Maggie couldn’t argue with that, although she had her own thoughts on the matter. Kitty was now doing at least three performances a week in various big music halls all over London as well as posing and modelling for Richard, who also paid her fee to Ruby.

Even so, as Kitty had pointed out, it was a beautiful day so Maggie suggested, ‘Why don’t we go for a walk in the park today so you can get some fresh air? It’s far too nice to be stuck indoors.’

‘I’m afraid I’ve arranged to visit Richard later this morning and I doubt I’ll be back before dinner this evening.’ Kitty peeped at Maggie over the rim of her delicate china tea cup. ‘He told me last night that he has a whole new range of clothes he wants me to model.’

‘Oh.’ Maggie tried to hide her disappointment. She’d been hoping they might be able to spend some time together today. ‘And what range would that be?’

Kitty shrugged. ‘I have no idea. He said it was to be a surprise.’

‘And would you like me to come with you to help you change?’

‘No, not at all, I shall be fine,’ Kitty assured her hastily. She was quite at ease with Richard helping her to get changed now, although she couldn’t tell Maggie that, of course. Maggie was a little bit of a prude and wouldn’t have approved at all had she known that the man had seen her in a state of semi-undress.

‘In that case I shall go and help Arthur in the garden. He can give me all the news about the family.’ Maggie began to select the clothes that Kitty would wear that day. Much as she disliked Richard, she would have preferred to go along to the studio with Kitty. At least that way, Kitty would be safe. There was just something about the man that gave her the creeps – not that she’d had much to do with men. In fact, the way she saw it, the only man she had associated with, her adoptive father, had almost ruined her life. And now the same gut instinct made her feel uneasy whenever she was in Richard’s presence.

Kitty instantly felt guilty for leaving her alone again and reaching for her bag she delved into it and said, ‘Why don’t you go out and treat yourself instead? I’m sure you could find yourself a nice dress or perhaps a length of material to make one.’ She held out her hand with five shiny shillings lying in the palm of it but Maggie shook her head. She was fiercely proud, as Kitty was discovering.

‘Thank you, but there’s no need for you to do that. I have more than enough clothes for my needs and I’m not paid to go gadding about.’

Kitty’s straight white teeth nipped at her lower lip. It was still hard to think of Maggie as her maid. After all, they had been brought up together during the early part of their lives. But then the need to see Richard was strong so she didn’t push the point but headed for the bathroom instead.