Digging wealth

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

It couldn't be this easy, it just couldn't! But then she'd often heard Archie say that the 'gaffers' always stuck together and helped each other and that it wasn't what you knew, but who you knew that counted. She'd never imagined that anyone like him would take an interest in her. Enough to help her anyway. Another thought struck her. He had to have a reason - what would he expect from her in return? Everyone knew that Jeannie MacBride, the Supervisor at MacFarlane's, had got her position by carrying on' as Bernie put it, with Robbie Frazer, the Under Manager. What if he expected her to reciprocate in a similar way?

She saw him coming back and stood up. She'd have to make it clear that anything like that was out of the question, even if it meant losing this chance.

'I've had a word with Miss Whyte, she's the Manageress of the Inexpensive Gowns Department, and she'll see you,'

Thank you, but...'

'But what?'

Daleyza just didn't know how to say it without sounding terribly offensive and insensitive. 'Nothing... thank you. As she followed him she felt despondent. She'd lost her chance to put the matter straight all because she was too afraid to come right out and say what she thought. Now she'd be in his debt.

Mr Duncan ushered her into a small room, not unlike Gladys Drinkwater's office, where a tall woman stood behind a desk. Daleyza turned towards him apprehen sively.

'I'll leave you in Miss Whyte's capable hands. Goodbye, Miss O'Donnell.'

'Goodbye and... thank you.' The door closed and Miss Whyte sat down and motioned

her to do the same. She sat on a straight-backed wooden chair facing the woman. She was about as old as Mrs Craig, she judged, and was of a similar build but there the similarity ended. Miss Whyte had a fresh complexion and piercing blue eyes. Her hair was a salt and pepper colour and was worn in an old-fashioned, no-nonsense style. But

she was smiling. Daleyza smiled back nervously. 'I believe you have a very good reference, Miss O'Don nell. May I see it?'

Again the letter was produced and carefully read.

'And what have you been doing since you left Ireland?'

'I'm employed as a waitress at Craig's Tea Rooms.'

'Have you worked there ever since you came to Glasgow?' 'No.' Daleyza looked down at her hands. Miss Whyte would know all the clothing manufacturers and she would know that MacFarlane's was in the heart of the Gorbals. There was no point lying. She looked up. 'When I first came here I took the first job that was offered to me. I knew no one, except a girl I was at school with in Ireland. I worked as a machinist at MacFarlane's.'

She waited for the expression to change. For the smile to turn to a frown.

"Then you will know all about the manufacturing pro cess, which is helpful. Can you sew by hand?'

'Yes, Ma'am.'

'Good. We also do alterations here. Do you live in the

Gorbals?

Daleyza's heart sank, but she nodded firmly. That is

another reason why I want a good job. I hate it and I'm trying to get out.' Miss Whyte's gaze was steady. 'It's very easy to condemn everyone who lives there as thieves and blackguards, but I know full well that there are decent people, forced by circumstances, to live there. My own parents spent their early life there.'

'I see.'

So, Miss O'Donnell, I'm not prejudging you. It doesn't matter to me where you live or where you come from or even what your religion is, just as long as you work well and have the good name of the firm at heart. This is a very prestigious store and our aim is to keep it that way. Our reputation is very precious to us - all of us. Nothing else matters.'

'I understand that, Ma'am.'

'Good. Then I can start you as a Sales Assistant and Alteration Hand at a wage of eighteen shillings a week. We also provide you with a uniform, a brown skirt and cream blouse, which we expect you to keep neat and clean at all times. We do not allow jewellery, make up,

hair decorations, coloured shoes or fancy stockings.' Daleyza just stared at her in astonishment, unable to believe her ears.

'Will you need to give Mrs Craig notice?"

'Oh, yes! A week, I believe. Oh, thank you, Ma'am. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this.'

'Actions speak louder than words, Miss O'Donnell. All you have to do to prove your appreciation is to work hard and give first-class service to the customer.'

'Oh, I will, Ma'am, I will!'

Then I will see you in a week's time. We open at nine sharp, but make sure your counters are dusted and tidied and stocked, you will be expected to be here by eight-thirty to but we'll talk more about that when you start.' Miss Whyte rose and extended her hand.

Daleyza shook it. May I have a look round before I leave, just to see where things are?' 'Of course. For the moment you are a potential customer. You may browse to your heart's content.'"

As she wandered through the department, noting the types of dresses, the materials used and their prices, Daleyza could not believe her luck. She would go straight over and tell Mrs Craig; that would only be fair. She wasn't looking forward to telling her, but she had to think of herself. Perhaps one day she would go to Craig's as a customer. It was a novel thought and one that made her want to dance down the carpeted staircase. Instead she restrained herself to a sedate descent. She'd done it! Oh, it was a wonderful feeling to know that you'd got what you'd always yearned for. Now she knew what Gina must feel. Wait until she told Bernie! Oh, she'd soon be able to get out of the Gorbals.