They were a ready-made family of five but, unlike her sister’s marriage, sharing the care of the children with Lucy, Dorothy and Florence gave Lillian enough time for some leisure. Her apprenticeship was no longer required but she asked Dorothy if she could continue with her tutelage. Lillian was determined to become an expert at designing and sewing fashionable gowns.
Despite the economic depression continuing to sour the lives of many in the suburb and the broken bridge restricting crossings to the ferries alone, there was no shortage of well-to-do customers placing orders at the Hamiltons’ newly refurbished store. Nicholas and Jonathan had successfully restocked the showroom with the bolts of fabric Dorothy had fastidiously catalogued. Florence returned to the store to serve customers
