Rose adjusted her skirt, turned and tottered up the front drive. She could hear some pleasing piano music reverberating from the front room. She did love a bit of piano. A bit of a singsong and karaoke was her idea of a good night out. Hopefully if the resident of the house was a classical music lover, they had good taste in jewellery.

A bold knock on the door sent Emmet's hands crashing down on the keys. Was it Hyacinth? He couldn't hear the terrifying trill that always accompanied her presence. He listened but there was blessed silence. Still, there was someone at the door, interrupting his music practice. He got up and flung open the door. On the porch was a tawdry looking woman in a tight green and black skirt suit, the skirt being very tight. His gaze was drawn to the legs beneath it.

'Jehovah's Witnesses getting quite liberal, are they?' He asked. 'Aren't there supposed to be two of you?'

He spied a burly man in a vest in the driving seat of the car right outside. He could see why that one hadn't come to the door. He looked like he would mug someone. Unbeknown to Emmet, Onslow had that exact experience on the road around the corner.

The woman tittered charmingly and held up a case.

'I'm not one of those. Just earning a living selling pretty things.'

'I can see.'

Emmet stopped himself there. He was in danger of being dazzled by this siren with the melodious voice.

'May I?'

He signalled to go on. He must stop getting distracted so easily.

'For the woman in your life.'

Rose displayed her wares nestled in a black velvet lining. Paste, but pretty.

'Is she a studs, hoops or drop earring sort of woman?'

'I don't have one…'

Rose perked up.

'Oh? A handsome man like yourself? You do surprise me.'

Emmet felt a bit flustered. She took out a marvellous creation, a row of three seed pearls in a side v shape studding a gold-plated necklace. The effect was statement yet tasteful and Emmet studied it thoughtfully. A rustle behind him heralded Elizabeth's arrival.

'What's this?' She asked.

'Oh, I think she'll suit these amethyst studs. And this onyx would be so striking' declared the saleswoman.

'Something for you?' Emmet offered, trying to distract himself from looking downwards.

'Oh, gosh, those are lovely' Liz exclaimed, stepping forward to peruse the goods.

'I thought you said you didn't have a woman in your life?' Asked Rose curiously.

'Well, not the sort of woman you were thinking of. That's my sister!'

Rose beamed.

'What a lovely thing it is to treat a sister. I have three of them which makes it chaos to buy for Christmas and birthdays. I'm writing my memoirs you see and this part time job is what keeps me.'

'Well we can't have that' said Emmet gallantly. He pointed to the necklace and went to fetch his wallet. He also ended up paying for the amethyst earrings. Liz received the gifts gratefully, wondering if part of the reason was because a pair of shapely legs had distracted him. It was most unlike him but perhaps a woman was what he needed. He'd been divorced for three years now. Melanie had moved on so why shouldn't he? The saleswoman wasn't what could be described as Emmet's type but then no harm in testing the waters elsewhere.

'Thank you, brother mine.'

'That'll be your birthday present.'

'Go back inside Emmet, we ladies want to talk.'

He looked curiously at her but did as bid.

'Goodbye, er...'

'Rose. My name's Rose' she chirped. He thought he could sense a singing voice in there somewhere in the timbre of her voice. He filed it away for further thought.

'It was nice to meet you, Rose.'

Liz waited until he had sat himself at the piano.

'And while we're here' she leaned forward conspiratorially.