Even at its widest it felt too tight… but I didn’t mention it. The lady adjusted the shoulder straps and asked me how they felt. “OK.” I meekly replied.

The bra was removed and the lady began to fit the next one. “Let him do it himself.” Aunt Katinka insisted. Again I fiddled with the fastening but got there eventually. The straps were adjusted, the bra was removed and along came the next, and the next, and the next. All were very similar, with only subtle differences such as a lace or scalloped trim. Some had little bows where the straps met the cups, as well as a little bow where the cups meet each other.