Vera is consumed with jealousy, because Ginny has won a literary prize and is going to be photographed for the front cover of Vanity Fair by acclaimed Society photographer Manta Ray.

To make matters worse, Venus is getting a teeny crush on Ginny. So, when Ginny asks for style advice in advance of her photographic session, Vera's suggestions have an edge of mockery.

Vera, wracked with torment, breaks the habit of a lifetime and unburdens herself to Mrs Gosling. But of course Mrs Gosling's life has been an endless struggle to suppress her jealousy of her employers' wealth and privilege.

Even a chance encounter with Sigmund Void on Hampstead Heath fails to shake Vera from her melancholic mood. In the end it falls to Henry and Lionel to try to boost Vera's confidence.