More likely find herself the target for every local villain, she thought.

Then, realising that Sarah was waiting for an answer, she laughed. 'You mean I might get a life?'

'And not before time. You've spent the last three years as a full-time carer. No holidays, scarcely a break. Nothing in your pocket but your carer's allowance and the little bit of money you make on your stall. Believe me, I know how hard it's been.'

'You're wrong, Sarah. It hasn't been hard. My grandmother was the one person in the entire world who was always there for me, who never let me down, and I loved her. I'm trying to tell myself that she isn't suffering anymore, but what's really hard is not having her here.'

Sarah gave her a hug, then, leaning back, said, 'You're so vulnerable just now. I'm afraid you're going to lose that tender heart to the first man you meet with a killer smile.'

'Chance would be a fine thing,' she said. 'Getting a life is going to have to wait a while. There's a ton of stuff to do here first. I've got to sort out Grandma's things. Find somewhere to live…'-the finance people had given her until the end of the month-'… and get a job.'

'Well, at least now you'll have some money behind you.'

'Yes…' Then, 'Thanks again for rushing to the rescue this morning.'

'Any time. Just scream.' Sarah grinned, hugged her again, and finally left.

Violet closed the door and leaned back on it for a moment. Much as she loved Sarah, it was a relief to be on her own for a moment, to be able to think.

Could it possibly be true? About the exotic Fatima being a princess? She'd dismissed the idea as nonsense when Sarah had asked her, but was it? Really?

The TV expert had said the knife could have belonged to a sheikh or sultan, and it was worth a great deal of money. So why had she kept it? Hidden it beneath the floorboards when, presumably, her jewellery-according to family legend-had been sold to fund the purchase of this house?