‘I know what you’re thinkin’ – that I’m a gannet.’ Nell grinned. ‘I reckon it comes from the days afore Maddie took me under her wing an’ I never knew where the next meal were comin’ from. I should be the size of a house by now but I reckon I must just be skinny by nature.’

‘Not like me.’ Maddie chuckled. ‘I only have to look at anything sweet to put weight on. But I have to say, Ruby, you’re looking very well and happy.’ She was still feeling guilty about the things she had made Ruby do during the short time she had lived with her.

‘I am very happy here,’ Ruby admitted. ‘I’m well looked after and I’m learning a trade that I enjoy.’ Then as something suddenly occurred to her, she asked, ‘But it was Mrs Petty who took me to live with Mr Pembroke . . . How did she know him?’ Could it be that he was Maddie’s secret gentleman caller? she wondered.

Maddie threw back her head and laughed. ‘She didn’t know Mr Pembroke, at least not all that well,’ she told her. ‘But Serena Wood and I have been friends for many years and when she knew that you were unhapp—’ Her voice trailed away and she stared guiltily into her tea before confessing, ‘I shouldn’t have tried to draw you into my little circle of crooks, Ruby. I realise that now. Petty was against the idea from the day I took you home and when she realised how unhappy it was making you, she decided to see if Serena might find you a position in Mr Pembroke’s household. Luckily, she did and had it not been for that awful Miranda you might still be there. Still, things have worked out for you so all is well that ends well, isn’t it?’

Ruby gazed at her intently, willing her to go on. Surely this would be the perfect time for her to make her confession? But she was disappointed when the talk went on to other things, until eventually, she gave them a little tour of the garden, although as it was February, it was nowhere near as beautiful as it would be in a few months’ time.

‘This is where we grow the vegetables,’ she said proudly, pointing to the raised beds. ‘And that there is the rose garden. You should smell it in the summer first thing in the morning – it’s lovely. And those are apple and pear trees. Mrs B makes pies, jam and all manner of things with the fruit from them. And then this is the herb garden. Doesn’t it smell lovely.’