Netta gulped as she studied the bus timetable to see what unearthly hour she must rise to get back to Griseley in time. Beggars can’t be choosers, she sighed. Of all the jobs in all the papers she had written to and asked after, this was the only one to come up trumps. Mrs Danvers from the film Rebecca, that was who Miss Venables looked like, and she came to a sticky end. If this was the grilling for a humble alterations seamstress, heaven knows what a sales assistant must go through to be acceptable. Still it was a job in fashion retailing, the next step forward. As Netta stared from the top of the bus the sights around her looked pleasing enough. Griseley was almost countrified with moorland stretching into the distance as far as the eye could see and it was on the road to Ilkley with fine houses with huge frontages and gardens, an elegant parade of shops, broad streets and an air of prosperity about the shoppers even in these shabby times.

The last of the terrible snow lay melting in piles on the sides of the pavements but the hills were clearing fast. There was no white in the hollows, a sure indication that the snow would not return. Spring was late but it had come at last and her spirits soared with excitement at this new opportunity. Vida had been right when she’d said Netta should find the right clientele. There would be so much to learn about Maison Dorelle even though it was old-fashioned. Who nowadays had ‘Gowns, Furs and Overmantles’ printed in faded gold lettering above the window? There were no prices in the window displays and that meant expensive, exclusive and quality. If she was going to be a dress designer then this was where she must start.

In the days that followed her arrival across Maison Dorelle’s hallowed portals, Netta found herself on her hands and knees to the great and good of the county. Miss Venables was a stickler for pecking orders, procedures and propriety. ‘You stay in your corner, Jeanette, until called. Speak to no one unless spoken to. Maybelle makes the sale and you obey her orders at all times. She will nod. Do not hover and above all make no suggestions. I will not have pin-pickers altering my garments without my say so. No contact, no comments and no connection with our customers. Is that understood?’