Kitty instantly sprang to his defence and Maggie realised that she had said entirely the wrong thing.

‘Richard doesn’t know,’ she answered. ‘He went out and left me to … Well, he went out to meet a client, but it’s nothing really. As I said, I can soon cover it with a little rouge. Now do stop fussing and pass me that tea.’

Maggie did as she was told, then tucking Tallulah beneath her arm she carried her downstairs and out into the back garden to do her morning toilet before the little puppy deposited it on the bedroom floor. Arthur was there, hoeing the vegetable patch, and Tallulah raced towards him. She and Arthur were firm friends now and he often entertained her in the garden if Kitty went out during the day.

‘So what’s up wi’ you, this lovely mornin’ then?’ he asked brightly, noting Maggie’s downcast expression. ‘Are you all right, Maggie?’

There was nothing she would have liked more than to confide in him, for she loved all the Partridge family and would never forget their kindness. Instead, however, she forced a smile and lied, saying, ‘Nothing, I’m fine,’ and satisfied with her answer Arthur went back to fussing the dog.

When she returned to Kitty’s bedroom, Maggie found she was already in the bathroom so she started to tidy the bed.

‘What are you going to tell Foxy about your face?’ Maggie asked through the bathroom door, which was slightly ajar. ‘She doesn’t miss a trick and she’s no fool, you know!’

‘I shall tell her I had one glass too many and tripped and fell,’ Kitty replied. ‘That’s believable, surely?’

‘I suppose so. Just so long as I know what you’re going to say, so we can have our stories matching.’

Later that morning, Kitty wandered downstairs into the drawing room. Ruby had just risen and staring at her daughter she asked, ‘What happened to you?’

Kitty told her the story she had told Maggie, and Ruby shrugged though she didn’t believe a word of it. She’d had more than one rough gentleman handle her over the years and you soon got used to it. So long as Kitty continued to bring the money in she wasn’t much concerned.

‘Max just called by to say that he’s managed to get you a booking next week,’ she told Kitty then and the girl brightened considerably. Most of the bookings had dried up as if by magic the instant war had been declared, just as Max had prophesied. Kitty still took her classes, however; it was important to be professional and to keep her voice as tuneful as ever. Ruby then showed her an illustration in one of her fashion magazines of a dress that she wanted to have made and the conversation turned to safer topics. When Ruby went upstairs for her bath, Kitty remained, staring glumly from the window. Her hand absently rose to her breast, which felt full and tender. She was being sick in the mornings too and had missed two courses. It all pointed to one thing: she was having a child and the thought terrified her. The baby’s father could be any one of the awful men she had slept with, and the knowledge of that made her feel utterly worthless. She had longed to confide in Maggie – but she was too ashamed and now she hoped that she wouldn’t have to, because for the last two days she had been having terrible stomach cramps. She wondered if it was the onset of a miscarriage and prayed that it was. Better that, than to bear an illegitimate child, father unknown. She dreaded to think how Richard might react if he found out. He would leave her, she was certain.