Nine

On one of her free Saturday afternoons, Elinor arranged to meet her mother at a little café off the High Street. Though she’d never seen her father, she’d met Corrie once or twice and as the July days passed quickly by had attended another talk for suffragettes in the church hall and two brief outdoor gatherings.

All interesting and enjoyable, even when the children in the streets had to be dissuaded from shouting cheeky messages, but gradually – she didn’t even like to admit it – she was beginning to find that some of her early euphoria was fading.

It wasn’t that she minded being grateful to the ladies at the meetings who treated her like one of themselves, more that she wished she had been just that. True, she seemed able to hold her own, but while she’d liked to believe at first that there was no gulf between herself and the others, it came to her at last that the gulf was there and couldn’t be bridged.

Why not? She’d thought about it a lot, for she felt in her heart she should be the equal of anyone. Where was the difference, then? Background, of course, and education. These women seemed to know so much. They could talk so easily about every subject under the sun, whereas for her and those in her position, the world was so narrow, it was as though they were wearing blinkers and could only see what was around them.

But education could change all that. Could provide opportunities. Help folk to better themselves, if they wanted to, as she did. Only, if you had to leave school early to earn your living, where could you get more education? There had to be a way, Elinor thought, and was determined to find it.

When she met her mother, she wanted to tell her all that was on her mind, but first Hessie seemed to need to talk about her dad.

‘He’s missing you,’ she told Elinor, pouring tea. ‘Aye, it’s true, I knew he would. Just wishes he could get out of all the trouble he’s caused without looking a fool, but canna think of a way. Want some of this teacake?’

Elinor studied her mother. Although she’d dressed up specially for her little jaunt away from Friar’s Wynd, she was looking strained, with a new deep line between her brows and the usual shadows beneath her eyes.

‘Bet it’s no’ been easy for you, Ma,’ Elinor murmured, taking some of the buttered teacake. ‘If Dad’s been in a bad mood.’

‘He’s been all right, that’s the funny thing.’ Hessie shook her head, on which was perched her best straw hat trimmed with daisies. ‘He’s more like sad, eh? A bit depressed. Like we all are, Corrie as well.’

‘If you’re trying to make me feel guilty, it’s no use, Ma. Dad’s taken his stand, I’ve taken mine, and there’s no going back.’

‘But are you really getting mixed up with the ladies wanting the vote, Elinor? If you were to give them up, he’d no’ mind if you stayed on at the Primrose, I’m sure.’

‘I’ve been to some meetings.’ Elinor drank her tea. ‘I do believe in what they’re doing, except for the violence, and the group I’m with are against that.’

‘So you’ll keep on with ’em?’ Hessie sighed. ‘Seems there’s no hope, then.’

‘Well, things have changed a bit. It was grand when I first met Miss Ainslie’s friends, they were all so nice, treated me the same as if I was one of them. But the truth is, I’m not.’

‘You’re just as good as anybody, Elinor! The only difference is some folk are better off.’

Elinor passed her mother a plate of cakes and took one herself. ‘It isn’t just that. I think the biggest difference comes from what’s in people’s heads. Whether you’re educated or not. Now, I had to leave school early—’

‘We needed the money, Elinor. When you started working, you were one less mouth to feed. It just wasn’t possible to let you do the leaving certificate.’

‘I know, I understand, I’m no’ blaming anybody. But what’s made me think, since I mixed with these new folk, is that I’m never going to better myself unless I get some more education.’ Elinor met her mother’s eyes with a darkly burning gaze. ‘And I mean to do that, Ma. I won’t be staying in service for ever.’

‘Have you never thought you might one day get wed?’

‘Oh, Ma! As though that would be the solution to everything!’

‘It might be. Depends on who you marry.’

Mother and daughter exchanged glances, then Hessie looked away.

‘Where’ll you get this education, then? I mean, you canna go back to school.’

‘I’m going to speak to Miss Ainslie about it. There might be evening classes I can do. I’ve only got limited time off, so I might have to give up her meetings anyway. But she’ll understand, she’s very kind. Look, I’ll get the bill, I’ve to be away.’

‘Oh, lassie,’ Hessie murmured, putting her hankie to her eyes. ‘It’s been grand, eh? Shall we meet again soon? And will you see Corrie again? He was that glad to see you when you met him out of work.’

‘Sure I will, and I’ll see you, too.’ Elinor, rising, adjusted her hat and took out her purse. ‘You might say to Dad that I send him good wishes. He won’t care, but tell him, anyway.’

‘I will, I will. I did say I was going to see you and he never said I shouldn’t.’

Elinor shrugged. ‘We’d better be grateful for small mercies, then.’

Outside the café, mixing with the tourists heading for the Royal Mile and the sights of historic Edinburgh, she and her mother exchanged hugs and parted to go their different ways, Hessie shedding a tear again, Elinor feeling low. Until she thought again of speaking to Miss Ainslie.

As she had hoped, the manageress was able to tell her just what she needed to know. There were courses for adults available in the city, some begun only last year by the Workers’ Educational Association, others organized by various groups, and a few by the council. There would be something to pay, of course, and the WEA would probably charge the least. Miss Ainslie, giving Elinor one of her quick, bird-like glances, raised her eyebrows.

‘But what’s brought this on, then? I didn’t know you were interested in studying, Elinor, though I’m very pleased to hear it.’

Elinor looked down. ‘I’m keen to get on,’ she said after a pause. ‘And I’ll need more than I’ve got to do that.’

‘What sort of class would you like to try for?’

‘I thought maybe history. Or English – grammar and that.’

Miss Ainslie pursed her lips. ‘For a job, you don’t think you’d do better with some sort of secretarial skill? Such as typewriting? I believe more and more women are finding jobs in offices these days.’

‘Typewriting?’ Elinor had never thought of it. Wasn’t what she’d had in mind, but might be a quicker way to a better job than studying academic subjects, even though that sort of study was what she felt she needed. ‘You think I could be a secretary, Miss Ainslie?’

‘Elinor, I think you could be anything you put your mind to. It’s such a shame you couldn’t have stayed on at school.’

‘A shame a lot of folk couldn’t do that, Miss Ainslie. But maybe I’ll try this typewriting. Where do you think I could find out where to go?’

‘Why, you must speak to Mrs Greer at the next meeting. She had a bundle of leaflets she was showing only the other day – she’s very keen on bringing education to those who’ve missed it.’

Mrs Greer? Elinor’s eyes widened. And here was I believing I was the only one who cared, she thought, and felt a little guilty.