Page 10 of The Winter Bride

‘Good mornin’,’ the woman said genially as she passed.

Annie stared after her, but then Monty asked, ‘So, what did you think of Mercy?’

‘I thought she was lovely and very pretty, and they clearly love each other so I’m sure they’re going to be happy,’ Annie replied, although her thoughts were still on the woman.

Monty nodded in agreement. ‘Yes, you’re right on both counts. She is pretty and she reminds me of you a little, although she’s somewhat shorter and more rounded than you are.’

‘Are you saying I’m skinny then?’ Annie teased.

Monty laughed and pulled her arm through his. ‘You’re perfect. Come on, I’m starving. You must be as well. You hardly ate a thing at breakfast.’

‘I think the nerves are kicking in now we’re so close to opening the shop,’ she confided. ‘I’m so worried that I’ve done the wrong thing I felt quite sick this morning, although, yes, I’m hungry now.’

‘It will be fine,’ he said confidently and they went on their way.

The new shop window was fitted on Tuesday as arranged, and it was decided that they would open on Friday. Monty thought it would be better to wait until the following Monday but Annie was keen to get started, and so Susan made a sign for the window telling everyone of the new opening date.

Bright and early on Friday morning, Annie dressed in a smart skirt and blouse and carefully pinned her hair up, nerves fluttering in her stomach. As soon as Susan arrived, they entered the shop together and turned the closed sign to open.

‘This is it then,’ Annie said nervously as they watched the town slowly coming to life. People began to look into the window as it grew busier and a few stopped to admire the gowns on the mannequins in the window, but by mid-morning not one soul had entered, and Annie’s spirits plunged.

‘Stop fretting,’ Susan scolded. ‘You knew this wasn’t going to be an instant success. A business like this has to be built, especially for the sort of clients we’ll be catering to.’

‘That’s what Monty said,’ Annie answered in a small voice, and went to make them yet another cup of tea. It was all she could do to pass the time and she felt as if she was drowning in the stuff. By lunchtime they had still not had a single customer, and Annie was getting more anxious by the minute.

Finally at just after two o’clock, the bell above the shop door tinkled and an immaculately dressed lady who Annie recognised as a friend of her mother-in-law came in.

‘Good afternoon, ladies.’ She nodded towards them. ‘I wonder if you have any day dresses?’

‘Yes, madam. We have a small selection over here. Do take a seat and I’ll bring them over. Would you like a cup of tea or coffee while you wait?’ Annie said politely.

‘A tea would be nice,’ the woman responded as she drew off her gloves and sat down. She looked around and was quite surprised at what she saw. It was very tastefully decorated, almost as well as the shops she frequented when she went to Birmingham or London. From what Eunice Taylor-Lloyd had told her she had expected it to be a somewhat shabby place, but it was far from it.

While Susan made the tea, Annie selected some gowns and took them to show her customer one by one.

The woman had had no intention of buying anything. In truth she had only come to satisfy her curiosity, but one of the dresses caught her eye. She waited while Susan set down the silver tea tray, noting the beautiful china cup and saucer.

‘I do quite like that one.’ The woman pointed a perfectly manicured finger towards a dress that Annie was holding up for her inspection. ‘But I don’t suppose you have anywhere one might try it on,’ she said superciliously.

‘Oh, we do, madam,’ Annie assured her politely. ‘The fitting room is right over there, and should you try it on and find it needs any alterations we can arrange that for you.’

‘Oh . . .’ The customer was clearly taken aback. ‘In that case I shall try it.’

Annie led her to the changing room and once the woman had put the dress on, she found that it fitted like a glove.

‘So, what is the price of this one?’ she asked as she looked this way and that in the full-length mirror.

It wasn’t cheap, none of the clothes Annie was stocking were, but it was very favourably priced compared to the larger department stores and fashion houses the woman usually frequented.

‘I see.’ She made a decision. ‘I shall take it. Can you have it delivered?’

‘Certainly, madam, at a time that’s convenient to you.’

Once the woman was dressed, she paid for the dress and gave Annie her address before leaving the shop with no word of thanks.

‘Stuck up piece!’ Susan growled under her breath as the door closed behind her.

Annie giggled. ‘I agree, but you know what they say, “the customer is always right”, and at least we’ve made our first sale. I was beginning to think no one was going to come in today.’