Then she remembered that Nanny had spoken about a Mrs. Briggs, who looked after the cottage when she was not there.
‘That is who it must be,’ Iola thought sensibly.
At the same time her heart was still beating uncomfortably because she had been afraid.
In the kitchen by the light of the lamp she saw an elderly grey-haired woman at the stove.
“Good morning!” Iola said. “You must be – Mrs. Briggs.”
She was aware that her voice quivered a little and she felt the blood rise in her cheeks as the woman turned round.
“Goodness!” she exclaimed. “You startled me! I were expectin’ Miss Dawes!”
“I am a friend of Miss Dawes.”
“I were told she ’ad a visitor,” Mrs. Briggs said. “Pleased to meet you. I can see you’re a Nanny as well.”
“Y-yes – that is true,” Iola said, “but I am – afraid I have
