Well, the clothing stylists out there would almost definitely say yes, it is worth the effort. As you so rightly point out they must be worn with confidence and grace. In my humble opinion a woman’s wardrobe should contain flat pumps, heels, boots and a good set of wellies - got to be gorgeous though. Forgot to mention bejewelled flip-flops, trainers and for all the Ray Mears followers out there, a pair of walking shoes with matching backpack and pithhelmet - I wear mine at all times! There are two sirens here, one for flood and one to signal the arrival of Mr Mears … so as the waters were rising, there I stood in my pithhelmet … drat and double drat thought I

Cid

I can tell you this … apparently grey is huge and long knitted jackets are all the rage. You should have seen my face when the shoes came out, 4/5 inch leopard print heels… “just pop these on, they’re being featured in Cosmo mag this month”, they said, “it’ll bring the whole outfit together”. So I said, “I couldn’t possibly walk in them”, so they said, “but they look sexy and sassy and the men will love them and how tall and willowy you look”…. “I’ll take them in every colour please and the corset that matches”

Seriously though, it’d be like working in a chocolate shop and might curb my tendency to eat the high calorie stuff. Do I have the time? Probably not but it was great being asked so I might go and help out from time to time just for the coffee and high drama!

Cid

Someone (well lots actually) asked me recently why I wanted a job. Apart from the obvious wealth that flows in (if I’ve got £100 I feel rich) I think it’s that I appreciate my free time more. Today for instance I strolled around the corner to replenish my vase of lillies which cost only £4 … then waltzed into a local boutique, two hours later I had judged two ball gowns on someone else, downed a cup of coffee while I heard the amazing life story of a woman I’d never met before, saw a pair of tattooed eyebrows and for the first time in my life, was dressed from top to toe by the owner (she obviously felt it was high time I stopped this naturist thing ). It was a bit of a revelation so I bought the outfit in more or less its entirety … now as if that wasn’t enough and bear in mind I had originally set out for groceries … was offered a job!

It’s time for tiffin so that’s all for now … who can say what might happen next, the day is young etc.

Cid

… and then there was the old soup in the handbag trick … the running out of salad at prawn cocktail time so we were all sent outside to scour the grounds for dandelion leaves, right on trend now no doubt. I could go on but modesty forbids

So Mr Collins when I drop by for lunch there’ll be no pulling the wool over my eyes, and let it be known I’ll be scrutinizing the dessert menu for any sign of inappropriateness

Cid