You need to get Madam Arcana up here pronto to put them to rest.’ ‘Richenda, please, I’m not in the mood.’ ‘Got a touch of the old head, have you? Maybe you and my twin are more alike than I thought. Brandy, was it?’ I entered the room, bearing my tray of tea and many, many cakes. ‘Some light refreshment after your journey, Richenda?’ The lady’s eyes lit up. ‘Now this is why Euphemia is so invaluable. She always knows what I need.’ I placed the tray down on a low tea table and before I had even had the chance to pass Richenda a plate her gloves were off and her fingers deep in moist, squishy cake. ‘Yum,’ she said loudly. ‘Richenda, can’t you at least pretend to be a lady when you’re eating?’ said Mr Bertram with a pained expression. Richenda shook her head. ‘All those years being forbidden cake in the nursery took their toll. Now I am finally a free adult I shall do as I please!’ ‘Then you will grow as fat as a zeppelin,’ snapped Bertram. I quickly passed Mr Bertram a plate with an éclair on it, hoping he’d have the sense to stick it in his mouth before he upset Richenda any more.
