Ruby didn’t bother to answer. She knew there would be no point, so she merely went to the bed and got Miranda’s clothes ready for her.

*

It was at lunchtime when she heard Miss Wood talking to Cook in the kitchen and her ears pricked up.

‘We have to find a new gardener-cum-handyman-cum-groom and quickly. Robert left yesterday without giving any notice and now that everything is growing again the gardens will be in a state in no time if we don’t find someone quickly. The horses won’t look after themselves neither. Mr Pembroke is seein’ to them for the time bein’.’

‘I think I know someone who might be able to help,’ Ruby piped up before she could stop herself. ‘My friend Bill is looking for regular work and I’m sure he’d do a good job.’

‘Really?’ Miss Wood stared at her thoughtfully. ‘And where does this friend of yours live?’

‘I’m not sure exactly but Mrs Petty is coming to see me tomorrow and she could get word to him.’

‘Very well, ask her to tell him to call and see me and we’ll see if he’s suitable.’

Ruby’s heart gave a little flutter of excitement. She knew how hard Bill had been trying to find any sort of job that would enable him to look after his mother, and she was sure he’d jump at the chance of a permanent position. Suddenly she could hardly wait to see Mrs Petty the next day.

When Mrs Petty and Nell arrived the following afternoon, they both thought Ruby’s idea was a brilliant one.

‘Not that I think he’ll have his mother to worry about fer much longer, she’s in a right bad way,’ Mrs Petty said sadly. ‘But anyway, we’ll make sure he gets the message, won’t we, Nell?’

After that, all Ruby could do was keep her fingers crossed, excited at the thought that she might be able to get to know Bill a bit better. Though she’d only met him on a few occasions, whenever she saw him, life always seemed that little bit brighter.

It was almost a week later when Bill presented himself at the back door for his interview with Miss Wood, and as she stepped out into the yard to greet him, one look at his face told Ruby that something was wrong.

‘Me mom passed away late last Sunday night,’ he told her solemnly, his eyes bright with unshed tears. ‘An’ I buried her yesterday so I’ve nothin’ to go backwards an’ forwards for now, an’ I was wonderin’ if I got the position here if Miss Wood would let me live in.’

‘I don’t see why not. Robert had a room above the stables. But I’m so sorry about your mum, Bill.’