Episode Eighteen - The House of Eliott 2x06

Janemitchell posted a year ago

While he is in Bea's office making his apologies for his outburst at the funeral Alfred tells Bea that Florrie was respected (but not liked) by the workroom staff. He tells her that he is bearing up surprisingly well considering that he has just lost his darling Florrie, but he is not upset if anyone mentions her name; he says he liked to hear her name spoken as he had absolutely adored her. Bea gives Florrie's cutting out scissors to him. They are in a very pretty case with FR on for Florence Ranby. The scissor case is a very dark brown with lace trim and trailing ribbons. I just wish that Maggie Ollerenshaw had extended her time as Florrie Ranby, not getting killed off in the series but going on to act the part right to the end of the series. She only appeared in 6 episodes.

Janemitchell posted a year ago

Charles Quance (also sadly widowed) is employed as head cutter in the workroom to replace darling Florrie. He is very nice but I really loved Florrie with a passion and missed her very much after she was written out (or killed off would be nearer the mark). It was most unfair as Florrie was such a cutie but very strict with the workroom staff. Once she had to have a discussion with Tilly and Madge about Jenny, a junior seamstress, whose work was not up to the standard required by the House of Eliott. Tilly had to break the bad news to Jenny that they had to let her go. Jenny bursts into tears and runs out. She is under the impression that the three senior staff, Florrie, Madge and Tilly have got it in for her but Tilly reassures her that this is not the case. Jenny accuses Tilly of being two-faced. Just before Florrie walks out she tells Madge and Tilly what she thinks of them and they retaliate by saying they're glad they're not like her and they feel sorry for Florrie's future colleagues in her next position. When she is in Bea's office confirming her intention to resign, Florrie is in tears. She then returns to the workroom, removes her wrap and throws it on a chair. Then Florrie walks out, steps into the road and a car hits her, killing her instantly. Bea tells Evie (and she also tells Florrie) that she will not accept Florrie's resignation. Agnes, in a very distraught state, pops her head into Bea's office and tells her of Florrie's tragic accident. All the staff rush out to see Florrie lying dead in the road. Agnes begins to cry. Betty confirms that Florrie has died.

Janemitchell posted a year ago

At Florrie's funeral her husband Alfred, whom she thought the world of (and him her), confronts Tilly, Madge, Bea and Evie, saying that they made Florrie's life unbearable and sent her to an early grave. He is justifiably upset and angry but later turns up at the House of Eliott and apologises, and he brings with him a beautiful bouquet of flowers for Madge and Tilly. Alfred had adored Florrie and was distraught at losing her. He only appears in Episodes 6 and 7. He mentions to Bea that he is a tailor. Bea and Evie consider offering him a job but later decide against it as there would be too many painful memories; it's too soon after his losing his darling wife Florrie. They are (or were) very happily married. She adored him and him her. Florrie had told Alfred her intentions of leaving but he tried to persuade her not to, that she was probably fed up after having had a bad day at work and that she'd feel better after a good night's sleep. She agreed with him, told him that she loved him and smiled sweetly at him.

Janemitchell posted a year ago

Episode 6 (Series 2) is just about the saddest episode as at the end my darling Florence resigns after a massive row with the two senior seamstresses Madge Althorpe and Tilly Foss. They repair a collar on Lady Montford's new evening cloak after asking Evie's permission to do it their way rather than Florence's. Florrie is away at her niece's wedding but on her return she asks Madge if she completed the job in time. Madge reassures Florrie that she did it in plenty of time. On inspecting the finished job Florrie congratulates the girls but later discovers that they haven't followed her instructions. She is absolutely furious and really lets Beatrice and Evangeline know her views on this. Florrie then resigns and walks out. Unfortunately she is unaware of a car approaching. It hits her and she is killed instantly. So sad as she was so young and pretty - too young and pretty to be crushed out of life like that. I would estimate Florrie's age at around 40. She is very attractive with her blonde curls and long-lashed dark brown eyes. I loved Florrie Ranby very much and this really upset me. She was my favourite character.

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