The young nurse glanced fearfully over her shoulder and shook her head. ‘Believe me, I would if I could, Ruby,’ she whispered. ‘But there are things going on in here that you have no idea of. I’ve heard of other nurses who have tried to help patients and they’ve lived to regret it. It’s more than I dare to do, I’m so sorry. But come along, I’m sure Dilys will be waiting for you and I tell you what I can do – I’ll recommend that Dilys is moved into the room next to you. At least then you’ll be able to speak to each other through the door when no one is about.’

Ruby’s shoulders sagged but she nodded. Nurse Downes seemed almost as afraid of some of the nurses as the patients were, and although she was desperate to get out of there she didn’t want to get her into any trouble. ‘But will you at least tell me what the date is? I’ve lost track of time in here.’

‘It’s the twenty-seventh of July,’ the young nurse informed her as they approached the dining room and with a nod Ruby went to take a seat at the side of Dilys.

*

Shortly after lunchtime Hermione bustled into her nephew’s drawing room in Erdington and Oscar and Serena rose to greet her.

‘Have you come with news?’ Serena asked hopefully.

Hermione shook her head as she took the pin from the hat she was wearing and laid it on the back of a chair. ‘No, unfortunately not . . . but I’ve been racking my brains as to what might have happened to Ruby, because I still don’t believe for a single moment that she would have run away or stolen from me. And as I was lying in bed last night, something occurred to me . . .’ She stared at Oscar for a moment, knowing that what she was about to say might offend him, but she had never been one for holding her tongue. ‘The thing is, there might well be one other person who knew where I kept the key to the safe apart from me and Ruby.’

Serena sat forward in her chair, her eyes wide. ‘And who would that be?’

Hermione straightened her back. ‘As you know Miranda had taken to calling in to see Ruby. She had even promised her that she would help her try to find her mother, and on a few occasions when she called unexpectedly Ruby was busy at work in the workshop so I allowed Miranda to go in to her. Now, I know this is a long shot, but do you think it’s possible that during any of those times Ruby might have unwittingly put the key away in its hiding place, thus showing Miranda where it was kept?’

Oscar looked shocked. ‘But even if she had, what would this have to do with Ruby’s disappearance?’