Читать книгу Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls - Rosie Clarke - Страница 8

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‘That is beautiful work…’

The man’s voice made Minnie’s spine tingle and she caught her breath, hardly daring to turn around. It couldn’t be him and yet she’d heard the name of their manager and wondered, but somehow it was still a big shock to see him standing there in her room.

‘I was away when Mrs Harper took you on, so I wanted to welcome you to the staff…’

‘Mr Stockbridge…’ the word was strange on her lips, because he’d always been Jonathan to her.

For a moment, her hands lingered on the exquisite gown she’d been embroidering. Minnie made herself breathe slowly, but she knew him, the feeling of intimacy so awkward after all these years but still there. He had changed little, a bit wider round the middle perhaps, but still that same grave face and open grey eyes that seemed to see into her soul. She wasn’t sure if he remembered her – but why should he? He’d had so much more in his life than she’d ever experienced… and they hadn’t met for over twenty years, when she’d told him she could never marry him. Yet, as she stared at him, it was if it were only yesterday.

‘Miss Minnie…’ he said and the sudden shock in his eyes told her that he’d just realised who she was and was stunned. ‘I saw the name, but it didn’t occur to me that it could be you…’

‘Mr Stockbridge,’ she replied her cheeks on fire. ‘I didn’t realise you were the manager here, well, not at first. No one told me until after I started working in the department…’ It had been too late to draw back then; besides, she’d been curious as to what he would look like after all these years.

‘How are you – and Miss Lumley?’ he asked, frowning as he recovered from his shock at seeing her.

‘Mildred passed away last year,’ she said, a catch of sadness in her voice. ‘It meant I couldn’t afford to go on living in the boarding house. Mrs Craven offered me a home and she spoke to Mrs Harper about a position for me. Mrs Harper was very kind and said she’d never seen such exquisite work…’

I’m sorry to hear about your sister…’

‘It was such a shock…’ Minnie said in a choked voice.

‘Yes, of course, it would be. I hope you’re feeling better now?’

‘Yes, thank you…’ Minnie offered a small smile.

‘Well you’re here now.’

Yes, I was very lucky to get the position.’

‘I was interested when I saw the invoices for your work,’ he told her, explaining why he’d come down to visit. ‘We’ve done alterations before this, but the embroidery is new…’ He was struggling against shock or emotion, she wasn’t sure which, and she gave him time to recover.

‘It can make such a difference to a plain gown,’ Minnie said, enthusiasm coming to her rescue and banishing the crippling shyness. Her love for her work overcame the embarrassment at seeing him for the first time in years and she spoke of what was in her heart. ‘How is your wife? I heard you married…’ And Mrs Harper had told her he had a daughter named Becky, who was seventeen years old, but she’d been too reticent to ask more questions.

‘My wife died soon after our daughter was born,’ he said soberly. ‘I live alone with Becky and a woman comes in to do the housework and cooks a meal for us sometimes. I often make do with a light supper and Becky has her lunch at school when she goes but she is capable of making her own these days… quite the young lady now…’ He smiled at the thought. ‘A lovely girl…’

‘Oh…’ Minnie wasn’t sure what to say, but then she realised he was talking too much because, like her, he wasn’t sure what to say. This meeting was just as awkward for him. ‘I am so sorry you lost your wife. It must have been hard bringing up your daughter alone…’

‘My mother was alive then, if you remember?’

Minnie nodded. She remembered his mother very well. Mrs Stockbridge had not particularly liked Minnie and she’d often wondered if that was why he’d accepted her refusal of his proposal so easily.

‘She helped and I employed a nurse until Becky went to school. It was difficult, but I had a little money from my father’s will…’

Minnie sympathised with his predicament. She knew only too well how hard it could be living on a legacy from a parent and a small wage. Of course, as Harpers’ manager, he would now be earning far more than she ever had from her sewing.

‘Is your daughter well?’

‘Yes, very – she is the light of my life…’ He coughed nervously and then recovered his composure, assuming his role as manager. ‘Well, I shall leave you to get on with your work, Miss Minnie – and welcome to Harpers. We like our staff to be happy…’ He hesitated, then looked back at her and for a moment she saw the old Jonathan, the man she’d loved so very much. ‘It’s wonderful to see you again, Minnie…’

‘Thank you, sir,’ she said and emotion rose in her throat, making her incapable of further speech. She thought she saw a flicker of something like regret in his eyes as he moved away.

After he’d gone, Minnie discovered she was shaking. She’d never expected to see Jonathan Stockbridge again, hadn’t imagined he would bother to visit her room. After all, he was the general manager and she was just a seamstress; she wasn’t sure she would have taken this job if she’d known he was the manager here before she’d applied for the position and then she hadn’t been able to turn it down because she’d needed it so badly. However, now that awkward first meeting was over and it would never be as bad again. He would probably avoid her department and she would do nothing to attract his attention. His embarrassment had been painful, she’d seen that at once – and she was sorry. He’d married a few months after she’d told him she could never leave Mildred and that showed he hadn’t felt the deep love that had stayed alive in her heart all these years. A love that she must never disclose to him or anyone!

Tears were hovering, but she blinked them away as someone entered the workroom and came towards her. Thank goodness! It was only Miss Gibbs – dear little Maggie who shared her home with her. She made an effort to paint on a smile and greet her.

‘Mrs Burrows sent me with these so you can check the colour for the embroidery you’re doing for Mrs Smythe-Jamieson, Miss Minnie.’ Maggie showed her the hats she was carrying in her large box. ‘You wanted to make sure the blue matched exactly your thread…’

‘Oh yes, of course I did,’ Minnie said and went to her box to take out the two threads she’d selected earlier. ‘I’d forgotten for a moment…’

‘Are you all right, Miss Minnie?’ Maggie asked, a flicker of concern in her eyes.

‘Yes, perfectly, my dear,’ she replied, though it was taking all her courage not to burst into tears. ‘There we are – now look… yes, I think this one matches perfectly. And the pink is just right for hat number two…’

‘Mrs Smythe-Jamieson was so particular,’ Maggie said. ‘I’m glad we checked, because she would have been cross if they hadn’t matched.’

‘I’m sure you’re right,’ Minnie said and smiled. ‘The customer must have what she wants, Maggie dear – oh, forgive me, I should call you Miss Gibbs…’

‘No one else is listening,’ Maggie said, smiling at her. ‘The hats are paid for, so I shall leave them with you and then Mrs Smythe-Jamieson can try her dresses and hats together and she will see how well they look…’

‘You are such a thoughtful girl, my dear.’

Maggie admired Minnie’s latest work; an evening gown, which was hanging from a stand nearby. ‘You embroider so beautifully, Miss Minnie – one day I’d like you to do something for me.’

‘Of course, I will,’ Minnie said. Her hurt was easing now and it was all due to this young girl who was so kind and friendly. ‘I’ll make your wedding dress one day…’

‘I would love that,’ Maggie said and laughed. ‘All I need is someone to ask me to marry him…’

‘You have a very nice young man…’

‘Yes, Tim Burrows is lovely, but he’s more interested in the Royal Flying Corps at the moment. He’s learning to be a pilot and all his energy goes into that. When I do see him, we have tea and talk, but it’s mostly about his work and the men he flies with…’

‘Gentlemen are often that way,’ Minnie said gently. ‘One day he will surprise you by saying something lovely and then you’ll fall in love and marry him, you’ll see…’

‘Miss Minnie, I do love you,’ Maggie cried with a laugh. ‘I am so glad that Mrs Craven brought you to live with us.’

‘And it was my lucky day,’ Minnie said. ‘I was so alone after my sister died, but now I have you and Rachel – and Mrs Burrows too.’

‘We’re all friends here at Harpers,’ Maggie replied with a naughty smile. ‘Mrs Harper calls us Harpers’ girls and says we’re all her family… and I love her too.’

‘Yes, she is very kind,’ Minnie said. ‘She told me to call her Sally, but, of course, I don’t – one must not take advantage of another’s kindness. She is my employer’s wife and I shall never forget that she gave me this wonderful job…’

‘You more than repay her kindness with work like this,’ Maggie said. ‘I must go or Mrs Burrows will think I’ve got lost. I shall see you this evening.’

Minnie smiled as she left. Maggie’s arrival had saved her from making a fool of herself! The tears had been so close, but there was no point in giving way to them. So stupid of her to let the past affect her in that way. She had been shocked to see Jonathan, but she should not have let it affect her like that – it was so many years ago and she’d made her choice. She’d chosen Mildred, because her sister could not have managed without her, but she’d never stopped thinking of the man she’d given up. Even when she’d seen the report of his wedding in the paper, she’d continued to hold his memory dear. Strange that she hadn’t known he was a widower. Perhaps she hadn’t seen the announcement in the paper. Mildred had not always purchased one, of course, because she said it was an unnecessary luxury.

It was so foolish, because he clearly had not felt the same about Minnie, because he would not have married so soon had he loved her. Now it was time for her to put the past behind her and get on with her life. Jonathan had his own life and a daughter; he was no longer interested in the woman that had turned him down. She had new friends and a new life, to regret what she’d lost so long ago was a waste of her feelings and something she refused to indulge in.

Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls

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