Ruby felt tears come to her eyes. ‘I’m sorry too,’ she said quietly. ‘You were so kind to me, taking me in like that when I was in such a bad situation . . . You can’t even know how desperate I was . . .’

Maddie put a gentle finger to Ruby’s lips. ‘Shh. Don’t say any more. I know very well what you were running from, and it just makes me feel more guilty. Can you forgive me?’

Ruby smiled through her tears. ‘Of course I can. I would have died if it wasn’t for you.’

Maddie shook her head. ‘Oh, I think you’d have managed. You’re stronger than you think, you know. But enough of that, let’s talk about something else.’

Maddie began to tell her a funny story about an argument Mrs Petty and Nell had had the night before, and soon they were chatting like old friends and when Nell joined them, carrying a tray loaded with tea and treats from Cook, it almost felt to Ruby as though they were having a tea party.

*

Later that evening, there was a tap on her door and Miss Wood entered the room with Mr Pembroke beside her.

He smiled. ‘I think I may have some good news for you, my dear. Now that Miranda is no longer here, I think I’ve managed to find you another position with my aunt. She’s retired and gets quite lonely so she’s agreed to take you on as her companion. I’m sure you’ll get along. If you want the position, that is?’

‘I, er . . .’ Ruby didn’t know what to say. There had been so many changes in her life recently but then she supposed that at least this would give her somewhere to go. Secretly she’d been hoping that Maddie would ask her to come back and live with her. But as she hadn’t, it seemed she had no choice but to go along with Mr Pembroke’s suggestion. ‘Th-thank you, sir.’ It sounded rather inadequate but what else could she say? She had known there would be nothing here for her to do and at least by accepting this post she would have a job and a roof over her head. And anything was better than having to go back to her father. She shuddered at the thought.

‘Excellent!’ Mr Pembroke looked pleased. ‘It won’t be for some time, of course. We need to get you properly well first,’ he reassured her.