Across the Mersey - Annie Groves [26]
‘I know that. And he’s a neighbour of Alan’s parents, as well,’ said Bella smugly, before returning to her plan. ‘I’ll be there crying, telling Alan to stop, and you can make a big fuss,’ she informed her brother. ‘Then I’ll say that Alan and I are engaged, and that he forgot himself a bit in the excitement of me saying yes.’
‘I’m not doing it.’ Charlie was determined and adamant but he was no match for Bella.
‘Yes, you are, Charlie,’ she told him sweetly, ‘because if you don’t then I’ll tell Dad about that little bit of business you’ve been doing without him knowing anything about it, and you pocketing the money.’
‘How do you know about that?’ Charlie cursed as he saw the look of triumph on her face.
Bella had always been a sly cat, and never more so than when she wanted something. He pitied Alan Parker if he did end up married to her. Bella had got him well and truly trapped now and no mistake. He’d have to go along with her stupid plan because if he didn’t he knew she would make good her threat.
Sisters! He’d just as soon not have had one.
FOUR
‘Phew, I was beginning to think we were never going to get finished,’ Grace sighed in relief as she and Susan hurried down the staff staircase of Lewis’s and out into the early evening sunshine.
A last-minute message from Bella had meant that instead of getting changed at her Auntie Vi’s, Grace had had to change into her cotton frock in the cloakroom at Lewis’s, whilst Susan eyed her critically and gave her advice on her hair and makeup.
‘Are you sure I’m not wearing too much lipstick,’ she asked her uncertainly, ‘only—’
‘Of course you aren’t. You wait until some chap starts trying to kiss you, you’ll be glad you’ve put a bit extra on then,’ Susan assured her without explaining the logic of her statement.
‘Real mean of that cousin of yours, it was, to say you had to go ready-dressed, especially when she’d said first off you was to change at her place. I wouldn’t stand for it meself.’
‘I am beginning to wish that I hadn’t said I’d go,’ Grace admitted. All she could really think of at the moment was the excitement of knowing that she was going to train to be a proper nurse.
‘Well, you are going,’ Susan told her, ‘and what’s more you’re going to put that cousin of yours well and truly in her place when she sees you in this.’
Grace’s eyes rounded in disbelief when Susan rummaged in the large bag she was carrying and produced a paper bag, which she opened to show Grace the green silk dress that was inside it.
‘Here, go on, take it,’ she commanded, pushing the bag towards Grace.
‘Oh, no, I couldn’t, Susan.’
‘Of course you can, and you’d ruddy well better an’ all after all the trouble I’ve bin to to get it for you. You’ll look a real treat in it and no mistake. I just wish I could be there to see the face on that snotty cousin of yours when she sees you in it.’
Susan had really taken a dislike to Bella, Grace acknowledged.
‘You can get changed into it in the ladies in Lyons. I’ll come with you and give you a hand.’
‘No, Susan, I can’t, honestly.’
‘Come on,’ Susan ignored her protests as she took hold of Grace’s hand and virtually dragged her along the road and into Lyons.
Half an hour later Grace was staring at her reflection in the mirror, feeling horribly guilty and ungrateful, whilst Susan puffed out her cheeks and demanded, ‘Now aren’t you pleased I got it for you?’
Susan was so pleased with herself, and Grace knew that she had wanted to be kind. It seemed mean not to thank her.
‘It is a lovely dress,’ she agreed. ‘But taking it from the Gown Salon—’
‘Oh, give over, do. Like I told you, everyone does it, even Mrs James, I reckon.’
‘She never!’ Grace protested, diverted.
‘Come on, you’d better get a move on, otherwise you’re going to be late.’
With her own dress packed away along with her work clothes, Grace hugged Susan and then picked up her now quite heavy bag.
It was good job that her stole and her evening bag were both white and didn’t clash with the silk gown, she decided, feeling