‘Is my photo in the newspapers?’

‘Bound to be, but I thought it would be best if you didn’t know what they were writing about you. I’ve got a wig for meself,’ said Daisy. ‘The minute we’re found missing, the police’ll be looking for me as well.’

What have I done? thought Rose, suddenly appalled. We have robbed my father and run away. I am a coward. What will Captain Cathcart think of me?

She suddenly remembered Dolores Duval’s dead body and burst into overwrought tears.

‘There, there, I’m here,’ cooed Daisy.

‘I-I am s-such a weakling,’ sobbed Rose.

‘Now, then, it’s only for a few days, until those dreadful press people have given up.’

Rose dried her eyes and turned a white face up to Daisy. ‘But I have just realized that in running away, I will now make Mr Kerridge sure that I am guilty.’

Daisy looked at her uneasily. Then she said bracingly, ‘Food is what we need. We didn’t have any breakfast. Let’s put on our disguises and go downstairs. Have you ever seen such an old-fashioned set of rooms? I don’t think they’ve been changed for half a century.’

The sitting room was overfurnished. The mantel was draped with cloth and the chairs were also draped with long cloth covers to hide their embarrassing legs. The Victorians of the last century had even found the sight of naked chair legs slightly disreputable. A badly executed oil painting of Queen Victoria glared down at them accusingly.

Rose went through to one of the bedrooms and sat down at the dressing table. She arranged the grey wig over her hair and put on the glasses, which had unmagnified lenses. Daisy came in carrying two hats. ‘I packed us two of the most dowdy ones. Don’t want to occasion comment by looking too smart.’

They waited until they heard the luncheon gong sound and then went down the stairs and into the dining room. Rose heaved a sigh of relief. The only other diners were an elderly couple.

Daisy shook out her napkin. ‘I hope the food’s not too bad,’ she said. ‘I really don’t think a dump in a backwater like this can afford a good cook.’

The meal came as a pleasant surprise. They started with a good vegetable broth followed by poached haddock and then tucked into a large dish of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. The dessert was spotted dick with custard.

‘Goodness,’ said Daisy when they had finished. ‘Can’t wait to get upstairs and take me stays off.’

The elderly lady and her husband exchanged shocked glances.

‘Do be quiet, Daisy,’ hissed Rose. ‘You’re drawing attention to us.’

But it was a relief to be back in their rooms again and to be able to undress and climb into their respective beds.

Rose’s last thought before she fell asleep was of Harry. He would be so angry with her.

CHAPTER THREE

So, naturalists observe, a flea
Hath smaller fleas that on him prey;
And these have smaller fleas to bite ’em,
And so proceed ad infinitum.