Sister's Trio Squad

Chapter 50

Chapter 50

"Then what is it? I might just be able to help?' She sipped her tea wondering if she should tell him. She didn't know him that well. He was really only an acquaintance, but he was such an open, friendly person she sighed. 'Oh, all right. It was seeing Eileen - the waitress that brought it to mind. In two weeks her brother is marrying my friend, Bernie. We all live in Warwick Street and up to now we three girls have shared the only bedroom, but after the wedding there just won't be room for me, too. Unless I sleep on the kitchen floor. Anyway I desperately want to get out of the Gorbals. I hate it! I was brought up in a small country town, my father had his own business and we never lived in condi tions like that! I never thought such squalor was possible. I've looked everywhere for somewhere that's decent, in a quiet area, but it's hopeless. I simply don't know what to do and time is running out. But I'll have to sort myself out somehow. So you see, there's nothing you can do, but thank you just the same for being so thoughtful.'

Lisa ate a sandwich and Ian Duncan did the same. Then he stirred his tea thoughtfully. She was the sort of girl his mother had been urging him to meet. He liked Lisa, but not in the way his mother intended. She was simply a nice girl who would make a good friend. Lately his mother seemed to be forever bringing up the fact that he was twenty-six and was showing in finding someone to share his life. In fact she was always harping on that the Duncan name would die with him, unless he married, and that that would be a tragedy! It I was useless to try to explain to her that he was quite content as he was. She never listened. She'd never really listened to him at all. Ever since his father's death she had constantly reminded him that she had to be strong, that she had to be mother and father to him. As he had grown older he thought the word 'domineering' was more apt than 'strong'. But for the sake of peace he usually agreed with her. Except on the matter of finding a 'nice girl'. In Lisa he'd found just that, and if she agreed to his proposal it would perhaps placate his mother - for a while. In fact it would suit them both. no interest

'I hope you won't take this the wrong way, Lisa, but I think I can help you. As you know I live with my widowed mother in Cartland Drive, by the Northern Necropolis. It's a big house, far too big for just the two of us. I'm sure she wouldn't mind you having a couple of rooms, at a reasonable rate."

She stared at him over the rim of her cup. That was a very select part of the city. But she couldn't accept! Just what did he think of her? What would other people think? 'It's very kind of you, Mr Duncan, but I couldn't!'

'Why not? Because of what people will think? No one at the store need know. You'll be a paying guest." "That's just a nice term for a lodger but it's not that,

not entirely.' 'But if you're in such a desperate situation, I can't see any obstacles. I'll have to get Mother's approval, of course.'

She'd have to tell him this time. She just couldn't beat around the bush any longer. 'I hardly know you. You've been very kind, but this...'

'Oh, dear, you've taken it the wrong way!'

'It's just that all I want from life is my career and a respectable place to live. I... had a bad experience.' Concerning a man?" he asked quietly.

She nodded. We were going to get married but I caught him... Oh, you don't need to know all this.' She didn't know him well enough. 'Let's just say I've finished with men. I only want a career. I'm sorry I've had to be so blunt, you've been very kind to me, Mr Duncan."

I'm sorry, Lisa. I didn't mean to pry. I had nothing like that in mind, I assure you.' He was quite relieved by her confession. They could be just friends', there would be no complications. He looked at his neatly manicured nails. 'In fact, I don't find it easy to mix with girls, but you're different. I feel that we can be friends without all that. I can talk to you and I feel almost as though I got to know you when you worked here at Craig's. I'm a bit of a loner really. I don't have many friends. In fact I really only have one. I don't drink, so I'm not "one of the lads" either.' He picked up the teaspoon and stirred his tea again. 'It probably comes of just having my mother to bring me up. I swear I had no ulterior motive. I am just trying to help!'

She was bereft of words. It was a very tempting offer. "Think about it, please? I'll talk to Mother tonight and

if she's agreeable, then perhaps you could let me know?' She finished her tea. She just didn't know what to make of him at all. True, she'd never seen him with a girl and if he really meant what he said... 'I'll think about it tonight. Thank you.' With his mother present in the house, there wouldn't be any opportunity for 'ulterior motives' as he called it.

'Good. We'll have lunch again tomorrow, you like that?' if would She smiled. 'I'd better get back now and get changed

into my "finery"."

The day had been a success, she thought, as she got home. The Inexpensive Gowns Department had been quite busy. Although they only stocked two or three of each model, customers had been tempted to purchase other dresses which had been part of the oriNancyl ploy. She also heard that the Millinery Department had been quite busy, too.

She was first in and so she put the kettle on and laid the table and was peeling the potatoes when Eileen came in, carrying a parcel.

'What have you been buying?"

'Material. I got it in my lunch break from that shop next to the La Scala. Who was that man you were with? He looked nice. He often comes into the tea rooms." "That was Mr Duncan, he's the manager of the Gentle

man's Leisurewear Department!'

Eileen c****d her head on one side and smiled.

'You can take that look off your face, Eileen Dalrymple! There's nothing between him and me, but he got me my job. He "spoke" for me, just like I did for you. He's a friend, nothing more! Now, what's this material for?'

'My dress for the wedding, of course! Mrs Lavinsky is going to make it.' Eileen undid the wrapping paper and revealed yards of pale blue taffeta. 'It cost me all my savings so Archie will have to pay for it to be made up. I thought I could wear it to go dancing in afterwards.'

Lisa's heart sank and her expression changed. 'Don't you like it?'

'Bernie is going to throw a fit!' 'But I paid for it!'

'It's not that! Oh, Eileen, you can't outshine a bride on her wedding day and Bernie's dress isn't going to look anything beside that!'

'I didn't intend to do it, Lisa! I knew she was going to your shop for her dress, so I thought I'd better get something special. They let me have it a bit cheaper because it was the end of the roll and it's a little marked, but they won't take it back. What am I going to do with it?"

'You'd better do something with it and quickly,' Lisa said, hearing Bernie's key in the door. But Eileen wasn't quick enough as Bernie staggered through the door laden with parcels.

'Oh, I'm fair worn out, that I am! I've spent hours trying on shoes and hats and looking for gloves.' She put the parcels down on the table and, kicking off her shoes, sank on to a chair. 'I got my shoes and gloves and a pair of earrings, but I couldn't make up my mind between two hats. You'll have to come with me Lisa, you're the one with all the style. Oh, and guess who I saw as I got off the tram? Maggie Baird! And you should have seen her face when she saw the box with Copeland and Lye written all over it! It'll be round the whole neighbourhood in half an hour.'

Lisa smiled, Bernie had obviously been enjoying herself despite her exhaustion, but she knew any minute now things would change.

'What's that?' Bernie pointed to the blue taffeta. "The material for my bridesmaid's dress,' Eileen mut tered.

Bernie shot up off the chair but Lisa quickly stepped between her and Eileen. 'Bernie, before you start, she didn't do it on purpose! She knew you were going to really splash out on your dress and she thought she'd get something special, too. She got it cheap. She didn't mean to offend you!'

'She did that! Sure, she's always hated me! She never wanted me here! She's deliberately gone and got some thing much grander than mine. She just wants to ruin my day, she wants to look better than me. She wants people to look at her, not me! She's a nasty, sneaking, little.

I'll swing for her, so help me, I will!' Bernie screamed. Eileen burst into tears and Lisa grabbed Bernie's arms and thrust her back down onto the chair. 'Stop it!

Stop it, both of you! Eileen, stop crying and make a cup of tea. Then we're going to sit down and sort this out, once and for all. I've found somewhere to live and I'm not going to leave you two ready to murder one another!'

They both stared at her and she realized what she'd

said. Subconsciously, she'd made her decision. 'You've found somewhere?' Eileen echoed with a sob in her voice.

'Yes. You know I can't stay here unless I sleep on the kitchen floor, so I've got lodgings in Cartland Drive, that's what Mr Duncan and I were talking about today. I'm going to live with his widowed mother. Now, let's get this mess sorted out.'

After half an hour, when both Bernie's and Eileen's griev ances against each other had been aired with Lisa as mediator, things were much calmer.

'You've both got to share the same house, so you'll both have to make the best of it. Eileen, you have to realize that Archie's first loyalty is to Bernie. She'll be his wife and it's not fair to put him in the position of having to take sides. You're young and soon you'll have your own life. And Bernie, you've got to remember that this is Eileen's home and has been for years. Now let's get this dress

sorted out!' 'She's not wearing it and there's an end to it!' Bernie said dogmatically. "They won't take the material back and it's too expensive

to waste. How much did you buy, Eileen?'

'Seven and a half yards.' 'God, hasn't she gone and got enough to make two dresses!' Bernie snapped.

'That's it! Get Mrs Lavinsky to make you a skirt and a short, sleeveless jacket. You can wear a pretty blouse with it and you'll still have enough left for a fairly plain dress. It's a good thing skirts are shorter. Then you'll have two outfits. You see, if the two of you can just put your heads together, instead of banging them together, you'll get on fine. Will that suit?' Eileen looked relieved and Bernie seemed mollified.

'It won't detract from your dress, Bernie, and Eileen will still look smart. You want her to look smart, don't you? You don't want people saying she looked dowdy, now do you?'

Eileen offered the olive branch. 'Archie'll be in soon. I'll get on with the tea since you're worn out, Bernie.' Bernie managed a grim smile. 'You know you sounded just like your Margaret then, Lisa!'

Lisa smiled at her. 'I take that as a compliment. Now, I can at least leave you knowing you won't be scratching each other's eyes out. Not for a while anyway!'