Lizzie's War by Rosie Clarke Page A

first dose of his medicine had done some good, and Lizzie hoped Beth would get some rest before he started to scream again.
    She ran for a bus and arrived at the showroom at half past ten. Ed was serving a customer and greeted her with a smile.
    â€˜Everything under control at home now?’
    â€˜Yes, I think so,’ Lizzie said and went into the workroom. She filled the kettle, made tea and took one to Ed as he finished with the customer.
    â€˜He’s a new customer and he bought ten of the new lines,’ Ed said. ‘Sebastian Winters’ manager told him about us and I think he will be a regular from now on.’
    â€˜Thank you so much for holding the fort, Ed. I don’t know what I’d do without you.’
    â€˜Bless you, Lizzie,’ he looked pleased with her praise. ‘I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t given me this partnership. I think I’d have been down the boot factory hating my work and life…’
    â€˜Well, you’re here with us,’ Lizzie said. ‘I’d better get busy. I promised Mabel her order would be ready by Monday and I need to get started…’
    It was mid-afternoon when the telephone rang in Lizzie’s office. She answered it and heard a sob at the other end, and then Beth crying.
    â€˜What’s wrong, love?’ Her heart caught with fright. ‘Matt isn’t worse, is he?’
    â€˜No, it’s Mary’s baby…’ another sob of grief broke from Beth. ‘The child died a couple of hours ago. Mum was with Mary when they told her and she went mad, screamed at them and tried to get out of bed. She was shouting that they’d killed her baby, fighting everyone that came near her. Mum tried to calm her and she punched her in the face. She’s got a black eye…’
    â€˜That is terrible, Beth. Is your mother very upset?’
    â€˜Yes, she is – but about the baby and the way it will affect Mary rather than her own injury. She says that is nothing. She offered to look after the children while I came into work, but I’m not going to, Lizzie. She needs company and to be looked after herself for a few days.’
    â€˜Yes, of course she does and we can manage here. We’ve only had two customers in this morning – so don’t you worry about me. I’ll be home at the usual time and do what I can. Shall you visit your sister this evening?’
    â€˜I’ll go to the hospital and ask how she is, but I don’t think she’ll want to see me. She’s going to resent me more than ever.’
    â€˜No, Beth, you mustn’t feel like that,’ Lizzie said. ‘It isn’t your fault that Mary lost her baby. Your mum has been telling her for weeks that she should take more care of herself.’
    â€˜Yes, I know, but Mary has always been stubborn. She thinks she knows best because she is a qualified nurse. When we were all at home she never took much notice of me. I think she was jealous when I was born…’
    â€˜Oh, Beth,’ Lizzie sighed, feeling for her. ‘I always wanted brothers and sisters, but it seems that isn’t always as good as it might be.’
    â€˜You’ve been better to me than either of my sisters,’ Beth asserted. ‘I don’t want to let you down, but especially with Matt unwell, I feel I shouldn’t leave Mum alone. I can’t leave her to cope by herself…’
    â€˜Yes, of course I understand.’
    They talked some more and then Beth rang off. Lizzie went back to her work, packing Mabel’s hats in tissue as she finished them. She only had one to complete now and then she could start on some new ideas for stock… but she felt a little bit unsure of the future. If Beth had to stop coming in she would need to find another assistant but supposing the orders dried up and she couldn’t afford to pay her? The girl she really wanted was Tilly, but she couldn’t