Sister's Trio Squad

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

'Well, maybe I'll just have one very small drink, but no more! Not after you and your sherry on the Connaught, Bernie O'Hagan!' Bernie hugged her, her eyes misting with tears. 'Oh,

Lisa, we've come a long way since then, haven't we?"

After Warwick Street, Lisa's new home was palatial and she derived a great deal of pleasure arranging the furniture in her small sitting room under the gable. She hadn't used the room much since she'd arrived, though. Most evenings she spent in the parlour with Mrs Duncan and Ian, both of whom she got on well with. David McLeod, the young man she'd occasionally seen Ian with at Craig's, came a couple of times a week and they would discuss their hobby of ornithology. She couldn't for the life of her see just what was so fascinating about birds, but as Mrs Duncan remarked tartly, it was better than having him in some public house every night or wasting his money on other more harmful things. They were planning a week's holiday in the Western Isles later in the year and spent hours searching through books and magazines and studying maps.

Lisa still did some modelling at work, usually only one day a week for, as Miss Whyte said, she couldn't spare her for more than that as she was such a good little saleswoman. She had begun to acquire her own set of regular customers who sought her advice on accessories as well as dresses and who often confided their plans and worries to her.

'If I'm not careful, I'll have Millinery poaching you, Lisa!' Miss Whyte said one day, after Lisa had worn a small, white cloche hat trimmed with a large black satin bow. It had proved so popular that Miss Tane had had to send a rush order to the makers.

'No thank you, Miss Whyte! Wild horses wouldn't drag me down there."

'Why not?'

'Let's just say I prefer my own department and the

assistants here."

She'd seen the twinkle in the Manageress's eyes and knew she understood, although the 'three little cats', as some of the other girls called them, seemed to have sheathed their claws just lately and she wondered if they had been warned about their malicious tongues.

After Warwick Street, Lisa's new home was palatial and she derived a great deal of pleasure arranging the furniture in her small sitting room under the gable. She hadn't used the room much since she'd arrived, though. Most evenings she spent in the parlour with Mrs Duncan and Ian, both of whom she got on well with. David McLeod, the young man she'd occasionally seen Ian with at Craig's, came a couple of times a week and they would discuss their hobby of ornithology. She couldn't for the life of her see just what was so fascinating about birds, but as Mrs Duncan remarked tartly, it was better than having him in some public house every night or wasting his money on other more harmful things. They were planning a week's holiday in the Western Isles later in the year and spent hours searching through books and magazines and studying maps.

Lisa still did some modelling at work, usually only one day a week for, as Miss Whyte said, she couldn't spare her for more than that as she was such a good little saleswoman. She had begun to acquire her own set of regular customers who sought her advice on accessories as well as dresses and who often confided their plans and worries to her.

'If I'm not careful, I'll have Millinery poaching you, Lisa!' Miss Whyte said one day, after Lisa had worn a small, white cloche hat trimmed with a large black satin bow. It had proved so popular that Miss Tane had had to send a rush order to the makers.

'No thank you, Miss Whyte! Wild horses wouldn't drag me down there."

'Why not?'

'Let's just say I prefer my own department and the

assistants here."

She'd seen the twinkle in the Manageress's eyes and knew she understood, although the 'three little cats', as some of the other girls called them, seemed to have sheathed their claws just lately and she wondered if they had been warned about their malicious tongues.

'Is David coming over tonight?' Lisa asked lan as they I walked from the tram stop on Armada Street towards Cartland Drive.

'Yes, he's had a letter from the hotel on Skye that we intend to make our base." 'Won't you find it cold and wet and windy?"

'Oh, it shouldn't be too bad. We've been before. We take a boat out, if it's fine enough, to get close to some of the smaller islands, only don't for heaven's sake tell Mother. She hates anything to do with the sea and if she found out she'd insist on coming along as well!'

'I don't blame her! Do you really have to go looking at other islands? Isn't it dangerous?"

'Not really. We don't go out if the local fishermen say not to. Sometimes one of them even comes out with us.' Ian laughed. "They think we're "tapped in the craig" to go looking at birds. "Craig" is head, by the way."

'I know and I agree with them!'

'It's fun. You should come one day. It's really fasci nating.'

'No, thanks.'

'You won't say anything to Mother, will you?' 'Of course not. Why should I worry her? Although I still think it's a bit thoughtless of you both, especially after what happened to your father.'

He shrugged and they walked the rest of the way in silence. They were quite at ease with each other now: Although during working hours no one would have guessed by her demeanour towards him that they lived in the same house. She insisted on calling him 'Sir' even though he thought she was overdoing the formality. 'Mr Duncan, will do.'

'All right, Mr Duncan, Sir,' she'd laughed. The smell of lamb wafted to their nostrils as they opened the door. On Mondays Lisa bought the meat and on Tuesdays Dora made a casserole after she'd finished clean ing, so all Mrs Duncan had to do was to turn on the oven.

Lisa took off her things and went and washed her hands and set the table. She always insisted on doing this and the washing up. When the meal was on the table she frowned at the

small portion Mrs Duncan took.

The old lady intercepted and interpreted the look. I

don't need great, hearty meals, like you two. I'm an old

woman and I don't spend my day dashing about, so I don't need as much food. It stands to reason.' But you should eat more than that,' Lisa urged. 'Lisa O'Maxwell, I am the one that does the nagging

in this house!' Lisa smiled back, taking the reproof in generous spirit. Mrs Duncan's bark was far worse than her bite and she was becoming fond of her. 'David's coming over to discuss their holiday plans tonight."

'Oh, those two! They clutter up my dining room with all their mess. Why can't we all have a few rubbers of whist, it's far more entertaining?' Ian looked at Lisa, silently hoping to enlist her

help.

'For you may be, but I always get in such a muddle,' she sighed. Mrs Duncan was trying to teach her the card game, but she found it rather daunting and always lost, much to Ian's amusement. Anyway, I've some letters to write this evening. Ma will think I've disappeared if I don't write soon. It's nearly a week since I got her letter."

"Then you'd better get down to it! Don't put off until tomorrow what can be done today. And how is your sister in Liverpool?'

'Oh, she's fine. She says now that the morning sickness has passed, she feels bursting with health. Lewis wants to take on another girl in the house, but she won't hear of it, yet.'

'She should take notice of him. First babies can often be difficult. Ian was so difficult I never had another one."

'I often wish you had. I found it lonely being an only child,' Ian said sadly. 'It wasn't the Almighty's will that I had any more, and in the light of the circumstances that followed, it was a

blessing. Stop complaining.'

'I wouldn't have minded being an only child,' Lisa said in an effort to lighten the atmosphere. We were always squabbling and this is the first time in my life that I've had a bedroom to myself.'

'You see, Ian, be thankful!'

The doorbell interrupted the conversation.

'Good grief! Does that boy bolt his food or does he go without any? We haven't even cleared the table yet. You go and let him in, Ian, we'll clear up.'

When Lisa had written her letters she went down to the parlour. Besides whist, Mrs Duncan was teaching her to crochet and she was making a dressing-table set for Sarah. The old lady was working on a matinee coat for Margaret's baby. They talked for a while about the day's events and the local news. Then they sat in the companionable silence that for Lisa was sheer bliss after Warwick Street and a hectic day at work, until the old lady looked at the carriage clock and put down her work.

'Just look at the time! We'll have our cup of tea now, I think. There won't be time for cards this evening. I'm sure these young men do it on purpose!'

Lisa went into the kitchen and made the tea and took it back on a tray into the parlour. 'I'll go and tell them to pack up their stuff.' 'I don't know what they find so interesting, I really

don't! Go and tell them to come in for tea."

Lisa opened the dining room door. 'You're not still poring over that map, are you? You must know it back to front by now! Your mother is pouring the tea so you'd better not keep her waiting.'