The Watercress Girls Read Online Free PDF

than the blond Rufus was said to prefer, and there were freckles all over her pert little nose. She had a shapely figure, wide china-blue eyes and a smile which accentuated deep dimples in her rounded cheeks. Her accent was as rich as the Devonshire cream Mattie had sampled earlier.
    ‘You’ll be working with me in the drapery department,’ Christabel informed her.
    ‘I’m glad about that!’ Mattie replied, meaning it.
    ‘Your predecessor got the sack for inappropriate behaviour.’
    ‘What was that?’
    ‘Put it this way, she had to let out the seams in her uniform, and Sir deduced why.’
    ‘How unkind of him. She probably needed her wages if she was pregnant .’
    ‘Never use that word when Rufus is within hearing,’ Griff advised Mattie.
    ‘He was actually affable this morning. He hoped I’d be happy at the emporium.’
    ‘I told you,’ Griff winked at her, ‘he’s got a—’
    ‘Penchant – I know,’ Mattie said.
    Later, they returned along the promenade, linking arms.
    ‘What a lucky chap I am,’ Griff observed, ‘escorting two lovely ladies!’
    When it was time to part company, Mattie rested on a seat,pretending to look in her bag for a handkerchief, while the other two stood a little apart from her. After a quick glance round Griff embraced Christabel briefly.
    ‘See you tomorrow,’ Mattie heard him say.
    Christabel gave Mattie a wave in passing, echoing, ‘Yes, see you tomorrow.’
    Mattie was really glad to have friends to support her at the emporium on Monday.

Four
    ‘ L eave your shoes outside your door,’ Griff said, when he bid Mattie good night. He’d deduced that she’d only the one pair, now scuffed from their excursion.
    Mattie retrieved them first thing, polished to a pleasing shine. He was a thoughtful young man: not only had he cleaned her footwear, he’d advised her to use the facilities in the bedroom instead of the bathroom in the morning. ‘Rufus takes priority then. Hilda will bring you a jug of hot water at 7. You and I will breakfast in the kitchen at 7.I5 – porridge, I expect. By then, Hilda will be overseeing washing-day in the scullery, she has help on Mondays. Sybil, by the way, will stay in bed until we’ve gone.’
    Sybil, Mattie gathered, was truly a lady of leisure. However, it was all too apparent that she didn’t have sufficient staff to run this big house. Mattie’s mother had been rather vague about her cousin’s background, but – I’ll find out ! Mattie determined.
    Griff drove Mattie to the Barbican in the delivery van. ‘Rufus will already be at the store. A cab collects him every morning and brings him back in the evening.’
    ‘Doesn’t he drive?’ Mattie asked. She was glad Rufus wasn’t travelling with them.
    ‘No. He likes to cogitate on the day ahead while smoking a small cigar. Very different from the way he started his working life.’
    Mattie was curious. ‘How was that?’
    ‘You don’t know?’
    ‘No. Just what you’ve told me. Rufus marrying for money to save the emporium.’
    ‘He didn’t have an auspicious start. He was a foundling, brought up in a local orphanage. They gave him the name Fullilove after the chaplain , who took an interest in his welfare, and also suggested his first name. He was a good scholar, but he had to leave school at fourteen, when he was given help to set up in business. He bought a barrow, piled it with salvaged tea from a warehouse damaged by fire, which he bagged up himself, and made his first profit. Seven years on, he rented a shop,and after another ten he was able to take on the emporium. You have to admire him, eh?’
    ‘Yes, but I don’t think I like him….’
    ‘Not many do. I’m grateful, though, that he didn’t cast me out when my mother died. He knew what it was like to be an orphan. Any worries about today, Mattie?’
    ‘I hope my uniform fits.’
    ‘Oh, it will, Mattie. Your mother was asked to supply your measurements .’
    Mattie’s face was decidedly flushed. She