‘Robbie!’ Holly was shocked. No one had mentioned the workhouse to him as yet as far as she knew. ‘Whoever told you that?’

‘Nobody,’ he mumbled grumpily. ‘I ’eard two o’ the nurses on night duty talkin’ about it when they thought I was asleep. They said me mam ’ad come to see Matron an’ told ’er that she didn’t want me back.’ He swiped angrily at a tear that trickled down his cheek. ‘But yer can forget that idea cos when I leave ’ere I can look after meself.’

Sunday’s pretty face crumpled as she listened to the child and in that moment her heart was lost yet again. ‘But you’re very young to be thinking of fending for yourself,’ she said gently. ‘How would you manage and where would you live?’

Robbie shrugged his thin shoulders. ‘The blokes leavin’ the pubs always chuck me a penny or two and I can sleep in shop doorways,’ he answered sullenly.

In that moment Sunday made her decision and she was sure that Tom would understand why when she told him about the child. ‘How would you feel about coming to live with me?’

Robbie’s eyes almost popped out of his head. ‘Live wi’ you? Where?’

Sunday smiled at him reassuringly. ‘I have a lovely big house in Hartshill on the edge of town all surrounded by woods and quite a few children live with me. There are big gardens to play in and you’d share a room with two other boys but you’d have your own bed. We have a cook who makes lovely meals and puddings. I heard you like cherry cake and she’s especially good at making that, and three times a week Mrs Lockett, the vicar’s wife, comes in to do lessons. You’d learn to read and write and do sums. I’m sure you’d enjoy that.’

Robbie looked thoughtful before asking, ‘An’ do we get the stick if we’re naughty? Me mam uses the stick all the time, an’ her men friends.’

‘No, Robbie, we never use a stick,’ Sunday told him gently, her heart aching for the poor little mite. ‘So what do you think?’

He sniffed nonchalantly. ‘I dare say I might come an’ try it fer a time,’ he answered, as if he was doing her some great favour and Sunday grinned.

‘Right, well just as soon as Matron says you’re well enough to leave here I’ll come and fetch you, shall I?’

‘If yer want,’ he said airily and Holly felt as if she would burst with joy. Here, hopefully, was one little boy she wouldn’t have to worry about for much longer.

Three days later when Dr Nason had declared Robbie well enough to leave Sunday and Tom arrived to collect him bearing new clothes.

‘Wassup wi’ me old ’uns?’ Robbie muttered as Matron drew the curtains about the bed so that he could get dressed. But he put them on all the same and felt quietly pleased as he stared down at the smart new trousers and the soft leather shoes. Admittedly Sunday had had to guess the size and they were a little large for him but after his old ones that had leaked water and rubbed blisters on his ankles he felt as if he was walking on air. His pleasure increased when Matron and Holly followed them all outside to Tom’s motor car.