‘Oh no, really, this is lovely,’ Ruby assured her quickly, not wanting to put her to any trouble. It was by far the prettiest room she had ever seen.

‘In that case I’ll leave you to it an’ let you get some shut-eye.’ The woman moved to the door where she suddenly paused and, turning, she asked, ‘When is your birthday, bab?’

Ruby thought it was quite a strange question to ask but answered, ‘I’ve just had it, I was fifteen on the fifteenth of December.’

The woman nodded and left without another word, and once she was alone Ruby sorted through her meagre bundle for her nightgown. She’d had it so long that it barely fitted her anymore. Her mother had made it for her some two years before and as Ruby thought back to her mother lovingly stitching it by the light of the oil lamp, a lump came to her throat again, but she pushed the thoughts away and hurriedly changed and clambered in between the cold linen sheets. Only then did she allow herself to recall the terrible thing her father had done to her and when she finally fell into a fitful sleep her cheeks were wet with tears. She had no idea what was going to happen to her now, but she knew that after what had happened that night she could never go back home again.

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

A tap at the door startled Ruby awake the next morning and for a moment she lay disorientated as she found herself in strange surroundings. But then the events of the previous night flooded back and she sat up just as Nell poked her head round the door.

‘Mornin’.’ She gave her a friendly smile. ‘I didn’t wake yer, did I? I’ve brought you a cup o’ tea, look.’ Crossing to the small table at the side of the bed she placed the cup and saucer down before going to the window and throwing the curtains back, allowing the cold grey light to creep into the room. ‘Bloody snow’s still comin’ down thick an’ fast,’ she grumbled as Ruby watched her cautiously.

Just as Mrs Petty had forecast the poor girl had a black eye this morning and her lip was even more swollen now than it had been the night before.

‘So, how did yer sleep then?’

Ruby gave her a weak smile. ‘Very well, thank you, but I’m sorry if I’ve put yer to any trouble. Have I overlaid?’

Ruby grinned as she perched her backside on the edge of the bed. ‘Not really. It’s only just gone nine o’clock.’

‘Nine!’ Ruby was horrified. She was usually up at four lighting the ovens ready for her father to come down. ‘I-I’m so sorry. I don’t usually lie in this late.’