‘I’m so sorry things didn’t work out for you here, my dear,’ she whispered brokenly. ‘But go back now to the people who really love you and make the best of your life. It’s all before you, although you may not think so now.’ She kissed her tenderly on the cheek then turned her attention to Maggie, who was also looking tearful.

‘And you!’ Miss Fox squeezed her hand. ‘You’re a good girl, Maggie, and one day you’re going to make some young man very happy.’

‘Huh, I doubt that,’ Maggie snorted but Miss Fox put her right.

‘There’s more to a person than looks, my girl, and you’ve got a big heart and a good head on your shoulders. But now just one more thing. Ruby and I will be leaving here this evening too, so there’ll be no keeping in touch. But go knowing I thought the world of the pair of you. Now be off before I start making an exhibition of myself! Believe me, this is for the best. If there were any other way, I’d keep you both close for ever.’

Once the cab door had closed behind them, Phyllis waved until the vehicle was out of sight. Then drawing herself up to her full height she went back into the house to put the final part of her plan into action.

Ruby had woken up on the big sofa and grinned at her lopsidedly as Miss Fox entered the room. Phyllis stood looking at her for a long time before taking a tiny bottle from her pocket. A sob caught in her throat, then turning her back on Ruby she tipped half of its contents into a large glass of wine and quickly stirred it.

‘Here you are, my lovely.’ Her hand was trembling as she handed the glass to Ruby, and tears were rolling down her cheeks. ‘Get that down you and your troubles will all be over, God willing.’

Ruby took it greedily and knocked it back, and within seconds her head began to loll. Swiftly moving to her side, Miss Fox lifted Ruby’s feet onto the sofa and placed a pillow beneath her head before sitting close beside her and taking her hand.

‘There, my lovely girl,’ the older woman crooned. ‘You just trust your old mum to know what’s best for you, eh? I’m just sad that I had to send my granddaughter away. You never really took to her, did you? But then that was my fault – I see it now. When she was born and you told me you wanted rid of her, I couldn’t bear it, so I paid all those years to know that she was safe and sound at Treetops. Oh, I admit I wasn’t happy about the way you exploited her when I fetched her home, but then I shouldn’t have expected any better of you. It was me, Katherine Smith, who made you as you are, through spoiling you, so it’s me who should take the blame.’