Raphael lay stretched out on the bed his arms crossed behind his head on the pillows, watching us try on our new gowns. The girls were especially thrilled with theirs. Francesca because she had never had such a wardrobe before. She was even delighted with Penny’s outgrown gowns which had now been altered to fit her properly. Penny, of course, was excited to have what she considered a more grown-up selection of frocks. She was already tall for her years and seemed likely to reach my height, at least. Both girls enjoyed showing them off to Raphael, who was suitably full of admiration for them.
I had tried on only one of my loosened gowns, indigo satin altered with panels that could be let in further as my girth expanded. I sat down beside Raphael, asking him to untie the laces. ‘I won’t try
