She opened the door, looked up and down the corridor, then set off towards where she’d first heard the voice, holding the squirming puppy tightly. The door to this room was still open and Mrs Stellion, a wispy-looking woman with fair greying hair, was sitting back in an armchair with her eyes closed. Gina knocked and Mrs Stellion opened her eyes and straightened up. She didn’t look at all put out to see a stranger in her house and evidently jumped to all the conclusions Gina hoped she would.

‘Hello,’ she smiled. ‘I see you’ve brought Coco back to me.’

‘Good morning, ma’am,’ said Gina. ‘I saw the little fella taking himself off for a walk. I reckoned he shouldn’t be out on his own.’

Edith Stellion held out her arms and Gina lowered the dog into them.

‘Oh, thank you. Quite right. But outside, you say? How on earth can he have got outside, I wonder.’

As well you might. Gina didn’t volunteer an answer.

‘Naughty boy, wandering off like that.’ The puppy was wagging his tail again and licking his mistress’s face. She, in turn, was kissing his little head so that the puppy probably thought he was anything but naughty. ‘Well, never mind, he’s back now. Thank you, my dear. I take it you’re the new girl working for Tom Arnold.’

‘No, Mrs Stellion, ma’am, that’s my sister. I’d just come over to give her a message from our dad and then I saw the puppy.’ As a look of puzzlement passed over the lady’s face Gina decided to move the conversation on. ‘Right sweet little fella. I love dogs.’ She adopted a sad expression. ‘We had one ourselves until recently, but he died and I don’t half miss him.’

‘Oh, I am sorry. I can imagine that you would.’

So can I. There was not a word of truth in this story, but it had captured Mrs Stellion’s imagination and sympathy.

‘It’s good of you to bring Coco safely back to me. I can see you’ve got a way with dogs, young lady, and he’s taken a liking to you.’

Gina beamed. ‘Oh, he’s lovely, ma’am. If I had another dog I’d want one just like him. Spaniels are so … intelligent.’

‘I agree.’ Mrs Stellion turned to the puppy. ‘Who’s the cleverest boy, then? Who’s Mummy’s little darling?’ Clearly she doted on the puppy; she was probably a bit bored and lonely in this big house, Gina thought.

‘My dear, what is your name?’

‘Georgina Arnold. I’m called Gina.’

‘Then I shall call you Gina, too. And what do you do, Gina, when you’re not being a messenger for your father and rescuing lost puppies? Do you have to rush away to your place of work now?’