The Fashion Designer by Nancy Moser

Author:Nancy Moser [Moser, Nancy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781683228097
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2018-06-15T04:00:00+00:00

It was awkward walking back to her flat after work with Gert in tow, but it felt good to think of someone else for a while. At least Gert was physically safe. And Gert would not ask Henrietta about her adventure at the bank or the amount she had deposited there.

“I really appreciate you doing this for me, Miss Henrietta. I would have been fine sleeping in the sewing room.”

“Nonsense. I have the room and am glad to share it.” As they passed street vendors, she thought about dinner. Now she had a guest. All she had at home were remnants of bread and cheese, the roast beef already eaten. She would have to splurge.

She bought two cones of roasted chestnuts, four apples, and a large pail of some lovely smelling stew. She even remembered to buy matches and a few pieces of firewood.

“Here, let me pay half.”

“No need,” Henrietta said. “You are my guest.”

“Then let me help in another way.” She walked into the bakery where Henrietta had been given the bread. Henrietta was down to the last part of the loaf. She followed Gert inside.

“Hello again.” Henrietta smiled at Mr. Cody.

But he only had eyes for Gert. “Did Frankie do that to you?” He came around the counter and lifted Gert’s face for a better look.

“Of course he did, Da.”

Da?

“I shoulda killed ’im when he came looking for ya.”

“He was here?”

“Said you’d had a row and he was sorry. I shoulda known he’d gone too far and hurt you.”

“You didn’t tell him where I work, did you? Cuz I’s never told ’im the where of it.”

“I didn’t say a word. You’d told me not to.”

So this has happened before. “Should you be contacting the police about him?” Henrietta asked. “Is he dangerous?”

“More stupid than dangerous,” Gert said.

“But he hit you, and since it isn’t the first time…”

Gert pointed at a roll in a case, and her father handed it to her—and gave one to Henrietta too.

Gert took a bite before answering. “Here’s the deal of it. I love ’im, and he loves me. He’s a good man most a the time. But when he drinks with his mates, he forgets that. I’ll go back to ’im. I always do.”

“Not too fast on that,” her father said.

“Not too fast.” She nodded toward Henrietta. “Da, this is my friend, Miss Henrietta Kidd.”

He smiled. “Miss Kidd and I had the pleasure last evening. Did you enjoy your dinner?”

“Very much so.” She looked to Gert. “Your father took pity on me and gave me the gift of some food. He saved me.”

His face grew stern. “I want to save you, Gert. I’d like it better if you just left the louse. You can’t let him beat on you—”

Gert raised a hand, stopping his words. “Trust me, Da. Please.”

He shrugged as though they’d had this conversation before. “Where you staying?” Before she could answer, he pointed to the floor above the shop. “We could find a place for ya on the floor somewhere, or John-John could give up his portion of the bed.

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