He went to the head of the stairs. ‘OK, Adele, everyone’s here; you can lock it.’ ‘Sorry I’m late,’ she said breathlessly, as she came up towards him. ‘Daisy was ill in the night, but she was better by lunchtime, so I dropped her at school on the way.’ She was pale, Max noted, and there were violet shadows under her eyes which, as usual, shied away from his concerned gaze. Long sleeves, also as usual. What did they hide? He cleared his throat, and turned to the rest of the class. ‘Right, everyone; the still life’s set out. Let’s see what you make of it.’ Coralie Davis was an attractive young woman whose almond eyes, golden skin and blue-black hair spoke of the Orient. ‘I didn’t realize you were the one who found that girl’s father,’ she said chattily, seating herself opposite Rona. ‘I don’t read Chiltern Life, but when I showed my friend the bit in the Gazette, she told me about it.’ ‘That was what started the series,’ Rona said. ‘I’m glad my search didn’t turn out like that, though it was tricky enough.’ A waitress appeared at Rona’s elbow, and she ordered afternoon tea for two.
