Lofthouse Grimble had been a church bellringer. Sadly, his lungs had been damaged in the Sheffield steelworks and he had only had time for a short retirement before he died. His wife, Pearl, was a member of the church cleaners, the Holy Dusters, and a trusted friend of Vera. Lofthouse and Pearl had lived in a tiny cottage on the Morton road and many mourned his passing.

‘Fine lady, is Pearl,’ muttered Septimus. ‘Tekkin’ it all in ’er stride.’

‘Yes, I’m sure she is,’ said Vera a little curtly.

Joseph looked at his wristwatch. ‘I have to go now, Vera. I promised to see Mrs Grimble,’ and with that he hurried up the High Street.

‘Can I be of assistance, Miss Evans?’ asked Septimus.

‘No, thank you, Mr Flagstaff,’ said Vera. ‘We’re here to help with the pantomime.’

‘My friends call me Bernie,’ said Septimus with a shy smile.

‘I imagine they do, Mr Flagstaff,’ replied Vera. She had no intention of partaking in instant informality with the Ragley funeral director.

In the village hall the dress rehearsal was going well and Lily was looking at the cast list on the revised programme. It had been written on a large blackboard that had been propped on an easel in the entrance. It read:

Cinderella – Doris Clutterbuck

Prince Charming – Ivy Speight

The Wicked Stepmother – Betty Cuthbertson

Buttons & Fairy Nuff – Nora Pratt

Fairy Godmother – Violet Fawnswater

Wicked Stepsister – Valerie Flint

Lord Chamberlain – Ernie Morgetroyd

Baron Hardup – Peter Miles-Humphreys

It was clear from the outset that Violet Fawnswater as the Fairy Godmother was trying to steal the show. However, Doris was used to dealing with theatrical upstarts and soon put her in her place. The plot slowed considerably when Peter Miles-Humphreys, the stuttering shop boy, had to deliver his few lines as Baron Hardup. Valerie Flint, the tall, stick-thin teacher, was as fierce on stage as the Wicked Stepsister as she was in the classroom, while Betty Cuthbertson as the strangely cheerful Wicked Stepmother was simply there for the free tea and cakes. Nora, meanwhile, had been thrilled to discover that not only was she playing her original part of Fairy Nuff, but was now also in the important role of Buttons.

‘Let’s take five,’ said Doris in true theatrical tradition. As the cast sloped off to enjoy a cup of tea, she tapped Nora on the arm. ‘Come with me please, Nora,’ she said quietly. They walked into the back room behind the stage where old furniture was stored. Doris picked up a small battered suitcase. ‘This is for you.’

Nora was puzzled.

‘Open it,’ said Doris.

Nora knelt down and opened the metal catches. She lifted the lid slowly and stared in awe. It was the Alpine leather corset that Doris had worn for many years.

‘It’s your turn to wear it, Nora. Your time has come.’