Refusing to laugh openly at the girl’s utter facetiousness – though she did so in the privacy of her own mind – Connie was reminded that though she loved her job now there was still a small part of her that missed the closeness that sometimes formed with her charges when she had been a governess. Less children meant she was able to spare more of her time and she rather thought girls like Miss Scrimgeour needed the attention – and were an amusing reward in their own right.

“The Egyptians practiced very different customs from us but I suppose after thousands of years in the sand even the most beautiful thing can look a tad unbecoming,” she replied thoughtfully, though Holly was absolutely right. The sight of mummies had never disturbed her unduly but the sight of something that held the shape of a person but with only the dried, dark remnants of what had once been flesh to cover the visible bones was certainly unpleasant. The mania for Egyptology had shown them many wonders but Connie felt queasy and unsettled by the sight. Would this be what they all came to in the end? On display, mouths agape in a silent cry to be buried and left be, with children wrinkling their noses in disgust.

“Shall we find somewhere to sit? I feel like tea and as your newly appointed chaperone I suppose I ought to feed you.” She smiled conspiratorially as she placed a hand on Holly’s shoulder and drew her away. Why on earth did they let children in this museum anyway? It was nothing but horrors from one room to the next!

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MJ made me beautiful