Ellen was looking puzzled and mouthing, What are you doing here? but Gina avoided noticing.

‘Good morning, Mr Arnold. And Miss Ellen Arnold, I take it?’ Mrs Stellion offered Ellen a rather weak handshake. ‘I gather you’re something of a gardening expert and we’re fortunate to have you assisting your uncle.’

‘Thank you, Mrs Stellion. I’m no expert, though it’s kind of you to say. But I’ll do my best.’

‘Then we’re doubly blessed this morning,’ enthused Mrs Stellion, ‘because Gina is also starting work here. I know she’s going to be a great help to me with Coco.’

Gina smiled broadly at Ellen and Tom, who looked at each other, utterly nonplussed.

‘Er, that’s nice,’ said Tom eventually. ‘Well, we’d best be getting along to Mr Stellion, who’s expecting us. Good day to you, Mrs Stellion.’

‘Good day, Mr Arnold … Ellen.’

Tom and Ellen made for the corridor on the right and Gina followed Mrs Stellion towards the boot room. Ellen turned back as if she couldn’t quite believe her eyes, as Gina knew she would, and Gina gave her a huge grin and winked.

At noon, Mrs Bassett provided sandwiches for Tom, and now for Ellen too, and on such a fine day they ate them and drank their tea sitting outside in the sun. They’d already discussed the surprise of seeing Gina earlier, and were equally at a loss to know what could have happened.

‘I’m just worried that she’s up to no good,’ confided Ellen. ‘I don’t want to be mean, but she’s never done owt much at the farm if she could avoid it. In fact she’s always got an excuse to avoid it. Now, on the day I start work here, she turns up indoors and chatting to Mrs Stellion like they’re best friends.’

‘Well, Mrs Stellion is a good-hearted woman, Nell, not one to be standoffish, but she’s also someone who knows what she wants. If she’s hired Gina to help with her dog, then she’ll expect her to make a thorough job of it. It won’t do to be skiving off. And Mr Stellion was just as welcoming to you as Missis was to Gina.’

‘Aye, he was nice. Takes an interest in the garden, too.’

‘He does that. You’ll see him about the place a lot, but don’t speak more than a quiet “Good day, sir” unless you’re spoken to.’

‘Of course not, Mr Arnold. It’s not me that pushes myself forward,’ she couldn’t help adding.

At the end of the afternoon she met up with her mother and they walked home together while Ellen told Dora about her first day and also about finding Gina at the Hall. Gina was nowhere to be seen and they decided she must have gone home long since.