Mrs Cardew Trench

In the novel They Came to Baghdad, Mrs Cardew Trench is an English woman staying at the Tio Hotel in Baghdad at the time Victoria Jones arrived. She was a terrific gossip. Mrs Clayton later commented that Mrs Cardew Trench probably managed to turn Victoria inside out within fifteen minutes, like she did with everyone else.

As well as an inverterate talker, Mrs Cardew Trench also had all kinds of connections. She claimed to have met a relative of the noted explorer Sir Rupert Crofton Lee, whilst staying in Simla. Indeed, she almost blew Victoria's cover. Victoria had claimed to be a niece of the Bishop of "Llangow". Mrs Cardew Trenchhad retorted that this was nonsense as there was no such bishop. Victoria managed to rescue the situation by saying it ought to be "Bishop of Languao", in the Pacific Archipelago.

Nonetheless, Mrs Cardew Trench could be a useful resource when the right button is pressed, She gave Victoria useful background information about Dr Rathbone and directions to find his office at The Olive Branch. Later Mr Dakin himself told Victoria to ask Mrs Cardew Trench how to get to Basrah. She responded with her usual aplomb, recommending that she stay with the British consul, the Claytons. She even sent them a telegram and got them to send a car to meet Victoria at the railway station.