Free The Tailor's Girl by Fiona McIntosh Page B

storeroom.’
    Tom sighed. ‘All right. How’s this, then, Abe? You get the buyers to come here and I’ll triple what you paid for it. Use me as an intermediary and keep yourself at a distance.’
    The old man laughed. ‘Triple. Now that’s a business I’d like a part of.’
    ‘I’m not lying. I’m confident.’
    ‘I can see. I have to wonder from where this confidence springs when you have no memory and my daughter tells me a mere bus backfiring can turn you into a gibbering heap.’
    Edie gasped. ‘Abba, that’s not fair.’
    The old man shrugged.
    ‘I’m sorry, Tom,’ Edie said for him.
    ‘Don’t be,’ Tom said. ‘Your father speaks the truth.’
    ‘And what do you get out of this, Tom?’ Abe demanded quietly.
    ‘Nothing, Sir. I only want to see it happen. I’m grateful for the generosity shown to me. It’s a way of returning your kindness.’
    ‘You want no cut, Tom? Is that what you’re telling me?’
    Tom looked at his elder, frowning. Abe was clearly unsettled by his approach. ‘Cut? No, not at all. I simply see an opportunity for your family. Abe, you’ve taken me in. You’ve fed me. You’ve been kind to me and, more so, understanding of my condition.’
    ‘I’ll stop you there, son,’ Abe said, holding up a hand. ‘It is Edie here who has shown you those courtesies. She is her mother’s girl through and through.’
    Tom shook his head. ‘From what I see she’s the tailor’s girl through and through . . . because Abe, while Edie looked upon me as an injured animal, you saw the man and you’re the one who has taken me into your home. In just a few hours I’ve invaded your privacy, you’ve said prayers with me, broken bread with me, even given me your precious son’s suit, for heaven’s sake. You’ve given me work that made me feel useful and productive again. And this work has given rise to an idea that prompts me to believe I have a fully engaged mind again, even if my memory has failed me. You’ve made me feel as though I have something to contribute again to the world.’
    ‘All that from some old clothes and a stew, Tom?’ Abe said, chuckling.
    But Tom would not let him make light of it. ‘Abe, because of today I know I can build a new life for myself. I’m going to stop reaching for the past, picking at my mind as one picks at a scab. It’s done. It’s behind me. And the war is over. I realise I’m lucky I don’t remember all of it. Today is the first day of my new life. I’m going to make a good life, Abe, and I hope you and Edie will always be friends in it.’
    Edie was staring at the flames but she couldn’t hide the water in her eyes at Tom’s provocative words. He had to look away from her.
    ‘I’m pleased for you, son,’ Abe admitted. ‘I’ll help you. Let’s get you started in this new life of yours. I’ll bring some of the buyers to the shop. I’ll give you four weeks. You get me my money back on the cloth and whatever you make on top is yours.’
    Edie shifted to look at her father, open-mouthed. Tom said nothing, waiting for Edie’s lead. ‘Do you mean that, Abba?’ she whispered.
    He gave her a quizzical look. ‘Why shouldn’t I?’
    Edie’s gaze moved to Tom. ‘Do you hear that, Tom?’
    ‘I don’t know what to say, Abe.’
    ‘Don’t say anything. Let’s see your mettle first, son. These buyers are tougher than you imagine,’ the older man said, tapping his nose. ‘Mostly Jews, and we are not known for giving away our money freely.’ He chuckled at his own remark and Tom sensibly held his tongue. ‘They’ll beat you down.’
    ‘Let’s see, shall we?’ Tom said.
    ‘Indeed. I’ll set the idea in motion tomorrow.’ Abe stood. ‘I have coffee with one of the tailors at Gieves & Hawkes. He won’t be able to resist taking the news back when I tell him about the beautiful cloth I have.’
    Edie grinned. ‘This is exciting.’
    ‘Too much excitement for me, I’m afraid,’ Abe said and kissed his daughter. ‘Good