Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls. Rosie Clarke

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.

      6

      ‘You’re so lucky to have a boyfriend,’ Becky Stockbridge told Maggie when they met for tea at her home that Sunday afternoon. ‘I never meet any interesting young men – and I don’t think Papa would let me go courting if I did…’

      ‘Of course, he will one day,’ Maggie said and smiled. ‘You’re only seventeen…’ She hesitated, then, ‘Besides, Tim is really just a friend – I’m not sure we’re courting. We just have tea together sometimes…’ Maggie was thoughtful for a moment, because she wasn’t sure how she felt about Tim or he about her.

      ‘Seventeen and a few months,’ Becky reminded her. ‘I think you had a boyfriend when you were my age or younger.’

      ‘Yes, I did, but it was a mistake,’ Maggie admitted. ‘I don’t think it would have happened if my father hadn’t been so ill and then…’ She shook her head, because his death still hurt after all this time. ‘Ralf seemed charming, but he took his mother’s side when I needed him and after that I couldn’t trust him…’

      ‘I should think not!’ Becky said and slipped an arm about her waist. ‘I’m so lucky you decided to be my friend, Maggie. I’ve finished school now my final year exams are over – and I’d love to find a job somewhere…’

      ‘Why don’t you come to Harpers?’ Maggie suggested. ‘It would be fun, because we’d see each other more…’

      ‘I asked Papa if I could, but he said no…’ Becky pulled a face. ‘He says I can’t work behind a counter – but if I pass my exams for shorthand and typing at night school, I can apply for a job in the accounts office…’

      ‘That would be just as good,’ Maggie said. ‘Do you think you will pass?’

      ‘The typing is easy; I have excellent speeds – but it is the shorthand.’ Becky pulled a wry face. ‘It’s hard and my tutor said she couldn’t make out my squiggles without squinting…’

      ‘Well, I can’t make out shorthand at all,’ Maggie said and laughed at her friend’s solemn face. ‘Don’t worry, you’ll do it – and your father only wants the best for you. I think you’ll earn another five shillings in the office at least…’

      Five shillings a week extra made a big difference and was worth the effort, but Becky clearly wanted the freedom and excitement of being at work with other young girls.

      ‘I asked my father and he said I could come to the first-aid classes with you, Maggie – but he put his foot down over the Women’s Movement. He says I may not attend the meetings or the marches…’ Becky pulled a rueful face. ‘I would defy him and go anyway – but he’s so lovely to me, so kind and trusting that I can’t…’

      ‘Mr Stockbridge is very nice,’ Maggie said. He’d been kind to her even before she became Becky’s friend and she couldn’t encourage his daughter to break her father’s trust and attend the meetings. ‘The classes are interesting and can be fun. I asked Marion Kaye to come and I think she will if she can – but she was off work one day this week. Her mother and sister were ill and she called in after eleven to let us know. Mrs Burrows was very understanding but if she does it too often…’ Becky’s father was pleasant, but he was also strict and if staff were late too often, they were warned three times and then dismissed. Marion had been warned twice already. Some supervisors would have dismissed her instantly.

      ‘Well,