Lady Daisy, and Other Stories

In this gently narrated tale, a young girl named Flora treats her cherished china doll as a true companion, dressing it in elaborate gowns and bestowing it with a string of family‑inspired names. The story captures the tender routine of bedtime walks, tea‑time watches, and the careful guardianship that keeps the doll safe from a bustling brother and a curious terrier. Through Flora’s affectionate observations, readers glimpse the domestic world of a Victorian‑era household, where every small object carries a wealth of meaning.

The quiet rhythm is disrupted when the family sets off for a seaside outing, and the excitement of travel overwhelms Flora’s attentiveness. In the bustle of a train station, the doll is left unattended, sparking a tug‑of‑war between Baby Henry and his older brother Charlie that ends with the beloved toy badly damaged. The incident hints at the fragile line between childhood care and the inevitable mishaps that shape growing up.