Up went Margaret’s chin. ‘If anybody found me it was Mr and Mrs Fortescue. But really nobody did, I found myself and it was you who put me in The Dolphin Theatre.’ Margaret was silent for a few steps, then she went on. ‘If Sir John doesn’t find a play with a part for me, how do I look for work in another theatre?’

Sarah really did not know for she herself between theatre engagements had always worked in some theatre wardrobe. But she had talked over the problem with Lou.

‘There are sort of schools where they teach you acting and dancing and that and find you work. We’ll have to enquire of Mr Smith about them, it’s no good asking me about this Shakespeare, I never had nothing to do with him.’

They had reached Miss de Lang’s auntie’s house. Sarah stepped forward to put her key in the front door, but before she got it out of her reticule, Mrs Wallow flung the door open.

‘Oh, there you are! I’m ever so glad to see you. There’s something funny going on.’

Sarah managed to keep a tremble out of her voice. ‘What sort of funny?’

‘It was the people next door told me. They said when I was out shopping an old woman was ’anging around asking questions about Margaret. They thought we ought to know for they said she looked like a witch.’

Chapter Seventeen

MARGARET’S GONE!

Sarah had a fearful night, jumping upright every time she heard a creak. She had no idea what Margaret’s Matron would look like, but she knew what she supposed a witch would look like and her teeth chattered. Twice she nearly screamed because she thought she heard steps creeping up the stairs.

Margaret appeared to show no signs of being frightened but ate her supper as heartily as usual. The truth was Margaret, though scared, could not imagine Matron hanging about out of doors on a winter’s night. She had liked her comfort, had Matron. It was nasty if she had found out where she lived, tomorrow they must take precautions, but now they were safely locked in she tried not to think about her and in the middle of trying she had fallen asleep.

The next morning it was awkward explaining to Mrs Wallow what had happened, for Sarah was afraid Mrs Wallow might not like renting her rooms to people who had a witch enquiring after them. However, Mrs Wallow in daylight seemed quite calm.

‘Terrible what goes on in orphanages,’ she said, ‘but I’ll have a word with my hubby. As you know, he’s night watchman to a place not far from here. He’ll come to the entrance to the square and meet you.’

As things turned out there was no need for anyone to meet Margaret. The moment she had delivered her for her lessons, Sarah hurried round to the stage door to pour out her troubles to Bill Todd. He listened in silence until she had finished, then he said: