Just re-read Ballet Shoes as an adult

[heron98]

Someone answer me this - if they are so poor they can't even afford new clothes, why don't they get rid of the flipping cook and the maid? Why doesn't Garnie get a job instead of staying up all night stressing about money?

Homosexual relationships are often very positively portrayed in older books, for example ones by Agatha Christie. There's usually a no-nonsense tweedy lady and a twittery nervous friend. Or elderly colonel with "loyal" manservant. No need for any expansion. That's just the way it is. Also in Miss Read - Thrush Green - there are a couple of "couples". Actually I remember one getting a bit teary about her friend having a pash on a man as she stomps off in her tweed costume.