‘You’ll have to wait though, sir,’ she said. ‘There’s already someone with her. Mrs Tattersall has been through a bad ordeal. I’m sorry, but I can’t allow more than one person in at a time.’

‘I’ll wait.’ Determined, he informed her: ‘I’m certainly not leaving until I’ve seen her.’

A look of horror spread over her plump features. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. You must be Mr Tattersall… the husband?’

Allowing her to assume that he was Amy’s husband, he explained, ‘I couldn’t get here any earlier. I was on a late shift, you see. I’ve only just been told.’

Mortified, the nurse apologised. ‘I understand. But she’s still very weak, so I really can’t allow more than one visitor.’ Seeing how concerned he was, she suggested, ‘I’ll go in and bring your daughter out, if you like?’

Jack was startled at the news that one of Amy’s daughters was with her. Probably Molly, he thought, and graciously declined. ‘How long will she be, do you think?’

‘Only a minute or two now,’ she answered. ‘I’ve already reminded her it’s time to leave.’

‘Is Amy in any danger?’

The nurse shook her head.

The last thing he wanted was to come face to face with Amy’s daughter. ‘Then I’ll wait.’ It was his only option in the circumstances.

Curious as to why he had not asked for more information, the nurse gestured to a nearby chair. ‘Take a seat. I’ll see if I can organise a cup of tea for you.’

‘Thank you.’ The nurse seemed nervous, he thought. ‘I came straight from work,’ he began, but when she looked at his smart clothes with some surprise, he quickly added, ‘I was attending a Union meeting. I’m the shop steward, you see. Wherever there’s trouble, you’ll find me there, looking out for the workers.’

‘I see.’ Again, he got the distinct impression that she was uncomfortable in his presence.

‘Excuse me, nurse?’ There was something about her manner that unsettled him. Lottie had told him there had been a terrible row, and that her mam was crippled with pain. ‘I was told she might have gone into labour. Did she have the bairn?’ Again the nurse began to fidget. ‘She is all right, isn’t she?’ he insisted.

‘Look, Mr Tattersall, by the time you come out from seeing your wife, the doctor should be free. He’ll answer all your questions far better than I can.’ Moving away, she told him, ‘I’ll let him know you’ll want to see him before you leave.’

Convinced that something was terribly wrong with Amy, he ran after the nurse. ‘No, wait!’ Catching up with her, he spun her round by the shoulders. ‘You tell me! You said Amy was all right. Were you lying? Did something go wrong? I want to know!’

Swallowing hard, the woman began, ‘Mrs Tattersall is fine, but…’ she took a deep breath ‘… there were complications with the baby.’ Frustration swept through her. ‘The doctor will explain. Please, Mr Tattersall, go and sit down. I’ll find the doctor and ask him to see you now.’ With that, she passed him on to a nearby auxiliary. ‘See Mr Tattersall back to the waiting area, will you, please?’