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“Probably not,” she said cheerfully.

“You know, it’s really not fair keeping all of the Americans to yourself,” called Amelia.

“Not all of the Americans, just one!” Jack shouted back, sending the unit into fits of laughter.

When Jack stopped in front of their vehicle, Alexandra said, “I’m going to have to ask what your intentions are toward our friend, Staff Sergeant Perry.”

“Only honorable, I promise,” said Jack, placing a hand on his heart.

“That’s a shame,” called Lottie.

“There’s a certain man who keeps asking after you,” he said to Alexandra.

“Does he? Isn’t that sweet?” asked Alexandra with a smile that Izzie could tell meant that her friend wasn’t entirely convinced.

Jack seemed to take this as his cue, because he tipped the edge of his hat to the balloon unit and said, “Ladies,” before ambling off in the direction of a car parked a few hundred feet down the promenade.

“How do I find one of those?” breathed Molly.

“She walked into him,” said Alexandra with a laugh. “And he looked as though an angel had just fallen from the heavens.”

“Stop it,” said Izzie.

“If that man doesn’t tell you he’s in love with you by the end of the month, I’ll be shocked,” said Alexandra.

“The end of the month is only days away,” said Grace dreamily.

Alexandra shrugged. “Like I said…”

“Really, Alexandra. Don’t be ridiculous,” Izzie said, nudging her friend.

“Fine,” said Alexandra with a laugh.

But when Izzie looked back at her friend, she found Alexandra watching her with a knowing look.

25 May 1942

Dear Izzie,

I am not ashamed to say that I cried when I received your letter. I am sorry for so many things in my life, but the one I will always regret the most is that I ever left you in any doubt that I love you.

I don’t know what I will do about my marriage. I feel as though I am at an impasse. The only good thing is that it seems as though the only person other than Hugo who knows I am no longer living at the flat is my housekeeper, Mrs. Atkinson. This buys me some time to think about what it is that I really want, and what I’m willing to give up.

Yours,

Sylvia

P.S. The sketches that you sent are beautiful, and Miss Reid and I have already identified two women we think might be perfect for the trousers and blouse and the summer jacket and skirt, respectively. Please send more, and if you feel inclined to design for the cooler weather, we have already had inquiries from customers looking for autumn. Our new ration books come out in a matter of days, and already there is an excitement about new, fresh things—especially since people are worried that the government might again decide that we should receive less for our coupons.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Sylvia rang the bell of Lady Nolan’s home with a sense of profound relief. Not only was she early, but she had her proposal for the fashion show all bundled up in an old attaché case of her father’s she’d found tucked away in a cupboard in the flat.

She probably should have sent Lady Nolan the papers before that afternoon, but just as her personal life had begun to spiral out of control, the shop had also descended into controlled chaos. The happy result of the new ration books that would be issued in June was that everyone was rushing to use up the last of their current coupons before they were declared invalid. The telephone never seemed to stop ringing, and Miss Reid had stayed late the past two nights in order to finish up garments that were due for collection the following day.

A flutter of nerves stirred in her stomach at the idea of Lady Nolan briefing the committee on the fashion show, revealing all of the work Sylvia had already done to ensure it was a success. Over the past weeks, she’d come to know some of her fellow proprietors a little bit, and she was more determined than ever to serve as their champion. They deserved to share the spotlight, and so did Mrs. Shelton’s Fashions.

However, it wasn’t just nerves or a sense of responsibility to the project that had driven Sylvia to take a bus from the shop so early that she’d had to spend three quarters of an hour in a nearby tearoom to pass the time. She also wanted to select a seat before Claire arrived and suggested they sit together.