Sister's Trio Squad

Chapter 49

Chapter 49

They finally decided on a pale cream muslin over a peach slub cotton. The muslin formed an overdress with a bloused top caught on the hip with a peach bow and the skirt had three wide bands of peach satin ribbon set into it around the hemline. As it was to be a Church wedding, the dress had long sleeves and a plain, round neck with small cream buttons as decoration.

Bernie studied herself. 'If Ma could see me now, sure, she'd never recognize me. Don't I look just grand?' 'No one would recognize you, Bernie. You look lovely!

Now you need some shoes - cream, I think - gloves and a hat. I'd have a very light straw with a wide brim. Peach trimmed with cream, or cream trimmed with peach, but I'd steer clear of our Millinery Department. There's three of the worst little cats down there that I've ever met!'

Bernie was loathe to take the dress off. 'How much did

you say

it was?'

"Twenty-six shillings."

'Sure, there's not going to be a lot left over for all the rest and my bouquet, is there?' 'Go somewhere else for your accessories. There are plenty of good shops that are quite reasonable. I tell you what, I'll buy your hat as part of your wedding present.'

'Oh, Lisa!' 'You've been a good friend to me, Bernie,

considering we really didn't know each other that well back home. Oh, Lord! We'll both be weeping and wailing in a minute! Come on, take it off and I'll pack it up for you. Why don't you and Archie have some photographs taken, you could send one to your Ma, she'd be ever so proud.' 'She would, wouldn't she? She always said I'd go to

the Divil, but I've proved her wrong, haven't I?'

'You've proved a lot of people wrong, Bernie,' Lisa agreed, thinking of Nancy. 'I'll go and wrap up your dress and put it in a box. They have the name of the shop on them so when you carry it home everyone will know where

you got it!' That made Bernie puff up with pride and Lisa left her to get dressed.

She packed the dress in tissue paper and then placed

it in a large, stiff, card box. When Bernie had paid for it

and she had handed the box over and watched her walk

away, she felt a glow of satisfied achievement.

'She looks very pleased, Miss O'Maxwell?' Miss Whyte had just finished explaining to the window dressers just how she wanted certain dresses displayed.

'She is. She looked lovely, too. That colour suits her, being so dark-haired.' 'She isn't the usual sort of customer we get. It was for

a wedding, wasn't it?" 'It was for her own wedding. She wanted something special."

'I thought you took a great deal of time helping her.' 'Sometimes people need advice. They haven't always got a lot of dress sense, shall we say, without being patronizing. I suggested the colours for her accessories, too, but I don't think she can afford to buy them here."

I have noticed that about you, Lisa. You have a very good eye for colour and style. I've a proposal to make to you.

Lisa looked interested.

It's our policy to have some of our gowns modelled, to show the customers just what they look like on. It helps sales. You are younger than the other assistants, you have a good figure and you are an attractive girl, I would like you to do it."

'Me?' Lisa gasped. 'Wouldn't you like to try?'

'Oh, yes! It's just that I've never done anything like that before.'

'All you have to do is walk around the store. Go into the Coffee Lounge and the Restaurant, smile and answer any questions on whatever you are wearing. Now, first things first. Go down to Ladies Footwear and tell Mrs Hamilton I sent you. Pick a pair of shoes - beige - that goes with everything, and then we'll select a dress for you. Off you go, now!"

The dress they'd chosen for Lisa to model had a pale apricot background, overlaid with a floral trellis of deep peach and pale green. 'It suits your colouring, Lisa, but I think we should have a hat, too. What colour do you think?"

'If I could match the pale green, in a light straw with a medium brim turned up at the front, that would com plement it.'

'Yes, I think you're right. Keep the dress and shoes on and go to Millinery, ask for Miss Tane. Now, have you got everything memorized? How much is the dress? What is it made of? What is it suitable for? And the shoes?'

"The dress is from our range of Inexpensive Gowns. It is printed cotton, suitable for afternoon wear and more informal occasions and costs twenty-three shillings. The shoes are leather and cost nine shillings and sixpence.

They are the very finest imported leather. And I'll have to add the hat.'

Very good. remember to smile! The apprehension she felt disappeared when she walked into Millinery and discovered that Miss Tane was the old est of the three girls she'd spoken to that day in Craig's. 'Miss Whyte sent me down to choose a hat. I'm mod

Now, off you go and

elling this dress.' Miss Tane said nothing. She'd seen Lisa before in the store and wondered if she'd remembered all the cutting remarks she'd made about their customers. She'd obviously done well for herself to be chosen to model, she thought.

'I'm looking for a light straw, a pale apple green as near to this colour as possible. With a medium brim, but with out a veil.' Lisa couldn't resist the barb, remembering how they'd all mocked the customer who had wanted a veil added to her hat.

Miss Tane looked abashed. 'I'll see what we've got. That's a nice dress.' 'Yes, isn't it? I chose it with Miss Whyte's help. She

says I have good taste.'

Miss Tane's cheeks flushed as Lisa tried on and

discarded two of the hats she'd brought. She settled for

the third. "This will do fine. How much is it?'

'You've got expensive tastes. It's twelve shillings.' Miss Tane lowered her voice. 'I'm sorry I was so unhelpful the other day. I didn't really mean to be nasty."

'It doesn't matter now, I've got what I want. But per haps you will think before you make fun of anyone again. We are all out working for the money, not because we enjoy it, so I don't see why we should look down our noses at others, do you?' And with that she walked towards the staircase.

After an hour the shoes were pinching and rubbing and her feet were hurting, but Lisa managed to keep smiling. Soon it would be lunchtime and she could change into her own, comfortable shoes. She was hungry and the smell coming from the restaurant was tantalizing. As she walked towards her own department she smiled to herself. It hadn't been that bad and quite a few people had taken a positive interest. She looked up and saw that Mr Duncan was coming up the staircase towards her. She'd seen him frequently since the day he'd arranged her interview with Miss Whyte, and he had always stopped and chatted for a few minutes. She was grateful to him, but she was always very polite. He'd walked back to the store with her one day, after she'd done some lunchtime shopping. They'd chatted about his work in the gentleman's wear department, the weather and family and he'd told her he lived with his mother who had been a widow for many years. He'd also asked her not to be so formal.

'I can't help it,' she'd replied, a little put out. 'It's not as if I'm the Deputy Manager and I'm not that much older than you."

'I know, but you still have a very responsible job and I wouldn't want you or anyone else to think that I'm being

familiar.'

"There's a difference between being friendly and being

familiar, Lisa. May I call you Lisa?'

She'd nodded.

'My name is Ian.'

'Oh, I couldn't call you that, Mr Duncan!'

He'd smiled. You would call that being familiar?'

'Yes.'

'I see. Can we at least be friends?'

She'd been instantly on her guard and had been glad that they'd reached the store and there hadn't been time for more conversation. She'd just smiled and nodded.

'Don't we look smart?' he said now. "That colour really suits you. Have you sold many?' She'd really blossomed since she'd been working here, he thought.

'A couple, I think. But I must admit that I do feel a bit of a fool, just wandering around and smiling like a simpleton.'

'You look lovely and you must be doing well. Miss Whyte hasn't had anyone modelling gowns since Amy left to get married.' sure I like

'I'm not the modelling bit, but I like my job very much and I'll never be able to repay you.' 'It was just a word in the right ear and besides, you deserved a chance. You could "repay" me, as you put it,

by having lunch with me?'

Lisa didn't quite know what to say. She fervently hoped this wasn't going to be the start of something she didn't want. She did like him, you couldn't really dislike him, and to have him as just a platonic friend would suit her very much. Yet how could she refuse his offer? "Thank you, I have to go and get changed first.' 'I'll meet you at the main entrance. We'll go to Craig's

if you like?' Lisa felt awkward as they entered the Tea Rooms, and after exchanging a few words with Mrs Craig, Ian Duncan guided her to the corner where he always sat. 'It feels odd sitting here. You do realize we'll get talked

about?"

'So what? I don't much care, do you?' She smiled and shrugged.

'Your usual, Sir, and for you, Madam? Lisa! It's you!' Eileen was looking down at her with a startled expression on her pale face.

She chuckled. 'Yes, it's me.'

'Oh, merciful Heaven, I shouldn't have said that! What will Madam have?'

Lisa laughed. 'I'll have the same as Mr Duncan and stop calling me "Madam", it makes me feel a hundred! Mrs Craig can't hear you over here.' Eileen scribbled down the order and hurried away.

'She's your replacement, isn't she? She's good, too. Very pleasant and efficient and obviously you know her well." 'She's a good girl. She's the sister of my fiancé.' Seeing Eileen had reminded Lisa about friend's the approaching wedding and without realizing it she frowned and began to twist a strand of hair around her finger.

What's the matter? Something's troubling you?" 'Oh, it's nothing, I'm fine, really.'

Eileen returned with the order and set it down neatly and efficiently along with the bill which she folded and slipped discreetly under the rim of a plate. Ian Duncan pocketed it.

I hope you don't mind me asking, but

'What?"

is it money?"

'Is it money that's troubling you?' 'No! Saint's above! I earn a good wage - thanks to you. I don't have any worries there.'