‘There was a horse-drawn cab outside the bank on the corner when we passed a minute ago,’ she said huskily. ‘See if it’s still there, pay the driver anything he wants, and if it’s gone, get something else. Here, take my purse.’

Howard shook his head, turning as he said, ‘I’ve got money.’

Thanks to her conversation with Clarissa, Ruby knew what to do to separate mother and child, and after Daisy had fetched a pair of scissors and a clothes peg, they did the necessary and then stripped Ellie of her nightclothes and dragged the filthy sheet from under her, pulling a clean nightie over her blood-caked body and wrapping her cocoon fashion in a fresh sheet. Ellie seemed unaware of what was happening and although still moaning was a little quieter, but already blood was seeping through the sheet.

Sick with fear, Ruby kept up a steady stream of reassurance as they pulled a thick eiderdown round Ellie, but she doubted if her friend could hear her. She herself was now smeared with Ellie’s blood as was Daisy, and as they heard Howard running up the stairs, they both sagged with relief.

Howard came panting into the room. ‘I caught the cabby an’ explained what was what. He wasn’t too keen to have her in his cab at first but I gave him five bob on account and told him we’d pay whatever he asked if he gets us there.’

Ruby was glad of Howard as she and Daisy had tried to lift Ellie out of bed after they’d changed her clothes and they’d all nearly landed up on the floor. Howard simply bent down and lifted her, eiderdown and all, into his arms, carrying her out of the room behind Ruby. It was as Ruby reached the head of the stairs that Daniel walked in the front door.

He looked up at them, his face showing his surprise for a split second before he said, his eyes unblinking, ‘And where do you think you’re going?’

‘I’m taking Ellie to hospital.’ Funnily enough, now he was here the fear of him had fled and all she felt was a rage that had her wanting to tear him limb from limb. If she’d had a weapon in her hand she would have used it without compunction and relished doing so.

His gaze moved to Howard behind her. ‘Take her back to her room,’ he said softly. ‘I’ll deal with you later. And as for you, my fine lady, I told you what I’d do next time you poked your nose in my business.’

‘She’s going to hospital.’ Far from being cowed, Ruby began to walk down the stairs, praying that Howard and Daisy would follow. If they stood by her she could still get Ellie out.