They changed quickly, Rose into a straight skirt, striped blouse and jacket and sailor hat, and Daisy also into a blouse, skirt and jacket but with one of Rose’s old straw hats embellished with flowers on her head.

They crept together down the stairs and quietly let themselves out through the front door and then scampered along the square, giggling and hanging on to each other, thrilled with the combination of sunshine and freedom.

‘Where now?’ panted Rose.

‘Let’s look at the shops and try on hats,’ said Daisy, happy that now she and Rose seemed to be friends again instead of mistress and companion.

By mid-afternoon, they realized they were hungry and went to the tea-room at Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly.

William Fortnum, who founded the famous store, was a footman in the royal household of Queen Anne. His job was to replace the candles every night and he made a tidy profit out of selling the old ones. He also had a sideline as a grocer.

He persuaded his landlord, Hugh Mason, to go into the grocery business with him and Fortnum and Mason was born.

Daisy and Rose had salmon in aspic embellished with prawns and lobster before they got down to the serious cake-eating business.

They chatted happily about this and that and then began to discuss the threatening letter. ‘I am sure it was some crank,’ said Rose. ‘I am in no danger at all. I think we should sneak into the study and phone the captain. He must persuade Pa to let me go out again.’ She blushed suddenly, remembering again the feel of his lips against her forehead.

Rose paid the bill and they walked out into Piccadilly, knowing that they had to return home and beginning to feel depressed.

‘Cheer up,’ said Daisy. ‘I’m sure it won’t be long before we’re out and about’ She stopped in front of a milliner’s. ‘I say, do look at that hat. They must ha’ slaughtered a whole aviary. It’s got more stuffed birds on it than’s decent.’

‘My lace has come untied,’ said Rose, stooping down.

There was a sharp report The milliner’s window shattered just as Daisy grabbed hold of Rose and fell back onto the pavement with her. People began screaming. Some man shouted, ‘He had a gun! He had a gun!’

Rose and Daisy got unsteadily to their feet. Daisy brushed shards of glass off their clothes with a trembling hand. Commotion surrounded them. The milliner came out screaming that they had broken her window. Others were saying someone had fired a shot. Finally, to Rose’s relief, a constable pushed his way to the front, demanding to know what was going on.

‘I d-don’t know,’ said Rose, on the verge of tears.

‘Someone tried to shoot her,’ said Daisy. ‘You should be asking for witnesses. He’ll be miles away by now.’

‘You trying to tell me how to do my job, young lady? Let’s be ’aving your name.’

‘I’m Miss Daisy Levine, companion to Lady Rose Summer. This is Lady Rose Summer.’