The Watercress Girls Read Online Free PDF Page A

8.30 a.m.’
    ‘Naturally,’ Mattie returned smartly. To Griff, she added; ‘Yes, I’d enjoy a picnic.’
    Over the rhubarb tart and custard Mattie felt her eyelids begin to droop with sheer fatigue. She sat up with a start when Griff gave her a discreet nudge. ‘Oh dear, how rude of me. I’m so sorry.…’ she said weakly.
    ‘Please don’t apologize,’ Sybil exclaimed. ‘We’ve expected too much of you, after your travelling. You are of course, excused. Griff will escort you to your room. We breakfast late, at nine, on Sunday mornings. Have a good night!’
    ‘Thank you, you’re very kind,’ Mattie said.
    As they left the dining room, they were aware of raised voices from within. Mr Fullilove was obviously haranguing his wife.
    ‘Best for me to retire early too,’ Griff said ruefully, at her door. ‘Sunday is Hilda’s day off too. Breakfast will be made by me, boiled eggs and toast. Then I’ll make us some sandwiches from left-overs from the emporium delicatessen. I brought home some tender prime ham which didn’t really fit that description … we take pot luck at dinner. No roast joint and trimmings! Rufus will be at his club, anyway. ’Night, Mattie.’
    ‘Goodnight, Griff,’ Mattie said, as she closed her door.
     
    The strong sea breeze on the Hoe, that great cliff towering around a hundred feet over Plymouth Sound, made Mattie and Griff scurry along the promenade, pausing only to admire the bronze statue of Sir Francis Drake, to find a sheltered spot. Mattie was glad of a long cardigan over her blouse and skirt, but she was ruefully aware that she had not placed the hairpins as skilfully as Hilda, that her hair had tumbled loose around her shoulders. It must resemble a birdnest, she thought.
    They plumped down on the rug which Griff gallantly spread on the grass. ‘Here,’ he said, after rummaging in his rucksack, ‘binoculars. Know how to use ’em?’
    ‘I can find out,’ she told him, truthful but determined.
    Griff smiled, but left her to it. She adjusted the glasses, then gazed entranced, over the emerald swell of the sea, at a large grey vessel on the horizon, at waves rushing in and out of the inlets in the rocks, as gulls wheeled overhead. Griff took a sketchpad from his pocket and unwrapped a stick of charcoal. With swift, spare strokes, he captured Mattie with the wind in her hair as now she concentrated on Drake’s Island.
    ‘I’m hungry,’ Mattie said at last, with a meaningful glance at the rucksack . ‘I didn’t get a chance to have another piece of toast for breakfast, when Rufus told me it was time for our talk.’
    ‘Interrogation, don’t you mean?’ Griff asked. ‘Can you hold out ten minutes longer, I wonder? You see, I am waiting for a friend to join us. A lady friend.’
    Mattie was candid as usual. ‘Is that why you asked me – as a cover-up ?’
    ‘Oh, you’ve found me out! However, I am enjoying your company.’
    ‘Why the secrecy?’
    ‘Christabel is also employed by the emporium. All the female staff are selected by Rufus for youth and good looks, apart from Miss Teazel, in accounts, who’s known as a bit of a tartar! When I joined the company my dear stepfather warned me not to become romantically involved with any of the girls.’
    ‘And have you?’
    Before he could answer, they heard a cry of ‘Yoo-hoo!’ Griff scrambled to his feet to greet the new arrival, who was holding on to her daisy-trimmed boater.
    ‘Gosh, I’m hungry.’ The girl smiled at Mattie. ‘I’m Christabel, by the way.’
    ‘I’m famished, too! I’m Mattie.’
    ‘And I’m the universal provider,’ Griff said, as he unwrapped the greaseproof parcels. He handed out the serviettes. ‘Tea or coffee? I made two flasks.’
    ‘Our boss’s face would turn puce if he could see us, enjoying his prime ham,’ Christabel said cheerfully, holding out her hand for a second sandwich .
    Mattie warmed to her immediately. Christabel’s short, wavy hair was sandy-brown rather