l have had some very close friends in my life, but there has only been one who loves me unconditionally, Miss Milly Lotti. This is our story so far......
In London l needed extra help on Saturdays, and getting no joy from student union notice boards in universities-must be too appathetic those cosmopolitan student, l placed a poster in the window of our Knightsbridge store. l was down stairs doing a fitting when l heard the door open and down the spiral staircase l heard,
"allo? jobby whindow? Mi applyo, allo?"
She didn't really say it quite as badly as that, but later when her accent could cut glass l used to tease her it did. Quick interview later she was due to start the following Saturday, the first female in our history to work on the floor so to speak.
Milly, or Carmela as she was Christened, but who adapted her name because she said Carmela was the Italian version of Ethel or something as old fashioned, had come to London after doing her degree to improve her English and her place in the job market. l liked her, we had done the same art / fashion course but in different countries, and shared a similar taste in everything from films to clothes. We worked together most Saturdays for the next six months when she was due to return to Milan. Friendly, but not yet the soul siblings we were to become.
l arranged to take her to an Avant Garde theate piece at the Roundhouse as her leaving party, which we loved and after over a drink in Camden she casually mentioned she wished she could stay in her job here. l looked at her aghast after spending a lot of money on her leaving 'treat'. Our boss by this time adored her, as did the customers. Quick call later, she was due to start full time Monday. Tickets to Milano to be refunded, new flat to be found, quickly as she was due to leave in two days and was all packed.
We grew steadily more in love as friends in the months/years to come. That does sound odd, 'in love' but we do. We worked together for the next five years. I used to call her amongst other things Polly Parrot because she never shut up twittering at my shoulder, and Nursey because she always had a remedy gleamed from her Sicilian Grandmorther who was born in a cave , if you ever mentioned you felt unwell..........
To be continued, l'm struggling to type.
In London l needed extra help on Saturdays, and getting no joy from student union notice boards in universities-must be too appathetic those cosmopolitan student, l placed a poster in the window of our Knightsbridge store. l was down stairs doing a fitting when l heard the door open and down the spiral staircase l heard,
"allo? jobby whindow? Mi applyo, allo?"
She didn't really say it quite as badly as that, but later when her accent could cut glass l used to tease her it did. Quick interview later she was due to start the following Saturday, the first female in our history to work on the floor so to speak.
Milly, or Carmela as she was Christened, but who adapted her name because she said Carmela was the Italian version of Ethel or something as old fashioned, had come to London after doing her degree to improve her English and her place in the job market. l liked her, we had done the same art / fashion course but in different countries, and shared a similar taste in everything from films to clothes. We worked together most Saturdays for the next six months when she was due to return to Milan. Friendly, but not yet the soul siblings we were to become.
l arranged to take her to an Avant Garde theate piece at the Roundhouse as her leaving party, which we loved and after over a drink in Camden she casually mentioned she wished she could stay in her job here. l looked at her aghast after spending a lot of money on her leaving 'treat'. Our boss by this time adored her, as did the customers. Quick call later, she was due to start full time Monday. Tickets to Milano to be refunded, new flat to be found, quickly as she was due to leave in two days and was all packed.
We grew steadily more in love as friends in the months/years to come. That does sound odd, 'in love' but we do. We worked together for the next five years. I used to call her amongst other things Polly Parrot because she never shut up twittering at my shoulder, and Nursey because she always had a remedy gleamed from her Sicilian Grandmorther who was born in a cave , if you ever mentioned you felt unwell..........
To be continued, l'm struggling to type.