‘Yes, she did, and I’m afraid you’ve broken your leg. But the doctor has set it for you so it will mend in a few weeks’ time. Meantime, we’re going to look after you.’ She didn’t mention the baby, feeling it was more important to face one problem at a time. The door opened then and Betty appeared with a cup of cocoa for Miss Wood. When she saw that Ruby was awake, she let out a deep sigh of relief.

‘Crikey, kid. You had us worried for a while back there,’ she told Ruby gently as she smiled down at her. ‘How are you feelin’?’

‘Like I’ve been run over by a tram,’ Ruby told her as she tried to raise a smile. ‘But Miranda . . .’

‘Oh, you’ve no need to get worryin’ about her anymore. Her dad is shippin’ her off to France to a posh school for the foreseeable future. An’ good riddance, that’s what I say. What she’s done to you is unforgivable. I’m just thankful you didn’t break your neck. But why don’t you try an’ get some rest now? Me granny allus reckoned sleep were the best cure for all ills. An’ don’t fret, you won’t be on your own. Me an’ Miss Wood are goin’ to take it in turns to stay with you till you’re on the mend.’

‘First I want you to have some of this that the doctor left for you, it will help with the pain,’ Miss Wood told her kindly as she added some drops of medicine to the glass of water. Ruby dutifully sipped at it and soon her eyelids drooped and she was fast asleep again.

‘Thank goodness she came round. I was starting to get a little frightened,’ Miss Wood confided as she and Betty stood looking down at the patient.

‘Yes, and bein’ in here you’ve missed ructions.’ Betty shook her head. ‘The master an’ mistress have been goin’ at it hammer an’ tongs. We could hear ’em all over the house. She threatened to leave him an’ go back to her parents if he sent Miranda away an’ he actually stood up to her for once an’ told her to go ahead.’

‘Really?’ Miss Wood was surprised. Oscar usually gave in to his wife’s every whim but perhaps he had finally had enough of her selfish behaviour and the way she ruled the roost. ‘And do you think she’ll follow her threat through?’

Betty shrugged. ‘Who knows? But off the record I wish she would piss off! Ooh, beggin’ your pardon,’ she said with a guilty grin.

‘And what is Miranda doing?’