The two girls gave each other a hesitant smile. The housekeeper continued speaking, not giving the girls a chance to say anything to one another. ‘You will start at six o’clock tomorrow morning. You had better move in this evening. Be here by ten o’clock and Edna will show you your room.’

After issuing those crisp instructions, she sailed out of the kitchen.

‘Don’t be late.’ Edna smiled. ‘She can be fierce if you don’t do as she says, but if you don’t give her no trouble, then she’s not bad. I hopes you don’t snore.’

‘I don’t.’ After sleeping in a dorm with lots of other girls Jenny knew that was true because they’d have soon told her if she did.

‘Good. It’ll be nice to ’ave someone to gossip with.’

Feeling buoyant with hope, Jenny made her way back to her house for the last time. She was stunned, not being able to believe that her crazy scheme had succeeded. She’d actually got a job!

Now all she had to do this evening was get out of the house without being seen.

5

Dinner that evening was agony for Jenny. Her aunt had forced her mother to come to the table, and the only time she showed a spark of interest was when Greaves was talking. It was clear that her mother was not displeased with the prospect of having him as a relative. Jenny was disgusted by the attitude. How shallow her mother’s life must be.

‘Have you packed all your belongings, Eugenie?’ he asked.

She smiled brightly. ‘I’m all ready.’

‘Good, good.’

He looked smug and Jenny swallowed silently, hoping her performance was good enough to convince everyone that the arrangement made her happy. Her mother was nodding in approval.

‘It will be for the best, Eugenie. You will have social standing as the wife of a wealthy man.’ A momentary flash of doubt crossed her mother’s face, and then it was gone. ‘I will be only ten minutes away. You can visit – now and again.’

Jenny couldn’t help but feel pity for her mother, who was once again looking confused. They had never been close, but perhaps she should stay to help her mother through this disaster. That thought was instantly dismissed. She couldn’t stay. She just couldn’t! And really, by the way her mother was acting, she had her doubts if she would even be missed.

‘I shall collect you at twelve tomorrow. You will like my house, but it does require a woman’s touch.’ Albert Greaves laughed as if that were a huge joke. ‘At least that school taught you how to manage a large household.’