The Gown

Walter asks Miriam to come with him to the country to visit his friends. Miriam agrees, and they meet in London where he drives her out of the city in his friend’s car. Walter asks about the queen’s visit, which makes Miriam nervous. Miriam says it is stressful because of the press being so keen for details. Miriam says all the windows have been covered because an American newspaper was trying to get pictures from the building next door. Miriam believes Walter would never stoop that low, but she is worried about being seen with him because people might think she is betraying Hartnell’s secrets. Walter says they can keep meeting privately so people don’t suspect.

When they arrive at the house, they are greeted by six dogs. Miriam is terrified because she saw guard dogs kill people at Ravensbrück. Walter notices and takes the dogs inside. Miriam is afraid his friends will be upset, and he assures her they will not. Inside, Miriam meets Bennett and Ruby. Ruby is excited to learn Miriam works for Norman Hartnell, but Walter sternly tells her not to ask Miriam about the royal wedding gown. After lunch, they invite her to tour the garden. Bennett joins her in the garden explaining it was his mother from Normandy who designed it. Bennett says he heard stories from the war and alludes that he knows she had a hard time. Walter comes out and Bennett goes inside to be with Ruby while Walter and Miriam continue walking.

Walter asks about Miriam’s fear of dogs, and Miriam tells him about Ravensbrück. Walter says she doesn’t have to talk about it, but he understands her name is Jewish, and she didn’t wish to speak of the war, so he put the pieces together. Miriam starts crying, and Walter offers her a handkerchief. Miriam tells about her family. Her grandmother died when she was twelve, and they stopped having family dinners because they were afraid of what was happening in Germany. Her parents sent her to an apprenticeship and told her not to tell anyone she was a Jew. Miriam got a new position, but her family got yellow stars. She never saw her family again. After the war, she found out they died in Auschwitz. She tells him about her embroidery project to remember her family. Back in the city, she shows it to Walter, and he says she must continue because it’s important work.

Daniel sends Heather his grandmother’s address. Heather panics about what to get Miriam and decides on flowers. She arrives at the apartment building and Miriam buzzes her in. Inside, Heather sees a small elevator that frightens her and takes the stairs to the top floor where Miriam lives. Miriam hugs her and says she’s delighted to meet her. Miriam makes coffee and expresses regret for not keeping in touch with Ann. Heather doesn’t understand why her grandmother would leave and not stay in touch, but Miriam says it was normal in those days. They take their espresso and pastries to the sitting room where Heather admires an embroidery Miriam made of the London skyline.

Heather explains that Ann never told her anything about her life in London, and Miriam explains Ann was private but very kind. Miriam reveals Ann never married, and Heather is shocked that her grandmother was a single mother. Heather shows pictures of the embroidery samples to Miriam. Miriam explains that Ann got to go to the wedding because of her work. Heather is distraught that her grandmother didn’t tell her about the royal wedding. Heather feels that they must not have been as close as she thought. Miriam tells Heather not to be upset; her grandmother was used to secrets because of the war.

Miriam gets a call from her granddaughter, Nathalie, who says she can’t go to Buckingham Palace with her because of an exam. Miriam invites Heather and Daniel. Miriam says Daniel is moving to New York City for a year to teach at one of the universities. She then implies that Heather and Daniel would make a good couple. Heather demurs and tries to pay Miriam for the palace ticket, but Miriam says it is a thank you to her grandmother for believing in her.