‘Don’t be silly,’ said Lavinia. ‘Never give her a chance to get near you. Peter said, when I told him, she sounded much madder than when we were in the orphanage.’

‘I think I’ll tell Sarah,’ said Margaret. ‘She’s a very sensible person and so is her sister Lou. I would feel safer if they knew; you see, when you go back to Ireland I’ll be alone.’

Lavinia thought telling Lou a good idea. ‘And I’d tell Katie’s governess. I like her. I’m sure she’ll know exactly what to do.’

The door opened and Liza’s cheeky face looked in. ‘Thought I’d warn you but they’re soon calling the overture, and Ivy’s waiting to put on your dress.’

Lavinia got up to join Sarah who was waiting in the passage. As she kissed Margaret goodbye she whispered:

‘Tell Liza. I’m sure she’ll help.’

Mrs Wallow always left their supper in the oven. That night, while they were eating, Margaret told Sarah what Lavinia had said. To her surprise, Sarah took the news calmly.

‘If you had said you’d seen the woman, knowing what a one you are for storytelling, I wouldn’t have believed you, but Lavinia’s different. A quiet young lady she is, not given to fancifying. But now we know, there’s nothing to worry about, we just got to be careful, that’s all. But to be on the safe side I’ll have a word with Mr Todd. He never does let anyone, who has not the right, in at the stage door, but ’e may as well be extra careful.’

Because it was Christmas time there were no lessons, so Margaret was able to spend her mornings with Lavinia, Peter and Horatio. In the afternoons when she had not got a performance she saw two matinées with them, the pantomime Beauty and the Beast with the great comedian Dan Leno at Drury Lane Theatre Royal, and the musical comedy Floradora at The Lyric. She loved both and came out of the theatres wondering if she should not learn to sing and dance. Sarah quietly killed that idea.

‘You can be thankful for what you can do, dear. For a musical you want to start real young. Lou was working when she was three.’

Miss Grey volunteered to take the children sight-seeing in the mornings, for which Lord Delaware was very grateful.

‘’Tis wonderfully pleased I am. I find a little walking about London is nearly the death of me. There are all too many people about trampling the streets.’

Lady Teaser was also enthusiastic that Katie should join the sight-seeing expeditions. ‘It will be pleasant for Katie, such nice children. I want them to be friends.’

On those sight-seeing trips no one was better guarded than Margaret. Peter walked on one side of her and Lavinia on the other and behind came Miss Grey with Horatio and Katie.

‘Don’t worry at all,’ Miss Grey told Margaret. ‘The moment I heard of this horrid woman I invested in a police whistle. Look.’