‘This will do.’ Edna urged her through the door of the first tea shop they found. ‘I’ve only got a couple of hours and there’s such a lot to tell you.’

They were soon settled at a corner table with a large pot of tea in front of them and buns, butter and jam. Jenny’s mouth fairly watered at the sight of such luxury.

‘Tuck in, Jen.’ Edna frowned as she studied her. ‘You don’t look as if you’ve had a good meal for ages. Can you tell me what you’re doing and where you’re living? I won’t say nothing to no one without your say so.’

Jenny knew she was going to have to start trusting people again, so she explained about Ma and the work she was doing.

Edna’s mouth opened in disbelief. ‘Hell, Jen, no wonder you look worn to the bone.’

‘It’s not too bad. I’m getting used to it now, and I’m very fond of Ma. These are poor people I’m with, Edna, and I’ve got to do my share. If they hadn’t taken me in, I don’t know what I would have done. I didn’t have anywhere to go.’ She took a gulp of tea.

Edna put another bun on her plate. ‘Your aunt and Albert Greaves paid the Stannards a visit.’

Jenny’s cup clattered back into the saucer. ‘Looking for me?’

Her friend nodded and then explained what had happened.

‘They denied knowing me?’ she asked in disbelief.

‘Sent them on their way with nothing.’ Edna grinned. ‘And we was all told that if anyone came asking questions about Eugenie Winford, we was to say nothing. Which wouldn’t have been hard, because we don’t know anyone by that name.’ She winked to make her point.

‘Well, I’ll be blowed!’ Jenny picked up her knife and spread extra butter on her second bun after that staggering bit of news. ‘But how did my aunt find out I’d been working there?’

‘She’d picked up on some servants’ gossip, I expect. They said that they were following up any lead, however unlikely.’

‘It’s as well I left when I did, then.’

‘The family’s dead worried about you, Jen. Would you mind if I told them I’ve seen you?’

‘I’m not sure I want them to know anything. I don’t understand why they are concerned. They accused me of being a thief and turned me out.’ Jenny shook her head. She still viewed this incident with horror. ‘And yet they’ve protected me from my Aunt Gertrude. Their change of attitude is a complete mystery.’

She looked up at Edna and found her with a wide grin on her face. ‘What have I said?’

‘It isn’t what you’ve said,’ Edna chuckled, ‘but the way you said it. What happened to the London accent?’