~ Polly Pickles ~

Jenny was determined to go one better than her neighbours in every way, they were preparing for the parade on Whit Monday. Polly Pickles was a dressmaker living in their street her work was perfection the finish so neat. Jenny saved her two-pences  and three-pences in a teapot when it mounted up she had three dresses made in violet velveteen the style copied from a posh fashion magazine. When Grace and her sisters were dressed ready for the parade Jenny peeped out of the window and what she saw made her livid. Her neighbour Mrs. Colclough's three young daughters were wearing identical dresses Polly had made. She dashed back shouting "Take them off you'll not wear those on Sunday, you'll wear them to school and out to play" "I'll show that cheeky Mrs. Coldclough." Poor Polly Pickles went through it too, pride burned fiercely in Jenny her girls had to look different competition would never do.

~ Betty Stansfield ~

Betty was full of red hot mischief to match her glowing red hair whatever she got up to Grace had to take the blame, but she loved her sister all the same. Jenny tried to make her girls look beautiful by twisting their hair in rags Grace was blonde Edith dark chestnut. When Grace fell asleep Betty unpicked her rags, in the morning her hair hung like tangled rats tails Jenny gave her a good clout, while Betty danced around in her nightie poking her tongue out. They slept three in a bed, ever after Grace tried to keep awake her hands clasped firmly over her head. The girls were often late for school and would get the strap for sure because Jenny insisted on fussing with their hair at the door. Grace was a shy child and never spoke up to defend herself she went in holding out her hand and got the strap, Betty went in crying and did not get the rap.

~ Lily Turner ~

The Stansfields were living in Baron Street, Rochdale none of the  houses had indoor sanitation the lavatories were all at the end of the backyards. Seven year old Grace scrubbed six for the neighbours every weekend at a halfpenny each. Singing away in perfect rhythm and as Mumma told her loud and clear, to her delight someone did hear. A pretty young lady stepped into view, "You have a wonderful voice I've been listening to you." The lady was a music hall singer named Lily Turner stage name Rose Bush. She was resting in a theatrical boarding house in the street, "Where do you live dear? Your mother I would like to meet." "I think you should enter a singing contest if she will agree," no need to ask Jenny was already filling the kettle to brew a pot of tea. Lily taught Grace a new song "What Makes Me Love You as I Do", she could not sound the h in what but she did manage quat. "No child under eleven allowed to sing in public" this appeared in a newspaper her father read. Grace was tall for her age and Jenny a very determined woman she dressed her up to look much older Grace entered the contest in spite of all the quatting she won first prize. Father's face turned pale, "If you're ever found out you'll be sent to jail." Jenny clung on to Lily more and more she baked sugar cakes and did all her laundry she agreed to take Grace with her when she went on tour. Sometime later Lily said she was leaving the stage to marry a rich stockbroker the date was fixed for her wedding day, Jenny gave a wintry smile, "I'm sure I hope you'll be very happy," then proceeded to put every obstacle in her way. Jenny was not allowing Lily to slip into married bliss with Grace still not on the stage no fear.

~ A Battle of Wits ~

Jenny wished to keep the first dress that Grace wore on stage, brown velvet with pink ribbons Lily wished to keep it too and as it was in her lodgings she certainly did, Jenny had laundered Lily's wedding dress so she kept that carefully hid. They were both too stubborn to part with the garment they did not desire for the one they really did require.