But Paul was in danger of being forgotten.
'Ask him what his name is, dear. If it's Paul, then let him in - he is a sort of policeman.'
Jane sniffed again. 'Okay - if you say so, Frances.' The desire to appear an obedient potential step- daughter/younger sister outweighed her disapproval.
Frances served Sally with the final pancake. It was (though she said it herself, as shouldn't) an absolutely perfect example of its species.
'That's gorgeous, Frances!' Sally rubbed her stomach guiltily. 'But you've made us eat too much, you know - we've got to watch our figures.' She looked down at a figure which, if it was going to be watched, would only be watched with approval.
'Nonsense. You're just right.' Irresistibly, Frances found herself slipping into her allotted role in response to their prompting. 'Eat it up.'
The sad truth was, of course, that she'd become such a chameleon that there wasn't a real Frances left to argue the toss, she cautioned herself. And when the role was as easy as this - when the other actors were determined to make her a success (for all she knew, they might both hate pancakes, but they would eat anything she cooked tonight until it came out of their ears, she knew that) - no other Frances had a chance.
* * *
'Hullo, Princess,' said Paul. 'Pancakes? Is there one for me by any chance?'
Sally looked up from her pancake with an expression of undisguised hostility.
'And who might you be?' The influence of Nannie at her frostiest was apparent.
'Paul Mitchell - at your service. Miss Butler.' Paul wasn't used to such immediate feminine disapproval, guessed Frances. But he rallied as gamely as any man might have done who encountered a barbed-wire fence in what he had assumed would be open country. 'At everyone's service, in fact.'
'Indeed?' As Sally considered him her sister circled round to stand behind her. For the first time Frances could see their father in both of them: when those stares had matured they would be able to stop a grown man in his tracks at twenty paces.
Even as it was their combined effect rocked Paul. He looked to Frances for support as much as for a pancake.
'I'm afraid not.' Frances was torn between conflicting loyalties, but for once her sympathy was marginally on Paul's side, with the odds he was up against. She tilted the empty mixing bowl for him to see. 'You're just too late.'
'My luck!' Paul didn't look at the Misses Butler. 'I hope I'm not disturbing you.
Princess?'
'Why do you call her 'Princess'?' Curiosity got the better of Jane's disapproval.
'Because she is a princess.' Paul didn't smile this time. He was learning. 'Through how many mattresses could the true princess tell there was a pea under her?'
'How - ' Jane frowned at him. 'It was twelve, I think.'
'Twelve it was.' Paul nodded towards Frances. 'She can manage thirteen, no trouble
... Also, the last time I met her, she'd lost a shoe ... Also, she tells fairy stories, so I gather.
She's an expert on them.'
Jane looked at Frances. 'Are you really?'
Frances regretted her marginal sympathy. 'Mr Mitchell works with me - ' she embraced them both with the same look ' - so I have to talk to him on business now.
You'll have to start the washing up without me, I'm sorry to say.'
'But you won't be going?' asked Jane. 'Not tonight?'
'No.' Frances smiled, reassuring herself as much as the two girls. 'I will be staying.
And Mr Mitchell will be going.'
'Well ... that's all right,' said Sally.
'I could help with the washing up,' offered Paul.
'No,' said Sally. 'Thank you.'
'It wouldn't be fair,' said Jane. 'You haven't dirtied anything.'
'That's unfortunately true,' Paul turned his
charm on to full strength. 'But - '
'After we've finished washing up we'll go and watch TV, Frances,' said Sally. 'There's a programme we like at quarter to.'
'What about your prep?'
'We did that at school. First prep before tea, second prep after tea - that's why we stay till six,' said Jane. 'After we've watched our programme we shall read. I'm reading
'I shall do some biology,' said Sally. 'I'll make some coffee after the Nine O'clock News. But if you'd like something to drink before, there's sherry and stuff in the cabinet in the sitting room - '
