Upstairs, when Maggie told Kitty the news, she was astounded.

‘I can’t go back to Treetops,’ she argued. ‘I was so horrible to Sunday and Tom when they came to see me at the Wilton’s Music Hall. They won’t want me back there.’

‘Ah, well that’s where you’re wrong.’ Maggie smiled. ‘Miss Fox has written to them and they’re already expecting us. You’re going home, Kitty.’

For the first time in many months, Kitty raised a smile. She was going back to where she belonged. But first there was something she must settle so she went in search of Miss Fox and found her sitting in her bedroom, having a little rest.

‘Ah, here you are, Foxy.’ Kitty gave her an affectionate smile. ‘Maggie has told me the news, and I can’t even express my thanks for everything you’ve done for me. But before I go, there’s something I must ask you. Something that I’ve been longing to know, ever since I first heard about him. Won’t you please tell me who my father was now? I promise to keep it a secret. All you’ve ever told me is that he was a politician.’

The older woman’s mouth opened and closed as she wrestled with her conscience. She had tried so hard to avoid heaping any more hurt onto Kitty but now, at this time of endings and new beginnings, the girl deserved to know the truth.

‘The truth of it is, there never was a politician.’ Phyllis Fox lowered her eyes in shame. ‘I just made him up to make you feel better about yourself.’

Kitty stared at her steadily for a moment as she digested her words then she said, ‘Ruby didn’t even know who my father was, did she?’ When Miss Fox mutely shook her head, Kitty turned and left the room with no further comment. Could she have known it, Miss Fox had only confirmed the suspicions she’d had for some long time. Why else would she have changed the subject every time Kitty asked her about him?

After pulling herself together, Miss Fox went downstairs, where she found Ruby with a bottle in her hand just about to refill her glass. As Foxy entered the room, Ruby tried to hide it down the side of the chair, but to her surprise the older woman took it from her and filled the glass for her.

‘You have a drink, sweetheart, if that’s what you want,’ she encouraged and Ruby was shocked although she didn’t argue.

Miss Fox spent the rest of the afternoon pacing up and down, thinking everything through. She’d had such high hopes when she had fetched Kitty from Treetops, daring to believe that Ruby would change once she had her own flesh and blood to love, but sadly it hadn’t happened. Ruby had loved only herself for far too long to have room in her heart for anyone else now.

By the time six o’clock rolled around and the cab arrived, Ruby was so drunk that she had passed out, so after checking on her Miss Fox accompanied the girls to the door. The driver immediately began to load their luggage on board as Miss Fox took Kitty’s face between her two hands and stared deep into the girl’s eyes. Kitty was surprised to see that she was crying.