‘Ah, here it is!’ Kitty’s triumphant shout brought Maggie’s thoughts snapping back to the present as Kitty plucked her bag from beneath the bed then raced over to her friend and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek.

‘Have a lovely afternoon, and don’t worry. I shall be back in plenty of time to get ready for this evening’s performance.’

Maggie sighed and shook her head as Kitty charged from the room then went back to what she had been doing.

Once the cab pulled up outside Richard’s house, Kitty gracefully hopped out of it onto the pavement feeling as if she might melt right away. The air was stifling with no breeze whatsoever, and the smells that were issuing from the gutters were making her stomach churn. Even so, after paying the driver her steps were light as she went up the steps to Richard’s front door and rang the bell.

It was answered by a little maid who looked slightly flummoxed when Kitty hurried past her into the hallway without waiting to be invited in.

‘Hello, Millie. Is Richard in his studio?’ she asked cheerily.

‘Well, err … yes, miss, he is – but he has someone with him. Was he expecting you?’ Millie closed the front door as Kitty giggled.

‘Oh, don’t worry. I am a little early as it happens. Quite a bit actually, but I’m sure he won’t mind me waiting until he’s finished with his client. I’ll just go and let him know that I’m here.’

‘But, miss …’ Millie’s voice trailed away as Kitty skipped off in the direction of the studio. Once outside the door, she straightened her skirt and patted her hair into place before turning the handle but to her surprise she found that it was locked.

‘Richard!’ she called out, and gave the door a gentle tap. ‘It’s me – Kitty. I thought I’d come a little earlier than planned. Are you dreadfully busy?’

For a few minutes, there was nothing to be heard but then Richard suddenly flung the door open, his face flushed and looking slightly annoyed.

‘Are you almost finished?’ she asked in her innocent way. ‘If not, I can always wait out here.’

‘No, I’m finished now. My client is just getting changed behind the screen. Come in.’

As he turned she noticed that his shirt-tails were hanging out of the back of his trousers and she also saw when she glanced towards the chaise longue that the cushions were in disarray. She could hear someone behind the screen and as Richard straightened the cushions a young woman appeared, also looking very pink in the face.

Kitty flashed her a smile but the woman stared back at her straight-faced. She was very pretty in a brash sort of way with blonde hair and big blue eyes and she put Kitty in mind of a china doll.

‘This is Miss Melissa Hawkins. I was commissioned by her parents to take some portrait photographs of her,’ Richard told her.