‘This past hour,’ Molly answered, leading the way into the parlour.

‘So, ye managed to tell your da, then?’

‘He took it bad, Rosie.’

‘So he should.’ Rosie had little sympathy. ‘Where is he now?’

‘One of his old cronies called and took him down to the pub.’

‘I see. And what about Lottie… did ye tell her?’

‘Lottie took it even worse.’ Molly shivered. ‘She and Dad had a terrible fight, each blaming the other.’

Rosie then noticed the bruises and scratches on Molly’s face and neck. ‘And you got caught up in the middle as usual, is that it?’

The girl smiled wistfully. ‘If I tell you summat, will you promise not to breathe a word to a soul, not even Sandra… especially not your Sandra? You know how the drink loosens her tongue.’

Rosie agreed. ‘Go on, love. I’m listening.’

As briefly as she could, Molly explained what had happened and where Lottie had gone. ‘I had no choice,’ she told Rosie. ‘Dad had already threatened to swing for her if she came back, and then she threatened to take her own life if I forced her to. So what could I do, Rosie… what else could I do but let her go?’

‘Nothing, other than what you did. Ye told her you’d come looking for her if she didn’t keep in touch, and ye told the young fella he was to take care of her. No matter what ye did or didn’t do, she would have gone anyway, if not to this bloke then to another.’

‘D’you really think so?’ It was small consolation, but consolation all the same.

‘I’m sure of it! She’s a wild little thing and has to learn from her own mistakes. Sure, when it all boils down to it, lass, ye did exactly what I would have done in the circumstances. You two made friends, and she knows you love her all the same. She went away happy, didn’t she? Ye must allus keep that in mind.’

‘She was so afraid I’d send the authorities after her. “They’ll put me away,” she said.’

‘Aye, an’ they would an’ all. But you’re not to worry, pet. I won’t say a word to a soul – not even to our Sandra.’ She chuckled. ‘If anyone should ask me, I’ll tell them she’s gone to her Auntie Mabel’s in Northampton.’

‘We haven’t got an Auntie Mabel in Northampton.’

‘Sure, I know that,’ Rosie laughed. ‘But nobody else does, do they now?’

And Molly felt reassured. It was a weight off her mind just to have told somebody.

Now Rosie felt it was time to speak her mind. ‘With Lottie off on her own adventure, there’ll be less fireworks in this house and no mistake.’ Making her way into the scullery, she came back with a tray of tea and barmcakes. ‘Ye look like a ghost, so ye do,’ she told Molly. ‘Get this down ye, afore ye fade away altogether.’

When the two of them were settled, Molly voiced the question uppermost in her mind. ‘Is Alfie all right?’