A Daughter’s Dream

‘You can bring him here for Sunday lunch if you like,’ my mother said. ‘But perhaps you would rather go somewhere on your own?’

‘Matthew talked about taking a picnic out to Epping Forest,’ I said. ‘But it all depends on the weather.’

‘Your mother always cooks far too much anyway. I expect there will be enough if you decide you want to come, Amy.’

I smiled at them. It was good to hear their friendly banter, and I liked being at home for a few hours, as long as I didn’t have to live there.

‘Are you sleeping well?’ My mother looked at me anxiously. ‘I must say you look very well, Amy.’

‘I feel fine,’ I told her. ‘We went to the theatre the other evening. It was a play by Noel Coward and it was really amusing.’

‘A play is it? You’ll be getting too grand for the likes of us soon, Amy Robinson.’

‘Don’t tease her, Joe,’ my mother said. ‘Haven’t you got anything better to do than sit around here with us?’

‘Now I’ve got my orders I’d better go and do some work,’ he said and grinned at us good-naturedly. ‘It was nice seeing you, Amy love. Be good – and I won’t say the rest or your mother will have my guts for garters!’

‘I should think not either!’ Mum shook her head at him, then smiled as he went out. ‘Now we can have a good chat by ourselves. You are happy at Lainie’s? She treats you well?’

‘Of course she does,’ I said. ‘She was a little bit doubtful at first about my designs, but then I showed her the dress I made for my eighteenth birthday party and she was impressed.’

Mum looked thoughtful, then nodded. ‘I was anxious about you going there to live, Amy, but I can see it suits you. I’m glad you’re happy.’

‘It’s good fun. I get on well with the other girls, especially Margaret. She’s very clever at what she does, and I enjoy talking to her – and I’ve been out with Lainie in the evenings a few times.’

‘Well, living up there you’ve got all the best theatres and cinemas to choose from,’ she said. ‘But you ought to have some friends of your own age, Amy.’

‘I don’t mind things the way they are for the moment. I’ve got plenty to do to amuse myself, and there are always Matt’s visits to look forward to. I like Mary though …’

‘She is the customer you are making the dress for, isn’t she?’

‘Yes, and she’s really nice, Mum. You would like her. She has lovely manners and she speaks softly, and she’s a little shy. And she talked to me about her mother and cousin. She loved her cousin but she was killed in France during the war.’

‘A lot of good people died during the war.’ My mother shivered suddenly. ‘What is Mary’s other name?’

‘She hasn’t told me,’ I said. ‘It doesn’t matter, does it?’

‘I shouldn’t think so, if she’s as nice as you say. It’s a pity you can’t make friends with her – but I expect that’s out of the question. A girl from that sort of family isn’t likely to mix with someone who works in a shop.’

‘Oh, that’s so old-fashioned, Mum. I know it used to be that way, but attitudes are changing a lot. Besides, I’ve been to college and I’m as good as anyone else.’

‘Possibly better,’ my mother agreed with a loving smile. ‘But be prepared for Mary’s friendliness to wane, Amy. I’ve met people like that before and they can be as nice as pie one minute and the very opposite the next.’

‘You’re as bad as Lainie, Mum. I think Mary is really nice, and I wouldn’t hesitate to be her friend if she asked me.’

‘The thing is, she probably won’t, and I shouldn’t like you to be hurt, love.’

‘Mary isn’t a snob,’ I said. ‘Besides, I’m not sure she’s out of the top drawer as they say. I think her mother was from a good family, but I think her father might not be quite the thing.’

‘What makes you say that?’

‘I’m not sure. It’s just a look in Mrs Holland’s eyes when Mary mentions her father. I don’t think she really approves of him, though she is fond of Mary.’

‘Mary’s mother must have married for money. He’s probably trade or something. Well, I’m not telling you that you mustn’t be friends with her, Amy. Just don’t expect too much, that’s all.’

‘I’m not expecting anything, Mum,’ I said honestly. ‘It’s just a commission for a few dresses, that’s all.’

Three (#ulink_ca7da5e0-103b-54ea-9a21-6356de3dd5bf)

‘But you promised, Matt,’ I said into the receiver of Lainie’s private telephone. ‘You said you were coming on Saturday afternoon and staying over until Sunday after tea. I’ve been looking forward to it so much – and now you say you can’t come.’

‘I didn’t promise, Amy. I said I hoped I would be able to come, but things have changed since I spoke to you. I’ve been told there’s a big consignment due from the factory on Saturday morning, which means I shall have to stocktake all afternoon – and Sunday too, if necessary. I want to get the new lines out to the salesmen by Monday.’

‘But that’s not fair! Why should you have to work all the time? Surely the new line could wait a day or so?’

‘Business isn’t like that,’ Matthew said and I heard the note of impatience in his voice. ‘I’m sorry, Amy. I’ll come next week if I can.’

‘I suppose that means you’ll change your mind again at the last minute. You’re not being fair. It’s ages since I saw you.’

‘Not that long,’ he replied. ‘You don’t suppose I like having to work when I was hoping to see you?’

‘I don’t know what you like any more.’

‘Please don’t be upset, Amy. I’ll make it up to you when I come.’

‘If you come!’

‘I’ll come as soon as I can, I promise.’

‘I’ve got to go now. I think you are being unkind. Your work seems to mean more to you these days than I do.’

I hung the earpiece back in its place, holding my tears inside. I was upset but I was angry too. It was Friday morning and I had been looking forward to his visit so much.

‘Is something wrong, Amy?’

Lainie had come into the parlour behind me. I turned to greet her with a sigh.

‘Matthew isn’t coming. He has to work.’

‘That’s a shame, but I suppose he can’t refuse.’

‘I don’t see why he has to work all weekend.’

‘You would if I asked you. He’s just trying to impress his employer.’

‘Well, I wish he wouldn’t!’

Lainie smiled and shook her head at me. ‘You’re so impatient, Amy. I was just the same at your age. I wanted everything now, at once, but I’ve learned to be more sensible. Sometimes you have to wait for the good things in life. Anyway, I came to tell you that Mary has arrived for her fitting.’