‘Hello, Ruby. I’m Nurse Downes and I was wondering if you’d like to come along to the dining room?’

Ruby shook her head, muttering sullenly, ‘I’m not hungry!’

The nurse stared at her worriedly. ‘But you must try to eat something or you’ll make yourself ill,’ she urged, then glancing across her shoulder as if to make sure they couldn’t be overheard she said in a lower voice, ‘And if you continue to refuse food, they’ll force-feed you.’

Ruby shrugged. She was in a defiant mood now. ‘They’ll be sorry if they try it.’

Nurse Downes bit on her lip before trying one more time. Ruby seemed nothing like the majority of the people who were admitted here and she almost felt sorry for her. ‘If I bring you a tray will you eat something in here?’

Again Ruby shook her head and turned her face away so with a sigh the nurse left, locking the door behind her. Outside, Ruby could hear the sound of shuffling footsteps and she guessed that the other patients, or at least those who were well enough, were being led to the dining room, wherever that was, for their lunch. Her stomach growled ominously and her mouth was so dry that she felt as if her tongue was swollen, but she was determined that nothing would pass her lips. Surely when they saw what lack of food was doing to her, they would be forced to release her? Turning to the wall she thought of Hermione, Miss Wood, Mrs B, Bill, Nell and Maddie, and the tears came once more.

*

It was late afternoon before anyone came to her again and this time when the door opened she found herself gazing at a man. Like the majority of the nurses she had seen he was a giant of a man, almost as broad as he was tall. He had a shock of ginger hair and a long beard and as he stood staring at her she felt as though a cold finger had run up her spine.

‘I’ve been told to take yer to the dinin’ room,’ he told her shortly as he advanced on her.

Ruby drew her knees into her chest and pressed herself into the corner. ‘I’m not hungry,’ she told him defiantly with her chin in the air. She was determined not to show him how afraid she was, although her stomach felt as if it was in knots.

‘In that case we’ll ’ave to encourage you to eat.’ His cold eyes bored into hers for a moment before he turned and left the room without so much as another word. Shortly after the key turned in the lock again and he reappeared with Nurse Keen who was carrying a tray.