One Rainy Day (35 page)

Tender-hearted Charlotte was really touched. ‘He sounds like a dreadful man, Jean. You can’t let him treat you like that. He’s not very gentlemanly, is he?’

Jean looked downhearted. ‘It’ll be worse when Poppy leaves. I’ll have no friend there at all then.’

‘I haven’t left yet, Jean, and I’ve told you I’ll always be your friend. Even when I leave, we can still meet every day for lunch.’ Poppy leaned forward and looked into Jean’s face. ‘You won’t get rid of me that easily. You have done me a lot of favours, giving me help and encouragement with my shorthand, and I will never forget that.’ Her wide, generous mouth stretched into a smile. ‘Another thing, Jean. Whether you like it or not, I’m going to do all in my power to get you out of Sutherland’s altogether. While I’m searching for a job for myself, I’ll be keeping an eye out for one for you.’

Charlotte clasped her hands, her eyes lighting up with excitement. ‘Oh, that would be marvellous, Poppy, and you’ll do it, I know you will. You are so kind and thoughtful, and helping Jean to leave that dreadful man will repay her for helping you.’ Again she clasped her hands together. ‘I am so lucky to have you both as friends.’

Poppy chuckled, her hazel eyes changing colour. ‘Hang on, Charlotte, I haven’t done anything yet. But tonight, on the way home, I’m buying a copy of the
Liverpool Echo, and
am going to look at job vacancies. That will be the start of my search.’

The soup, which was vegetable, arrived, and put a halt to the conversation for a while. When it started up again, Jean changed the subject. ‘Are you seeing Peter tonight, Poppy?’

‘Yes, he’s meeting me off the bus when I come back from night school. Then I’m going to the Grafton with him tomorrow. And one of my next-door neighbour’s daughters is
coming. She’s never been to the Grafton, so I didn’t like refusing when she asked if she could come with me.’

Jean looked surprised. ‘Peter won’t be happy about that, will he?’

‘Oh, I’ve told him, and he didn’t object.’ Poppy didn’t want to tell the whole story, not until Peter had decided what he wanted to do regarding Kate. ‘Anyway, I’m not courting him, we’re just good friends.’

When it was time to leave the café, the three friends split the bill between them, leaving a threepenny bit for the waitress. Charlotte walked back to their office with them, but as soon as Poppy and Jean had disappeared inside, the girl swiftly made her way to Castle Street, and her father’s office.

George was pleasantly surprised to see his daughter. ‘What brings you down here, dear girl? Have you a message from your mother, or are you on a shopping trip?’

‘Neither, Papa. I’ve come to see you. Mother doesn’t know I’m in town.’

George chortled, stroking his moustache. ‘It all sounds very cloak and dagger, my girl. What mischief are you up to?’

Charlotte sat on the edge or his desk and began to swing her legs. ‘Have you had your lunch yet, Papa?’

‘No, dear girl, I’ve had quite a busy morning. I’ll be eating at the club shortly. Why?’

‘I want to have a serious talk with you, Papa, and it will take some time. Can you spare me half an hour?’

George was intrigued. He had never known his daughter have a serious talk with anyone. ‘I’m sure I can last out for half an hour, my dear. Even longer, if required.’

‘Then I’ll sit in the chair opposite you, so I have your full attention, and can tell by the expression on your face whether you are taking me seriously or not.’

George was so amused he had difficulty keeping his face straight. He loved his beautiful daughter dearly, and would never deny her anything her heart desired. She only had to ask for what she wanted, but that surely wouldn’t warrant half an hour’s serious conversation! Still, he wouldn’t interrupt. He’d sit and listen, even if his tummy was beginning to rumble. ‘My ears are cocked, my dear, and I’m interested in what you have to say.’

Charlotte swivelled her bottom on the chair before crossing her legs. ‘Papa, do you remember Andrew and me telling you about the unfortunate incident where we bumped into a girl and knocked her over?’

‘Yes, I remember that, my dear. Is that what you are going to talk about? Is she threatening to sue for damages?’

Charlotte giggled. ‘Oh, no, Papa, Poppy wouldn’t sue, she’s far too nice to do anything like that. Why, Andrew wanted to reimburse her for any damage to her raincoat, or to have it dry-cleaned, and she refused to be compensated. No, I only mentioned the incident now, for that is where my story begins. It’s several weeks ago now, but I have met Poppy many times since then, and we have become friends. She is lovely, Papa, and the nicest friend I’ve ever had.’

George sat forward in his chair. ‘I’m going to have to interrupt you, my dear, for you are going so quickly I am a little confused. You say you got to know this girl when Andrew knocked her down with his brolly. She was a stranger to you, am I right?’ When Charlotte nodded, George went on, ‘So she’s gone from being a complete stranger to you to being the nicest friend you’ve ever had? I’m very confused, Charlotte, and quite concerned. How can you have become friends in such a short time? Does she know who you are, and where you live? And do you know where
she lives? Really, my dear, your mother would be very worried if she knew what you were up to.’

‘Her name is Poppy Meadows, Papa, and she works in a solicitor’s office. I think the solicitor is called John Sutherland, and he sounds a very nasty man. At first Poppy didn’t want to be my friend, but now I often wait for her outside the building, and with one of her work colleagues we go for lunch at a little café. Oh, don’t be angry, Papa, for I am so glad to have Poppy for a friend. She is much nicer than any other of the friends I’ve had. And Papa, she is so beautiful, she should be a film star. But I don’t just like her for her looks; she’s good company and I’m learning more about life than I’ve ever heard before. I never knew some people had such unhappy lives. There’s Poppy’s office friend – she’s my friend now, too, and she’s a really nice person. Her name is Jean, and she’s private secretary to this dreadful man, John Sutherland. She is a spinster, but not really old, and she cares for her elderly mother. That’s why she can’t give her job up. But she’s very unhappy there.’

George was shaking his head. ‘I really can’t take all this in, my dear. I’m losing track of why we are having this conversation. If your mother was here, she would be reaching for the smelling salts.’

‘Papa, please don’t stop me from coming into Liverpool once a week to have lunch with Poppy and Jean. I do so look forward to seeing them, and I feel alive in their company. I get very bored at home, with nothing to do but hang around.’

‘Can I ask you why you have decided to confide in me, dear girl? You know you make me an accessory by doing so. If I tell your mother she will forbid you to see these people again. And if I don’t tell her then I will feel very guilty. I really don’t think I can allow you to mix with people we know
nothing about. I could well end up having cause to regret my lack of action.’

‘I didn’t come to see you to bring trouble on myself, Papa. I am not so simple. I came to see if you could help one of my friends find a job as private secretary to a man who would treat her with respect. And that friend is Poppy’s colleague, Jean Slater. She is very respectable, a good worker, and has been very kind to me. And if I can help a friend, I would very much like to, with your assistance.’

It was all very complicated and confusing, but George couldn’t help seeing the funny side. He and his daughter had gone through all that, just because she wanted to help someone find a job. Or at least she wanted George to help someone find a job. Someone he didn’t know from Adam. ‘Charlotte, does Andrew know these women?’

Looking very serious, his daughter nodded. ‘Yes, Papa, he knows Poppy, because, if you remember, he knocked her over. But I don’t want you to tell Andrew what I’ve told you, for I have a secret plan up my sleeve for Andrew.’

George kept his face straight because his daughter wouldn’t appreciate his humour right now. ‘Charlotte, how can I help someone I have never seen? You say Jean Slater is a private secretary who doesn’t like working for Sutherland’s. But she would need to be interviewed to see if she is qualified. I have a vacancy for a private secretary, as it happens, because one of the staff is leaving to get married. But I can’t say I will give your friend a job, not even for you, my darling daughter. I would need to see her.’

Charlotte was round the desk like the shot of a gun. ‘Oh, Papa, I do love you. I knew you would help, for you are so kind-hearted.’ Almost choking him, her arms circled his neck. ‘I’ll bring her to see you tomorrow, my dear wonderful father.
Say one o’clock sharp. And I’ll bring Poppy, too, so you can see how nice and respectable my friends are.’ After one very noisy kiss, she said, ‘You can go for your lunch now. You deserve it. But not a word to Mother, please, or Andrew. I have only told you half of my plan. The rest might take longer, and not be so easy. But I’ll see it through, and I know you will be pleased with the result. And very proud of your loving daughter.’

Peter was leaning against a shop doorway when the bus came along, and he hurried forward to help Poppy down off the platform. ‘Hello, babe. It’s good to see you.’

Poppy had been wondering whether he would be there, what with his old flame turning up at the Grafton on Saturday night and asking him to take her back again. He’d told her she was wasting her time because she was the cause of them splitting up, but Poppy had seen his reaction when her saw her at the Grafton. And she thought he still had strong feelings for Kate, his ex-girlfriend.

‘How are you, Peter?’ she asked as he put an arm round her waist. ‘You were under the weather when you left me on Saturday night. Do you feel better now you’ve had time to think over what happened? I don’t want you to tell me what decision you’ve come to, that’s up to you. I just want to know that you are all right.’

‘I didn’t go to work today, my head was too full. My mind kept going back to when Kate and I were courting. Then I’d see pictures of you in my mind, and everything got mixed up. I don’t feel like going to the pictures, babe. What do you want to do?’

‘I’m not fussy about doing anything, Peter. I’d say come home with me and have a drink, but Mam might start asking
questions. I don’t mean she’d be nosy, it’s just because she thinks it’s manners to talk to a guest.’

‘No, let’s just go for a walk. With the fresh air, and a bit of exercise, I might be able to sleep tonight. That’s if it’s not too cold for you. I’m being selfish, just thinking about myself.’

‘We’ll go for a walk. I’m not cold.’ Poppy yawned and put a hand over her mouth. ‘Oh, excuse me, that just came of its own accord. But I do feel a bit tired, so let’s just walk to the end of the road and back. And don’t talk about Kate. I don’t want to know. You’ll be seeing her tomorrow night, and I think the pair of you should sort it out between yourselves. Nobody else can do it for you. And Sarah and I won’t interfere with you and Kate.’

‘I’m going to the Grafton with you, babe, as usual. And I haven’t forgotten your neighbour’s coming. I’m not altering our usual arrangements to suit Kate. I’ll call for you at half seven.’

Poppy didn’t argue. She could imagine how mixed up he must be. He was putting a brave face on, and only he knew what his true feelings were. His pride had been dented when Kate did something that he felt belittled him, and to give in to her now would make him appear weak. No man would be happy with that. And Poppy was inclined to agree that what Kate had done was really out of order. But as she’d never been in love, she wasn’t in a position to understand. Did true love really conquer all? Or did pride come first?

‘Let’s turn round now, Peter. We’ve walked enough.’ Poppy pulled on his arm and they did an about-turn. ‘You can leave me at the top of our street. I’ll be all right. You hop on a bus, go home and have a good night’s sleep.’

When they reached the corner of Poppy’s street, Peter asked, ‘Can I have a goodnight kiss, babe?’

He sounded so sad, Poppy felt sorry for him. ‘Of course you can, and I won’t charge. You can have it for free.’ Their kisses had never been passionate, and that was down to Poppy, for she didn’t feel she’d known him long enough to commit herself to him. And tonight she was glad, for he didn’t expect more than her usual friendly, boy-girl kiss. ‘Shall we meet at the Grafton, Peter, for I’ll have Sarah with me?’

‘No, I’ll call for you. Seven thirty, babe. Goodnight.’

Poppy wondered what the next night would bring. She hoped Peter was prepared to give Kate another chance. A couple don’t court for two years if their love for each other isn’t strong. And she wanted him to be happy. She would never love him herself, she knew that, for the spark wasn’t there. But she was very fond of him, and would always think of him with affection.

When Eva opened the door she looked surprised. ‘You’re home early, sweetheart. Didn’t Peter meet you off the bus?’

‘Yes, he did, Mam.’ Poppy brushed past her mother and made for the fire in the living room. Winter was nearly over now, but there was still a nip in the air. ‘Neither of us felt like going anywhere, so we decided a short walk and then home was the best bet.’

‘David’s in the kitchen making a pot of tea. He came home early tonight, too. I hope ye’re not both sickening for something. Either that or yer’ve both been chucked by boy and girlfriend.’

David came through from the kitchen carrying a tray. ‘I’d have a job getting the heave-ho from a girlfriend when I haven’t got one. I’ve been playing cards tonight with Vincent, and you’ll be happy to know I won the grand sum of threepence.’

Eva chuckled as she set the cups and saucers on the table.
‘Better than losing threepence, sweetheart. At least it’s your bus fare to work.’

‘One way, Mam, one way.’ David’s face was wearing its ever-ready smile. ‘Perhaps I should have stayed for another hand and won the return fare.’

As she was pouring out the tea, Eva said, ‘Poppy, you haven’t forgotten you promised to take Sarah with you to the Grafton tomorrow, have you? She’s so looking forward to it.’