Rosie gave her a hug. ‘I’m only too glad to do whatever I can, pet,’ she answered. ‘You’ve had a lot on yer plate, so ye have.’

‘All the same, Rosie, you’ve been wonderful. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.’

‘Just make my Alfie a good wife, that’s all I ask. But then I know that’s a foregone conclusion, so the debt’s already paid… if ever there was one.’

Molly’s heart was warmed. ‘It won’t be difficult to make Alfie a good wife,’ she said. ‘He’s all I’ve ever wanted.’

In fact lately, Alfie was the one thing that had kept her going. Though she loved them all, the children were a real handful, and now, on top of that, she had just heard news which only increased her worries.

Astute as ever, Rosie saw the cloud come over her. ‘What’s wrong, love?’

Going to the back window, Molly checked to see that Eddie was still all right. ‘What makes you think there’s something?’ she asked. Eddie was fast asleep, just as Rosie had said.

Wisely, their neighbour didn’t push the matter. If Molly wanted to confide in her, she would do so in her own good time. ‘Listen, I’ve the kettle on,’ she cajoled, ‘and there’s some of the apple pie that Maggie Lett brought round. There’s corned beef left over from the children’s tea, and a piece of barm-cake I made myself. What if I make us a couple of sandwiches and a brew. Then you can tell me how your mam is.’ Rosie wisely surmised that, with a little encouragement, one thing could lead to another. Molly trusted her, she knew that.

Molly appreciated the offer. ‘Thanks, Rosie. Tea and corned-beef sandwiches sound good to me.’ She didn’t really need the food and drink, but she did need someone she could confide in. Sandra was her best friend, but it was no good talking to her because, ever since she’d met this new fella, she’d gone all dreamy.

When they were seated round the table, the conversation first turned to Amy.

‘And how is yer mam coping?’ Molly had previously mentioned how quiet and preoccupied Amy was. ‘More like her old self, is she? Wanting to get home as soon as she can?’

‘To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t blame her if she never wanted to set foot inside this house again.’

‘I see.’ Rosie wouldn’t have blamed her either, although she was careful not to say as much. Until these past few days, she had not fully realised the way of things in this house. Now though, after minding the children while Molly went to work and visited her mam, the Irishwoman had glimpsed the life Amy led, and it sickened her.

Like Amy, she was caught up in a situation which gave her no peace, and no time to call her own. With an army of children running round her feet, constant squabbles and tears, noses and bottoms to wipe and mouths to feed, there were times when she didn’t know which way to turn. But the worst time of all was when Frank Tattersall came home. Bad-tempered and drunk more often than not, he was a beast of a man.