Commuter Bikes For Ladies

Don't listen to those fools, a 20 mile round trip on one of those tanks will be horrible and put her off riding. They are heavy slow, weight a ton and have a really rubbish riding position, ok for a quite few miles around Amsterdam but scary to ride in traffic in London. Far better off getting a decent flat bar road bike or hybrid commuter and getting it set up with good 32mm puncture resistant tyres and saddle and bars she finds comfortable. If she is looking at spending a few £ then look at something with an geared hub to cut down on maintenance
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Giant_Escape_N7/5360036481/
Why do you think a road bike geometry would be to difficult for her?

have you even tried the Retrovelo? they're really fun and comfortable to ride a thousand time more than the Pashley (it has smaller wheel too).

it's a properly modern design of the classic town bike of the time.