6. Chapter Six
Chapter Six
Fifteen minutes later, they stood side by side, surveying their collective appearance in the mirror. For Jane, the switch had been complicated by the fact that Miss Sheridan had more undergarments and hairpins than she’d anticipated. On Miss Sheridan’s part, she obviously found pulling on Jane’s clothing distasteful. “It’s like wearing a burlap sack,” she’d declared, buttoning up the front of the dress. “How can you stand it? Personally, I would never tolerate such a thing.”
Now, fully attired and hair fixed, the resemblance was astounding, something Jane found both odd and enthralling. The sensation of wearing luxurious well-fitting clothing was something she’d never experienced. The fabric felt smooth to her fingers. The red coat cinched at the waist, highlighting her slim silhouette. The ermine collar was soft against her neck, and the matching hat, tilted ever so slightly, brought the look together. Jane had never thought much of her looks, but now, seeing herself like this, she almost felt beautiful. She couldn’t even imagine how much this ensemble cost, but she knew she might never have the opportunity to dress like this ever again.
Miss Sheridan rubbed her hands together. “All right. Listen carefully and do exactly as I tell you.”
“Yes, Miss Sheridan.”
“We’ll go out and I’ll speak to your people and pretend to be you. Then we’ll go find Eddie in the entryway, and you can tell him you’re ready to go home.” Her face widened in a grin. “Do not come back until he recognizes that it’s not me.”
“What if he doesn’t?” Jane was having trouble differentiating between the two images in the mirror herself. Depending on how observant Eddie was, there was a definite possibility that he might not notice.
“He will. I want him to admit he was wrong, so just keep playing along until he does. I am going to make him eat his words.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am right,” she said with more confidence than Jane had ever had. “If he won’t admit defeat, you’ll need to call his bluff and keep acting the part of Miss Jacquelyn Sheridan. No matter what, do not give in. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand,” Jane said.
“Now tell me what I should say to your people. If I’m going to play the part, I want to get this right. ”
By the time they walked out of the lavatory, Miss Sheridan had practiced her lines several times, adding hand gestures that weren’t quite Jane’s style, not that she was going to say as much. The Sheridans put food in her mouth and a roof over her head. Criticizing one of her patrons was never an option.
Miss Sheridan walked ahead of Jane into the dining room, where the girls were still assembled. “Girls, Miss Sheridan needs to leave soon,” she said, motioning to Jane. “So she only has time to listen to one Christmas song. Make it a good one.”
The disappointment at only being able to sing one song showed on the girls’ faces. They’d practiced for days. Mary rose to the occasion and smoothly said, “Of course.” She directed the girls to get up from the tables and cluster together in a semicircle. Once they were in position, she turned to Jane. “Miss Sheridan, we would love to perform ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’ for your listening pleasure. We hope you enjoy it.” Mary raised her hands and motioned for them to begin.
Listening to the girls sing made Jane’s heart swell with gladness. She was so proud of how they came together as a group, no fidgeting or pushing, their posture perfect while their voices filled the room with Christmas cheer. She knew every one of the girls and was familiar with the stories that had led them to the home. Every single one had experienced hard times, unfair difficulties, and sadness, and yet they still found reasons to be grateful and happy. When they finished, they looked at Jane expectantly, reminding her that they needed Miss Sheridan’s acknowledgment .
Jane clapped. “That was beautiful, girls. I’m so proud of all of you for coming together to create such heartwarming music in the true spirit of Christmas. All your practice paid off. You sang like angels.” She suspected that this was not what Jacquelyn Sheridan would have said, so she waited for one of them—Mary, Frances, Ruth, or any of the other girls—to recognize her, but no one said a word. The girls just beamed at her compliments.
Miss Sheridan acting as Jane said, “Say goodbye, girls. Miss Sheridan has to make the long ride home.”
“Goodbye, goodbye,” they called out.
Frances added, “Thank you for coming to see us.” Even though the little girl had spoken out of turn, Jane couldn’t help but feel pleased at her kind words.
As Jane and Miss Sheridan walked out of the room, Jane heard one of the girls say, “But what about the candy canes?” Behind them, Jane heard Mary shush the child.
In the hallway, Miss Sheridan said to Jane, “I guess I’m not surprised that mere children couldn’t figure out our ruse. Simpletons. Eddie will spot the difference immediately.”
Eddie was waiting in the front entryway, a paper bag at his feet. His face lit up as they walked into view. “Did you have a good visit?” he asked.
Jane, realizing he was speaking to her, said, “Yes, I did, Eddie. I just need to hand out the candy canes and then we’ll be finished.”
“Very good.” He handed her the bag. “I’ll be waiting right here for you. Unless you want me to go out and warm up the engine. ”
“No,” Miss Sheridan said. “Wait for her here.”
Retracing her steps, Jane found the girls, still together in the dining room. “Who wants a candy cane?” she asked, holding up the bag.
As expected, the room filled with the sounds of fifty voices calling out, “I do! I do!”
“Use your manners, girls,” Mary admonished.
A chorus of the word “please” came next.
Jane gave them out, one at a time, happy that each of them remembered to say thank you. “You girls have the best manners,” she said. Glancing over at Mary, she tried to catch her eye and bring her in on the joke of the switch, but Mary remained serious and polite. “Have a very Merry Christmas,” Jane said and waved goodbye before leaving the room.
She and Mary would have such a good laugh tonight when she told her the whole story of switching clothes in the lavatory. She couldn’t wait to tell her all about it.