‘I’m sorry to say this, Oscar, but it would have been very easy for Miranda to help herself to the jewels from the safe while Ruby was out of the room. I know for a fact that Ruby would often go to the kitchen to make them both a drink, which would have given Miranda the ideal opportunity to take the jewels and make it look like Ruby had taken them.’

Oscar began to pace up and down, clearly agitated. ‘But why would she do that? Miranda isn’t short of money and even if she had taken them that doesn’t explain Ruby’s disappearance.’

‘I quite agree, but perhaps we should take this one step at a time. We could start with searching Miranda’s room. Of course, I understand that if she had taken them, they could well be at her grandparents’ but I think it’s worth a try.’

‘I could search it while she is out,’ Serena offered. She was prepared to try anything.

With a deep sigh, Oscar nodded, feeling as if he was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. ‘Very well, although I am quite sure the search will prove to be fruitless. I know Miranda can be difficult but I really don’t think she would be capable of doing that.’

Hermione nodded towards Serena. ‘Then I suggest you give her room a thorough search at your earliest opportunity.’

Serena nodded, not daring to hope that they may be a step closer to discovering where Ruby was.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Thirty-Nine

‘Have you heard what’s happened?’ Dilys whispered as she and Ruby sat at supper the following evening.

Ruby shook her head, and keeping a watchful eye on the nurse who was on duty Dilys went on, ‘I heard two of the nurses talking outside my door earlier this afternoon.’ As yet Nurse Downes hadn’t managed to get permission for them to be in adjoining rooms, so they were still at opposite ends of the corridor. ‘Apparently Dr Pearse has had a massive heart attack and it doesn’t look likely that we’ll ever see him again. From what they were saying he was due to retire anyway. Do you realise what this will mean?’

Ruby gave her a blank look and shook her head again.

Dilys grinned and tutted. ‘Dr Pearse and the matron are the ones with all the rackets going on here and now they’ll have to bring another doctor in. Don’t you see? This might be her comeuppance time! I can’t see a good doctor going along with her schemes, can you?’

‘I suppose it all depends on who he is.’ Ruby didn’t dare allow herself to hope just yet, although she couldn’t pretend to feel sorry for Dr Pearse after the way he had treated her.