Victoria was in bed when the doorbell rang.

She got out of bed and put on her dressing gown. Then, because they couldn't afford a proper light, she took a candle downstairs to help her light the way. The stairs creaked under her bare feet as she walked.

A policeman was standing on the doorstep.

"Are you Victoria Mint?" he asked brusquely.

"Yes," replied Victoria, "why do you ask?"

"Because there has been a tragic carriage accident," he replied self-importantly, "and your dear mother and father are, sadly, deceased."

"No," gasped Victoria.

"Yes," replied the policeman.

"But it can't be!"

"It can," replied the policeman, "and I do sincerely apologise to be the bearer of such bad tidings."

"Come in for a cup of tea," Victoria pleaded, but the policeman waved his hand.

"I'd better be getting on," he sighed. "I have a lot of paperwork to do, down at the station. I am sure some of your other relatives will pop by in a couple of days to decide what happens to the house and where you are going to live."

Oh no! thought Victoria. What would happen to her now?

Having a poor, beaten-up old house with no proper lights and cobwebs on the ceiling... it was far better than not having a home at all!

And she didn't have any other relatives. Or did she?