43

The post arrived just as Sandra had finished making some ham and pickle sandwiches and handing me an envelope, with flowery handwriting.

"Georgina Lyall will call on us at four o'clock this afternoon."

"Is she one of the two good-looking blondes Hector recommended you had better get in touch with?" Sandra asked.

"Certainly, she is. Unfortunately, I am not aware of anything else about her, or her association with this case, but I am sure we will find out rapidly enough."

As expected, my forecast showed to be correct. Georgina Lyall appeared shortly before four and introduced herself with an astonishing declaration.

"I would have come earlier had I known you were involved in the case, Mr Noone," she said. "I am so grateful for your letter."

"Please sit down," I said, "and tell us, from the start, how you came to be involved in Tina's case."

"It was through my job," she replied. "I'm a fashion stylist, and I teach at Homerton Coll