There was a moment’s silence, as everyone looked in astonishment.

‘Goodness, where on earth did you get that, Rudi?’ Mrs Nicholls asked. ‘So much money, I—’

Joseph put his hand up and shook his head reassuringly. ‘I’ll explain later. A mystery has been solved, today, that’s for certain. And I’m sure Miss Corbett knows where that money belongs. Now, where’s my present, Rudi, old chap? You haven’t forgotten me, have you?’

* * *

Joseph had done the seating plan for Christmas dinner. He’d placed Esther on his right-hand side and on the other, Gwen.

When Esther had bustled out to the kitchen halfway through the main course – most likely to reprimand the staff for something that wasn’t quite up to scratch – Gwen glanced up at him.

‘I was half expecting to see you dressed in a red suit and a white beard, Joey,’ she murmured. ‘Didn’t your father used to dress up on Christmas Day?’

Joseph smiled, pleased she’d remembered. ‘He did indeed. And we still have the outfit. But I’ve delegated that task this year.’

Gwen nodded across the table towards Maggie and Jack, who were sitting opposite them and laughing. ‘She seems rather taken with your nephew.’

He nodded. Perhaps it had been a mistake to sit them next to each other. He’d put Maguire on the other side of Maggie but he was talking to little Rudi, who was between him and Gwen.

‘Yes,’ Joseph said, keeping his voice low. ‘I fear she’s going to get her heart broken.’

Gwen sighed. ‘Sometimes, I’m glad I’m not that age anymore.’ And then, as Esther glided back into the dining room, she raised her voice and said, ‘Your Ladyship, this goose is quite delicious!’

* * *

After lunch, when they’d returned to the drawing room and the evacuee children had arrived with their host families, for tea and games, Joseph clapped his hands. A game of charades had just finished. ‘What shall we play next? There’s Ludo or Pontoon or this one …’ He picked up a box. ‘Monopoly!’

Esther groaned. ‘Heavens, not that, darling! It takes forever! The King’s speech is in half an hour and then it’ll be time for Father Christmas!’ She clapped her hands and the children let out excited squeals. ‘Let’s play something a bit lively! How about hide-and-seek?’

When it was Joseph’s turn to ‘seek’, he discovered Gwen hiding in the darkness of the boot room. He knew it was her straightaway, by her sweet scent.