It was Ruby who answered. ‘We went to this huge market.’ Her face was animated at all the things she had seen. ‘And we looked in lots of jewellery shops and Maddie told me the names of all the different stones.’ She stared at Maddie with a look bordering on adoration. She had no idea why Maddie was being so kind; no one apart from her mother had ever been this nice to her. She began to open some of the parcels to show off her new clothes to Mrs Petty. There was everything she could have wished for. A beautiful navy-blue coat with a matching bonnet and little leather button-up boots, the sort she had only ever seen the nobs wear. Petticoats, underwear, nightclothes and two new dresses, one in a fine wool and the other in velvet that Maddie had said would be perfect for wearing at Christmas. Maddie had even bought her matching ribbons to wear with them, which Ruby secretly thought were rather childish, but all in all it had been a wonderful day. ‘An’ we went in a coffee house an’ had tea an’ fancy cakes,’ Ruby rushed on. She had never been in such a place in her life before and had loved every minute of being waited on.

‘I just hope you left room fer your dinner?’ Mrs Petty grinned as the girl’s head nodded vigorously.

At that moment Nell entered the room and stared at the numerous boxes, bags and clothes that were strewn about the place.

‘Crikey, someone’s been busy,’ she remarked.

She herself was dressed now and seeing this, Maddie asked with concern, ‘Are you quite sure you’re up to working tonight, Nell? That lip and your eye are still very swollen. Perhaps you should stay in this evening?’

‘I shall be fine.’ Nell gave a nonchalant shrug. Crossing the room, she lifted Ruby’s new velvet dress and stroked the fabric reverently. ‘Looks like someone’s been spoilt.’

Ruby nodded; like Nell she too wondered why Maddie was being so good to her, not that she was complaining.

‘So, will you be entertainin’ tonight?’ Mrs Petty asked Maddie.

‘Yes, yes I will, so I was hoping perhaps you could help to keep Ruby entertained?’ Maddie suggested and Mrs Petty nodded. After glancing at the clock, Maddie took a gulp of her tea almost scalding her mouth before rising hastily. ‘In that case I’m going to go up and have a bath before getting ready.’ And with that she tripped away as Mrs Petty carried Ruby’s dinner to the table.

‘It might be a bit dried up ’cause I’ve been keepin’ it warm in the oven,’ she warned.

Nell had already had hers and she shook her head at Ruby. ‘Don’t take no notice o’ that, Petty’s dinners are always bostin’.’