‘A cause near Ann’s heart,’ Margaret said, twirling round her Madeira glass and smiling sweetly.

‘What do you mean?’ Ann snapped.

‘All those clothes you give to the children in the hovels. That is most charitable.’

‘Yes, yes, I do help take them to the tenements to be distributed, but what else is there to do with one’s children’s clothes?’

‘Make rags. That is what my Aggie does. It does not behove us to become too close to such people, Ann, they will get ideas above their station. They are content with their lot.’

‘Content?’ Ann felt a surge of anger. ‘How do you know? How do any of us, in our fine houses, know?’ She pointed to the table with the Madeira. ‘Archibald, would you be so kind.’

Archibald came over to top up their glasses then sat down beside the ladies. ‘Let us change the subject,’ he said, noting Ann’s flushed cheeks. ‘Ann, now the children are gone, might I ask if there is anything you need help with?’

‘It is most kind of you to enquire, thank you. I was wondering whether, since there is still no news of poor Robert, I might have to begin looking at financial matters. But the entire business of finance is all a mystery to me. I am, however, aware I shall need some…’ She paused to fan herself. ‘I, or rather we, shall require funds soon.’ Ann turned away and took a delicate sip from her glass.

‘Ann my dear, Archibald and I were discussing this very matter. Of course you must have some assistance.’

‘Indeed we were. Ann, come and see me tomorrow morning in my study and we shall arrange something.’

Ann nodded demurely. ‘I am most grateful.’

‘Did you hear the news that the court of inquiry has been adjourned?’ Margaret asked. ‘They had the key people called in – eyewitnesses, construction workers, divers and so on – but have had to adjourn for a couple of weeks until more information is gathered.’

Ann nodded. ‘I had heard. ‘

‘One imagines they also await more bodies,’ said Archibald. ‘My colleague Dr Anderson has been attending to things along at the mortuary. A most unpleasant task.’ He glanced at Ann’s rigid expression. ‘But Ann, do you still believe that, until there is firm evidence that Robert was on the train, there might still be some explanation to account for his absence?’

Ann gazed out the window at the dark night and listened to the wind howling round the trees. ‘All things are possible.’

CHAPTER 34

Chapter 34

2015

‘What perfume’s that you’re wearing, M?’

Martha looked up from a large document spread on the table in front of her. ‘Jo Malone, honeysuckle and jasmine. It was a present from Allie, she gave me the body lotion too. Took me a while to take to it, but she loves it so thought I’d force myself to like it by full immersion! And it’s worked.’