‘Hm.’ The woman stared at her thoughtfully for some minutes until they both heard the sound of the last train that night approaching. She seemed to make a decision and holding her hand out to Ruby she told her gently, ‘Then you must come along with me, my dear. I shall look after you and you will be quite safe, I assure you.’

Ruby hesitated as the train roared into the station belching smoke and steam that rose into the air and floated around the rafters of the station. But then she looked into the woman’s kindly eyes again and after wiping the tears from her cheeks she took her hand and allowed her to lead her to the train. After all, what could the woman possibly do to her that was worse than what her father had already done? she reasoned.

Minutes later, for the first time in her life, she found herself seated beside the fine lady in a railway carriage and as the train pulled away from Nuneaton, the place she had always known as home, she didn’t look back, not once. For better or for worse this would be the start of a new life for her. But one day, she promised herself, she would come back and try to find her real mother.

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

‘So where are we goin’, missus?’ Ruby asked tentatively as the train rocked along the tracks. For the first time she was wondering if she had done the right thing in coming with this stranger. Was her real mother somewhere back in Nuneaton? It seemed likely, but then for now she was just grateful not to be facing any more nights with nowhere to go. They were the only people in the carriage and beyond the window it was pitch black.

‘We are going to my home in Birmingham,’ the lady told her as she sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap. ‘Once we are there my housekeeper, Mrs Petty, will look after you.’

‘You ’ave a housekeeper?’ Ruby’s brilliant blue eyes stretched wide. ‘Yer must be very rich then.’

The woman laughed, a soft tinkling laugh that was almost musical. Ruby was totally under her spell now and couldn’t stop staring at her.

‘I wouldn’t say I was rich exactly, but I am very comfortable.’

‘But why are yer helpin’ me?’

Just for a second, she saw a look of sadness flit across the woman’s face before she said, ‘Let’s just say that I can’t bear to see anyone out in the cold. Now tell me, child, what is your name? And how old are you?’

‘Me name is Ruby an’ I’m just fifteen,’ Ruby informed her solemnly.

‘You’re very small for your age,’ the woman remarked. ‘In fact you’re so slight, you could be taken for nine or ten at the most.’