girl is so young. And on no account allow yourself to worry, or become embroiled in her childish tantrums. You have the baby to think of now.’
Ella smiled, feeling a stir of excitement at the prospect of the new life forming inside her, knowing Amos would be equally thrilled. ‘Perhaps I am sometimes a bit hard on her,’ she conceded. ‘Particularly when Mercy is at her most obstinate and I’m tired out. But it really is time the silly girl put the past behind her andfaced the future, although hopefully not on the arm of my husband.’
The older woman chuckled. ‘No fear of that. Amos has eyes for no one but his lovely wife. Do have another scone, dear. You are eating for two now, don’t forget, and they’re quite small.’
Laughing, Ella succumbed. She knew in her heart that her friend was right. There was no danger of Amos ever glancing in Mercy’s direction, and certainly not now. ‘I will take your advice, Wilma, particularly with regard to the list of chores, I promise.’
Later, when she told Amos her news, saying how she could hardly believe their good fortune, that her dream was about to come true and she was to have a child of her own, he smiled into her eyes and kissed her.
‘And if she is half as beautiful as you, my lovely wife, I shall be the happiest man on earth.’
‘Don’t you want a son?’ she teased.
‘Next time,’ he said. ‘Should we tell the children?’
Ella thought for a moment, then shook her head. ‘I’d rather wait until I’m certain all is well.’
‘Then it shall be our little secret, for now,’ he agreed, kissing her some more.
No, she had absolutely nothing at all to fear from that silly resentful half-sister of hers.
* * *
As someone who loved to walk for miles over the fells, climb mountains, and cycle across country, Livia had always imagined herself to be reasonably fit. Yet with every moment of her day filled with answering customers’ queries, searching the myriad tiny drawers behind the counter, or fetching and carrying boxes from the stock room, let alone discreetly standing by while Mrs Dee demonstrated the art of measuring for a corset, she soon began to feel the dire effects of shop work. The calves of her legs ached, her feet throbbed, and each evening after supper, the very first thing she did was to soak them in a mustard bath, as did many of the other girls. They would sit in a line, gossiping and joking, Livia doing her utmost to be a part of the group.
Her tiredness was a salutary reminder that she wasn’t here simply to have fun, tease old Caraway, or play at being a shop girl. It was vitally important that she learn all she could and build herself a career and a good future for the business.
If only Jack understood that. He seemed to want from her only what she couldn’t give. Why was he in such a hurry to start a family and turn her into a house frau? Livia wasn’t yet ready to give up her dreams just to start breeding. She was enjoying her new job too much. She was even allowed to serve customers now, under thecareful supervision of Mrs Dee, although only the younger matrons. Mrs Dee herself always took care of the older ladies, and the more esteemed customers.
On two occasions recently Livia had been allowed to visit a customer in her own home in order to take measurements in private and facilitate an order. She took this as a marked sign of approval at her progress. A carriage was kept on hand specifically for this purpose so that an assistant could be dispatched at a moment’s notice to a customer’s house, whether for the ordering of a new gown or a coffin. Angel’s Department Store proudly proclaimed they could take care of a customer from cradle to grave, through this life and the next.
In Livia’s view, the cost of keeping such a carriage and pair was excessive. Her father had taken advantage of it for his own private use until he’d bought his new automobile, a Mercedes Benz, an even greater extravagance. The motor had
Ella smiled, feeling a stir of excitement at the prospect of the new life forming inside her, knowing Amos would be equally thrilled. ‘Perhaps I am sometimes a bit hard on her,’ she conceded. ‘Particularly when Mercy is at her most obstinate and I’m tired out. But it really is time the silly girl put the past behind her andfaced the future, although hopefully not on the arm of my husband.’
The older woman chuckled. ‘No fear of that. Amos has eyes for no one but his lovely wife. Do have another scone, dear. You are eating for two now, don’t forget, and they’re quite small.’
Laughing, Ella succumbed. She knew in her heart that her friend was right. There was no danger of Amos ever glancing in Mercy’s direction, and certainly not now. ‘I will take your advice, Wilma, particularly with regard to the list of chores, I promise.’
Later, when she told Amos her news, saying how she could hardly believe their good fortune, that her dream was about to come true and she was to have a child of her own, he smiled into her eyes and kissed her.
‘And if she is half as beautiful as you, my lovely wife, I shall be the happiest man on earth.’
‘Don’t you want a son?’ she teased.
‘Next time,’ he said. ‘Should we tell the children?’
Ella thought for a moment, then shook her head. ‘I’d rather wait until I’m certain all is well.’
‘Then it shall be our little secret, for now,’ he agreed, kissing her some more.
No, she had absolutely nothing at all to fear from that silly resentful half-sister of hers.
* * *
As someone who loved to walk for miles over the fells, climb mountains, and cycle across country, Livia had always imagined herself to be reasonably fit. Yet with every moment of her day filled with answering customers’ queries, searching the myriad tiny drawers behind the counter, or fetching and carrying boxes from the stock room, let alone discreetly standing by while Mrs Dee demonstrated the art of measuring for a corset, she soon began to feel the dire effects of shop work. The calves of her legs ached, her feet throbbed, and each evening after supper, the very first thing she did was to soak them in a mustard bath, as did many of the other girls. They would sit in a line, gossiping and joking, Livia doing her utmost to be a part of the group.
Her tiredness was a salutary reminder that she wasn’t here simply to have fun, tease old Caraway, or play at being a shop girl. It was vitally important that she learn all she could and build herself a career and a good future for the business.
If only Jack understood that. He seemed to want from her only what she couldn’t give. Why was he in such a hurry to start a family and turn her into a house frau? Livia wasn’t yet ready to give up her dreams just to start breeding. She was enjoying her new job too much. She was even allowed to serve customers now, under thecareful supervision of Mrs Dee, although only the younger matrons. Mrs Dee herself always took care of the older ladies, and the more esteemed customers.
On two occasions recently Livia had been allowed to visit a customer in her own home in order to take measurements in private and facilitate an order. She took this as a marked sign of approval at her progress. A carriage was kept on hand specifically for this purpose so that an assistant could be dispatched at a moment’s notice to a customer’s house, whether for the ordering of a new gown or a coffin. Angel’s Department Store proudly proclaimed they could take care of a customer from cradle to grave, through this life and the next.
In Livia’s view, the cost of keeping such a carriage and pair was excessive. Her father had taken advantage of it for his own private use until he’d bought his new automobile, a Mercedes Benz, an even greater extravagance. The motor had
Similar Books
