‘In fairness, Mr Greenwood has already had a doctor here from Harley Street,’ Mrs Ruffin told her. ‘And he couldn’t come up with a cure, but I have noticed . . .’ She paused and bit her lip before saying tentatively, ‘Well, I have noticed over the last few days when I washed her that although Louisa is losing weight everywhere else her stomach seems to be a little swollen.’

‘Let me see,’ Margaret demanded bossily and when Louisa drew the covers back and lifted her nightdress her mother saw that Mrs Ruffin was right. ‘Are you quite sure that you’re not pregnant again?’ she asked worriedly.

Louisa shook her head. ‘Of course I’m not. I haven’t allowed Barnaby to come anywhere near me since the twins were born,’ she said indignantly.

‘In that case I definitely am going to get another doctor to take a look at you. In fact, I shall go to your father and tell him to organise it immediately.’ And with that she swept from the room leaving Louisa looking more than a little frightened.

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

Alice had thought of writing to Amber to tell her that her father and brothers’ boat hadn’t arrived as yet, but she’d thought better of it. By the time Amber would have received it they might have returned safe and sound, and Amber would have had her last days in London spoilt for no reason. After all, she tried to convince herself, they could sail into the harbour at any minute and then all of their worrying would have been for nothing.

Although reluctant to leave without news of their brothers and father, the boys had now returned to their jobs on the railways, and early the next morning after they had departed, Alice wrapped her warmest shawl about her shoulders and set off to keep her vigil on the quay again. It was already crowded with other wives and mothers when she got there and she could see the pain and fear etched into their pinched faces. She herself was desperately tired as she hadn’t slept a wink all night, but she was made of stern stuff and was determined not to give up hope.

There was a thick mist floating on the sea and the cold seemed to bite through her, and as the minutes ticked away into hours, she decided to go home, make herself a hot drink and warm up before coming back again. So she made her weary way back to the cottage where she made the fire up and put the large kettle on to boil. Then she sat staring into the flames, her face strained and anxious as she offered up silent prayers that God would return her loved ones safely back to her. But as the light faded from the day so did her hope of ever seeing them again.

Suddenly the door flew open and, startled, she turned to see Edward and William.