James laughed and ruffled his already dishevelled fair hair. ‘That’s the car, I’m afraid, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to put the top down …’ Gina was by now standing silently to one side in the hall, and he winked at her as he passed as if she was in on some kind of subtext to his words, though they hadn’t even been introduced. Then he mooched off to the downstairs cloakroom with his hands in his pockets.

Edith and George went back to the dining room, where Diana and Penelope remained, and Gina hurried down to the kitchen to tell Mrs Bassett that there would be one more for lunch, then came back up to set another place at the table. There would be no seat at the table for her, she realised. Instantly, she had assumed her old role of ‘staff’: the housekeeper, the dog walker. Diana had treated her like a servant from the outset, and presumably James didn’t even know who she was. Well, she’d see if she could change that over the next few days.

Gina was helping Mrs Bassett with the food while there were guests. She’d learned a lot about cooking over the months she’d been at the Hall, where there was a wider range of dishes to prepare than were ever eaten at home. She had the foresight to realise that these new cooking skills could be useful in life, although she had no intention of ending up working as a cook herself. They might, however, help her on her way to better things.

‘So James has arrived at last,’ said Mrs Bassett, her tone hinting at disapproval.

‘In a tiny little sports car,’ said Gina, round-eyed. ‘I’ve never seen owt like it before.’

‘Aye, there’s not many sports cars in Little Grindle,’ said Mrs Bassett. ‘Not the weather for sports cars up here. I’ll give them a minute and then take up the joint. You can follow with the taters in that tureen, please, love. It’s hot, mind.’

‘You don’t sound like you care for sports cars – or James,’ ventured Gina.

‘Neither’s owt to do with me. Would you pour that gravy into the jug, please, Gina?’

‘Looks grand, Mrs B. Do you think James will stay long?’

‘I couldn’t say. He’ll do as he wants.’

‘I think Mrs Stellion would like it if he did. She was that pleased to see him.’

‘Then let’s hope she’s not disappointed,’ said Mrs Bassett. ‘Right, I think we’ll go up now …’