'My lady!’ 

 This was a different Sally who flung the door open to admit me. Cheerful and blooming, it was difficult to see how four and twenty hours could have worked such a change.

 'I've come back because I was worried about you, Sally. But it seems that I needn't have been.'

 'No, indeed, my lady,' she laughed. 'But I am much obliged to you all the same.' So much for my sleepless night of worrying!

 'Things have improved then?' I sat down where she indicated and watched as she began to make tea. I had no fear of anything not being clean. Her mother also worked at the castle and was known for her meticulousness. It was commonly expected that she would rise to the housekeepers position when Mrs Harper finally retired....

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