In Love and War by Lily Baxter Page B

she remembered that Mr Soames had warned her that tipping was expected, and she gave him threepence, which seemed to satisfy him, but left her with an extremely light purse. She picked up her suitcase and walked into the office of the Women’s Emergency Committee.
    The woman who interviewed her wore a businesslike shirt and tie and a tight hobble skirt. She placed a cigarette in a long holder and clenched it between her teeth, eyeing Elsie through a plume of smoke. ‘So why do you want to do charity work, Miss Mead?’
    Taken aback, Elsie struggled to find an answer. ‘I need a job, miss, and I’m fluent in French.’
    â€˜My name is Charlotte Greenway. You may address me as Charlotte or Miss Greenway.’
    â€˜Yes, m— I mean, Miss Greenway.’
    Charlotte leaned her elbows on the desk, fixing Elsie with a hard stare. ‘You do realise that this is unpaid work, don’t you?’
    â€˜Unpaid?’ Elsie gulped and swallowed as her throat constricted in panic. ‘But – but I thought it was a proper job. I’ve come all the way from Dorset and I gave my notice in at Darcy Hall.’
    Charlotte’s stern expression softened and she took the cigarette holder from her mouth, flicking ash into an overflowing ashtray on her desk. ‘I see.’ She stood up and paced the room, replacing the holder between her teeth. ‘This is unfortunate.’ She came to a halt beside Elsie. ‘We do have an amenity fund. I might be able to organise a small remuneration for you, but I’m afraid it won’t be enough to live on, unless you have somewhere to stay that costs next to nothing.’
    Elsie rose to her feet. ‘I’ve nowhere to stay. I’m afraid I’ve wasted your time.’ She was about to leave the room but Charlotte barred her way.
    â€˜Sit down before you fall down. You’re as white as a sheet.’ She opened the office door. ‘Rosemary, bring us two cups of tea, there’s a good chap.’ She guided Elsie to the nearest chair. ‘When did you last eat?’
    â€˜Breakfast, I think. Yes, it was breakfast.’
    â€˜And it’s now five o’clock. How do you expect to look after refugees if you can’t take care of yourself?’ Charlotte perched on the edge of her desk, swinging a booted foot and puffing on her cigarette. ‘How old are you, Elsie?’
    â€˜I’m twenty-one, Miss Greenway.’
    â€˜That’s something. I thought for a moment you might still be a minor. You look very young, and you’re newly arrived from the country. Do you have any friends in London?’
    Elsie thought of Marianne but abandoned the idea. She shook her head. ‘No.’
    â€˜And you have nowhere to stay?’
    â€˜No. I was hoping to find a hostel somewhere. Mr Soames said there were such places for working girls.’
    â€˜And who is Mr Soames?’
    â€˜He’s the butler at Darcy Hall, where I was employed in the kitchens, although I’m a trained lady’s maid.’
    Charlotte looked up as the door opened and Rosemary walked in carrying two tin mugs of tea. She placed them on the desk. ‘Is there anything else, Charlie?’
    â€˜Not unless you’ve got any biscuits out there. I think Miss Mead is in need of a little sustenance.’
    Rosemary shot a curious glance at Elsie. ‘I think there are a couple of ginger nuts in the tin. Will they do?’
    â€˜Capital. Bring them in, old thing, and then you’d better pack up for the day. You were here before I was this morning.’
    â€˜Thanks, Charlie.’ Rosemary winked at Elsie as she left the room, returning seconds later with three ginger nuts on a chipped saucer. ‘You can see that we don’t waste money on fine china, Miss Mead.’
    Elsie managed a weary smile as she took a biscuit. ‘Thank you.’
    â€˜You look done in, if you don’t mind me saying so,’ Rosemary said,