One Rainy Day (27 page)

‘Of course not. It’s lovely to see you.’ Poppy bent her elbow for Charlotte to link. ‘Jean was only saying the other day that she hoped you hadn’t forgotten us, weren’t you, Jean?’

‘Yes, I was,’ Jean said. ‘And am I right in saying a friend of yours was having her son christened yesterday?’

‘Oh, yes, and it was lovely.’ Charlotte’s cultured voice was eager. ‘The baby, Leo, was a perfect angel. He never even whimpered.’

‘Can we find a table and sit down?’ Poppy said. ‘Then we can talk in comfort.’ She looked around and spotted an empty table by a side window. ‘You two nab that table while I put our order in. And as we don’t have a lot of time I’m ordering three bowls of soup, with bread, and a pot of tea. Is that okay?’ She waited for their nods, then pushed her way to the counter.

When Poppy returned to the table it was to see Charlotte and Jean talking and laughing. ‘Oh, that’s nice, I must say! I bet I’ve missed all the news now.’

‘No, you haven’t, Poppy. I was only telling Jean how happy my parents were yesterday, becoming godparents.’ Charlotte put a hand on Poppy’s sleeve. ‘What a lovely coat! And it suits you. The colour is perfect with that mop of golden curls.’

‘Listen, Charlotte, if I keep being flattered, I won’t be able to get through the front door when I get home, my head will be so big.’

‘When you saw Andrew, did he flatter you?’ Charlotte’s eyes held devilment. ‘I’d be very surprised if he did, for my brother is quite shy with girls.’

‘He did say I looked very smart. Oh, and he invited me to his office any time I was passing, for a cup of tea. Your brother does seem to be shy with females, Charlotte, but I think that’s rather nice. The word I would use to describe what little I know of Andrew is chivalrous. But don’t you dare tell him I said so, for he’ll think I’m comparing him with the knights of old.’

Their soup and bread arrived at that moment, and it put an end to conversation. It’s difficult to talk while eating soup, particularly when you are wearing …
the
coat. But as soon as the plates were cleared and stacked ready to be picked up, Charlotte went back to where they had left off. ‘When you go for tea to Andrew’s office, could I come with you? I would like that very much, for I am very proud of my brother, and love him dearly.’

‘Oh, I won’t be calling on him for a while, Charlotte, for it would be in my working time and my boss wouldn’t take kindly to my taking time out.’

Jean pushed her chair back and stood up. ‘I’ll take these plates to the counter and fetch the tea. You two carry on. I won’t be long.’

Poppy smiled at Charlotte. ‘Your brother is nice, and I can understand you being fond of him. But you know I am going to night school to learn shorthand, and that’s a priority with me, for I’m not happy in my present job. So everything else has to take second place for the next few weeks or months. It depends on how quickly I pick it up.’

‘You are not spending all your free time poring over books, are you?’ Charlotte had been eager when Poppy told of her
meeting with Andrew, and now she felt sad. ‘You need some social life.’

‘Oh, I am having some social life, Charlotte, but I’m not out every night like I used to be. I have a male friend I go to dances with, or the pictures, two nights during the week. So I’ve not turned into a recluse.’

Charlotte’s heart sank. ‘You have a steady boyfriend, do you, Poppy?’

‘I wouldn’t say he was a steady boyfriend, for I’ve only known him a matter of weeks. And as I’ve said, my heart is set on training for a new job, so courting is out of the question for a while.’

Hope flared once again in Charlotte’s heart. ‘When you are settled, with all your plans bearing fruit, then will you come with me to Andrew’s office and accept his offer of a cup of tea? I have only been there once, which is a bit mean of me for I have nothing to do all day but lounge around. I get bored sometimes, and feel lonely. So say you’ll come with me, Poppy, and I’ll have something to look forward to.’

How could she refuse, Poppy asked herself, looking into Charlotte’s eyes. She could spare half an hour, if it made the girl happy. But not for a while. First things first. ‘When I’m more settled I’ll come with you, Charlotte, I promise. And you can tell your brother I’ll expect a cake with the cup of tea.’

Charlotte was delighted. Wait until she told Andrew tonight! He would be overjoyed. ‘How are you getting on with your shorthand? Are you close to mastering it yet?’

Jean reached the table with a tray bearing cups, saucers, and a pot of tea. ‘Ooh, it’s a crush trying to get through the queue at the counter. And that tray is heavy.’

‘I’ll take it back when we’ve finished with it,’ Poppy said.
‘And I’ll be mother and pour out the tea. While I’m doing that, you are the best one to answer Charlotte’s question. She asked if I was close to mastering the art of shorthand yet. You tell her.’

Jean delved into Poppy’s bag for her notebook. ‘Give me ten minutes and I’ll tell you both whether Miss Meadows goes to the top or the bottom of the class.’

‘I can’t bear the suspense.’ Poppy laughed. ‘While you mark my homework, Jean, I’ll ask Charlotte how the rocking-horse was received by the baby’s parents.’

The three women left the café in high spirits: Poppy because her homework had been passed with flying colours, marked by Jean at eight out of ten; Charlotte because she had two pieces of news for her brother which would please him. One, Poppy had promised to accept his offer of tea in his office, and two she wasn’t courting. And Jean was happy because she was in the company of two good friends.

Charlotte was in the kitchen chatting to the housekeeper and cook, while watching them preparing for the evening meal. She often spent time in there now, finding it warm and homely, and she was happy chatting to the staff. And she wasn’t above pinching a cake as Jane was taking a tray out of the oven, or testing the after dinner trifles, which were rich with a variety of fruits and covered in fresh cream. Sitting at the huge scrubbed table, her arms folded, she watched Jane’s quick, sure movements. ‘How did you learn to be such a good cook, Jane?’ she asked. ‘Did your mother teach you?’

‘Good heavens, no, Miss Charlotte. My mam could make a good pan of stew, and she could make an apple pie that had us kids drooling at the mouth. And her fairy cakes were so light they could float in the air. But we couldn’t afford those luxuries very often, ’cos with five children to feed and clothe, and a husband what only earned coppers every week, well, she was always pushed for money.’ Jane picked up a thick cloth to cover her hands before opening the oven door to make sure the piece of lamb was cooking to her satisfaction. Then, after rubbing her hands down the side of her long pinny, she smiled at Charlotte. ‘My mam had to go out cleaning to earn enough money to keep the wolf from the door. But I’ll say this for her, God rest her soul, she was a
good mother. We might have gone hungry at times, but we never starved. She saw to that. What we lacked in food and clothes, she more than made up for with hugs and kisses, and telling us how much she loved us.’

Tender-hearted Charlotte was ready to sympathize. ‘Were you very poor, Jane?’

The cook was about to give a truthful answer when a knowing look from the housekeeper caused her to think twice. ‘Oh, no, Miss Charlotte, we weren’t poor. Our house was noted in the street, because there was always singing and laughter coming from it. My mam and dad were both good singers, and they would sing all the old songs. We had some fine times. I’ve taught my kids all the songs from my childhood days, Irish, Scottish, cockney, I remember them well. So yer see, Miss Charlotte, yer don’t need money to be rich in happiness and love. It comes free.’

‘Oh, that’s lovely, Jane. Those songs will always bring back happy memories of your mother and father. You’ll never forget how much they loved you.’

At that moment a light passed the kitchen window, and Charlotte was off her chair like a shot. ‘Oh, that is Andrew’s car, Frances. I’m going to meet him.’

‘No, Miss Charlotte, don’t go out without a coat on,’ Frances said. ‘It’s very cold out; you’ll catch a chill.’ But her words fell on empty air, for Charlotte was out of the door like a streak of lightning. ‘If she catches a cold, I’m the one who will get the blame.’ The housekeeper shook her head in despair. ‘Miss Harriet will say I should have stopped her, but there’s no stopping Miss Charlotte when she sets her mind on something. She can be very stubborn at times.’

‘I wouldn’t worry, if I were you,’ Jane said, turning the gas off in the oven. Mr George came home half an hour ago, and
now Mr Andrew was home the family would expect to sit down to dinner at half past seven. ‘If she catches cold it’s her own lookout.’ When she opened the oven door, the smell of lamb wafted into the kitchen, and both women closed their eyes and sniffed several times in appreciation.

Outside, walking from the garage to the house, Charlotte was clinging to her brother’s arm. ‘I’ve got some news for you, Andrew.’

‘Tell me later, when we’re inside. You shouldn’t be out without a coat on. So into the kitchen, quickly.’ Andrew followed his sister up the step, and closed the door behind him. ‘What a delicious smell! Jane, I believe you can work magic with a piece of meat. You never fail to set my taste buds yearning.’

Charlotte was fussing over him. ‘Give me your coat and scarf, Andrew, and I’ll hang them up for you.’

‘I’ll do it myself, Charlotte, for I want to take my briefcase upstairs.’ Andrew smiled at the housekeeper as he passed. ‘Doesn’t the smell make you hungry, Frances?’

‘It does, Mr Andrew, but Jane’s fine cooking has its drawback for me. I eat far more than I should, for it is too delicious to refuse. But, oh, dear, it does no favour to my figure. I swear I’m going fatter by the hour.’

Andrew gave her a hug. ‘You are just nice, Frances. I don’t think you would suit being thin.’ He then smiled at Jane, who was as thin as a rake. ‘It doesn’t seem to affect you, Jane.’

‘No, Mr Andrew. And that’s because I don’t stand still long enough for the fat to settle. I live on me nerves and can’t stand or sit for long. Always on the go, that’s me. Doesn’t do me no harm. I’m as fit as a fiddle, thank God.’

‘And we are very grateful you are fit and healthy. Without you and Frances, we would starve, and the house would fall to
pieces.’ Andrew swung his briefcase. ‘I’d better take this upstairs and start getting dressed for dinner.’

As he was passing the cook, Andrew said softly, ‘Nice golden brown roast potatoes, Jane, will go well with lamb and mint sauce.’

All the staff were fond of Mr Andrew, for he was so down to earth, and Jane in particular thought he was one of the best, a real gentleman. And he could give and take a joke. ‘How many would yer like, Mr Andrew? Any number between one and six.’

‘I won’t be greedy, so make it five.’ Andrew chortled as he made his way out of the kitchen with Charlotte hanging on to his arm. ‘I said five because I didn’t want to sound greedy, but I hope Jane slips up and I get six.’

Charlotte wondered whether he would mention his meeting with Poppy. Surely he’d be so delighted he wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret? But they reached the top of the stairs and Andrew turned in the direction of his bedroom without saying a word. Charlotte didn’t think she could sit through dinner with such knowledge running through her brain. ‘Andrew, can you spare five minutes? I have something to tell you which you’ll be happy to hear.’

Standing with the knob of his bedroom door in his hand, Andrew smiled at her across the wide, square landing. ‘And I have some news to tell you, my lovely sister. But it will have to wait. You know how strict Mother is about being punctual for meals. She would be most upset if neither of us were seated when the dinner was served. We may get a chance to talk later.’

‘I doubt it, Andrew, because Mother is having one of her card evenings. I know several of her friends are coming.’ Then Charlotte put her hands together as an idea crossed her mind. ‘We could go for a run in the country. We’d have plenty of
time to talk.’ She looked at her watch. ‘We’re going to be late and Mother will be cross. So say you’ll agree to a drive in the country, and we can both look sharp and be in the dining room, sitting comfortably, in fifteen minutes.’

Andrew was smiling when he answered. ‘You drive a hard bargain, dear sister, but yes, I would enjoy a run in the country. It’s stuffy in the office all day, and it will be nice to breathe in some pure air.’

Dinner was over, and the table cleared, when Frances came in with a tall silver coffee pot. She placed it in the centre of the table before saying, ‘Jane kindly offered to stay later tonight, to make a small buffet for you and your friends, Miss Harriet. And I have to say she has excelled herself, for it looks very appetizing. Everything is covered and in the larder, so it will keep fresh.’

‘That is very kind of Jane,’ Harriet said. ‘Please tell her I am very grateful.’

George raised his bushy brows. ‘Please add that she will be paid extra in her wages, Frances. Extra work deserves extra pay. I’ll rely on you to make sure she has an appropriate sum in her packet on Saturday.’

‘Yes, Mr George, I’ll do as you ask. And now I’ll bring in the milk for your coffee.’

‘Charlotte and I are going for a run in the country, Mother,’ Andrew said. ‘So we won’t interfere with your card game. I feel like some country air after a day in the office. But we’ll be home in time to show our faces before your friends leave.’

George sat back in his chair and hooked his thumbs in his maroon braces. ‘Do you intend to pay a visit to the old country inn you told us about? If so, I would very much like to join you. I’m sure I’d find it interesting.’

This announcement didn’t go down well with his wife.
‘George, you know I have friends coming. They would think it was very rude of you not to be here.’

‘They are your friends, my love, not mine. I have nothing in common with them, and while I am prepared to suffer in silence most of the time, I would like leave of absence tonight. I rather fancy a log fire in an inn that was built hundreds of years ago. That’s if my children don’t mind spending the evening with an old fogey?’