Secrets of the Heart by Jenny Lane Page B

here for a very short time so who am I to comment?'
    `Oh, come on, I'm sure you've noticed the mistakes too?'
    Annis paused. 'One or two, yes,' she said at last, 'but surely that's inevitable because of the way you both expect Sally to work?'
    He laid down his knife and fork, his eyes glinting. `Go on . . . '
    `Well, she's constantly having to deal with interruptions from various quarters, and she's often called away to different parts of the building to attend meetings. She loses continuity, she can't help it.'
    `Yes, I see,' said Tristan. 'So what would you suggest to make things easier for her?'
    `Well, it seems to me that Sally isn't given a chance to concentrate on the wedding business. She should be allowed to get on with her work without so many disturbances.' She had a sudden inspiration. 'Perhaps she could do with a break from Heathercote Mill altogether. She works so hard. Aren't there any courses she could go on? That might help.'
    Tristan looked thoughtful.
    `It's a coincidence but, as it happens, there's one next week. I'm booked on it, but if Sally agreed, then I'm sure I could arrange for her to go in my place. That's if you're prepared to stay and cover for her, of course.'
    He wasn't to know that Sally had already mentioned the course rather wistfully to Annis, and had said that she hadn't been given the opportunity to go on it.
    `That sounds like a good idea,' Annis said. 'And of course I'll stay.'
    As they left the pub, Tristan took Annis's arm in a friendly manner and, in spite of his relationship to Stella, she found herself warming to him.
     
    * * *
     
    To Annis's relief, Sally was delighted at the prospect of going away on the course.
    `I've no idea how you managed it, Annis. You've obviously used your charm on Tristan. It'll be wonderful to have a few days away from this place and to know that the business has been left in safe hands. Thank you so much for persuading Tristan to let me go.'
    `It wasn't difficult — he came up with the idea himself after I'd put it into his head.' Annis laughed. 'Anyway, you've as much right as anyone else to go on a course. You're letting the others trample all over you. You need to be more assertive.'
    `I know, but it's difficult . . . If only you'd come to work here on a permanent basis again, then perhaps we could get things back on an even keel and I'd do things differently.'
    Bryn had given the go-ahead for the idea that Sally had consulted him about that morning, and so, presently, the two girls went along to the boutique to see Madame Cecile.
    `Hats,' Madame Cecile mused. 'You know, that's a very good idea. After all, it can be quite difficult to find the exact hat to match an outfit There's no reason why we shouldn't give it a try in a small way, to begin with. We already hire out top hats for gentlemen.' Madame Cecile was obviously enthusiastic, and Sally and Annis exchanged delighted glances.
    `Of course, I'm far too busy with the dressmaking to get too involved with millinery as a side line,' she told them, `but in a few years' time when my daughter, Camille, is fully trained, that might be an area she would like to specialise in. It would also be a good use for the empty unit next door, because we don't have the storage space here.'
    `I've met your daughter, Madame,' Annis told her. 'She's quite charming.'
    Madame Cecile glowed with pride.
    The three women discussed hats for a little while and then stopped to admire the gown that Madame was working on. It was in oyster-coloured satin with a scooped neckline. Madame was in the process of adding the finishing touches, a trail of silver embroidery with the merest suggestion of peach here and there.
    ‘ It's one of your loveliest creations yet,' Sally complimented her. 'What about the veil?'
    Madame smiled and her entire face was transformed, so that Annis could see that she was much younger than she had at first thought.
    `The veil is to be made from antique lace, a family heirloom, apparently. I'll show you