The Painted Dragon. Katherine Woodfine

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      In the past weeks though, these gatherings had become rather less regular. The others always seemed to be so busy, Sophie thought now. Lil was occupied with her new play; Miss Atwood kept Billy busy in the office; and even Joe was immersed in life at the stable-yard. More than once, Sophie had found herself spending her tea breaks here alone, with only the day’s newspaper for company.

      But today was different – they were all together again, crunching apples and passing around a bag of toffees that Sophie had bought with some of her hard-earned sixpence from Mrs Long. Sophie felt delighted to see the others. It was quite like old times.

      ‘The Living Paintings are Mr Sinclair’s latest big idea,’ explained Lil now. ‘A sort of stunt to help advertise the exhibition. Claudine is going to recreate a series of famous paintings in the store windows, and we – the mannequins – are going to pose there, just as if we were the people in the paintings.’

      ‘I thought you weren’t working as a mannequin very much now, because of the play,’ said Billy in surprise.

      ‘I’m not really, but I couldn’t resist this. It sounds like such splendid fun – and Mr Mountville at the theatre thinks it might be good publicity too. I’m to be a painting by Fragonard, and I wear a marvellous frilly pink dress, and I sit on a swing surrounded by flowers.’

      Winking at the other two, Joe said in a very serious voice: ‘Blimey, Lil. You’re awful grand these days. I’m surprised you think we’re fit to associate with someone so fancy.’

      Lil gave a little squeak of indignation, and threw the bag of toffees at him, spilling sweets everywhere. Joe coolly picked one up, unwrapped it and popped it into his mouth, making them all laugh.

      Sophie laughed too. She sometimes found it hard to believe that the Joe they knew today – still rather quiet, but with a very definite sense of humour – was the same down-and-out vagabond she had once seen begging outside Sinclair’s. Now, he was respected for his skill with the horses, and well liked by all the stable boys. Since the summer, he had been spending more time with Lil: indeed, the girls in the Millinery Department had all been asking Sophie if it was true that they were ‘walking out’ together.

      Sophie had just shrugged and smiled. ‘They’re friends. We all are.’

      ‘Well, you wouldn’t catch me stepping out with a groom,’ said assistant buyer, Edith, in a superior tone. ‘I like a man with prospects.’

      ‘Didn’t that Joe used to be some kind of a criminal?’ chimed in Ellie.

      ‘Ooh, he never did!’ squeaked Minnie, delighted by this titbit of scandal.

      Sophie had given her short shrift, but now she found herself wondering what Jack would make of his sister spending time with a young man who, it was true, had once been part of the Baron’s gang. Joe was her friend and she trusted him as much as she would trust anyone in the world. But how might someone who didn’t know him feel about his history?

      It was Joe who asked now: ‘When do we get to meet this famous brother of yours?’

      Lil smiled at him, and shrugged. ‘I haven’t the faintest,’ she said. ‘He was awfully keen to meet you all when he arrived – wasn’t he, Sophie? But I haven’t heard a peep out of him for days. I suppose he must be busy at the art school.’

      Outside, a clock began to strike the hour. ‘I think I’d better go,’ said Billy, getting to his feet reluctantly. ‘Uncle Sid’s coming round for tea tonight and Mum wanted me to stop at the grocer’s on the way home.’

      ‘Me too,’ said Joe. ‘The Gaffer’ll be wondering where I’ve got to.’

      ‘And I have to get to the theatre,’ added Lil. ‘Why don’t you walk with me?’ she suggested to Sophie. ‘It’s on your way home anyway.’

      Sophie was only too glad to agree. She didn’t want their jolly afternoon to be over just yet – and besides, Jack’s sudden arrival meant that she and Lil hadn’t had as much chance to talk over tea as she had hoped. But as they walked towards the theatre, she soon found that her brother was the only thing that Lil wanted to talk about.

      ‘I still can’t believe Jack has left Oxford! He’s always been such a goody two shoes. You know, top of the class at school, captain of the cricket team and all that sort of rot.’ She paused for a moment. ‘But then, in another way, I suppose I’m not exactly surprised. He’s always had a way of managing to do exactly what he wants.’

      As they approached the theatre, she was still talking: ‘I am awfully glad he’s here though. It will be fun to have him in London – just as long as he isn’t going to start trying to boss me around. I just hope he likes Joe – and Billy, of course – and that they like him.’ She looked over at Sophie slyly. ‘He liked you awfully, you know.’

      ‘Oh don’t be silly.’

      ‘He did! He told me so on the way home.’

      By now they had come to the stage door, and it was time to say goodbye. Sophie turned away from the bright lights of the theatre, and headed back towards her lodgings. For once though, she didn’t stop to collect the evening paper. She wasn’t thinking about the Baron – instead, she found herself turning over the memory of meeting Jack Rose. Surely he couldn’t really have told Lil that he liked her awfully? In spite of her long day in the Millinery Department, she found that she was, after all, feeling rather cheerful.