There was a distinct atmosphere now so as soon as Kitty had hastily swallowed a cup of tea, almost burning her throat in the process, she excused herself and hurried away to her room. She found her bed piled high with bags and boxes and Mabel there beginning to unpack them.

‘There’s no need to do that, honestly,’ Kitty told her but Mabel merely smiled.

‘I’m quite enjoyin’ it, as it happens, miss.’ The girl sighed enviously as she lifted a beautiful rose-pink gown from one particular box, wrapped in tissue paper.

‘It is lovely, isn’t it?’ Kitty admitted, stroking the silken material. ‘But it was ridiculously expensive. I did tell my … aunt that it was too much.’

‘Oh, she spends money like water, that one does,’ Mabel replied, then flushed a dull brick-red. ‘Sorry, miss, it ain’t fer me to comment.’

‘It’s all right,’ Kitty told her. ‘I rather got that impression myself.’ She then set to and began to help and soon the entire bed was covered in lovely new clothes and shoes. It was then as the two girls stood back to admire them that Kitty suddenly asked, ‘Do you know the lad who works in the garden? Arthur, he said his name was. I met him earlier when I went out for a bit of fresh air.’

‘Yes, that’s Arthur, God bless him. Poor little bugger … Oops, beggin’ yer pardon again. We all know Arthur. Cook’s got a soft spot for him, an’ between you an’ me she often sends leftovers back with him for his mum an’ his brothers an’ sisters. I don’t reckon they’d eat half the time if she didn’t. His dad enjoys a drink, see.’ She bit her lip then. It wasn’t her place to be so familiar with the mistress’s niece but Kitty was so easy to talk to and had no airs and graces whatsoever. ‘You won’t let on to the mistress about what Cook does, will you?’ she pleaded. ‘I wouldn’t want to get her into trouble.’

‘Of course I won’t. I’d do exactly the same if I was her,’ Kitty said stoutly. The next time she saw Arthur she would slip a little money to him, she decided. That should help a bit. Then changing the subject, she asked, ‘Have you worked for my aunt for long?’

‘About two years or so now,’ Mabel answered as she hung one of the dresses on a hanger and carried it to the armoire. ‘An’ in fairness she’s a good mistress. I live in an’ get plenty to eat plus some wages to take home to me mum once a month, so I mustn’t grumble.’

‘Good.’ The two girls put the rest of the clothes away and then Mabel headed off to the kitchen to see what needed to be done.

That evening after dinner, which was just as substantial as it had been the night before, Ruby led Kitty into the day room, where there was a beautiful baby grand piano. She sat down in front of it and surprised Kitty when her fingers flew gracefully across the keys. Her mother was clearly a gifted pianist as well as a renowned singer.