‘You don’t get them in here.’ Dilys chuckled. ‘Some of the poor devils would harm themselves if they were given a knife, or worse still they’d stab someone else.’

Ruby shuddered and stared down in dismay at the glutin-ous mess on her plate. The sausages were so shrivelled and over-cooked that she was sure she could have soled shoes with them, and the potatoes were greasy and lumpy.

‘I know it’s not very appetising but try to eat up,’ Dilys whispered encouragingly. ‘You’ll only get into bother if you don’t and you need to keep your strength up and your wits about you in here.’

And so Ruby forced some of the food down her throat, trying not to look at it as she lifted the spoon to her mouth and chewed. It tasted as awful as it looked but she was surprised to find that she did feel slightly better with something inside her. Some of the other patients were snatching at the food with their fingers and ramming it into their mouths making disgusting noises as they did so and Ruby tried not to look. Suddenly she found herself thinking of the lovely meals Mrs Petty and Mrs B had cooked for her and tears sprang to her eyes again. She seemed to have done little but cry since being left here and more than once she had convinced herself she had no tears left but then once again they would start. Still, at least now she had met Dilys she felt a little better and hoped that she had found at least one ally in this dreadful place.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Seven

‘Right, Carter, look sharp, girl!’

Nurse Keen’s voice roused her from an unsettled sleep early the next morning and Ruby peered towards her blearily.

‘It’s time to use the washroom, follow me!’

Knowing better than to disobey, Ruby reluctantly trooped along the corridor behind her. She had taken heed of what Dilys had said and had decided that she would try to be good. That was until they reached the bathroom where the nurse pushed her inside and turned the key in the lock.

‘Strip off,’ she ordered.

Ruby gulped. Surely she should be allowed a little privacy for washing at least? But she did as she was told, keeping her eyes averted from the nurse as colour burnt into her cheeks. Her body was covered in faint bruises from where the disgusting leeches had lain on her the day before and as she looked down at them, she had to swallow to stop herself from being sick as she remembered the slimy feel of them on her skin.

‘Use that bowl there, I’ve put a towel an’ some soap ready,’ Nurse Keen barked.

Ruby began to wash when suddenly the rag she was using was snatched from her hand. Glancing up at Nurse Keen she saw there was a strange gleam in her eyes.