going to take you to my shop here in Kensington today. I think you will find it very different to the shop we have back at home and I hope you will find it interesting.’
Crossing to the front door, he opened it and gazed up and down the foggy street then taking a solid gold fob watch from his waistcoat pocket he tutted impatiently. ‘I ordered a horse and carriage to be here for nine o’clock prompt,’ he grumbled, but at that moment the sound of horses’ hooves clattering on the cobbled street reached them and seconds later a carriage drew to a halt outside.
‘Ah, here we are.’ He quickly tucked away the heavy gold watch and chain and politely stepped aside for Amy to precede him. They then descended the steps and boarded the carriage. Amy had to pinch her wrist to make herself believe that this was really happening, for somehow she knew that this would be a day she would never forget.
Chapter Twelve
The journey through the labyrinth of streets was nowhere near as interesting as the one of the day before, for the smog restricted their vision to a few yards. Every now and again, pedestrians appeared out of the mist like ghosts, but slowly the air began to clear. Eventually they stopped outside a smart shopfront, and after helping Amy down from the carriage, Mr Forrester paid the cabbie and she watched the carriage immediately rattle away.
Her employer pointed to the shop window with pride. ‘This is Josephine’s Millinery,’ he told her. ‘And if you look in the window you will find a number of your designs displayed there.’
A shiver of pleasure rippled through her as Amy saw some of her hats proudly perched on fine hat-stands that showed them off to their best advantage. The window display was by far the finest she had ever seen, and she studied it carefully, determined to take some of the ideas home with her. A length of blue silk was attractively draped down the back of the display, making it impossible to see beyond the hats into the actual shop. Amy liked the idea instantly, for she realised that it lent privacy to the customers as they tried on the different styles. The silk continued all along the bottom of the window, and here and there were colourful silk flowers, all reflecting the shades of the hats, laid in loose bunches and tied with brightly coloured ribbons. All in all, it was an extremely eye-catching display, and Amy was deeply impressed. Taking her elbow, Mr Forrester led her inside and as they entered a bell tinkled merrily above the door. Immediately, a pretty young woman came to greet them, introducing herself as Miss Drake, the manageress. While she bustled away to fetch them tea, a portly little gentleman with a pair of gold pince-nez spectacles perched on the end of his nose appeared from behind a rich brocade curtain that disguised a doorway to the rear of the shop. Hand outstretched, he quickly made his way to Mr Forrester and shook his hand, and then as his eyes came to rest on Amy, he greeted her warmly.
‘You must be Miss Ernshaw,’ he said. ‘The young lady I have heard so much about who is responsible for our recent rise in sales.’
Amy flushed with pleasure.
‘Yes, George, this is indeed the young lady I told you about,’ Mr Forrester nodded. ‘Amy, I am pleased to introduce you to Mr George Harvey. This gentleman keeps my London businesses running like clockwork for me and I’m sure that you two will get along famously. During our stay you will be spending a lot of time here and I’m sure that you will learn from the experience. I am happy to say that many very fashionable ladies favour this particular establishment. In fact, Mr Harvey and the lady manageresses we have employed have built up a very elite clientèle over the years. I feel that if you actually see first-hand the styles that are favoured, and listen to the requests of the ladies, it will stand you in very good stead.’
‘Yes, sir.’ Amy bobbed her knee and then whilst Mr Forrester and Mr Harvey disappeared into the back room to look at the account books, she was left to study the shop. It was a luxurious room decorated mainly in rich shades of burgundy and gold. The walls were covered in velvet flocked paper, and hung upon them almost everywhere she looked were