Chapter Twenty-One
On a blustery March morning, a letter with a London postmark landed in Annie’s letterbox and she tore it open excitedly.
‘Is it from Marie?’ Nancy asked as she fed Adam his breakfast.
Annie nodded. ‘Yes . . . and she thinks she’s found a shop that might be just right for us. There are fully furnished living quarters above it and the rent is very reasonable – for London, that is.’
‘But could you afford it?’
Annie was already doing quick calculations in her head and after a moment she nodded. ‘Yes, after the down payment, I’d have more than enough for new stock there, and Susan could continue buying from the profits from the shop here.’
‘So what are yer goin’ to do?’
‘I think it might be worth a trip and an overnight stay with Marie to go and view it. But don’t worry, I’ll get Peggy to come and stay here with you and Adam. I wouldn’t want you staying on your own with Reggie always on the prowl. The man is a damned nuisance.’
At that moment the back door opened and Peggy appeared, so Annie showed her the letter.
‘What do you think?’ she asked.
Peggy sighed. She hated the thought of Annie leaving but she didn’t want to hold her back.
‘Well, if you feel like it’s something you want to do then it’s worth givin’ it a go.
Yer know the old sayin, “nothin’ ventured nothin’ gained”.
You’re a bright girl an’ more than capable of makin’ a go of anythin’ yer set yer mind to. But I’ll admit, we’ll all miss yer.’
‘But I would come back often,’ Annie promised. ‘And you could come and stay with us too.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ Peggy chuckled.
‘I ain’t a city girl. But what I came to tell yer is be extra careful if yer go out after dark.
Another young girl were found dead in an alley off Abbey Street this mornin’.
It’s all cordoned off an’ there are police everywhere.
’ She shook her head. ‘It’s a sad thing when a woman ’as to be afraid o’ settin’ foot outside the door of a nighttime.
The sooner this murderer is found the better.
On a happier note, I’ve also got some good news.
I suppose I should let ’er tell yer ’erself but I’m that pleased fer ’er.
Susan told me an’ Eve last night that Tim ’as asked her to marry ’im an’ she’s said yes. ’
‘That’s wonderful.’ Annie was genuinely pleased for her. She deserved a decent man after the way Theo had treated her. ‘But I wonder if that will mean she doesn’t want to run the shop any more?’
‘Oh no, she’s quite adamant that she’ll still work,’ Peggy assured her.
‘Tim’s girls are both at school durin’ the day an’ they can go to their grandma’s after school an’ wait fer her to close.
She says they’re goin’ to look fer a place to rent here in Nuneaton.
Because Tim works wi’ Levi it’ll make it easier fer him too. ’
‘And when is the happy day to be?’ Annie asked as an idea occurred to her.
Peggy shook her head. ‘I don’t think they know yet, but I can’t see ’em waitin’ fer long now they’ve made their minds up.’
‘In that case, I might be able to help them out.’ Annie drew Peggy to a chair and sat her down.
‘If this shop that Marie talks about turns out to be all right, then Tim, Susan and the children could rent this house. I don’t really want to sell it until I know if I can make a success of the shop in London. Do you think they’d be interested?’
‘I think they’d bite yer hand off,’ Peggy answered. ‘But I’d go an’ have a look at the shop afore yer mention it to ’em, an’ I’d be more than happy to move in ’ere with Nancy while yer go.’
Annie nodded in agreement. ‘Thank you. In that case I’ll write back to Marie straight away and tell her to expect me early next week.’
The following Monday morning found Annie on the train to Euston. Marie was waiting for her when she got into the station and they walked out into the teeming streets arm in arm.
‘I ’ave already arranged with the estate agent to meet us at the shop at two o’clock,’ Marie told her.
She was almost as excited as Annie about the prospect of her moving to London.
‘But first we shall go and ’ave some lunch, oui?
And then when you ’ave viewed the shop you will come to stay with me and my ’usband.
He is looking forward to meeting you. Or perhaps you could stay a little longer? ’
Annie shook her head. ‘Thanks, but one night will be plenty.’ She had never left Adam before and was missing him already.
Marie took her to a charming little restaurant where they enjoyed a light lunch, then at last, it was time to visit the shop.
Marie hailed them a cab and after a short journey they pulled up outside it.
The estate agent, a small stocky man with a handlebar moustache and a very red nose, was waiting for them.
Greeting them courteously, he unlocked the door and ushered them in.
The shop was bigger than Annie had expected it to be and was in quite good condition.
Beyond a long counter at the back was a door that led to a kitchen, which led out to a small yard, which would be perfect for Adam and Alfred to play in.
They went upstairs and again she was pleasantly surprised. The apartment was fully furnished and although the furniture was dated it had everything they could need. There were two bedrooms and an inside bathroom as well as a small sitting room.
‘What do you think, chèrie?’ Marie asked. ‘John, my ’usband, knows someone who would be able to fit the shop out for you and build some fitting rooms in there.’
The cost of renting the shop and the apartment was at least double what she would expect to pay in Nuneaton, but Annie guessed it was reasonable for a shop in London. And, of course, she could charge more for the clothes, so hopefully she would make it pay.
‘May I give you my decision in the morning before I return home?’ she asked the estate agent.
He nodded. ‘Of course, but do not leave it beyond that. I’m afraid shops around here tend to be snapped up quickly.’
‘I understand.’ Annie shook his hand, then she and Marie hailed another cab to take them to Marie’s house.
It was a beautiful three-storey town house in Park Lane and they were greeted at the door by a beaming maid in a mob cap and white apron, who took their hats and coats.
‘Thank you, Therese, could you bring some tea through to the day room for myself and my visitor please? And ’ave you prepared a room for ’er? ’
‘Yes, madam.’ The maid bobbed her knee and with another friendly smile rushed away to get the tea.
‘You’ve done very well for yourself,’ Annie commented as she glanced around the grand room.
A large marble fireplace with a huge fire blazing in it stood in the centre of one wall, and comfortable pale-blue velvet settees stood at either side of it.
Expensive-looking Aubusson rugs were spread across the highly polished floor and thick velvet drapes framed the windows.
Marie nodded as she urged her friend to take a seat.
‘Yes, my John ’as a very good job working for the government.
He did the same thing as Monsieur Gordon during the war and now they still work together occasionally, although I ’ave no idea exactly what they do and I don’t ask.
You will meet ’im tonight. He is a very kind man. ’
‘I’m so glad you’re happy.’ Annie’s heart was beating faster just at the mention of Alex’s name – after all this time, he still had that effect on her.
Therese soon appeared with a tea trolley, and the two women spent the next hour chatting pleasantly.
‘So, you liked the little shop, oui? ’ Marie asked eventually.
Annie nodded. ‘Yes, I think it would be perfect.’
Marie clapped her hands with delight. ‘Ah, then if you agree to take it, we can see more of each other.’
‘That would be lovely, although I have to admit I’m a little scared. It’s such a big step to take.’
‘It is,’ Marie admitted. ‘But John and I are ’ere to ’elp you, so do not be afraid. You would not be alone.’
Later in the afternoon Annie was shown to a pretty room on the first floor, where she rested until it was time to get ready to go down to dinner.
There she met John Maybury, Marie’s husband, whom she liked immediately. He was slightly older than Marie, but it was clear from the way that he looked at her that he adored her. He was tall with dark hair and deep-blue eyes and he welcomed Annie warmly.
‘How did the viewing of the shop go?’ he asked amiably.
‘Very well. But it’s such a big step. I want to sleep on it before I make a final decision,’ Annie told him.
He nodded. ‘Very sensible. But rest assured, should you decide you’d like to come here we shall do all we can to help,’ he said kindly.
‘I appreciate that.’ Annie smiled at him and they all went into the beautiful dining room for dinner.
That night Annie tossed and turned, wondering what to do.
It really was a huge decision, and she was afraid of making the wrong one.
What if Adam didn’t settle in London? Or if the shop wasn’t a success?
And what would she tell the Taylor-Lloyds?
They still believed Adam was Monty’s son and they wouldn’t be happy that she was planning to move away with him.
Even so, by the time she rose to get dressed, she had made her decision.
It was a case of nothing ventured nothing gained as far as Annie was concerned.
She had always been able to rise to a challenge, and she would do it again.
If the shop wasn’t a success, it wouldn’t be the end of the world – she could always sell up and go home to Nuneaton if the worst came to the worst, but at least she would know she had tried.
Marie was delighted when she told her over breakfast, and as soon as they’d finished, she insisted on accompanying Annie to the estate agent’s. There Annie signed a six-month lease and paid the first month’s rent.
‘No going back now,’ she said when they’d left the shop. ‘Do you think there’s any chance of me meeting the man who could help me get the shop ready before I get my train home?’
‘He will probably be working, but if you trust me enough and show me what you want doing, I could ask him for you,’ Marie offered. ‘Then when you come, if the work is done, all you will ’ave to do is decorate it. And I can ’elp with that.’
Annie eyed Marie’s expensive clothes dubiously. ‘I can’t really see you doing much decorating,’ she laughed.
Marie wagged a finger at her. ‘Do not forget my roots. I came from a little farm in France an’ I am used to getting my ’ands dirty. Or at least I was.’
‘In that case I accept your offer,’ Annie answered.
They set off for the shop again where Annie drew diagrams of where she wanted the shelves, the rails and the fitting rooms positioned.
‘But how will I pay this man?’ she asked. ‘I can hardly expect him to do this work without me being here to pay him.’
‘Do not worry about that.’ Marie waved her hand airily, as if batting away an irksome fly.
‘John and I will sort that out and you can repay us when you come back. I shall also get the location of the clothing warehouses and some seamstresses for you ready for when you wish to stock the shop. So just go ’ome and start your packing. ’
Annie couldn’t thank her enough and at Euston, as the train prepared to depart, they hugged each other tightly, before Annie hopped aboard and hung out of the carriage window to wave. ‘I’ll be in touch again very soon,’ she promised as the train pulled away with a hiss of steam.