‘Donald is away the now. We heard another dozen or so. He’ll let us know later.’

Ann dabbed at her lips delicately with her napkin, lifted up her cutlery and began to fillet the fish on her plate. ‘That will be all.’

* * *

Ann looked into the cheval glass, tilting the mirror so she could see her face at its best angle in the dim late afternoon light. She leant forward and pouted, her full lips soft and pink. She fixed the tortoiseshell comb into her hair at the back then admired her dark grey taffeta gown, shot through with a silver thread. It was perfect for this evening. She had invited the Donaldsons for their New Year drink, and although they had remonstrated that it was unnecessary this year, she had insisted and persuaded them by saying that things must continue as usual, if only for the children’s sake. James and Lizzie had been in the kitchen all afternoon helping Mrs Baxter prepare special shortbread for the guests.

Ann turned a little and smiled as her skirt caught the light and the metallic threads sparkled. Her smile broadened as she thought of Margaret, who would no doubt be wearing her usual heavily brocaded gown in dark colours that did nothing for her pale skin.

A knock at the door.

‘Enter!’ she commanded, turning away from the mirror.

‘Might I have a wee word please, Mrs Craig?’ Baxter stood at the door, cap in hand. ‘As you know, I was down at the station this morning and went to the morgue, checking everything for you. It’s not a pleasant task, that’s for sure.’

Ann swallowed and looked at him, expectant.

‘There were ten men’s bodies there, none of them Mr Craig.’

‘You are sure?’

‘Yes, none of them was a gentleman.’

She nodded and touched Baxter’s arm. ‘Thank you, I appreciate you doing this for me.’

‘They’re moving the morgue to the main hospital tonight. Did you ken?’

‘No, I did not, but it makes sense.’

There was a crashing noise downstairs and they both ran out of the room and looked down from the balcony to see Miss Graham pulling the little hall table upright; she had evidently knocked it over as she flung open the front door. She is so clumsy, thought Ann. The governess looked up and picked up her vast carpetbag from the floor.

‘Mrs Craig, I have news. Such news!’

Ann and Baxter watched as Miss Graham bounded up the stairs. She dumped the bag on the floor and bent down to prise its shiny clasps open. She took out a package, tipped it up at one end then carefully pulled out a letter.