Room 2D

From Uniform Girls 37 St Hilda’s College was a substantial Edwardian property situated on the edge of town and set in several acres of mature grounds and gardens. It had been a family residence until after the Second War when the combined effects of swingeing Labour Government taxation of the upper middle classes plus the virtual impossibility of getting and keeping domestic help had forced its sale. After one or two uncertain years it had taken on its present incarnation: a finishing college for girls. Such establishments are perhaps more rare nowadays than a generation or two ago but they are still in surprisingly strong demand. From girls’ parents rather than girls themselves. Parents in the unfortunate position of seeing Deborah or Melanie or whoever with little of tangible value for their time at school. Nothing with which to get them into a proper university or college certainly. So what are Deborah or Melanie to do: work ...