After the excitement of the previous night, Sophie awoke to find Howl had already left and Michael was taking advantage of his absence in the bathroom. Gwen she found sat in front of Calcifer, with chalk and slate, copying out the alphabet drawn in the ashes around Calcifer.
Calcifer was watching her with a proprietorial eye and occasionally instructing her. He looked up at Sophie and Gwen immediately stopped what she was doing, looking embarrassed. She also looked very tired.
"You've not been at this all night have you?" Sophie asked incredulously. "Not quite all night, but certainly for a while" replied Calcifer. Before Sophie could ask how they were getting along, Howl burst through the door, clutching a handful of parcels. "Good Morning! Are you ready to see Mrs Pentstemmon today Sophie? You can't come looking like that Gwen so I got you these" He handed the parcels brusquely to her and swept round. Sophie had the impression he was avoiding looking at Gwen.
Michael came clattering down the stairs in his new blue velvet suit, and Sophie took the opportunity to go and get changed herself.
When she came back down, Gwen was carefully examining a beautiful dress in a deep green satin. Sophie noticed that Gwen was running a practiced eye over the stitching and the fabric, and she warmed to the other woman even more. Gwen looked up and tried unsuccessfully to catch Howls eye, but he dashed up the stairs and into his room.
"I don't think Mrs Pentsemmon is the sort of person you could meet wearing trousers and burned shirt" she said gently. Gwen looked at her mutely, her face doubtful. She gestured at the dress and then at herself. Sophie understood. "You'll look lovely I'm sure. Howl's many things but he's got quite an eye for clothes." Gwen chewed her lip, but nodded. When she had been dispatched up the stairs and into the bathroom, Sophie and Michael sat down to wait for both Howl and Gwen.
"You look wonderfully rich and stately Sophie! poor Gwen, she didn't look too sure about wearing that dress" observed Michael. "I don't think she thought she should be wearing something as grand as it" said Sophie sagely, thinking to her own days trying on the fancy hats and discarding them as not-for-her.
Gwen reappeared. She was walking uncertainly in the long dress and with her head down, but she did look undeniably lovely, 'if a little thin' thought Sophie. Gwen looked up slowly, and now they could see what had caught Howls attention when they had first met her. A half healed bruise under her left eye marred an otherwise porcelain complexion.
"You look like a noble lady!" said Sophie, breaking the silence. "Very nice indeed" added Michael, making her smile. "A hairbrush, perhaps?" added Calcifer. Gwen's smile faded a little and she raised her hand slowly to the bun at the back of her head. She frowned and then shrugged, quickly removing a handful of hair pins and a tight elastic band. She shook her head and her hair cascaded down her back until it was about level with her elbows.
Michael gaped at her and Calcifer sniggered. Sophie glared at them both "You look lovely" she said, smiling at her.
"You both do" said Howl, suddening appearing at the top of the stairs "You do me credit Sophie, apart from that awful old stick".
"Some people," said Sophie, narrowing her eyes at him "are thoroughly self-centered. This stick goes with me. I need it for moral support". Howl reached the bottom of the stairs and rolled his eyes at the ceiling, but he did not argue back.