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Thanks Amy for posting this faded glory themed pic to #LuxvilleTales. Here is your story.

MRS. ALEXANDER.

“Mrs Alexander, what is the meaning of this?”

She looked up from arranging the splendid assortment of handkerchiefs some edged with lace, some with ribbon, others embroidered with fine hand stitching. Ordered from Paris, the shipment had just been delivered to her shop by Mr Proctor, who was still fussing over his vehicle outside the shop.

“Whatever do you mean Mr Hill?”

He stood in the doorway of her fine establishment, in his usual attire, black suit jacket, black trousers, crisp white shirt, black bow tie and a silk top hat. A triangle of blue silk kerchief peeped from his top pocket. He held in one hand a cane, in the other a box covered in black and white stripes.

“What’s this scrap of paper you have left on my counter with your order for a red silk top hat?”

“Is that the hat you have with you?”

“Indeed it is! However! As you are aware I deal in ready money only.” On the word ‘only’ he rapped the ivory head of his cane against the glass door. Twice.

Amy Alexander, shop owner, linen artisan, mother of two and no sufferer of fools; stood up slowly. Her dark eyes never leaving the man standing in her doorway. She walked slowly, deliberately towards him until they both stood in the doorway.

“Mr Hill,” she said with thick condescension, “kindly hand me my order, for which you have been paid by bank cheque.” She stared at him hard. “Whilst it may not be ready money, it is indeed, legal tender.”

“You suffragettes have no respect for business!” he said shoving the hatbox into her.

“On the contrary Mr Hill, I respect business. I just don’t respect it as an end to itself.”

He turned on his fine heel and walked back up the hill to his shop behind the Luxville City Hall.

“Mrs Alexander, what was all that about?” Mr Proctor said in a voice not unlike Mr Hill’s. He had watched the situation unfold as he cleaned the front glass of his new steam coach.

“That sir is old school. Now here’s a present for you to wear tonight to the Minerva Ball. See you there at 7pm. Sharp.”

“Oh you loose woman.” Mr Proctor said as he tried the hat on, checking it in the rear view mirror.

“Do not be late Mr Proctor.” She smiled at him. “My dance card fills quickly.”

Amy walked back into her shop and closed the door. “And my dress isn’t going to make itself.”

LUXVILLE TALES with TALE BY Erin McCuskey and IMAGE BY Amy Tinderbox (follow her on instagram.com/amytinderbox/)

Please Note: The #LuxvilleTales are generated from reader contributed images. Post me an image themed ‘faded glory’ and I will write you a short tale. My most fave pic taker will be gifted the ‘Luxville Dolls’ book, due February 2016. Tag it #Luxville & #LuxvilleTales and tag me too! Love Madame Yum