ISIS Publishing Ltd

Synopsis

Since her parents' death, Rose Boniface has been like a mother to her younger brother and sisters, while her older brother, Bertie, has worked hard at the vinegar factory to keep them all in their two rooms in Ritzy Street. But now it is September 1914 and London's headlines shriek WAR! Bertie is proud to do his duty and answer the call of the recruiting band. Without his income, Rose knows it will be difficult but, after all, everyone says the war will be over by Christmas . . . During the long years that follow, Rose's younger brother, Collum, also leaves for France and it is only Rose's income from sewing and working as a parlourmaid that keeps the Boniface family afloat. But then Rose decides to leave her job in order to sew full-time. With best friend Muriel in charge of the books and Rose's firebrand sister Netta racing around London drumming up orders, they are united in their efforts to make Ritzy Clothes a success. They are women alone, forced to cope for themselves until their menfolk march home: Bertie, Collum and handsome, laughing Jack Jeary, with his bold eyes and devil-may-care attitude, who steals Rose's heart but gives her a most precious gift in return . . .