‘I’m sure you didn’t. As you know, you and I keep well abreast of fashion. It’s just that the ladies who attend our Leeds shop are wealthy, as with most of the shops in the arcade. Step a few streets back and you would see another side of Leeds – the poverty and the slums that townspeople still live in. So you must think yourself fortunate, Jane. You have been born into a privileged lifestyle. Did your father have a good day?’ Isabelle wanted to quiz her daughter. It had been James’s first day back in Leeds since the fateful crash, and she had done nothing but wonder how the Leeds store had reacted to his return.

‘Yes, he was busy all day. He had a queue of people wanting their picture taken, so we were both kept on our toes. We barely had time for lunch, let alone anything else. I was hoping I would have had time to browse in a few shops, but all I managed to get was this magazine at the station. And this is full of what the perfect wife and mother should be, and it doesn’t keep my interest.’ Jane flung The Lady to one side. ‘Did you find a replacement for Aunt Harriet – one you both agreed on – without my input?’

‘Yes, we did, thank you. She’s called Margery Sutcliffe and lives in Skipton, so she’s ideal. Her seamstress skills are excellent, and she comes highly recommended by her previous employer. I think you and she will get on well. She’s a bit plain in looks, but perhaps that is not a bad thing. She dresses well, and that’s more important.’ Isabelle pulled on her gloves and looked at her daughter, who didn’t look happy, knowing that she had not been trusted to interview the new seamstress. ‘Come to church with me and your father. You know you should attend, no matter how much you despise going. The walk there will do you good, and will stop you from brooding.’

‘I’m not brooding. I just dislike Sundays. Perhaps Luke will come and brighten up the day, although all he thinks about is how to shoot his gun and how smart he looks in that uniform of his. Stupid idiot!’ Jane sighed again. ‘But church is one step worse, so I’ll find something to do. I’ll write a letter or two in the morning room and tell my friends about the ball at Christmas, then they’ve time to plan their dresses.’