‘Listen, Eileen, I remember me own mother telling me on me wedding day: “There’s some that like it and there’s some that don’t.” I was an in-between meself. I liked it at first but once you lot arrived, I soon went off it.’

Eileen didn’t answer and Molly spoke again, her voice gentle. ‘Look, Eileen, it’s a part of marriage we all have to put up with. It’s the only way you’ll get babies, and believe me, when you have a little one on your breast, you’ll see it was worth it. Do you understand me?’

Eileen looked away and nodded.

Molly watched her as she made the dinner, and crossed herself. She wouldn’t like the bed part, that stood to reason, she’d bad memories of it. But if she could get a child, then that would straighten her out. Once you had a few babies, you didn’t have time for worrying about your troubles, and Eileen had had far too long to dwell on hers. Joshua was a good man, he’d see her all right. Molly consoled herself with that thought.

It had been over a week, and still Briony hadn’t heard from Tommy. She had sent three messages, and he hadn’t answered one. He had not tried to get in touch about any of the businesses, or about their new ventures in the East End. It was as if he had never existed. A young fellow had picked up his clothes from the house and had refused down and out to tell Briony where he was taking them. That had hurt desperately. Now she was to go and look at Berwick Manor with Mariah, and pretend everything was still tickety boo.

She felt the sting of tears. Well, he had to get in touch soon, even if it was just for the businesses, if she could speak to him once, she’d be all right. She’d convince him of how sorry she was, how much she missed him, loved him ...

The door of her office swung open and Briony groaned as Bernie breezed into the office.

‘What do you want?’

Bernie laughed. ‘Oh, you’re pleased to see me then!’

Briony half smiled. ‘Sorry, that came out a bit vicious, didn’t it? I’ll start again. What can I do for you, Bernadette?’

‘Nothing really, I just thought I’d pop in and see you, that’s all. I’ve hardly seen you at the club and I thought, I know, I’ll go and see her. See how she is like.’

Briony was inordinately pleased that Bernie, selfish, sharp-tongued Bernie, who could start a fight with her own fingernails, should be thinking about her.

‘I’m all right, Bernie.’

‘No word from Tommy then?’

‘Nothing, not a whisper.’

‘He’ll be back.’ Bernie’s voice was strong.