‘Very well, thank you.’ She sat up with a thought. ‘Was it you who unpacked my cases last night?’

‘Yes, Miss Crawford. Have I made a mistake?’

‘No, no. It’s just that I am not used to others, erm …’

‘I quite understand, but don’t worry. It’s my job.’

Marion lay back in relief. ‘I was worried in case it had been Mr Ainslie or the footman.’

The maid giggled. ‘Wouldn’t that be awful!’

The giggle was infectious, and soon Marion was joining in, until the pair of them had to wipe their eyes.

Marion’s heart was lifted. ‘I needed that. My nerves have been in knots for days.’

‘I was just the same when I started.’

Marion sat up again, lifting her legs out of bed. ‘I’m Marion. What’s your name?’

‘Maria. It’ll be me who looks after you, so anything you need to know, just ask. I’ve brought you a boiled egg and toast, orange juice and a pot of tea. I hope that’s all right.’

Marion tucked her short curls behind her ears. ‘Sounds delicious. Thank you.’

‘I do like your haircut. I’d like mine short too, but it has to be long enough to stay off my face and under my maid’s cap.’

‘Do you think mine is too short – for the job, I mean?’ Marion asked anxiously.

‘Bless your heart, no! It’ll be perfect for you running after those two little girls.’

‘Are they nice?’

‘Princess Elizabeth is rather serious but very sweet, and Princess Margaret Rose is a little monkey. Runs old Alah ragged.’

Somewhere a clock chimed eight and Maria hastened to the door. ‘I’d best be gone, but anything you want to know just ask me, Miss Crawford.’

‘Marion, please.’

‘Marion.’

With a quick smile, Maria left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Marion opened her window again and sat by the fire to eat her breakfast. It was a bright spring day and the birds were busy singing, accompanied by the shrieks of children. Tea in hand, she stood up to look out on to the garden below. There was a large terrace and a bird table covered with crumbs and bluetits. A door opened beneath her window and two little girls ran out giggling, pursued by a man.

‘Papa, Papa!’

‘Come here, you little imps.’ He lunged at Princess Margaret, who was still in her nightclothes. She swerved away from him and tripped, landing on her knees. For a moment there was silence and then the shocked wailing began.

‘Mummy, Mummy!’ the baby Princess cried.

Her big sister leapt to comfort her. ‘It’s all right. You just tripped. Let me see your knee.’

Marion watched from above as the Duke looked anxiously back towards the house. ‘Darling? Margaret has fallen. I think you may be needed.’

‘I did say,’ the Duchess’s voice came. ‘I knew it would end in tears.’

Marion withdrew from her window and latched it as quietly as she could. It wouldn’t do to be thought of as an eavesdropper.