The door nudged open then and Mrs B appeared wheeling a tea trolley laden with wafer-thin cucumber sandwiches, an assortment of tiny tarts and fancies, a large sponge cake and a pot of tea.

‘There we are then, me lovelies,’ she said cheerfully. ‘That should fill you all up fer the time bein’. I’ll show you to your room when you’ve eaten, Ruby. I’ve got it all ready fer you an’ I think you’ll like it. It’s got a lovely view across the back garden. It’s lookin’ grand at the minute. Like gardenin’, do yer?’

Ruby had never had a garden and she didn’t quite know what to say. ‘I, erm . . . I’m sure I shall,’ she said eventually.

Mrs B nodded. ‘Good, well get that lot down you then.’ And with that she swept away, humming merrily to herself.

While Ruby and Miss Wood sat quietly, Ruby nervously nibbling at a cucumber sandwich, Mr Pembroke and his aunt discussed work. Eventually Mrs B came back and with a smile at Ruby asked, ‘Do yer want to come an’ see yer room, luvvie?’

‘I’ll come with you,’ Miss Wood volunteered and so the three of them followed the portly woman up the stairs.

As Mrs B had told her, the bedroom had a splendid view of the garden, which was much larger than Ruby had expected it to be and was divided into different sections. At the top of the garden were a selection of fruit trees and to the left a large vegetable plot. There was a lawned area surrounded by borders that were ablaze with roses and flowers all the colours of the rainbow and Ruby thought how beautiful it was. It was certainly a world away from the plain slabbed yard that had been her only playground when she was a child. The bedroom was pretty too, with a brass bed covered with a brightly coloured patchwork quilt and pretty chintz curtains hanging at the window.

‘So, do you think you’ll be comfortable in here?’ Mrs B asked.

Ruby nodded enthusiastically. ‘Oh yes, thank you, it’s very comfortable.’

‘Right, well I’ll leave you to put your things away then.’ Mrs B gave her an approving smile; she was looking forward to having someone young in the house. ‘Just come down when you’re ready.’

Once she had gone, Ruby began to unpack her few possessions from the small valise that Miss Wood had given her, but tears were threatening and she didn’t trust herself to speak.

Sensing that she was upset Miss Wood placed her arms about her slight shoulders and gave her a squeeze. ‘You’ll be fine,’ she said softly. ‘I’ve known Mr Pembroke’s aunt for many years and I promise you she is nowhere near as frosty as she appears.’