page31 (1/2)

‘I a to look wounded, blast her ‘You would never have knoas here if it wasn’t for the problehly respectable’ Alex opened his mouth, but she sailed on ‘And who is to know?’

‘I know’ And I a ‘You are not a servant’

‘I a as your housekeeper That is at least as respectable as being a governess in many households’

‘Not for an uners and stood up ‘I’ll call a hackney to take you back to the lodging house’

The door to the area opened and Phipps caahen he saw Alex and whipped off his hat ‘Good , my lord’

‘GoodAnd how is Mrs Semple’s headache?’

‘Not good,house keeper She says it’s the influenza and two ers have it’

‘Ioff cap and apron

‘No, irl will look after the ladies and that Mrs Se it She’s had your bags packed and I’ve brought them here with me’

‘Absolutely not You cannot stay here,’ Alex began as the door opened and a thin woman came in

‘Morning, all I’ll get the copper on the boil and— Oh!’ She stopped dead at the sight of Alex and Tess ‘Where’s Mrs Sekins, come to do the weekly wash’

‘She’s sick,’ Tess said before Alex could intervene ‘Can you carry on as usual, please, Mrs Hodgkins?’

‘Right you are, mum’

‘Miss Ellery—’