‘More dogs than the three…Pomeranians… that were making all that noise? Really?’
‘There were four huge dogs.’ Lola paused, obviously thinking. ‘Two Dobermanns and two Rottweilers.’
‘Why?’
‘Why what?’ Lola gave me a look.
‘Why would anyone want four big guard dogs like that? Is Ruby’s father famous?’
When Lola didn’t appear to have answers to either of my questions, I asked, ‘So how come you’ve never mentioned Ruby before?’
‘Ihave.’ She sighed and tutted somewhat theatrically. ‘Itoldyou we had a new girl in our class.’
‘I don’t think you did.’
‘Yes, I did. You were too busy going on at Dad, or too busy baking or too upset about that Blane boy.’ Lola gave me a look. ‘Or too busy looking at Fabian.’
‘What do you mean,looking at him?’
‘You’ve gone pink, Mum, just like Nicholas Armitage does when we say he fancies Jodie Blackwell.’
Poor Nicholas Armitage. I knew just how the poor kid felt. I hadn’t realised the daft, little schoolgirl crush I’d once had on Fabian to get me through dark days – and now totally in the past – had been at all obvious to others.
‘You’re being very silly about Uncle Fabian, Lola. He and I are going to be working together.’
‘Yes, I told Henry.’
‘Ruby’s dad?’
‘Hmm.’
‘So, when did Ruby start in your class? It’s a long way for her to come from Queen’s Gardens. It’s a good six or seven miles away.’
‘Kateryna brings her.’
‘Oh, the housekeeper?’
Lola nodded. ‘She was at The Mount.’
‘The Mount?’
‘You know, it’s that posh school that posh kids go to.’
‘And?’
‘And what?’
‘Why has she ended up at Beddingfield C of E?’
‘She was thrown out of The Mount.’
I stared.
‘She’sreallynaughty in class. Mrs Gateshead getsreallycross with her.’
‘What do you mean? What does she do?’
‘Oh, she’s really funny. She makes us all laugh. She talks all the time and leaves the room without permission. Says she’s desperate for the crapper, youknow…’
