A Store at War. Joanna Toye
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Название: A Store at War
Автор: Joanna Toye
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Сказки
Серия: The Shop Girls
isbn: 9780008298241
isbn:
Lily did her best to look both curious and impressed.
‘Beryl … How do you mean?’
They’d reached the park now and her new confidante drew her down on to a bench. In front of them was what before the war had been a flowerbed full of salvias. Now it, and the grass around it, had been ploughed up for allotments.
‘All right,’ began Beryl. ‘I’m going to tell you something. There’s a bit of a racket going on with some of the wealthier customers. Those who’ve been used to snapping their fingers and having everything done for them.’
There was admiration and bitterness in her voice.
‘Well, they don’t expect the war to change that. So to keep them happy, to keep the wheels turning so to speak, Les and some of the other drivers and sales people make it easier for them. Oil those wheels if you like. So they’ll do that bit extra.’
Lily goggled obligingly as if this was the first time she’d heard all this. Beryl looked gratified.
‘Les has got to be careful, of course. All his mileage is logged, but if he organises his round carefully, and filches some petrol from the vans whose drivers aren’t in on it, or tops up with petrol from … well, that he’s got hold of … he can hide the odd bit of extra distance. With road blocks and the Home Guard doing their stuff, who’s to say if he’s had to go a bit out of his way?’
‘Very clever,’ said Lily acidly. Caught up in her story, Beryl didn’t notice.
‘People might have to wait a day or so to get their things, but they don’t mind that. And the other bit extra – the bit of money he gets from doing it – he’s taking a risk, after all – well, it all helps, doesn’t it?’
‘So hang on, you’re telling me certain customers can get stuff delivered that they shouldn’t?’
‘You’re quick, aren’t you? Of course, management mustn’t know. Well, with certain exceptions.’
‘Managers are involved?’
‘Why not? Everyone’s on the make, aren’t they, given the chance?’
‘I can’t believe it!’
Now Lily genuinely was shocked. She could well believe the racket – it only confirmed what Jim had been told. But managers! When they were so trusted and, well, respectable – and earned, surely, a decent salary anyway? That really did amaze her.
‘Who?’ Lily sat forward. ‘Which managers exactly?’
Beryl looked at her, long and hard. Lily could see the emotions fighting within her: self-importance and the satisfaction of imparting what she knew versus discretion. It wasn’t a long struggle. Beryl swooped towards her and whispered in her ear. Lily fell back as if she’d been thumped in the chest.
‘No!’
‘Oh, yes.’
‘Not really?’
‘Yes, really! Well, you said you wanted to learn, kid.’
As Lily shook her head, still disbelieving, Beryl sat back herself, pleased with the effect she’d had. She examined her nails and found them pleasing too, even without the crimson nail polish she’d have preferred – forbidden of course for Marlow’s staff, who were only allowed clear – not that any was readily available now.
‘Well, there’s your first lesson,’ she pronounced. ‘Everything and everyone may not be quite what they seem.’
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