‘Still refusin’ to eat, are yer?’ she chirped cheerfully as she slapped the tray on the end of the bed. ‘Then we’ll ’ave to help yer, won’t we? Go ahead, Bernard.’

The man advanced on her and before she knew what was happening, he had her standing with her hands clasped to her sides and her feet dangling inches above the floor. ‘Carry on then, Marge,’ he chuckled. ‘I reckon she’s just realised she wants her dinner after all.’

‘I do no—’ But before she could finish what she was going to say, Nurse Keen had gripped her nostrils together and Ruby’s mouth automatically opened so that she could breathe. Instantly with her other hand Nurse Keen tipped a spoonful of what tasted like very unappetising watery stew into her mouth and pushed her chin up so that she either swallowed or choked. Some of the disgusting stuff splashed out of her mouth and down her drab gown but she had no time to protest and get her breath back before the process was repeated. This went on until the dish was empty and then the nurse stood back and rubbed her hands together.

‘There, now that weren’t so bad, were it?’ she chortled as if she had told some brilliant joke. ‘Now yer can either behave yerself an’ join the others in the dinin’ room at mealtimes or we can go through that every time. What’s it to be, eh?’

Humiliated, Ruby lowered her head as the enormous man released her and she sagged back onto the bed. ‘I-I’ll eat in the dining room.’

The nurse nodded with satisfaction. ‘Good! I thought yer would. Come on, Bernard!’

Once they had left the room, despair washed through her and Ruby rushed across to the bucket in the corner and vomited back everything they had forced down her. But then she dried her eyes and her chin came up again as her hand rose to stroke her cropped hair. Hermione or Maddie would come looking for her when she didn’t come home, she was sure of it. They had to because the prospect of being left here in this godforsaken place was unthinkable.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Six

As Oscar helped Serena down from the cab outside his aunt’s home the following morning, her heart was hammering. They had come with important news for Hermione and Ruby and she was wondering how they were both going to receive it.

Sensing her nervousness, Oscar paid the cabbie and squeezed her hand as he tucked it into his arm. ‘It’ll be all right, darling,’ he told her reassuringly. ‘I’m sure they’ll both be pleased.’