‘Why not come back with me? You can wander through all the departments. You might see something that catches your eye.’

‘What do you want to do, Janice?’

‘What ya like.’ Her eyes gleamed. ‘I can have another look at that dress.’

As they passed the huge window again, Janice paused and said, ‘Do you think they’ll let me try it on, Miss Godfrey?’

‘Of course, Janice. I’ll take you to the dress department and ask Miss Keenes to look after you.’

The warmth enveloped them as they entered the store and as Peggy left them with the rather stern-looking head of the dress department, she said, ‘Come up later and I’ll help you pick something for your gran.’

The dress fitted Janice perfectly and as she twisted and twirled in front of the full-length mirror, Ella could not help feeling a twmge of envy at her shapely figure, shown off to perfection by the snug lines of the dress.

Janice, her eyes shining, took a deep breath and said, ‘I’ll take it.’

An hour later, Ella having bought lavender soap for Grandma Eland and hand cream for Rosie, they found their way back to the lingerie department.

‘There was a bit of a lull earlier,’ Peggy greeted them, ‘and I’ve looked out one or two things.’ She glanced around to see that no other customers were waiting to be served before she said, ‘Come and have a look.’

Two nightdress and négligé sets were laid out for Ella’s inspection, one in peach silk, the other in black satin.

‘Can you really see your gran in something like that?’ Janice said.

Ella giggled. ‘Well, Grandpa said something frivolous and I guess the black one fits that description the best.’

Peggy laughed. ‘Men are supposed to like black.’

‘Do you think I really dare take her that?’

‘She’ll clip yar ear, El,’ Janice warned, laughing.

Peggy looked worried and said, ‘You can blame me if—’

‘Oh, I wouldn’t do that,’ Ella said swiftly. ‘I’ll take what’s coming.’ Silently she added, I always have. Aloud, she said, ‘I don’t think I’ve enough money left.’

‘Don’t worry,’ Peggy whispered, so that Janice could not hear. ‘I can get it for you on staff discount as you’re a relative. Leave it to me.’

When the store closed and the three of them walked back towards home, the two girls were clutching large boxes wrapped in Christmas paper; Janice with her dress and Ella with the frilly black nightdress and négligé for her grandmother. Just what, she wondered, would Esther Godfrey say to it?

As they turned into the long road which led them to the side-street where Peggy lived, a group of students emerged from some buildings on the left.

‘Is that a school, Aunty Peg? I’d have thought they’d have broken up by now.’