As it happened another emergency was admitted to the ward she was working on shortly before she was due to go on her lunch break, so it was almost an hour later before she was able to escape to the canteen to snatch a hasty snack. A quick glance around showed her that Dr Parkin must have come and gone. But after all he was probably just being friendly and I hardly know him, she silently scolded herself as she stood in a queue waiting to be served. But in truth she was disappointed and she found herself looking out for him as she ate her meal alone.

Chapter Fourteen

‘Oh, stand by your bed. Lady Hamilton’s car has just pulled up outside,’ Miss May hissed to Holly as they stood behind the counter in the shop sorting out the glove drawer.

Minutes later the woman breezed in on a waft of expensive French perfume. ‘Ah, Miss May. First I must congratulate you on the gown you had delivered to me last week. It was a complete triumph and absolutely everyone commented on it when I wore it to the opera at the weekend.’

I bet they did, Miss May thought as she pictured the monstrosity. She could only imagine that the portly lady must have looked like a giant blancmange in the pink frothy concoction, but she kept her smile firmly in place. ‘I’m so happy you were pleased with it, Lady Hamilton,’ she simpered. ‘And what might I do for you today?’

‘As it happens, I’ve been invited to a ball in four weeks’ time. Now, I know that doesn’t give your seamstresses long to make it but I simply must have a new gown. Do you think they can manage it?’

‘Oh, I’m quite sure there’ll be no problem at all.’ Miss May hauled the pattern book from beneath the counter and soon both she and Lady Hamilton were poring over it.

‘I think this might be very flattering on you,’ Miss May suggested, pointing out quite a subtle style with plain, simple lines but Lady Hamilton shook her head.

‘Oh no, dear, that’s far too ordinary. I want something a little more … flamboyant! Ah, now this is more like it!’ She stabbed her finger at a particularly full-skirted affair that dripped with frills and it was all Miss May could do to stop herself shuddering as she tried to picture her customer in the end result. Even so, as she had drummed into Holly, the customer was always right so she merely nodded.

‘Then perhaps we should look at fabric now. Did you have a particular colour in mind?’

Lady Hamilton glanced along the shelves tapping her lip with a heavily ringed plump finger. ‘Oh, that one there is just divine,’ she sighed dramatically pointing to a roll of bright yellow satin.

Holly had to keep her eyes firmly on the job she was doing to stop herself from laughing aloud as she glimpsed the look of horror on Miss May’s face.