My Imari!’ Katherine Harrison whispered, sitting down heavily. ‘My most precious piece.’ Then she graciously recovered her composure. ‘Young people… I suppose you can’t help being clumsy.’
‘Mrs Harrison, I’m terribly sorry,’ said Amanda, ashen-faced. ‘Is it valuable?’
‘I’m afraid it is. It’s Japanese and very old,’ said Katherine, carefully picking up the pieces. ‘But I’ll see if it can be restored.’
‘Please, you must let me pay for it,’ said Amanda.
‘Don’t be silly, you couldn’t possibly afford it. Specialists who restore porcelain are very expensive.’
Amanda went back to her room, looking wretched. As well she might, careless girl.
Katherine pursed her lips. She hadn’t wanted to rent out her back room to a drama student, but the money came in useful, with the cost of everything rising…