“Yes, I know some of them travel to Europe,” Eliza said. “But I hadn’t known they’re called specials.”
Mandy nodded.
“Polly has not been in touch with Mr. Fraser,” Eliza went on. “Nor was she at her lodgings when he called to take her to their favorite place for tea. If she’d gone to Europe, you’d think she’d have told him.”
Favorite place.Mungo could honestly say he’d never had one and didn’t plan to, especially not in London.
“I’ve had friends go to Europe. One day they’re there and the next gone. It’s how the Holton Agency does things.” Maggie shrugged.
“And do they come back to England after their employment has ended?” Eliza asked.
Good girl. He’d have asked that too.
Maggie looked at the others seated at her table, and they all shrugged as if to say they didn’t know the answer to that.
“Were you nice to Polly, lad?” Mandy asked with narrowed eyes. “That sometimes drives a girl off.”
“Oh yes,” Eliza said quickly. “Mr. Fraser is very shy and works in the same household as me. He’s gentle and sweet-natured. He’s never mistreated anyone.”
Her ability to lie without blinking was impressive.
“If any of you comes across Polly,” Eliza said, “please contact us at 11 Crabbett Close.”
“Of course, and I’ll pass that around to the other girls.”
They turned to leave and didn’t acknowledge the others seated at a table but kept walking until they were outside. Mungo fell into step beside her.
“It’s odd, don’t you think, this policy that the Holton Agency girls have no close ties to anyone?” She stopped suddenly and looked at him.
“It’s odd, and I’ve no idea why it’s the case, but I don’t like it. Nor the business about the special girls selected for Europe.”
“I’ve never heard of that, and neither has Sylvie, or she’d have told me. Clearly we are not special.”
You are.
“Keep moving. It’s cold,” he said, nudging her forward.
The wind was sharper now, gusting around corners with enough force to sting exposed skin.
“Why would people want English girls, who don’t speak their language, as staff, Mungo?”
“I don’t know the answer to that, either, but it feels off.” She’d never called him just Mungo but he didn’t mention that fact.
“I can’t believe you wouldn’t let me even drink the tea.” Alex’s voice carried down the lane. “Absolute torture.”
They reached the carriage, and Eliza told the others everything they’d heard in the tea shop.
“That sounds odd to me,” Leo said. “The special girls and no close bonds with anyone.”
“Agree. Something smells like a year-old barrel of fish,” Alex added.
“I’ll go to Scotland Yard and start making enquiries. We will also need to go to Holton’s. Something does sound fishy about that place,” Gray said.
“Did you have any visions or come up with anything in there?” Mungo asked.
Calder was standing slightly back, his eyes moving around the scene as if Fenella would suddenly appear.
“I saw a woman, who I believe is your niece, and she’s in a room with another girl.” Ellen shot a look at Calder before continuing. “They’re all right, from what I can gather, but I don’t believe they want to be there.”
