Rosie swallowed the chunk of barmcake, her sorry gaze on the young girl’s face as she answered. ‘He’s done nothing but talk about it, lass. “Did she mean it, Mam?”… “How can she end it just like that?”… “She’s seeing another fella, and now she wants no part of me”.’

‘Oh, Rosie. I never wanted to hurt him.’ Molly’s lips were trembling. ‘I only want what’s right for him, you know that.’

‘Aye, an’ there’ll come a day when Alfie will know it, too.’

‘Will he go to America?’

‘Yes, it’s all planned. His grandaddy is taking him to Ireland for a short while, to visit his kith and kin. He says it’s so the lad can have a few days’ quiet afore the long journey, but if ye ask me, he’s taking him there to show him off, so he is. The Irish half of the family will be sending Alfie straight to America from there.’

‘When does he leave for Ireland?’

‘First thing in the morning, lass. We’ve hurried it up a bit, in the circumstances, and it seems best all round.’

Molly smiled, but the tears shone through. ‘That’s good,’ she murmured. ‘He’ll do well.’ Biting back the tears, she lapsed into a deep, thoughtful silence.

Rosie ate her barmcake and drank her tea. Never once did she take her eyes off Molly.

Anger surged through her. She loved the girl like her own. And from now on, if anybody was to hurt that lass, she would kill them with her own bare hands, so she would!

Part Two

CHRISTMAS 1948

THE PRICE OF LOVE

Chapter Twelve

Jack proposed a toast. ‘Happy Birthday, Amy.’ He chinked his glass with hers, took a sip of his wine and, leaning over, kissed her tenderly on the mouth. ‘You’re looking lovelier than ever tonight.’

He was right. Amy did look lovely. The pretty cream dress from a shop in Bedford town seemed to lift the brown of her eyes. Her dark brown hair was coiled into the nape of her neck and her skin shone like pearls in the candlelight.

For Jack, although the little restaurant was crowded, there was no one else in that room. All he could see was Amy, and his love for her shone in his face. ‘How did I ever live without you?’ he whispered.

Amy blushed at his compliments. ‘Ssh! Somebody will hear you.’

He smiled. ‘Let them. I want everyone to know how much I love you.’

Reaching into his pocket he took out a small velvet box. ‘It’s been burning a hole in my pocket all night,’ he said, handing it to her. ‘I saw it in a shop window last week and I knew you would just love it.’

Curious, Amy opened the box, and for a moment she was mesmerised. In all her life she had never been given a gift such as this. The ring was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen; fashioned from gold and silver, its dainty shoulders were enmeshed with tiny diamonds, and the slim, open claws held the prettiest, darkest ruby. ‘It’s wonderful!’ she gasped. ‘Oh, Jack, thank you – and you’re right, I do love it. I’ll cherish it for ever.’