‘Why, Miss Isabella, whatever’s the matter?’ she asked, putting a hand on her shaking shoulders.

Isabella looked up, her face wet with tears. ‘I’ve got to make a sampler for Mama’s Christmas present, but I’m no good at this sort of thing. Mr Latimer says a child of two could produce a better design.’

‘That’s very unkind of him,’ May said. ‘Not everyone can be a talented artist.’

‘But you are, May,’ the girl said. ‘I saw the pictures you drew for Mama’s gown. Could you help me? Please! I’ve only got another week before Miss Parsons comes back and she’ll be so cross if I haven’t done it.’

May sighed. ‘I’d like to, miss, but I don’t have the time. I’m busy every hour of the day for Mrs Wilkins.’

‘Oh, please!’ Isabella begged. ‘It wouldn’t take you long.’ She caught a breath. ‘I know! You come up here every morning to clean, don’t you?’

‘Before you’re out of bed,’ May agreed.

‘But I could be! I could get up early and you could help me then.’

‘And who is going to sweep the floor?’

‘Oh, never mind that! No one comes up here except me and Miss Parsons, except on Fridays. I have my piano lessons and singing lessons downstairs. No one will notice if the floor’s not swept. Please, May!’

May hesitated. The idea was tempting. She would much rather sketch out designs than sweep floors and Isabella’s tears had touched her heart.

‘All right. Tomorrow morning, if you’re up and ready when I come to clean, I’ll help you. But I warn you, I get up very early.’

‘I’ll be up! I promise you.’ Isabella reached up and pulled May down to kiss her cheek. ‘Thank you, May. Thank you so much.’

Next morning she was as good as her word and was waiting for May in the schoolroom when she arrived, with a clean sheet of paper and pencils at the ready. May sat down beside her.

‘Now, this is supposed to be your idea. So what do you want to do?’

For the next half-hour they were both absorbed in the task of creating a suitable design. Then May heard a clock chime in the hallway below.

‘I must go! I’ll never get through my work if I stay any longer.’

‘Will you come and help me again tomorrow?’

‘Yes, all right. But you must promise never to tell anyone what we’ve been doing. I’ll catch it if Mrs Wilkins finds out.’

‘I promise.’

For the rest of the week May spent every morning working with Isabella. Very quickly they forgot the division between servant and mistress’s daughter and began to treat each other as friends. For the first time, she heard Isabella laugh.