It was a flawless sunlit day. The wide arc of sky was vividly blue, no clouds. Shimmering light filtered through the leaves on the trees, a light breeze making them rustle gently. No hint of rain.
It was Sunday afternoon, Blackie’s favourite day of the week, and he was in high spirits as he stepped out into Town Street. As always on Sundays, the traffic had disappeared, all was still, peaceful. No carts and horses bringing in produce, no drays, no hansom cabs. Just a few open landau carriages taking people to different places in the area.
That’s what he liked about Upper Armley on Sundays, the feeling that it was a country village. As he walked along at a steady pace, he saw a few acquaintances walking down, obviously going to Armley Park for the band.
He smiled and nodded, and they did the same as they went on their way. How smart the men were, in their suits or jackets and ties, shirts starched and pressed. And the lady companions in long summer dresses and pretty hats looked lovely. All were dressed in their Sunday best for the concert. Blackie liked that, approved of the effort they had made.
Within minutes he was walking down St Ives Mount, going to pick up Laura and Emma to escort them to the park for the concert.
He smiled to himself when the front door opened before he had even knocked. Obviously Laura had been looking out of the window, waiting for him, hidden by the lace curtains.
‘Well, aren’t ye the bonny lass this afternoon!’ he said, stepping into the house, his eyes on her. She wore a pretty pale pink dress, with a scooped-out neckline, long sleeves, a tight bodice and a pleated skirt that fell to her ankles. ‘What a lovely dress, Laura.’
She blushed and said, ‘Thank you for your compliment, Blackie. Emma made it for me last week.’
‘She’s clever, to be sure, and everything she makes seems unique,’ Blackie said, putting an arm around Laura and leading her into the parlour.
‘Just let me put on my hat,’ Laura said, picking it up from a chair and going over to a mirror. ‘She trimmed this too.’ Turning around, Laura smiled. ‘Do you like it?’
Blackie nodded, taking in the wide-brimmed straw hat decorated with pink roses on the band around it. ‘My English rose, Laura, that’s what ye are.’ He went over to her, held out his arm for her to take, and smiled down at her. ‘I’ve missed ye, sure and I have, and it’s grand to see ye.’
‘We’ve missed you too,’ Laura said, shyly. She stepped away, went to a side table and picked up her reticule and a pair of lace gloves. ‘We’d better go. You know you like to sit in the front seats.’
‘Where’s Emma?’ he exclaimed. ‘Is she still getting ready?’
Laura cleared her throat and after a moment she said, ‘Emma’s not coming, Blackie. She has a dress to finish for one of her ladies in the Towers. She says she must work.’
Blackie was taken aback. ‘But she promised David Kallinski she would meet him there! She shouldn’t do this to him. It’s not nice!’
‘I know. I also know work comes first with Emma. She’ll never change.’
‘I’d like to speak to her,’ Blackie said. ‘Right now.’
Laura nodded and went to open the door leading upstairs. ‘Emma,’ she called, ‘Blackie needs to have a word with you.’
‘I’ll be right there,’ Emma answered, and a moment later she came down the narrow stairs.
‘Hello, Blackie,’ she said. ‘You look smart in your suit. I bet it’s one of the new ready-mades, in’t it?’
‘It is. Look here, Emma, ye have to come to the concert, ye promised David. Ye can’t stand him up like this. He’ll be hurt.’
‘I must finish the gown,’ she said calmly. ‘I thought I could do it by last night, but I haven’t been able to get it done, I’m afraid.’
‘Surely ye can be a few days late,’ Blackie said, staring at her. As he looked at that beautiful face, now somewhat pinched and tired, he noticed a sudden obdurate expression settle on it; her green eyes were steely. His heart sank. He knew how stubborn she could be, and that once her mind was made up it wouldn’t change. She had a will of iron, which she exercised often.
A rush of anger mingled with impatience rushed through him but he held his temper down. ‘What shall I say to David?’ he asked in a clipped tone, glaring at her. ‘What excuse shall I give?’
‘Tell him I’m sorry I can’t come, but I will make it up to him, and have supper next week,’ Emma answered, still in her steady, calm voice. ‘Say that’s a promise.’
Blackie and Laura walked down to Armley Park together, taking the Ridge Road route. Laura’s hand was tucked into Blackie’s arm, but both were silent, lost in their own thoughts, preoccupied.
Blackie was fuming inside, still angry with Emma; Laura was upset for David, whom she knew was enamoured, had a real crush on Emma, even wanted to marry her. He would be disappointed when they arrived without her.
By the time they reached the gates of the park, Blackie had managed to shake off his anger and he turned to Laura and smiled at her.
‘Do ye want a lemonade, mavourneen? Or a cordial? Or another sparkling drink?’
‘Thanks, Blackie, a lemonade would be nice.’
‘I’ll have one too,’ he said, going up to the drinks stall outside the gates, putting his hand in his pocket for the pennies, chatting to the stallholder in his usual jovial manner.
Once inside, Blackie’s dark eyes sparkled. ‘Look at this, Laura, we’re early, and there are plenty of seats at the front. Come on, mavourneen, let’s get settled before the rush starts.’
The two of them headed for the second row in front of the bandstand, where the musicians were starting to get set up. One of the musicians bumped into the cymbals, which made a clatter, while another was testing his brass trombone. Noise, but good noise, and expectations of a wonderful afternoon.
Blackie was in his element as he and Laura sat down. He loved music, and he tried not to miss these Sunday concerts. They soothed his soul. He loved being in the park, full of trees and lawns and flowering bushes. He took a few deep breaths now, savouring the fresh scents of the grass, the leaves and the flowers. Peace here, he thought. A place to relax, to be at ease, to forget any problems and travails.
Laura broke into his thoughts when she said, ‘Don’t stay angry with Emma, Blackie. She just can’t help herself. And it’s that drive and ambition that makes her so stubborn. She’s a good person, and she’d give you the coat off her back.’
Blackie turned slightly in his seat, and looked at Laura, her trusting face turned up towards him. He was filled with a rush of emotion, so strong he was startled.
‘Aren’t ye the one? Always seeing the best of people, always being so fair, never condemning. There’s just no one like ye …’ His voice trailed off and he glanced around. People were coming in slowly, and they were still alone at the front of the row of seats.
Before he could stop himself, he blurted out, ‘Laura, I do believe I am falling in love with ye, mavourneen. Really and truly. It’s friends we are, but I know I feel better when I’m with ye …’
Laura’s eyes shone. ‘I’m in love with you, Blackie,’ she whispered. ‘I have been since the first time we met. I thought it was obvious.’
Blackie’s face filled with happiness, his black eyes warm as he said, ‘Can we go steady? Can we think about being together?’
‘What do you mean when you say “being together”?’
‘Walking out, and perhaps something more.’
‘Are you … are you proposing to me, Blackie?’ Laura asked carefully, her eyes riveted to his face.
‘I think I am, on the heads of the Blessed Saints, I swear I am.’ He let out a shout of laughter. ‘Don’t ye know I love ye?’
‘Yes, I do. I feel the same.’ She smiled, joy in her face, and touched his cheek gently. ‘We shall go steady, enjoy our courtship, and one day, in the not too distant future, we’ll get married, and perhaps even start a family.’
Filled with excitement, he pulled her into his arms, crushing her against his jacket. Gently Laura extracted herself from his arms, and said, ‘We must stop now, my dearest Blackie.’ She laughed. ‘The others will be here soon.’
He nodded. ‘I knows that.’
‘I want to go steady, be your girl, but let’s just keep it to ourselves for a little while. And let’s not display too much in front of other people. I don’t think that’s proper, do you?’
‘No, it’s not, I agree.’ Leaning forward he kissed her cheek lightly. ‘I shall behave meself, Laura, me sweet mavourneen.’
She smiled. This dear, kind man was hers for keeps, she was now sure of that.
Suddenly, Blackie spotted David Kallinski walking towards them, and he sat up straighter and said to Laura, ‘David has arrived. Not a word today then, me darling.’
Emma was filled with excitement. Once Blackie and Laura had gone to listen to the band in Armley Park, Emma changed into a crisp silk dress and put on her Leghorn bonnet. In her reticule were sixty pounds she had taken out of the black tin box that contained her savings.
Quite by chance, yesterday, she had seen the words TO LET on a shop window on Town Street. It was part of a row of three, and a small notice gave the name of the landlord. A Mr Joe Lowther, who lived in another area of Armley.
She set out, filled with confidence and determination. She would get that shop, no matter what. Success was in the air, so she believed.
Emma soon found the street where he lived, went up the stone steps resolutely. She knocked hard, and waited.
A few minutes later the door was opened by a tall young man, with a pleasant open face and fair hair. He stared at Emma. ‘What can I do for you, miss?’
‘I’m here to see Mr Joe Lowther.’
‘I’m Joe Lowther. What can I do for you?’ he asked again.
‘I want to rent the shop on Town Street. Perhaps I should speak to your father?’
Joe Lowther looked at her, his eyes narrowing. ‘That would be difficult. He’s been dead six years.’
Suddenly realizing her mistake, Emma gave him her most radiant smile. ‘Oh, well, then, obviously it is you I must talk to, Mr Lowther.’
‘It is. Are you here on behalf of your mother?’
‘No, myself, I—’
‘You look a bit young to rent my shop,’ Joe Lowther muttered, sounding suddenly annoyed.
‘Could I come inside, please, Mr Lowther? I don’t think we should be doing business on your front steps. The neighbours might be watching, don’t you think?’
‘Perhaps you’re right. So come in then.’ He opened the door wider, and Emma went inside.
After closing the door, Joe Lowther said, ‘I don’t do business on a Sunday.’
‘Well, there’s always a first time for everything. Mr Lowther,’ Emma answered in a gracious voice.
‘Please sit down,’ he said, staring at her, now suddenly aware that she was a beautiful young woman. His chest tightened and he stepped back.
‘I prefer to stand. Thank you, though. I want to rent your shop, and you should know I have a growing business I run from my home. I will make a go of your shop; I can reassure you of that.’
‘You look a bit young—’
Emma cut him off when she said, ‘I would be willing to pay you several months in advance, Mr Lowther.’ Emma knew she had the winning hand, because she had cash. Everyone loved cash.
‘How many months?’ Joe ventured, feeling suddenly uncomfortable and hot around the collar. This girl had stunned him, her emerald eyes totally focused on him.
Emma, fully aware of the effect she was having on him, smiled at him. ‘I’m not sure what the rent is, but I would be prepared to give you six months in advance. Surely that shows my good faith, and also my belief in myself.’
Joe was obviously taken aback. ‘Six months?’ he repeated, his voice rising an octave.
‘Yes. And I am being very rude, Mr Lowther. I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Emma Harte.’
‘How do you do, Miss Harte.’
‘It’s Mrs Harte,’ Emma corrected him, with another smile.
He nodded, wondering why he was filling up with disappointment.
Emma, seeing his confusion, knowing he was attracted to her, went in for the kill. Opening her reticule, she took out the bundle of cash and began to count the money. ‘Now, how much is the rent?’
Joe, to his surprise, told her, ‘A guinea a week,’ he answered.
‘Well, that makes it four guineas a month,’ Emma said, as always fast with numbers. Paying no attention to Joe, she peeled off the notes and laid them on the table. ‘I think we have a deal, don’t we, Mr Lowther?’
‘I suppose we do.’ Joe nodded, thinking this extraordinary young woman had somehow got the better of him. But had she really? Glancing at the bills, he knew he hadn’t done badly himself. He said, ‘I’ll just go and get you the rent book, Mrs Harte, and the keys to the shop.’
‘Thank you, Mr Lowther.’
Emma smiled at his back as he went out of the room, almost delirious with happiness and excitement. She could hardly contain herself.
When he returned and handed her the rent book and keys, she took them from him with a wide smile on her face. ‘Thank you, Mr Lowther.’ She glanced at the money on the table. ‘Aren’t you going to count it?’
‘I trust you,’ he said.
Emma thought she was floating home on clouds. Her step was firm and swift as she hurried back to Laura’s, chuffed and full of excitement. She couldn’t wait to tell Blackie and Laura. But when she went into the cellar kitchen, only Blackie was there. He was reading the racing sheet he favoured.
He put the paper down and jumped up, went to greet her. After hugging her tightly, he smiled. ‘I don’t know where ye’ve been but I’ve never seen ye look so … elated.’
‘I’ve just rented my first shop, Blackie.’
He held her away from him, looking genuinely surprised. ‘Have ye really?’
‘I have. Where’s Laura? I want you both to come and see it. It’s only a few minutes away on Town Street.’
‘After the concert Laura went to the church to help the priest’s housekeeper for an hour. Something about a charity affair.’
‘Will you come with me? Now?’
‘Wild horses wouldn’t keep me away.’
Emma and Blackie stood outside the shops. ‘It’s this one,’ Emma told him. ‘With the whitewashed window. The third in the row.’
He looked at her, filled with pride that she had accomplished what she had set out to do a year ago. She was miraculous in a certain special way. There was no one like her. She was a winner.
‘Congratulations, Emma. I’m as thrilled as ye are. Well done, mavourneen.’
‘Thank you. It’s getting dark. Let’s go home,’ Emma said. ‘And thank you many times over, Blackie. You’ve been so loyal to me, never faltered.’
He merely smiled, and she put her arm through his affectionately.
As they walked up Town Street neither of them knew then that they had embarked on a journey that would lead them to more success than they had ever dreamed possible. Or that their friendship would be so enduring it would last a lifetime.