‘Why you in here? This private. Your room on other side.’
Evie spun round, almost jumping out of her skin with fright. A stony-faced Aunty Mimi stood, fists on hips in the doorway. But to Evie’s absolute horror, standing just behind her was Veronica Leighton.
Blood flooded into Evie’s face and her skin burned with embarrassment. Her shaming was total. She’d not felt as humiliated since she was four and had wet her knickers at nursery school.
There was a moment’s silence, as Evie longed to wind the clock back, then Aunty Mimi rushed into the room, snatched the gown from her hands and took it back into the dressing room.
As Evie stammered, searching for something to say, Veronica Leighton, leaned against the doorpost and drawled, ‘You look like you need a stiff gin, darling. Why don’t I
