I returned to the apartment with a grin on my face. Carte blanche to go out and have a good time when someone else was footing the bill. What could be nicer? For a moment the dead girl in the courtyard and my commission to question people at the palace had faded into the background. I went up and changed into the cashmere cardigan and soft jersey skirt that had become my acceptable winter outfit. I had been given both by my mother last Christmas. It was too bad that she was a petite five foot three while I was a healthy five six, as she had oodles of lovely clothes I could have inherited when she discarded them. But I looked presentable enough as I examined myself in the mirror.

“I’m going to take the princess out for lunch,” I said to Queenie. “Don’t forget to stay put. Remember the ghosts.”

“Yes, miss,” she said. “Don’t worry. I ain’t leaving this room. Not for love nor money. Ruddy ghosts!”

A taxicab was summoned to take Marina, Irmtraut and me to the Savoy. The outing was a huge success. We happened to pass the horse guards out training in the Mall, the plumes on their helmets and their horses’ manes floating out behind them in the breeze. This produced an “ah” even from Irmtraut.

They thought Trafalgar Square was charming and expressed an interest in going to the National Gallery and then we pulled out under the brightly lit canopy of the Savoy. Major Beauchamp-Chough had clearly done what he promised and telephoned ahead because we were welcomed with great reverence and whisked to the best table. I hadn’t had enough luncheons at smart establishments to know what to recommend but Marina confidently ordered a lobster bisque, a pâté de foie gras and veal dijonnaise. Irmtraut and I followed suit. Marina also chose a light French wine to accompany the food.

“I don’t think I want a cocktail to start with,” she said. “Too much alcohol at midday and I’m useless for the afternoon. And I think we should visit Molyneux just to set up times for my fittings and see how he’s getting along with the dress.”

The wine was brought and approved. I noticed many heads turned in our direction. It’s funny the rush of pleasure that this brought. Marina didn’t seem to notice, but I think she was just more poised than I. The first course arrived. Deliciously light and creamy. The foie gras was superb. We were in the middle of the veal when a voice said, “What-ho, Georgie, old bean. Long time no see.”