From the moment Isobel had first mentioned her visit to the grand house in the Grange, which was undoubtedly a more prosperous residence than 25 Library Terrace, Ursula had felt a twist of anxiety in her stomach. Although Isobel was saying she would like to stay, Ursula wondered if it was time she laid her own cards on the table. This was not about kitchen-maids or electricity. She had to decide whether or not it was time to include Isobel in her plans.

‘It’s very important to me that you realise how much I appreciate your work in this house, Isobel,’ she began. ‘You could have just left us when I became vegetarian and you didn’t do that. Between us we cooked two different dinners every night for several months and somehow we muddled through everything and learned the new recipes together. And after the circumstances with your necklace last month, it would have been completely understandable if you had decided to leave immediately, but you stayed.’

This was not at all what Isobel expected. She reached up to her neck and rubbed the old penny which was now threaded safely onto a silver chain which Ursula had given her. She didn’t know where to put herself.

‘And apart from those things, before I married Mr Black, you were the person who looked after Ann. I don’t know how she would have survived without you.’ Ursula paused. ‘Although I worked in Mr Black’s office, before that I had quite a privileged upbringing, and when I first came to this house I was not educated in the way things are for many women in this country. I thought it wasn’t necessary to make changes, but I’ve learned a lot from the people I see at Café Vegetaria, and I have learned from you as well. I’m a different person now. You are partly responsible for that.’ She leaned forward, her elbows on the table. ‘You are not just a maid. You never were. And if you want to stay here and try to change more things with me, it would make me very happy.’

Isobel listened carefully to every word. And then she smiled.

‘I think I would like that very much, Mrs Black.’

Chapter 29

August 1911

‘School starts next week,’ said Ursula. ‘We will need to buy you some new pencils.’

John had already left for work, and Finlay had vanished upstairs.

‘I know it does.’ Ann was slumped in her chair at the dining table. ‘And I’m the only one in the house going back. It’s so unfair.’

‘Finlay will be studying too, though.’

‘I know, but he’s nearly eighteen now and he’ll be at university and that’s quite different. No more school uniform, no more homework jotters, no more rules.’