“Please don’t worry, Judith. I have it all in hand.” She opened the package, dismissing the subject. “Just make sure the buttons are sewn on before Miss Davidson arrives for her final fitting this afternoon.” The bride-to-be had declared the replica pearl buttons perfect on her first visit to plan the style and the fabric, but at her last fitting she had declared she’d asked for the real thing. She’d lost three more kilos requiring extensive remodelling, and had swapped her extremely high heels for a lower pair. Bridezillas were one of the reasons Ketty avoided bridal gown work as much as possible but lately she’d accepted any business that came their way. When Miss Davidson had made a fuss Ketty hadn’t argued but had agreed to change the buttons. Judith was a stickler for the rules and didn’t understand the importance of small acts of benevolence to customers, which not only made them happy but brought return business and recommendations, something that was more important than ever in this online shopping world.

“Very well. I will do it myself.” Judith’s stiff face softened into a smile. “Now please go and gather your things. The taxi will be here soon.”

“You’re sure you’re clear about this design?”

“Very.”

“And you’ll see to the buttons?”

“As soon as you leave.”

“You will remember our job—”

“Is to make the client feel special. Of course.” Judith held out her hands for the package.

Ketty handed it over. With a sharp nod of her head, she turned and made her way through the staff kitchenette and beyond to the stairs leading up to her flat.

The bright and airy rooms above the shop were her haven. The layout was simple: an open plan living, dining, kitchen, with two bedrooms at the front, both with double doors opening onto the balcony which wrapped around the sides of the building with iron lace balustrades. She went to the second bedroom now to close her case and paused to take in the large ball of fluff settled right in the middle of it.

“I wish I could take you, Patch,” she crooned as she scooped up the black and white cat. “But you’ll be much happier here with Lacey fussing over you.”

Patch’s look was one of disdain. She blew him a kiss anyway, set him on the floor and shut her case. It took some force to keep the lid down so she could tug the zip closed.

She substituted her plain work clothes for a pair of wide-legged white linen pants and a turquoise three-quarter-sleeved soft knit that finished at her hips. She clinched a wide belt at her waist then sat on the bed to swap her flat black shoes for a pair of blue espadrilles. The woven white handbag with its blue leather trim lay on the bed beside her, already packed with her tickets, passport and wallet.