‘What makes you say that?’ Daisy brought the material over to the counter where she opened it up and lined it up with the metal measurer fixed on the edge.
‘Just a feeling I have. She didn’t say anything to you last night about what might be bothering her?’
‘I barely saw her last night, Mum. And since when has Fern ever confided in me abouther marriage and her sons?’
‘She didn’t hesitate to come home here earlier than Everett and the boys.’
‘I hate to point out the obvious, but you asked her to.’ Daisy took out the sharp fabric scissors and carefully cut the material to the size required, folded it with tissue paper between layers and popped it in a bag ready for the customer who’d called earlier and would be stopping by to pickup the fabric order.
‘Yes, but usually she would’ve put up a fight, told me she was incredibly busy, her company and her clients needed her.’ She bit her cheek in thought. ‘Will you let me know if she’s stressing about anything?’
Daisy had wound the material back around its pole ready to return to the shelf. ‘I’m not spying for you.’
‘I’m not asking you to.’
But the way her daughter lookedat her told Loretta she wasn’t going to get any gossip from her. No matter whether the sisters were best friends or not these days, there appeared to be an impenetrable code of sisterhood. She supposed she should be proud they were still loyal to one another; it was a value she’d tried to instil in them as they grew up despite any rift that may have surfaced.
The door opened and in came Hannah.‘I bumped into Jeffrey at the post office,’ she gleefully announced, and with arms in the air added, ‘It’s a girl!’ It wasn’t so long ago that Hannah had fallen in love with Joe and Loretta wouldn’t mind betting those two would be starting a family of their own one day.
‘That’s wonderful!’ Loretta loved baby news, it brought back such special memories.
‘Six pounds seven ounces and called Rosie,’Hannah went on. ‘I thought, seeing as Jeffrey is our loyal postman and we all love him dearly, it would be nice to put together a care package for him, his wife and the baby.’
Loretta leaped at the chance to be involved. ‘Come this way.’ She took Hannah to the section where she had knitted mittens and booties on display as well as a couple of little cardigans. ‘I’ll throw these in, my part inthe gift, how does that sound?’
Hannah beamed. ‘It’s going to be an enormous care package. I’ve got books from the bookshop, some beautiful toys, a teddy bear, muslin cloths, nappies. All I can say is thank goodness I’ll hand deliver and won’t have to post it.’
Hannah went on her way with several knitted baby items and while Daisy saw to a customer who’d come in looking for some satin blanketbinding, Loretta tidied up the shelf of fat quarters, rearranging those that had been put in the wrong place, turning some face up so the designs were more obvious. They had some beautiful fabrics and Loretta loved to be surrounded with so much colour every day – she moved the snow white with ruby red cherries next to the solid red fabric, the plain lilac next to a lavender with white daisies, acream with brightly coloured cars next to a deep green with farmyard animals, which would make the perfect baby quilt.
When the door opened again it brought in a rush of cold and Carrie. ‘Good afternoon,’ Loretta smiled. But by now Daisy had finished with what she was doing and rushed over to greet Carrie.
‘My sisters are going to help with the quilt,’ Daisy told her in a rush.
Carrie lookedunsure, glancing at Loretta, then back at Daisy but Loretta merely carried on tidying some of the older stock, which was closer to the front of the shop and priced down, selling well. She retied the string bows around the fabric with candy canes, and another with Father Christmases on a pine green backing.
‘I’m glad they said yes,’ Carrie said softly before passing a small brown paper bag toDaisy. ‘I haven’t known your grandad for long but I found this material in a charity shop this morning and thought it might be perfect for the quilt.’
Daisy took out a folded piece of white fabric with winter berries and several robin redbreasts on the print. ‘It’s gorgeous.’
‘He’s always pointing out the robins in the gardens at the lodge, I thought he might like it.’
‘I think you’re right.And thank you … not just for this but for convincing me to ask my sisters. I’m just relieved they actually agreed to help. It’s a lot of work to do this close to Christmas.’
Carrie, hands in the pockets of her pristine cream coat, nodded. ‘I’m a beginner so it takes me forever to sew the smallest of pieces. I think I’m a long way off being able to actually call myself a quilter.’
‘Hey, we’veall got to start somewhere.’ Daisy smiled kindly. ‘Actually, if you’ve got some time it would be great to have an extra pair of hands. You know Grandad, he talks highly of you, and it’ll give you some practice at the same time. If you want to, that is.’
Carrie froze. ‘Oh, I couldn’t, it’s a family thing for you and your sisters. And as I’ve said, I’ve not much experience.’
‘We’d really welcomethe help,’ Daisy encouraged.
Mrs Addington bustled into the shop and announced she’d lost a glove in the square and needed another pair. Loretta led her over to the display of readymade gloves and left her to choose.
‘Basic sewing skills are all that’s needed,’ Daisy assured Carrie. ‘You don’t have to be adept with a machine or anything, and there’s always the cutting out to do, the pinningof fabric.’
‘It sounds complicated.’
Daisy shrugged. ‘It’s more laborious than anything. Honestly, any help we can get so late in the game with Christmas around the corner is a blessing.’ When another customer came in and lingered needing help Daisy added, ‘Just think about it.’
