The landlady hitched up her ample bosom with her forearms before saying, ‘The privy in the backyard is kept as clean as a new pin, winter and summer, and I expect my ladies to leave it as they find it, all right? There’s a door at the end of the hall straight outside – you don’t need to come into my kitchen. I have the downstairs to myself but the other two rooms up here are taken by single ladies. You’ll meet them in due course if you decide to take the room?’

This last was said with raised eyebrows to Ruby and was clearly in the form of a question. Ruby glanced about her again. The walls were distempered in a faded brown colour and the thin curtains at the window were a shade or two darker. Altogether it was the most depressing and cheerless room she had ever encountered. But she was bone-tired and at the end of herself after what had been the worst day of her life. Taking in a deep breath, she forced a tight smile as she said to Ellie, ‘Shall we?’ knowing what the answer would be even before Ellie nodded.

‘Right you are.’ Mrs Duffy didn’t give them a chance to change their minds. ‘I’ll go and get the sheets and blankets for the bed while you sort out the rent, a week in advance, please, like I said. And all your laundry is down to you but you can use the line in the yard to dry anything if you’ve a mind.’ So saying she bustled out of the room leaving the two girls staring at each other.

The room was lit by a single gas jet on one wall and its flickering light, far from making the interior cosier, actually made the stark surroundings duller. Ruby walked across to the window and moved the curtains to look out, but the glass was a frosted mass of snowflakes and she could see nothing.

Mrs Duffy was back within a minute or two with their bedding, which proved to be barely adequate but at least was clean, and after Ruby had paid her the rent and the landlady had disappeared downstairs, Ellie said timidly, ‘Shall I light the fire? Things will seem better when it’s warmer.’