He worked quietly, only speaking to ask her to pass him something or bring the light closer. Mary moaned and Hannah spoke reassuringly to her, telling her that everything would be all right, but she wasn’t sure that what Dr Barlow was doing would be enough. It seemed hopeless.

At last he seemed satisfied and told her to tuck the blankets in around her friend to keep her as warm as she could.

‘Get her to drink too,’ he told them as he packed his bag. ‘Not beer,’ he warned Mrs Hall. ‘Lukewarm tea with plenty of sugar is what she needs. Then let her rest. I’ll call again tomorrow to change the dressings,’ he said as he put on his coat.

Chapter Sixteen

Hannah had to bang repeatedly on the door when she got back to King Street. No one came and she was just thinking that she was locked out for the night and would have to go to Water Street, and risk being dismissed from her job, when she saw a flickering candle approaching through the kitchen and Cook called out, ‘Who is it?’ in an uncertain voice.

‘It’s me! Hannah!’

She heard the scrape of the bolts being drawn back and then the door opened a crack and she saw Cook’s face in the candlelight. She looked both worried and furious.

‘Where hast tha been until this time?’ she demanded, making no move to open the door wide enough for Hannah to go in.

‘I’ve been helping the doctor care for a friend.’

Cook sniffed as if she didn’t believe her. ‘Hast tha been drinking?’ she asked.

‘I had a half-pint earlier, at the Reform meeting. That’s all. Let me in!’

Cook stood back and opened the door a few more inches to allow Hannah to squeeze through. Then she closed it and shot the bolts again. ‘I don’t know what Mrs Feilden will have to say.’

‘Tha’ll not tell her?’ Hannah could see no reason why she should, other than to be perverse. ‘I really was with a friend. She’s very ill.’

‘Tha’s takin’ advantage cause tha knows t’ family’s away,’ said Cook. ‘I’ll not be made a fool of,’ she warned. ‘I were asleep in my bed and I don’t like being knocked up in the middle of the night. Tha’s lucky I opened t’ door to thee at all. It could have been anybody, and Mr Feilden would never have forgiven me for letting in burglars.’

Hannah thought that Cook was being fanciful but held her tongue.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘But Dr Barlow were tending to Mary and I couldn’t just leave her.’

‘Giving birth, was she?’ asked Cook, putting on the kettle. ‘She were lucky as Dr Barlow came out.’

‘She lost the baby,’ said Hannah. It was true in a way and she didn’t want to go into the full details.

‘Poor lass. That’s always hard.’ Cook set the tea on the table to brew. ‘I suppose tha won’t say no to a slice o’ bread and jam?’ Hannah knew then that she was forgiven. Bread and jam was a rare treat and she was hungry. ‘Then tha’d best get to bed. We’ve to be up early to make ready for the family coming.’