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Chapters (56)
  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. Prologue
  4. Chapter One
  5. Chapter Two
  6. Chapter Three
  7. Chapter Four
  8. Chapter Five
  9. Chapter Six
  10. Chapter Seven
  11. Chapter Eight
  12. Chapter Nine
  13. Chapter Ten
  14. Chapter Eleven
  15. Chapter Twelve
  16. Chapter Thirteen
  17. Chapter Fourteen
  18. Chapter Fifteen
  19. Chapter Sixteen
  20. Chapter Seventeen
  21. Chapter Eighteen
  22. Chapter Nineteen
  23. Chapter Twenty
  24. Chapter Twenty-One
  25. Chapter Twenty-Two
  26. Chapter Twenty-Three
  27. Chapter Twenty-Four
  28. Chapter Twenty-Five
  29. Chapter Twenty-Six
  30. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  31. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  32. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  33. Chapter Thirty
  34. Chapter Thirty-One
  35. Chapter Thirty-Two
  36. Chapter Thirty-Three
  37. Chapter Thirty-Four
  38. Chapter Thirty-Five
  39. Chapter Thirty-Six
  40. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  41. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  42. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  43. Chapter Forty
  44. Chapter Forty-One
  45. Chapter Forty-Two
  46. Epilogue
  47. Acknowledgements
  48. Also by Rosie Goodwin
  49. About the Author
  50. Welcome to the world of Rosie Goodwin!
  51. Letter from Author
  52. Apple Charlotte
  53. The Precious Stones series
  54. The Days of the Week Collection
  55. Victorian Tales from Memory Lane
  56. Memory Lane Club

As the two girls obediently followed her along the hallway, Nell glanced at the new wool dress that Ruby was wearing and Ruby felt herself blushing. The dress was calf length with a number of frilled petticoats and she was wearing thick woollen tights beneath it. To her mind the style was more suited to an eight- to ten-year-old, but even so it was the finest she had ever owned and she didn’t wish to appear ungrateful. It was in a soft blue colour that matched her eyes and she had tied her riot of red hair back with a matching ribbon.

‘Looks like Maddie’s been treating you.’ Ruby detected a note of jealousy in Nell’s voice and flushed. Thankfully they entered the kitchen then and Mrs Petty ushered them both to the table so she was saved from having to respond.

‘So how long will you be staying?’ They had almost finished their meal before Nell spoke again and Ruby was unsure what to answer.

‘I, er. . . ain’t sure, to be honest.’

‘That’s none o’ your business,’ Mrs Petty scolded as she carried dishes of jam roly-poly covered in thick creamy custard to the table. Nell frowned as she lifted her spoon but didn’t say any more.

Immediately after she had finished, Nell left the table and Mrs Petty told Ruby, ‘Don’t get takin’ no notice o’ Nell. She’s harmless but I reckon she’s feelin’ a bit put out ’cause she ain’t got Maddie all to herself now. But don’t worry, she’ll come round.’

‘She did have a point, though. How long will I be stayin’? I can’t expect Maddie to spend money on me an’ rig me up for nothing. I should be earnin’ me keep.’

‘No doubt she’ll have somethin’ in mind for you.’ Mrs Petty smiled as she carried the dirty dishes to the sink and plunged them into a bowl of hot water to let them soak. ‘An’ if yer so keen on helpin’, yer can start by washin’ these pots up while I put me feet up wi’ a nice cup o’ tea for half an hour.’

Ruby was only too willing to oblige but as she scoured the pots she frowned. Nell had made her think. How long did Maddie intend to keep her there and where was she to go when she was no longer welcome? It was a frightening thought.

Chapter Five

Chapter Five