The Foyles Bookshop Girls Read online

  ‘Miss Cooper.’

  Molly turned around to see Mr Leadbetter staring at her; she feigned a smile. ‘Yes, Mr Leadbetter.’

  ‘Is this your post for today?’

  ‘No, sir, I'm just going there now.’ Molly stepped past him without waiting for a response.

  Alice watched him smile after Molly. The smile vanished as quickly as it arrived. He turned towards Alice. ‘We could be in for another busy day today, so please keep your eye on things. I don't want half the stock going missing.’ He gave a curt nod and stepped aside, allowing a customer to be served.

  Alice smiled at the lady standing in front of her. ‘Good morning, isn't it a glorious day?’ She took the book the customer was holding out towards her.

  ‘It certainly is. Too nice to be shut inside.’

  ‘You’re right, but I do love being surrounded by all these wonderful books.’ Alice smiled. She looked down and completed the bill payment form before giving it to the customer. ‘If you would like to take this slip, together with tuppence, over to the payment booth.’ Alice indicated to her left. ‘Make your payment and then come back to me with your receipt.’

  The lady gave a toothless smile. ‘I will.’ A gnarled hand reached out and took the slip of paper. ‘Thank you.’

  Alice watched her hobble over to the payment booth; she hadn't noticed her leaning heavily on a walking stick. She should have done and offered to take her payment over there for her. A low sigh escaped; it was too late now though, and she’d probably have been dismissed for trying to be helpful. Frowning, she recalled another assistant getting the sack for the same thing. They had all been reminded that it’s clearly stated they were not to handle any money outside of the payment booth. With her smile permanently fixed, Alice moved onto the next customer.

  Foyles was as busy as ever and the morning soon passed.

  ‘Are you stopping for lunch?’ Alice looked up. Tony Fletcher was smiling back at her.

  She forced a smile. ‘Hello, Tony, is it Molly you are looking for?’ Apart from his tall muscular figure and obvious good looks, Alice couldn't see what Molly saw in him. She watched him move a little to the left, enabling him to see his reflection in the glass cabinet behind her. Alice shook her head. He could never love anybody more than he loved himself, but Molly was smitten. Alice had heard rumours about him flirting with every woman in town and had tried to tell Molly he wasn't good enough for her, but she wasn't interested in anything Alice had to say about him. Only last week, she had caught Molly writing her name as Molly Fletcher. They had joked about it but Alice knew she had to respect Molly's feelings for him.

  ‘Why did you shake your head?’ Tony's brows furrowed across his dark eyes.

  ‘I didn't realise I had.’

  His eyes sparkled and the corner of his lips lifted. ‘Are you saying you don't want to have lunch with me?’

  Alice's mouth straightened into a thin pencil line for a split second. ‘Molly is my friend—’

  ‘Yes, yes, I know that, but it doesn't mean we can't be friends.’ Tony winked before giving her the benefit of his best smile.

  ‘Don't you wink at me, Tony Fletcher. It's not appropriate.’ Alice paused for a moment. ‘You and I will only ever be friends because of Molly.’

  Tony tipped his head to one side and gave her his best puppy-dog eyes. ‘Ahh, don't you think you’re being a little hard on me?’

  ‘I’ve no desire to discuss this with you, not now or ever.’ Alice scowled as she picked up her bill payment pad and pen.

  ‘Hello, Tony.’ Molly beamed as she came towards them.

  Alice breathed a sigh of relief.

  Tony turned around. ‘Hello, Mol, I thought I'd surprise you and take you for a bite to eat.’

  ‘That’d be lovely.’ Molly's smile faded as her glance moved from Tony to Alice. ‘Are you joining us?’

  ‘No, thank you. I shall leave you two love birds alone.’ Alice mustered up her best smile but nothing about this situation felt right. ‘I'll have lunch with Victoria.’ She was rewarded with a beaming smile from her friend. ‘Has it been busy in the children’s section?’

  ‘Non-stop as always, but that’s a good thing, it’s lovely to see children so interested in reading books.’ Molly rested her hand on Tony's arm. ‘Give me five minutes to grab my bag.’

  Tony nodded as he watched Molly speed through the store to the staff room, then turned his attention back to Alice. He lent his arms on the counter separating them and swayed a little. ‘I'm intrigued. Why do you always decline my invitations? Are you worried about being alone with me? Do you think you won't be able to control your feelings if you’re in my company for any amount of time?’

  Alice folded her arms over her stomach. Her eyes widened as she stared at him. ‘You’ve an incredibly inflated opinion of yourself.’

  Tony chuckled, pulling a cigarette packet out of his pocket. ‘I can't help it if the ladies find me attractive.’

  She unfolded her arms and raised her eyebrows. Her eyes twinkled mischievously. ‘Although not as attractive as you find yourself.’

  Tony stood up straight, towering a good six inches above her, and shrugged his shoulders. ‘I don't mind you playing hard to get because it's all in the chase, and that's the best bit.’

  Alice shook her head. ‘You’re despicable. If you hurt Molly I'll—’

  ‘Ready,’ Molly called out as she approached them.

  Tony winked at Alice before turning to face Molly. ‘You were quick.’

  Molly gave him a beaming smile and tucked her arm in his. ‘I don't like to keep my man waiting.’ They took a couple of steps towards the door.

  ‘Wait, did you remember to clock out?’ Alice frowned as Molly looked back at her. ‘You don’t want Mr Leadbetter after you again.’

  ‘Yes, yes, stop fussing.’ Molly laughed, leaning into Tony as they walked towards the open shop door.

  Alice glanced over at Victoria, locked in her booth, busy processing payments. She wondered if her friend would ever recover from the dreadful events four-and-a-half years ago. Her complexion was ashen against her dark brown hair. The dark rings under her eyes told of many sleepless nights. Life had been draining out of her for four-and-a-half years. When her parents died that terrible day, something inside Victoria had died with them. The fun the pair of them had shared, preparing the surprise afternoon tea for Victoria’s mother and father flashed into Alice’s mind. They had made such a mess in the kitchen, but laughter had been the order of the day. That laughter hadn’t been heard since. She momentarily closed her eyes, tears pricking at her lids as the feeling of grief for her friend washed over her. The need to help was overwhelming, but there was nothing she could do except be there when she was needed. Alice walked away from her counter, towards the payment booth, as Victoria stood up. A work colleague had come to replace her while she had lunch.

  They sat together in the staff room, each nursing a cup of coffee. Alice placed her lunch on the small table before unwrapping the chicken sandwich Mrs Headley had made her that morning. The paper crinkling broke the silence between them. Her hand ran across it, smoothing out the creases, so it could be used again. She eyed her friend. ‘Where’s your lunch?’

  Victoria gave Alice’s sandwich a sideways glance before she folded her hands around her cup and gazed into the dark liquid. ‘I forgot it. I was running late, so it’s sitting on my kitchen side.’ A slight flush temporarily coloured her cheeks.

  Alice looked at Victoria under hooded eyes before sighing. ‘Again? You’ll fade away if you keep missing lunch.’ She turned her attention back to her sandwich. ‘Well I’m never going to be able to eat all of this, so we might as well share it. I fear Mrs Headley gets carried away; these slices of bread are so thick.’ She peeled back the edge of the crust to look at the chicken. ‘This is more like chunks than slices.’ Alice shook her head. ‘It’s a shame to throw it away. Here, take half.’ She pushed the paper it was sitting on in Victoria’s direction.

>   Victoria looked longingly at it. After a moment she shook her head. ‘No thank you, I’ll be fine.’

  Alice shrugged her shoulders. ‘Well obviously I can’t make you, but if you don’t want it, I’ll see if someone else does. It’s a shame to throw good food away.’ She picked up half of the sandwich but kept her eyes on her friend.

  ‘You’re right, it’s a shame to waste it.’

  Without a word, Alice pushed it nearer to Victoria.

  ‘Thanks.’ Victoria picked up the remaining half and eagerly bit into it.

  Alice’s eyes narrowed and a frown quickly formed as she wondered when her friend had last eaten. ‘How’s everything going?’

  Victoria shrugged. ‘We’ve been busy this morning so it’s a never-ending queue to pay. Thankfully, most people are patient.’

  Alice nodded. ‘I know, but I didn’t mean work.’ She bit into her sandwich and a white chunk of chicken fell onto her paper.

  Victoria’s eyes were transfixed on her sandwich. ‘Nothing changes. I don’t suppose it ever will.’

  Alice put down her sandwich and placed her hand over Victoria’s. ‘Is it Daisy and Stephen? Are they still giving you a hard time?’

  Victoria laughed, but it wasn’t a joyous sound. ‘They’re young. Stephen’s only sixteen and hates his job at the boot factory. He wants adventure but I keep telling him we need the money he earns, otherwise we’ll have to give up the house.’

  ‘And Daisy?’

  ‘Huh, she hates being in service. At eighteen, she could probably get a job here at Foyles but she doesn’t want me spying on her, as she puts it.’

  ‘What?’ Alice’s mouth dropped open.

  ‘I know.’ Victoria shook her head. ‘I’m not sure how much longer I can keep going. I’m so tired. I don’t know how people do it.’ She blinked rapidly as her eyes welled up.

  ‘What about if I talk to them?’ Alice shook her head. Victoria’s eyes widened, taking in her friend’s elegant appearance, now so different from her own. ‘I don’t know if I can get through to them, but I’m happy to try.’ Alice looked down at her half eaten sandwich, already knowing the answer to her offer.

  Victoria stayed silent for a moment, staring down at the palms of her hands as though they had all the answers. She folded her arms in front of her stomach before looking across at Alice. ‘Thank you, but they’ll know I’ve been talking about them and that’ll only make matters worse.’

  Alice nodded. ‘I’d suggest Lily, especially as they’re a similar age, but I’m not sure she’d be a good influence right now.’

  Victoria nodded. ‘They’re at a difficult age. They seem to want it all and I’m not sure where that comes from.’

  Alice frowned as she glanced across at her friend. ‘They do seem more confident than us.’ She paused, forcing a smile. ‘Do you remember when Molly’s gran let us loose in the kitchen?’ Alice chuckled. ‘We made a right mess. If I remember rightly, we covered everything with flour.’

  Victoria giggled. ‘Yes, she was mad letting the three of us try our hand at baking cakes. I’m not sure I’d have been that brave.’

  Alice laughed. It had been a long time since she had heard her giggling. ‘No, and it’s not as though the cakes were up to much either.’

  *

  Mrs Headley opened the front door. Her old eyes squinted at the sunshine. Concern flitted across her lined features when she saw Lily looking dishevelled, with a uniformed policeman standing in front of her.

  Lily painted on her best smile, roughly pushing her brown hair away from her face. ‘Don't look so worried, Mrs Headley. I'm fine.’ She feigned a laugh. ‘But you might want to hold dinner and stay out of the way for a couple of hours. At least until his lord and master’s finished with me or summonsed you.’

  The policeman removed his hat and nodded at the housekeeper as he entered the four-storey Bloomsbury Street house. Without a word, he followed Lily. His heavy footsteps were silent on the floor tiles in the hallway, in contrast to the rhythm of the small heels she wore. They didn’t stop at the front parlour, where guests would normally be taken. Instead, Lily carried on to the day room at the back of the house.

  Mrs Headley’s gaze followed them as she clicked the front door shut. Without a sound, she took the stairs to the scullery.

  Lily took a deep breath, pulling up her five-foot-six petite frame. Her jaw clenched. She pushed open the door to the spacious, lavender-filled family sitting room.

  The policeman stared straight ahead, trying not to gawp around the beautiful room. The oak fireplace was surrounded with blue ceramic tiles, standing directly in front of him, with a brass coal scuttle to the left of it. A large glass and silver bowl stood on a wooden corner cupboard, next to the French doors, allowing the early evening sunshine to cast shadows into the room. The green and brown chintz curtains that hung loose at the doors were at odds with the brown leaf design of the Queen Anne chairs and the brown square design of the rug. Family pictures hung on soft grey painted walls. His two-up, two-down house would fit into this room alone.

  Sarah looked up. For a split second, horror flitted across her face. The book nestling in her lap was forgotten as she shifted her gaze from her daughter to the officer and back again. Lily's windswept head was slightly bent. Brown tendrils of hair had dropped down and obscured her face. She didn't look up to meet her mother's gaze; instead she concentrated on the rug under her feet.

  Luke stood up, his body upright and rigid, showing the full six-feet plus of his height. His thin face was tight and unyielding, with hands clenched by his sides. They had never had a policeman in their home before.

  ‘Mr and Mrs Taylor, I am very sorry to disturb you this evening…’ The policeman moved his helmet to under his arm.

  Lily looked up; defiance chased the anxiety away from her young features. She held her head high and jutted out her chin. Her dark eyes glinting a sharp steel-like quality, in anticipation of what was to come. She lifted her hand to smooth away the stray locks of hair that had escaped the roll she had pinned up that morning. A pulse was visible at the side of her temple.

  ‘The sergeant asked me to bring your daughter home…’

  Sarah jumped up out of her armchair, ignoring the thud of her book hitting the floor. ‘Are you hurt, Lily?’

  Luke stepped forward and held up his hand, signalling his wife to stop talking. ‘Home from where?’

  The policeman cleared his throat. ‘Miss Taylor was brought into the Police Station when a fracas broke out outside The Houses of Parliament, sir.’

  Luke glared at his daughter. ‘Were you demonstrating again, even though I forbade it?’

  Lily's face hardened under his scrutiny. ‘Yes. How else are we going to get anyone to listen?’

  ‘But I told you—’

  ‘Sorry, sir, if I may. Your daughter hasn't been charged with any offence, but the sergeant asked me to forward his regards onto you both, and Mr Gettin. Apparently Mrs Taylor, his father held your father in high esteem.’ He paused for a brief moment. ‘I am correct in saying your father is Mr Edward Gettin?’

  ‘Yes, officer, thank you.’ Sarah nodded, taking a deep breath in an attempt to stop the colour rising in her cheeks. ‘I’ll make sure my father gets the message.’

  The policeman visibly relaxed a little, before a smile lit up his face. ‘I hear a lot of stories about the Gettin family…’

  Sarah’s hands intertwined in front of her, her knuckles white with tension. A nervous laugh escaped. ‘All good I hope.’

  ‘Oh yes, all good.’

  ‘Thank you for bringing our daughter home and I apologise for the problems she may have given you.’ Sarah's words rushed over each other as colour crept into her cheeks.

  The policeman gave Sarah a gentle smile. There was a fragility about her. He had the urge to protect her, but from what, he wasn’t sure. ‘She was lucky the sergeant was on—’

  ‘Yes, thank you.’ Luke took a step towards him, holding out his hand. ‘We appreci
ate this has been handled with sensitivity.’

  Disdain flitted across the policeman's face. He shook Mr Taylor's hand and nodded. He glanced across at Mrs Taylor. ‘Well, I'm sorry to have disturbed you.’ He turned towards Lily. ‘Please take care, miss.’ He nodded to the family before stepping towards the doorway. ‘Goodnight.’

  ‘Goodnight, officer.’ Sarah and Luke said in unison.

  The thud of the front door shutting jolted Luke into action. ‘Lily, we have never had any reason to have the police on our doorstep, and yet here we are tonight. You have brought shame on this family.’

  ‘Father, don't you mean shame on you? I’m not ashamed, although I expect you are worrying about what your precious neighbours were saying as they sneaked a peek from behind their curtains.’ Lily took a deep breath, her face crimson with rage.

  Open-mouthed, Sarah lowered herself back into the armchair. ‘Lily, you must stop. Your father has worked hard to provide for you, for us.’

  ‘So I should be grateful, is that it?’

  ‘Not grateful…’ Sarah stopped as Luke's voice drowned her out.

  ‘Yes,’ Luke spat. His tone let them know he was reaching boiling point.

  ‘I wish I’d been locked up like some of my friends.’

  ‘So do I. Maybe it would have taught you a lesson.’ Luke walked over to the sideboard that was nestling in the recess of the chimneybreast. The room had fallen silent. The chink from the crystal glass decanter as he lifted the stopper out of its neck echoed in the room. No one spoke as he poured himself a whisky.

  Sarah glanced down at her book on the floor. She lowered herself to pick it up, but stopped halfway when she realised Luke had turned his steely gaze on her. She straightened herself and lowered her eyes.

  ‘Evening.’ Alice strolled into the sitting room and flopped unlady-like, into an armchair. ‘Ohh, my feet are killing me. It’s been another busy day at the bookstore.’ She was suddenly aware of the tension and scanned the room, trying to ascertain what was the problem. Her lips tightened. Lily, that's what the problem was.

  Luke turned to face Alice, leaving the whisky on the sideboard. ‘You left before me this morning; have you been at work all this time?’ His sharp, steely-eyed expression belied his soft tone.