‘I don’t need any help, thank you. Is there anything else I can do for you?’ She could feel her heart thumping as she said it. Anger was making her brave.

Veronica looked affronted. ‘I brought you the details of my little Indian tailor chappie, Mr Ramanathan.’ She handed her a card. ‘As I said, I only want to help you settle in. I realise how strange everything must seem here after England.’

Evie muttered a thank you and accepted the card. It would be so satisfying to confront Veronica about what she’d overheard in the powder room, but she decided to hold back. What was the point? The woman must know she’d heard everything. What difference would telling her make? Clearly Veronica had no intention of apologising or attempting to put a different slant on the conversation. But there was no different slant possible. Those words could never be taken back and Evie realised she was grateful – if there had ever been a risk of her trusting Veronica Leighton it would never happen now.

‘Anyway, darling, one other thing. I almost forgot the main reason for my calling today. I’m here to invite you to play croquet next Thursday afternoon. It will give you a chance to meet some of the girls properly. It’ll be such fun.’

‘I can’t. I’m already doing something on Thursday.’

Veronica’s surprise was evident. ‘Oh do tell!’

‘I’m having tea with Jasmine’s teacher. She invited me this morning.’

‘Well cancel. We can find an excuse.’

‘I don’t want to cancel. I like Miss Helston.’

‘Miss Helston? No, no, no!’ Veronica shook her head in an exaggerated manner. ‘N.O.O.U! Noou!’ Her lips formed a small circle as she formed the long drawn out sound. Seeing Evie’s puzzlement, she added. ‘Not One Of Us.’

Evie resisted the temptation to reply that was what she liked about the teacher.

‘She’s a nobody. Inconsequential. Her father’s just a bank clerk. Not very clubbable.’ She patted Evie’s arm in that irritating patronising manner she had. ‘No background. No breeding. And the mother! She has a North Country accent – imagine! Lived here for years and never managed to lose it. Frightful people. No, darling you must make an excuse. You don’t want to get wrapped up with Miss Helston – at least not outside the school premises – and certainly not accepting an invitation to tea!’

‘Thank you for the advice, Veronica, but I intend to ignore it. I liked Miss Helston enormously when we met. I think we’ll have a lot in common and I’m sure we’ll get on famously.’ She paused, relishing the look of horror on Veronica’s face, then said, ‘She’s someone I feel I can trust. Not the kind to gossip behind people’s backs.’ Shaking as she said it, she felt a huge wave of relief. ‘If there’s nothing else I can do for you, I need to get on.’ She rose. ‘Thank you again for recommending Mr Ramanathan. I’ll be sure to pay him a visit some time.’