Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson

Last week, I participated in a focus group on “Financial Attitudes,” and spent an interesting two hours with a small group of women, all single and all contemplating how to finance their retirement. Due to some of the questions from the two moderators, the pessimism was contagious – we all began to think we’d never be able to afford to retire and read all day – so I was in a very suitable mood to begin this book and deeply sympathize with its heroine.

Miss Pettigrew is unemployed and desperate when she pushes open the door of the employment agency. Thank goodness her contact there has an opening for a nursery governess, and Miss Pettigrew heads off for the interview (we learn later that she hasn’t eaten that day) almost afraid to hope it will work out. But the young woman at 5, Onslow Mansions is not what she expects, when the door is finally opened. Miss LaFosse has a MAN in her bedroom who has clearly been there all night; at least he’s friendly:

“Did she rout you out of bed as well?”

“No,” said Miss Pettigrew.

“A wonder. Early to be abroad and fully clad, isn’t it?”

“It is thirteen minutes past ten,” said Miss Pettigrew severely.

“Ah! Up all night. Don’t believe in these all-night binges myself. I like my sleep. Dead all day if I don’t get it.”

“I have not been up all night,” said Miss Pettigrew, beginning to feel bewildered.

“I always did admire women.”

Miss Pettigrew gave it up. These conversational pyrotechnics were beyond her.

To her mingled shock and admiration, Miss Pettigrew learns that Delysia LaFosse is involved with three men: Nick, who pays for the flat; Phil, who is going to back Delysia’s new show; and Michael, who has just served 30 days for hitting a policeman. Next, Miss Pettigrew is making breakfast for Nick. Soon, without exactly knowing how it happened, she is enlisted in helping Delysia keep these men apart because Delysia is attracted to all of them and cannot trust herself to make the best decisions! And when Delysia’s friend Miss Dubarry (also suffering from romantic trouble) arrives at the flat mid-afternoon to pick up her friend, the most natural thing in the world is for them to undertake the best makeover in fiction and bring Miss Pettigrew – whose name turns out to be an incongruous Guinevere – with them to her first cocktail party!

Miss Pettigrew has realized by now that Miss LaFosse does not need a children’s governess (a job she hated and at which she was bullied by various employers), although the day has been so hectic there has been no time to discuss why she rang the doorbell, but it has been the best day of her life and she decides to make the most of it, although her landlady said not to return if she couldn’t pay the rent and the workhouse looms.

She had never in her life before wanted more to stay in any place. She felt she couldn’t endure to leave this happy, careless atmosphere, despite momentary upheavals, where some one was kind to her and thought her wonderful. How could she possibly live out her life never knowing what happened to Phil, whether Nick’s charms bore down Miss LaFosse’s susceptible defenses, who Michael was and what was he like? She felt the tears of loneliness and exclusion sting her eyes.

“I’ll wait,” thought Miss Pettigrew dully, “three more minutes. I’ll wait till the pointers move three minutes before speaking. Surely I can have three more minutes of being happy.”

What a delightful book! Watson’s mix of desperation and humor and sheer lightheartedness is as intoxicating to the reader as it is to Miss Pettigrew. The characters are convincing and varied, and Miss Pettigrew’s interaction with each one is priceless, although she is not always completely aware of what is taking place. Delysia is amazed and appreciative of her new acquaintance, without ever stopping to wonder how Miss Pettigrew appeared on her doorstep – the day is too hectic for her to stop and wonder, even if that were part of her personality, which it is not. The preface describes this as a Cinderella story, which it is, but one of the things that makes it special is that the reader hopes, but is not sure, everything will work out for Miss Pettigrew. If not, would this one perfect day of happiness be enough?

I read this for Spinster September, a celebration of all the inimitable single ladies of literature, inspired by Nora @pear.jelly on Instagram.  I give it 5 stars.  There is a 2008 movie on DVD which I have just requested from the library. Have you read this or seen the movie?

Title: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Author: Winifred Watson
Publication: Persephone, trade paperback, 2000 (originally published in 1938)
Genre: Fiction
Source: Library