'The Savoy. She's an American. Mr and Mrs Hamil<strong>to</strong>n Clipp.' Vic<strong>to</strong>ria hurried out and got on a number 19 bus. On the bus, she noticed a useful item in the newspaper that a woman was reading. She got off at Green Park and entered the Ritz Hotel. Using Ritz notepaper, Vic<strong>to</strong>ria wrote herself words of praise from 'Lady Cynthia Bradbury', who had just left England for East Africa: 'excellent at dealing with illness and capable in every way'. Leaving the Ritz she walked <strong>to</strong> another big hotel, a favourite of church leaders. In different handwriting - on the hotels special notepaper - she wrote words of praise from the 'Bishop of Llangow'. Now fully prepared, Vic<strong>to</strong>ria went on <strong>to</strong> the Savoy Hotel. Explaining that she had come from the employment agency, she asked for Mrs Hamil<strong>to</strong>n Clipp. It was Mr Hamil<strong>to</strong>n Clipp, a tall, grey-haired American with a kindly manner, who welcomed her. 'Now, Miss Jones, you'd better come up and see Mrs Clipp. I believe she's with another young lady, but she may have gone by now.' Vic<strong>to</strong>ria panicked. Was she <strong>to</strong> get so near only <strong>to</strong> be disappointed at the last moment? As they walked along the corridor, a young woman came out of a door at the far end. Vic<strong>to</strong>ria had a strange sensation that it was herself who was approaching. The young woman passed them and Mr Hamil<strong>to</strong>n Clipp turned round <strong>to</strong> look at her in surprise. 'Well now,' he said. 'That was Anna Scheele.' He s<strong>to</strong>pped as he spoke, opened a door and s<strong>to</strong>od aside for Vic<strong>to</strong>ria <strong>to</strong> enter. Mrs Hamil<strong>to</strong>n Clipp was sitting on a chair near the window. She was a little, bird-like woman, and her broken arm was in a hard covering of white plaster. Her husband introduced Vic<strong>to</strong>ria. 'Oh, it's been most unfortunate, Miss Jones,' cried Mrs Clipp. 'Here we were, enjoying London and all our plans were made - I'm going <strong>to</strong> visit Sadie, my married daughter in Iraq. Then I fell down some steps in Westminster Abbey. It's not <strong>to</strong>o uncomfortable - but how I'd manage travelling, I don't know. And George here can't get away from his business for another three weeks. Once I'm out there, I don't need a nurse, Sadie can do all that's needed, so I thought I would see if I could find someone who would be willing <strong>to</strong> come along for the price of a ticket out.' 'I've done a lot of nursing,' said Vic<strong>to</strong>ria, offering her references. 'I was with Lady Cynthia Bradbury. And if you need any letters writing, I was my uncle's secretary for some months. My uncle,' said Vic<strong>to</strong>ria modestly, 'is the Bishop of Llangow.' The Hamil<strong>to</strong>n Clipps were, Vic<strong>to</strong>ria thought, most impressed. And so they should be after the trouble she had taken! 'It's wonderful,' said Mrs Hamil<strong>to</strong>n Clipp. 'An answer <strong>to</strong> our prayers.' 'Exactly,' thought Vic<strong>to</strong>ria. 'You have a job out there? Or are you joining a relative?' asked Mrs Hamil<strong>to</strong>n Clipp. Caught unprepared, Vic<strong>to</strong>ria thought quickly. 'I'm joining my uncle. Dr Pauncefoot Jones,' she explained.
'Oh! The archaeologist?' 'Yes. I'm very interested in his work, but I have no qualifications so the Expedition could not pay for my ticket. But if I can get there on my own, I can join them and make myself useful.' 'What a nice direct girl,' said Mr Hamil<strong>to</strong>n Clipp. 'We really are in luck.' At that, Vic<strong>to</strong>ria could not s<strong>to</strong>p her face from blushing red.
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