Amy was thrilled when she opened the parcel that had been delivered that morning. It was from Carol and contained a lovely vase. She smiled, imagined it on her new shelving unit where it would look just perfect, and then put it to one side as she read Carol’s letter. Firstly Carol apologised for her behaviour but more importantly, wrote that she had wanted to come to her wedding and was sad that she had left it too late.
Amy looked at the address, saw that Carol was living in Chelsea, and then carried on reading. It was lovely that Carol wanted them to meet, possibly after the honeymoon, and that made Amy smile. They were only going away for the weekend to a hotel in Brighton and then it was back to work for both of them on Monday.
‘Has Carol told you where she is now?’ her mother asked.
‘Yes,’ Amy said, giving her the letter. While her mother was reading it, Amy was deep in thought. She had the day off and wasn’t seeing Tommy that evening so there really wasn’t anything to stop her. It was just a matter of timing, but if she left it until after six Carol was sure to be there, even if she was planning to go out later that evening.
‘I bet you’re pleased she’s got in touch,’ Phyllis said, passing the letter back, ‘but we’d best get a move on or we’ll be late for our appointments at the hairdressers.’
Amy put her shoes on, and grabbed a jacket. Rose had insisted that her mother take the day off too, and soon they were leaving the house, only to pull up short when Mabel trotted up to them.
She looked a bit nervous, but thrust a parcel into Amy’s hand. ‘It’s a little something from me and Jack. I’ve known you since you were a little girl, Amy, and I’m fond of you so please accept it.’
With that Mabel turned on her heels and shot back into her own house, leaving Amy looking wide-eyed at her mother and asking, ‘Now what am I supposed to do?’
‘I don’t know, but I suppose you either give it back or write Mabel a thank you note.’
‘I’ll put it indoors for now,’ Amy said and that done, they were soon on their way again. It seemed ironic that she’d just had a wedding present from Carol, and another from a woman who had torn her friend apart.
Remembering that, Amy wished she had thrown Mabel’s present back in her face.
Jeremy was in the office with Tom, waiting for a nod of approval as his brother went over his figures. It was only a small estimate, nothing really to tax his brain, but he still hoped he’d got it right.
‘Well done,’ Tom said. ‘This is fine.’
Jeremy felt like he was in front of a teacher instead of his kid brother, and it didn’t sit well. ‘It was a doddle, and I think I’ve got the hang of it all now.’
‘Yes, you’re nearly there,’ Tom agreed, reaching into his pocket for his inhaler.
‘Are you all right?’ Jeremy asked, thinking that Tom looked a bit wan.
‘My chest is a bit tight, that’s all.’
‘Is everything set for your big day tomorrow?’
‘Yes, I’ve moved all my stuff into our house, and Amy has done the same,’ Tom said, but then he began to cough, leaning over the desk with his hand on his chest.
‘You sound rough,’ Jeremy said when Tom was left gasping for air and reaching for his inhaler again. ‘You’re not going down with bronchitis again are you?’
‘I hope not, it’s the last thing I need. I’ll take it easy today and I might leave a bit earlier than usual. In the meantime, would you mind taking the wages to the men on site?’
‘Of course not,’ Jeremy said, more than happy to get out of the unit for a while. Tom got the pay-packets out of the small safe and Jeremy stuffed them in his pocket before heading for the van. As he drove off, his thoughts turned to his coming role as a salesman and the car that would come with it. He’d love a Jaguar, but as he doubted Tom would agree to that, a decent Austin would do for now.
When he got to the site, Jeremy found all the men at work installing windows, and after giving them their pay-packets he checked their progress as if he knew what he was doing. ‘Everything looks fine, and are we still on schedule?’ he asked Dick Hutton, the man Tom had put in charge of the crews.
‘Yes,’ he said, nodding, ‘but can I have a private word?’
‘Of course,’ Jeremy said, walking a distance away from the other men.
‘Mr Frost always gives the pay-packets to me and I hand them out to the men at the end of the day.’
Jeremy shrugged. ‘So, they got paid early. I don’t see that as a problem.’
‘You should do. With their pay-packets in their pockets there’s always the danger they won’t show up again after lunch.’
‘If that’s the case I’ll see that they’re sacked,’ Jeremy said, annoyed at the man’s implied criticism, ‘and you can tell them that.’
Dick looked at him for a moment as if about to say something, but then he just shook his head, as though in disgust, before walking away.
Jeremy didn’t go after him – instead he went back to the van, thinking that Dick Hutton was another one like Len who didn’t show him any respect. They’d be sorry, both of them, and though they might try to suck up to him in the near future, it would be too late.
Amy was pleased with her haircut. She hated her curls, wished her hair was straight and sleek, but at least with a shorter cut, it looked tidier. It was five thirty and she was sitting on a bus on her way to see Carol, thinking as it crossed the River Thames that she knew little about other areas of London.
When she got off the bus in Chelsea, Amy had to ask directions twice before she found Tedworth Square and Carol’s flat in one of the tall houses. For a moment she paused, hoping that Carol wouldn’t mind her turning up unexpectedly, but then finding the right doorbell she pressed it firmly.
It seemed ages before the door was opened, but at last Carol was looking at her wide-eyed as she said, ‘Amy, how … oh, you must have got my parcel.’
‘Yes, I did and thank you.’
‘Come in,’ Carol said, ‘but be prepared for a surprise.’
Amy followed Carol up what seemed to be flight after flight of stairs, until at last they reached the top landing where she opened a door, calling, ‘We’ve got a visitor,’ before urging Amy inside.
Amy’s jaw dropped and she gawked at the woman smiling at her. At last she found her voice, but it was high and sounded like a question. ‘Mrs Cole?’
‘Yes, it’s me, Amy. I left because I was unhappy in my marriage, but I should have kept in touch with Carol and
my sons. I didn’t because I feared they’d never forgive me for walking out, but I was wrong of course. When the boys found me I was shocked to hear about what happened while I was away. They persuaded me to come back, and so here I am.’
‘We’re dead chuffed, Amy,’ Carol said.
‘I’m sure you are, but Mrs Cole, you should know that Mabel Povis thinks you went off with Tommy’s dad.’
‘George Frost! But that’s ridiculous.’
‘We didn’t believe it and told her so.’
‘I expect she’s still spread it around though, but not to worry. When she eventually sets eyes on me Mabel Povis will have to eat her words.’
‘Amy, it’s lovely to see you, but what are you doing here?’ Carol asked. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be getting married in the morning?’
‘Yes, but it wouldn’t be the same without you there. It isn’t too late, you could still come, you too Mrs Cole, along with Dave and Paul.’
‘Amy, I’d love to,’ Carol said. ‘What about you, Mum?’
‘Well if you don’t mind, Amy, I think I’ll decline, but I can’t speak for my sons.’
‘Of course I don’t mind, but if you change your mind, you’ll be welcome.’
‘I’ll have to sort out something to wear,’ Carol said worriedly, ‘and what time have I got to be there?’
Amy told her, and about the reception, Carol’s mum then wanting to hear all about Rose and Samuel Jacobs. Unlike some, she wasn’t judgemental, and then Paul and Dave arrived home. Amy saw that they looked surprised to see her, but soon recovered when Carol explained that she’d given her the address. Amy invited them to the wedding, both thanking her but saying they were working overtime the next morning.
‘Mum, we’re starving,’ Paul complained.
‘I’ve made a stew and it only needs warming up,’ she said, going through a door that Amy presumed led to the kitchen.
‘Cor, Mum’s stew,’ Dave said, licking his lips. ‘I can’t
wait.’
‘Come on then, let’s get cleaned up,’ Paul said. ‘She won’t let us sit down until we do.’
Carol grinned, saying as her brothers left the room, ‘As you can tell, they prefer Mum’s cooking to mine.’
‘I should go now,’ Amy said, ‘but I’ll see you tomorrow at the registry office.’
‘Yes, you certainly will,’ Carol agreed.
Amy gave her a hug and then, telling her that she’d find her own way out, she left, smiling happily that her oldest and best friend would be there at her wedding.