‘We’re very lucky then.’

There was no answer, and Josephine assumed that the etiquette was to say only what needed to be said, but when she looked at the woman’s reflection in the mirror, she was astonished to find her on the verge of tears. Her instinct was to ask what was wrong, but she put her mascara on in silence and combed her hair, knowing that any further conversation would be unwelcome. Mrs Pendean went quietly about her business, taking advantage of the routine to steady her emotions, and when she spoke again, her voice was perfectly controlled. ‘What will you be wearing tomorrow, madam?’

‘The blue suit, I think,’ Josephine said.

‘Very well.’ The suit and two pairs of shoes were collected from the wardrobe, and Josephine realised that they were going to be pressed and polished. Briefly, she wished she’d brought some mending that badly needed doing; her own daily wasn’t especially handy with a needle. ‘And what time would you like to be called in the morning?’ 109

‘Oh, I hadn’t thought. What time does the family usually go down?’

‘We always serve breakfast after the morning service on Christmas Day. That starts at nine o’clock, but I can arrange for you to have something beforehand in your room if you’d prefer?’

Josephine hesitated, tempted by the idea of a quiet start to the day, but her sense of obligation won out. ‘No, please don’t go to any trouble. After the service will be fine, and perhaps you could call me at eight?’

‘Of course, madam.’

She left the room, almost bumping into Archie on her way out, and Josephine stood to give him a hug. ‘Happy Christmas! Thank God you’re here. Now you can explain how all this works.’

He smiled. ‘I’m no expert, but what would you like to know?’

‘What do we do about tips, and why does the weather make the housekeeper cry?’

‘What?’

‘She was upset – something to do with her daughter, I think. It was all a bit awkward and I didn’t like to ask.’

‘Well, I can’t help you with that one, but as far as tips are concerned, it’s best to opt for a discreet thank you on your last morning.’ He stood back to admire her dress. ‘You look lovely.’

‘So do you, even more so than usual.’ It was true, she thought: Archie could carry black tie off better than anyone else she knew, but tonight he seemed particularly relaxed, and she remembered thinking the very same thing when they had last been in Cornwall together. ‘Is there anything you’d 110like to tell me after two days alone with Marlene?’ she asked coyly.

‘No, not in the way you mean.’

‘How very disappointing. I should warn you that Marta has a list of questions as long as her arm, though, and most of them are far more salacious than mine.’

‘Marlene has a few for her, too. She was fascinated when I told her that Marta wrote scripts for Hitchcock. She’s a great admirer of his.’