The matron’s office was as warm as toast compared to the chilly corridor outside, a good coal fire burning brightly in the large fireplace and thick gold curtains at the window. Matron Henderson was sitting behind a highly polished mahogany desk and although there was a chair in front of it she didn’t suggest Ruby sat down. Instead she stared at her in silence for a few moments, eyeing her up and down, before saying, ‘Your previous employer speaks very highly of you,’ in a tone that stated she found it surprising.

Ruby didn’t know what she was expected to say and so she said nothing, but her shoulders straightened and her chin lifted slightly. Bridget had described the matron as a real tartar and having met her, Ruby could understand why, but she wasn’t about to let herself be bullied by the woman, job or no job.

The matron continued to examine her, her eyes narrowed behind her black-framed spectacles. ‘If you were as good at your work as Mrs –’ she consulted the letter on her desk – ‘Mrs Walton states, what made you leave Sunderland and come to Newcastle, Miss Morgan?’

Ruby had been expecting the question and she had already discussed her answer with Ellie. She would tell the truth, or the bare bones of it anyway. Quietly, she said, ‘I was engaged to be married but things didn’t work out and I wanted a new start somewhere. My friend offered to accompany me, and now we are settled in our lodgings we need a job.’

‘A broken engagement. Does that mean the young man in question is liable to turn up and persuade you to go back to Sunderland?’

‘Absolutely not.’

Even Matron Henderson couldn’t doubt that Ruby was telling the truth. She stared at her for a moment more before saying curtly, ‘Absolutely not, Matron.’

‘Absolutely not, Matron.’

‘Hmm. And unlike you, your friend has no reference to give me, I understand.’

‘We left quite suddenly and there wasn’t time to obtain one. She has written to ask but unfortunately has heard nothing back.’ The matron’s eyes narrowed further and Ruby added hastily, ‘Matron.’