‘My name is Kate Martin, and this is my maid, Jenny. I’m here because Sir Harry asked me to come.’

Arthur puffed out his chest. ‘Me and the missis have worked for the family for forty years. Arthur Boggis, at your service.’

‘I’m very pleased to meet you both, but I’m afraid I am the bearer of bad news. Sir Harry won’t be visiting here for quite a while.’

‘Why not?’ Arthur placed the kettle on the hob. ‘He ain’t took sick, is he?’

Kate shook her head. ‘He has …’ She paused; the anxiety on the old couple’s faces was too much to bear, and she could not upset them further by telling them the truth. ‘Sir Harry has had to go away for a while, but he’s quite all right, so no need to worry. He wanted me to tell you that his mother will be staying here for a while with her ward, Miss Blythe.’

‘Her ladyship is coming to live here?’ Martha exchanged worried glances with her husband. ‘What does she want to come to this place for?’

‘For her health,’ Kate said firmly. ‘The air in Walthamstow is much cleaner than that in London. I would like to inspect the rooms to make sure that they are suitable.’

‘I keep the house spotless, miss. You won’t find a cobweb nor a cockroach. I keep the house ready for the family whenever they choose to arrive.’

‘That’s exactly what Sir Harry told me,’ Kate said hurriedly. ‘But I would still like to see the rest of the house.’

‘Show the young lady, Arthur.’

Arthur shot a weary glance in his wife’s direction. ‘You’re younger than me, Mattie. You do it.’

‘I’ve got the miseries in me legs, Arthur. You know very well I can’t do the stairs like I used to.’

‘I’m sure we can find our way round without troubling either of you,’ Kate said hastily. ‘We’ll be very quick and we won’t disturb anything.’

‘You won’t find a speck of dust or a cobweb in this house.’ Martha bustled over to the dresser, despite her alleged disability. ‘I can’t do it like in the old days, but a girl comes in from the village every day, and I make sure she keeps up my high standards.’

‘Thank you. I’m sure everything will be perfect.’ Kate headed for the door, followed by Jenny.

‘What a pair,’ Jenny said when they were out of earshot.