In the same instant that he spoke, Edward, who had been lying as though he was dead to the world, reached up and grabbed one of Daniel’s ankles, jerking him off balance. As Daniel fell virtually on top of him the two began to struggle, but dazed and weak as Edward was from the vicious blow to his head, it was an unequal fight. Even as Ruby darted forwards she saw Daniel get astride Edward who was on his back and plunge the knife into his chest.

Screaming at the top of her voice Ruby snatched up the stout iron poker from the hearth as Edward feebly tried to ward off the hand holding the knife, but Daniel stabbed him again before she brought the poker swinging in a wide arc with all her weight behind it. It caught Daniel on the side of his neck just above his shoulder, and as he gave an unearthly shriek and dropped the knife, she hit him again. He rolled to one side and began to crawl towards the door as she knelt beside Edward who was covered in blood and bleeding profusely. Rushing into the kitchen she grabbed a towel and stuffed it over the two stab wounds, telling Edward to press down on it as she ran to the window and opened it, yelling and screaming for help.

The next few hours were something of a blur.

It was only later she learned that several folk from the houses opposite had come hurrying into the street, one burly individual taking it upon himself to shoulder open the door of the shop and burst in. All Ruby was aware of was the sound of people running up the stairs and attempting to help her with Edward who had lost consciousness.

The police arriving, the ambulance, the journey to the hospital, the numerous questions that continued for what seemed like hours as she sat in the waiting room waiting for news of Edward, were all part of the nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. Olive arrived at some point and after she had acquainted her sister with the facts they sat in silence, holding hands tightly. Clarissa and Godfrey came a little while later, and although they talked with Olive off and on, Ruby found she couldn’t say a word. She was going to lose Edward like she’d lost Ellie, she knew it. Doctors couldn’t always save someone, and like Ellie, Edward had lost so much blood it didn’t seem possible he could survive.