Pearl glanced out of the window. September was drawing to an end, but thankfully it was still mild. They didn’t have many winter coats, and with just two shillings Nora’s mother must be expecting a miracle. Moving across to the racks, she flicked through them, finding only one that might fit the short, chubby woman. Now that everything was priced, she checked the tag, but it was too expensive. ‘I’m sorry, Nora, but at the moment we’ve only got one that will fit you and you haven’t got enough money. We may get more in later.’
‘Mummy said get coat now.’
Pearl glanced at Bessie but, obviously reading her mind, the woman shook her head.
‘We can’t reduce it. I paid good money for that coat and there’d be no profit if we let it go for two bob.’
With an appeal in her eyes Pearl continued to look at Bessie, but to no avail.
‘Now don’t look at me like that. We’re not a charity and we’ve got to eat.’
With a sigh, Pearl put the coat back on the rack, but was then struck by an idea. ‘Nora, do you know how to use the machines at the laundry?’
‘Yes. I does our washing.’
‘Bessie, she could take the blankets. Freshly laundered, they’re sure to sell and we could let her have the coat for two shillings as payment.’
‘Oh, all right then. Gawd, if I ain’t careful I’ll end up as soft as you.’
‘I tell Mummy, then come back,’ Nora said.
‘What have you got us into now?’ Bessie complained as the door closed behind Nora. ‘If those blankets don’t shift we’ll have wasted money having them laundered, let alone letting Nora have that coat for two bob.’
‘Don’t worry, they’ll sell,’ Pearl assured her, praying she was right as she bent to the pile, selecting those in the best condition. ‘Poor Nora, it’s a shame she hasn’t found another job. Do you know her mother?’
‘Yes. Lily’s a nice woman. She had Nora late, when she was in her forties and must be getting on a bit now. Let me see, I’m sixty-six, so Lily must be coming up to seventy.’
Pearl looked at Bessie in surprise. Somehow she had thought her older, the woman’s skin lined and her hair grey. ‘What about Nora’s father?’
‘He died a few years ago.’ Her eyes took on a thoughtful look. ‘Lily was often in the market, but I ain’t seen her lately.’
‘Perhaps she’s ill.’
‘Yeah, that could be it. I’ll ask Nora when she comes back.’
Pearl tied the blankets into a bundle, and when Nora returned Bessie was quick to ask the question.
‘I haven’t seen your mum for a while, Nora. Is she all right?’
‘Yes,’ the woman said, taking the blankets from Pearl’s arms.
‘She’s not ill?’
‘No,’ she said brusquely.
With a sigh Bessie took some money from the till and, shoving it into her pocket, Nora bustled off.
‘Well, that was short and sweet. She ain’t one for conversation, that’s for sure. If Lily isn’t ill, I wonder why I haven’t seen her lately.’
Pearl shook her head. ‘I’ve no idea, but maybe you’ve been too busy to notice.’
‘I suppose so.’ But there was doubt in Bessie’s expression.
Pearl was right and, two weeks later, the last of the laundered blankets had sold. There were still loads more unlaundered items, let alone those in the back bedroom so, feeling confident, she suggested that they use Nora again.
‘These quilts would come up a treat, and even if we pay Nora for the hours she spends at the laundry, we’d still make a profit.’
‘I’m not arguing. You’ve achieved wonders in just a month. It was a good idea to display some of our choice pieces in the window and I’ve never had so many customers.’
Pearl smiled with satisfaction, glad that she was earning her keep. She glanced at the clock. Bernie would be arriving to pick Johnny up soon and she wondered if there would be any news. He’d said on Monday that a man might buy the café, but wanted to look at the account books first. She looked out of the window, seeking Derek passing the shop, and as their eyes met he lifted his hand to wave. Living in such close proximity, she often saw him out and about, reminded every time of how much she had hurt him. He looked nice, Pearl thought, smart, and thankfully there was no animosity in his manner. She missed his friendship, missed Connie, and as he moved out of sight, she turned away.
When Bernie arrived a few minutes later he held out a bag and her portfolio. ‘We’ve been sorting out the bedrooms and you left this stuff behind.’
‘Thanks, Bernie.’
‘We’ve got a buyer for the café, Pearl.’
‘Is it the chap you mentioned on Monday?’
‘Yes, and he’s keen to get the purchase through as soon as possible. We could be moving out in less than a month.’
‘Have you found a place in Dorset?’
‘No, and to tell you the truth we haven’t been looking. Dolly thinks we shouldn’t rush into anything so we’re going to rent a little house for a while. It’ll give us a chance to find the sort of premises we’re looking for, and who knows, we might just find an established business.’
Pearl wheeled the pram from behind the counter. ‘Johnny’s had his bottle and he’s taking solids too. He scoffed a bit of rusk mashed down with milk, and then went to sleep.’
Bernie smiled fondly. ‘He likes his kip, that’s for sure. I’ll fetch him back in a couple of hours as usual.’
He called a goodbye and as soon as the door closed behind him, Bessie nodded at the portfolio. ‘What’s that?’
‘I went to art classes for a while and they’re my efforts.’
‘Can I have a look?’
At Pearl’s nod, Bessie began to flick through them. ‘Blimey, girl, these are really good. If you stick them in the window you could make a few bob. They’d look even better in frames and if you have a rummage round, I think you’ll find some.’
‘I miss art classes, and one day I hope to get back to them. I’m not good enough yet and I can’t see anyone wanting to buy these.’
‘Don’t be daft. I reckon the ones of the market will fly out.’
‘I could give it a try, but I won’t be able to sell the portraits.’
‘Why not?’
‘Can you imagine what they’d say? Take Dolly, for instance. I don’t think she’d be happy to see her face displayed in the window.’
‘Yeah, I suppose you have a point, but …’
The door opened, Nora poking her head inside. ‘You got job for me?’
Bessie and Pearl exchanged looks, both wide-eyed with surprise.
‘Blimey,’ Bessie asked, ‘how did you know that?’
‘Just do,’ Nora replied.
‘Pearl, we only just decided to give her some work. Don’t you think her turning up on cue it a bit strange?’
‘After living with you for a month, I don’t find anything strange.’
‘You cheeky moo.’ But Bessie’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Nora. ‘Maybe she’s a bit psychic.’
‘Goodness, I hope not. I don’t think I could cope with