32

12 February 1953

Betty looked around at the eager faces in her office. ‘Thank you all for giving up your lunch break for us to start planning the Woolworths celebrations for our Queen’s coronation. Before we start, Sarah, is there any news yet about Bob?’

‘Thank you for asking. He’s getting stronger every day, and is still complaining about the hospital food and asking when he can go home. Nan and Mike went to see the consultant yesterday afternoon, and the good news is that he does not have the heart problems that were first diagnosed. He will never be one hundred per cent healthy, as he will always have a weak chest, but if he takes care of himself, then there is no cause for concern.’

‘Why, that is wonderful news,’ Betty declared as the staff members in the room all cheered.

‘Will he be out of hospital for my wedding?’ Clemmie asked. ‘Jimmy and I would very much like him to be there.’

‘I doubt it. He may still be in hospital, but if he is home, the exertion would be too much. From what Nan has told us, Bob will have to be careful of the cold weather and smoky places, as cigarette smoke could play havoc with his chest.’

‘Then I will send him a slice of our wedding cake,’ she replied.

‘He will enjoy that, thank you. There is talk of him going to a convalescent home for a while to recuperate. I’m not sure that Nan wants him out of her sight, though.’

Maureen came into the office, carrying a large plate of sandwiches. ‘Here you are, ladies, you can’t have a meeting on empty stomachs, so tuck in. Keep me posted on what is planned, as I can help with the catering. I think it’s a jolly good idea to have a party for the children of the staff; we’ve had some fun parties since I’ve been here, but never one for the children alone,’ she said, before going back to the staff canteen.

‘Now, what about the decorations for the store windows?’ Betty asked, pen poised over her notepad.

‘All in hand, and I have Dorothy and Jessie in my team. We will be working on the windows after the store closes, so as not to disturb our customers,’ Freda replied.

‘May I ask if Woolworths will be selling coronation souvenirs?’ Clemmie enquired.

‘I’m glad you asked,’ Betty said. ‘Most certainly there will be memorabilia, and I propose that the staff on that counter wear a special uniform; perhaps some gold or silver braid on their lapels.’

‘And they have to wear tiaras,’ Claudette suggested. ‘I can ask Mum about the trimmings.’

‘That is super, although I’m not sure about the staff wearing tiaras,’ Betty chuckled.

Freda raised her hand to get Betty’s attention. ‘I was wondering if staff were going up to London to watch the coronation and, if so, will the store be open that day?’

‘To be perfectly honest, I have no idea. This is just a preliminary meeting, so we have plenty of time to plan. The coronation is on a Tuesday, and I would think the store will be closed for the day. Were you thinking of going to London, Freda?’

‘Gosh, no. We went for the royal wedding, and it was such a long day. Besides, I have the children to consider these days. We are going to have a street party in Alexandra Road during the afternoon and will also include the surrounding streets. We will watch the event beforehand on television; it will be a wonderful day,’ she beamed.

‘Does that mean I can attend, as I’ll be a resident of Crayford Road by then?’ Clemmie asked.

‘Attend? No doubt Ruby will have you give a helping hand. She’s already making plans to decorate everyone’s windows and make red, white and blue bunting to hang from house to house.’

‘Oh, what fun!’

Betty looked at the clock, aware that her girls were giving up their lunch break. ‘What I propose is to give you all a copy of my notes, and I would appreciate feedback and suggestions that we can build upon. Now, eat up, and thank you for attending. Sarah and Clemmie, can I have a word before you go? Sorry, Sarah, I know you have to shoot off to get to your Alan’s shop, but I wondered if there was any more news about your moving date?’

‘Oh, Mother, it’s all in hand,’ Clemmie smiled. ‘Sarah and Alan are moving into Maisie’s house on the twenty-second, and we will have the keys the day after. That gives us plenty of time to move our furniture in before the wedding.’

‘Oh my, that’s less than a week. Are you sure you will have time?’

‘Plenty of time, so you needn’t worry. Just concentrate on being mother of the bride and looking glamorous for our guests,’ she replied, kissing Betty’s cheek before hurrying back to her office.

‘I must go,’ Sarah said. ‘As Clemmie told you, there is no need to worry. We will leave the house spick and span, so they won’t have to worry about cleaning the place. I’m so excited finally to be having a home of my own; with our house originally being my in-laws’ home, it never quite felt like my own.’

Betty gave her a quick hug. ‘I’m so pleased for you and a bit jealous, with all my friends moving house. It is quite a celebration. If I can be of any help, please do ask. But try not to overdo things, Sarah love.’

‘I promise not to,’ Sarah said as she hurried off to fetch her coat. Walking down Pier Road and into the High Street, where Alan’s shop was situated, she did indeed wonder if she was doing right in helping Alan, as she was finding it hard to have her husband as her boss. On top of that, she wasn’t familiar with what was sold in the shop and would have made some embarrassing and costly mistakes, if James hadn’t come to her aid. He reassured her that she would soon learn and wasn’t to worry. Sarah felt the real reason she wasn’t learning quickly was because she really didn’t have much interest in advising customers on televisions and wireless sets. There was also a small counter where they still sold parts for bicycles and other accessories; this was James’s domain, but if he was busy elsewhere she’d be called upon to serve customers. It wasn’t that she didn’t wish to support her husband, but more that everything was so confusing. She checked her watch and walked faster, knowing that Alan was waiting for her before he headed out to visit several customers and deliver their television sets.

‘I’m sorry I’m a few minutes late,’ she said, pulling her coat off as she hurried into the shop. ‘Betty had a meeting about the coronation-day celebrations, and it ran over slightly.’

‘Not to worry,’ he replied, giving her a grin, which reminded her so much of the young man she first knew when she went to work for Woolworths. Where had those years gone? ‘I’ve had a new item of stock arrive and I wanted to go over it with you, in case someone comes in to purchase one while I’m out.’

Sarah groaned; not something else for her to learn. Whatever had he added to the stock now? ‘Oh, Alan, my head is already in a spin trying to learn about televisions. I had a lady the other day asking me why we didn’t sell lace doylies that she could put on top of the set, so as to stand a vase of flowers on the television.’

Alan roared with laughter. ‘Whatever did you tell her?’

‘I sent her to Woolworths and suggested that she purchased a pattern and made her own.’

‘Well done,’ he said as he put his arms around her.

‘I’m not sure this is the right place to be affectionate,’ she said primly, looking towards the glass window in case somebody was watching.

Alan ignored her comment and instead turned her to face the other way. ‘Look at this,’ he said.

Sarah could hardly contain her joy. ‘Oh my, it’s an electric washing machine, and there’s a mangle attached,’ she noticed, as she ran a hand over the white shiny metal. ‘I thought we’d decided not to sell them for a while, and to concentrate on television sales. Mind you, that one you had in the shop when you first opened was very popular. I know I’d have loved one, if there’d been room in my kitchen . . .’

‘Circumstances changed my mind.’

‘Whatever do you mean?’ she asked as she lifted the lid to look inside at the agitator.

‘Well, there’s a working woman who really needs one of these to help with her housework.’

‘Oh, you’ve sold it already.’ She was disappointed, as she’d love to have shown it off to the customers.

‘I ordered two: one for the shop and one that has to be delivered next week when the lady moves to Alexandra Road.’

Sarah frowned for a moment, before throwing herself into his arms.

‘Careful, Sarah, someone might see us,’ he grinned.

‘You do mean it is going to our new house, don’t you?’ she asked, suddenly unsure whether it was hers.

‘I’m not delivering it to Vera Munro, if that’s what you’re asking. Besides, if you know how to use it, you can advise our customers. The men will come in to look at television sets and this will give the wives something to admire.’

Sarah would normally have put her husband straight about duties around the house being shared by husband and wife jointly, but on this occasion she was too excited and let it pass. Suddenly she could see that she would enjoy working in the shop.

George and Maureen were just leaving the cottage hospital that evening as Mike and Gwyneth arrived.

‘How is he?’ Mike asked.

‘Bright and chirpy, and he has some colour in his cheeks at last. Mum’s over the moon and was talking about bringing Bob home; she’s jumping the gun, but she won’t be happy until he is back home and being mollycoddled.’

‘Is there any more news on whether he will be sent to a convalescent home?’ Gwyneth asked. ‘I’ve heard they can be very nice places.’

‘I’ve heard the same,’ Maureen agreed, ‘and, to be honest, Ruby could do with a rest; going up and down to the hospital twice a day is taking it out of her. We’ve told her she doesn’t have to be there for every visiting time, but she won’t listen. Even with the family driving her, she is starting to look tired.’

‘I’ll try and have a word with her, but I doubt she will listen. The pair of them are as stubborn as mules,’ Mike grimaced. ‘By the way, some news came through today about Vera’s son. There’s been a whisper that he’s planning to come back into the country. When he does, we’ll be waiting, as there’s a fair list of things we want to talk to him about.’

‘That’s interesting, but perhaps don’t say anything to Vera, as she’d not take kindly to being told he’s a ne’er-do-well. Best to let her live with her fantasies.’

‘I agree with that,’ Mike said, as he wished them goodnight and entered the hospital to visit his father.