The Hat Girl's Heartbreak: a BRAND NEW heartbreaking, page-turning historical novel from Lindsey Hutchinson for 2022 by Lindsey Hutchinson

Author:Lindsey Hutchinson [Hutchinson, Lindsey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

The following morning, over tea and before work for the day began, Ella and Ivy were telling Katy, Thora and Freda all about their evening.

‘I’ve heard about them men who sing like women,’ Freda said.

Freda began to explain with, ‘Don’t they have their do-dahs removed when they’m little kids?’

Thora put in, ‘That’s what I should have done to my old man – with two house bricks!’

Katy and Freda burst out laughing, then laughed harder at Ella and Ivy’s shocked expressions.

‘We’d best get the shop open, we can’t sell anything with a locked door,’ Ivy said. She and Katy went to the shop area and Thora and Freda went to the workroom, while Ella gathered the cups and washed them up in Ivy’s kitchen. Then she returned to the back room to work on some new designs.

It was around mid-morning when Katy came rushing through. ‘Someone wants to see you, Ella.’

Ella frowned as she got to her feet. ‘Who is it?’

‘A Mr Nicholas Gerard and – oh, Ella – he’s really handsome!’ Katy answered dreamily.

Ella drew in a breath, stepped to the mirror on the wall and patted her hair in place. She pinched her cheeks to give them a little colour, then smoothing down her long fawn skirt, she nodded.

‘Mr Gerard, how very nice to see you again!’ Ella gushed as she held out her hand in greeting.

‘You also, Miss Bancroft,’ Nicholas replied, giving her a beaming smile before shaking her outstretched hand. ‘I trust you enjoyed your evening at Paul and Imelda’s.’

‘Yes, indeed.’

‘Paul recommended I visit for a new top hat, mine has seen better days, I’m afraid.’

‘Of course. Katy will be happy to see to all your needs,’ Ella said.

‘I was hoping – that is – no matter,’ Nicholas blustered.

Katy pulled out a range of toppers in different sizes for him to try. ‘I have a small head, although some might disagree with that,’ he said as the first he tried slipped down to cover his green eyes. Removing it, he saw Ella turn to leave the room. ‘I wonder if you would help me choose, Miss Bancroft.’

Ella blushed prettily as she turned back to him. ‘Of course.’

Katy watched the interaction between the two closely and sighed longingly. Nicholas Gerard only had eyes for Ella, it was so obvious even a blind man could see. They chatted long after the topper was bought and paid for, during which time Katy served two other customers.

Eventually, Nicholas said, ‘I’m sorry, I seem to have taken up a lot of your time.’

‘That’s all right, please don’t concern yourself,’ Ella answered with a smile which made the gold flecks in her eyes twinkle.

‘I’m only concerned that I must leave you now,’ he said in a whisper.

Ella blushed to the roots of her hair, and holding out her hand once more, she said, ‘Thank you for your custom and we hope to see you again.’

Kissing the back of her hand rather than shaking it, Nicholas then held her gaze before turning to leave.

‘Mr Gerard – don’t forget your hat!’ Ella called as he reached the door.

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