‘And what would you think to that?’

Molly’s smile disappeared. ‘I’d think you were selfish and thoughtless,’ she said quietly.

Alfie was equally serious. ‘I wouldn’t want us to have more children than we could feed and clothe,’ he told her softly. ‘I know how hard it is for your mother. I don’t want that kind of life for you… or me, come to that!’

Irrepressible, Molly grinned. ‘So if I suddenly said I wanted seven children, what would you do?’

There was only one truthful answer he could give. ‘If that was what you really wanted, then seven it would have to be.’

‘Do you love me that much?’

He grimaced, eyes rolling in horror. ‘God! What have I let myself in for?’ Snatching her to him, he kissed her hard, but said gently, ‘I’ll tell you this, Molly Tattersall, I’ll never love any woman the way I love you.’

‘Molly!’ Amy’s voice startled them.

‘All right, Mam. I’m on my way.’

But they held each other for a few more seconds, before Alfie wanted to know, ‘What was it you tried to ask me before? Back there?’

Unsure, she hesitated.

‘Tell me,’ he urged.

‘It was just… well, I don’t like you street-boxing.’ Her voice trembled. ‘It frightens me.’

Alfie was well aware of her concern about his way of earning a living. ‘It’s what I do,’ he admitted. ‘I know you’re worried, and I can’t deny it’s a worrying game. There was a time when it was a clean game and you knew what you were up against, but not any more.’

Walking her to the foot of the steps, he grew thoughtful, lowering his voice as though talking to himself. ‘It all seems to be changing, what with the thugs who think they can get in on the act with brute force and ignorance, the money-men with their threats and dirty tricks, and managers you thought you could trust.’ Shaking his head, he revealed, ‘Now all they want is a quick, easy percentage, and to hell with everything else. Then of course, there’s the law. Once they get scent of a fight, they won’t leave it be.’

When he saw the look on Molly’s face he realised with a jolt that he was only making matters worse. Raising his face to the skies, he groaned like a man in pain. ‘Me and my big mouth, and here I am, supposed to be reassuring you!’

Molly’s worries were now tenfold. ‘Is it worth it, Alfie, tell me that?’ She didn’t want to bully him, nor did she have the right but, as she told him now: ‘There are other ways to earn a living.’

‘Not for me.’ He shrugged. ‘Boxing is all I know. Even from a kid I’ve been able to take care of myself. My grandaddy and his daddy afore him… they were the best.’ His dark eyes shone with pride. ‘That’s what I want, too,’ he said. ‘To be the best – just like they were.’