he snapped. ‘You women can’t just pick and choose what shift you’re going to do. It messes up my schedules.’ He took a deep breath and hugged his clipboard, his cold eyes magnified by the thick lenses in his glasses. ‘What’s the matter with her?’
‘Women’s trouble,’ she said shortly, knowing it would shut him up.
He went puce and couldn’t look at her. ‘I’ll have to inform Mr Goldman of her absence. This is most irregular – especially as this is her first day.’
‘You do that.’ Sally took off her lightweight jacket and sat down. Simmons was still hovering. ‘Is there something else, Mr Simmons, only I need to get on?’
‘Is it true that Mrs Turner is your mother?’
There was a glint of something in his eyes which Sally didn’t like, and she coolly returned his stare. ‘It is. Why? Is it important?’
‘Mr Goldman and Mr Solomon seem to think so. What’s so special about your family, Miss Turner? First you get a letter of recommendation from Solomon which gives you a raise in salary and a management position, and then your mother is assigned straight to the cutting tables. She has no proper experience, and I’ve been told by Mr Solomon that she will have to be supervised, which means taking someone off a more important job to make sure she doesn’t make costly errors. What’s going on, Miss Turner?’
‘I have no idea,’ she said on a sigh. ‘Why don’t you ask my mother when she comes in? I’m sure she’ll be delighted to put you in the picture.’
He eyed her belligerently then turned away and started harrying two latecomers.
Sally pushed her chair into the table and grimly checked her machine. Florrie hadn’t even bothered to show her face yet, but already she was causing trouble – and Sally wished with all her might that she’d stayed in London.
* * *
It was two o’clock and Peggy had finally finished cleaning the downstairs. She was about to begin on the bedrooms when Florrie appeared on the landing dressed in a tight skirt, high-heeled shoes and an almost diaphanous blouse. To Peggy’s mind she didn’t look at all as if she was on her way to work – unless it was on a street corner. ‘Lunch is over,’ she said curtly. ‘I’ve put some bread and marg under a plate for you in the kitchen. The tea’s stewed and rather weak, but you can warm up the pot on the range.’
‘I’ll eat in the factory canteen,’ said Florrie through a vast yawn. ‘Where is this flamin’ factory, anyway? Sally ain’t left no note or nothing.’
Peggy told her. ‘Ernie’s playing out in the back garden if you want to see him before you go to work,’ she added.
‘Nah. I’m running late as it is. I’ll see ’im tonight.’
Peggy watched her run down the stairs to the hall, and winced as the front door slammed behind her. ‘I wish to God I could get rid of her,’ she muttered crossly, ‘but as she’s Sally’s mother, I suppose I’ll just have to put up with her. But the minute Sally leaves, that woman’s out of here.’
‘Talking to yourself, me darling? First sign of madness, you know.’ Jim wandered out of the bathroom freshly shaved and looking very handsome.
‘Is that right?’ she retorted. ‘I’ll tell you what, Jim Reilly, it’s not my sanity you should be worrying about – it’s my rapidly decreasing patience. If you flirt with that woman again, she won’t be the only one on her backside in the street.’
He grabbed hold of her and gave her a resounding kiss. ‘I love it when you get all jealous and fiery,’ he said with a grin. ‘How about a bit of a cuddle while the house is quiet?’
‘Get away with you,’ she said, pushing against him. ‘You can’t get round me like that. I know you too well.’
‘But Peg, you know you’re the only woman for me.’
‘I’m the only one who’s had to put up with you for over twenty years,’ she replied, trying hard to maintain her tetchiness and not giggle.
‘And to be sure, my love, we’ll still be together another twenty.’ He kissed her again. ‘Are you sure you don’t want a cuddle?’
‘Quite sure. I’ve got work to do.’
‘Oh, well, I suppose I can’t win ’em all,’ he said without rancour, as he headed for the stairs.
‘I’ve made an appointment at the Billeting Office for four thirty,’ she called after him. ‘We’re meeting Sally there, so don’t be late.’