His pretty dresses are rather ‘young’ in style and a smart outfit is often bland beyond belief. Michael never wears plimsolls or as far as she’s aware, lace-up shoes. It’s always something smart, buckled and shiny, and often with a significant heel. It was the same for her brother when Valerie was a girl. For much of Walter’s teenage years, he wore nothing but heels from breakfast until bedtime.

Valerie gulped and began to feel butterflies in her tummy. A wave of guilt crashed over her as she feared David would hate her for sending him away to be petticoated… but what of the alternative?