Sowerbutt's Guests

He turned the key to the Cheapside flat as quietly as he could and tip-toed in. He could hear noise, people talking. Inside the flat was a hive of activity. Three women were sitting at a trestle table, chattering and hand-sewing pieces of colourful material; a couple of large sewing machines stood on top of the table.

“There you are, James. And about time,” Polly smiled, holding a tall toque with a spread of blue feathers. “This is a demonstration of what we can do, great isn’t it? You and I are buying a millinery company which has fallen on hard times. We can sell utility hats in the Smoke and employ some of our girls in safety.
“These talented ladies will teach our girls what to do.” Polly quickly pinned her hair up, placed the toque on her head and walked around the room. As the three women workers clapped, Polly smiled at Sowerbutt and said: “What do you think?”
He was rarely at a loss for words.
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