Ruby gave out the gifts she had bought them first. There were crisp white linen handkerchiefs for the two Mr Pembrokes with their initials embroidered on them, which they were delighted with, and scented soap and bath salts for Hermione.

Eventually it came to Ruby’s turn to open her gifts and she flushed as she unwrapped a delicate gold locket set with a ruby on a slender gold chain from Mr Pembroke.

‘Oh!’ She was so taken aback she hardly knew what to say. It was clearly a very expensive piece of jewellery and suddenly she was embarrassed. ‘I-i-it’s beautiful, thank you . . . but you really shouldn’t have.’

‘Nonsense,’ he said, clearly thrilled to see how much she loved it. Then it was Hermione’s turn to give her a gift.

Once again it was in a tiny velvet box and when Ruby opened the lid she gasped. Inside, nestling in a bed of silk, was a ring set with the most beautiful ruby she had ever seen. ‘B-but isn’t this the stone you had in your safe?’ she stammered. ‘The one I admired some time ago?’

Hermione nodded. ‘It certainly is, do you like it?’

‘Like it!’ Ruby could only shake her head, for words failed her. The oval stone had been set into a rose-gold mount with no adornment whatsoever and yet it was the sheer simpli-city of the style that made it so stunning. Eventually she said chokily, ‘It’s just beautiful. Thank you so much. I shall never take it off.’ And with that she put it on her finger, turning her hand this way and that as she admired the way the light played on the stone.

Hermione looked pleased at her reaction. ‘Good! I thought it was quite apt. A rare ruby for Ruby, and it’ll go well with the pendant Oscar gave you.’

Ruby nodded in agreement as she fastened the pendant about her neck.

Miss Wood, who had been asked to join them, handed Ruby her gift then, saying, ‘I’m afraid my present isn’t quite as grand as theirs, but I hope you’ll like it, dear. I had it made for you.’

It was in a large box and Ruby felt her hands shaking as she untied the string and lifted the lid. Once again she gasped as she took out a lovely gown made of sea-green satin trimmed with lace. It was the sort of gown she had only ever dreamed of owning, although her practical mind was wondering when she might ever get the chance to wear it.

‘I . . . I really don’t know what to say,’ she said in a wobbly voice. ‘You’ve all been so kind to me . . . thank you.’

‘No more than you deserve,’ Hermione said shortly. She was never comfortable around shows of affection. ‘Now ring that bell and get Betty to bring us some coffee, would you? My mouth is as dry as a bone.’