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have often discussed, Annabel, Ready-to-Wear is clearly the way ahead for us now; to give a younger, wider more affordable appeal. Hopefully we can grab a piece of this fast developing market, without losing our exclusivity. Most importantly though, it could be the launching pad you need.'
    My head could barely absorb the facts properly, or their implications. I was staggered. Finally I found my voice. 'Oh my God… that's brilliant, Edward! Fabulous! Do you think I'm ready for it though?'
    'Come on now, Annabel. You damn well know you are! I mean, haven't you been my right hand girl for the past year now? Anyway, why do you think I've encouraged you so much? It's time you spread your talents further. What better opportunity than this.' He then rose and coming round the desk, laid his hand on my shoulder. 'I'm delighted the Directors are agreeing to give you this chance. For once they've been guided by me over this.'
    'I ... I don't know what to say. Thank you so much.'
    'Just prove me right, okay?'
    'Oh I will, I will,' I said jumping up with excitement.
    'So ... how do you like the idea of the label reading something like this - Miss Courtney - by Annabel Spencer ?' His fingers formed the shape of the label.
    'I love it!'
    He grinned happily, raising his bushy eyebrows, which always shaded his soft, brown, deep-set eyes. My thoughts suddenly whisked back a couple of years to a talk we'd had in my earlier days working with him, when he'd confided in me a bit about himself and his own humble beginnings.
    At the time he'd been expressing his concern about my developing friendship with Vanessa, anxious that I shouldn't become too influenced by ‘her crowd’ as he called it. He'd even caught me on my own one day shortly after Vanessa's party to talk about it. I'd then hastily assured him that he had no need to worry; that I'd not been in the least impressed by those I'd met at her flat that night. Of course, I'd carefully omitted to mention how I'd fallen madly in love with her dishy brother.
    A keen follower of Billy Graham, Edward never imposed his thoughts in this vein on any of us. The Evangelist's book, Peace with God , which was always on his desk, was about the only indication to his religious leaning. Also in true Evangelical spirit he was always a good listener and eager to help people whenever he felt the need.
    That day he'd taken the opportunity to chat frankly to me, and I'd learned a lot about his thoughts and how he ticked.
    'You're simply a breath of fresh air to this place, Annabel; I’d hate to see you change.' Then folding his long arms he'd looked at me earnestly. 'I wasn't going to tell you this, but it's the main reason I chose you for the job.'
    I was startled. 'Really?'
    'Yes. Really . Frankly I'm sick of the toffee-nosed fillies normally taken on here.' By now his voice had taken on a slightly more serious tone. 'I was instantly struck by you on the day of your interview. Relieved that for once I could have a junior assistant who is genuinely interested in working hard for a living; who seriously wants to progress and get on; instead of just playing at it as the others do.' He sighed. 'Every one of them comes from such privileged and moneyed backgrounds. None of them need to work. It's like a jolly little hobby for them. Mummy and Daddy think it does them good you see, to earn a little cash for themselves; that it's character forming and so on. Goodness knows why the company has had this policy of employing these girls for so long.'
    It seemed to me this was obviously why Courtneys paid so badly.
    Edward had then continued. 'It was a great relief when Lucinda, your predecessor, left. She was bone-idle. Then as luck would have it, you turned up... and thank God you did, before any of Courtney’s wealthy clients had the chance to offer the services of one of their daughters or nieces! It's a ludicrous policy. I've been trying to persuade the Directors to abandon it for years. To be fair though,