An unexpected knock at the door interrupted Astrid’s light breakfast of toast and tea.
“I don’t know what has gotten into you.” Josian pushed past Astrid into the flat without waiting for an invitation, untying the ribbons on her purple bonnet as she went. “Honestly, Astrid. You can’t go mouthing off to everyone you meet. That was Eli Rutledge last night. Eli Rutledge.” She sank down onto Astrid’s worn velvet sofa and placed her hat in her lap.
“I know who he was, thank you very much. And please, do come in.” She brought the teapot over with another cup, then sat across from her friend on one of her high-backed wing chairs and picked up her toast again. “I couldn’t help it. You know how I get.”
“Cheeky and rude? Yes, I know very well.” Josian took Astrid’s proffered cup of tea. “But you need to stop running people off. You need those social connections, you know.”
Astrid snorted in derision and swallowed some toast. “I don’t need social connections from Eli Rutledge. He’s just another pretty boy businessman who thinks women need saving. I’ve had enough of them for a lifetime. I can make my own way.” She thought about the men she’d dated, with their too-kind eyes and understanding smiles, wanting to save her from poverty and, ultimately, from independence. If she was going to get help, it wasn’t going to be from a man.
“So are you going to rent a booth for the World’s Fair?” Josian sipped from her teacup.
“I don’t know. It’s probably far beyond my price range.” The World’s Fair would be an incredible opportunity, but she could barely pay her rent, let alone afford to rent a booth at the most well-known event in the world. “But I’m definitely entering the contest. I’ll scrape together the entry fee somehow.”
“Oh dear, I’d love to help you out. Maybe I can borrow some money from Warren.”
Josian’s smile was a bit too sympathetic, and Astrid felt herself bristle. Of course her friend meant well, but her offer was yet another reminder that she’d married into money. Josian’s seamstress work, her affiliation with the Tea and Talk society, these were hobbies for her rather than a financial necessity. The two women may have grown up together, but their lives were quite different now.
Astrid forced herself to answer calmly. The offer came from a place of love. “No, that’s all right. I told you before, you can support my business, but that’s all I need.” The smile felt tight on her face.
“Of course! I almost forgot. I’m not just here to scold you about your abhorrent behavior last night.” Josian shook her small purple handbag. “I’m making some purchases. Eleanor from my bridge club is getting married in a few weeks. She’s too shy to come here herself, but she certainly won’t turn down a few gifts.”
Astrid smiled, her entire mood brightening again, and she immediately went to her display case. “I can help with that.”
Josian passed over a little wooden bullet vibe and hefted a larger model, the same type as the one Astrid had been using quite frequently lately. “What do you think of this one?”
“It’s my current favorite.” Astrid pointed out the features. “This dial here is for the main shaft, and this one here is for the nub, which lines up quite nicely outside. Even better, they’re variable.” A turn of the dial made the vibrations escalate in intensity, then settle back down.
“How does it work?” Josian turned it over in her hand, looking at the bottom. “Does it charge, like the others?”
“This one runs on compressed air. It’s complicated.” Astrid pointed to a small vent on the bottom. “Don’t block that, and you’ll be all set.”
Josian turned the dials on and back off again. “Fascinating. I don’t know how you figure all this out. I can barely work the oscillating laundry crank.” She smiled and shrugged, handing the toy back to Astrid. “But I guess that’s why you’re selling, and I’m buying. I think it’s too complicated for Eleanor, but I’ll definitely take one for me.”
As Josian continued to peruse the selection, Astrid began wrapping up the new item, admiring the piece as she did so. All those hours painstakingly shaping the wood and polishing each toy until it was as smooth as glass, the varnishing, the delicate tiny gear work, she was sure this design would be her most popular.
After a little nudge from Astrid, Josian eventually chose a slender brass cylinder, the “beginner’s vibrator”, for Eleanor. Another piece of brown paper and string and this one was wrapped too, as Josian counted out the pounds from her handbag. The transaction finished, her friend still seemed in no hurry to leave, holding her wrapped purchases as she stared at the cabinet with a blank expression on her face.
“Was there something else you wanted to see?”
Josian shook her head, seeming to come back to herself, then looked to Astrid. “I was just thinking about what a shame it is that you can’t open your shop yet.”
With one finger, Astrid traced the outline of the end table, a sudden lump in her throat making speech difficult. She suppressed the emotion. “Yes, well, the World’s Fair prize money would go a long way toward making that happen.”
“Then you’d best get right on it!” Josian flashed a bright smile at Astrid, who returned it with a bit of difficulty.
“I certainly will. Are you all packed for your trip?” Josian and her husband always spent May in their summer home up north.
Josian sighed. “Almost. I swear, it’s such a chore, this packing. You’d think after five years of going up north, it would get easier, but it never does.” She hugged Astrid close. “I’m going to miss you. Will you come up for a few days? You know you’re always welcome.”
It would be nice to see Josian, but a week in the same house as Warren might make Astrid go mad. “No, I think I’m going to need the time to work on my World’s Fair entry.”
Josian pulled back. “Well, I’ll write all the time. Write back, will you? If you’re not too busy. I’ll be back in time for the Fair opening, and maybe we can go together!”
“Maybe.” She returned Josian’s kiss on the cheek. “Take care of yourself.”
After Josian finally left, Astrid leaned her back against the door. Usually, she felt lonely during Josian’s month away, but her mind was already full of thoughts about the World’s Fair. It might be nice to have the time alone. Her gaze landed on her cabinet of toys. None of those was unique enough to win the contest. If she wanted even a chance at the prize money, she would need something truly special.
She had no idea what to design.
Ever since arriving home the night before, she’d been mulling over possible ideas for new toys. Nothing was right. The world of felicitation devices seemed suddenly too narrow: how could she improve on what she’d already created?
It had always been easy, in the past. She’d created every possible combination of oscillating and rotating and telescoping designs, and while she hadn’t built them all—some, for instance, required parts she couldn’t afford—none of them seemed quite right for this competition. If she wanted to win, she needed something unique.
Time was wasting. Astrid couldn’t be delayed by ridiculous barriers like a lack of inspiration. She would go out and find inspiration.