The Constant Heart by Dilly Court

sign of Walter waiting outside the house. A clock on the church in the centre of the square struck two. She imagined the scene at home. Walter must by now have roused the whole of Black Eagle Wharf. The men would be out looking for the missing girls and the police were probably involved as well.
     
'So, he didn't wait then.' Harry mounted the steps to his front door. 'Stay here while I go inside. If he's raised the alarm then all hell will be let loose in the house.'
     
The sound of running footsteps made Rosina glance over her shoulder. 'Harry, wait. I think he's coming.'
     
Sukey slumped down on the steps holding her head in her hands. 'I can't stand this. I wish I'd never come.'
     
'It is Walter.' Rosina ran to meet him. 'Oh, Walter, I was never so glad to see anyone in my whole life.'
     
He stopped, holding his side and panting. 'I – I thought I'd missed you and I ran all the way back to Black Eagle Wharf.'
     
'Well, fellow,' Harry said, folding his arms across his chest. 'As you can see, we're here waiting for you.'
     
Rosina cast him a reproachful look. Poor Walter had been doing them a favour and Harry was being so disagreeable. She patted Walter's arm. 'I'm so sorry you were put to all that trouble.'
     
He took off his spectacles and wiped them on his shirt tail, which had worked its way loose. 'It's all right, miss. No harm done.'
     
'Look at the state of you, man!' Harry shot him a scornful glance. 'I suggest you tidy yourself up before I allow you to escort the young ladies to their respective homes.'
     
'Harry, don't be so – so pompous!' Rosina stared at him aghast. This was a side of him that she had not witnessed before the events of this evening. Perhaps it was the drink that had made him behave so, but whatever it was, she did not like him much at the moment. She turned to Walter. 'I'd be most grateful if you could find us a cab, Walter.'
     
'Of course, miss.' He tipped his cap and hurried off in the direction of the Highway.
     
'And as for you, Harry,' she said angrily, 'this was all your idea and you should be grateful to Walter for helping us out. I think you ought to apologise to him for being so grumpy.'
     
'Me, apologise to a mere clerk? I think not.'
     
'If that mere clerk had raised the alarm, or knocked on your parents' door and demanded to know where we were, then you would be in serious trouble with my papa and with Captain Barnum. You might think you own us all because our fathers depend on yours to give them trade, but you are mistaken. My father could find business anywhere along the Thames.' She hooked her arm around Sukey's shoulders and helped her to her feet. 'Come, Sukey. It's time we went home.'
     
'I say, don't be like that, Rosie.' Harry hurried down the steps to stand at her side. 'I didn't mean to offend you, or the clerk fellow come to that. Perhaps I'd better come home with you. I can explain to your housekeeper and to Mrs Barnum that our party went on later than expected. I'll write a note of apology as from my mother tomorrow and send it round, if you like.'
     
'Oh, dear.' Sukey leaned her head against Rosina's shoulder. 'I'm in for it. I just know it.'
     
'You'll do no such thing,' Rosina said hotly. 'We'll do as we planned, and there's no need for you to forge your mother's signature, Harry. I won't hear of it.'
     
'Well, all right, if you're sure. But I'll call round tomorrow to make certain that you're not in trouble.' He waved to attract the driver of an approaching cab, but his gesture proved unnecessary as it drew to a halt and Walter leapt out onto the pavement.
     
'I was lucky,' Walter said, holding the door open. 'There was one passing at just the right moment.'
     
The door of the Barnums' house was opened by Gertie, who was dressed for bed in a calico nightgown with her hair tied up in rags, but had obviously been asleep at her post. She blinked at them like a sleepy owl as Sukey went indoors, scolding Gertie for not remaining awake.
     
Rosina