‘You’re wrong, Frank. This bairn is yours all right.’ More’s the pity, she thought. ‘Besides, how could I have a fancy man? I tell you, there’s been nobody here… man nor woman.’ As the words were squeezed from her throat, Amy believed they would be her last.

‘Filthy whore!’ Drawing her close, he sniffed her, like a dog with a bone. ‘There has been a man round yer,’ he growled. ‘I can smell the bastard!’ Raising his fist to beat the truth out of her, he was stopped by the sound of Lottie’s voice calling from the doorway.

‘The man came to take her away,’ she said callously. ‘They were kissing.’

‘What were that?’ Swinging round, he looked directly at Lottie, making her shrink away. ‘What did you say?’

Suddenly, Amy clutched her side, her face contorted with pain. ‘Run, Lottie!’ she cried. ‘The bairn’s started. Fetch Maggie.’

‘You stay right where you are, my girl.’ Lumbering across the room, Frank uncurled the khaki belt. ‘You’d best tell me, you bugger, or I’ll flay the hide off yer!’ Making a grab for Lottie he swore when she turned and fled back up the stairs. ‘Come back ’ere!’ he yelled, chasing after her. Then, changing tactics, his voice softened. ‘She’ll not tell me, but you will, won’t you, lass?’

Cajoling and smiling, he pursued his daughter to the top of the stairs, where he quickly caught her to him by the hanks of her hair. ‘We’re the same, you an’ me,’ he cooed. ‘We look out for each other. I won’t belt you, lass – not if yer tell me the truth.’ When she hesitated, the sound of his belt buckle echoed ominously against the banisters.

Downstairs, Amy was frantic. On her hands and knees, she crawled over to Molly. ‘Are you all right, lass?’ Holding one arm across her writhing stomach, she gently shook her daughter with the other. ‘Wake up, love. For God’s sake, wake up!’ When the pain seemed to tear her apart, she screamed out, ‘Molly! Help me!’

At first it seemed Molly couldn’t have heard. But then, with agonising slowness, she opened her eyes. ‘Mam?’ At the sight of Amy’s desperate face, a stark realisation shot through her. ‘Where is he?’

‘Lottie told him.’

‘Told him what?’ Molly was confused.

‘Never mind that now.’ Later she would have to confide in the girl, but not now. ‘Your dad’s gone after Lottie, but she can take care of herself. They’re two of a kind.’ Bending double, Amy gasped, ‘Dear God, I never had this sort o’ pain with you lot. It’s the bairn, lass. The bairn’s started and there’s summat wrong. I know there is.’ The pain was so bad she could hardly speak.

Taking a minute to gather her senses, Molly noticed a thick trail of blood where Amy had crawled across the floor. ‘Be still, Mam.’ Swallowing her fear, she spoke calmly. ‘Lie here, be very still, while I fetch Maggie. She’ll know what to do.’