Anna stared at him. Charlie’s face was blank, but there was a glint in his eye she did not trust. As if he knew more than he was letting on.

Then another thought occurred to her. ‘How did you get in if Mr Stanning isn’t here to open the door?’

‘He gave me a key.’

‘Why?’

‘You’d have to ask him that. I s’pose he wants me to come and go as I please.’

His gaze held hers. Charlie Atkins was a bit too cocky for Anna’s liking, but Edward reckoned he was a good worker and wouldn’t hear a word against him.

‘Did he also say you could wander about the house, making tea?’ she asked.

‘Eddie doesn’t mind.’

‘No, but I do. Upstairs is our private quarters.’

‘I’m only putting the kettle on.’

‘All the same, I don’t want you going up there.’

Charlie looked sulky. ‘If that’s what you want.’

‘And why haven’t the ovens been lit yet?’

‘I dunno, do I?’ he grunted, bad-temperedly. ‘Eddie usually sees to it before I get here.’

And where is Edward? The question gnawed at her.

‘Go and see to it, please.’

‘Righto, Missus.’

As Anna went to leave the kitchen, he muttered, ‘It ain’t my fault your husband keeps secrets from you.’

Anna turned to face him. ‘What did you say?’

‘I said, I wouldn’t worry about him, Missus. Eddie generally turns up eventually. Wherever he’s been.’

There it was again, that mocking gleam in his eyes.

‘Just get on with your work,’ she snapped.

Perhaps Edward had gone out early, Anna thought as she hurried upstairs. Although she couldn’t imagine the kind of errand that would take him out of the house at the crack of dawn. And if he had gone out, surely he would have left her a note …

But their bed had not been slept in.

Anna stared at the pristine bedclothes, the plumped pillows, and panic rose in her chest.

Oh, Edward, where are you?

She heard the sound of the back door opening and hurried back downstairs.

‘Edward?’

She pushed open the door to the bakery kitchen. There was Mrs Church, taking off her coat. Charlie was leaning against the counter, the Racing Post lying open beside him.

‘Good morning,’ Mrs Church greeted her. ‘It’s another cold one, isn’t it? They say spring is on the way, but I can’t see any sign of it – goodness, whatever is the matter, my dear? You look as white as—’

‘Do you know where Edward is?’ Anna cut across her.

‘Well, no, I—’ Anna caught the quick glance that passed between Mrs Church and her nephew. ‘Isn’t he here?’

‘She wouldn’t be asking otherwise, would she?’ Charlie’s voice was laced with sarcasm.

‘He’s been out all night,’ Anna said, ignoring Charlie’s sly look. ‘Did he say anything to you about where he was going?’

‘No one knows where he is,’ Charlie interrupted. ‘Ain’t that right, Auntie Ida?’

Anna looked at Mrs Church. She was silent, her mouth a pinched line.