Myrtle and Reg Parker helped Ambrosia Headlington-Bear ferry the girls back to school, where they were greeted at the boarding house by a very anxious Miss Grimm and Miss Reedy. Ophelia, who had been alerted to the drama by Constable Derby, had arranged for Livinia to meet her at the Caledonia Manor Stables. She had then telephoned the children’s parents to let them know what had happened – all except for Hugh Kennington-Jones and Cecelia Highton-Smith, who were trekking in the Andes for a month. Instead she’d notified Mrs Oliver, the family’s cook, who said that she would pass on the message when she heard from the pair.

‘Good grief, look at you all,’ Ophelia Grimm gasped as she surveyed the soot-stained group. The rest of the girls in the boarding house were safely tucked away in the dining room, having their evening meal, and their housemistress, Petunia Clarkson, was under strict instructions to keep them there.

‘It’s nothing a shower won’t fix,’ Millie said. She licked her finger and wiped the back of her hand, smearing the black to prove her point.

‘Come along, Myrtle,’ Reg said, steering his wife by the elbow. ‘We should head home.’

The woman looked at him as if he were mad. ‘We’re not going anywhere until we know the girls are all in perfect health,’ she said, wrestling her arm away. ‘Besides, I can make tea while Joan gives them the once-over.’

Sister Joan Guthrie had been a nurse for more than forty years and had taken care of the boys at Fayle for the past ten. She was beloved by all and not just because she had the best stash of lollies in the school. With her short crop of grey hair, stylish red glasses and practical trouser-and-shirt combinations, she was everyone’s favourite surrogate grandmother. In the absence of their own school nurse, Livinia had called the woman to give the girls a thorough check-up.

‘That’s awfully kind, Mrs Parker,’ Ophelia said, ‘but we don’t want to keep you.’

‘Nonsense. I’m very useful in a crisis,’ Myrtle insisted.

Reg sighed, knowing full well there was no point arguing with his wife once she had made up her mind. Ambrosia leaned down to whisper in Jacinta’s ear. She hadn’t let go of her daughter’s hand since they’d alighted from the car.

‘I’m fine! I’ve told you that ten times already,’ the girl snapped, then promptly burst into tears.

Ambrosia pulled her in for a hug. ‘Oh, darling.’

‘Right, that’s it. Tea and honey sandwiches for everyone.’ Myrtle Parker marched inside and set to work in the kitchenette by the sitting room. Reg hurried to help her.

Ophelia and Livinia could see more tears were building. The ordeal had clearly been a shock for the girls, and no doubt a hearty cry would do them the world of good. Livinia took Sister Guthrie to set up in the infirmary across the hallway while the girls, clearly struggling to comprehend the full extent of what had happened, were ushered into the sitting room by Ophelia and Ambrosia. Millie sat on the sofa beside Sloane and surprised the girl by reaching across to hold her hand. Sloane didn’t object. Instead she held on tightly and brushed stubborn tears from her face. Alice-Miranda stood beside Chessie, their arms entwined, while Jacinta clung to her mother.

Reg Parker walked over with a tray of sandwiches and Myrtle followed with the tea.

‘Has there been any news on the Abbouds?’ Alice-Miranda asked, passing a mug to Chessie before taking another for herself.

Miss Grimm shook her head. ‘Not since Constable Derby phoned earlier to tell us the news. I suspect he’ll give us an update as soon as he can.’

Miss Reedy called Millie over first to see Sister Guthrie. Thankfully, everyone was given the all clear. Jacinta had a cough, which probably hadn’t been helped by working herself into such a state. Physically, they were all in good health, but Sister suggested that it would be wise for each of the girls to pencil in a chat with a counsellor.

Petunia Clarkson appeared in the doorway. ‘Excuse me,’ she said with a tentative smile. ‘Jacinta, there’s a phone call for you.’

A sheepish look crept over the girl’s face.

‘It’s probably your boyfriend making sure that you’re okay,’ Millie whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear.

‘Jacinta is far too young for all that nonsense,’ Myrtle tsked. Reg caught Millie’s eye and gave the girl a wink. ‘Besides, I’ve heard the boy’s mother is getting married and is taking him to live with her and her new husband in New York. I wouldn’t get too attached if I were you, Jacinta.’

The girl’s jaw dropped. ‘That’s not true,’ she said. ‘Lucas hasn’t said anything to me.’

Alice-Miranda was as surprised as her friend. She couldn’t imagine her cousin keeping that to himself, but Myrtle Parker’s knowledge of village gossip was notoriously reliable.

‘It’s not Lucas on the telephone,’ Petunia said. She pushed a strand of brown hair behind her ear. ‘It’s … your father.’

The woman was met with a room full of wide eyes and open mouths. Myrtle’s lips quivered. She was even more pleased that she’d insisted on staying.

‘Daddy?’ Jacinta wrinkled her nose. ‘I can’t imagine what he wants.’ Without so much as a backwards glance, she was out the door and heading for the telephone booth in the hallway.

Ambrosia felt sick to her stomach. As far as she knew, Neville hadn’t been in contact with Jacinta for ages. Actually, not since the night he had unceremoniously declared their marriage was over and told her she could go and live in the cottage in Winchesterfield permanently. Neville was a scoundrel through and through and had never been much of a father to the girl, but maybe he’d heard about the fire and wanted to make sure that his only child was okay. Perhaps the man was human after all.