More confessions of a retired shopkeeper
Edwin Jones department store had belonged to Debenhams for many years before actually adopting the parent company’s trading name, nearly 50 years ago now.
A cocktail party was held on the evening before the launch & I was handpicked (aged 21) to engage guests in light conversation. Rather similar to the role embraced by officers and the captain of a cruise liner.
Incidentally, many years later this cut no ice with my late mother who when invited to sit at the captain’s table announced that she had no intention of eating with the staff.
Back to the launch, I soon had a small collection of vips wives gathered round me, wanting to know who was who. I obliged where I could & I was left with 2 slightly tiddly gentle ladies.
“Mr.G” said the tall one, “Who’s that man over there?”
Eager to please, I unwisely replied.
“I've no idea who that fat little bald man is, but the tall man is Mr. Fortnum, the financial director” at which the tall one identified as her spouse.
The short lady said, somewhat coolly,
“Ah I can help you with the identity of the fat little bald man; he is my husband, Mr. . . Bowes, personnel director.
I stayed cool & rather like former News of the World investigators of old “Made an excuse & left “Not before the short one had asked me to spell my name, noting it in her diary.
As I mingled again with less illustrious guests I could hear my former companions shrieking with laughter.
Embarrassing? not any more.