His eyes narrowed. ‘The hell she is. She’ll be right as rain in a day or two and I’m not having no doctor asking questions about this and that.’

She had reached the hall and he was between her and the front door, which was slightly ajar. Howard was behind her and Daisy now moved up to stand at the side of her. Their combined attitude of defiance wasn’t what Daniel had expected, Ruby could tell that, but neither was he giving way. Ellie was quieter than she had been – whether she was unconscious or not Ruby didn’t know – but then she gave one of the animal-like moans and Ruby didn’t hesitate. Walking up to Daniel, her voice almost a growl, she said, ‘Get out of my way, you Devil in hell.’

His answer was to raise his hand and slap her so hard across the face that she catapulted into Daisy and then slammed hard against the wall. She didn’t have to think about what to do next. She launched herself at him, swinging her handbag wildly so it hit him full in the face, and suddenly it was Daniel screaming. He clutched at his eye, blood spurting between his fingers. Ruby realized the metal clasp must have caught him. She’d cut her finger on it only the other day, but as he stumbled towards the kitchen it was their chance to escape. Once outside, she bundled Howard and Ellie into the cab, she and Daisy climbing in after them, and the cab driver needed no encouragement to be off. They were halfway down the street when Daniel emerged with a roar from the house, clutching a bloody towel to his face and shouting and swearing at the cab driver to stop.

Ruby instructed the cabby to drive straight to the workhouse where the hospital was situated. Five years previously the administration for the infirmary was separated from the rest of the workhouse and the infirmary’s name was changed to the Wingrove Hospital, and it was now an efficient and well-run building within the workhouse. Once they’d arrived, the fact that Ruby held a position of authority at the workhouse enabled her to cut through the normal red tape involved with admissions, and when Matron Henderson was called by the officer in charge she aided Ruby in this, whilst making it clear she thoroughly disapproved of Ellie’s circumstances.

The chief gynaecologist was called in, and he operated on Ellie within an hour of them arriving at the hospital. Once Ellie was back on the ward and heavily sedated, he didn’t mince words with Ruby who had obtained special permission from Matron Henderson to remain sitting by Ellie’s bed.

‘She’s been butchered,’ he said grimly. ‘I’ve done all I can but she’s very ill indeed. You’re her friend, I understand? Do you have any idea who’s done this to her?’