When Miranda arrived, Oscar realised immediately that she wasn’t at all happy in France. Her face was sullen when he went to greet her and her first words were, ‘So how much longer are you going to keep me at that stupid school? It’s like being in prison and Madame Babineaux is like a gaoler! All the girls there are snobs and their fathers are all lords or such like and they all look down on me.’

Oscar tried to keep his patience. ‘I’m sure it can’t be as bad as you say, darling, and you really haven’t given yourself time to settle properly, have you?’

‘All this because of a stupid little servant girl,’ she spat as she removed her gloves and flung them at Serena.

Oscar gave her an apologetic glance. He had hoped that a little time away would make his daughter appreciate what she had but that didn’t seem to be the case at all.

‘And the food . . . ugh!’ Miranda went on. ‘I have never liked French food but you don’t get a choice there. I shall be as thin as a rake by the time I leave there.’

At this Oscar had to stifle a smile. Miranda had her mother’s build and was robust to put it very politely, so he thought that was very unlikely.

‘Well, never mind. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your dinner today. Cook has made you one of your favourites: roast beef and roast potatoes with all the trimmings with apple pie and custard to follow,’ Serena informed her, but Miranda merely glared at her and stamped off to her room.

‘Hm, welcome home,’ Oscar murmured.

Serena just smiled – she was more than used to Miranda’s moods – and set about helping Bill take Miranda’s luggage up to her room.

*

Miranda had been home for two days before she asked her father casually one evening over dinner, ‘So how is she – Ruby – settling in at Aunt Hermione’s?’

‘Very well as far as I know,’ her father answered.

Miranda sat seething. Not for much longer if I have anything to do with it, she thought to herself but she said nothing and quietly got on with her meal.

It was Miss Wood’s afternoon off the following day, and she had informed Miranda that she would be going into town to do some shopping. She had even asked if Miranda would like to accompany her but the girl politely refused.

As soon as Miss Wood had set off, Miranda crept along the landing to the housekeeper’s room. She always kept her door locked but it had been easy for Miranda to take the spare key from the set in the kitchen that were kept for emergencies.