Hot Pies on the Tram Car by Sheila Everett

Author:Sheila Everett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bonnier Publishing Fiction

PART TWO

FOURTEEN

THE tram car picked up fewer passengers at the Paradise stop in the early, blustery days of March 1926. The employment situation was increasingly grim. The main news in January was that Allied troops were at last preparing to leave the Rhineland Territory, seven years after the end of the Great War. This event was not approved of by some politicians, in and out of government, who expressed their reservations as to the outcome. Other headlines this month shocked the nation: the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon was destroyed by fire, although thankfully, ancient relics were saved. There were calls for a national fund to build a new theatre. All were urged to contribute, but many would be unable to do so.

Rose Marie had a travelling companion, Lilli, in the mornings. You didn’t discuss your private lives on the tram, she thought, but she knew how much Lilli missed her daughter. Yvette was settled with her father, but there was no likelihood yet of her mother being allowed to visit. Lilli was being punished for leaving Sam and running away with their daughter.

Rose Marie received promotion in the new year. She joined the older women in their small workroom, dealing with alterations and delicate beadwork for the wealthiest clients. She was encouraged to try her hand at designing, and her aptitude was praised by her mentors. Yet she missed the camaraderie of her contemporaries in the workshop. There was a worrying rumour going round that if workers left Belling’s employ they would not be replaced.

Florence and Manny had spent the months since their marriage making the changes to the pie shop. She was very proud of her gleaming new kitchen and the splendid New World gas cooker with the double oven. The eating area at the front was crowded most days, but prices had to remain at their lowest. They had delayed taking on extra help because of this.

Florence worried sometimes whether she had been too impulsive in spending her windfall, if it was the right time to expand the business. Then she looked at Manny’s beaming face, and saw how he had grown in confidence and proved himself in the partnership.

Although Florence missed Josefina, she knew it was for the best when Stella took a lease out on a house in Bayswater and set herself up as a singing teacher in the large front room. Josefina had to change schools, but now her mother looked after her in their own home.

One Friday evening, when most of the clearing-up was done, Florence took off her rubber apron, wiped it clean and hung it on its peg.

‘Can you finish up, Manny?’ she requested. ‘Then I can get our supper on. It’s just the two of us, with Rose Marie spending the weekend at Russ’s. What d’you fancy?’

‘You look weary. Why don’t I get us some fish and chips, after I’m done?’ he asked.

‘Your night for the pub, remember – yes, that’s a good idea. Thank you!’

She was bending to place the plates in the warming oven in the kitchen upstairs, when he arrived with their instant meal.

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