Lizzie's Secret (19 page)

‘I don't want to see him. I'm going to the bathroom. I don't want to talk about Tony anymore, right?'

Beth heard the buzz after she went into the hall and knew they were discussing her break-up with Tony. Well, her mother might think she should give Tony another chance but Beth had had enough…

Beth's indignation lasted for the next few hours, but then she started wishing that she'd been home when Tony came round. At least he had come, which seemed to indicate that he wanted to see her. Perhaps he'd just been too busy to take her out for the past couple of weeks, but he ought to have found time to tell her.. Maybe she'd been wrong about him seeing Sylvia Butcher….

Beth had been very hurt at the start, but now she was just fed up. All Tony seemed to think about was work and his new business. She wanted to go out, to have fun. Tony seemed to think she ought to be sitting around waiting for him when he chose to come round, but she wasn't on a string to be pulled back and forth as he thought fit.

Beth's mood lasted for most of the night and she lay tossing and turning in bed, feeling miserable. At work she was kept busy all day, making up invoices and writing up various accounts, typing letters. When her lunch break came, she decided she wasn't going to sit in the staffroom and brood. She'd go down to the café at the end of the road and buy herself a cheap meal.

She was sitting drinking a glass of orange squash when a man came and sat down at her table. She was startled and looked up, recognising Sebastian Winters.

‘May I speak with you, Miss Court?'

‘Yes, of course, Mr Winters.'

‘I wanted to contact Lizzie – I was told she wasn't at work when I asked for her. Do you know where she is?'

‘She got married,' Beth said and saw his face change colour and a little nerve flick at the corner of his eye. ‘Her husband has joined the RAF and they are on honeymoon…'

‘I see…' He tapped the table with his gloves, a look somewhere between anger and shock in his eyes. ‘Do you know when she returns home?'

‘Yes, on Friday night, because Harry has to return to base on Saturday morning.'

‘Of course… perhaps you will tell her I should like to see her one day?'

‘Yes, but she'll be back at work next week if you wanted to see her. I happen to know there's a big order for her specials… she makes such beautiful hats.' Beth sighed.

‘Yes, she is talented. I dare say you enjoy wearing her hats?'

‘Unfortunately, I don't go out anywhere I can wear pretty hats very often.'

‘I'm sure a young lady as pretty as you must get lots of invitations?'

‘Thank you for the compliment but I assure you, I never go anywhere interesting these days.'

‘You intrigue me,' he said. ‘One favour deserves another – I'm giving a garden party on Sunday afternoon, the week after next, at least we'll be in the garden if it's fine and in the house if it rains. Would you like to come?'

‘Only if I can bring Lizzie – and that's if she wants to come.'

‘Here is my card. I live in Hampstead, as you can see. Please feel free to arrive at any time between three and five in the afternoon.' He rose and tipped his hat to her. ‘Thank you for the information, Miss Court. I am much obliged to you.'

Beth watched him go. She wasn't sure Lizzie would wish to go to the garden party, but she certainly did. It was her chance to see how the other half lived.

*

‘I'm glad you brought this to show me,' Ed said, on Lizzie's return to work the following week. He turned the witch's hat over to look at the silk lining and the way it was formed. ‘This is a fine piece of work, Lizzie – but it must have taken ages?'

‘Yes, it did, too long. I would need to sell it for three pounds – and that doesn't show much of a profit if I count my time.'

‘You must count your time,' Ed warned. ‘I like it very much as a fun hat, but I fear the straw may fray because of the way you've cut it. I know you have over-sewn the edges with the lace, but it may still give after a little wear – and if it was expensive…'

‘Yes, I see. It is very delicate but that is what gives it its appeal, I think.'

Ed agreed with her but he didn't think it was worth showing it to Oliver because he would think it a waste of time. Lizzie knew he was right but felt disappointed because she'd really liked it.

‘Shall I show you how to form a cone that will be less likely to disintegrate?'

‘Yes, please,' Lizzie said eagerly and watched as he measured and cut a piece of fine straw, twisting it deftly so that it became the basic shape Lizzie had wanted. He gave it to her to seam inside on the sewing machine, and then cut some silk lining and stiffening, which she inserted in the point and then lined with the contrast silk. This hat was fashioned of maroon and lined with a faded rose pink, and Ed suggested Lizzie finish it, as she thought fit. She edged it with black satin ribbon and sewed a frill of black lace inside so that it cascaded over the face to form a fine veil and looked like the brim of a witch's hat.

‘Yes, simpler and elegant,' Ed approved. ‘You can use the basic pattern for other materials of course, but it isn't a shape that will sell in large numbers.'

‘No, of course not. Thank you for showing me. How much did it cost out at?'

‘A lot less than yours,' he said. ‘I know you think our range is limited, Lizzie, but that comes from experience. The people who buy from us want constant sellers, the kind of thing their customers buy over and over again.'

‘The customers I'm thinking of will want something different.'

‘Yes, I know what you would like,' he said and shook his head. ‘You're ambitious and you have flair. I understand that you want to create something very stylish and new – but much of that comes with the trimming.'

‘How much do I owe you for the materials?' Lizzie asked, picking up the hat she'd made under his direction.

‘Call it fifteen shillings,' he said. ‘But why don't we show it to Oliver and let him try it in the stock? If the customers don't like it, you can buy it then if you like.'

Lizzie got on with her work until Mr Oliver came round. He asked her if she'd had a good time, how Harry was, and looked through the pile of stock they'd made. To her surprise he didn't mention the cone-shaped hat and Lizzie thought she'd seen a faint smile on his mouth.

Beth pounced on her the minute she entered the staffroom at break time, giving her a hug. ‘I've missed you so much,' she said. ‘I expect you had a wonderful time?'

‘It was a nice hotel and a lovely place.'

‘Is something the matter?' Beth asked and Lizzie nodded.

‘I can't tell you here – come round this evening?'

‘Yes, of course.' Beth stared at her. ‘Is it to do with what your aunt said on your wedding day?'

‘Yes,' Lizzie managed. ‘I'll tell you tonight.'

‘All right,' Beth squeezed her round the waist. ‘You shouldn't let her upset you, love.'

‘It isn't her, it's Harry,' Lizzie said. ‘I really can't say now…'

She wasn't sure how much she could tell her friend but knew she had to say something, because she'd almost gone mad sitting in the flat alone. Beth was her best friend; Lizzie needed to talk and she was the only one who would understand.

‘All right, love, I can wait,' Beth said. ‘I met Sebastian Winters on Friday. He wants to talk to you – and he invited us to a party not this Sunday but the next…'

‘I don't want to go,' Lizzie said. ‘You should go if you want…'

‘Not without you,' Beth said. ‘Look, Vera is coming in now. Eat your lunch and we'll talk this evening…'

*

Beth arrived bearing a bottle of sweet sherry. ‘I thought you might need a drink by the sound of you,' she said. ‘What happened, Lizzie? I know that old witch said something awful to you, but you wouldn't say and I didn't like to ask too many questions…'

‘I couldn't have told you then, besides, I thought she was lying, but I have to tell you now, Beth…'

Lizzie spilled out the whole story, skirting over what happened between her and Harry, but leaving her in no doubt that he'd been shocked and angry.

‘I don't think he loves me any longer,' Lizzie said. ‘We couldn't have stayed there together like that for a week. I came back as soon as I could and I've made a couple of hats…' She stopped as she saw the look of anger in Beth's eyes. ‘I can't blame him; I'm not the sweet innocent virgin he thought I was…'

‘The self-satisfied little prig!' Beth burst out furiously. ‘Is he so perfect? Don't tell me he's never been to bed with a woman before, because I wouldn't believe it. Couldn't he see what it meant to you – couldn't he understand how you suffered? I should like to horsewhip the pair of them – your rotten aunt and Harry…'

A little sob broke from her as she hugged Beth. Her friend held her so tight that she had to break free because she could hardly breathe, but she was feeling better.

‘Thank you. I knew I could tell you – but I don't know what to do, Beth. What am I going to do if he's left me? His uncle will want to know why and I can't tell him. I should be too embarrassed…'

‘Why should you have to? It's not your fault – none of it is your fault, Lizzie. Someone hurt you badly and your aunt and uncle kept the truth from you…' Her gaze narrowed. ‘You still don't remember, do you?'

‘No, nothing at all. I wondered if I might, once I was alone with plenty of time to think, but it's still all a blank.'

‘Your aunt should have told you all this ages ago.'

‘I might not even have thought of marriage if she or my uncle had told me the truth and I certainly would have explained to Harry if I'd known. I do understand why Uncle Jack tried to spare me, but he was wrong. It would have been much better had I told Harry the truth at the start.'

‘Yes much better,' Beth agreed. ‘I would say come back to live with us, but I'm leaving home when my appointment comes through – but Mum would have you if she understood your situation…'

‘I'm going to stay here for a while. I'm not sure I can afford to live here alone – but I have to wait until I hear from Harry. Some of the furniture is mine, but some is his…' Lizzie swallowed hard, fighting a wave of emotion. ‘We were going to be so happy here…'

‘Perhaps he will get over it and come back to you.'

‘Perhaps, but it can't be the same,' Lizzie said. ‘I've been wondering what to do but I can't see my way clear. I suppose I could join a voluntary organisation like you – but…' She shook her head. ‘I just don't know what to do…'

‘Carry on at work until I leave anyway,' Beth said. ‘And come to that party with me next week. You've done nothing wrong. Harry is the one that should apologise.'

‘I was upset for him – I am still sorry I didn't tell him, but he married me and he was supposed to love me. Surely it isn't too much to try and understand how I feel?'

‘If he was a proper man he would,' Beth said and Lizzie shook her head.

‘I can't blame him, Beth. He'd put me on a pedestal. I was his perfect Lizzie and it hurt when he realised that I wasn't perfect…'

‘That isn't love,' Beth said with disgust. ‘Oh, I've gone off men altogether. Tony wanted me to do exactly what he wanted; he didn't care how I felt – they're all the same…'

She picked up the sherry bottle and poured them both a large glass. ‘Come on, have a drink and drown your sorrows, love. We'll find a way through, Lizzie. You've still got your friends – and I'm not the only one that cares about you. Ed and Tilly would be up in arms if they knew – and Madge would murder him.'

‘I couldn't tell Ed,' Lizzie said, but she was smiling now. ‘Oh, I've got something to show you…' She ran into the bedroom and brought the witch's hat back. ‘What do you think of that?'

‘It's beautiful! May I try it on?'

‘Yes, of course you can,' Lizzie said and laughed as Beth ran to the mirror and tried on the delicate hat. It suited her and she preened herself, obviously in love with it. ‘You look lovely in it, Beth. I'll give it to you as a present.'

‘You can't afford to do that,' Beth said. ‘ You might be able to sell it for a profit. I would buy it if I didn't need all my savings for my training…'

‘Poor you,' Lizzie said. ‘I'll let you wear it one day if you like, when you're going somewhere nice…'

‘For that party at Mr Winters' house…' Beth gave her a meaningful look. ‘We could both do with some cheering up. I'd really love to go and I'd feel much better if you came with me – admit it, you're feeling right down in the dumps, aren't you?'

‘Well, perhaps,' Lizzie said. ‘Yes, I'll give it some thought, because I don't see why I should just sit in the house and mope all the time. If Harry wants to divorce me, he should let me know.'

‘He'll turn up out of the blue one day,' Beth said and gave her another hug. ‘You wait and see. I'm sure he'll be back and with his tail between his legs…'

‘Harry…' Lizzie said when she returned to the flat that Friday evening and found him lounging on the sofa. ‘You didn't let me know you were coming…'

‘I wasn't sure I was,' Harry said. ‘I didn't expect to get a twenty-four-hour pass until they told us this morning, and even then I wasn't sure what to do.'

‘I've been wondering if you would come,' Lizzie said, her throat tight with emotion. ‘I didn't know what to do – should I give notice here or…?'

‘This is our home. I shall be paying the rent through my bank and I'll send you some money every now and then, though you get your wages and that should be enough when I'm not here.,' his tone was cool but not harsh.