‘She’s a rare one for seein’ the way out of blind alleys is Lou,’ Sarah whispered, ‘which of course she often has to do in her position.’

Suddenly Lou, who had for a few minutes appeared to be asleep, jerked upright.

‘I have it. There’s me crimson. I don’t know when I last wore it.’

She forced herself out of the chair, went to her cupboard and, after some fumbling, produced an armload of dress. It was made of material called bombazine and was the same red as a pillar-box. She had worn it in the days of bustles so there was a quantity of material in it.

‘There!’ she said. ‘Isn’t that striking?’ It was indeed striking, perhaps too striking, for she added: ‘She could wear one of her pinnies over, that would tone it down.’

‘Can we make it in the time?’ Sarah asked doubtfully.

Lou looked despisingly at her sister. ‘Time! I could make four in the time if I had to. Now, clear the table …’

They pulled the table out from the wall and pushed aside the remains of breakfast. Then Lou lifted the dress on to the table.

‘I’ll cut it out, then you tack it together, Sarah, then I can run it round to the theatre to finish it on one of their sewing machines. You have an iron ready to press it and it will all be Sir Garnet.’

And, as far as Sarah was concerned, it was all Sir Garnet when at 11.25 a.m. she and Margaret arrived at the stage door of The Dolphin Theatre. Margaret was less happy. She was not herself in the scarlet frock, which was somehow stuffy and clung to her in the wrong places.

‘Cheer up, dear,’ said Sarah, ‘you look ever so nice. I’m sure they’ll take you.’ Then she opened the stage door and said to the doorkeeper: ‘Miss Thursday with an appointment to see Mr Smith.’

Chapter Four

THE INTERVIEW

Sir John was with his manager, Tommy Smith, when the message was received that Margaret had arrived.

‘Then I will get out of the way,’ said Sir John.

‘Stay and see the child,’ Tommy pleaded. ‘Then you will understand what an impossible task you’ve given me. I’ve seen dozens but they are all curls and smiles. No character in any of them.’

‘I could not be fair to any child,’ Sir John objected, ‘for you know my heart is set on Katie.’

‘Is her ladyship adamant?’ Tommy asked.

‘Absolutely. I’ve pleaded with her until I am exhausted. Katie is not to go on the stage.’

Tommy smiled. ‘I would lay a bet that when she is grown up Miss Katie will have her own views about that.’

Outside the door there was whispering.

‘No, thank you, Sarah. I will see Mr Smith myself.’

‘I do think I should come in, dear. It’s not seemly you going in on your own.’

‘All the same, I shall go alone.’

Then there was a knock on the door.