Annie is upset that Freddy is in a police cell. Annie Richmond, who never cries, has not left the house for a day. She’s sobbing. That’s what Solly told her over breakfast. Freddy Moss and Billy Walsh have been arrested. Their rich friend has abandoned them – only looking out for himself – Ruby is certain of that now. They would have been better off sticking with Billy Kimber after all.

‘No,’ she says, pushing his hand away. ‘I ain’t got time for this. You’re not the only one who needs to be somewhere else. Maggs is waiting for me on Oxford Street. Like you said, the Forties look out for me, and I look out for them. I have a job to do – especially if the Angel won’t be paying me now.’

She swings herself from the bed and checks her reflection in the mirror.

He watches her, arms folded behind his head, chuckling.

‘Alright. I can wait. How about you come back when you’ve finished your job in town and I’ll take you out for dinner? We’ll go somewhere new. Go dancing in a place where I’m not responsible for the staff.’

Ruby fixes her make-up and paints on a fresh slick of lipstick. She will make him spend a lot of money. ‘I won’t be long.’

47

47

Saturday, early afternoon

Harriet stiffens as soon as she enters the hallway. Voices. Men’s voices.

Ralph.

She treads quietly across the hallway, towards the stairs. She will go upstairs without them knowing she has arrived.

The loose block on the parquet floor makes a clack clack sound as she steps on it.

Hanson, lurking in the doorway of the drawing room, pokes his head around the frame, as though he has been waiting for her.

‘Miss Littlemore, I believe your father would like to speak with you.’ His voice is clear, precise and loud.

‘Thank you, Hanson, but I should like to go to my room.’

Hanson’s greeting has brought her father out from his study.

‘Harriet, we were just speaking of you. Come…’ He waves an arm, as if gathering her into a soirée. There is no doubt in his mind that she will follow.

She does, compliant from years of training and finds herself standing, still in her coat and hat, in his study.

She rarely enters her father’s sanctuary. It is a gloomy room, even in the daytime, lined with bookshelves and set with dark furniture. His vast mahogany desk sits in the bay window, enjoying most of the light, but the rest of the room is always shadowy.

Although the air is thick with tobacco smoke, she can make out not only Ralph, but Arthur MacKenzie present in the room. Both men rise from their seats to greet her. Inspector MacKenzie, stony-faced, gives her only a stern nod. Ralph steps forward, both hands extended as if to catch hold of hers.