Babbacombe’s – Susan Scarlett (1941)

Sometimes something rather cheery is just what we need, and Babbacombe’s was definitely that something for me, delightful entertainment, and a quick read. I have Simon of course to thank for nudging me to read this, because he reviewed it so enthusiastically, and there I was needing just the right kind of book.

Here Susan Scarlett has given us all the ingredients for a really charming, page-turner. A lovable, ordinary family – in an ordinary house, a department store, a touching courtship and a truly despicable little madam who it is a pleasure to loathe. I started reading and couldn’t put it down. 

Beth Carson, has just finished school, as head girl she had been a credit to the school, and her family. She is now embarking on her first job, in the gowns department of Babbacombe’s department store. This is where her father has worked for over thirty years. At home with Beth, are her parents, four younger siblings and a cat (who belongs chiefly to her youngest brother). It’s a well drawn family, Scarlett easily portraying their love, laughter, tears, hopes and dreams. There are poignant and funny family dramas, keeping the narrative pacy and compelling.

Beth’s mother arranges the attic room for Beth, finally a room of her own, helping to reflect her new grown up status. However, Beth’s delight is not to last – when it’s decided that her orphaned cousin Dulcie will come to board with the family – the boys are put in the attic – Beth will share their old room with Dulcie.  Beth is sad but doesn’t complain – she is thoroughly decent, understanding and wise beyond her years. She understands her mother’s difficulties and never wants to make things harder. 

Beth has only had a week at Babbacombe’s, when Dulcie starts work there as a lift girl – poor Beth can’t get away from her – because Dulcie is awful. (More of her later). As Beth gets to grips with her new job, long hours on her feet, never sitting down, everybody’s little go-fer – she has an unexpected, and not unwelcome encounter.

“I thought we were allowed to sit. I mean I thought it was the Shop Act or something that we had to have something to sit on.”

Jenny laughed.

“So they say, but it doesn’t work out that way. You won’t get sacked for sitting, but if you sit you’ll get the sack.”

David Babbacombe is the ne’er do well son of the store owner – a man originally from much humbler stock, his son has been brought up and educated graciously. When Beth meets him in the staff lift one day, she has no idea who he is. The lift breaks down. Chatting away happily, David reveals who he is and that he is on his way to get a cheque from his father. Beth has the sound good sense of both her parents, and she lets him know exactly what she thinks of him just getting money and not earning it. David, however is smitten – and this is enough for him to change his mind, he pleads with his father for a job in the store, the lowest rung of the ladder, and he gets it. A sales assistant in Cooked Meats. So, we realise, not such a ne’er do well after all. Of course, Beth rather likes him too – but these things can never run smoothly – Beth’s father in particular insistent that Beth can’t fall in love outside her class. Beth tries to put distance between her and David – they go weeks without seeing one another – but inevitably they meet – David often conspiring they do so. There are many twists and turns ahead – I shall say no more. 

Then there is Dulcie – oh my! What an enjoyable thing it is to loathe Dulcie. What is most enjoyable – and saves her character from being frustrating for the reader – is that everyone in the book, pretty much, loathes her too. Dulcie, brought up by a spinster aunt and sent to boarding school, she lords this over everyone, every chance she gets. She is very pretty, she knows it, wears makeup, skimpy clothes, makes it plain that everyone else in the Carson house is somehow lesser – pretends to feel sorry for Beth for not being pretty (everyone considers Beth very attractive)  Dulcie only has eyes for herself. She is rude, selfish, conniving and when she gets to hear about David – is determined to have him for herself. 

I love novels set in workplaces so that is what really attracted me – and I ended up loving all the story strands equally. Animal lovers – there are a couple of Dachshund dogs as well as the cat – and all animals survive the book to  live happily ever after.