Content Warning: This section of the guide features descriptions of war, including bombings and post-traumatic experiences.

 “[S]he had a habit of hunching her back, of trying to make herself smaller, less conspicuous. She’d always felt that no one would ever want someone like her, and so, with every passing year, she’d plowed ever more of her energy into her work in the parish.”

This passage provides an early characterization of the person Grace is at the beginning of the novel. It also demonstrates an important element of her inner conflict: her lack of confidence and self-worth.

“There was no doubt about it, at forty-six, Cressida Westcott was at the very top of her game, in spite of the war.”

This passage provides characterization for Cressida, illustrating the extent of her success and how she perceives herself. It also provides foreshadowing for the way that bombings will bring Cressida down from this professional height; her reputation will remain, and she will rebuild, but she is forced to pause her work after the bombing.

“[T]here was something tantalizing about designing chic Utility Clothes—it was an oxymoron, surely? Each garment had strict stipulations, from the amount of cloth allowed to the number of pleats and buttons. No embellishments were permitted, so you had to make it stand out using color and technique. It was the ultimate challenge.”

This passage provides both historical context about Utility clothes and characterization, revealing Cressida’s interest in hard work and facing professional challenges. It also foreshadows Cressida’s later participation in the competition with Grace.