‘I’m looking for work in service.’

‘Here, locally?’ Lady Veronica asked.

‘Yes, I need to be close to my children, who are staying at a local farm.’

Lady Veronica clapped her hands in delight. ‘Marvellous – you’re available for work?’

‘Yes, indeed, ma’am.’

‘Would you consider working for me again?’

Rosie looked embarrassed.

‘Much as I’d love to, ma’am, I really don’t want to be in London – it’s too far away from my children.’

‘I’m not talking about London, dear girl,’ Lady Veronica explained. ‘I’ve just taken over the lease of the lakeside home where I’m presently staying in Windermere, and I’m in need of a reliable housekeeper. There is nobody in the world whom I would prefer to you.’

At this point Rosie, overcome with gratitude and excitement, burst into tears.

‘Yes, yes, please,’ she sobbed, as she took the clean handkerchief Sybil extended to her. ‘But I’ve only been a lady’s maid before, and a scullery maid before that.’

‘Then it’s time you were promoted to higher things,’ Lady Veronica insisted. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me,’ she said, as she rose from the bench, ‘it’s time for us to drive back to Windermere, where my friends are waiting for me to join them for supper. I’ll be in touch very soon, Rose dear,’ she promised.

‘Thank you, your ladyship, I would love to work for you again,’ Rosie blurted out. ‘It’s like a dream come true.’

Lady Veronica gave a radiant smile. ‘Well, then, we’ve both had our prayers answered, for which I’ll always be eternally grateful.’

After Lady Veronica had cruised away in her sparkling silver Daimler, Sybil and Rosie stared at each other with tears in their eyes.

‘Dreams really do come true,’ Rosie gulped.

Sybil gave her a warm hug. ‘If anybody deserves happiness it’s you, my darling.’

The following wet and breezy morning seemed to herald the end of the long, hot summer they had enjoyed. Carrying her suitcase, Sybil said goodbye to the staff; then, with only Rosie and the children for company, she made her way through the little wood that led to Kents Bank Station. Though Rosie had instructed her children to bear up, Sally was crying before they even got on the platform, and when the train pulled in Ronnie started too.

‘We’re such a bunch of softies,’ Rosie said apologetically.

‘I’m no better,’ Sybil murmured as tears slid down her pink cheeks. Swiping them away, she turned to the children. ‘You remember what I said about writing to me and keeping in touch?’

They both nodded mutely.

‘You won’t forget, will you?’

In answer Ronnie and Sally flung themselves into Sybil’s arms, where they sobbed their hearts out, and it was only the loud shunting of the train that brought them all to their senses.

‘All aboard,’ called the impatient guard.