As Jack paced the floor, he was so preoccupied that he didn’t notice Molly emerge from the ward until he collided with her.

Apologising profusely, he looked into the young woman’s face and was momentarily taken aback; despite the bruises already rising on her temple and cheek, he had the oddest feeling he knew her from somewhere. ‘I’m sorry,’ he muttered. ‘I haven’t hurt you, have I?’

Molly smiled, but it was a weary smile. ‘No,’ she answered. ‘Besides, I should have looked where I was going.’ Without another word she went on her way, and he, after first glancing about to make sure the nurse was not around, made his way into the ward and up to Amy’s bed.

Amy couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw him. ‘What on earth are you doing here?’ she hissed. ‘Who told you where I was?’

‘It doesn’t matter who told me,’ he whispered, cupping her face in his hands. ‘You’re all right, just like the nurse said. That’s all I needed to know.’

Amy didn’t have to guess any further. ‘Lottie told you, didn’t she? The little devil… listening on the stairs, I might have known it. And I bet she wheedled money out of you, didn’t she?’

‘She told me there was a row. That Frank was drunk and started throwing his weight about. I was worried about you, my darling.’

‘It’s a pity you weren’t worried years ago, when it mattered.’

Her bitter comment was justified, so he let it go. Noticing the deepening bruise on her wrist, he cradled her hand in both of his. ‘If he’s harmed you, I swear to God—’

‘Stop it!’ Snatching her arm away she told him contemptuously, ‘Fighting – is that all you men understand?’

‘The bastard won’t get away with it, I can promise you that.’

‘Go away, Jack,’ she ordered. ‘It’s none of your business. I’ll not have you interfering, d’you hear me?’

He quietly regarded her; the pale, bruised features and the sadness in her brown eyes, and he felt more in love than ever before. ‘I only want you,’ he murmured. ‘Just you, and to hell with everything else.’

‘That’s what you said then.’ And just like then, his gaze swept over her and she was lost. ‘I don’t want you here, Jack,’ she whispered lamely. ‘I don’t need you.’

Slowly, he leaned forward, his eyes on hers and his hands either side of her face. When his mouth came down on hers she melted into him, and he knew she needed him, too. ‘I’ll wait for you,’ he murmured, drawing away. ‘Nothing’s changed.’

The sadness intensified. ‘I lost the bairn,’ she whispered, a solitary tear trickling down her face. ‘I didn’t want it, and the Lord took it from me, like I deserved.’

Realising why the nurse was so jittery, he held Amy close. ‘Don’t go back to him,’ he pleaded. ‘You’ve given him your best years, and he’s thrown them away. Do as I ask, Amy. Whenever you’re able, come away with me. Please!’