‘I understand,’ she said, smiling at him. A moment later Mrs Kallinski brought her a glass of water, which Emma drank immediately. She then settled back in the chair once more, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Her legs ached and she had a pain in her back. Too much walking the streets this week, she thought. She had tramped around looking for a job since Monday. Now it was Friday. A little rush of anxiety made her think of the baby, and how worry for her child was prominent in her always busy mind. She needed money. She must find a job.

Suddenly, Mrs Kallinski was beside her again, handing her a glass. ‘Here is some hot tea with lemon, Mrs Harte. You’ll enjoy it, and it’s better than the water.’

‘Thank you,’ Emma said and began to sip the tea. It was sweet, and she liked the taste of lemon. She had never had lemon tea before, but she did not say that. She always wanted to behave like a young woman of quality, who would certainly have had this kind of drink many times.

When Mr Kallinski returned, he joined her at the small table near the window, and accepted a glass of hot lemon tea himself.

Janessa looked at the clock on the mantel, and then at Emma. ‘Do you live far from here, Mrs Harte?’ she asked, a hint of worry echoing in her voice.

‘Quite a way. Do you know The Mucky Duck in York Road?’ Emma asked, looking at them. It was Mr Kallinski who nodded his head. ‘Well, I live about half an hour’s walk from there.’

‘I see.’ He too glanced at the clock. ‘It’s getting late. My sons will be here soon now. They will escort you home the moment they arrive.’

About to decline, wanting to leave now, Emma found herself agreeing with him. She saw the common sense of it.

Going to the oven, Janessa opened the door and looked inside, then peered into the pans on the stove. After replacing the lids, she sat down again.

‘It is the least we can do,’ Janessa interjected. ‘We don’t want your husband worrying about you, now do we?’ She then continued, ‘And no doubt you are anxious to prepare your evening meal.’ A good-hearted woman, she smiled at Emma, her face full of warmth and understanding. It was obvious she had taken to Emma.

Cautious as she was, always afraid of revealing too much, Emma found herself saying, ‘I don’t have to prepare supper for my husband. You see, he is a sailor; he’s in the Royal Navy. When he is at sea, as he is now, I live alone.’

‘Alone!’ Janessa exclaimed, sounding alarmed. ‘Don’t you have any family?’ The thought of this young girl being alone in Leeds appalled her; that was quite obvious.