by Jane Tulloch
Porters
Jim
Secretaries
Mrs Carr
Caretaker
Mr Timmins
Miss Murray's Housekeeper/Cook
Mrs Glen
Miss Murray's Chauffeur
Mr Glen
Accounts
Mrs Da Costa
Mrs Smith
Haberdashery
Miss Manson
Canteen
Mrs Collins
Hair and Beauty
Miss Clark
Florists
Irene
Ironmongery
Buyer: Mr. Handley
Animals
Sabre, dog
Henry, mynah bird
...and not forgetting:
Customers
Miss Barbara McPherson
Mrs Margo Clapperton
Helen
Sandra
Irene
Noreen
Mary
Elizabeth
Cecily
Derek
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank, most sincerely, all at Comely Bank Publishing for their time, experience and patience: Gordon Lawrie and Emma Baird have provided me with invaluable assistance as editors, copy-editors and proof-readers – not an easy task given my struggle with punctuation and the vagaries of my feeble understanding of computer programmes and formatting issues. Gordon also provided most of the research for the appendix on the social history of Edinburgh department stores.
Thanks are due also to Joni Wilson for proof-reading and to Kit Foster for the cover design.
Maureen Hope has provided me with much vital insight into what readers are looking for and her enthusiastic comments have spurred me on. Thanks also to Valerie Lobban and Laureen Lyall for their useful comments.
Basil, my giant cat, has taken his duties as companion seriously and has spent long days crouched at my feet: just in case. He and I are both unsure of what emergencies might arise should he leave his duties there but, fortunately, that situation has never arisen.
I have really appreciated the support and confidence in my ability as a writer that my dear husband, Paul Neil-MacLachlan, has offered at every stage of the book’s production.
This book is dedicated to my long-suffering family –from dear Grandad down to the youngest grandson – I love them all and couldn’t manage without them.
About the Author
Jane Tulloch was born in Edinburgh in 1954 and has lived there ever since. Under her professional name however, she has travelled widely mostly in relation to her day job, working with adults with autism. These travels have taken her to the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, South Africa and various points in between. She writes for relaxation from her work in this demanding but fascinating field. She has worked for the National Health Service for 30 years but before this worked in a large department store, which provided the inspiration for the Murrays series of books.
She lives with her husband, giant cat and occasional welcome interruption by boisterous grandsons.
Further resources for Our Best Attention as well as information about the author, including contact details for Jane herself, can be found at www.janetulloch.com.
OTHER BOOKS FROM
COMELY BANK PUBLISHING
FOUR OLD GEEZERS AND A VALKYRIE
Gordon Lawrie
Four Old Geezers and a Valkyrie by Gordon Lawrie is an entertaining romp set in contemporary Edinburgh. Brian, aka ‘Captain’, is a recently-retired, disillusioned teacher who has split acrimoniously with his wife. A chance meeting with his best man encourages Captain to dig out his 40-year-old guitar which leads to a series of hilarious jam sessions. Posting the results on YouTube, they prove to be surprise hits…
THE MAN FROM OUTREMER
T. D. Burke
The Man From Outremer by T.D. Burke is a swashbuckling tale of treachery and action. Set largely in Scotland at the time of the early Scottish Wars of Independence around 1300 AD, it follows Derwent, a Scottish Crusader-turned-clergyman, and his involvement in the Fall of Acre in Palestine, then as Prior of Roslin in Scotland.
KATIE AND THE DEELANS
Emma Baird
Katie and the Deelans by Emma Baird is the story of Katie Harper and her friends, ordinary teenagers who go to the worst school in the country. Life, however, takes a turn for the extraordinary when Katie and her friends take up magic lessons. Taught by the fabulous Miss D’Azzler and the enigmatic Jazz, Katie and her friends have a lot to learn about life, friendship and love. Katie and the Deelans is Comely Bank Publishing’s first foray into Young Adult fiction.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Her Best Attention
Chapter 2 Operation Limelight
Chapter 3 New Girl
Chapter 4 Bequest
Chapter 5 Downfall
Chapter 6 The Square Peg
Chapter 7 Storm in the Teacups
Chapter 8 The Inside Outsiders
Chapter 9 Weepers
Chapter 10 Barry’s Crusade
Chapter 11 The Third Miss Paterson
Chapter 12 A Day at the Races
Chapter 13 Furry Friends
Chapter 14 Company
Chapter 15 Rooftop
Chapter16 Elizabeth’s Day Out
Chapter 17 Miss Murray Muses
