CHAPTER SIXTEEN
‘The studio looks beautiful with all the lights and Christmas decorations,’ Lily said to Frazer, putting her phone away in her bag.
Frazer nodded and glanced around. ‘It’s looking like the setting I imagined for the ball.’ Then he took a deep breath. ‘I got your message about the job interview.’
She explained what had happened, and what she’d discussed with Mirren.
Frazer fought the urge to offer advice, not wanting to interfere with her career.
‘I phoned my parents in Perth to tell them,’ she said.
‘What did they say?’
‘They said... you’ll know what to do, Lily . Then they were excited to tell me about a theatre show they’d been to at the weekend. And that they’d bought tickets to two other shows. Plus, they’ve booked into a luxury hotel in Perth for a few days over Christmas to relax and have their Christmas dinner and celebrate there. I told them I hoped they’ll have a great time. And then I walked up here for my lesson with you.’
Frazer wanted to wrap his protective arms around her and give her a warm hug. But he couldn’t, and it tore at his heart.
Instead, he smiled reassuringly at her. ‘Then let’s dance, Lily.’ He went over to the music system.
‘I just need time to relax a little to think what I’ll do about the job offer,’ she added while he set up the songs. ‘I never have much chance to think about things these days. I’m so busy. I imagined I’d be upstairs in my cosy living room, sitting at my sewing machine in the evenings, dressmaking.’
‘Now you’re here having dance lessons.’ He walked towards her as the introduction to a song started to play.
‘Yes, but the lessons were only one hour on a few evenings a week. That seemed doable.’ She held her hands up. ‘But I’m not complaining. I love the dancing. I wouldn’t change anything about it.’ Then she frowned. ‘Except maybe those awful samba moves I attempted at the theatre party.’ She shuddered with embarrassment.
Frazer clasped her hands and started to dance. ‘You mean those samba rolls...’
‘No, Frazer,’ she said, digging her heels in. ‘I’m not repeating those.’
He encouraged her to dance, and she started to smile.
‘Or the samba bounces. You were okay at those.’
Lily laughed as she attempted the bounces. ‘The samba isn’t my dance.’
Frazer changed his hold. ‘What about a tango?’ He clasped her close to him and began leading her in some staccato steps across the floor.
‘I’m beginning to like the tango,’ she admitted, playing along.
‘Great. What about the quickstep? Do you remember the kicks and flicks?’
Skip–stepping across the dance floor, she started to feel that she was leaving the tension she’d built up during the day behind her.
‘Now slow things right down with the foxtrot,’ he said, changing the pace.
‘I like the foxtrot. It’s so classy and elegant.’
‘It suits you. But so did the cha–cha–cha you did with Dougal at the theatre.’
‘My feet barely touched the floor,’ she said, thinking how Dougal’s strength lifted her when she muddled the steps.
‘Like this?’ Frazer lifted her off the floor as he danced, causing her to squeal and giggle.
Lily felt his gentle strength lift her up.
He put her down. ‘That’s quite a repertoire you’ve learned, Lily. What’s next? The Paso doble?’
‘Nooo,’ she shrieked as he danced a few dramatic moves with her, resulting in her being breathless from laughing.
‘What about the rumba?’ Frazer showed her the smooth, sensual rhythm of the movements.
Something in her swept aside her natural reticence as she gazed up at him, feeling the connection between them as they danced.
His face was close to hers as he leaned down and pulled her body so close she thought he would surely feel her heart beating wildly.
Their hips moved in sync to the rhythmic beat of the rumba, and she thought for a moment, he was going to kiss her, but he didn’t, and they continued to dance in close rhythm.
‘Is that the rumba you’ve taught her!’ Dougal exclaimed from the doorway, sounding impressed.
They stepped apart, and Lily felt a rosy blush across her cheeks.
‘Yes,’ said Frazer. ‘We were just summarising Lily’s repertoire, concluding with a rumba.’
Dougal applauded. ‘Well done, Lily.’
Victoria popped in too.
‘We’ve finished teaching,’ Dougal said to Frazer. ‘Do you want to film the new dance clips before you start Lily’s lesson?’
Frazer turned to Lily. ‘I want dance clips for the website showing the new lights and decorations,’ he explained. ‘Victoria is going to wear one of the ballgowns and dance with Dougal. Do you mind if we take a few minutes to do that now?’
‘Not at all. Can I help?’ Lily offered.
‘You could help me select a ballgown,’ Victoria said to her.
Lily went to walk away, happy to help, but Frazer clasped her hand. ‘Would you like to join us? Put a ballgown on too? One of the pre–loved dresses to vary the styles for the website.’
Victoria smiled encouragement to Lily.
‘Okay,’ Lily agreed, and hurried away through to the reception.
Frazer and Dougal were smartly dressed, so they set up the music and lighting for the short performance. They used both their phones, sitting them up to capture different parts of the dance floor.
‘I’ll edit the clips together,’ said Frazer, eager to capture new footage for the website showing all the festive decor that was ready for the ball.
Victoria rummaged through the ballgowns hanging up in the shop. Some had already been bought, but the selection that was left was lovely.
‘We’re spoiled for choice,’ said Victoria.
‘Let’s think. The last time you wore a pale blue ballgown and I wore pink. So we should wear totally different colours this time.’
Victoria nodded. ‘It’ll let people see that it’s new videos.’
Lily nodded and unhooked a fabulous lilac and glitter ballgown.
Victoria lifted a gorgeous pale yellow and sparkling gold ballgown and held it up in front of herself at the mirror.
Lily stood next to her and held up the lilac dress.
Then they glanced at each other, swapped ballgowns, held them up and nodded.
‘The yellow and gold suits your blonde hair better,’ Victoria admitted.
Lily nodded when she saw how the lilac flattered Victoria’s chestnut hair and pale complexion.
Smiling excitedly, they hurried through to the changing room and put the ballgowns on, helping each other get ready. Then they went back through to the studio.
‘Oh, lovely!’ Dougal said as Lily and Victoria made an entrance, twirling on the dance floor and showing them the ballgowns.
Frazer’s heart took a hit seeing Lily walk in looking gorgeous. He smiled and nodded at both of them. ‘Perfect.’
‘What do you want to include in the dance clips?’ Dougal said to Frazer.
‘I thought we’d start with a traditional waltz,’ said Frazer. ‘That’s what people love and expect at the ball.’
Lily was relieved. She could manage to waltz.
‘Then it would be great if you could perform an American Smooth,’ Frazer said to Victoria and Dougal. ‘We haven’t put a clip of that up in a while.’
Victoria and Dougal seemed delighted with the dance choice.
‘We’ll do the moves from our last American Smooth,’ Victoria suggested to Dougal. ‘That performance was popular.’
Dougal agreed.
‘And we’ll do a bit of foxtrot,’ Fraser said to Lily.
Lily nodded. ‘Okay.’
Partnering up, Frazer took Lily in hold as the music began. The phones were recording the dancing.
‘Waltz what we practised on stage,’ Frazer whispered to Lily.
Feeling safe in Frazer’s capable arms, Lily let him lead her as they waltzed around the floor. She saw all of them dancing, reflected in the mirrors, and the Christmas lights aglow, adding to the atmosphere.
‘You look wonderful this evening,’ Frazer whispered to her.
And somewhere between waltzing and doing the foxtrot with Frazer, enjoying the festive splendour of the setting, and loving wearing the ballgown, Lily let the tension of the day fade into the music and dancing.
‘Would you like to try a couple of lifts?’ Frazer said to Lily.
She hesitated. ‘What would I have to do?’
‘Let me sweep you up as we waltz and foxtrot. Nothing too difficult. Just a few lifts to add a bit of pizzazz and theatre to the dancing.’
‘You won’t twirl me around your head like a baton?’ she said lightly.
‘Not unless you’re up for that.’
Lily laughed. ‘No.’
‘Okay then, just some elegant and gentle lifts.’
They waltzed for a moment and then Frazer lifted Lily up, wrapping one arm around her waist in a sweeping motion. He waltzed a few steps and then placed her smoothly back down, and they continued to dance.
‘Excellent,’ Frazer said to her.
Lily smiled at him.
Changing their waltz to the foxtrot, Frazer lifted her again, this time a little higher and Lily extended her arm out to go with the movement of the lift.
Putting her down, Frazer pulled her into close hold and they danced until the end of the song.
‘Great lifts,’ Dougal said to them.
As they all finished dancing, Frazer and Dougal checked that their phones had recorded what they needed for the video clips.
‘I’ll get these edited and put up on the website,’ said Frazer.
Lily and Victoria changed out of the ballgowns, and Lily went back through to begin her lesson with Frazer.
‘Let’s practise the waltz again,’ Frazer suggested to Lily, and she was happy to do this.
While a romantic piece of music played, Frazer waltzed with Lily.
The music merged into the next song, and Frazer led her into a slow foxtrot.
Lily felt herself becoming more comfortable with the dances.
The remainder of her lesson comprised of the quickstep, resulting in Lily finishing, feeling uplifted and energetic.
Frazer started to lock up. ‘I’ll walk you back to the shop.’
Lily put her boots, coat and scarf on. She looked out the window at the frosty night as he switched the lights off.
‘Everything is frosted,’ she said.
‘We’ll walk briskly.’
‘No dancing.’
He smiled. ‘No, not tonight.’
The air was still and icy cold as they stepped outside and started to walk down the street.
Frazer didn’t dance. Instead, they chatted calmly, as if they were both unwinding from the busy day.
‘I’ve scheduled a date in January for the winter ball,’ he told her. ‘It’ll be the Christmas Eve ball soon, and it’s let me see what I need to organise for these events. It’s handy to have the studio with such a large dance floor. Then all I need is the lighting, music and a buffet.’
‘It’s fortunate that you have the studio as a venue. I’m sure the winter ball will start to sell out too. You’ve got a busy time ahead planning your events.’
‘I’m eager to find time to relax at home, hopefully in the New Year.’
‘What do you do to relax when you’re home and have time to unwind?’
Frazer thought about this for a moment and then smiled. ‘I dance.’
Lily laughed. ‘You dance for work, for fun, and for relaxation,’ she said, summing it up.
‘Pretty much,’ he confessed. ‘What about you?’
‘Part of the joy of dressmaking is that it gives me time to relax and think. I find dressmaking calming. Even when I’m sitting at my sewing machine working on a dress or other item, I feel relaxed and able to think things over. Recently, I’ve missed that. I’ve been so busy. I’m still settling into the flat and into the routine of working at the shop. But I’m used to long, relaxing evenings sitting cosy with my dressmaking.’
By now they’d reached the dress shop and Lily unlocked the door.
‘See you tomorrow night,’ he said.
‘I don’t have a lesson. I’ll be relaxing with my dressmaking.’
He nodded and smiled. ‘Thanks for taking part in the dance clips. I’ll send you a link when I put them on the website.’ Then he waved and started to walk away.
Lily watched him for a moment, and then stepped inside, closed the door and went upstairs.
The Christmas tree lights created a welcoming glow when she walked into her living room, and she got changed into her cosy pyjamas and made a cup of tea.
Sitting in front of the fire reading the job offer details on her laptop, she sipped her tea and considered her options. But there was so much to think about, so she decided to relax with her dressmaking. Specifically, making a start on Frazer’s waistcoat.
Padding over to her sewing machine in her fluffy socks, she picked up the piece of brocade fabric and went downstairs to the shop.
She switched the lights on, illuminating her sewing machine and work table, and looked at the bolts of silk and satin on the shelves. There were two shades of blue that suited the deep blue brocade.
Design–wise, she didn’t want an exact match for the colour of the brocade, especially for the silk back of the waistcoat. She wanted it a few tones lighter so that it contrasted with the rich colour of the brocade.
Pulling a bolt of blue silk down, she held the brocade against it and nodded to herself. This would work well.
The satin was for the waistcoat lining. She selected another shade of blue, slightly deeper than the silk, but not as dark as the brocade. If the waistcoat was worn unbuttoned, the lovely satin lining would be on show.
Having decided the colours she wanted, she unrolled the silk and satin on the table and cut the two pieces she needed.
Stashing the bolts back up on the shelf, she viewed the three pieces of fabric under the lights. These would look great.
Next up, was finding the classic waistcoat pattern she’d designed and used a few times. It was in one of her design folders near her sewing machine. Unfolding the pattern pieces on her work table, she started to adjust the basic design, checking the measurements on the piece of paper where she’d noted them down.
She needed to add a bit of width to the back and reduce the waist to accommodate Frazer’s broad–shoulders and lean waist. She extended the length slightly too. But overall, her traditional design worked well.
Apart from the interfacing and buttons, she had everything she needed to start making the waistcoat. So she set to work, cutting the pattern pieces. Skilled at pattern cutting, she soon had the pieces of fabric ready to be constructed.
Turning the lights off, she went back upstairs to make a start on the waistcoat using the sewing machine in her living room.
While she pieced it together, adding the darts and other aspects of the tailoring, she started to relax and think things over...
After arriving home, Frazer set up his laptop in his living room to start editing the dance videos. Seeing Lily dancing with him tugged at his heart, but he concentrated on getting the clips ready to put up on the website before going to bed.
Victoria and Dougal’s routines were excellent, and he merged this with his waltzing and foxtrot with Lily, highlighting the lifts. He admired her willingness to give the lifts a go and how she even tried to add an elegance to the finished lines.
Frazer sighed heavily. He couldn’t fault Lily. His predicament was his own doing, and now he wasn’t sure how to undo it. Her job offer was still unsettled, causing him to feel unsettled too.
Messages kept popping up on his phone, even at this time of night, especially from those working in the evenings, like Huntly at the theatre, wanting to talk to him about the new choreography which he thought was great. And a message from professional dancer, Wil, working late in his private dance studio in the small town further up the coast.
Wil had sent Frazer an invitation to a celebratory event he was holding in January at his studio. And Wil confirmed that he’d be attending the Christmas Eve ball, bringing his artist girlfriend, Delphie, with him, and her grandparents Delphine and Billy. Delphine, a former ballerina from Paris, had been happily married to Scottish farmer Billy for decades, and was now involved in helping with costume designs for shows that Wil was planning.
Frazer replied to Wil:
Thanks for the invitation. I’ll be there .
A reply from Wil shot back to him:
Bring a plus one, if you want .
I’ll try .
You need to make time for romance, Frazer .
I know. I’m trying. See you at the ball soon .
Frazer put his phone down, but checked it now and again for messages from Lily, in the wild hope that she’d decided to decline the job offer and stay in Edinburgh. If ever he’d needed a Christmas wish to come true...
Pushing aside such fanciful thoughts, he finished editing the video clips and put them up on the website.
Keeping his promise to Lily, he sent her a message, saying the videos were up and gave her a link. She’d surely be asleep by now, but she’d see them in the morning.
Lily wasn’t sleeping. She wasn’t even in bed. Her sewing machine was whirring late into the night as she worked on Frazer’s waistcoat. It wasn’t finished, but she’d made a substantial part of it and intended finishing it soon.
She replied to his message:
Thanks for letting me know. Watching the videos now .
Frazer saw her message and responded.
They’ve come out well, especially as they show the great progress you’ve made learning to waltz and foxtrot .
Watching the videos, seeing herself dancing with Frazer, she felt her confidence bolstered. She had improved, though Frazer was an excellent instructor and encouraged her to step up to each challenge. The ballgowns looked lovely and added flair to the videos.
She viewed the parts where Frazer lifted her up. He was so strong and made it look effortless.
Well, I’ll let you get some sleep. Busy day tomorrow?
Dressmaking, sewing and mending in the shop, designing patterns .
I’ll see you when you come up for your next lesson .
The messages ended there, and Lily switched off her sewing machine and tidied up. She tucked Frazer’s half–finished waistcoat away and started to get ready for bed.
As she turned the lights off on the Christmas tree, she saw flakes of snow fluttering down. It had certainly been a colder night. Maybe snow was on the way.
Edinburgh was covered with a light sprinkling of snow the following morning.
Despite having a late night, Lily was up early, dressed warmly for the snowy day, and was out for a walk through the heart of the city before it was time to open the dress shop.
She breathed in the scent of the snow, the crispness of the air, feeling it revitalise her senses, wakening her up and giving her a boost of energy to start the day afresh.
The streets looked picturesque dusted with snow, as did the trees and greenery. She walked a fair distance and then circled back to the shop, almost tempted to go for another round. But Mirren would be arriving at the shop soon, and she wanted to make an industrious start to the day, beginning with sewing and mending the selection of pre–loved vintage dresses that had arrived the previous afternoon. They were now hanging on the to–do rail. And she aimed to help Mirren mend a few.
She planned to work on new dress designs too. Maybe it was because she’d been mending the ballgowns, working with all the lovely fabrics, but she’d had new ideas for designs for a while and wanted to draw them into the large sketchbooks she used for her artwork. All her designs started with a pencil drawing, then once she was happy with the design, she’d ink it using a fine art pen on to artist layout paper, creating an illustrated drawing that had a fashion design quality.
Being able to draw had been a huge bonus in her line of work, and she loved to draw. It all felt part of the dress designing process.
Walking along the snowy street, she approached the dress shop. One of the mannequins needed a dress added to the display. She aimed to do that before Mirren arrived and set things up for the busy day.
Bringing a fluttering of snowflakes into the shop with her, she closed the door and flicked through the rails of finished dresses, picking a shimmering white cocktail–length dress that seemed to fit with the mood of the day.
Lily had just finished putting the dress on the mannequin when Mirren arrived.
‘We’ll have a snow day in the shop!’ Mirren said, cheerily, taking her coat, hat and scarf off. ‘I love days like this.’
Bustling with enthusiasm, they both started work, organising what dresses they’d mend, sharing the tasks, and chatting about Lily’s night at the dance studio.
Mirren viewed the new video clips. ‘Look at Frazer lifting you up!’
Lily laughed. ‘He encourages me to do things that I never would’ve considered.’
‘That’s a good thing. Bert’s like that with me. We encourage each other.’ She watched the videos. ‘Victoria and Dougal are lovely dancers. I see that you and Victoria are wearing the ballgowns we mended.’
‘The dresses felt great for the waltz, sweeping round the floor.’
Mirren peered at Lily and Frazer in the video. ‘What’s the other dance you’re doing?’
‘The foxtrot.’
Lily then told Mirren about Frazer dancing everything from a samba to a tango with her earlier in the evening.
‘A Paso doble and a rumba?’ Mirren exclaimed, hearing the repertoire Lily had been dancing.
‘Frazer was being playful. I just laughed and stumbled my way through the steps most of the time.’
‘It sounds like the pair of you had a wild night up at the dance studio,’ Mirren remarked.
‘We had fun,’ said Lily.
‘Did you dance down the street?’
‘No, we were very well–behaved and walked calmly back to the shop,’ said Lily.
‘Did he give you a wee goodnight kiss?’ Mirren said cheekily.
Lily gasped. ‘No!’
‘Och, don’t sound so surprised. Bert and I keep wondering when he’ll give you a wee kiss.’
A telltale blush rose across Lily’s cheeks. ‘There’s no romance.’
Mirren shrugged. ‘But there could be.’
Lily couldn’t deny it. ‘I’ll put the kettle on for tea.’
Mirren laughed. ‘I baked fruit scones this morning seeing all that snow so you wouldn’t have to trek out to the bakery.’
‘I went for a walk early this morning in the snow,’ Lily called through to her.
‘I should make time to do that,’ Mirren said firmly. ‘I enjoy being out and about on a snowy day.’
‘You should. I don’t know if the snow is going to melt during the day or if more will fall, but you need to make the most of it.’
‘I will,’ Mirren agreed.
‘I’m putting butter on my fruit scone. What do you want?’
‘Just butter for me. No jam today. The scones are sweet enough. I put plenty of fruit in them.’
‘They look delicious. I haven’t had breakfast yet. I was out so early for a walk.’
‘Bert made us bowls of porridge with creamy milk this morning. He’s usually up first and often gives me a cup of tea in bed.’
‘Bert spoils you rotten,’ Lily said lightly.
‘And don’t I know it. I married a keeper.’
‘Are you thinking of taking up dressmaking?’ Dougal said as Frazer walked into the dance studio.
Frazer took his coat and scarf off. He’d been out picking up the posters that advertised the winter ball.
‘No, why?’
Dougal thumbed to a package tucked into the corner of reception. ‘A delivery arrived when you were out. It says on the box that it’s a sewing machine.’
‘That’s Lily’s Christmas present.’
Dougal raised his eyebrows.
‘Don’t give me that look,’ Frazer said, trying not to smile. ‘It’s a thank–you as well for helping to promote the studio.’
Dougal tried not to smile.
‘Lily wants this sewing machine, but she can’t afford it on her financial budget at the moment. So...’
Dougal changed his attitude. ‘That’s very kind of you. Lily has done a lot to help promote the dancing and the ball.’
‘Lily made beautiful ballgowns,’ Victoria added, walking down from upstairs.
‘It’s a surprise, so don’t tell Lily I’ve bought the sewing machine.’ Frazer lugged the box through to the storeroom behind the stage.
Dougal and Victoria nodded, and then exchanged a look between them, wondering if a romance was brewing.
‘And there’s no romance,’ Frazer called through to them, sensing what they would be surmising.
They laughed, and then welcomed the first clients of the day for their lessons.
‘That’s a beautifully–tailored waistcoat,’ said Mirren, admiring Lily’s handiwork.
Lily had brought the half–finished waistcoat down to show her aunt what she’d been making the previous night. ‘I cut a piece of silk and a piece of satin from the bolts.’
‘Use whatever you need for whatever you want from the fabric stock,’ Mirren confirmed. Then she studied the front of the waistcoat. ‘Where did you get that classy brocade?’
‘It was in my fabric stash. I thought it would be ideal for the waistcoat. I’ve used two different shades of blue silk and satin to add style to the design.’
‘I like the way you blend colours and textures of fabrics.’ Then Mirren saw the fashion figures Lily had been drawing on her sketchbook that was on the work table beside her sewing machine in the back of the shop. ‘Are these new dress designs?’
‘Yes, I’ve had ideas for a while, but moving here, I haven’t had time to sketch them. Then repairing the ballgowns has made me want to start drawing what I have in mind. They’re still rough sketches.’
‘I always wished I could draw, but I don’t have your artistic talent.’ Mirren flicked through a few of the drawings in the sketchbook. ‘These look like those fabulous fashion design figure drawings. You should frame some of these illustrations.’
Lily nodded thoughtfully.
‘I forgot to tell you,’ said Lily. ‘The magazine feature, the one where the journalist interviewed me about my dressmaking and designs, and my dancing, is on their website. He sent me a message last night with a link to the online feature. It’s a great promotion for the dressmaking.’ Lily showed her the feature.
‘It’s a great interview,’ said Mirren. ‘The photos look wonderful.’
‘There’s a video of me dancing with Frazer too.’
Mirren was delighted for Lily. ‘Has Frazer seen it?’
‘Yes, I showed him the feature and the video last night at the dance studio. He was really impressed.’
They chatted about the feature, and then Mirren had a suggestion.
‘I came through to say that I’m going for a walk in the snow before lunch,’ said Mirren. ‘Come with me. We’ll have a cup of tea or hot chocolate when we’re out and grab something tasty to bring back for our lunch.’
‘What about the shop?’
‘We’ll close for lunch. I’ll put the notice up.’ Mirren started to put her coat, hat and scarf on. ‘Come on, Lily.’
Switching off her sewing machine, Lily put her coat, hat and scarf on too.
Locking up the shop, they headed out into the snowy day.
‘The snow’s not melting,’ Mirren observed.
Lily breathed in the scent of the snow. ‘It feels great to be out in it.’
They wandered past the shops, from the large stores to the boutiques, admiring the window displays, popped into a couple of shops to browse, and then stopped to buy cups of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.
Meandering along, sipping their drinks, they chatted about their plans for Christmas Day and for the ball.
Refreshed, but eager to get back to the warmth of the shop, they picked up two hot cheese pasties to take back for their lunch.
Back at the shop, they took their coats off and made tea to go with their pasties while they were still warm. Mirren set up the plates while Lily poured the tea, and they sat in the back of the shop with the closed for lunch notice up on the door so they could enjoy their lunch without interruptions.
Mirren deliberately didn’t pry regarding Lily’s plans for the job offer, and Lily avoided bringing it up, preferring to enjoy the snow day without thinking about leaving Edinburgh.
When Lily had been sitting at her sewing machine upstairs the previous night, she’d had some time to consider what to do. Everything kept coming back to feeling her heart ache at the thought of leaving. And something Mirren had advised her. Follow your heart .
Lily had turned her phone off while they ate lunch, and when she switched it back on, it lit up with messages. Her eyes widened as she read them.
‘Is something wrong?’ said Mirren, seeing Lily’s reaction.
Lily turned her phone around to show Mirren the gist of the messages.
Mirren’s reaction mirrored her niece. ‘More job offers for your dress designs!’
‘Yes, two in particular sound interesting.’ Lily read out the details. ‘They’ve all seen the online feature for the magazine and want to talk to me about buying my designs for their shops and businesses. This one is from a fashion boutique. They’ve been looking for someone to design beautiful evening dresses for their boutique. Exclusive designs. They’ve requested I give them a call to chat about their offer. Another small business wants to talk to me as well, wondering if I can supply ballgowns and evening dresses for a new range of designs in their clothes shop.’
Mirren mentally crossed her fingers as she said to Lily, ‘Where are the boutique and the clothes shop based?’
Lily gazed across at her and smiled. ‘Edinburgh.’