Page 19 of A Shop Girl’s Christmas (Pennington’s Department Store #3)
Elizabeth stood from her chair beside Esther’s bed and walked to the window. ‘Let’s open this window, shall we? It’s awfully stuffy in here.’
‘You can blame Lawrence for that. He’s told Helen to ensure the windows are kept shut as though a breeze might pass across me and send my blood pressure spiralling.’
Elizabeth smiled through her concern for Esther’s current state. ‘Well, be that as it may, I’m a firm believer in fresh air, regardless of the time of year. We’ll keep it open for just a few minutes.’
Esther sighed as she pulled herself a little higher against the pillows. ‘Shall we discuss some of the plans I’ve drawn up for you?’ She reached for the sketchpad that lay open on the bedspread. ‘I’m confident Amelia will understand everything I’ve drawn and my written instructions.’
Elizabeth nodded, her obsession with the window displays had lessened more and more, when they should have been growing in Esther’s absence. ‘I’m sure she will. I’ve seen a huge improvement in Amelia’s confidence and assertiveness the longer she continues to work with you. You’ve produced quite the apprentice.’
‘She is most certainly an evolving advantage. In fact,’ Esther lifted her study from the sketchpad and met Elizabeth’s gaze, ‘I think you shouldn’t hesitate in giving her more responsibility. I could quite possibly be away from the store for months once the baby is born. Amelia is more than capable of voicing her own ideas and, once she believes you’ll listen to her, I think she will surprise you.’
‘No surprises needed. I’ve been watching her and am very pleased with what I’ve seen. She’s excelled at every task each of us have set her, and now it’s just a case of encouraging her own self-belief. Something we could all do with at times.’
‘Indeed. Well, I’m very glad to hear you are happy with Amelia’s work, it settles a little of my guilt for having to leave earlier than planned. So, here’s what I have in mind for the east window…’
Elizabeth’s mind drifted to Joseph as Esther spoke and, no matter how hard she tried to focus on her friend’s words, Esther’s voice faded. Sickness rolled through Elizabeth’s stomach whenever she considered what Stephen Gower might, or might not, uncover. Now that Joseph had promised her they would begin to think about making their own family once Lillian’s killer had been found, she worried more than ever that the arrest might never happen.
‘Elizabeth?’
She started, a smile automatically curving her lips as she looked at Esther. ‘Yes?’
‘I’m entirely convinced you haven’t heard a word I’ve said. What’s the matter? Is it something at the store bothering you? Joseph?’
Elizabeth sighed. Esther was so mature, astute and wise, there was little point in Elizabeth even trying to hide her stresses and strains. Her dear friend would be more upset should Elizabeth not confide in her than any problem she might present Esther with.
She sat down. ‘After Joseph practically accosted Mr Gower at the store and frogmarched him into my office, he’s been on worse tenterhooks than ever.
‘I have no idea how he’ll react should Mr Gower say he can’t do anything to help. I’m feeling less and less of a wife to him, Esther. I should be able to allay his fears or provoke his confidence, but I am at a complete loss of how to help him.’
Esther stared for a long moment before dropping her gaze to the sketchpad, her lips pulled into a straight line. Slowly, her friend raised her head, a soft apology in her hazel eyes. ‘I’ve asked my sister-in-law to support you and Joseph through this during my absence.’
‘Oh, no. You’ve told Cornelia about our troubles? But that was unnecessary. The poor woman has enough on her plate, from what you’ve told me.’
‘Yes, but she’s also strong, Elizabeth.’ Determination darkened Esther’s gaze. ‘Strong, passionate and knows when wrong is wrong. She will be a support to you. I also think you need to lean a little more on Amelia, too. Together, the four of us could help one another through all that we are struggling with at the moment.’
‘You cannot expect me to lean on Amelia as I would you.’ Elizabeth was incredulous. ‘Do you really think me so weak that I need an army around me in order to stand side by side with my husband?’
‘Don’t we all?’
Surprised that Esther would admit such a thing, Elizabeth dropped her arms and turned away from her, a rare nervousness twisting her stomach. How could it be possible that the awful murder of Joseph’s first wife threatened to harm her and Joseph’s marriage today? She had stood up to her tyrannical father for years, had learned to live without the love of her mother and, eventually, brought her dream of running Pennington’s to fruition.
All done alone.
Now it seemed she needed a circle of support around her to help Joseph and keep their marriage strong.
‘There’s no shame in asking for help, you know,’ Esther said softly. ‘It took me a while to accept that, but it’s true. Leaning on other women, family, friends, even work colleagues. It’s only dented pride that gets in the way of us having a way to ease some of the pressure of our problems. Won’t you at least think about letting Cornelia help you? Even if it’s a step too far to involve Amelia?’
Elizabeth resumed her seat beside the bed, a flicker of hope lighting inside her. ‘It would certainly help to have someone to talk to about this while you’re away. Of course, I know I can visit you anytime, but it feels so different without you at the store.’ She smiled wryly. ‘I fear we’ve become faster friends than I intended when we first met.’
Esther grinned. ‘And I, for one, am glad. We are friends, Elizabeth. Good friends. What is the harm in both of us making new ones? Women need to support one another in this world. Men don’t have the same cares and concerns we do. They don’t react to problems in the same way either. Women talk and discuss, more often than not, with candid honesty. Plus…’ Esther’s eyes twinkled with mischief. ‘It seems Cornelia is striking up quite the friendship with Mr Gower. Who knows if he might one day be a part of our lives on a more intimate standing?’
Curious, Elizabeth leaned a little closer. ‘What are you saying?’
‘I think there is something there between them. A spark of attraction, maybe. Cornelia intends to ask him for some advice regarding her divorce hearing. She wouldn’t do that after David’s betrayal unless she sensed something good and true in Mr Gower. Don’t you agree?’
Hope rose once more, and Elizabeth smiled. ‘Yes, I think I do.’
‘Good. Then you’ll share something of your troubles with Cornelia? Let her help you speak to Mr Gower. Maybe it would be beneficial for her to act as a medium between you. That way, she can tell you what Mr Gower has uncovered, and you can tell Joseph in the hope that he doesn’t put too much pressure on Mr Gower directly.’
‘Yes. That could definitely work. I don’t want Joseph to be under any false hope. It will be the undoing of him if his ambitions of finding this man are quashed too soon. He needs the time to deal with the outcome, whatever that might be. I love him so much, Esther. I’m his wife and it will be me he will have to always lean on. Of that much, I can promise him.’
‘Of course.’
Feeling better than she had for days, Elizabeth picked up Esther’s sketchpad and purposefully pushed worries about the investigation to the back of her mind. ‘So, tell me more about these designs.’