A Daughter’s Dream

Something flickered in her eyes. ‘If it came to the point where I was desperate – yes. Yes, I would, Amy. There are certain circumstances when self-defence is not only permissible, it is vital.’

‘If you were being threatened by an intruder?’

‘Yes, exactly. I knew you would find the gun when you couldn’t find the stamps. That’s why I came after you. I wanted to explain.’

‘You don’t have to tell me anything.’

‘I was hurt badly once. I don’t intend anything like that to happen again, either to me or to you.’

‘Do you want to tell me what happened?’

‘No. I don’t think you need to know that, Amy. It wasn’t very pleasant and it was a long time ago. Besides, I’m over it now. I just wanted you to understand why I keep a gun. I’ve never had to use it, but it’s there just in case.’

‘I hope you will never have to use it!’

Lainie smiled. ‘I don’t expect I shall. I’m going out for a while now. Don’t forget about the account customers. Just look in my black book if you’re not sure. If they are blacklisted they will be in it; if not it’s safe to let them take what they want. Ruth will know if they’re regular customers anyway.’

‘I’m sure we can manage for a while.’

Lainie nodded her encouragement. ‘You’re doing very well, Amy. You have a talent for picking exactly what will suit someone. Within a few weeks you’ll be capable of running this place single-handed.’

‘I think it’s going to take a bit longer than that,’ I said and laughed.

I was pleased by her praise. Going back down to the shop I forgot about the discovery I had made. Lainie had explained that the gun was just in case, and I didn’t think it very important. We were never likely to need it.

There were four customers being served when I went into the showroom and only two girls to cope with the sudden rush. Ruth shot me a look of relief as I went to assist her.

‘Mrs Holland has brought her niece in to buy an evening dress, Amy. It is for a very special dance. I’ve shown them several gowns but none of them were quite right. Could you suggest something?’

I glanced at the young lady sitting with the rather severe-looking matron. She was pretty with soft brown hair and a gentle, sweet face. She seemed unsure of herself and was clearly at a loss as to what to choose.

‘Did you show them the cream satin?’

‘Yes, but Mrs Holland said the neckline was too low. I think her niece liked it, though.’

‘Let me see if I can persuade her to try it on.’

I took the dress from the rail and approached Mrs Holland, who had bought a dress the previous day for herself.

‘Ah, there you are, Amy. I wondered where you had got to. Can you find a pretty dress for Mary? She wants something that isn’t too sophisticated.’

‘I thought this might suit her?’ I offered the cream satin dress.

‘The neckline is much too low!’

‘But we could alter that quite easily. The ruching could be eased at the neck here, and a silk flower placed at the point where it dips. That would give it a more youthful style and the colour would be good on Mary.’

‘It’s just right for me if the neckline were different,’ Mary said. ‘And it’s the only dress we’ve seen all afternoon that I like, Aunt.’

‘You are so difficult to please.’ Mrs Holland sighed. ‘I had hoped we wouldn’t have to have all your clothes made, Mary. It would be so much easier if we could buy at least some of them off the peg. Otherwise we shall be spending weeks on the fittings.’

‘Why don’t you let Mary try the dress on?’ I suggested. ‘I could have the alterations done by tomorrow – and if you don’t approve, Mrs Holland, we can return it to the rail.’

‘Would Miss O’Rourke be prepared to do that?’ Her eyes narrowed intently.

‘I think my suggestions will make the dress look perfect on Mary.’

‘Very well, you may try it on, Mary – but I want to see what it looks like before the alterations are done.’

I followed Mary into the changing rooms. She gave me a shy but grateful smile as I helped her slip the gown over her head.

‘Thank you for persuading my aunt into letting me try this,’ she said in a soft, nervous voice. ‘I loved it when the other girl showed it to us, but Aunt Emily said it was too sophisticated.’

‘Let me fasten the back for you … There. Now look at yourself.’

Mary twirled in front of the mirror. ‘It is beautiful, but I suppose the neckline is a bit low. I couldn’t wear it like that. My father wouldn’t approve. He likes young ladies to look modest.’

‘That’s easy to sort out.’ I took a pair of scissors and snipped through some stitching at the back of the heavily ruched neck. ‘We’ll make this much softer here and put a silk flower just there so that you can’t see it has been altered – do you see?’

‘Oh yes, that looks much better. You can’t see so much of me, can you?’ Mary looked pleased with the result of my work. ‘May I show my aunt?’

‘Let me just pin a flower. This isn’t the one we’ll use, but it gives you more idea of what it will look like.’

‘That’s even better. You are so clever, Amy.’

‘It’s what I should like to do – design gowns for people like you.’

‘You should do it,’ Mary said. ‘Let’s show Aunt Emily.’

We went out to the showroom where Mrs Holland was waiting. Her eyes went over Mary critically and then she nodded her approval.

‘That was very clever of you, Amy. How did you know what to do? Most shop girls wouldn’t have the first idea.’

‘I took a course in dress designing at art college,’ I replied. ‘It’s what I’d like to be doing – if I could get someone to buy my designs.’

‘Have you done many designs of your own?’

‘I have a folder of them upstairs. I draw them to amuse myself in the evenings.’

‘I would have thought an attractive young woman like yourself would be courting?’

‘Aunt Emily! That is so personal.’ Mary blushed and looked at me awkwardly.

‘I don’t mind. My young man is working in Manchester for six months. He has to save for another year or so before we can get married.’

‘He sounds like a thoroughly sensible young man.’ Mrs Holland looked thoughtful. ‘Will the alterations be done in your own workrooms?’

‘Yes, we do everything ourselves. Sally and Margaret are very good.’