‘I’m tired, too,’ Ivy said warily. ‘I don’t suppose you are, Flora.’

‘Indeed I’m not. I’m just waiting for my gentleman friend to tap on the window and then I’m off out for the rest of the evening.’

‘But the door will be locked,’ Ivy said anxiously. ‘You won’t be able to get in.’

‘Don’t worry. I persuaded the new maid to leave the area door unlocked.’

‘You mean you bribed her.’ Ivy shook her head. ‘You’ll never get to heaven, Flora.’

‘I don’t care – I think it would be terribly boring.’ Flora stretched out on the sofa. ‘Good night, ladies. Go to your cold beds and think of me enjoying a drink or two in a nice warm pub, with someone playing jolly tunes on a piano and everyone having a good time.’

Minnie picked up a chamber candlestick and lit the wick with a spill from the fire. ‘You’re braver than I am. I’d be too scared to stay out like that.’

‘It’ll end in tears,’ Ivy said grimly. ‘Don’t wake me when you get in.’

‘Good night,’ Daisy added, ‘and good luck, Flora.’ She followed the wavering light of the candle as Minnie made her way through the darkness to the staircase.

Breakfast next morning was served in the dining room at eight o’clock on the dot. A steaming tureen filled with sticky grey porridge was placed in the centre of the table, and left for those who took their places on time to eat piping hot.

‘We’re the first,’ Minnie said, ladling the unappetising mixture onto her plate.

The young maidservant placed a plate of bread, smeared with butter in front of Daisy. ‘No, miss. The two school teachers were up at six. They were taking some of their pupils to Box Hill and they won’t be back until late this evening.’

Minnie glanced round the table. ‘I don’t suppose there’s any jam today, Aggie?’

‘No, miss. It’s Saturday, you only get jam on Sunday and Wednesday.’

‘I was just hoping that Cook was feeling generous.’

Aggie grinned and bit her lip. ‘I’m sure I don’t know about that, miss.’

‘I don’t suppose Flora will be taking breakfast,’ Daisy said, helping herself to porridge.

Minnie filled Daisy’s cup with tea. ‘She and Ivy will have gone to work – they only have one day off a week – and it looks as if they missed breakfast.’

‘Flora must have an iron constitution if she can stay out so late and then get up early next morning.’ Daisy stared down at the grey mess on her plate. ‘I think I’ll just have a slice of bread.’

‘The dancers stay in bed all day, so you won’t see them until this evening.’ Minnie spooned the porridge into her mouth and swallowed it in one gulp.

‘Do they come down any earlier on Sunday? I’d like to meet them.’

‘They don’t take breakfast, miss,’ Aggie said solemnly. ‘They eat like sparrows on account of their figures.’

Minnie looked up, frowning. ‘Hadn’t you better get on, Aggie? You’ll be in trouble with Cook if she catches you chatting to us.’