‘Because I will.’ She laughed. ‘Or I’ll die in the trying.’

‘Be careful, Sandra. Be sure you know what you’re doing.’

‘Aw, stop worrying, gal. I’m not as daft as yer think.’ She joked, ‘Not daft enough to throw a fat wad of money away, at any rate!’

The conversation ended with Molly having to confirm her promise not to say anything to Rosie about the bairn, and Sandra promising in return not to do anything stupid if and when she found her fella. ‘But if he has got another woman, I’ll cut his balls off an’ no mistake!’

Before Molly left, she quickly checked the Craig family’s hotpot, giving it a good stir as she had promised Rosie, and then walked home, thinking about Sandra, and about Lottie, realising suddenly how alike they were. ‘A law unto themselves,’ she muttered. ‘Wilful and hot-headed, the pair of ’em.’

And a constant worry to both herself and Rosie.

Amy had been on edge all day. ‘What time will he be back?’ She glanced at the grandfather clock. ‘It’s already half past six. What time did he say he’d be back?’

‘Another hour or so. It’s a long way, my love, and what with the snow and everything, it’s bound to slow him up.’

‘I’m sorry, Jack, but I can’t help worrying.’

Coming away from the big, open fire, she crossed the room and stood in the bay window, her sorry gaze stretching down the drive to the road beyond. ‘What if he didn’t find her? She could have been out, and he had to come away without giving her the money.’

‘If that’s the case, he’ll make another trip.’ Getting out of his comfortable leather chair, Jack came to stand beside her. ‘Amy! Will you stop your worrying?’ He kissed her on the neck. ‘You’ll wear yourself out.’ He made a suggestion. ‘Look, why don’t you go and get yourself dolled up and we’ll go to the club in Bedford town. It’ll do you good. In fact, it’ll do us both good.’

‘Not tonight, Jack.’

‘Fair enough, but like I say, stop fretting. He’ll be here shortly, you’ll see. Molly will have got the money, and all will be well. It should be enough to keep them going for ages – until the next payment.’

Turning to him, Amy looked up with adoring eyes. ‘Thank you, Jack. Thank you for being so thoughtful and generous when you don’t have to be.’ Kissing him on the mouth, she told him softly, ‘I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such a good man as you.’

‘Oh, I’m not so good.’ Holding her tight, he smiled fondly. ‘I’ve told you before, and I’ll tell you again… you’ve made me the happiest man on God’s earth.’

Another kiss, and this time a smile to go with it. ‘I’m glad,’ she said, and meant it.

It was nine o’clock when the long black saloon came up the drive. ‘He’s here!’ Like a cat on hot bricks, Amy leaped out of her seat by the window. ‘Oh Jack, he’s here!’