Page 23 of A Shop Girl’s Christmas (Pennington’s Department Store #3)

Elizabeth entered Pennington’s design department, Esther’s latest sketches and instructions in her hands. She scanned the moderately sized room, pleased that the team had grown from four workers to ten since her father had passed Pennington’s reins to hers almost two years before. It showed the progression and success she’d brought to the store despite his disparagement and scorn over the years.

She was all she had known herself to be and had proven it accordingly… much to her father’s undoubted chagrin. Edward Pennington still felt no immediate need for innovation. Instead, he held fast for a continued class divide. Would prefer that Pennington’s only served the upper class and gentry. If the store were to have a visit from royalty at some point in the future, Lord only knew what it would do to his heart.

Elizabeth approached Amelia, where she worked at a sewing machine. In her early twenties, quiet and unassuming, Amelia could be mistaken for a young woman who wished to work her days at Pennington’s, do as good as a job as possible, and then return home her family for the evening. However, Elizabeth had an eye – an instinct – for ambition. Especially in women.

And Amelia had a recognisable spark in her eyes when she worked. A discreet, yet tangible desire to impress, not only Elizabeth, but Esther, too. If Amelia wanted to prove herself valuable to the store, Elizabeth would make sure she had every opportunity to do so.

She smiled. ‘Amelia. Good morning.’

The young woman turned from her work, her pretty brown eyes dazed with concentration before she blinked and immediately moved to stand. ‘Oh, Miss Pennington. Good morning.’

‘Please, don’t get up. I just came to give you these. I had every intention of leaving them on your table with a note. You are at work early this morning.’

Amelia blushed. ‘Yes, I am most mornings. Especially with Esther being away.’

Elizabeth held out Esther’s papers. ‘I spent some time with her yesterday and she gave me these for you. They are some additions and adjustments she’s made to the window designs she knows you’re familiar with. She is still working despite her confinement, but I doubt you are any more surprised by that than I am.’

Amelia’s flashed a rare grin, her gaze softening. ‘No, I’m not. Esther is remarkable. She’s taught me so much.’

‘And it’s because she’s taught you so well that I have an opportunity for you that I hope you’ll accept.’

‘Oh?’

‘How would you like to become the temporary head of the design department?’

Her eyes widened. ‘I couldn’t possibly—’

‘You can and, if you’d like the position, it’s yours until Esther returns. If she returns.’

‘But—’

‘Amelia, you must start to believe in yourself as I do. Here, take a look at these sketches.’ Elizabeth sat on a stool next to her and spread out Esther’s designs. ‘Now, tell me you don’t know exactly what Esther would like to be done and how she envisions the windows will look.’

Amelia hesitated, her slightly panicked gaze lingering on Elizabeth for a moment, before she slid her focus to the papers. Her brow furrowed as she reached out her fingers to slide them over the designs. Elizabeth bit back a smile as Amelia’s gaze darted back and forth, bottom lip pulled between her teeth, her gathering excitement clear to see.

She lifted her eyebrows. ‘Well?’

Amelia nodded, her gaze still on the papers as she flipped between them. ‘These alterations are perfect. They will make all the difference. Esther has such an amazing ability to immediately see where we can merge departments. I have no idea how she does it so seamlessly.’

‘Which is exactly why I made her the head of the department, and you’re well on your way to following in her footsteps. Permanently. I want you to begin having more confidence in yourself. There is every possibility of you becoming equally as talented as Esther. You are under her tutelage, after all.’ She touched Amelia’s hand and the young woman faced her. ‘Esther is prematurely confined, the baby is not due until March, but she wants to continue to work as much as possible, which means you and I, possibly you alone occasionally, will visit her at home. That way, you can ask her all the questions you want as you work.’

Amelia slowly exhaled, relief clear in her eyes. ‘Oh, in that case…’

‘You’ll take the position as head of the department?’

Amelia glanced at the papers again, before pulling back her shoulders and giving Elizabeth a firm nod. ‘I will.’

‘Excellent.’ Elizabeth smiled. ‘That’s settled then.’

Abruptly standing, Elizabeth walked to the wall of windows that gave in enough daylight in the summer to light the room, but in December, the newly installed electric lights were entirely relied upon.

‘It must get gloomy working down here in the winter months. I hope you don’t find it too hard.’

‘Oh, not at all. In fact, I would rather be at Pennington’s than at home twenty-four hours a day.’

Immediately concerned, Elizabeth turned. ‘Is something not as it should be at home… if you don’t mind my asking?’

Amelia cheeks reddened a second time and she shook her head. ‘I shouldn’t have said anything, I’m sorry.’

‘Don’t be.’ Elizabeth resumed her seat beside the younger woman and gently touched her arm. ‘I like my staff to be happy, Amelia. In and out of the store. It’s my mission that Pennington’s is a place where people aspire to work and, once they secure a position, they have no desire to leave. For that to happen, myself and Mr Carter will do all we can to ensure our staff lead the best lives possible. Professionally and personally.’

Amelia stared into Elizabeth’s eyes, her hesitation clear. She swallowed. ‘I often feel I have so much to be ashamed of.’

‘Ashamed? Whatever do you mean? Your work is exemplary, your colleagues like you and Esther couldn’t be prouder of your progress.’

‘I don’t mean at the store. Pennington’s is everything to me. My saving grace. I am so happy when I’m here. You must believe that.’

Elizabeth’s concern deepened and she made a silent vow to spend more time with Amelia until she got to the bottom of whatever it was bothering her at home. ‘I do believe it, which is why I am concerned for anything marring that happiness. Now, know that I am here, my office door always open, should you wish to speak to me. About anything. You have so much to be proud of and, in my experience, shame is a wasted emotion. Life is for the taking, Amelia. Let past mistakes and abuses go. It’s the only way to survive.’

Amelia’s gaze swept over Elizabeth’s face before her eyes darkened with a spark of determination. She gave a firm nod. ‘I understand.’

‘Do you really?’

‘Yes.’

‘Good.’ Elizabeth stood. ‘Then I will leave you to work. I have some exciting plans for the New Year. Plans that will most definitely include you and could, quite possibly, change your life forever.’