Alice-Miranda, Millie and Zahra were floating on air as they walked back to school.

‘That was amazing,’ Zahra gushed.

‘You were amazing,’ Millie said. ‘You’ll definitely win the talent quest and I can’t wait to see Caprice’s face when you do. She’s going to hate you, by the way, but don’t worry, she’ll still hate me more.’

The girls charged up the driveway, past Caledonia Stables and towards the Manor. As they neared the mansion, they could hear the sound of children’s voices, like bell chimes and giggles all mixed into one.

‘Oh no, Mama must be back,’ Zahra said. Her stomach clenched and she felt as if she had a fever.

‘But you’re with us, just like you said you were,’ Alice-Miranda said, giving the girl a reassuring squeeze.

The trio rounded the corner to find Ada Abboud rocking the twins in their pram while Hatice and Esma chased Cleopatra across the lawn.

‘Mama, hello,’ Zahra called out. ‘How is Papa?’

Ada smiled, her eyes crinkling in the corners. ‘Your father is awake and asking after you. He is doing much better,’ Ada said. ‘I told him that you would come with me tomorrow and then perhaps we will tell him about the festival.’

‘How much longer will Mr Abboud have to stay in hospital?’ Alice-Miranda asked.

‘There is a chance he will be able to come home in another week or two,’ Ada said. ‘Girls, would you like to join us for dinner tonight? I have made moussaka and I am sure Zahra would enjoy the company, as would I.’

Zahra nodded eagerly. ‘Please say yes.’

‘That would be lovely, Mrs Abboud. We just need to tell Mrs Clarkson where we are,’ Alice-Miranda replied.

‘We’re technically not allowed on the teachers’ floor of Caledonia Manor,’ Millie whispered out of the side of her mouth.

Alice-Miranda frowned. Millie was right, but perhaps Mrs Clarkson would make an exception in this case. After all, a couple of weeks ago no one would have imagined a family of six living up there either.

Hatice ran to Alice-Miranda, holding a bright pink dahlia in her tiny hand. ‘I picked this for you,’ she said. ‘From over there.’ She pointed at the garden, then tugged on Alice-Miranda’s arm, bringing her down to the same level where she whispered in the girl’s ear.

‘Of course we can,’ Alice-Miranda replied. She helped the girl choose another stem, which Hatice gave to Millie. As she did, something caught Alice-Miranda’s eye. She peered into the foliage and pulled out a scrunched-up piece of paper, which she opened and pressed flat.

It was a note bearing Miss Reedy’s personal letterhead. It looked like she must have made a mistake partway through, but how on earth it had come to be in the garden was anyone’s guess. Alice-Miranda looked up to the windows. Then she scanned the page. It seemed a particularly sensitive message to have disregarded so carelessly. Hopefully Miss Reedy had changed her mind about its contents and that was the reason it was tossed away. Alice-Miranda folded the note and popped it into her pocket. But what she’d do about it was another matter altogether.

Percy Pratt walked out of the Science storeroom and down the hall, carrying a box with the chemicals he required for his lessons on Monday morning. He’d decided to get the preparation done this afternoon then tomorrow he was off to the city for a lecture at the Science Museum.

‘Oh, hello Mr Pratt,’ Josiah Plumpton called out, startling the man and causing him to stumble.

The bottle of sulphuric acid teetered, but Percy managed to regain his balance. He spun around. ‘Yes, what do you want?’

‘I was wondering if you might like some company tomorrow,’ Josiah said. ‘I hear Professor Padbury is a very impressive speaker.’

Percy’s eyes narrowed. ‘How did you know I was going?’

‘Livinia told me. She was the one who suggested I join you – actually, she sent me a note.’ The man pulled it from his trouser pocket. ‘I saw her for a moment just now and mentioned that I was going to speak to you and she thought it was a splendid idea. Poor love is swamped – I don’t know how she’s getting everything done with all the interviews on top of running the school. I’ve barely seen her all week and she can’t seem to remember things from one day to the next.’

‘Your wife has had a lot of interesting ideas lately, so in that case, I don’t suppose I can say no.’ Percy rolled his eyes and began walking towards the lab.

Josiah chuckled and hurried to open the door for him. ‘Wonderful. What time shall we leave?’

The thought of spending an entire day with Josiah Plumpton was almost too much for Percy to bear, but he had no one to blame but himself. ‘Meet me at my car at half past seven,’ he said.

Josiah beamed. ‘Very well. I’m so looking forward to it.’