‘Where is she? May I go and see her?’
‘Dear, you can do what you like. I told you that. She’s annoyed with me at the moment because she thinks I’m a Philistine, which I am, so I shan’t come with you. She’s quite harmless and the cleverest of the three in one way. At least she can look after herself. You go down. You can find her. Follow your nose.’
He grinned and turned his torch on her.
‘All right. Go and get your beauty sleep.’
She patted her lace cap straight at once.
‘I need it, do I? Oh, you’re laughing. You are a naughty boy! Yes, all right. I’ll leave the blooming place to you, ducky, loonies and all. I’m fed up with the lot of them. See you in the morning. Be good and I’ll bring you a cupper in bed.’
She trotted off, a ghost of a warmer world, leaving him alone in the clutter
