Arsenic for Tea

Arriving at Fallingford House, Daisy's home, from their Easter term at Deepdean, they enter the house in the middle of an argument between Lord and Lady Hastings (Daisy's parents). Other people staying in the house include Bertie (Daisy's brother), Stephen Bampton (Bertie's best friend), and Miss Alston (Daisy and Hazel's governess and secretary to Lord Hastings).

Daisy will turn 14 during the holidays, so a party is planned. The guests are: Denis Curtis, antiques dealer and guest of Lady Hastings; Felix Mountfitchet, Daisy's uncle and brother to Lady Hastings; Saskia Wells, aunt to Lord Hastings and great-aunt to Daisy; Katherine 'Kitty' Freebody; and Rebecca 'Beanie' Martineau, Daisy and Hazel's friends from Deepdean. Daisy then overhears Curtis say 'Ming' to himself at a pot before claiming at dinner that it was not Ming. He also claims various items in the house are worthless. Daisy, while playing a game of hide and seek, then tells Hazel that they are going downstairs to spy on Mr. Curtis, as she thinks he is highly suspicious. During their mission, they discover Uncle Felix speaking to Mr. Curtis and Uncle Felix greeting Miss Alston as if they know and dislike each other. Mr. Curtis then kisses Lady Hastings later that evening, upsetting Daisy. Bertie and Uncle Felix then burst in and yell at Mr. Curtis.