‘Jane, you might as well make yourself useful today, while Harriet and I interview the new seamstress. You can go into Settle and give Lambert’s my instructions for the invitations that I need printing for our Christmas Ball. There’s no need for you to come into work, Aunt Harriet won’t have time for you and nor will I.’ Isabelle looked across at her daughter as she spread marmalade on her second slice of toast. ‘Have you any need of Jane today, James?’

James was engrossed in his morning newspaper and didn’t realize that he was being talked to, as he read about the latest divisions between the Triple Entente of Britain, Russia and France and the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria–Hungary and Italy. The division between the two military camps was beginning to make him more aware and anxious that all was not well in the world. Especially with the Irish Home Rule movement insisting on Irish self-government. The world was not a safe place.

‘James, are you listening or am I talking to a brick wall, as usual?’ Isabelle put her knife down sharply.

‘Sorry, my dear, I was just reading about the worries of the world. It will only take a small spark to throw the world into chaos.’ He sighed and folded his newspaper. ‘Now, what did you ask?’

‘Do you need Jane today or can she have the day at home?’ Isabelle looked disdainfully at her husband. All he did was worry about world affairs, and consequently she had lost count of the times he had condemned her compliments about Luke excelling in the cadets at school, as he feared that war would soon be rearing its ugly head.

‘No, no, I don’t think so. I’ve quite an easy day today. But she can join me in the Leeds branch tomorrow, and then she can keep an eye on me. I’m sure you’ll be happier if she does.’ James looked sharply at Isabelle, knowing full well that she still didn’t trust him.

‘You never told me that you were interviewing today. Could I not take the interviews with you, instead of Aunt Harriet – surely it would be more fitting?’

Jane looked at her mother. She still wasn’t being included fully in the running of Atkinson’s and resented the fact.

‘You will get your chance in time, Jane, but at this moment leave it to Harriet and me. She has the experience, and it is her position they will be filling. She does tell me, however, that you are showing promise in your sewing and cutting skills. She was quite impressed when I spoke to her about you.’ Isabelle sipped at her tea. ‘Now, are you willing to walk into Settle and take my instructions to the printer’s? It would be a good help, and the weather is quite pleasant for the first day in November.’