Blackie nodded. ‘I had heard that too. ’Tis a true mystery, I be thinking. Apparently the local police have scoured Upper Armley, have gone through Gotts Park and Armley Park, and every lane nearby. No trace of her.’

‘This must be quite awful for her mother,’ Angela murmured. ‘Poor woman, she must be frantic with worry.’

‘She is,’ Sarah said. ‘And so is Alf. He blames himself – well, sort of – because of that tiff they had the night before.’

Blackie said, ‘Alf had nothing to do with this situation. In my opinion, I think Gwen had a new chap and either went off with him or she was snatched by a stranger.’

His words startled both women, and Angela frowned and gave him a quick look. ‘Who would snatch her, for Heaven’s sake?’

‘An evil man with bad intentions,’ Blackie replied in a low, serious voice.

Angela looked aghast and shuddered.

Sarah said, ‘I can’t help thinking you are right.’ She shook her head. ‘I hope it’s a new chap, not a bad man out to do her harm.’

‘Oh goodness me, yes,’ Angela said. After a pause, she went on, ‘Let’s talk about something less harrowing, please. Is anyone going to the York races this summer?’

Sarah, who always seemed well-informed about what was happening in the streets where they lived, did most of the talking. She was laden with gossip.

Blackie did not mind; he only half listened anyway. He was preoccupied with thoughts of Angela. His feelings and emotions were very new to him, and myriad thoughts swept through his head. His attraction to her was somewhat overwhelming, and little threads of worry lingered. How should he behave? What should he do? Was she expecting him to make a move towards her, or would she take the lead? This situation troubled him no end. She was more sophisticated, experienced than he was, and even this house was more elegant than any he was used to.

Suddenly, he had the answer. She must make the first move, not him. His uncle had already warned him never to force himself on a woman. He realized it would be out of place if he took hold of her, kissed her as he longed to do. Whilst he believed she felt the same way about him, he could not chance it. Sit back and wait, he told himself. This decision helped him to relax. He had long believed that things happened when they were supposed to happen, and not by chance. Meeting Angela was meant to be. Now. Not next week or the week after. This was their time to come together. Or not.

He took a sip of the lemonade and settled back in the chair. It was a lovely time of day now, his favourite time. The sun was settling down, sliding over the horizon, and shortly twilight would descend.