None of the others were asking her the right questions. At least not the ones he would want answers to. Who had she lived with until now? Who had brought her up? Had she worked?

He had realized, almost immediately, that she wasn’t an ordinary girl from an everyday family. She might be that actually, perhaps, but somehow she had acquired a great deal of polish and quiet confidence. A belief in herself. There was no doubt in his mind that she had been tutored by someone, or learned from someone in the upper class, tutored to become a lady in the best sense of the word. But if that was so, why had she been set adrift, sent to England, where she knew only Tommy O’Hara, a poor boy from Galway? Who in turn had sent her to a cousin in the Ham Shank.

Settling back in his chair, as Gladys bustled around, he decided he had a mystery to solve. Later. He was hungry now. Well, that’s normal for me, he thought, his mouth watering at the smell of delicious food.

It was during lunch that Moira had a few questions of her own. She addressed them to the four men, rather than individually. Her voice was soft, her Irish accent a gentle one rather than the strong rural accent Blackie often heard from new immigrants from his home country.

‘I’m told I’ll be living in this place called Upper Armley, just outside Leeds, but who with? And will I find work there?’ she asked.

It was Patrick who answered at once. ‘I’ve arranged for you to work for a very nice woman, Mrs Gertrude Wilson, and her husband, Alfred. However, Mr Wilson spends most of his time in London. The Wilsons own a lovely mansion in a small grove called the Towers. There is a housekeeper, Mrs Caulfield, a butler called Harrison, and two maids. You will live in, and be in service. Mrs Wilson will employ you as a parlourmaid. How does that sound to you, Moira?’

‘Very nice, Mr Kennedy, and are you quite sure Mrs Wilson will accept me?’

‘Lass, who wouldn’t? Mrs Wilson is a customer of mine. As I told you earlier, I do carpentry and building work, with Blackie as my partner. She knows us well, and certainly we know her to be fair, kind, and a good employer.’

‘Thank you, Mr Kennedy. I am grateful.’

‘My pleasure, Moira. Do you have any questions?’

‘Several. Do I have a day off, or half a day? Or none at all?’

‘You have Saturdays off. And you’ll be getting a wage from Mrs Wilson. She did not tell me how much. But no doubt she’ll discuss it with you.’

Moira nodded, gave him a huge smile, her cheeks dimpling. ‘I am looking forward to my new situation. Thank you again, Mr Kennedy.’