Pausing, she took a shuddering breath. Looking up at him, the tears coursing down her face, she wept, ‘I would have lost you. Somewhere along the way, I would have lost you for good.’

He shook his head. ‘Never.’ His own eyes moist with emotion, he took her to him, his arms wound tightly about her, so she would never get away from him again. ‘Oh Molly, I thought I would never hold you again like this.’

Molly knew what he meant, because hadn’t she suffered the same agony? But, ‘In the end, we found each other,’ she whispered.

With the anger and confusion out of the way, they held on to each other, their love all the stronger for having been tested.

In the parlour, Frank had been pulling on his work boots when Molly let Alfie in. He had listened to what Molly had to say, and he was mortally ashamed. ‘What kind of man are you, Frank Tattersall?’ he asked himself. And back came the ugly truth.

He had been the worst kind of bastard, and because of him, Amy had gone, his children had lost their mother, and these two good people had had their worlds turned upside down. He finished tying his bootlaces, put on his jacket, and sneaked out the back way.

There was something he had to do. Someone he had to see.

And the sooner the better.

Part Four

FEBRUARY 1949

SILVER LININGS

Chapter Twenty One

‘No, Amy. Don’t come to the door, you’ll catch your death of cold.’ Holding her inside the hallway, Jack kissed her goodbye. ‘I’ve two meetings today,’ he said, ‘then it’s on to Kent for a look at that derelict house. If what Matey says is true, it might be a good investment.’

Amy smiled. ‘Always on the lookout for a good investment, that’s my Jack.’

‘That’s right, my girl, and you’re the best investment I’ve ever made.’ Kissing her again, he whispered in her ear, ‘You look so gorgeous, I could eat you. Come to think of it, get yourself all dolled up and I’ll take you out to dinner tonight. Deal?’

She nodded. ‘Deal.’ Standing at the window she waved him goodbye.

When he was gone from sight, she went to the dresser and took out a small envelope. Inside was a letter from Rosie:

Dear Amy,

Thank you for your letter, and for the money to buy flowers for Sandra. I took them up today, and they look lovely.

I was really surprised to hear from you. I showed your letter to Molly, but I did not tell her your address. The way things are, I thought it best not to.

I’m sorry about you and Frank, and though I did see it coming, I have to say that I never dreamed you would leave the children like you did. It wasn’t fair to them, and more to the point, it wasn’t fair on Molly. I’m afraid she’s very bitter towards you, Amy.

The other reason I’m writing is to tell you that Molly and Alfie have set the date for their wedding. It’s Saturday, 16 March, at St Peter’s.

I don’t know if you’ll come, and in the circumstances, I wouldn’t blame you if you thought it better not to.

The thing is, Amy, there’s something I need to speak with you about. So, if you’d rather not come, let me know, and I’ll travel to you. If that’s all right?

Mind how you go then,

From Rosie.