit to the shop floor to empty the tills. Each till had a numbered leather bag, and the money in each till went into its own bag and was tightly fastened until all the bags were safely back in the cash office, with the door locked and the money counted. Sarah always took time to have a few words with the staff while Clemmie filled the money bags, while keeping her eye open for any problems that might occur when the tills were wide open. She was also able to check the counters to make sure they looked presentable. She held the door to the staff area open for Clemmie to walk through while she carried the cash.

‘You were busy when I did the mid-afternoon collection, so I had one of the stockroom men accompany me,’ the girl started to say. ‘I found the takings were down on the haberdashery counter again. It’s strange, as they’ve been quite busy today, with the new stock of wool and buttons coming in; our regular ladies know, to the hour, when we have new stock arriving.’

‘They do,’ Sarah chuckled, before looking serious. ‘Tell me, was that when Gwyneth was with me?’

‘Yes, that woman, Jean, who was hired by Mr Harrison, was on the counter on her own. Her name is on your list . . .’

‘Oh dear,’ Sarah said. ‘Let’s get the details down on paper while they are fresh in our minds.’

‘Problems, ladies?’ Mr Harrison said from the top of the staircase, making them both jump.

‘Not at all,’ Sarah replied as she tried to walk around him.

‘I beg to differ; you were talking about writing something down?’

‘It’s a knitting pattern. We are making a layette for Freda Forsythe and noticed a discrepancy in the pattern,’ Clemmie explained.

‘Then talk about it in your own time. We can’t have female employees chattering away all the time. Now get on with your work while I help Mr Argent lock up the store.’

Sarah held back from answering him. The man had been away from the store all afternoon. Although it suited her, it was still galling that others had to cover for him. ‘Mr Argent has not been in work this afternoon,’ she said, as Mr Harrison stood back for her to pass, trying not to flinch from the smell of whisky on his breath.

‘Mr Argent was with me. We had a business meeting with a local supplier.’

‘I thought head office dealt with things like that?’ Sarah asked, knowing all too well that occasionally managers did meet suppliers. Hadn’t Betty done just that during the war, when she arranged to stock vegetables from her Aunt Pat’s farm in Slade Green? However, it suited her to let the man think she didn’t know what went on in the store. Whatever he said, she knew he’d been skiving.

‘Get on with your work,’ he hissed.

‘Mum, can I have a word with you?’ Clemmie said as she helped Betty clear the dinner table, carrying everything through to the kitchen, where the housekeeper was washing up.

‘Of course, dear, let’s go through to the sitting room. The fire’s lit and we will be alone,’ she said, ushering the nervous-looking girl into the room. With its deep-green velvet drapes closed against the night, it had a cosy atmosphere. Betty straightened a newspaper that Douglas had left on the side table, before joining the girl on the chintz-covered settee. ‘Now, what would you like to talk about?’

Clemmie fiddled with a brooch pinned to her cardigan. ‘It’s a bit difficult . . .’

Betty stroked her arm. ‘You know you can talk with me about anything and I’ll understand.’

Taking a deep breath, Clemmie blurted out, ‘Jimmy and I would like to get married.’

‘Of course, dear, we’ve discussed this. In a few years from now, you will have a wonderful wedding. You will make a beautiful bride.’

‘We want to get married sooner than that. We love each other and can’t see any reason not to marry now.’

Betty sucked in her breath. As Clemmie’s stepmother, she couldn’t really insist on any rules; and, after all, she had wanted to marry when she was younger than Clemmie was now, if only her fiancé hadn’t perished in the Great War. ‘Perhaps we should speak with your father,’ she suggested, knowing that wasn’t what Clemmie wanted to hear.

‘I thought you’d support my wish?’ Clemmie said, staring Betty in the eye. ‘Please, can you tell me why I should wait until I’m older? Jimmy is settled in his career, and I have my job at the Erith branch. I also have my bottom drawer – in fact I have a whole chest of drawers full of linen. A bride can have too much linen, you know,’ she said with a tremor in her voice. ‘I love Jimmy, and I want to be his wife.’

‘Oh, Clemmie, you will be his wife. You know how much we approve of Jimmy, and he will make a fine son-in-law; it’s just that if you make a mistake now, you may regret it for the rest of your life and have to live with it.’

Clemmie rose to her feet, an indignant look on her face. ‘Pray tell me what mistakes you expect me to make?’

Betty sighed; she knew she was handling this all wrong. ‘Sit down, dear. I seem to be distressing you and that wasn’t my intention. You need to remember that your father and I have not encountered this situation before. Hopefully by the time Dorothy catches the eye of a young man, we will get it right,’ she said with a twinkle in her eye.

Clemmie sat down next to Betty, kissing her cheek. ‘Please, will you at least consider our wish? If I can’t marry Jimmy, I know I’ll remain a spinster for the rest of my life.’

‘Just as I would have been, if your father hadn’t plucked up the courage and walked into Woolworths to seek me out. None of us knows what’s around the corner.’

‘What’s around the corner?’ Douglas asked as he entered the room and sat in his favourite armchair.

Clemmie looked beseechingly towards Betty.

‘The future, dear. Who knows what will happen in later life?’ Betty smiled benignly.

‘I’m content to remain in the present; let the future take care of itself,’ he said, reaching for his newspaper.

‘In that case, you won’t mind me taking care of my own future,’ Clemmie said, looking between her parents.

‘What did you have in mind?’ Douglas asked, peering over the top of his newspaper. ‘I thought you were happy in your job at Woolworths?’

‘Oh, Daddy, I’m not talking about my work; I adore my job. I want to marry Jimmy,’ she added in a rush, before Betty could stop her.

‘You will, dear, in time, as we discussed before when the subject came up. There’s plenty of time.’

‘But . . .’

Betty shook her head, signalling to Clemmie not to push her father, but the girl looked away.

‘I’ve already said that we want to marry sooner rather than later. Why, plenty of girls marry at my age.’

‘Is there a reason you wish to marry sooner rather than later?’ Douglas asked, as the penny dropped with Betty and she gasped, clasping a hand close to her heart.

‘Please don’t say such a thing,’ she cried out, watching Clemmie’s reaction to Douglas’s outburst. ‘Think how it would affect your life.’

‘Would it be such a bad thing? Look at Bessie Carlisle; she had her baby out of wedlock, and no one has thought badly of her.’

Douglas was thoughtful. ‘I can’t believe what I am hearing,’ he said in a steely voice. ‘I am saddened by the thought that my eldest daughter has been so foolhardy. As for Jimmy, who I have always admired, being so disrespectful as to put our daughter in the position of not being able to enjoy a lavish white wedding.’ His voice cracked with emotion.

‘Oh, Daddy,’ Clemmie sobbed, hurrying to his side and flinging her arms around his neck. ‘It’s not what you’re imagining. I’ve not . . . I mean we haven’t . . .’ She looked towards Betty for help.

‘Douglas dear, what Clemmie is trying to say is that you can still walk her down the aisle and she will still be able to wear a white gown.’

Douglas looked uncomfortable. He coughed to clear his throat, before removing Clemmie’s arms from his neck. ‘I apologize for thinking otherwise. Now sit down and calm yourself. We would both like to know why this sudden change of plans. Betty – your mother and I – were under the impression you planned to wait four or five years at least.’

Betty smiled to herself. Douglas was like many fathers who didn’t wish to see their daughters grow up. ‘I like Jimmy very much, and I’m surprised he has not come to your father to officially request your hand in marriage. Are you sure he is in agreement with this change of plan?’

Clemmie stared down into her lap, lacing her fingers together distractedly. ‘He knows how much I want to marry him, if that’s what you mean?’

‘Then may I suggest he comes to dinner on Sunday, so that we can discuss this like sensible human beings? Have a word with him, and he must bring his children with him. It’s about time we got to know our soon to be step-grandchildren a little better,’ Betty said.

Clemmie beamed with delight. ‘Does this mean you agree . . .’

‘Steady on, Betty,’ Douglas objected, before turning to his daughter. ‘Don’t get too excited, as we have yet to decide. Betty is right in that we need to discuss the situation with Jimmy, but apart from that, nothing has changed. Do you understand?’

‘Oh, I do,’ Clemmie exclaimed, kissing them. ‘If you will excuse me, I have to prepare for work tomorrow,’ she said, hurrying from the room.

‘Step-grandchildren?’ Douglas groaned. ‘Betty, we are far too young for such things.’

‘Time waits for no one, my dear. Look around you at our friends and associates. So many have married children and, dare I say it, grandchildren. We need to embrace this opportunity, because otherwise we could push Clemmie away. Would you want that?’

Douglas folded his newspaper and put it to one side. ‘“Father of the bride” does have an attractive ring to it.’

‘As does “mother of the bride”,’ she agreed, knowing that Douglas was warming to the idea.

‘As always, you are right, Betty, but all the same – grandchildren?’

Betty felt more nervous than she had when she first met Douglas’s young daughters. Of course she knew Jimmy very well, from when he had trained at Erith for six months before she retired, but this was different. This was about the future, Clemmie’s future, and she did not want anything she or Douglas said to spoil that.

Even though their housekeeper kept the home spotless, Betty checked the shelves and ornaments again and again until she was sure there was not a speck of dust. She found it hard to settle, checking the ornate clock above the mantelpiece, even though it had hardly moved since the previous time she’d checked. She wished Jimmy was bringing along his two young children, but Clemmie had informed her parents that they both felt it would be best to be able to talk without the distraction. In her heart of hearts, she knew Clemmie was right and they could do without young children under their feet while they had important decisions to make. Jimmy’s children were five and three years of age, his wife having passed away suddenly when the youngest was only weeks old; she admired the way he’d coped and how he respected Clemmie.

She’d arranged for her housekeeper to take her two youngest children out to the park for some air before giving them tea in the nursery, so that the adults could talk in peace. Dorothy, upon hearing what was planned, had shown such horror at being home for an adult conversation that she had declared she was taking herself off to see Claudette Carlisle for the afternoon and would take in a matinee at the Odeon until it was safe to come home.

‘He’s here,’ Clemmie exclaimed from where she’d been watching the road behind a lace curtain. ‘I’ll get the door,’ she said, trying to step around Betty.

‘Just one moment, Clemmie . . . Are you sure? You can change your mind; we will support you either way.’

Clemmie flung her arms around Betty. ‘I’ve never been surer. I want to be Jimmy’s wife for the rest of my life, whether that be fifty years or fifty days,’ she replied, giving her a final hug, and hurried to let her intended into the house.

Betty shuddered. Why did she feel so uneasy?

They all talked about everything, apart from why Jimmy was there: his work; Clemmie’s job; the weather; the new Queen and the date for the coronation; how quickly children grew out of their clothing; and Douglas’s thoughts on expanding his thriving funeral business. It wasn’t until Betty brought in the coffee tray that Douglas spoke to Jimmy. ‘Shall we take our coffee into my study?’

Once the door to the study was closed, Clemmie groaned and sank her head into her hands. ‘Why does it have to be like this? Daddy knows Jimmy very well, and he knows we love each other. Why do we have to be put through this?’

‘It is traditional, my love. The man must formally ask the father for his daughter’s hand in marriage; your Jimmy will know this. Everything will be fine, and if it is any consolation, your father will be more nervous than Jimmy. Now, why don’t we drink our coffee and clear the table, then we can go into the front room, ready for when the men return?’

‘At least it will keep me from wondering what is being said. I did drill Jimmy in what points to put across.’

Betty chuckled. ‘Just as I did with your father.’

The two women were still laughing when the men joined them.

Clemmie quickly went over to Jimmy and he took her hand. ‘If it isn’t too long for you to wait, your father has agreed for us to marry on your twentieth birthday.’

Clemmie looked between Jimmy and her father. ‘Oh, that’s marvellous: the end of February 1953. Thank you, Daddy, I can’t wait for you to walk me down the aisle,’ she replied, quickly giving him a hug.

‘We’ve got so much to plan,’ Betty said. ‘Especially as it will be a winter wedding. We should have a drink to toast the happy couple, Douglas. I could do with a glass of sherry, as the waiting has been interminable.’

‘At least we don’t have to worry about finding a home,’ Clemmie said. ‘You must both visit Jimmy’s house in Belvedere and see where I will be living with my ready-made family.’

‘Of course I will give you a free hand in redecorating the house, Clemmie. I want you to feel as though it is your home, rather than moving in with me and the children. In fact I will move out of the house and stay with my mother, so it will be like moving into a new home together after the wedding.’

‘What a delightful idea,’ Betty said, getting caught up in the romantic notion.

‘In that case, I will need your help, Betty. I wouldn’t know where to start,’ Clemmie said excitedly.

‘I will be delighted to help you,’ Betty smiled, although she couldn’t ignore a small nagging doubt at the back of her mind; no doubt it was just tiredness, she thought, as she took the glass of sherry from Douglas and they raised their glasses to toast the future.