Rogue in Porcelain by Anthea Fraser

family tree open beside her, ticking names on it as she discovered corresponding likenesses. Some photographs were so faded that they’d need a lot of work to make them clear enough to reproduce, but then not many would be used in the articles anyway. As Finn had foreseen, their chief advantage was to her personally, in bringing to life the people she’d be writing about.
    The most recent album covered a longer period than the others, with only a few photos taken after the end of the 1950s. This could have been either because the Curzons became less interested in recording events, or because slides took over from prints at about that time. However, it did contain one of particular interest, showing three fair-haired children on a beach, squinting against the sun. It was labelled: Edward, Jacqueline and Finlay. August 1969 . Rona studied it for several minutes. The two little boys, aged, she estimated, ten and six, were in swimming trunks, their legs caked with sand. Their sister, between them in size and presumably also in age, was wearing a large sun hat that left part of her face in shadow, and appeared more interested in her ice cream cone than in the photographer.
    Rona flicked through the remaining pages, but there were no further pictures of the children, and in fact the last few leaves were left blank. There might, of course, be later albums, but she was aware of her disappointment. In particular, she’d like to have seen the woman Finlay had married and later divorced.
    She clamped down on the thought, and was relieved when the phone on her desk broke the silence with its warbling.
    â€˜Ro? Reporting back as promised. Hugh phoned last night.’
    â€˜And?’
    â€˜Invited me out to dinner.’
    â€˜You’re going?’
    â€˜Yes, though I turned down the first two dates he suggested. No point in seeming too eager.’
    â€˜ Are you eager, though? To get involved with him again?’
    â€˜We’re already involved.’
    â€˜To go further, then.’
    Lindsey’s sigh came over the wires. ‘I admit I was annoyed he didn’t even try to make a move at the weekend. If he had, I doubt if I could have held out. You know the effect he has on me.’
    Not a satisfactory response. After a moment, Rona asked, ‘And Jonathan?’
    â€˜Is anxious to continue as before.’
    â€˜And how do you feel about that?’
    â€˜God, I don’t know. I’m tempted there, too.’
    â€˜So your conscience has gone into hibernation?’
    â€˜Only partially.’ Another sigh. ‘The trouble is that there are complications with both of them. What I could really do with is someone completely new.’
    â€˜Oh, yes; I’d forgotten the latest object of interest. Any more sightings of him?’
    â€˜No, but I think he’ll be at a party I’m going to on Saturday.’
    â€˜Going to with whom?’
    â€˜It’s not that kind of party. I’ll go along by myself, then I’m not beholden to anyone.’ Lindsey paused. ‘How about the two attractive men you had lunch with last week?’
    Rona bit her lip. ‘One of them was round here on Monday. He brought me some photo albums to look at.’
    â€˜Makes a change from etchings.’
    â€˜Lindsey, for God’s sake!’
    â€˜All right, all right. No need to snap. I was joking, but it seems I touched a nerve.’
    â€˜Of course you didn’t; it’s simply that your one-track mind gets a bit wearing.’
    â€˜Beg pardon, I’m sure.’
    Rona drew a deep breath. ‘Sorry, Linz. I’ve been poring too long over these dusty books and am in need of some fresh air. You’re not free for a cup of tea at the Gallery, I suppose?’
    â€˜Sorry, I can’t. I’ve an appointment in ten minutes.’
    â€˜Never mind, I have to go out anyway. Gus needs his walk, and I must get the ingredients for tonight’s dinner, or Max will kill