‘You’re like a cat on hot bricks.’ Cook chuckled as she glanced towards her after lunch. Now that the family’s meal was over, she was relaxing by the fire with a glass of stout in her hand and her tabby cat curled on her lap. Betty had told Ruby that when Cook had first adopted the cat as a kitten the mistress had strongly objected to having it in the house, saying that she was allergic to animals. But Cook had gone to the master saying that she needed the animal to keep down the risk of rodents in the kitchen, and promising to restrict him to that room, and so he had given his permission to keep it. The staff all knew that Cook secretly adored the cat and they also knew that it was far too fat and spoilt to catch rodents, but even so he had become a favourite with everyone.

At last there was a tap at the door and there she was. Ruby hurried out to greet her with a broad smile on her face and Nell gave her a hug, asking, ‘So how are things, kid?’

Ruby’s face clouded as she shrugged. ‘Not too bad, although Miranda can be rather spiteful. But tell me all about how things are back at the house.’ She tucked her arm into Nell’s but before the girl could answer, they turned the corner of the house and Ruby’s face lit up as she saw Bill waiting there.

Nell chuckled. ‘We thought we’d come together an’ surprise you,’ she told her.

Bill self-consciously ruffled Ruby’s hair. ‘It’s nice to see you again, kid,’ he told her. ‘But where can we go to get outta this wind? It’s enough to slice you in two.’

‘There’s a park not far away with a bandstand, we could go there,’ Ruby suggested, leading the way.

The park was deserted and soon they were settled on the floor of the bandstand and although it was still bitterly cold at least they were sheltered from the wind.

‘How is your mum?’ Ruby asked Bill.

He shook his head. ‘Not good, to be honest. She’s got a hacking cough and she really needs to see a doctor but she won’t hear of it; says they’re too expensive.’

‘Well, I’ve got a little bit of money tucked away from when I left home, you’re welcome to that,’ Ruby offered kindly.

Bill shook his head again. ‘Thanks, but we’ll manage.’ He was fiercely independent and it went against the grain to take money from a girl, especially one as young as Ruby. ‘As long as I can keep Mom warm an’ fed an’ make enough to pay the rent we’ll be fine.’