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flowing wine, delicious food, and lively conversation. It was when the meal was over, and the guests were retiring to the drawing room, that George whispered to Andrew that he should visit the kitchen before all the staff left. His son didn’t need telling twice, for the glowing comments from the guests had reminded him that a lot of work had gone into making his birthday party a huge success. He excused himself from the table, and was on his way to the kitchen when his sister caught up with him. ‘Wait for me, Andrew. I would like to thank Frances too!’
    Andrew pulled up sharp. ‘Charlotte, it wasn’t Frances on her own who made all that delicious food. Jane must take the glory for almost everything on that table. Every course was down to her wonderful knowledge of cooking and baking. The others would have worked hard washing and cleaning, and Rosie and Kate waited on table as well! They all worked hard to make the dinner a success. Each one deserves our gratitude and thanks. So include everyone, Charlotte. They deserve it, and it will tell them we appreciate all their hard work.’
    ‘Am I a selfish person, Andrew?’
    ‘Of course you’re not, Charlotte. Perhaps you just don’t think, that’s all. But come now, help me to show my appreciation to a wonderful staff for a wonderful birthdayparty. And I’m sure they’d love to see you looking so pretty in that delightful dress.’
    When his sister hung back, Andrew pulled hard on her arm and she found herself in the kitchen facing the staff. She was shy, not knowing what to say. She knew them all by name, and would acknowledge them if she encountered them while they were cleaning her room, or the staircase. But she had never held a conversation with them, or learned anything of their life outside the big house.
    While Andrew was thanking Frances and Jane, the two young maids were staring at Charlotte’s dress with wonder in their eyes. Then young Rosie plucked up the courage to say, in a timid voice, ‘That’s a beautiful dress, Miss Charlotte. It doesn’t half look nice on yer.’
    Andrew turned. ‘Yes, it suits her, doesn’t it, Rosie? Come here, Charlotte, and let the girls see the back of it. Do a twirl for them.’
    To say Charlotte was reluctant would be an understatement. But she knew to refuse would be childish. So she turned round slowly, and some of her shyness fell away when the young maids, and the cook, clapped and raved over the dress. So she did a proper twirl, before taking the hand her brother held out to her. ‘We have to go now to bid our guests farewell,’ he said. ‘But you each have my sincere thanks for all the hard work I put you to. I’ll see you tomorrow at breakfast.’
    As the couple moved towards the door, Charlotte turned her head and smiled. ‘Thank you. The party was lovely and the food delicious.’
    On their way back to their guests, she said, ‘The dinner went well, Andrew. Have you enjoyed your birthday?’
    ‘More than you’ll ever know, Charlotte. It’s been wonderful, and Father’s gift was the best present I could have asked for.’
    ‘I haven’t bought you a present yet,’ his sister said. ‘I thought I would take you out for a meal to a good restaurant. Just the two of us. Would you like that?’
    Andrew didn’t answer right away, as his mind was busy. Was this the opportunity, he asked himself? He might never get another. ‘There is something I would really like you to do for me. Something that would make me very happy.’
    ‘Anything, my darling brother. Just tell me what it is.’
    ‘I don’t want you to think I’m big-headed, Charlotte, but I am so thrilled at being made a junior partner in the firm, I want to show off. I’d love you to come down to my office one day, to see how I work, and where I work. And I’d like to introduce my staff to you and show you round the office. Then I could take you for lunch after I’d bored you stiff with my boasting. Would you do that for me?’
    Charlotte