‘It was the best day ever!’ piped up Mavis, and her mother looked pleased and then, briefly, hurt.

Kind and patient … this doesn’t sound much like Gina, yet who else would look just like me?

‘Tell me about this hotel,’ said Ellen, trying to keep any sense of excitement out of her voice. ‘Merrylife, you say?’

‘That’s right. Mary and Ruth Hathersage own it. It’s in St Annes, just off the main street. We went because it’s vegetarian.’

‘But the food’s really nice,’ volunteered Mavis. ‘Miss Ruth gave Mum a couple of recipes. It was Diana who suggested that.’

More and more peculiar …

‘Anyway, this girl who looks like you, but maybe a little younger – Diana – she helps at the hotel,’ said Mrs Hanson.

‘Do you know how long she’s been there?’ asked Ellen.

‘No. She was there when we stayed, that’s all I know.’

‘I really thought you were her at first,’ Mavis said excitedly.

‘Does this Diana live at the hotel?’

‘Yes, she lives in. She seems to do a bit of cleaning and helping in the kitchen and dining room,’ said Mrs Hanson. ‘Why? Is she a relative of yours? I suppose she must be to look so like you.’

Ellen smiled. ‘I think she might be. Now, let me write down the name of this hotel and how to find it. You don’t happen to have the telephone number, do you …?’

Soon Sally and Mr Hanson returned with Roger in the van from the garage and, as Mr Hanson walked around the front of the car scratching his head, Roger set to work to try to fix the engine.

‘I hope it won’t take long,’ said Mrs Hanson fearfully. ‘My husband is determined to see Clitheroe Castle this afternoon, and then we’re on to Skipton to view the ruins there tomorrow.’

Sally looked taken aback. ‘Lovely …’ she murmured, catching Ellen’s eye.

The girls said goodbye and Ellen thanked the Hansons for the information about the Merrylife Hotel and Diana. On the walk across the high fields, she told Sally what she’d learned.

‘Do you really think it might be Gina?’ asked Sally.

‘It must be. That girl Mavis thought I was her, and who else would look so like me but Gina?’

‘And – it’s obvious – she’s pinched Diana Stellion’s name.’

‘Well, she’s Diana something, but I doubt it’s Stellion; Mrs Hanson didn’t know her surname.’

‘So what are you going to do?’

‘I’ll go up to the farm and ask Ed’s mum if I can use the phone. I won’t tell Mum until I know more.’

‘Good afternoon, is that Miss Hathersage?

‘Mary Hathersage, yes.’

‘Is it possible to speak to Diana, please?’

‘Oh dear, I’m afraid not. Who’s calling, please?’

‘My name’s Ellen Arnold, Miss Hathersage, and I think Diana may be my sister.’