‘Yes, Mrs Bassett,’ said Gina, hardly able to believe her luck. She found the right place immediately and left the basket of spinach on the draining board. Then she crept back to the kitchen, looked around to make sure there was no one else in sight, and watched through the gap between the doorjamb and the partially open door until she saw the cook go into what might be a pantry.

Immediately, Gina rushed across to the back door, opened it, called out, ‘Bye, Mrs Bassett,’ as if she were leaving, then closed it noisily and ran as quietly as she could across to the inner door once more and into the corridor. At the far end she’d already noticed a steep uncarpeted staircase, and she took the stairs two at a time.

At the top of the stairs there was a door covered in green fabric with fancy brass-headed nails holding it in place. Gina inched the door open and peeped through the gap: no one in sight. She swallowed nervously. It had been easy to get this far, and luck had been on her side, but the next bit was going to be altogether riskier. She had only a vague plan to seek out Mr or Mrs Stellion – she didn’t really mind which one she encountered, but there was no point dealing with lesser folk, and she certainly wanted to avoid seeing Mrs Thwaite, the housekeeper – and then just ask for a job. She’d already decided she’d do anything – well, almost – and there must be plenty of work in a house this size.

She recognised the gloomy entrance hall with its dark wood panelling and dreary portraits. She could hear voices coming from upstairs and then the sound of a vacuum cleaner. It must be Mum, another person Gina didn’t want to encounter: there would be no pulling the wool over her eyes.

What to do? Think, Gina!

Where would the Stellions be at this hour of the morning? Probably in the morning room. And where would the morning room be but on the east side where it would catch the early sun. Gina looked at the doors off the hall and also saw corridors leading to right and left. She chose the left, which she decided was east, and went silently down it on the soft, dark carpet. She could see there were four doors, one of which, further down, was open, but all was totally silent.

Suddenly a high-pitched and loud barking erupted, and Gina literally leaped in shock, her heart pounding. A little brown dog, no more than a puppy, raced to greet her, its spaniel ears flying and its short stumpy tail wagging madly. Gina let out a long breath of relief. Oh, thank goodness, this was no fierce guard dog, but rather a very soft dog indeed.