She is still clutching my proposal. For a moment, I try to rein in the excitement that’s welling up in me. However, it’s occurred to me now that bunnygate caused Rose to think differently, too – radically, really, considering that the word ‘fresh’ had been unheard of at Flaxico. And suddenly we were propelled into the world of deli-type lines, recruiting young people, transforming the low boardroom into some kind of playroom, with huge TV screens, enormous L-shaped sofas and even a fish tank.

‘Unfortunately, we’re under severe budget restraints,’ Hannah adds, almost apologetically.

‘Yes, but it wouldn’t cost a lot,’ I say quickly. ‘I’ve worked out how we can pull together a Girl Friday collection, from vintage shops and collectors—’

‘Yes, I’ve read all that, you’ve gone into incredible detail—’

‘And the staging needn’t be expensive either. I used to work in theatre. I’ve managed productions where, honestly, you wouldn’t believe how little money we had. And a fashion show can be very simple. We’re just talking a basic runway, and seating of course. And I’m sure we can find plenty of models.’

Hannah nods. ‘Once we have the clothes, we can start to do the graphics and the displays. That could all be done in-house …’ She pauses. ‘Would Penny be on board with all of this?’

‘Erm, I haven’t been through it all with her yet,’ I bluster, ‘as I wasn’t sure whether it would actually happen.’

‘You didn’t want to build up her hopes?’ she suggests.

‘Kind of.’ I smile to disguise a flicker of panic. What the hell am I getting myself into here? ‘Her son is on board though,’ I add. ‘He’s completely behind it. He was there, of course, when she started out, and he’ll be a huge help when it comes to pulling the whole Girl Friday story together.’

‘Well, that’s great,’ she says warmly, ‘and I’m sure Penny will be delighted once we get things in motion. How could she not be, really? So …’

‘So, what you’re saying,’ I interrupt, barely able to contain myself now, ‘is that you want to go ahead?’

‘Absolutely,’ Hannah replies with a wide smile, clutching the proposal to her chest. ‘We all think your plan is brilliant, Viv. So it’s a definite yes.’

Part Four

The Show

Chapter Thirty

A month later: Saturday, November 2

Izzy wanted a camping party for her birthday. She was determined to recreate the Brownie experience in our garden, but as I was unwilling to risk any of our young guests suffering from hypothermia, I have transformed our living room into a sort of indoor camp site, complete with two new, cheap festival tents, plus strings of fake flowers, bunting and balloons.