Sally stood back, assessing Lou’s reflection like a florist sizing up a mound of freshly cut buds. A smile spread across her face. ‘Very well, I will.’

Sally had Lou turn away from the mirror so she couldn’t see the work in progress. With much teasing and fussing, she finished Lou’s hair before setting about her make up. It involved so much powder, rouge and kohl, that Lou began to wonder whether this had been such a good idea after all and whether, when she next looked in the mirror, she might see Coco the Clown staring back.

Following the makeup, Sally dressed Lou. She payed particular attention to tying the laces of the corset as tight as she could; so tight that Lou had to hold on to the bedframe to allow Sally to dig her knee into her back to get purchase.

After much pulling and preening, Sally decided that Lou was ready. As she secured the clasp of a necklace around Lou’s neck, there was a knock at the door.

‘Come in,’ Lou called.

The door opened, and Charlotte rushed in. She came to a dramatic stop. ‘Oh, Louisa!’ she exclaimed. ‘Just look at you.’

Lou performed a twirl. ‘Am I presentable?’

‘Presentable! You look like a princess. Doesn’t Miss Arnold look like a princess, Sally?’

‘She certainly does, Miss Charlotte.’

Lou turned to look at her reflection to see what all the fuss was about. A breath caught in her chest. She touched her hair, which was pulled back from her face, a tendril curling at each temple. Her complexion was clean and fresh with a tasteful hint of colour on her eyes and cheeks. And the dress … oh, the dress! The bodice sat high up on her waist and a round neckline dropped to her cleavage. A string of pearls sat in the dip where her collarbones met. She twisted from side to side, watching the silk of the darkest, midnight blue flow like water, circling her hips and legs. ‘It’s a miracle. I look …’

‘Beautiful!’ Charlotte said. ‘Sally, I insist that you help me dress for Christmas lunch tomorrow too. I had no idea you had such skills. Where have you been hiding them all this time?’

Sally blushed, and Lou smiled. Perhaps her meddling didn’t always have to end in complete failure.

After helping Lou pull on her long evening gloves, Sally took her leave. The instant she left, Charlotte dragged Lou to the window seat, reminding her of the promise she had made to watch the arrival of the guests together. They sat half facing each other, their bodies twisted to look out of the window.

The snowstorm had subsided, leaving behind a velvet black sky, the stars speckles of white. Headlights of cars snaking up the drive shone on the snow, and the coloured lanterns glowed like fairy lights. William and the second footman, dressed in livery of impeccable blue and gold, stepped from beneath the portico at regular intervals to hold open car doors for men in tails and women draped in furs. Charlotte knew each of the guests by name.