i left work at noon-had preparations to make-so i have n't seen her since lunch . `` i 'm always at your service , my lady . '' nick was polite , but not friendly . i ask you , as his daughter , do not leave me here . but they 'd arrived , and it could only be an island . the phone rang on the lower floors a couple of times , and once it rang up on our floor , but it was only mum wanting to know how i was . 