‘I doubt it. And no one asked me to sign in or give my name. I just said that I had Dr Jenkins’s permission to visit, and that Nurse Rudley knew all about it. They called Iris, and that was that. Anyway, if he doesn’t believe me, he’d have to ask Dr Jenkins, and I hardly think he will do that. That man is very unapproachable.’

‘All the same, I had better go now. I’ll find Iris and see why she let him in and tell her what you said. Take care, David. And thank you, from the bottom of my heart.’

‘You take care, dear Margaret, and be patient. I will let you know, through Iris, when to be ready.’

Mags had an urge to go to him and kiss his cheek, but she resisted and left the room.

Iris was nowhere to be seen. Puzzled, Mags made her way along the corridor. She’d go and sit in the garden once more and hope that Iris came to her. What she would do if she didn’t, Mags didn’t know, but whatever happened, she must keep faith. Iris was a good person and would never do anything to cause her harm, of that Mags was sure.

Chapter Seventeen

Susan looked around the hall of Feniscowles Manor, making sure that the maid who had informed her there was a telephone call for her wasn’t hanging around. All was quiet. She couldn’t wait to talk to Montel. She’d given him a specific day in her letter for phoning her and had waited patiently for this day to come. Harold had an appointment and had left an hour ago, saying he would be late home; and it was Barnard’s day off, and she knew this was the time of day when the staff took their breaks.

With everywhere apparently clear of listening ears, Susan picked up the receiver from where it rested on the hall table. ‘Hello, this is Susan Charvet.’

‘Ma chérie, it iz zo good to hear your voice. I am missing you zo much, and zo iz little Sibbie. When are you coming home? And what iz thiz about that beast’s wife – the woman of my dreams?’

‘I don’t know, is the answer to the first question. My heart is breaking without my little Sybil, but I have no money to get back, or I would. But it is true: Harold has had Mags committed to a mental asylum, and I feel so sorry for her. I had an idea that you could rescue her somehow.’

‘Of course I can, but not with a baby in tow. I do have money, though. Oh, ma chérie, I sold two of my paintings. Yez, two, and I have been asked to hold an exhibition! Think of that. It iz wonderful.’

‘Oh, it is, Montel. It is the recognition you deserve.’ His paintings were exquisite, and although she had sat for him on many occasions, Susan had made him promise that in the nude scenes he would only show her body and would paint on a different head. She’d been amused that the one he had completed before she left had confirmed to her how smitten he was with Mags.