Ruby took Miranda’s coat and hung it up for her as she removed her hat. ‘Yes, Hermione is keen for me to know the whole process of jewellery-making and I’m really enjoying it. Your aunt is in the sitting room. She’s got a bit of a chill, unfortunately, so she isn’t working today. Can I fetch you some tea?’

‘That would be lovely.’ As Miranda made for the sitting room Ruby bit her lip and headed for the kitchen. Miranda was still being nice to her and yet for some reason Ruby still didn’t completely trust her.

She found Mrs B rolling pastry for a steak and kidney pie and when she told her that Miranda had arrived the woman frowned.

‘I’ve never known her visit so much; I wonder what she’s after?’ Mrs B said thoughtfully. It seemed that Ruby wasn’t the only one who had doubts about her.

Ruby loaded a tray and carried it through to the sitting room. But when she made to leave, Miranda said, ‘Oh, aren’t you going to join us, Ruby? I haven’t seen you since the summer. It’s so hard being away from home.’ She pouted. ‘Although I don’t really know where home is at present. I’m neither living at my grandparents nor at my father’s full-time.’

‘I would have thought you’d stay with your mother when you aren’t at school,’ Hermione said bluntly as Ruby reluctantly took a seat and began to pour the tea.

‘Oh, I would to, but Mother is hardly ever there.’ Miranda frowned. ‘She’s always off out with Lord Chumley somewhere and never seems to have any time for me. But then she never did. And Grandmama and Grandpapa are always so busy . . .’

If she had expected sympathy, she was sorely disappointed when Hermione ignored the remarks and asked, ‘And how is your schooling going?’

Miranda shrugged her plump shoulders. ‘Much the same. It’s quite boring actually. The chateau is so far out in the hills that it’s almost impossible to get to the nearest town so it’s like being in a prison for most of the time, and I still have almost another year to do there . . . unless . . . Well actually, I was wondering if perhaps I couldn’t come and stay here with you, Aunt Hermione?’

Ruby held her breath. Despite the fact that Miranda was being nice to her now she still didn’t fancy having to live under the same roof as her again. But she needn’t have worried, for Hermione raised an eyebrow and snorted, ‘There’s no chance of that happening, m’dear. Mrs B has enough to do looking after me, although I must admit Ruby is a great help to her. No, there’s more than enough bodies in this house as it is.’