Ketty glanced at her watch. “I don’t think I have time, Lacey.” The internet was of little interest to Ketty when it came to her business, which had been founded on the belief that it was the personal touch that mattered to her customers, and she couldn’t equate that with the online world. She’d had a young lad create a website several years earlier and had done nothing to it since. Lacey had convinced her to update it. A friend would do it for a small cost. Ketty had been pleased by Lacey’s enthusiasm but it was low on her list of priorities. “It’s your baby. I’m happy to trust you with it and I’ll have a look when I return.”

Lacey hesitated, a flicker of concern crossing her face.

“Hurry along, Miss Carslake.” Judith drew herself up. She had a similar angular frame to Ketty’s but she was almost a head taller and towered over petite Lacey. “I assume the front counter is unattended while you are out here.”

“On my way back now, Mrs Pettigrew.”

“I’ll look at it as soon as I return.” Ketty smiled. “And don’t forget to help yourself to my cherry tomatoes when you water the garden, will you? I can’t bear to think of them going to waste and I know how much you love them.”

“Thank you, Miss Ketty.” Lacey’s look was earnest. “And don’t you worry about your garden, or your cat, or the office, or the website. I’ll take good care of it all.”

“I know you will.” The thing was, changes would have to be made to the business. Ketty’s recent trip to the accountant had made that quite clear and a website was the least of her concerns.

Lacey gave a brief nod then strode briskly back across the workshop. Beside Ketty there was a sniff, a soft but censorial sound.

“You won’t be too tough on her while I’m gone, will you, Judith?”

Judith flung out her hands. “She finds any excuse to desert her post. You know if she’s not checking the internet, she’ll be out in the yard every five minutes while you’re gone, on the pretext of looking after your garden.”

Ketty met her manager’s glare. “I like her spunk.”

Judith sniffed again. “I like her but I’d prefer she spent more time on her actual duties. Mail, banking, accounts, answering the phone and greeting customers.” Judith ticked off her fingers as she spoke. “And I still can’t get used to those boots.”

“Every day is a new surprise when she comes to work.” Ketty smiled. “It was high cork wedges yesterday. We need someone with some style to be the face of the shop.”

“There’s style and there’s style.”