The Mersey Daughter (Empire Street #3)(17)

The older woman undid her scarf and came closer. ‘Well, that’s very good of you, dear. That’s what families are for, though, isn’t it? I won’t keep you for long. I’m looking for some clothes pegs.’

Violet smiled in relief. ‘Well, you won’t need ration coupons for those.’ She’d been slightly confused by Rita’s explanation of which goods were rationed and which weren’t, and how the system worked, but this request should be simple enough. ‘Household goods are on these shelves here – but I expect you know that better than I do.’

Mrs Mawdsley beamed at the suggestion she knew her way around the shop better than the staff. ‘I do indeed, dear. Oh, someone’s made this look nice. Was that you? Dolly’s always saying what an asset you are around the house, and I expect Mrs Kennedy will be delighted.’

Violet smiled back but said nothing. She doubted Winnie would be delighted about anything.

‘Here we are, then. I’ll have two sets, a small and a large, just in case.’ The woman fiddled with her purse. ‘Now, I’m afraid I have no change, but I hope that won’t be a problem.’

‘Of course not.’ Violet held out her hand and Mrs Mawdsley gave her half a crown. Violet’s smile began to falter. Mental arithmetic was not her strong point. It was bad enough that there were two things to add up, but they were at different prices, and that made it more difficult. She looked around for a notebook. Maybe if she wrote it down it would be easier.

The doorbell rang again. A frail old lady stepped inside, drawing her shawl around her thin shoulders. ‘Hello, Mrs Mawdsley,’ she said in a tremulous voice. ‘And … it’s not Rita, is it? No, I can see you have different hair, young lady. My memory’s not what it was, you’ll have to—’

‘It’s Violet, Mrs Ashby,’ said Violet, recognising the oldest inhabitant of Empire Street. ‘I married Eddy Feeny, you know. Haven’t seen you since we were in the shelter together for the last air raid.’

‘That’s it!’ The old lady’s face lit up. ‘So you’re helping out here, are you? I’m glad to see you. Now maybe you can help me with my sugar ration. I like it when Rita does it, she’s always very fair, but sometimes,’ she dropped her voice, ‘Mrs Kennedy gets it a bit wrong and there never seems to be enough in the packet.’ She reached into her battered handbag.

‘Don’t you fret, Mrs Ashby, I’ll see you right,’ Violet assured her. ‘Let me see, I know the stamp for the coupons is back here somewhere …’

Mrs Mawdsley leant across the counter and tapped the front of a small drawer. ‘In here, dear. I think you’ll find that’s where it usually is.’

‘Oh yes, that’s the place, Rita did show me.’ Violet was getting really flustered now. ‘So, you give me your coupon …’

‘But I just did, dear.’ Mrs Ashby’s voice shook a little but she was adamant. ‘One moment ago. You’ve taken it already.’

Violet clapped her hand to her forehead. ‘Silly me. What am I like? Yes, you gave me the coupon, now where …’

‘It’s by the till where you put it,’ Mrs Mawdsley explained. ‘Right next to my half-crown. You’ve still got to give me my change.’

‘Yes, so I have.’ Violet stared at the counter. ‘It was two packs of pegs, one large and one small, so that’s … that’s …’

‘You owe me one and six, dear,’ said Mrs Mawdsley, taking pity on Violet’s inexperience. ‘You do know what that looks like, don’t you?’

Violet wilted under the gentle sarcasm then drew herself up straight. ‘Of course I do.’ She pinged open the till. ‘Here you are. And here you are, Mrs Ashby.’ She carefully cancelled the precious coupon. ‘Shall I put the sugar in your handbag?’

‘Thank you, Mrs Feeny,’ said the old lady, her eyes bright. ‘Oh, doesn’t it sound funny to say that. But now Dolly isn’t the only Mrs Feeny on Empire Street. Your Eddy beat his brother Frank down the aisle, who’d have thought it? He’s a dark horse, your young man. But you must be very proud of him.’

‘Oh I am, Mrs Ashby.’ Suddenly Violet found there was a lump in her throat. It was so long since she’d seen her husband, and being in the Merchant Navy he was putting himself in danger every minute of the day. But it wouldn’t do to show her fear for his safety. She forced herself to smile. ‘He’s one in a million, my Eddy. I’ll tell him you were asking after him when I next write.’

Mrs Mawdsley gave her a knowing look. ‘Chin up, that’s the spirit. Give him something to be proud of when he comes home. It’s not easy having your man away, is it? I remember when Mr Mawdsley was away during the last war …’ She fell silent for an instant and her face became unexpectedly tender. ‘Ah, well. It doesn’t do to dwell. You’ll soon get the hang of this place and it will be a big help to Rita.’ She linked her arm with that of the old lady. ‘Come along, Mrs Ashby, I’ll see you home.’

As soon as the door swung shut behind them, Violet collapsed on the stool. She couldn’t believe how tricky that had been, and it was only two customers with simple orders. How did Rita do it, serving all the dock workers practically at once? She supposed it was all a question of practice. Well, she had given her word that she would help out and she couldn’t back out now. Her pride wouldn’t let her – and she wouldn’t give Winnie Kennedy the satisfaction.