Josephine laughed and wiped her eyes. ‘I’m fine – more than fine, actually. It’s just all this – you getting excited about Christmas, and being able to spend it together again. It matters, this year more than ever, especially now you have to go away.’ 105

‘I’m not going for long, but I know what you mean. All the more reason to make the most of this.’ Marta pulled a small sofa closer to the fire and put another log on. ‘I was thinking about it on the train coming down. The last couple of years are the first time in my life that I’ve ever spent Christmas with the person I love. Why wouldn’t I be excited?’

‘I am, too.’ She took Marta’s hand and snuggled up to her, enjoying the peace and wondering if anyone would miss them if they stayed in front of the fire for the whole weekend. ‘I’m glad we’re here. Everything feels so gloomy and depressing at the moment. It’s nice to be cut off from it all for a few days. I don’t want to see another newspaper or hear another political speech until at least halfway through January.’

‘You and the rest of the country. We could all do with a bit of sparkle.’

‘Speaking of which – I’ve got a view of the harbour from my room. I think I saw Archie’s car arrive.’

‘Did you …’

‘No, not a glimpse. I can just about see the end of the causeway if I crane my neck, but I lost sight of him before he parked. At least we know they’re here, though. The star has arrived.’

‘I think the real star’s just outside the window. Look.’

Josephine turned and saw the snow – not the brief, half-hearted flurry that had greeted them, but a silent storm of white, steady and relentless, peppering the glass and filling the indigo sky beyond with its mournful, radiant beauty. Marta put out the lamps and they lay quietly in each other’s arms, watching it fall and listening to the crackle of the fire until a grandfather clock on the landing outside struck five. 106

‘I suppose we’d better get ready for drinks,’ Marta said reluctantly.

‘Yes, and you’ll need to tidy up before the housemaid comes in to lay your clothes out. It never occurred to me that we’d be waited on to that extent.’

‘Oh, I told her not to bother. What a bloody nightmare that would be. Surely you did, too?’

‘No, I didn’t. It felt rude when it’s obviously what they do here. I wish I had now.’

‘Well, just make sure you stand her down for the night shift. You’ve already got someone to help you undress.’ Marta smiled. ‘I’ll come and collect you in half an hour. That’ll give us time to call in on Archie as we go down.’

‘And give him the third degree on Marlene, you mean.’

‘Something like that, yes, so make sure you’re ready.’

Josephine found her way back to her room, hoping she’d have time to wash and change before the maid came in to do whatever maids did. She cursed herself again for being too timid to refuse help, as Marta had done; it was ridiculous, but the most daunting aspect of the house party so far was how to behave with the servants. The strain of doing things correctly with a butler or housekeeper at her shoulder completely eclipsed any nerves she might have had at meeting Marlene; she was used to actresses, but Mrs Pendean and her effortless courtesy already put the fear of God into her.