Nellie Parsons, having reverted to her maiden name, dressed in her new turquoise-blue dress and large straw hat quietly left the flat and, after closing the door, crept down the stairs and through the front door. She had left Harry sleeping off the effects of a late night down the pub. With a bit of luck she would be back before he woke up. If her idea went to plan, he was going to be so pleased with her. Nellie walked briskly up the length of Westgate Street and within minutes had arrived at the Angel Hotel. Aware of the doorman’s cursory glance, she immediately slid her gloved hands down to slightly raise her skirt before walking up the few steps to the grand entrance. With her head held high she waited for the doorman to open the large, heavy, brass-framed glass doors. She flashed the doorman a friendly smile. He nodded and, raising a hand, politely touched the brim of his red-and-gold top hat. She entered the foyer and instantly caught her breath, overawed by its red-and-gold grandeur and the huge chandelier hanging from the high ceiling.
