On the subject of missing items

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina smiles sweetly. "I shall go and see if Jacob has managed to wrap your gloves in a moment."

She pauses delicately.

"There is the small matter of payment. Do you prefer coinage, or, for customers of the court I also allow boons as a form of payment, if you would rather?"

[Christine Daye]

Christine blinks in surprise.

"Oh....when I was here last...for those beautiful, beautiful gowns you made me...you sent the bill to Maestra.... She deals with such matters...for as she always says...my head is too full of music...to have any space for... other things...can I not have the same done again?"

[Valentina Audley]

"Did we? Excellent! Yes, of course you may do the same as before." She smiles vaguely at Christine then looks through another ledger.

"Ah yes, so we did." She looks up and grins. "This is how Jacob earns his keep, the dear boy. He's far more organised than I when it comes to matters of the ledgers!"

Not strictly true but there we go. It's another polite falsehood and a useful one at that.

"I shall have him deliver the bill for you. Is it to the same address as last time?"

[Jacob Swainswick]

As if summoned, the tailor arrives, a neatly-tied package of brown paper in his hands.

"Ladies," he smiles, "I trust that this isn't an intrusion? - Miss Daye, I have your gloves here. And the suede..." He pops the parcel down on a counter, untying the string to reveal an additional trim pair of gloves in a dark leather. "Will there be anything else?"

[Christine Daye]

Christine frowns, trying to remember.

"If the last time it was sent to the Ceryneian Theatre, then yes..."

Her voice fades away as she gets distracted by the suede gloves.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina consults the ledger. "It would appear so, yes."

She smiles brightly at Christine. "I think that's everything in order there then darling."

[Christine Daye]

"Oh, excellent, excellent, thank you Miss Audley! I shall leave you in peace now, thank you again for your hospitality. And please do let me know when you wish to attend one of my performances - I shall ensure that the best seats in the house are held for you."

Christine gathers up her parcels, and bobs a small curtsey to Valentina, nods at Jacob.

"Good night to you, Miss Audley, Mr Swainswick. I do hope to have the pleasure of your company again soon!"

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina curtseys in return.

"I shall have Jacob look at the diary and see when I am free." She promises smiling warmly.

"It's been so lovely to see you darling!"

[Christine Daye]

"Oh, yes, it has been lovely! So very, very lovely, thank you so much again! Until we meet again then, my very best wishes!"

Christine smiles warmly at Valentina and Jacob, and departs, humming another carol ("the Holly and the Ivy") quite happily.

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina waves goodbye at the door, then carefully shuts it before heading back into the shop proper. Sinking down onto the sofa she smiles up at Jacob.

"Well darling, what did you make of that then?"

She looks for the foot rest and finding it just out of reach makes a moue of disappointment.