As soon as they were finished the dishes were efficiently whisked away and yet more silver salvers were laid down the centre of the table.

‘Mm, one of my favourites,’ Ruby trilled, clapping her hands together much as a child might have done at the sight of a treat. ‘Roast beef with all the trimmings. Crushed potatoes and a selection of vegetables.’

She began to load her plate and soon they were all eating. And silence reigned save for the sound of the cutlery on the plates. Kitty noticed that her mother had quite a voracious appetite but when she began to load her plate yet again with seconds, Miss Fox frowned at her.

‘Now, Ruby, what have I told you? You’re pleasantly plump at present, but carry on like this and you’ll turn to fat.’

Ruby pouted. ‘Oh, Foxy, you can be so cutting,’ she whined. ‘You know how I enjoy my food. Would you begrudge me a little pleasure?’

‘All I’m saying is, you have a booking at the Prince of Wales Theatre next week, and you want to fit into that expensive gown you’ve bought, don’t you?’

Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Kitty kept her eyes fixed on her plate. No one would have believed to hear the two of them that Miss Fox was Ruby’s employee. She spoke to her as a mother would to an errant child, but then Miss Fox had told her that she had been with her for many years so that probably explained it. However, Kitty did wonder what kind of a world she had stumbled into. Her life at Treetops seemed very far away.

When dessert was served Kitty already felt as if she was about to burst – but it looked so delicious that she knew she would have to try some.

‘Sugar-glazed lemon tart with champagne sorbet,’ her mother purred. Her eyes glinted greedily and heedless of what Miss Fox had said she again had second helpings.

By the time they had finished the rich dessert Kitty realised guiltily that she had probably eaten more at this one meal than she would have in a whole day back at home. She felt slightly queasy, so when the maid then carried in a huge board with an enormous selection of cheeses on it, many of which Kitty had never seen before, she said, ‘Just a cup of coffee for me, please.’

‘Nonsense,’ Ruby giggled girlishly. ‘There’s nothing wrong with a healthy appetite,’ although as she said it she was eyeing Kitty’s slim figure enviously. By now the girl was eager for the meal to be over. She really wanted to spend some time with her mother and get to know her.

But that hope was dashed when Miss Fox asked, ‘What time is your visitor expected, Ruby?’

The way she emphasised the word visitor made Kitty think that she was less than pleased about whoever it was that would be calling.

Glancing at the clock, Ruby gasped, ‘Oh my goodness, he will be here in less than an hour! I must go and get ready. Do excuse me, dear Kitty. We’ll go shopping tomorrow and we’ll have such fun. I can hardly wait! Meantime I’m sure Foxy will entertain you. Good night.’ And with that she daintily wiped the crumbs from her mouth and hurried from the room in a swish of silken skirts.