Gina followed Diana upstairs to her room. When they got there, Diana shut the door.

‘What are you up to, Gina?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I saw you kissing James in the garden this morning. I don’t know what your game is, but it had better stop now. I just hope Mum and Dad didn’t see you as well, pushing yourself forward, trying to worm your way in.’

‘It were nowt—’ Gina began, unable to deny what Diana had seen all too plainly.

‘It didn’t look as if it was nothing,’ Diana snapped. ‘Just remember, Georgina Arnold, you’re an employee of my parents, that’s all. This is not your home where you can do as you please, and you are not one of us.’ She gave Gina a severe look.

Gina felt furious. She should have seen this coming, with the cold shoulder Diana had been giving her. It was cheap, too, of the beautiful daughter of the house to pull rank when she had all the advantages and Gina had no grounds on which to defend herself. But she quickly gathered her composure and raised her chin. She was still close to James, and Diana knew nothing of their ‘business’ together, so let Miss Diana Hoity-Toity Stellion think what she liked. She didn’t know the half of it.

‘No, Diana,’ Gina said quietly, facing down Diana’s fierce stare. ‘I’m not like you.’

‘Now, please would you bring my case down for me?’ Diana scooped up her handbag, coat and gloves from the bed and went out of the room without looking back. Gina followed, trying to rally her spirits but feeling like a lowly porter.

When she got downstairs, Diana was kissing her mother and brother goodbye, George standing at the door ready to stow the case in the boot of his car.

‘Bye, Mum. Thank you for a lovely time. Such a good concert … You take care and try to keep cheerful. It’ll be warm enough for you to sit out and enjoy the garden soon.’

‘Bye, my angel. Thank you for coming to see us. Come again soon, and bring Piggy, if you like.’

‘Will do, Mum. Bye, James. Do try to behave. Maybe I’ll see you in town … that film …’

‘Yes, I’ll see you, Di.’

‘Goodbye, Gina. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me this weekend,’ said Diana, then leaned in closer to murmur, ‘and remember what I said.’

‘Yes, Diana. I won’t forget,’ Gina said, meaning it. It occurred to her that she might have a look through the long-neglected book of spells and see if there was a suitable one to wipe the superior sneer off Diana Stellion’s pretty face.

‘Do you have any plans for this afternoon, Gina?’ Edith asked as Gina poured them each a cup of tea.