Digging wealth

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

 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 Elianna's wedding.

Eileen was already in and so also, to Daleyza'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.'

Daleyza 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, Daleyza 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."

Daleyza 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?'

Daleyza 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. Daleyza 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. Daleyza 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 just stick together!" all

'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!

Daleyza 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 Daleyza wasn't being awkward or upset. Mind, it will have to be practical, no taffetta or the like!'

Eileen returned to her book and Daleyza 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, Daleyza 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 Elianna'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.