Hurrying across to the Christmas tree she collected an armful of gaily wrapped presents that had been placed beneath it and started to hand them round. For Nell there was a pretty scarf and mittens that Mrs Petty had knitted herself, and for Ruby she had bought a selection of gaily coloured ribbons for her hair, which made Ruby blush uncomfortably.

‘I’m afraid I didn’t manage to get any presents for anyone.’

Mrs Petty waved her hand airily as Maddie opened her gift. ‘Think nothin’ of it, me little wench. We didn’t expect you to.’

‘Oh, Petty, this is beautiful,’ Maddie exclaimed as she opened a fringed silk shawl in a beautiful shade of blue. ‘You really shouldn’t have. This must have been so expensive.’

‘Well, it ain’t as if I’ve got anyone else to spend me money on, is it?’ Mrs Petty beamed as she watched Maddie wrap the shawl about her shoulders and stroke the fine fabric. It was Maddie’s turn then and she too had bought each of them a gift, as had Nell, which made Ruby feel even worse.

‘I shall buy you all something when I get a job,’ she promised.

‘We’ll have no more talk of working today,’ Maddie scolded gently. ‘And, Petty, leave the pots, they can wait till later. I think we should all sit by the fire and put our feet up for an hour now while that delicious dinner goes down.’

Only too happy to oblige, Mrs Petty went and sat down in the fireside chair and in no time at all her gentle snores made them all smile.

‘I’m going to clear the table and do the washing-up,’ Ruby declared softly. ‘I’ve got to do something to earn my keep.’

‘Will you stop talking about work! As it happens, I do have a job in mind for you but we’ll talk about it after the holidays,’ Maddie said, exchanging a conspiratorial glance with Nell.

Ruby was intrigued as she wondered what Maddie was planning for her but she suppressed her curiosity and began to carry the dirty pots to the kitchen.

At teatime they dined on cold meat, cheeses and pickles, mince pies and Christmas cake and afterwards, Maddie and Mrs Petty settled down to a game of chess while Nell went to her room and Ruby started the new book that Maddie had bought for her. It was Black Beauty and within minutes she was lost in the story; so much so that she was shocked when Maddie said, ‘I think it’s time you were tucked up in bed, Ruby.’

Ruby scowled. ‘Actually, I’m not a little girl. I’m fifteen.’

‘Oh yes, of course you are.’ Maddie smiled at her. ‘Do forgive me, it’s just that you’re so small I forget your age.’