By this time Gina was helping to carry the women’s cases from the car to the house, and when Edith introduced her gushingly as ‘Georgina Arnold, housekeeper and general all-round helper, and an absolute godsend’, Gina had to put down the two little weekend cases to shake hands.

‘Oh, lovely. Mum mentioned you in her letter. Georgina, would you mind just popping those in our rooms? Thank you. Mum, I’m gasping for a cup of tea, if Mrs Bassett can provide?’

‘Mrs Bassett has stayed to see you, Diana, though she doesn’t usually work this late.’

‘I’ll go down now, then, and say hello to my favourite cook. Any sign of James?’

‘He’s turning up at some point “if he can manage it”,’ said George heavily. ‘I don’t expect he’ll arrive this evening now.’

Diana pursed her lips and said something to her mother that Gina didn’t catch. Then she said, ‘Come and meet Mrs Bassett, Piggy,’ and led Penelope Turner away.

Mrs Stellion couldn’t stop smiling as she closed the front door and gathered Coco into her arms for a hug, while Mr Stellion took the car round the back.

‘Oh, Gina, it’s so nice to have her home. If only James would hurry up and get here, everything would be quite perfect.’

It was Sunday before James showed up. He arrived just before lunchtime. The family were about to sit down to a feast of roast beef, which Mrs Bassett had taken all morning to perfect, when there was the roar of a car engine and the crunch of tyres on gravel. Gina, who had brought up a jug of water for the table, was able to observe the arrival from the dining-room window. A very sporty-looking car pulled up in front of the house and a tall, fair, well-built young man got out, took a small case and some bags from the back seat and strode up to the door just as Edith opened it and rushed out to greet him.

‘James, my darling!’

‘Hello, Mum … Dad.’

‘James. We’ve been expecting you for a while now. We’re just about to start lunch,’ said George.

‘Good-oh. I’m starving.’

‘Come on in – leave your things there; Gina will take them up – and you can meet Diana’s friend Piggy over lunch. They’ve been here since Friday,’ George added pointedly.

‘Well, you’re here now,’ beamed Edith, to offset her husband’s tone. ‘But for goodness’ sake, go and wash your hands and comb your hair.’