The Christmas Rose: The most heart-warming novel of 2018, from the Sunday Times bestseller. Dilly Court

might make him treat you more like a colleague rather than an office boy.’

      Rose moved away, allowing her hair to fall back into place. ‘I am very junior at the newspaper, Miss Sheldon. The other employees don’t want to work with a female, and your brother has given me a chance to prove myself. I don’t mind if he calls me Munday. In fact I think it’s a good thing.’

      ‘Well, well, so you have some spirit after all, Rose. I was beginning to think that you were a doormat, but I can see that I was mistaken.’

      ‘Don’t think I’m ungrateful, but I can’t wear this,’ Rose said desperately. ‘This gown must have cost a fortune and I’d feel terrible if it got marked or I caught my heel in the hem.’

      Cecilia stood back, frowning. ‘You and I are the same size and height. I wonder if my shoes would fit you, because you can’t wear those ugly boots tonight. They don’t go with that gown.’

      ‘You aren’t listening to me, Miss Sheldon. You’re just like your brother.’

      ‘I am not at all like Eugene, and don’t call me Miss Sheldon. I’m Cissie to my family and friends, and I want you to be my friend, Rose. I like you and I admire you for standing up to the beastly men in Gene’s office, and I see in you a kindred spirit. We’ll have no arguments about the gown. It doesn’t suit me anyway. In fact I don’t know why I bought it. Gold is your colour, not mine.’

      ‘You do have lovely dark hair and a beautiful complexion,’ Rose said, nodding. ‘You’re right to wear bright colours – they suit you.’

      ‘Yes, I know they do, and tonight I’ll wear my crimson shot silk. We’ll turn every head in the Savoy Theatre. I doubt if anyone will be looking at the stage when we’re there.’

      Rose was not so sure, but she found herself trying on shoes that were a surprisingly good fit, although ultimately it was Cecilia who made the final choice. Then, having listened intently to Rose’s account of her reasons for leaving home, Cecilia insisted on turning out a quantity of garments, including daywear, underwear and nightwear, all of which she insisted she had not worn for ages, and had no intention of wearing again. She threw in several pairs of shoes and boots, a velvet bonnet and a warm mantle, which she said was last year’s fashion and fit only for the missionary barrel at the local church. She became so enthusiastic that Rose had to put a stop to her burst of generosity, gently but firmly.

      ‘Oh, very well,’ Cecilia said sulkily. ‘But I rarely do anything for anyone else, and you’ve probably saved my eternal soul from hellfire.’

      ‘I think you have a lot of living ahead of you, Cissie,’ Rose said, laughing. ‘I don’t think hellfire is waiting for you just yet.’

      ‘You can laugh, Rose. But I’m serious. I was spoiled by my parents and shamelessly overindulged. Just look around you.’ Cecilia encompassed the room with a wave of her hands. ‘Of course, Papa doesn’t earn a great deal working for the Foreign Office, but Mama inherited a fortune when my grandfather died a few years ago.’

      ‘You’re very fortunate,’ Rose said smiling. ‘And very kind. I don’t know what I would have done without your brother’s help, and now you’re doing something splendid for someone you’ve only known for an hour or so.’

      ‘Yes, that does make me sound much nicer than I really am.’ Cecilia picked up a silver-backed brush and began to rearrange Rose’s hair. ‘You shouldn’t wear your hair scraped back into a bun, my dear. That style went out years ago. You’re lucky to have natural curls. I have to sleep with rags in my hair every night because my hair is as straight as rainwater.’

      ‘You’re very elegant, Cissie. I don’t think you need to worry about your looks.’

      ‘I don’t really. I know I’m beautiful, everyone says so, but sometimes I feel quite plain and dull. Maybe I should think of going out in the world and earning my own living.’ Cecilia pressed Rose down on a stool in front of a burr-walnut dressing table. ‘I’m going to try a much more flattering style, and you can tell me more about yourself.’

      ‘I thought I’d told you everything.’

      ‘You told me about your life in that far-off place, but you must know some people in London, apart from the ones you’ve met recently. I don’t think missionaries or prostitutes are going to help you establish yourself in society.’

      ‘I was hoping that Max’s sister would help me, but she and her husband are away on a business trip to Australia.’

      ‘They’re in trade?’ Cecilia’s tone was anything but enthusiastic.

      ‘The Colville Shipping Company is one of the largest in Britain,’ Rose said stoutly. ‘At least that’s what I was led to believe.’ She could see Cecilia’s reaction in the mirror, and it was obvious that there were degrees of what branch of trade might be considered acceptable.

      ‘That does make a difference,’ Cecilia said grudgingly. ‘The Colville family are well known for their philanthropic work. In fact I met Caroline Colville and her half-sister, Maria, at a charity function about a year ago. Maria is a few years my senior, but she and I got along so well that we’ve become friends.’

      ‘Maria Colville?’

      ‘That’s her maiden name, she married a seafarer and she’s Mrs Barnaby now.’

      ‘She’s Max’s half-sister.’ Rose twisted round on the stool, facing Cecilia with a tremulous smile. ‘I was only nine years old when I attended her wedding, but I remember it well. Do you know where she lives?’

      ‘Yes, I do. I visit her quite often and we help to raise money for seamen’s charities. Maria’s husband is away at sea for months on end, sometimes a year or more, and I think she gets lonely with just a housekeeper and her children’s nanny for company.’

      ‘She might be able to help me,’ Rose said excitedly. ‘Max was going to arrange everything, so he must have told Caroline about us. Maybe she left a message for me with her sister.’

      ‘There’s only one way to find out. As it happens I’d arranged to have luncheon with Maria next Tuesday. I’ll make Eugene give you time off so that you can join us.’

      ‘Maybe it would be better if I asked him nicely.’

      ‘You’ll have to learn how to handle the male of the species, Rose. Especially those akin to my brother, who is as stubborn as the proverbial mule and can be very contrary. I’ll tell him of our arrangement and heaven help him if he refuses to allow you to accompany me.’

      Rose turned to the mirror and her reflection gazed back at her with doubtful eyes. She did not share Cecilia’s confidence in her ability to manipulate Eugene. ‘I don’t want to cause trouble between you and your brother,’ she said.

      ‘Believe me, I’m used to dealing with Gene, and I’m not stupid, Rose. I’ll wait until this evening when he is in a sunny mood and then I’ll ask him.’ Cecilia smiled and nodded. ‘You have to have a strategy when dealing with men like Gene, as you will discover if you’re going to work together with any degree of success.’

      Eugene was seated by the fire, reading a copy of The Times when they finally joined him. He folded the newspaper and rose to his feet. ‘At last. I was beginning to think I’d have to send a search party for you two.’

      ‘Very funny,’ Cecilia said, smiling sweetly. ‘We were just sorting out some of my things for Rose and we lost track of time.’

      ‘Did you find her a gown for this evening? We need to cut a dash. I don’t want to be outdone by the chaps from the other dailies.’

      ‘So we’re there for decorative purposes, are we, Gene?’ Cecilia was smiling, but there was an edge to her voice.

      ‘I’m there to work,’ Rose said quickly. ‘Aren’t I, Guvnor?’

      ‘Of course you are. Don’t take any notice of my sister. She