‘The next stop but one.’ That would take her far enough away from the Stannard house. Then she must decide what to do. She had to find lodgings before it was dark. There was one pound note in her purse and a few coppers. She immediately regretted the money she’d spent on the trip to Brighton. But how could she have known this was going to happen? It was then she realized that she was owed a week’s wages, and in panic she had run away without asking for the money. Fool, she berated herself. All she’d thought about was getting away before they found out she was Eugenie Winford.

A quiet moan of despair escaped through her lips. What was she going to do? Resting her forehead on the window, she gazed out, trying to still the panic rushing through her. But what she saw only increased her anxiety. The light was fading. It would soon be dark and she had nowhere to go, no shelter for the night. She thought of the room she shared with Edna and wished fervently that she were back there, safe and secure.

The conductor came along to take the fares of two people who had just got on, so Jenny fished in her pocket and held out a sixpence when he stopped near her. ‘I’ve decided to go to Marble Arch,’ she told him.

He gave her another ticket and frowned when he took the money from her trembling hand. ‘Are you sure you’re all right, miss?’

‘Yes, thank you.’ Slipping the change back in her pocket, she tried a smile, but without much success. ‘Will you tell me when we’re there, please?’

He nodded and went back to his job.

Jenny knew there was an underground station at Marble Arch, so perhaps she could find shelter there.

9

Matthew was buoyant after his success with the engine, but, returning home that evening, he found the house in uproar. His mother was furious about something and arguing fiercely with her husband. Gilbert was standing there with a stunned expression on his face, not able to believe that his usually calm and pleasant wife could explode like this.

Matt went over to his brothers, who were standing by the window looking equally surprised.

‘What’s going on?’ he asked. ‘Our parents never argue.’

Luke pulled a face. ‘They are now. Father’s handled the situation badly, and he’s not going to be allowed to get away with it this time.’

‘What situation?’

John then explained about the theft, the new housemaid who had been dismissed, and the expensive items found in the under housemaid’s case. ‘She ran up to her room, grabbed her case and left the house while Mother and Father were still arguing about it. Mrs Douglas tried to catch up with her, but it was too late.’

‘She stole them?’ Matt was appalled. He’d rather liked the quiet young girl.