Ideas were thrown backwards and forwards. The difficulty of obtaining good material was only a problem until the mother offered her own lace wedding dress, packed away in mothballs somewhere, to be used as the base of the gown. It was duly sent for and examined carefully for stains and rot.

Then, in the privacy of Stratharvar House, the bride-to-be was measured from top to toe against the size of the old dress. ‘I think we’ll have enough if the bride promises me to take her dogs on plenty of walks,’ Vida whispered to Netta. ‘All brides shed pounds before the big day. I pray she’ll be no exception.’ Vida knew it would be a tight squeeze otherwise!

Netta watched as she separated all the precious material and spread it on the table. ‘See, child, you must always shape the fabric to the body, sculpt it carefully to enhance – not conceal but glorify the wearer. We must work in cheap cotton first, make a toile and shape it round the bride before we cut all this cloth. There’s no margin for error. Next we make the pattern to fit her body. Only then will I take the scissors to this cloth.’

Vida fussed and fretted over the first fitting until everyone was faint from standing still. She draped and redraped it until she was satisfied then sewed up the toile into a shape and fitted it over Aileen. Netta had pressed the old material carefully to gain as many extra inches from its generous seams as possible, working to the dressmaker’s principle: ‘Press after every move… and when in doubt, press again.

‘We build like the fortress on the shore,’ laughed Vida. ‘First the inner layer and then the outer fabric – the cut of the gown is its foundation. It must be as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. No skimping. This lace is flimsy and needs support or it will tear and pucker in the wrong places.’

Peg watched the process, sniffing at all the palaver. ‘Why couldna the lassie just wear her mother’s dress?’

‘Because it’s Aileen’s special day and she wants her own dress!’ snapped Netta impatiently.

‘The girl speaks the truth, Mistress Nichol. A remake of an old dress can still look fresh and original. A well-fitted traditional gown will make Miss Forsyth into a beautiful bride. And a bride must feel good on her special day, don’t you think?’ Vida Bloom was trying to be tactful.