Chapter One

The town is not mine by birth right.  I was born three thousand miles away in a sleepy town called Sunset Valley.  But ever since I set foot here four years, I have been caught up in a welcoming embrace by the tree lined streets, the stores and the people. 

This is me, Lily Andrews, aged 28.  Some say I have a great sense of humour and I have even heard charismatic, but I am the first to admit that I am a perfectionist who, from time to time, suffers from neurotic tendencies.

And here is my apartment. It has this unique smell – wood polish, old coffee and lavender – it’s me and its home!

In fact it is not so much an apartment, but a one room loft above my shop – I will tell you all about that soon.  As you may have guessed from the fabrics on the floor – I am a dress maker.  Here is my desk where I do all my sketches.

And my mannequins that I use to fit, shape and style my garments.

And opposite the sketching table is my sewing table complete with an old sewing machine I like to call “Old Faithfull” as it is more than 40 years old, but still sews the best under stitches I have ever done.  My co-designer, Ed would disagree with me on this and he always insists on using the modern Singer machine when he comes round… but I like to stick to my old faithful.

So I guess you want to hear about my shop?  It is called Seraphine’s after the lady who owned it before me, Madame Seraphine.  The shop used to be just a dress makers, but since I took over I turned the downstairs into a clothes boutique featuring designer garments including my own creations.

In the corner of the shop is the cash register where you will always find Mia Rogers.  She keeps to herself most of the time, but she is great with the customers and is the only person in the store to operate the cash register.

Over in the opposite corner is my favourite spot of the shop, I like to call it the snug.  Here is where my clients sit when they come for a bespoke item of clothing.  I sit them down, serve them one of the best cups of coffee from my handy coffee machine, and go over sketches and designs.  You will normally find me here even when there are no customers around.

So now I guess you should meet my family.  Well they are not blood related, but as close as I have to a family here in Riverside.  Marnie is my design assistant. 

Her clothes are as bright as her personality as she looks as if she has been bombarded with a spectrum of colours, from her hair to her often clashing t-shirts. Marine is a breath of fresh air, bouncing into Seraphine’s every morning with a confidence and kookiness that I envy and admire.

Ed is my co-designer.  He is one of those people you instantly like with his quick wit and his cheekiness.  Maybe it’s his mischievous qualities that make the women of Riverside find him irresistible.  Even when he is tired or hungover the charm is never far away; in fact it is often endearing when he is looking more dishevelled than usual.

Ed’s style is what he calls “relaxed” but what my mum would term “scruffy”.  You would not think he was a clothes designer to look at him, but it seems to suit him down to the ground and never interferers with him creating masterpieces.

People often tell me they sense about the team at Seraphine’s a closeness they don’t see in other shops.  They often ask if we are related and it always makes me remember Madame Seraphine saying: “We are family at Seraphine’s – it is in the heart of everything we do.”  I’ve tried to keep the same feeling at Seraphine’s since it became my business. And odd as it sounds, I still sense her here – three years after her death – that crinkly smile lighting up her lovely old face.

Celia always tells me I am too sentimental.  Oh I forgot to tell you about Celia, she was my first true friend I made when I moved to Riverside and she watches out for me like an older sister.  Celia has lived in Riverside all her life and works as a reporter at the Daily River, the main newspaper here in Riverside.

“Lily, you are always thinking about the past and not to the future,” Celia declared one Thursday evening as we were having dinner at our favourite restaurant in town.  We were talking about dating and I was telling Celia once again that I was not interested in being set up.

“I am not,” I replied knowing where this was going.  “I just am not interested in meeting anyone right now.  But I promise to let you know when I am willing to get back in the game.”  I give Celia a cheeky smile and see her flop back into her seat.  “What’s all this about,” I ask.  “Why are you so desperate to set me up all of a sudden?”

“Oh it’s my column for next week’s Times.  I’m thinking about the importance of dating in today’s society and how difficult it can be,” Celia replies picking up her spoon and studying her reflection.  “God I am starting to look like my mother!”

Celia is a good looking lady, immaculately turned out at all times.  To look at her you would never guess her age, she could easily pass for a thirty something, when in reality she is nearer her mid forties. She has a style that seems to exude from deep within, what my mum would call “effortless.”

“So my Authors dinner is this Saturday,” Celia says changing the subject and smiling at me with a look I have seen many times.  A voice inside my head is saying don’t do it don’t do it over and over again.

“That’s great Celia.  Sounds like you have everything in hand,” I reply trying to sound like I don’t know what she is getting at.

“Well almost everything….” she replies slowly. “It’s a little delicate really.  I have been let down by Gerard (for your information he is a highly pretentious and overly priced fashion designer in Riverside) at the last minute and I simply do not have anything to wear for the evenings event.  I really need your help.”

The little voice inside my head keeps say don’t do it don’t do it, but I know I will, I always do. 

“Honey you know I only use Gerard because my agent is seeing his brother.  I think some of his clothes are vulgar and I just loved what you did for Jessica Roberts wedding last month.”

I decided to put my friend out of her misery.  “OK, what did you have in mind?”

Celia flings her arms around me letting out a squeal of delight.  “Yes ok I give in,” I mutter.  “You can have my great expertise at extremely short notice and no doubt at a sizeable discount.”

“Ohh your wonderful Lily,” Celia continued squealing and then recounts what sort of dress she had in mind. 

Work begun on Celia’s dress that night.  I called Marnie and Ed into the shop to tell them we have to get a design together quick.

It did not go down to well, especially with Ed as he had a date that night.  “Remind me again why we are selfishly crucifying ourselves tonight?”

“It’s a favour for Celia,” I reply sheepishly hearing Marnie groan.

“And would this be the same Celia who booked our biggest rival to make her dress for the biggest event in the city last Valentines but got us to make the coat for her dog as we are cheaper?”

“Guilty as charged,” I protest.  “But Celia is my really good friend and she has been there for me every time I have needed her.  I just want to repay her kindness.”

Ed’s expression softened and he said shaking his head.  “Lily Anderson we love you dearly. And if it makes you happy we’ll gladly spend the many hours required to help you repay your friend.”

“Thank you,” I reply giving him a wink.”

“Seriously though, you work too much Lily,” Marine pipped in.  I could hear the concern in her voice and knew where this was heading.  “You so need a man….” she begun before I cut her off. 

“I don’t think so… so the schedule for tonight is…”

Ed threw up his hands.  “OK OK boss we get.  But you do understand that Marine and I are committed to bug you about this on a regular basis.” Ed’s eyes twinkle and he flashes me a wide grin.  Even though Ed tries to act the big brother, I know that he is the main culprit out of the terrible twosome that is Ed and Marnie.  They are forever swapping jokes and acting like a couple of big kids and I love them for it.

The three of us then retire to the snug to go over some design ideas for Celia’s dress, brainstorming with the brief she gave me earlier that evening… a cocktail dress that is sophisticated but not boring.

After the sketches are complete, Ed gets to work putting together the dress….

…while I shape and design it on the mannequin.

Celia comes to the shop the next day to try on the finished garment.

This is the bit about my job that always makes me nervous.  Even though I know my designs teamed with Ed’s tailoring are pretty good, I always worry that the client will never agree.  But it seems my fears were unfounded.  Celia loved what we had created for her twisting and twirling in the mirror and squealing with delight as she does.

She was so happy she insisted I came to the Authors event with her.  I had no time to make another dress so I threw on one I made last season and swept my hair up hoping no one would notice I was recycling an old dress… in this industry you have to be ahead of the game, never behind it!

Ed came to see us off and I could not help but giggle as his wandering eye drifted over  me and he begun wolf whistling.  “Check you out Miss Anderson….” he teased imitating a gentlemen pulling on his bow tie.

“Make sure you don’t bend over in that dress or you might give some young man a treat they never deserved.” I could not help but blush at Ed’s indication but my embarrassment was eased with him lightly punching me on my shoulder and saying.  “Just kidding Anderson, you look a knock out.”

I flashed Ed my biggest grin and wished him luck on his date tonight.  I’m sure he was seeing some model he had been chasing for ages.  Who knows, I can never keep up with that boy!