The 1st Fitting

I collected David Young from the central bus station in Belfast at about three-thirty yesterday afternoon. Mr Young is a bespoke tailor, and had travelled quite a distance to meet me.

We motored back to my house where, without further ado, he produced two folders of cloth swatches. I'd intimated that I'd most likely opt for a dark grey shade. David Young is a very agreeable, soft-spoken person and there was no pressure to make a hasty decision at all. I usually know what I want, at any rate.

Subsequently, over some coffee and biscuits, and with a little guidance from him, I chose a dark grey worsted cloth, 12 ounces in weight, by a company called Holland and Sherry. I already have a woollen flannel mid-grey suit, so I wanted a slightly darker shade.

My preference is for a three-piece suit which does add considerably to the overall cost. Seemingly, waistcoats are not cheap to create. Mr Young took the requisite measurements - I still had the measurements from my 1983 suit - so the process was relatively straightforward. We discussed pockets, how the trousers would be held up, lining etc.

Mr Young finally requested a £200 deposit and advised me that he would return for a second fitting in about six weeks' time. Incidentally, he told me that another client, from the University, had phoned him to place an order for a dinner jacket.

So, at about five forty-five, we drove back to the bus station at Glengall Street where his bus was due to depart at six o'clock.