Page 26 of A Shop Girl’s Christmas (Pennington’s Department Store #3)

The day of the court hearing broke clear and cold, the sun low in a cloudless sky. As the children walked with Helen around the circular pavement of The Circus, towards school, Cornelia turned away from her bedroom window.

She approached her open wardrobe, flutters of nervous trepidation swirling in her stomach. Today she’d learn if she was to lose her children to their father, but she could not falter or doubt. She must be stronger than she’d ever been before, or else risk falling apart completely.

If the hearing brought the result she wanted, nothing would stop her from returning briefly to their home in Oxfordshire and bringing everything she and the children wanted back to Bath. The day she’d left David, she’d escaped with as few things as possible.

Once she was at liberty to act, she would build a new future for Alfred and Francis. Every decision would be made for their benefit, safe in the knowledge David could no longer sabotage her endeavours. He was free to build a life with the honourable Sophie Hughes and Cornelia would be free to build a life with her boys.

She scrutinised her few clothes and extracted a grey tweed jacket and skirt. She wandered to the tall, free-standing mirror at the side of the room and held the garments in front of her, studying her selection.

Professional, yet demure.

If she teamed it with her favourite black hat, adorned with grey feathers and white berries, black shoes and purse, the ensemble would assuredly present a woman taking control of her life. A mother and a wronged, but formidable, wife.

She quickly dressed.

When she’d woke that morning, the quietness of the house had hung over her like an ominous shadow. Now, her first layers of armour would soon be in place. Her lawyer presenting David’s catalogue of misdeeds would be her artillery and, with Lawrence at the courthouse, Cornelia would have all the army she needed.

She sat at the dressing table in front of one of the windows and carefully arranged her hair, then put on a light covering of make-up. With a curt nod at her reflection, Cornelia picked up her hat and purse and left the bedroom.

As she passed Lawrence and Esther’s bedroom door, the urgency in Esther’s tone caused Cornelia to stop. She pressed her back against the wall and strained to hear the hushed conversation within.

Late yesterday evening, the doctor had refused Esther’s plea to attend the hearing. Now, it seemed, her brother and Esther squabbled… over Cornelia.

‘If David wins custody, Lawrence, we have to be prepared for Cornelia’s despair. Can you imagine how you would feel to be separated from Rose and Nathaniel? I am yet to give birth to this little one, but I already love your children enough to know I would hate to be away from them for even a day or two, let alone weeks.’

‘I know, and I will care for Cornelia, if the worst should happen.’ Lawrence’s tone was resolute. ‘But David will not win custody of the boys today. He’s done too much wrong for a judge not to rule in Cornelia’s favour.’

‘And if he does?’

‘He won’t.’

‘Neither of us can guarantee that. How can we?’

The concern in Esther’s voice caused Cornelia to feel fresh guilt at what she was putting her brother and his wife through.

She hesitated and then knocked on the door. Esther’s and Lawrence’s voices immediately fell silent as Cornelia entered.

Her brother glanced at his wife before facing Cornelia, his cheeks mottled and his jaw tight. ‘How are you faring, sister?’

‘Very well.’ She walked farther into the room, her fingers tight on the brim of her hat. ‘I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation.’ She looked at them. ‘Please, neither of you must worry. After all, I’ve sought advice from a lawyer and a former sergeant of Scotland Yard.’ She forced a smile. ‘I couldn’t be more prepared for whatever might happen this morning.’

Cornelia stood firm, despite the awful fear pulsing through her that the next time she returned to the house, she might be packing the children’s belongings for transportation to wherever David might wish to take her beloved boys.

Admiration gleamed in Lawrence’s eyes. ‘Exactly.’ He turned to Esther and slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. ‘See? You must trust that all will be well. Cornelia is a Culford. She’s made of strong stuff. Isn’t that right, Cornelia?’

‘Absolutely.’

Esther bristled and gently shook Lawrence’s arm from her shoulders. ‘I didn’t doubt that for a moment. Of course, you’re strong, Cornelia. You’re a woman, after all.’ She shot Lawrence a pointed look. ‘But I can’t help worrying that justice won’t be done today, and David’s lawyer will find a way to undermine all that yours might say.’

‘Mr Hartford was encouraged by everything I’ve told him.’ Cornelia gave a dismissive wave, praying Lawrence or Esther hadn’t notice the way her fingers shook. She quickly lowered her hand. ‘I honestly believe he will win the divorce and the boys for me and then, at last, we can all move forward.’

Lawrence picked up his tie from the bed. ‘All the same, I wish there was something more we could add, to ensure David has no case.’

Cornelia pursed her lips. She dreaded to think what Lawrence’s response would be once he learned of the deeper abuse she’d suffered at David’s hands. Lord only knew how he would react, but today was not about Lawrence, Esther or even David. It was all about Alfred and Francis.

Cornelia cleared her throat and purposefully changed the subject. ‘Now, how is Elizabeth? Did you speak to her yesterday?’

‘Yes, she stopped by the house.’ Esther sighed, her hand slowly circling her bump. ‘She is looking so tired and strained. I fear my leaving Pennington’s for the time being hasn’t helped.’

Cornelia sat beside her. ‘Maybe not, but you are dear friends and none of this is your fault.’

‘I know, and Elizabeth is happy to talk to you. She longs for Joseph’s complete happiness and fears such a thing impossible until Lillian’s killer is found, but she asks that you tread carefully with Mr Gower. The last thing she wants is for him to turn away from the investigation now that Joseph is pinning every hope on him.’

‘Every hope?’

Unease crept through Cornelia.

Esther stood, pressed a hand to her back and gently stretched. ‘Yes, but I’m sure Elizabeth will explain everything to you.’

‘Right. Well…’ Cornelia rose and walked towards the door. ‘I’m going downstairs and we will leave shortly, Lawrence. I’m not afraid of what might happen today, and neither should either of you be. Everything will be just fine.’

She left the room and walked downstairs, her mind reeling. Just as she reached the hallway, someone knocked at the front door.

Charles quickly appeared and Cornelia raised her hand to halt him. ‘I’ll answer it, Charles. I know you’re always in the middle of something or another.’ She smiled. ‘Let me deal with whoever this might be.’

‘As you wish, Miss Culford.’

Charles retreated and Cornelia walked to the door. Pulling it open, surprise made her step back. ‘Miss Pennington! Whatever are you doing here?’ Surely Elizabeth’s ears must have been burning? She quickly looked past Elizabeth to Esther’s assistant window dresser. ‘Amelia, isn’t it?’

The younger woman nodded, slightly blushing. ‘Yes.’

Elizabeth thrust a bouquet of yellow roses towards Cornelia. ‘We’ve come to offer our support. Here. For luck.’

‘Oh, they’re beautiful.’ Cornelia took the flowers, warmth spreading through her. ‘Thank you. We still have some time before we leave. Would you like to come in?’

The women entered the house and Cornelia closed the door.

‘Go upstairs to the drawing room. I’m sure Esther will be as pleased to see you as I am. Would you like some tea?’

‘No, thank you, we’re quite all right.’ Elizabeth looked at Amelia. ‘Amelia?’

Amelia nodded, her concerned gaze focused entirely on Cornelia.

Cornelia smiled at the younger woman. ‘I’m perfectly fine, you know. There’s no need to look so worried.’ She placed the flowers on a side table. ‘Let’s go upstairs.’

Cornelia led the way up the stairs and they entered the drawing room.

‘Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll tell Esther you’re here.’

Knocking on Lawrence and Esther’s bedroom door, Cornelia poked her head into the room.

‘Esther? Elizabeth and Amelia have called in. Would you be able to join us in the drawing room?’

Esther smiled. ‘I’m not surprised Elizabeth’s here. She always shows support to a member of staff having difficulties. I suspect she’s brought Amelia so we can talk some more about plans for the store. Elizabeth rarely stops working, regardless of the other troubles in her life.’ She turned to Lawrence who stood in front of the window, looking at something in the street. ‘Lawrence? Will you be joining us?’

‘No,’ he glanced at his wife. ‘I’ll leave you ladies to talk.’

Cornelia helped Esther from the bed and into her robe before leading the way into the drawing room.

As soon as they stepped into the room, Elizabeth patted the seat next to her on the settee. ‘Come and sit here, Cornelia. Oh, you are looking a little better than yesterday, Esther. I’m so pleased.’

The kindness in her employer’s invitation to sit beside her scattered Cornelia’s concerns as a rush of unity came over her. Could these women become more than her colleagues? She’d not heard a word from the women she’d thought of as friends in Oxfordshire. No doubt David had painted her in the worst light possible, making out she’d abandoned him and taken his children against their will.

She sat beside Elizabeth. ‘It’s very kind of you both to call.’

‘Well, from what Esther has told me about your cad of a husband, no luck will be needed in that courtroom today.’ Fiery determination burned in Elizabeth’s green gaze. She shot Esther a sly smile and faced Cornelia again. ‘The man appears to be unworthy of you and your children. The judge will see that as soon as look at… what is his name?’

‘David.’ Cornelia smiled at Elizabeth. ‘And I’m glad you think so.’

‘Don’t you?’ Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, challenge burning in her eyes and, in that moment, Cornelia understood she had but one choice. Either rise to the challenge or sink. She had no intention of sinking.

She gave a curt nod. ‘Of course.’

‘Good.’ Elizabeth slid a second look of triumph at Esther, who merely shook her head and rolled her eyes, a smile pulling at her lips. ‘So…’ Elizabeth faced Cornelia again. ‘As no luck is needed, we’re here to support you this morning, just as you are willing to support me and Joseph in finding the man who killed Lillian.’

Cornelia studied her employer. Her expression and tone could have been described as confident, even a little blasé. But Cornelia recognised an underlying uncertainty in Elizabeth. She saw that she was forcing herself not to falter, not even for a moment. Something Cornelia found herself practising more and more.

She shook her head. ‘Your troubles are different to mine, but by no means less distressing. I want to help you just as Esther would, were she able. I will do everything I can to work side by side with Mr Gower. Of course, I’m not sure he’ll want my help, but I will do my best to be your eyes and ears, leaving you to comfort your husband and run Pennington’s.’

‘Excellent. I’m pleased to have your help, especially if it means my friend does as she’s told and rests until her precious babe is born.’ Elizabeth smiled at Esther. ‘As Amelia and I will be working more closely than ever now, I have also confided my problems to her. The way I see it, if Joseph is on a one-man mission to bring this killer to justice, I am on a four-woman mission to do the same.’

Amelia straightened in her seat, her brown eyes darkening. ‘Absolutely. You see, Miss Culford—’

‘Cornelia, please.’

The younger woman smiled. ‘Cornelia… Elizabeth and Esther have done so much for me – and I don’t just mean elevating my position at Pennington’s or my involvement with the suffragists. They’ve taught me about care and kindness, love and commitment to others.’

‘You didn’t know those things before you came to Pennington’s?’ Cornelia asked, softly. Amelia was most certainly a quieter member of staff at the store, but she was also one of the most pleasant and amiable, too. ‘You are one of the loveliest people I’ve come to know.’

‘That’s very nice of you to say, but I also feel a lot of distrust.’ She glanced at Elizabeth and then Esther, who nodded encouragingly. ‘But I’m sure the longer I work at Pennington’s, the more I’ll believe there really are many good people in the world.’

Elizabeth squeezed Amelia’s hand. ‘You will and, considering the plans I have in mind for you, you will soon meet a lot more people than you’ll ever find in Pennington’s.’

Amelia frowned, but Elizabeth tightened her lips, as though she’d said too much.

Cornelia looked at the trio of women around her and thought that she had never before felt such accord. Such strong, unshakeable unity between four women who were once strangers but had joined to become an unbending force.

‘So, that’s decided then.’ Elizabeth suddenly lit up with a happiness that was tangible. ‘The four of us will be the strength behind Joseph and Stephen Gower. We’ll do everything and anything to find happiness again for my husband.’

A deep sense of camaraderie settled over Cornelia’s heart. Nothing and no one would stop her from winning her divorce and her children. Nothing and no one would stop her doing all she could to bring Lillian Carter’s killer to justice, either.

It seemed that in Bath – in Pennington’s – she’d found all she needed to push through to the bitter end… in everything.