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“They’re treating you differently.”

Alexandra nodded. “It’s silly, really, but I was educated at home, and there aren’t many girls my age nearby. I thought I might meet other women during the Season, but then, of course, court presentations were suspended when the war began.”

“You’re lonely,” said Izzie, understanding more than her new friend could probably know.

“I suppose it sounds ridiculous. Daughter of an earl, lonely. Why should anyone want to spend any pity on me?”

“It doesn’t matter who your father is, you can still be lonely. I should know.”

Alexandra looked up. “Really?”

“Yes.” It surprised Izzie a little bit that she really believed it to be true. Her circumstances might be different, but what friends did she have outside of the dress shop other than Willie? When she’d been in school, it hadn’t really mattered, because she’d had Sylvia at home. But when Sylvia left, Izzie’s world had shrunk down to the shop.

“I thought that by joining the WAAF I would fall into friendship with all sorts of girls,” said Alexandra. “Didn’t you?”

“I was mostly preoccupied with what would happen to the shop,” Izzie admitted.

“Oh,” said Alexandra.

She hated to see this young woman who seemed to have boundless enthusiasm and a forward sort of kindness to match so down, so she drew back her shoulders and stuck out her hand.

“Aircraft Woman Second Class Sumner? It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Aircraft Woman Second Class Shelton, and I was just going to NAAFI. Would you like to join me for a little friendly chat?”

Alexandra brightened. “Really?”

“Really. Besides, you owe me a cup of tea, remember?”

Alexandra laughed. “Three cups of tea. I am a woman who always pays my debts.”

As they started to walk together toward the NAAFI’s entrance, Alexandra asked, “Has the word from home improved at all?”

“Sylvia is making changes.”

“What sort of changes?” asked Alexandra.

She told Alexandra about the deposits and payments upon collection. The advertisements and Sylvia acting as a debt collector.

“She’s on such a tear, I worry she’s going to drive our customers away,” Izzie finished.

“What is wrong with asking customers to pay, or with advertising?” asked Alexandra.

“Mum thought it made the shop seem common, as though we were begging for business,” Izzie said.

Alexandra cocked her head to one side. “Then how are you supposed to find new customers?”

Izzie shifted uncomfortably. It was exactly what Sylvia had written to her and, if she was being truly honest, what she had wondered when she’d fought so hard to place that advertisement in the paper the previous year.

“Mum believed in the power of our reputation. One woman tells her sister who tells her neighbor that she really must go to Mrs. Shelton’s Fashions for her clothes,” she said.

“Well, I’m certain that it’s a system that works very well, especially if you have such a loyal set of customers,” said Alexandra before approaching the counter to order them two cups of tea and two chocolate bars.

As they waited, Izzie chewed the inside of her cheek. Mrs. Shelton’s Fashions had had loyal customers—and they still did—but it was obvious that far fewer of them were coming in to the shop these days. And the way that Sylvia had written with such relief about retrieving £500 in the unpaid accounts made her wonder just how badly Mrs. Shelton’s Fashions had been impacted by the war.

When they were settled at a table, Izzie said, “Perhaps I’m being a bit too harsh on my sister.”

“She might have some good ideas, if you’re willing to listen,” said Alexandra.

“I just don’t trust Sylvia. She hasn’t had any interest in the shop since she got married—”