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Donaldson,’ Elizabeth said, bobbing a curtsey at the door, ‘can I speak to you for a moment, please?’
    The lady of the house sat gazing out of her drawing room window. ‘Of course, Elizabeth.’ She beckoned with an imperious finger. ‘But draw nearer so that you might see the seals over there.’
    She pointed outside to the sand banks dotted with grey seals. The view from the drawing room was the best in the house. Elizabeth often stood entranced by it when she was supposed to be cleaning the room. She gazed over the lush garden of flowers and well-tended shrubs. She had asked the gardener the names of her favourites: the purply-red flowering currants, the cerise camelias and, in the middle of the lawn, a beautiful milky-blossomed magnolia tree. Beyond this the River Tay stretched below, over to the rolling hills of Fife. This view was never the same. Today the water was shimmering through a pale summery haze.
    ‘Look,’ said Mrs Donaldson. ‘I have been counting. I think there are some thirty seals on that bank there.’
    Elizabeth peered out at the estuary. ‘I’ve never seen as many, Madam. Is it because the weather’s sae – so – warm?’
    ‘Perhaps it is. What a life that must be, lolling around on those sand banks, bathing in the warm sunshine. Imagine how wonderful that would be, Elizabeth.’
    Aye, you’d fair like that, you and your afternoon naps and pampering a’ day long, thought Elizabeth.
    ‘I try to imagine how our magnificent new railway bridgemight affect the view of those poor people who live within the city. At least here on the outskirts it will not alter our vista towards the Kingdom of Fife.’ She raised an elegant hand towards the east. ‘They have built most of the girders already. I fancy it will be a fine sight when we see trains on it. Mr Donaldson tells me that the rail ferries to Broughty Ferry will cease within two years and then we will see the very first train steaming over the bridge.’
    ‘It’s a miracle, Madam.’ Elizabeth looked out at the high girders. ‘I have never been on a train.’
    ‘No, no, of course not,’ said Mrs Donaldson, straining her neck to see further. ‘Dundee shall be the talk of dining tables across the country; it is to be the longest railway bridge in the whole world. There is even talk that Her Majesty the Queen will attend the grand opening.’ She sighed. ‘Although I personally believe she will not come. How many more years can she continue to mourn her husband?’ Mrs Donaldson looked up at Elizabeth. ‘But you had something to say to me?’
    ‘Yes, Madam,’ she said, clasping her hands together in front of her. ‘You remember I said I knew someone who was ready to join me in service?’
    ‘Ah yes,’ her mistress mumbled, stifling a yawn. It was nearly time for her afternoon nap. ‘Well?’
    ‘I was wondering if she might be considered for the post here when Mollie Andrews leaves to get married? It’s my sister Jane.’
    ‘Ah, now why did I have the impression you had neither brother nor sister? Well, perhaps she could come to see us one day soon and we can decide if she is suitable.’
    ‘Thank you, Madam.’
    Mrs Donaldson stood up and smoothed down hergrey taffeta gown. Elizabeth could not help but look at her waistline where the tiny black buttons were straining. Surely she couldn’t be expecting again, the wee one was still a baby.
    Her mistress looked at the vase of tall flowers on the little table beside her and bent over, leaning towards the ivory petals. She inhaled deeply. ‘Exquisite. What an aroma. I’ve asked the gardeners to cultivate more of those scented roses; beautiful, are they not?’
    Elizabeth nodded.
    ‘Not dissimilar in colour to the magnolia you like so much.’
    Elizabeth smiled and waited for her mistress to return to the topic.
    ‘So, back to your sister. Perhaps you could take on the superior role of house maid and if we deem your sister suitable, she could become scullery and laundry