‘Widespread ignorance about sexual matters is a huge national hazard,’ Clarissa had stated without a trace of embarrassment, ‘and some married women don’t know how a baby is born even when well into their first pregnancy. It’s a disgrace. Most women have no idea they can take measures to prevent conception, and many men can’t be shaken from the belief that any form of contraception leads to sterility. I mean, French letters were distributed to soldiers in the war to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases – what’s wrong with using them in peace time? Of course, the fact that a packet of ten costs ten shillings could have something to do with it for the poor. Lady Russell believes they should be free if necessary. How else are we going to stop unwanted pregnancies or tragedies like the poor girl you mentioned?’

When Ruby had confessed that she had no idea what French letters were or what was involved in the birth of a baby, it had led to a frank and revealing conversation that had opened her eyes good and proper about many things she’d hitherto only had a vague idea about.

Now, armed with that knowledge and the realization that Daniel clearly hadn’t seen fit to protect Ellie in any way from getting pregnant by one of her customers, either with one of the Dutch caps that Clarissa had told her about or by providing French letters for the men to use, Ruby was angrier than she had ever been.

Leaving Bridget staring anxiously after them, Ruby and Daisy hurried away to catch a tram, which thankfully arrived just as they reached the tram stop. They didn’t talk much during the journey – there wasn’t much to say after all – but Daisy sat biting at her nails and giving little worried glances every minute or so as though Daniel was going to appear out of thin air.

It was as they left the vehicle and sped off towards Lombard Street that Ruby said, ‘Why didn’t she leave him and come to me, Daisy, when she knew she was pregnant? I could have helped her, she must have known I’d do anything for her.’

‘She was frightened for you, lass.’ Daisy shook her head. ‘You’ve got no idea what Dan’s capable of – he’s a devil, I tell you straight. Howard got mixed up with him before he knew what Dan was really like and then he was too scared to leave, and he’s a bloke, not like Ellie. I said to Ellie to come to you but she said she couldn’t let anything happen to you because of her. She – she thinks the world of you, lass.’