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to eat in the park.
    Sitting in the shade she watched the world go by. Starched nannies with their high prams and well dressed charges. Toffs out for a stroll. Young couples holding hands. Red-coated soldiers who gave her the eye or winked as they walked past.
    The hours flew by until it was time for the matinee at the music hall, so wiping her hands on the grass to remove the smell of fish and vinegar she picked up her parcel and made her way towards the omnibus stop.
    Outside the music hall, she hesitated. It was the first time she’d been and she’d have preferred it if Emily had been able to come with her. Some employers had forbidden their servants to go - and what if she was accosted? Or even worse, picked up by a white slaver? She shivered as she remembered the horrible stories she’d heard about innocent girls being slipped Mickey Finns and waking up from their drugged sleep to find themselves trapped in a life of shame.
    A couple of girls her own age pushed past, giggling, and she shook herself. If they weren’t worried, then neither was she. Marching up to the ticket booth she handed over her sixpence and walked through the ornate doors of the theatre. It was like walking into another world; a world of plush red velvet and gold, of pillars and balconies and sconces and fat gold cherubs that perched on every available surface. She stood stock still with her mouth open, trying to take it all in at once.
    â€˜Impressive, isn’t it?’ said a familiar voice behind her, and she almost jumped out of her skin. She whirled round and found herself staring up at Master Jeremy.
    â€˜Wh-what are you doing here?’ she demanded.
    He raised an eyebrow. ‘I paid my sixpence, just like you,’ he said. ‘After all, a fellow’s got to have some entertainment.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘If I’d had to spend another afternoon making polite conversation over tea with mamma’s friends and their simpering daughters, I’d have run mad.’
    Maggie suppressed a giggle; since he’d come home Lady Georgina’s ‘at home’ days had been particularly well attended, as mothers touted their marriageable daughters as shamelessly as gypsies at a horse fair. No wonder he’d done a runner!
    â€˜Well, my lady,’ he grinned, holding out an arm. ‘The performance is about to begin. Shall we take a seat?’
    For a moment she hesitated, then threw caution to the winds. What harm could it do? They were only going to watch a show - not run off together. ‘Thank you, kind sir,’ she smiled, accepting the proffered arm.
    The next hours flew past as they shared a bag of chestnuts and laughed at the comic turns, watched the jugglers and fire-eaters in awe and enjoyed the music together. When the curtains closed on the last act, Maggie sagged with disappointment.
    â€˜I wish it could have gone on forever,’ she sighed. ‘But I’d better get off home now.’
    â€˜We could always go for supper,’ suggested Master Jeremy, and she stared at him in astonishment.
    â€˜Me? Go to supper with you?’ She shook her head. ‘It wouldn’t be fitting. I’m your mother’s maid.’
    â€˜So?’ he grinned. ‘Maids have to eat as well, don’t they?’
    â€˜I suppose so,’ she said reluctantly.
    â€˜Well then, that’s settled,’ he said. ‘I know this nice little oyster bar. We can go there,’ and before Maggie had time to change her mind he whisked her out of the theatre and into a hansom cab.
    â€˜Here we are,’ he said after a short ride, rapping for the cabbie to stop. Helping her down he led her inside, and for the second time that day her mouth dropped open in astonishment. The decor was almost as ornate as that of the theatre, and tables set with gleaming crystal and glittering cutlery filled almost two thirds of the room. A long mahogany bar took up the other third. But it was