‘Hm, well happen I have something to tell you that might take your mind off things,’ Hermione said. ‘I was going to tell you before but thought I’d keep the surprise until after Christmas.’

‘Oh?’ Ruby was intrigued.

Hermione chuckled. ‘The thing is, your designs aren’t just selling well in the Birmingham shop. Oscar sent some of the pieces you had designed to the London shop in Oxford Street and they’ve sold very well there too, so he asked me if you might like to visit there with him.’

‘What? Me . . . go to London!’ Ruby was stunned and thrilled at the same time. She had always longed to see the capital and now it looked as if she was about to. ‘Why, I’d love to go!’

‘Good.’ Hermione nodded setting the feathers on her hat dancing. ‘We will let Oscar know and he can decide when it’s to be.’ And with that she turned her attention back to the scenery passing the window, leaving Ruby with a happy feeling in the pit of her stomach as she thought of the adventure ahead of her.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

‘Oscar was thinking the beginning of February for the visit to London. Does that suit?’ Hermione asked one morning at breakfast.

‘Oh yes, I can hardly wait.’ Ruby’s eyes shone with excitement at the thought of it. She had always wanted to visit London, although while she had lived with her adopted parents, she had never dreamed there would be a chance of it happening. But now thanks to Hermione and Mr Pembroke she felt as if a whole new chapter of her life was opening up and she was loving it. Throughout the month Hermione had bought her more clothes that she insisted she would need for the forthcoming trip and now Ruby could scarcely wait to wear them.

‘Where will we be staying?’ she asked as Hermione dabbed at her mouth with a snow-white linen napkin.

‘With Mr Chatsworth, I believe, the manager of the shop in London. He and his wife are great friends of Oscar’s.’

‘And . . . are they very grand?’ Ruby asked hesitantly.

‘I don’t know about grand, but he’s an excellent goldsmith. And even if they are grand, what does it matter? Just remember you are as good as them and hold your head up and do me proud, girl.’

‘I’ll do my very best.’

Hermione nodded approvingly. ‘Good, one can ask for no more. Now if you’ve finished your meal, I think we should get back to work. The design for the diamond ring is almost done, isn’t it?’