By the time Sunday rolled around Amber was more than ready for a little time out of the house, although she quaked inside at the thought of leaving Charlotte. Not that she didn’t trust Becky with her or David. The girl had turned out to be a little star with the children and she was good company too, and often made Amber laugh with her tales of some of the things she and her siblings had got up to when she had lived at home. ‘Me mam were allus threatening to bang our bloody ’eads together, or skelp our arses when we got caught out for some mischief or another,’ Becky would chortle. ‘But ’er bark were allus worse than her bite an’ we knew ’ow to get round ’er.’

Amber was brushing her hair and Becky watched enviously. As the nursery nurse she was only allowed one Sunday afternoon off a month, whereas Amber was allowed every Sunday afternoon, apart from the one when Becky wasn’t there when she happily took charge of the two babies by herself. As the nanny, Amber was allowed privileges that the rest of the staff were not, which she was well aware was just another bone of contention with them.

‘Just think, by the next Sunday I get to go ’ome I’ll ’ave one o’ me new gowns to wear,’ Becky said dreamily as she scrubbed her hands in a bowl of water and Amber smiled at her indulgently as Nancy came in dressed in her Sunday best dress and bonnet.

‘Ready fer the off, are you?’

Amber nodded as she lifted the warm cloak her uncle had bought her. The wind was blowing up a storm outside and it was still bitterly cold so she knew she’d be glad of it.

‘Now are you quite sure you can manage? The babies won’t be due another feed till mid-afternoon now and they should have a nap then. I shall be back for six o’clock sharp to help with their baths.’

‘I’ll be right as ninepence,’ Becky assured her and so she and Nancy set off.

‘Ooh, it ain’t the best o’ weather, is it?’ Nancy said as they shivered their way down the drive. It had started to rain and the drops on their face felt like little icicles. ‘But never mind, we’ll soon be out of it an’ hopefully me mam will have the kettle on.’