Lizzie's War Read Free Page A

out, and though she hadn’t thought so then, it was the best thing that could’ve happened. Forced to stand on her own feet, she’d invested every penny of her own money, but despite his offers to put money in, she’d told Ed to keep his money for the moment. Fortunately, at his age, Ed was unlikely to be called up for the Army, especially as he’d told her about his fallen arches, which had resulted from years of standing at his bench.
    â€˜If I need extra money I’ll ask,’ she’d promised when he’d offered to invest his life savings. ‘I’ve got some money that was left to me by my uncle and it’s enough for now.’
    Lizzie frowned as she thought about the business. The little showroom had been busy almost from the day they’d opened just before the previous Christmas, and they’d begun to make a small profit almost immediately, but just recently that profit had dropped a little. Not enough to be worrying, but it made Lizzie wonder if she could afford to take on an experienced seamstress like Tilly even if she asked her for a job. The large order from Mr Barton would help them become established and if he kept his promise to tell his friends and colleagues about her showroom, the business could become successful overnight.
    Lizzie’s reverie was suspended as the door opened and a young woman entered. She smiled nervously as she saw Lizzie and then looked about her at the various hats.
    â€˜Is it all right if I try some on?’ she asked. ‘I know
Lizzie Larch Hats
is a wholesaler’s, but I was told you sometimes make special hats for weddings and things?’
    â€˜Yes, the shop is mainly wholesale,’ Lizzie gave her an encouraging look, ‘but we also have our bespoke hats. Are you looking for something special?’
    â€˜Yes,’ the woman giggled. ‘I’m getting engaged to – well, Geoff is my boss actually. He’s got pots of money and I don’t want his family to look down on me when I go to meet them… but I can’t afford some of the prices up West.’
    â€˜They can be expensive.’ Lizzie was sympathetic. A lot of young women looked at the beautiful hats in West End shops and dreamed of owning one but couldn’t afford the extortionate prices, which was why she served the few working women who ventured in, as well as her main customers. ‘Did you want felt or a straw – or silk? A lot of ladies are going for softer designs now, because of the war. This is my new line for spring – it’s velvet and fits on the back of the head… we may not be able to get velvet soon if stocks run out…’
    â€˜That’s all we hear when we complain, isn’t it?’ the young woman said and laughed. ‘When you ask if the shop has anything nicer they say, “You know there’s a war on, don’t you?” It gets so boring.’
    â€˜Utility fashions aren’t wonderful, are they?’ Lizzie agreed. ‘I quite like the broader shoulders, but the material isn’t as good as we could get before the war started – that’s where a beautiful hat makes all the difference. We’ve been lucky because so far they haven’t made women have coupons for hats.’
    â€˜That’s exactly what I thought,’ the young woman said eagerly. ‘I have a blue suit; it’s new but it looks a bit dull, cheap. I thought a special hat would cheer it up…’
    â€˜I’m sure it would,’ Lizzie said. ‘Pale blue is it?’
    â€˜Yes, sort of sky blue, and I’ve got a white silk blouse to wear under it, second-hand but all right…’
    â€˜The war has made it difficult to buy nice things,’ Lizzie nodded as she thought about the hats she had in stock. ‘I have a lovely white straw hat I’ve just made, but it’s still in the workroom. If you’d like to try a few others on, I’ll fetch it for