It was while she was in the wardrobe that she noticed her inside was rumbling and she remembered it was lunchtime and she had no money to buy anything to eat. She could, she supposed, ask for a sub on her salary but she did not want to do that, it was her pride to take home every Friday her two pounds intact. It was a pity that Mrs Beamish was not around, she would have found her something to eat, but she would of course be at home looking after Margaret – or would she?

‘There, that’ll be all,’ said the wardrobe mistress. ‘If the coronation dress doesn’t fit it can do the other thing for none of us dares touch it.’

Out in the passage Liza stood undetermined. Her inside was rumbling more than ever. She thought longingly of that stew she had been cooking, mainly vegetables mostly picked up by the children in the market, but there was a few pennyworth of scrag ends of meat. Liza could almost smell it and it made her stomach turn over worse than ever.

There was the sound of clumping feet coming down the staircase and in a few seconds Miss Grey came into sight. No instructions had been given to her or to Katie that they were to keep the fact that Margaret had been kidnapped to themselves so, knowing Liza had been told that Margaret was threatened, she burst out at once:

‘Oh, Liza dear, isn’t it dreadful? The police are getting in touch with that Lord and Lady Corkberry where Lavinia worked before her grandfather found her. They feel they will know where the orphanage is.’

Liza was for once startled into silence. Then she asked: ‘How was she got at? Do they know it was that Matron?’

Miss Grey felt in some way she had blundered. ‘Oh dear, you didn’t know? I suppose I shouldn’t have told you.’ Then a new thought struck her. ‘So inconsiderate of me thinking only of Margaret, for I suppose you are going to act in her place tonight.’

Liza felt the need to hold on to someone for the floor seemed to be going round. She clutched at Miss Grey who, after a glance at her, led her to the stairs and sat her down.

‘I suppose you have been rehearsing all the morning and have had no lunch. Ours is just coming up, so you can have it with Katie and me. I shall be glad for someone to distract Katie, for she is in a terrible state of anxiety. Now, just wait there a moment and I’ll call Henry to help you up the stairs. Poor child, what a day for you with that long part to act and the worry over Margaret.’

A little more life seemed to creep into Liza. She raised her head and looked Miss Grey firmly in the eye.

‘I’m not worried about Margaret. She’s not one to scare easy. I bet she’ll give that Matron as good as she gets. You’ll see.’