At the house, they found some of the staff sitting outside in the yard enjoying the last of the afternoon sunshine and while Bill stopped to chat to them, Ruby went inside to see if there was anything she could do to help Cook, and soon she was calling everyone inside for the evening meal.

They had barely finished their food when Ruby started yawning. ‘I reckon all that fresh air has made me tired. I might go up and get an early night.’

‘You do that, bab.’ Cook watched her go with a worried frown on her face. Miss Wood hadn’t managed to have a word with Ruby about her condition as yet but she couldn’t put it off for much longer, because if she wasn’t very much mistaken Ruby’s dress had looked uncomfortably tight about the waistband this evening. With a sigh she began to carry the dirty pots to the sink.

*

Early the next morning Ruby went into the kitchen and collected a jug of hot water for Miranda to wash with and when she tapped on the bedroom door and entered, she was surprised to find Miranda sitting up in bed waiting for her.

‘So, where did you go yesterday afternoon?’ she spat before Ruby had even had time to set the water down.

‘Why . . . I-I went for a walk in the park,’ Ruby stammered, not that she could see what it had to do with Miranda on her day off.

‘Who with?’ The words were fired at her like shots from a gun.

‘I went with my friend Nell and Bill came along.’

‘Oh did he now?’ Miranda’s lips curled back from her teeth in a feral snarl. ‘And don’t you know that my parents do not allow any hanky-panky between the servants under this roof? This is a respectable household!’

Ruby looked astounded. ‘But there wasn’t any hanky-panky! We simply went for a walk around the lake.’

‘Don’t give me that!’ Miranda shot out of bed and stood so close that Ruby could feel her breath on her cheek as she jabbed her sharply in the shoulder with her finger.

‘Ouch!’ Water spilled over the floor as Ruby hastily slapped the jug down and rubbed at her shoulder. ‘What did you do that for? I haven’t done anything wrong. Bill is my friend.’

‘Oh yes? Do you think I’m a fool! I’ve seen the way you look at him and make up to him, you little slut!’ Miranda was so angry that spittle was gathering at the corners of her mouth, and realising that she needed to be left alone to calm down, Ruby turned and made for the door.

‘Wh-where do you think you’re going when I’m speaking to you? Get back here now!’ Miranda roared.