Winnie noticed how her question went unanswered. Probably not, then. If she would have looked for something for herself, she would have gone to a different shop. But this was her mother-in-law she was shopping for. Did it really matter if it was mass produced or second hand? The old woman would never know any better.

She let her eyes drift over the contents of the safe. These were indeed very beautiful pieces. Too beautiful, and more importantly, too pricy for the old nag. And Hugo, usually completely ignorant of women’s accessories - God, the hideous necklace he had gotten her last Christmas! -, could estimate the weight, purity and corresponding value of a piece of gold with alarming accuracy. She’d never hear the end of it.

“Hmmm, no. I don’t think she’ll like the gold,” Winnie lied. Maybe one of the floral brooches after all.” She walked back to the other pieces. Did it matter which she picked, so long as it was floral and therefore neutral enough. Probably not. “Could I have a look at that one?" She pointed to one of the brooches at random.