Like Ketty, Judith wore plain skirts or trousers to work. It was the job of the dressmaker to blend in and not outshine the customer but the front of house should have glamour and Lacey had that in spades.

Ketty looked back at her sketch. She had great faith in all her employees, Judith included. She had come to Ketty twenty-five years ago as a young dressmaker, painfully shy with a terminally ill mother-in-law to care for and a useless husband. She had been desperate to find work but had lost previous jobs because of her poor attendance. Ketty had instantly recognised her excellent tailoring skills. She had employed her and allowed her to work from home when necessary. Her trust in Judith had been rewarded over and over again; with her hard work and clever cutting, she had proven herself one of the best dressmakers Ketty had ever had. Once the poor mother-in-law finally died Judith somehow found the courage to leave her husband and start afresh. It may have been partly due to Ketty’s offer to subsidise the rent in a nearby flat. Nonetheless the confident woman beside her had long since come to stand on her own two feet and had well and truly left behind the downtrodden girl who had first arrived at her door.

“You got the real pearl buttons then?”

Ketty didn’t have to look at Judith to know her expression was disapproving. “I did.”

“We quoted reproductions.”

“I know.”

“Then you’d like me to amend Miss Davidson’s account?”

Ketty once more locked eyes with Judith. “No. It’s my wedding gift to the bride.”

“It’s no wonder you’re barely making a profit, Ketty.” Judith tutted. “Have you heard back from the accountant yet?”

Ketty looked down at the package she gripped in her hands. She had confided in the other woman in a weak moment over their regular Friday evening glass of wine a month or so ago. Now Ketty wished she hadn’t. The accountant had made it quite clear she was losing ground and had to make changes. Given her age he’d suggested she sell or simply close her doors but Ketty couldn’t imagine giving up work yet. It was her life, and not only that; her staff depended on their jobs. His next suggestion, that she cut back on staff, had been equally unpalatable, and yet she had to do something. Her cruise had been booked long ago and in the light of the current situation she regretted it but she’d lose her money if she didn’t go. No point in that. And then there was the thought that getting away would give her some breathing space and, she hoped, a clear enough head to see what was best for the future of her staff and her business. She lifted her shoulders and fixed Judith with her most confident smile.