‘You can’t call me Daisy anymore,’ she said with a show of spirit. ‘I am now Miss Levine, companion to Lady Rose.’

‘Play your part and it will stay that way.’

Becket helped Daisy down from the car and pressed her hand warmly and she sent him a shy smile.

‘How do you know Dr McWhirter is here and not at his consulting rooms?’ asked Daisy.

‘I telephoned him. Marvellous invention.’

Before he could ring the bell, the door opened and Dr McWhirter stood there. ‘Welcome, Mr Carlisle,’ he said. ‘And this is the little lady?’

‘My niece, Liza.’

Daisy stood shuffling her feet.

‘I think it is better if you go away, Mr Carlisle, and leave the young lady with us.’

‘But what about the paperwork and fees?’

‘I will telephone you. It is better to deal with the patient first and make sure she is happy and rested. Philips, take Miss Liza up to her room. Is that her luggage?’ Daisy had packed a few belongings in a suitcase. ‘Leave it in the hall.’

Philips took Daisy’s hand. She went with him docilely enough, but half-way up the stairs she began to sing at the top of her voice:

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do!

I’m half crazy, all for the love of you.

It won’t be a stylish marriage,

I can’t afford a carriage . . .

‘Shut that row,’ snapped Philips as they reached the top of the stairs.

But a voice from a room along the corridor finished the song:

But you ’ll look sweet, upon the seat

Of a bicycle built for two!

Rose, thought Daisy. ‘In here,’ said Philips.

‘Are you my daddy?’ whined Daisy.

He grinned down at her. ‘The only daddy you got now.’ He thrust her into the room next to the one Rose’s voice had come from and closed and locked the door.

Daisy waited until she heard his footsteps retreating along the corridor. She unbuttoned one boot and slid out the thin skeleton keys, re-buttoned her boot and got to work. At first, she’d forgotten all Harry had taught her, but after a few deep breaths she attacked the lock again until there was a satisfying click and she swung the door open.

She peered cautiously along the corridor and then went to Rose’s door and got to work. She worked quickly with new confidence and soon had the door unlocked.

Rose, who was sitting on the bed, rushed into her arms and hugged her close.

‘How? How did you get here? I heard you singing.’

‘Never mind,’ whispered Daisy. ‘Pooh, it smells bad in here.’

‘They wouldn’t even let me go to the bathroom. I had to use the chamber-pot under the bed. I haven’t even been fed.’

‘Shh! Come along quietly.’