“You’re going to a beach,” I said. “You won’t need toys. Will you find some shells for me?”

He looked bewildered. “Aren’t you going to come with us?”

“I’m afraid not, Podge.” I was going to say that his parents weren’t prepared to pay for me, but that wasn’t quite cricket. “I’m rather busy at the moment,” I finished.

“I want you to come.” He started to cry again as Binky’s voice came from the front door, announcing, “Car’s here.”

“Come along, Podge. Say good-bye to Auntie Georgie,” Fig said impatiently.

I hugged him. He clung to me.

“You see,” Fig said to Binky, who was holding the door open for the constant stream of servants and luggage, “I told you we should have sent him home to Scotland. It’s going to be unsettling for him. He’s probably going to cry all night on the train and upset everyone.”

“Of course he’s not. He’s going to be a big boy, aren’t you, Podge?”

Podge nodded tearfully and took Nanny’s hand as she led him out. I watched with a lump in my throat.

“And Georgiana, we can count on you to make sure the house is properly closed up, can’t we?” Fig turned to ask as she swept to the front door.

“Don’t worry,” I said.

I noticed she didn’t come up to hug me. Binky tried to negotiate the servants and baggage. “’Bye, old thing,” he called to me. “So sorry you can’t come with us. I hope it all works out with the queen this morning.”

And then they were gone.

“Did you want your cup of tea in bed, miss, or are you already up?” Queenie appeared, carrying the tea tray.

“You’re about an hour too late and, as you can see, I’m already up,” I said. “Tell Cook that I’ll have a proper breakfast this morning.”

At least I’d make the most of my last days here by helping to use up their food. Our cook, Mrs. McPherson, has always had a soft spot for me and she sent up a perfect breakfast: bacon, kidneys, tomatoes, mushrooms, fried bread and two eggs.

I finished the plate with relish then went up to select a suitable outfit for my upcoming visit to the palace. Luckily Queenie had not tried to clean my one good tweed suit yet!