Hugo was told to stay by the fire and do nothing to alarm. Carola sat at the piano and picked out a tune she remembered from Charleston days. ‘Louder!’ Fanny encouraged. ‘They have to hear it out in the street.’ She threw a handful of lavender on top of the stove, hoping to create an enticing scent. The open door was an inconvenience, with the wind still blowing so strongly, but the inner curtain helped to reduce the draught. Two hours later, nobody had crossed the threshold, but then the sound of boots on the steps was heard. Two strangers came in slowly, their eyes full of questions. ‘Welcome, sirs,’ trilled Carola, standing up from her stool. ‘Come along in, do.’ The routine proceeded smoothly, mechanically. Fanny took the shorter man, who was a little older than her and quite acceptably clean, except for his boots. The four mounted the stairs, leaving Hugo to deal with any further visitations. Letting the doors to their rooms remain slightly ajar, as always, business commenced.
