Lizzie's War Read Free Page B

you.’
    â€˜Thanks ever so…’
    Lizzie left the young woman to try on the hats and popped through to the back room. She picked up the white hat she’d made that morning. It was a broad-brimmed white straw hat finished with a pretty navy blue ribbon and a silk rose. She thought the simple style would look very well on the young woman waiting in the shop. Picking it up, she heard the shop bell go and frowned. Had someone come in or had the young woman gone?
    She saw the showroom was empty as she returned and frowned. Why hadn’t the customer waited? She’d seemed happy to do so and Lizzie had only been gone a couple of minutes. Glancing round the room, she saw that a red cloche with a silk rose trim and a navy blue straw fedora were missing from their stands and she rushed to the door to look out, but the narrow street was empty, apart from the back of a shabby van just disappearing round the corner. It was a commercial area, not far from the Docks, populated by tradespeople who often lived over their workshops, and most of the buildings were old, but, unusually, there was no one around.
    Lizzie felt sick and humiliated as she went back inside and closed the door, locking it after her. She’d been duped and robbed and wasn’t sure which hurt most. It wasn’t time to close up, but she felt too upset to serve any more customers that evening. What an idiot she’d been to leave the woman in the shop even for a moment!
    â€˜I’ve finished for the day,’ Ed said, coming in from the stockroom. ‘We need a few things ordering, Lizzie. I’ll do it tomorrow…’ He stopped as he saw her face. ‘What’s wrong?’
    â€˜I’ve been an idiot,’ she said and explained what had happened. Ed shook his head, his kind, homely face concerned for her.
    â€˜It’s a good lesson learned,’ he said. ‘You’re too trusting.’
    â€˜Yes, I suppose I am,’ Lizzie said ruefully. ‘Well, I shan’t make that mistake again, shall I?’
    â€˜It’s all right if you know and trust a customer, but even then be careful,’ Ed said. ‘Oliver had a few bad debts in the early years, but after that he wouldn’t give anyone credit unless he knew them well. Some folk will take advantage if they can, but I’m not sure the police would be interested.’
    â€˜She seemed so unsure of herself and I wanted to help.’ Lizzie shook her head and changed the subject. Telling the police would be a waste of time when they had more important things to do. ‘What are you doing this evening, Ed?’
    â€˜Oh, I’ll walk down to the pub for a pie and a pint,’ he said. ‘Same as usual. I might listen to Dick Barton on the radio. My Madge used to like the concerts – Henry Hall and the like, but I don’t bother much these days. Just the news now and then…’
    Lizzie nodded, knowing that he still missed the wife he’d loved terribly. Her death in a fire caused by a gas explosion had shattered him. He’d lost his home that day too and for a while it had seemed that he’d no longer had the will to live, but working here with Lizzie he had found himself again. Yet she knew he must be lonely and she tried to invite him round every now and then even though she knew he was still grieving for his wife and didn’t feel like going out much.
    â€˜You know you’re always welcome to come to us for a meal, Ed?’
    â€˜Yes, I shall one Sunday…’
    â€˜Make it this Sunday,’ Lizzie said. Ed looked pleased as he nodded then turned and went up to his flat above the workrooms.
    Lizzie locked up the workrooms. She was glad Ed had decided to come, because he spent too much time alone.
    Lizzie understood his loneliness. Three months had passed since she’d last seen Sebastian… had those few days over Christmas been as wonderful as she remembered? Had he really held her