“And you, Miss Shepstone?” he asked rather nervously.
“Esther’s too excited to speak,” June answered for her. “Oh, are we here already?”
She led the way into the lounge of the big restaurant; Micky was well known here apparently.
“Every one in London knows Micky,” June whispered to Esther with a sort of pride. “Look at the attention he gets!”
Esther glanced at him; probably anybody with Micky’s money could get the same attention, she thought.
There were a good many people in the lounge; Esther looked at them interestedly. Some of the women were beautifully dressed, but the black and white frock held its own bravely.
“You look nicer than any of them,” June told her. “I knew––hullo!––Micky’s found a friend.” She looked across to where he was standing, and Esther followed her gaze.
Micky was talking to two ladies––one of them was young and rather pretty, and the other––Esther’s face flushed suddenly, and she bit her lip hard, for the other was Mrs. Ashton, Raymond’s mother.