Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls. Rosie Clarke

      Ben arrived with flowers and the keys to the building next door. Sally had ordered sandwiches and a salad for them, which they ate together in the office. Ben drank a glass of wine to celebrate, but Sally had orange juice. She was feeling fine again and looking forward to viewing the new premises.

      ‘We can have a walk round before your builder turns up,’ she suggested. ‘I’d like to see what I think before you two get to work on it.’

      ‘Of course, you would,’ Ben laughed. ‘No doubt you will turn all my plans upside down – but it will be for the better…’

      Sally smiled. She’d already had her say, but she was too excited to delay her visit until four and couldn’t wait to grab her jacket and follow Ben into the street and then into the empty property.

      It smelled of tobacco and something she thought was aniseed but the shop was spacious and there was a huge storeroom behind it which could be opened out for better use. It had stairs up to the flat above and Ben had previously mentioned putting in a lift to make it easier for their customers.

      Upstairs, it was divided into living rooms, a kitchen, hall and, on the top floor, four bedrooms and a bathroom, but all the internal walls could come down to open up for the various departments they had in mind. It would take steel lintels and special beams in the ceilings, Ben explained, to make it safe, but the potential was there.

      ‘It’s wonderful,’ Sally said and hugged him excitedly. ‘I’m so glad you managed to finance it. I think the extra departments are just what we need.’

      ‘Yes, I know. My uncle always had his eye on this building, but the owner wouldn’t sell to him then.’

      ‘Well, you did what he couldn’t.’ Sally leaned in to kiss him. ‘I’m so happy, Ben…’ she murmured and then her head started to spin. She fell against him and Ben caught her and held her to him, his strong arms saving her from a fall. ‘Oh dear… I feel a bit odd…’

      ‘You fainted,’ he said and bent to sweep her up in his arms, holding her safe against his chest. ‘I’m putting you in a taxi and taking you home, Mrs Harper – and then I’m calling the doctor. If my information is right, that is the second time you’ve swooned today.’

      ‘Traitors…’ Sally muttered, but she was feeling too weak to argue and it was rather nice having Ben look after her. She would let him call the doctor, but she had no intention of retiring to her bed until the birth…

      News of Sally’s illness, brought a visit from Mick, bearing a huge bunch of spring flowers and a large box of special cakes that his chef had made specially for her. He came on the following Sunday and Ben welcomed him in, inviting him to stay for lunch.

      ‘I’m cooking steak, jacket potatoes and salad, but you’re welcome to stay.’

      ‘Thank you, I should have enjoyed that, but I have a business lunch…’

      ‘Don’t you ever sit still?’ Sally challenged and he grinned at her.

      ‘Pot calling the kettle black?’ he said. ‘Sure, I might go back to Ireland for a few days in the summer to visit me cousins, but ask Ben – business comes first…’

      Ben laughed and shook his head. ‘I’m keeping out of it,’ he said.

      However, the two had sat and talked business. Sally made coffee and they all ate Mick’s delicious offerings and it was nearly twelve before he decided he had to dash.

      ‘Now, don’t you be overdoing it, Sally Harper,’ he warned before he left. ‘We don’t want to lose you…’

      Sally frowned and looked at Ben. ‘He’s nearly as bad as you…’

      Ben smiled oddly. ‘Mick thinks a lot of you – but I know he’s just a friend and I’m not jealous, but he is right. You should take notice of your friends, Sally. We all need you and you’ve got to rest more.’

      Sally made a rude face at him. Ben laughed and went off to prepare their lunch, leaving her to browse the latest fashion catalogues that Ben had brought home. She could see several lines for the autumn she rather liked and she pulled her pad towards her, beginning to make notes about the new sleeves and necklines that had caught her eye. A little dizziness wasn’t going to stop Sally doing her job if she could help it…

      9

      ‘How is Mrs Harper now?’ Rachel Craven asked Ben when he arrived at work the next Monday morning. ‘I hope she isn’t too cross with me for telling you, but when Miss Browning told me she’d fainted in the department, I thought it best to let you know. I’m very fond of Sally, but she tends to carry on even if she isn’t feeling too good.’

      ‘Thankfully, the doctor says it’s just a passing phase,’ Ben told her, showing his relief. ‘When she passed out on me the other day, I was terrified, but her doctor thinks it quite often happens at this stage. He says she’s as healthy as a mule – and as stubborn – and the best thing is to let her carry on. He advised that she should work mornings and then have a little rest at home in the afternoons and, eventually, Sally agreed.’ He grinned. ‘Her friend Mick called round and told her not to overdo it and I think that finally got through to her – I hope!’