Sister's Trio Squad

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Mrs Craig frowned. Some of these young lassies have no respect at all, Lisa, not like you. You've always had an eye to the business but enough sense to know when not to be "pushy"."

But not enough to be considered for a position in a high-class store, she thought as she walked back towards the kitchen.

As she returned she saw them, heads together, smiling and whispering and as she set down their order she couldn't help but notice that there was a very pointed lack of conversation. Whatever they had been saying was about her, but she tried not to care.

The young gentleman across from them in the corner had finished and was preparing to leave. She went over to clear the table.

'I hope everything was to your satisfaction, Sir?' 'Yes, thank you. It always is.'

He moved away and she gathered the dirty dishes, placing them on her tray. When she picked up the cup and saucer, underneath was a florin. He must have dropped it, left it by mistake. No one left two whole shillings as a tip, not even at Christmas. She left the tray on the table and went after him, reaching him as he was about to open the door.

'Excuse me, Sir, but I think you dropped this.' Lisa held out the coin. "The light isn't very good in that

corner.' He smiled. I didn't drop it, Miss O'Maxwell.' 'How do you know my name?'

'Mrs Craig often calls to you and please, I want you to keep it. You work very hard and are very patient and pleasant and honest,' he added, indicating the coin in her hand with a nod of his head. 'Good day.'"

She put the coin in her pocket, puzzled. Had he been testing her? Was he some sort of policeman or some one Mrs Craig knew? She went back to pick up her tray. The three girls were also leaving, but she studiously ignored them.

On the way home on the tram Lisa thought about the two incidents again. Two shillings; she hoped the young man wasn't using it as an excuse to 'buy' his way into asking her out. Two of the other waitresses frequently went out with customers, although Mrs. Craig frowned on it. But he couldn't buy her friendship or anything else for that matter. She was finished with men. All she wanted from life now was a career and a nice place to live.

She looked out of the window as they rossed the Vic toria Bridge thinking of the nice new home she had dreamed of with Andy. She hated the Gorbals. She loathed what it had done to her, although she had to admit that it had been instrumental in her 'growing up'. She hardly ever indulged in daydreams now. For one thing she had precious little time and for another there wasn't much to dream about. She was pinning all her hopes on getting a job at Copeland and Lye and of getting out of these slums. But her foray today in the former direction, had got her nowhere. Or had it? Why should she take any notice of them? They were no better than she. They worked in the Millinery Department. She'd sold hats and she'd trimmed hats for selling, she had more experience than they did! Why shouldn't she try again? She'd come a long way from the timid, gauche young girl who'd barged into Gladys Drinkwater's establishment and asked for a job. Tomorrow was her half-day off - why shouldn't she try again? The thought gave her renewed hope.

As she walked down Warwick Street, the familiar sights, sounds and, above all, the smells only strengthened her resolve. She had to get out of this place. She kicked the stinking, rotting remains of a cabbage stalk from the bottom of the stairs with the toe of her shoe. She'd been trying to save up, but she'd have to spend some of her precious hoard on a decent pair of shoes. She couldn't go asking for a job at Copeland's in scuffed shoes. She'd never forgotten her Ma's comments about her shoes at Margaret's wedding.

Eileen was already in and so also, to Lisa's surprise, was Bernie. Eileen stood stirring a pan with a spoon in one hand, while in the other she held a book. Bernie was setting the table.

'Once she's got her head in a book you can't get any sense out of her at all. You can't even get a single word from her, sometimes I think she doesn't hear me.' Lisa smiled. 'What are you doing home so early?'

"The drive belt broke, so we were all sent home. It was nearly time anyway. I hope they've damn well got it fixed by tomorrow! But I wanted to talk to you anyway."

'What about?"

'Archie and me are getting married!' Eileen stopped stirring and raised her eyes. Lisa thought she was about to make some comment, but she remained silent.

"That's wonderful! When?" 'Next month. We're going down to St John's tonight to

arrange it all." Lisa hugged her. Bernie had been a good friend and she was happy for her. She'd never had much out of life.

'Will you be living here?" 'Where else can we go?'

Lisa sat down at the table. What's the matter?" she asked. Bernie looked uncomfortable, not at all like a girl who had just announced her heart's desire. Lisa sighed. It was inevitable, she supposed, living under the same roof. Bernie was probably pregnant.

'It's awkward you see."

'You're not ... ??

'Indeed I'm not! Aren't I right proud of it that I'll go up that aisle of my own free will and so will Archie? I'm not pregnant!'

"Then what's the matter?' 'I wanted you to be my bridesmaid. Oh, no fancy clothes

or anything, but Archie is insisting on having

'On having what? Come on, Bernie O'Hagan. You've

never been bashful before.' 'Isn't he just insisting on having Andy MacDonald as his Best Man!'

'Oh!' It was uttered in a tense voice. 'I see what you mean.' Lisa stood up. "Then you'll have to do as he wishes, Bernie, he's going to be your husband."

'Sure, I don't know why he couldn't have had one of his other pals. He's just being b****y stubborn. Don't they all just stick together!'

'He wants him because he is his best friend. He was that long before I arrived. I don't mind, Bernie, really I don't! I would have liked to have been there, but never mind. You'll manage without me. Besides, it's only right that Eileen be your bridesmaid, she is Archie's only sister!'

Lisa felt disappointed and awkward but there was no way on earth that she was going to be seen anywhere within a hundred miles of him. 'So just you tell Archie that everything is all right and if you don't, I will!' 'I can't afford a new frock,' Eileen said, sullenly.

Archie will buy it for you and I'll help,' Bernie offered graciously, obviously greatly relieved that Lisa wasn't being awkward or upset. 'Mind, it will have to be practical, no taffetta or the like!'

Eileen returned to her book and Lisa went through into the bedroom and began to look through her boxes. She couldn't afford to buy Bernie anything really grand, but she had to give them something, they'd given her a home. Well, more a roof over her head, she thought. She took out the small lamp with the pink, frosted glass shade. It would look nice on the chest of drawers. She looked around. Archie and Bernie would have to have this room and Eileen would have to make do with the bed in the kitchen alcove. But where would she sleep? She sat back on her heels. Bernie's news had really settled the matter. Unless she wanted to sleep on the kitchen floor she had to find somewhere of her own and the only way she could do that was by getting a better job. Tomorrow afternoon she'd buy a new pair of shoes and then she'd go back to Copeland and Lye and try again.

After lunch the following day, Lisa bought a pair of black shoes in Tylers in Hope Street, just off Sauchiehall Street. She asked the assistant to put her old shoes in the box, she'd wear the new ones. That morning she'd gone to work in Eileen's white blouse, her red skirt and Bernie's new black jacket. She'd bemoaned the condition of her coat and explained the reason for wanting to look her best to Bernie, who generously offered to lend her the jacket. With the grey hat she'd bought for Margaret's wedding, Mrs Craig had remarked how smart she looked and was she off somewhere special on her afternoon off?

She'd replied that she was going shopping as her friend was getting married soon, which was partly the truth. Copeland and Lye was only a few yards down the

street, past Boots the Chemist and the La Scala Theatre. The doorman held the revolving doors for her and she smiled her thanks. Once inside, the opulence caused her self-confidence to waver, but she gripped her bag tightly and walked down the carpeted stairs. She had very little idea of the layout of the building. The first time she had come it had been such a humiliating experience that she'd tried to forget it.

She stopped at the first of many cosmetic counters and looked over the array of bottles and jars, picked up one labelled 'Mercurizing Wax'.

'Can I help you?' the assistant asked politely. She put down the jar. 'No, thank you, I was just looking.'

She turned and crossed the floor and caught sight of the lift. The attendant was a girl about her own age, dressed in a tartan kilt, a white blouse with ruffles at the neck, and a short black velvet jacket. There were other people in the lift, most of them women. Lisa stepped inside.

'Which floor please?'

'Oh, which floor are dresses, please?" 'Inexpensive Gowns are on the third floor to the left,

Exclusive Gowns are to the right." She stood in silence as the lift ascended. It looked as though all the passengers were going to the third floor, she thought, and they were all much better dressed than she.

As she stepped out she looked around, confused and nervous. Who should she ask for? Who in fact should she ask? She began to feel more and more apprehensive. Should she go back and ask the lift attendant?

'It's Miss O'Maxwell, isn't it?' She spun round. 'Oh, yes!' she stammered. It was gentleman who always sat in the corner. the Are you shopping or meeting someone?' Er, no... do you work here?"

'Yes.'

'Oh, I wonder could you help me then? Who do I ask for... for a position here?"

What as? We have a restaurant on the top floor and a coffee lounge on the second floor.' No! No, I would like to work here.' She gestured towards the rows of dresses hanging on racks.

'Oh, I see.'

'I've always wanted to work somewhere like this. I have tried before. She opened her bag and brought out Mrs O'Leary's letter, now rather creased and dog-eared, and handed it to him.

He read it carefully. I was about to go for tea, but perhaps I will have it here instead. Will you join me?'