‘I think Mrs Alderton-Steele is going to sack me. You know I told you about her son being narked ’cos he tried it on with me and I told him where to go … well, some of her stuff has been going missing and I reckon she thinks I’ve nicked it. I bet it’s him, though, that flippin’ Godfrey. I wouldn’t put it past him to have nicked it, just for me to get the blame!’

‘Oh, Jenny, that’s horrible. I know you, you’d never pinch anything from anyone. Have you told her that?’

‘Yeah, but the old cow is never going to believe me over her precious son. It’s a shame, though, because I like the job. The hours suit so I can get home and help out Mum. Not only that, Mrs Alderton-Steele pays me well, more than most would for a bit of cleaning. Still, if the battleaxe gives me my marching orders, there’s nothing I can do about it.’

‘You’ll soon find another job,’ Sarah consoled.

‘Probably, but I won’t get a good reference, and I doubt I’d find one which pays as well.’

‘Have you confronted that Godfrey and told him you know what he’s been up to?’

‘Yes, but he just laughed. He’s a nasty piece of work who lives off his “allowance” from Mummy and couldn’t give two hoots about anyone else. I don’t know what he’s done with the bits he’s nicked, ’cos I’ve searched high and low and can’t find them anywhere. I suppose he’s sold them, but he don’t need the money, and one of the things was a pocket watch that belonged to his father. When that disappeared it really upset Mrs Alderton-Steele, but it didn’t bother Godfrey, the horrible git.’

Sarah gulped hard as all at once she realised she’d been in possession of the watch. She remembered it had been etched with the initials A. S., which she now knew had represented Alderton-Steele. She felt consumed with guilt – the watch had been sold so she couldn’t return it, and now her friend could lose her job. The other items too, the gold bracelet and the ring in her pocket. It all made sense. She’d thought it had been too good to be true and now realised that Godfrey must have been throwing the jewellery over the bridge.

She placed her hand in her pocket and held the ring. It wasn’t hers to keep, not now she knew who it belonged to, and it was stolen. If she gave it to Jenny her friend might be able to convince Mrs Alderton-Steele that she wasn’t the thief, and Jenny could keep her job.