‘I was in the police force. I was getting bored pounding the beat and saw the captain’s advertisement. He liked me and got Mr Kerridge to intercede so that I could quit the force immediately. They weren’t bothered. I was only an ordinary copper.’

‘You’re obviously a Londoner.’

‘That’s me. Brought up in Whitechapel.’

‘Me too,’ said Daisy. ‘You’ll never believe it, but I used to be a chorus girl at Butler’s.’

‘Gosh, I used to go to Butler’s.’

They began to reminisce about places in Whitechapel and people they had known. Daisy was happy for the first time in a long time. Then the door opened and Becket came in.

Daisy introduced them. Becket glared at Bernie.

‘Got to go,’ said Bernie. ‘I’ll bring you those books.’

‘What books?’ demanded Becket after Bernie had left.

‘Never mind,’ said Daisy in a dull voice. ‘I want to go to sleep now.’

CHAPTER TWELVE

Let us have a quiet hour,
Let us hob-and-nob with Death.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Roger had found out from Lady Polly that Rose planned to go to the ball as a Roman lady and delighted her when he arrived to escort her attired as a Roman soldier.

She could not help noticing that he had very fine legs.

Rose knew she would be the envy of every debutante there and was human enough to look forward to it after having been regarded as one of society’s failures.

She decided to forget all about Harry and enjoy the evening. Rose called on Aunt Elizabeth before she left, as that lady was leaving for Scotland on the following day.

‘You look much happier than I have ever seen you,’ said Aunt Elizabeth. ‘Go off with your young man and have a splendid time.’

* * *

Harry was furious. Always anxious to help those in need, he had employed a retired detective, Tom Barnard, as his gentleman’s gentleman. In pressing his evening coat, Tom had left a glazed iron mark on the back.

‘What am I to do now?’ raged Harry.

Tom was fat and round and his face never betrayed any emotion. His wife, Martha, who now worked as Harry’s housekeeper, was built along the same lines and she had the same sort of impassive face.

‘Why did you not leave the job to your wife?’ he raged.

‘I thought valeting was to be my duty, sir,’ said Tom.

The door opened and Martha came in carrying a black velvet evening cloak. She curtsied and said, ‘I found this in your wardrobe, sir. If you put it about your shoulders and wear your black mask, it will look very dashing and I will have your evening jacket restored tomorrow.’

‘Oh, very well,’ snapped Harry. Then he relented. ‘I know you are new to all this. I will get Becket to spend a day with you, Tom, and he will instruct you as to what to do. Now, help me on with my clothes!’

Roger swung Rose round in the steps of a waltz. He was feeling elated. He had received permission from Rose’s parents to pay his addresses to her. Nestling in a little pouch attached to his belt was an engagement ring.