‘They’ll be fine, I’m sure. You made a good choice with Mary, she seemed very sensible and reliable. And of course Rosie is growing up so fast now. I keep forgetting that she’s nearly seventeen. She and Jane are so dissimilar, don’t you think?’ Isabelle sat back and sipped her coffee, watching Harriet worrying.

‘Yes, you are quite right. Jane and Rosie have nothing in common, both of them are quite different.’ Harriet looked nervous and suddenly came out with what she was thinking. ‘I don’t know if I should be here. What if somebody takes ill? What if Ben doesn’t return from school?’ She was beginning to fret.

‘Look, it’s not like when we were first starting out. We are not under as much pressure as we were the last time you worked here. Atkinson’s has grown beyond all recognition. Plus the transport is better, you’d get home quicker; and Archie will keep an eye on everybody for you. God, I never thought I’d say this, but it’s a good job we have him. He’s a blessing in disguise and he loves his grandchildren – he’ll look after everyone. Now let me show you the workbook. It will take your mind off home and get you into the swing of things. The first fittings are in an hour. Mrs Tattersall is wanting a blouse-coat making in crêpe de Chine. She’s going to watch her son rowing on the river at Cambridge, and someone has told her that is what all the fashionable ladies are wearing over their hobble skirts.’

Isabelle looked at Harriet. ‘It’s just a simple, long open coat, Harriet. I’ve got a pattern out for you to look at, and the rolls of crêpe de Chine are over there. Try and persuade her to go for a natural colour. She’s a tendency to choose such garish colours, and it doesn’t look good on a woman her age – she should know better.’

‘I think I know Mrs Tattersall. Her family farms down near Gisburn, they have horses.’ Harriet looked up from her cup.

‘Yes, that’s her. The youngest son won a scholarship to Cambridge, and she’s so proud of him. That’s why we have to make her feel, and look, special. Remember that feeling you used to get, when we knew the women in front of us could not be dressed any finer, not even if they had gone to the finest dress shops in Paris?’ Isabelle smiled at her sister-in-law.

‘Yes, I remember. I enjoyed those days, we worked well together.’ Harriet stopped sipping her coffee. ‘I’ve missed them, really.’