“Oh, I’m sorry. I won’t be any trouble, Uncle Pat.”

“Goodness me, lad, I know that, and so does your aunt. I was trying to explain to you that she isn’t as vital these days.”

“I’ll be careful, not rowdy, ye know, Uncle Pat.”

“She’s looking forward to you coming to stay, Blackie, and I think your presence will cheer her up.”

There were plenty of tall streetlamps lining the sides of Town Street and, at once, Blackie noticed what a pleasant road it was. The houses were small and stood close together, but the windows were gleaming clean and had white lace curtains, oil lamps casting a yellow glow out into the twilight. It gave him a good feeling. Armley looked nothing like his own local town. Many of the houses looked newly built and there was an order and sense of prosperity with the shops they’d passed, suggesting you could buy most things locally.

When they came to a larger house behind a locked door and tall walls, Blackie looked at his uncle, and asked, “What sort of place is this? Does gentry live there?”

Patrick shook his head. “Lift your eyes and look a bit farther down, and you’ll see the sign. It has a name on it.”

Blackie did as he was told and read out loud, “‘Northcote Private School for Girls.’” Glancing at Patrick, he laughed and then said, “It might not be a house, but it’s certainly grand.” He emphasized this last word, and remarked, “A school for the local gentry, I suppose.”

Patrick said, “A posh school for the children of the families who are better off, but I wouldn’t call ’em gentry. More like well-to-do businessmen and the like.”

A moment later, Patrick explained, “Well, here we are.… This is my house, Blackie.”

Patrick walked up the three steps to a narrow house and opened the door. “Here we are; we’re home, Eileen!” he called out as he went in. Blackie was behind him.

Eileen was sitting by the fireplace in the small parlor, which had a comfortable and welcoming feeling about it.

She immediately stood up at the sound of her husband’s voice, and walked across to greet him and also Blackie, smiling at them.

Her amazement shone on her face as she looked up at her nephew and, in one fell swoop, took everything in. “You’ve certainly grown up since I saw you five years ago!” she exclaimed. She stepped closer and gave him a hug. “And you’re so tall.”

Blackie hugged her back and realized at once how narrow she was, and thin. When he finally released her, he looked down at her, smiling broadly. “It’s a joy to see ye again, Aunt Eileen.”