Hotel du Barry by Lesley Truffle

their aprons, lit up cigarettes and disappeared. The kitchen wassilent. From the direction of the servants’ stairs, Cat heard Belinda shrieking, ‘Oi, it’s the new desk Johnny. I saw him first, girls. Come on up, handsome! Don’t be shy, we won’t eat you. Yet.’
    A male voice answered, ‘There’s more than enough of me to go round, ladies. The queue forms to the left. Keep it orderly now. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.’
    More shrieks, whistles and ribald laughter.
    Bertha grimaced. ‘He started in reception this morning. Another Yorkshire lad, full of himself. What’s on your mind, sweetie?’
    â€˜I want to know everything about Matthew Lamb.’
    â€˜Oh?’ Bertha carefully measured out the tea leaves. Two teaspoons and one for the pot. She busied herself laying out cups and saucers. Her cheeks were pale under the rouge. Bertha cut two thick wedges of cake, poured milk into the cups and remained silent.
    Cat put cake forks on the kitchen table. ‘Please. Tell me about Mr Lamb.’
    Bertha sighed. ‘What do you already know?’
    â€˜I know Daniel was in love with him. But what’s the big mystery about? He’s been dead a long time.’
    â€˜Sometimes it’s better to let sleeping dogs lie.’
    â€˜But you promised that when I turned sixteen you’d stop treating me like a child.’
    â€˜Me and my big mouth. Fair enough. Matthew Lamb was not well liked by the staff. He was a very competent manager but lacked the common touch. He thought he was better than the lot of us put together. Gave himself airs and graces.’
    Bertha poured the tea. ‘When Matthew died in the automobile crash there was vicious gossip and the gutter press spread unsubstantiated rumours about his lifestyle. Because his vehicle went up in flames, there were problems identifying him. It was an ugly business that turned into a major scandal. Doc reckonsDanny had a nervous breakdown, made worse by the losses he’d experienced during the war. He’d lost both his brothers and most of the soldiers under his command. Then to cap it off, shortly after he returned from the war, Matthew Lamb, his closest friend died in that horrible accident.’
    Cat’s eyes widened. ‘He’s never mentioned the army.’
    â€˜Like many returned servicemen, Daniel doesn’t like talking about the war.’
    â€˜Tell me about Matthew Lamb’s accident. Please.’
    â€˜Daniel last saw Matthew in a Soho nightclub on the night he died. Some reckoned Matthew was drugged, but others said he was just liquored up. Yet the bartender swore he was straight as a die. Matthew’s friends told the press that he’d been set up.’
    â€˜Set up?’
    â€˜They reckoned Matthew had been slipped a drugged drink before he left the nightclub and got into his automobile.’
    â€˜What about his passenger? Who was he? Was it Daniel?’
    â€˜Daniel? No it wasn’t.’ Bertha daintily dabbed her wide scarlet mouth with a napkin. She added two sugars to her tea. ‘Actually it was a she. A working girl.’
    â€˜A prostitute?’
    â€˜Yes. She’d taken up whoring as a career. Not surprising given the situation after the war. It probably seemed like a good idea at the time.’
    â€˜How come?’
    â€˜Many girls had been deserted by soldiers and it was their only option. Lots of young women were left with illegitimate children to clothe and feed.’
    â€˜Was she Mr Lamb’s girlfriend?’
    â€˜I don’t know. To his credit, Matthew was always very discreet about his women. It was rumoured that she was kept by two wealthy brothers. She was a real piece of work.’
    Cat spoke with her mouth full. ‘What’s her name?’
    â€˜Cat dear, you shouldn’t eat and speak at the same time.’
    â€˜Sorry, this cake is delicious. Please tell me about her.’
    â€˜I