Novice Threads

<p><strong>A thirst for</strong> <strong>education</strong>. <strong>Shattered dreams</strong>. <strong>Fragile relations</strong>.</p><p><strong>1840s Scotland</strong></p><p>Being sent to <strong>school </strong>in the small town of Milnathort in Kinross Shire is the most exhilarating thing that's ever happened to young Margaret Law. She sharpens her <strong>newly-acquired education</strong> on her <strong>best friend</strong> Jessie Morison till Jessie becomes an orphan and is spirited away to become a <strong>scullery maid</strong>. <strong>Letters</strong> whether poorly or well-written are a <strong>lifeline. </strong>They keep the girls in touch and maintain their<strong> friendship bond</strong>.</p><p>When Margaret's parents' <strong>tailoring and drapery</strong> business suddenly collapses her <strong>visions of becoming a schoolteacher </strong>are shattered. She must find a job.</p><p><strong>Salvation from domestic drudgery</strong> - or <strong>never-ending seamstress work</strong> - comes via her <strong>loyal almost-sister</strong> Jessie whose employer seeks a <strong>tutor </strong>for his disabled daughter. The <strong>once-a-month half-day-off</strong> exploring<strong> the exciting city of Edinburgh</strong> with Jessie is great fun but the increasing <strong>volatility of her employer's wife </strong>and other <strong>tension in the household </strong>claws at Margaret's <strong>nerves</strong>. </p><p>Growing up Margaret finds comes with many <strong>heartaches</strong>. She worries about her <strong>parents' estrangement</strong> and the <strong>mystery of Jessie's unknown father</strong>. Margaret's natural <strong>caution</strong> over what makes a <strong>strong loving relationship</strong> between a couple gets in the way of a <strong>developing fledgling romance.</strong> <strong>Victorian morality</strong> is instilled in her but she finds to her utter surprise that not all adults play the <strong>'values'</strong> game that they <strong>preach</strong>! And a life of <strong>piety </strong>might not mean a <strong>clean conscience</strong>. </p><p>When <strong>tragedy</strong> befalls the household in Edinburgh the <strong>stability </strong>of Margaret's<strong> employment situation </strong>crumbles. Shouldering a heavy burden of <strong>loss </strong>she must <strong>forge a new pathway for the future </strong>- though <strong>where </strong>will that be and doing what?</p>