Molly watched her as she worked away, and closing her eyes she prayed to God to give her peace of mind where her Briony was concerned. They depended on her wages, far more than they ever had on Eileen’s. It was Briony who was going to keep them in Oxlow Lane, and as Paddy had pointed out, Molly didn’t want to kill the goose that was laying the golden eggs, did she? Forcing herself to move, she walked to Briony and embraced the girl. Briony cuddled her back, joyful that her mother wasn’t cross with her any more. For her part, Molly closed her eyes and swallowed down the disgust that touching Briony always made her feel.

Letting her go, she resumed washing the floor of the cottage and Kerry and Bernadette sorted out the bedding and curtains into neat piles on the table.

‘Give us a song, Kerry.’

‘What do you want, a happy one or a crying one?’

‘Whatever you like.’

Kerry stopped what she was doing and thought for a second, then she began to sing. It was Paddy’s favourite and Briony smiled as she began. Kerry sang this song like an angel.

‘Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling, From glen to glen, and down the mountainside ...’

Next-door, Mother Jones and Abel heard the singing and both laughed as Rosalee started to clap her hands.

‘They’re a funny family, Mum. Another girl just arrived by cab, dressed up like a kipper. Only about ten and in a cab mind, not on foot. Where are they getting the money for cabs and the like?’

‘How the bloody hell would I know! They seem nice enough, Abel Jones, so don’t you go snooping round there and put them off us.’

‘I’m only saying, Mum...’

‘Yeah, well, just you say it to yourself then. It’ll all come out in the wash anyway. People’s business rarely stays between four walls. You’ll find out soon enough, son, and when you do I hope it’s what you want to hear!’

‘Here’s Dad and Eileen with the beds, Mum!’ Kerry shrieked out the words at the top of her voice, making Molly, who was upstairs getting the bedroom floors swept, cringe. The child thought she was still in the basement where you had to shout to be heard above the din coming from the other families.

‘Shall I let them in?’

Briony laughed out loud.

‘No, Kerry, let’s leave them out there ’til the morning. Of course you should let them in!’

Kerry opened the door grandly. She had been locking and unlocking it all afternoon, and the novelty of the key had yet to wear off.

Briony stamped down the stairs and, after kissing Eileen, began to help while they unloaded the beds and boxes.