‘Australia. Melbourne. I’m Olivia’s goddaughter.’

‘That’s all I need. Some religious freak, sponging off her godmother while her godmother’s husband is drooling in an asylum somewhere.’

Eliza’s back straightened. ‘I’m not religious. And that’s a horrible way to talk about Edgar.’

‘My daughter never loved him, you know. Oh, she said she did, but I know she was lying. She could have done so much better. She was extremely pretty. Took after me. I’ve photos of her somewhere. She had a minor aristocrat sniffing around her for a while. I’ve written about him in one of my diaries. That’s where I want you to start. Sort all my papers and photos and put them in chronological order.’

‘That’s fine. I’ll get started —’

‘Not yet. Answer my questions first. Why are you here?’

‘As I said, I’m an experienced executive assistant.’

‘No, in Edinburgh. Did you get your heart broken in Auckland? Come running to your godmother?’

‘I’m from Melbourne and no, I didn’t. Olivia invited me.’

‘Who are your parents?’

‘My mother’s name was Jeannie.’

‘Was? She’s dead?’

Eliza nodded.

‘Your father?’

A brief hesitation. ‘I don’t know.’

‘What do you mean you don’t know? Your mother was a tramp? Couldn’t remember which of her many lovers might have been your father?’ Celine laughed. ‘Look at the blush. Got it in one, did I?’

Eliza kept her voice steady. ‘Of course not.’

‘What are they paying you?’

‘Nothing,’ Eliza said, as she got down on the floor and began to empty the first overflowing box.

‘Nothing? Are you nuts?’

‘I’m doing it as a favour to Olivia.’

‘Her? I call her The Nanny. You know that’s the only reason Edgar married her, don’t you? To get a free childminder. So what happened to your mother? Cancer, like my daughter?’

‘No.’ She hesitated, then decided to say something. ‘I’m sorry about your daughter. Olivia told me about her.’

Celine lifted her chin. ‘Mind your own business. I don’t want your sympathy or curiosity. You’re here to work, remember.’

Eliza was stung. ‘There’s no need to be so rude.’

‘There’s every need. What’s the point in trying to be good and kind and sweet? Bad things will still happen. They always do. Enough chitchat. Get on with it if you’re so efficient. If I can believe a word The Nanny says.’

‘Please don’t call Olivia that.’

‘I’ll call her what I want. You’ve got those two red spots on your cheeks again. I know you’re pretending to be Ms Professional but that’s a giveaway.’

‘I’ll wear concealer next time I work for you.’

‘If there’s a next time.’