Less than a week later, standing on the platform dressed in another of Sybil’s little crêpe dresses, plus a jaunty felt hat that Sybil had also bequeathed to her, Rosie was unrecognizable as the impoverished woman who had arrived at the Home only months ago. Rosie wondered if her children might have a last-minute tearful panic when the moment of farewell finally arrived, but Mrs Larkin, with her thoughtful foresight, had arranged a picnic on the beach with the rest of her family, followed by a swim. After hugging her children and giving them some money to buy lollipops for all the Larkin children, Rosie said her goodbyes.

‘I’ll see you both next week at Zophony House.’

Turning to Ada and Sister Theresa, she said, ‘I can never thank you enough for everything you have done for me and my kids.’

Sister Theresa smiled. ‘I’ll miss you all,’ she said truthfully.

‘Take care of your little girl,’ Rosie said to Ada. ‘Bring her to Zophony House when you can.’

‘I will,’ Ada promised. ‘I can’t wait to see the place.’

Finally, Rosie said to Mrs Larkin, ‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you’ve done for us.’

As the train hooted and lurched forward on the tracks, Rosie jumped aboard and blew kisses, while her children blew kisses back. Waving, she called out, ‘Love you, see you soon, byeee!’

Waving they all called back, ‘GOODBYE, MUM – GOOD LUCK!’

51. Shocks and Surprises

As summer came to an end, Rosie settled into her new role as housekeeper. Though Zophony House was nothing like as big as Dowry House, it was nevertheless large and rambling. On her housekeeper’s phone Rosie contacted Dora at Mary Vale, asking where best to advertise the domestic roles which Lady Veronica required.

‘The Westmoreland Gazette,’ Dora immediately answered. Knowing that Rosie wasn’t confident about her reading and writing skills, Dora thoughtfully offered to help her with the wording.

‘That would be marvellous,’ Rosie gratefully accepted.

‘Now that we’ve got a short-term supply nurse until Ada’s back, I could take a bit of time off and pop over to sift through the replies with you,’ Dora suggested. ‘It would make a day out for me.’

‘Yes, please,’ Rosie enthused. ‘You’ll love Zophony House. If the weather’s fine, we can have tea on the lawn,’ she added excitedly.

‘OOOH!’ Dora teased. ‘Aren’t we all lah-di-dah now that we’re a housekeeper?’

Rosie blushed. ‘Stop it, Dora,’ she begged. ‘I’d really appreciate your help. I do want to pick the right people for her ladyship,’ she finished nervously.

‘You’re not daft, lovie, you can spot a bad ’un, I’m sure,’ Dora said encouragingly. ‘You’ve got to believe in yourself more,’ she urged. ‘You don’t think Lady Veronica would have given you the job if she thought you were a dunce, do you?’