Polly nodded, took the toddlers back to their mother and a grateful Doreen, and went to wait on Mrs. Milliken and a succession of ill-tempered customers. Difficult Mrs. Jones-White came in, followed by Mrs. Aberfoyle and her nippy little Pekingese, and elderly Miss Pink, who was notorious for asking to examine every single piece of merchandise in every single drawer and then not buying anything.
“Every unpleasant person in London has decided to shop at Townsend Brothers today,” Doreen whispered on her way to the workroom.
“I know,” Polly said, wrapping Miss Gill’s purchases. She’d told Polly she wanted them sent and then changed her mind and decided to take them with her. It took Polly till closing to wrap them all, by which time Miss Gill had changed her mind again.
“Thank heavens,” Doreen said when the closing bell rang, and began covering her counter.
Polly put on her coat and was reaching for her hat when Miss Snelgrove came over. “You waited on Mrs. Jones-White earlier?”
“Yes, she purchased two pairs of stockings. She wanted them sent,” Polly said, thinking, Please don’t say she’s changed her mind and wants her purchases wrapped, too.
“Mrs. Jones-Smith has decided she wishes—”
“Ohh!” Doreen gave a strangled cry and rushed past Polly’s counter toward the lifts.
“Where are you going, Miss Timmons?” Miss Snelgrove said, annoyed, and then, in an entirely different tone of voice, “Oh, my!” and started after her toward the lift.
A young woman was stepping off it. She moved stiffly, as if she hurt, and her arm was in a sling. It was Marjorie.
Here Comes the Navy—with the Army!
—HEADLINE OF STORY ABOUT THE EVACUATION OF DUNKIRK, JUNE 1940
London—25 October 1940
MARJORIE STEPPED OFF THE LIFT AND STARTED ACROSS the floor toward Polly, who was still putting on her coat. “Marjorie!” Polly breathed and ran over to her.
Doreen got there first. “When did you get out of hospital?” she was asking. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
Marjorie ignored Doreen. “Oh, Polly!” she said. “I’m so glad to see you!” She looked dreadful, thin and with dark shadows under her eyes, and when Polly embraced her, she flinched. “Sorry,” she said. “I’m afraid I’ve got four broken ribs.”
“And no business being here,” Polly said. “You don’t look as though you should even be out of hospital.”
“I’m not,” Marjorie said and laughed shakily.
Miss Snelgrove came over. “What are you doing here, Marjorie? Your doctor should never have allowed—”
“He didn’t,” Marjorie said. “I… it was my idea to come.” She put her hand to her forehead, swaying slightly.
“Miss Sebastian, fetch her a chair,” Miss Snelgrove ordered, and Polly started toward her counter, but Marjorie clutched her sleeve.
“No, please, Polly,” she pleaded. “Stay with me.”
“I’ll fetch it,” Doreen volunteered.
“Thank you,” Marjorie said, still holding on to Polly. Doreen left, and Marjorie turned to Miss Snelgrove. “Could you possibly go tell Mr. Witherill I’m here? I’d intended to go up to Personnel to speak to him about coming back, but I’m afraid I’m not feeling—”
“You mustn’t worry over that,” Miss Snelgrove said kindly. “I can assure you your place will be here whenever you’re ready to return.” Doreen brought the chair, and Marjorie sank into it. “And you’re to take as much time as you need.”
“Thank you, but if I could just speak to Mr. Witherill—”
“Certainly, my dear.” Miss Snelgrove patted her hand and started toward the lifts.
“What did you do to her?” Doreen said, looking wonderingly after her. “She’s been an absolute bear these last few weeks.” She turned to Marjorie. “You still haven’t told us what you were doing in Jermyn Street.”
“Doreen, could I possibly have a glass of water?” Marjorie said faintly. “I’m sorry to be such a bother…”
“I’ll bring it straightaway,” Doreen said and scurried off.
“Oh, you shouldn’t have come,” Polly said, concerned.
“I had to.” She clutched Polly’s arm. “I sent her for the water so I could speak to you alone. I’ve been so worried. Did you get into trouble?”
“Trouble?”
“Because I wasn’t here to tell Miss Snelgrove you weren’t coming in,” she said, near tears. “I’m so sorry. I only remembered this morning. I heard two of the nurses talking, and one of them said she needed to leave early and asked the other to cover for her, and I thought, Oh, no, I was supposed to cover for Polly if she wasn’t back on time Monday. I came as soon as I could. I had to sneak out of hospital—”