She picked up her handbag, checking her reflection one last time, and as she stared at the woman in the looking glass who looked every inch a lady, it dawned on her how bizarre the last few days had been. One moment she’d been feted by a member of the upper class in surroundings so grand they’d taken her breath away, and the next it had been the other end of the pendulum when she’d visited Ellie down by the docks in filth and squalor. And she? Where did she fit in? she asked herself. Nowhere. She knew Flo and the others, and probably Bridget too although she wouldn’t say so, thought she was an upstart, but surely you could aim to better yourself without having that tag applied? She would never deny her beginnings and she was proud of what she’d achieved thus far, but she wanted more. Much more. Not just her dress shop, although that would be a start, but she wanted to make a difference in the world somehow. But as to where she fitted in she just didn’t know any more and it was a strange feeling. There were times since Ellie had gone when she felt she was alone in a little boat in the middle of the vast ocean with no one to really care if she lived or died.

Oh, for goodness’ sake! Now the stare became a glare and she swung round, disgusted with herself for the brief pangs of self-pity. It was all this with Ellie that had depressed her, she told herself as she heard Mabel call her name, and no wonder, but she had to accept what she couldn’t change and hope for the best for her friend. And yes, it meant she was on her own, but there were worse things than that.

Mabel called again as she opened the bedroom door, and she looked down the stairs to see the landlady standing in the hall, beckoning her furiously. She was only halfway down when Mabel hissed, ‘It’s him, the brother. He’s just drawn up outside.’

‘What?’ Clarissa’s chauffeur would have been bad enough but Edward Forsythe again? Oh, the neighbours would just love this.

‘I thought she was sending her car?’

‘So did I.’

‘Well, it’s him.’ Mabel tucked her chin into her neck. ‘What are you gonna do?’

There was nothing she could do but brave it out. Ruby’s heart was racing but she took a deep intake of breath and said quietly, ‘He must be staying with Clarissa for a few days and probably fancied a run out in his car, that’s all.’

Mabel didn’t answer but her look said everything.

‘I can’t stop him coming, Mabel. I didn’t know, did I? Perhaps the chauffeur was busy.’