CHRISTMAS NOVELLA · BETWEEN BOOKS 1 AND 2
A Stitch Before Christmas
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The Cutting Room Lost and Found
The Grady family has christened its babies in the same lace gown since 1898. This Christmas, it’s Nora’s turn.
At the Saturday Mending Table, Philomena Grady lifts the gown from its tissue paper and shows Inez Barral a hole the width of her hand. The christening is at ten on Christmas morning. Inez writes out a repair ticket, promises Wednesday and puts the gown away herself.
On Monday, the box is empty.
Outside, sleet rattles the windows of Spindle Street School of Fashion. Inside, everyone who gathered round the gown remembers something different. With Gloria Kent beside her and the school about to close for the holidays, Inez must work out whose hands the lace has passed through since Saturday. There’s a seat waiting for her at the christening, if she can bring the gown.