‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ Daniel took Ellie’s arm, turning her to face him as he said, ‘I merely told her it would be better if she stayed away from us, disliking me as she does. I don’t want you upset. We’ve our own life now, Ellie. Ruby’s made it very plain that it’s me or her, and I’ve told her you’ve chosen me. That’s right, isn’t it?’

Ellie looked from Daniel’s face to Ruby’s. For a moment she hesitated and Ruby said quietly, ‘I never said it was me or him, Ellie. I would never make you choose.’

‘Your whole attitude is making her choose.’ Again Daniel brought Ellie’s gaze to him as he turned her chin, looking into her eyes. ‘Listen to me, Ellie, and get this into your head. I’m not prepared to have her coming between us, all right? And that’s what will happen. It’s already happening. At the bottom of her she doesn’t like men – none of them feminists do. They’re not normal women, everyone knows that.’

Was this the sort of poison he’d been feeding into Ellie about her? Ruby glared at him. ‘That’s rubbish but then you’d say anything to further your own ends.’

‘We’re going.’ Daniel took hold of Ellie’s arm. ‘And just remember what I’ve said. I won’t have anyone interfering in my life. You’ll keep your distance if you know what’s good for you.’

Ruby watched Ellie give her one despairing glance as Daniel manhandled her down the street. It wasn’t until they had turned the corner and were lost to view that she became aware that Mrs Duffy was standing a few feet behind her. Wondering how long the landlady had been there, Ruby said weakly, ‘Ellie’s moved out, Mrs Duffy.’

‘Aye, I heard.’ The ominous sniff followed. ‘And I have to say she’s picked herself a rum ’un there. I’ve seen his type before. He’ll lead her a hell of a life, you mark my words.’

It wasn’t helpful. Ruby bit hard on her bottom lip to quell the tears Ellie’s sudden and unexpected departure had caused, and then her eyes widened in surprise as Mrs Duffy added, ‘You look like you need a cup of tea, lass. Come into the kitchen, I was just making a brew.’

To Ruby’s knowledge it was the first time anyone in the house had been invited into Mrs Duffy’s private domain, which Bridget had irreverently named ‘The Holy of Holies’, and she was so taken aback she found herself following the landlady without a word.