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hot in the cab. She could feel her cheeks flushed. And she was acutely aware that Adam Marsh was still subjecting her to his thoughtful scrutiny, as Nolly said again, patiently, ‘Are we to live with you, Cousin Fanny?’
    ‘With your uncle and aunt, and your cousins Amelia and George—yes, and me, too,’ she answered meticulously.
    ‘And her?’ She pointed to Hannah.
    ‘Yes, Hannah, and the other servants.’
    ‘It sounds a great many people,’ said Nolly, with her lack of expression. ‘I don’t think Marcus will care for that. He’s shy.’ And suddenly she flung round on the Chinese woman and began a flood of words in a strange language.
    The woman replied sharply. The staccato exchange was over in a moment. Fanny noticed, with some bewilderment, that the amah’s bright slit-eyes had gone over Nolly’s head to Adam Marsh’s almost as if in supplication. She murmured something more, and he nodded, as if he understood.
    ‘What are you saying? What is everyone saying?’
    Adam replied quietly, ‘I think Nolly was begging to be taken back to Shanghai, and of course Ching Mei explained that was quite impossible.’
    ‘Do you speak Chinese?’
    ‘A little. I had a trip to the Far East when I was a boy.’
    ‘Oh,’ said Fanny, satisfied. ‘So that’s why you were chosen to meet the ship today. That was very sensible of the shipping company. It must have made everyone feel much more at home. It’s very kind of you to take this personal interest, Mr Marsh.’
    ‘I think I haven’t mentioned Ching Mei to you, Miss Davenport. She has made a great sacrifice in leaving her country to bring the children safely here. It appears she promised their mother to do this. But you can understand it was a tremendous enterprise for someone who hasn’t travelled before and who speaks little English.’
    Fanny was too warm-hearted to let her own disappointments obsess her. She turned sympathetically to the amah in her high-necked black smock and impulsively touched one of the wrinkled yellow hands folded so quietly.
    ‘You will be taken care of, too, Ching Mei. My uncle is very kindhearted and generous.’
    The slit eyes in the little alien face stared back uncomprehendingly.
    ‘She won’t understand you,’ said Adam Marsh. ‘But may I say to you, Miss Davenport, that if your uncle could find the opportunity to send her home when the children are settled, it would be a great kindness.’
    That was nothing to do with Adam Marsh, either. Uncle Edgar might decide that the cost of an old Chinese woman’s return to her country was too high. But Fanny found herself nodding, and in her high unfamiliar voice, Ching Mei suddenly said, ‘Velly kind.’
    The cab was trundling through the dusty narrow streets that led to Paddington Railway station. In a few more minutes they would be there. If they could find an empty compartment the children could be bedded down on the seats and persuaded to sleep. Because she hadn’t expected to make the long journey home, Fanny was now dreading it.
    For no reason at all she was thinking of the sapphire pendant locked in her jewel box. She had purposely left it behind, disclaiming possession of it. Now she would have to wear it to Amelia’s ball. It would mark her again as one of the family, and this seemed to her to be co-operating in a lie. She was no more one of the family than these children would ever be.
    She realised she had never given a thought to the fact that their skin was as white as her own. She didn’t think it would have worried her if it hadn’t been, but at least Amelia would be profoundly relieved.
    Mr Marsh had found them an empty compartment only one carriage from the dining car. He was efficient to the end. He helped them all aboard. Ching Mei, her bland wrinkled face showing no expression, though this must be one more tremendous ordeal for her, came last. Fanny helped Hannah settle the children then emerged into the corridor to see her lifting an intent face to Adam