Fi Onna was impressed when she interviewed “Susana Brusco” for the vacancy in Benetton Boutique at Fitz Dolz. Despite her lack of experience Susana seemed confident, and keen. What Fi did not know or have any clue about, was that the young lady was not who she said she was. Sara (her real name) is only 15 and this is her school holiday. She’s pretending to be her older sister, Susana – who is 19! Sara even knew enough to provide her sister’s National Insurance number. Sara doesn’t realise it’s illegal. She just thought it would be great to earn her own money to buy some clothes and makeup. Fi had entirely forgotten that young Sara was one of the models for the Ballare Pelle Danza knitted dancewear. That was around the time that Fi was flying off to Paris, so she was probably rather distracted. Running the department store there was always a lot going on. In any case she probably didn’t take any note of the names of the dancers.
“Susana” assists Stuart to arrange the colourful chique Benetton clothes. He isn’t very chatty, but she guesses he has a lot of work to do window dressing and working throughout the store on the many displays.
“Susana” must pose with the entire staff for a photo shoot – images will be used for the store magazine and also for a local Mossy Well newspaper article. She’s hoping that no-one she knows will get to notice the photos. Sara realises she could get into a lot of trouble with her parents, but worse still, with her sister.
She’s bound to find out. Susana is away on a residential dance course for a few weeks. Both sisters dance, but Susana being older, is much more advanced.
“Susana” poses as she is asked to, with the Ballare (dance wear department) assistant. She’s careful not to slip up over her name. To make conversation, she tells her that her younger sister Sara is away on a residential dance course at the moment.
Sara lost her job soon after Fi Onna (Fitz Dolz manager) left to fly to Paris for the Masque Grand Magasin Fashion Show. Mister Tiprego (everyone calls him Tip) is now the manager. Sara’s sister, the real Susana is ironically, now working in the Benetton Boutique. It was rather embarassing for the family when they discovered that Sara had posed as Susana in order to get a job. Fitz Dolz would never have employed her had her employers known she is only 15. Remarkably she managed to last 3 weeks at work and got paid. In the end, everyone laughed at Sara’s determination, confidence, and silliness – especially in her thinking she would be able to keep up the pretence.
Although Susana was annoyed with her, it was short-lived. Especially since it has now worked out well for her- on her return to Mossy Well, she applied for the job and was successful.
Stuart Saltellare is on annual leave so Tip is having to sort out the Benetton stockdisplay. He chats with Susana as they work. He laughs as he remembers that Fi Onna was fooled into thinking Susana’s sister Sara was 19. He thought when he first saw her that she looked much younger. Tip thinks to himself that he would have been more careful when interviewing for staff. Fi was a very good manager, but now it’s his job.
He called Fi the other day in Paris and she seems very happy. Madly in love with Louis Lefranca manager of Masque Grand Magasin (MGM) apparently. “And she’s pregnant! But don’t tell anyone”.
Stuart Saltellare is back from annual leave. He looks at Benetton Boutique and says he thinks the department looks a little messy. There’s not much space to move around, Tip says “It’s a compromise, Stuart – we need to ensure we continue to push the sales figures up”.
Susana wasn’t expecting Sara to come into Fitz Dolz – after all the trouble she caused. Sara is a flamboyant attention seeker. Susana is still a little annoyed with her. It’s just lucky that Tip laughed when they realised what she’d done, and accepted that Susana had known nothing about it. And just when Susana badly needed a job, she was taken on at Benetton.
Annie mentions that Bambole Dance Company are rehearsing their new programme during a residency week of classes and workshops. She asks if Patrizia is teaching them today.
“Yes, I’m quite excited as they’ve asked me to rehearsal direct for a new work “Percy’s Garden”. The music by Percy Grainger is quite tricky as sections of it are fast and the tempo changes quite unexpectedly. I’m sure I can help them.”
Annie is glad to have some insider information. She’s very supportive of dance. “It’s wonderful to have talented local artists working at the community centre. Bambole Dance Company is an innovative company. They’re bringing in new audiences and young dancers are inspired”.
© 2026 Christine Rapley