Embarrassed by this rush of emotion, Alfie joked, ‘Besides, I’m no good at anything else. Ask me mam – she’ll tell you.’ Mimicking Rosie, he wagged a busy finger. ‘Ah, you’re useless, so ye are! Ye can’t wash a pot without dropping it, and Gawd only knows who taught yer to brew the tea.’ When he grimaced he had Rosie off a treat. ‘Sure it tastes like bleddy dishwater, so it does!’

Molly chuckled. ‘She’s right an’ all.’

‘There you are then,’ he beamed. ‘I’d best stick to what I know best.’

Her smile faded. ‘It worries me though.’

‘What – scared that I might meet my match, is that it?’ Rolling his eyes, he grabbed her to him. ‘Or is it that you don’t want me to lose my handsome looks?’

Playfully thumping him, Molly retorted, ‘Can’t you be serious for one minute?’

He didn’t want her getting into a state. ‘Look, lass, there’s no need for you to be frightened. I can handle anybody they set up against me.’

Reluctantly, she agreed. ‘I’m sure you could!’ In spite of her obvious concern, there was a measure of pride in Molly’s chiding. ‘Running to Revidge and back every morning, and half your life spent down at Fred’s gymnasium.’

‘Ah well, you need to keep fit and sharp if you want to stay on top.’ Loving her so much he would do anything for her, he said, ‘I’ll make you a promise.’ Tenderly wrapping his two hands round her face, he smiled into her soft blue eyes. ‘The day I meet my match, I’ll give up the fighting. How’s that?’

She smiled back at his promise. ‘And if you’re nabbed by the law, what then?’

‘Same thing. I’ll chuck it in.’

‘Even if it means you have to work in a factory, six days a week, hemmed in on all sides by high walls and the windows so blackened with grime you can’t see daylight?’ Molly wondered if she was asking too much of this lovely bloke. Especially when he craved the open air and his whole life had been built round the thrill of boxing.

Alfie hesitated for only the briefest moment. ‘Even then,’ he promised. ‘If it stops you worrying unnecessarily, my beauty, closed in or not, I’ll clock in with the rest of ’em.’ His eyes betrayed the depth of his feelings for her. ‘I’ll even sweep the streets if I have to. There’s many a decent soul earning a wage from doing the very same.’

Molly answered with a twinkle in her eye. ‘And you’d be content with that, would you?’

He reflected on his rash promise. ‘Happen,’ he teased.

She chuckled. ‘Aye, an’ happen not!’

From the window of the house, Amy saw them, still deep in conversation. ‘Poor old Molly,’ she sighed. ‘I make such demands on her, and she never complains.’ Turning away, she busied herself with getting the dinner. ‘Lottie, put the plates and things out,’ she said. ‘This hotpot’s almost ready.’