Molly had already begun to ease them away from the idea that their mother would be coming home sooner rather than later. ‘Do you remember how I said that Mammy had not been very well since the bairn, and that she would not be coming home for ages and ages?’

‘It’s been ages and ages. I want her to come home now!’ That was Bertha again.

Molly took a deep breath. ‘When you’ve all had your breakfast,’ she said, ‘there’s something very important you have to know.’

Thinking it was something good, Bertha shouted, ‘Tell us now, Molly, tell us now!’

Molly shook her head. ‘Breakfast first.’

If she were to tell them now, none of them would feel like food, and besides, she had to decide how best to let them know that their mammy wasn’t still in the infirmary, but had gone away.

From the scullery, she could hear Bertha and Georgie talking to each other about what they would make Amy for Christmas. It brought a lump to her throat.

Setting about their breakfasts, she lit the stove, half filled the pan with milk and put it on to heat. Once that was underway, she took out three dishes and broke some bread into each one. Then she added a sprinkle of sugar and now the milk, which by now was just at the right temperature.

Next, she dished out two rusks for Eddie, and put his bottle of warm milk beside them.

Taking a clean bib for him, and three spoons for the others, she placed everything on the tray and carried it to the parlour, where the children were waiting patiently.

‘Oh, no!’ Milly was the first to moan. ‘Not pobbies again!’

‘Don’t start!’ Molly had to keep a firm hand. ‘I’ve already told you I’ll see what I can do tomorrow. Besides, pobbies are good for you.’ Leaning towards her, she whispered so Georgie couldn’t hear, ‘They make your hair curl.’

That seemed to do the trick. In any event all three of them tucked in and appeared to enjoy their breakfast, though after a time, Milly began toying with her food and only managed to eat half. ‘I can do you some toast if you like?’ That much at least, she could offer. But Milly shook her head and Molly didn’t press the point.

She waited for the others to finish, then: ‘I want you all to listen carefully to what I have to say,’ Molly began quietly.

But before she could go on, Milly scrambled out of her chair and, leaning across the table, yelled at the top of her voice, ‘Mam’s run away, and she’s never coming back! Lottie’s gone for ever, too. I heard Dad fighting with her.’

For a moment time was suspended. All eyes turned to Milly, and when she began to cry, so did the others, all except Georgie. ‘I don’t care if they never come back!’ White-faced and shocked, he fled from the room and ran up the stairs.