‘I’ll hold you to that,’ Toby said, grinning. ‘Maybe we could all go out on Sunday. I’m not on duty and the weather is improving. How about a trip to Victoria Park and a spot of tea?’

‘That would be lovely, Dr Marshall.’ Ivy spoke before Daisy had a chance to answer.

‘It’s Toby, and it would be my pleasure,’ Toby said, doffing his hat. ‘Good night, ladies. I’ll see you on Sunday. Maybe we can persuade Nick to join us. You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Daisy?’

‘Yes, of course, but I’ll have to check whether or not I’m on duty that afternoon.’

Toby kissed her on the cheek and strolled off, whistling a tune from the show.

Daisy smiled and shook her head. Toby would never change. He would always be a boy at heart, despite the responsible position he held, and that was part of his charm. She stood back as the door opened and Ivy pushed past Aggie, who stared at her in astonishment.

‘What’s got into her? Miss Price is usually so polite and nice.’

‘She’s had a bit of a fright, but a cup of tea would go down well, if you’d be so kind, Aggie.’ Daisy stepped inside and closed the door. She did not think that Jonah would return, but there was no telling with someone like him.

‘Cook’s been at the sherry and she’s asleep with her cap over one eye, so she won’t know what I’m doing. I was going to make some cocoa for meself – perhaps Miss Price would prefer that.’

‘I’m sure she would. Thank you, Aggie.’

‘Perhaps you’d like some too, miss. You always speak to me like I was worth something, whereas the others treat me like I was a nobody.’

‘You are someone to be reckoned with, Aggie. We all depend on you for so many things.’

Aggie stared at her blankly. ‘I dunno what, miss.’

‘Well, for one thing, you warn us when Gladys has been making mischief, and you never grumble if we ask you to do anything. I haven’t been here long, but already I rely on you.’

Aggie seemed to grow an inch or two in front of Daisy’s eyes. She puffed out her chest and smiled. ‘I’m somebody now.’

‘You always were,’ Daisy said, smiling. ‘And now I’d better go and make sure Ivy is all right.’ Stopping first to hang her cape and bonnet on the hall stand, Daisy made her way to the parlour where she found Ivy relating the events of the evening in great detail to Minnie.

‘Well, you are a muggins,’ Minnie said casually. ‘What did you expect from a fellow like that? It’s obvious he’s after one thing only, but you couldn’t see it. Anyway, he’s as ugly as sin. I wouldn’t go out with him even if he had lots of money.’

‘I felt sorry for him.’ Ivy’s bottom lip trembled. ‘And I’m not pretty like you and Daisy.’ She brightened suddenly. ‘But Dr Marshall is taking us to Victoria Park on Sunday, so he must think I’m all right.’