‘All the same, it’s a good idea and should do well. I don’t know why Mrs Parsons didn’t think of it herself.’

‘Ah, love! I am sorry.’ Rosie knew from experience, it never rained but it poured.

Always an optimist, her future daughter-in-law shrugged. ‘It’s no good worrying about it. As from four o’clock on Friday, I’m out of a job. Come Monday, I’ll be looking for work, and with a bit of luck it won’t be long before I’m bringing home a wage again. The way things are, I can’t afford not to.’

‘You’ll not be out of work long if I know you.’ Rosie had every faith in her.

‘Look, Rosie, I’m not sure when they’ll let Mam home so I might need you to help me a while longer – with the children, I mean. Once I’m wage-earning again, I’ll pay you.’

‘You’ll do no such thing!’ Rosie was adamant. ‘Sure, I’m pleased to be helping out, so I am. And I dare say your mam will be glad of my help, too, for a short time anyway, after she gets home.’

‘You’re a good friend to her, and me.’ Molly was immensely grateful. ‘But for her sake as well as mine, I’ve got to find work, and quickly.’

‘Don’t you worry, lass. It’ll all come right in the end.’

Although, having learned more about the way of things in this house, even Rosie had her doubts.

Molly felt so much better for having talked things over with Rosie. She was such a kind, understanding soul. ‘I feel a lot more confident now,’ she confessed. ‘With any luck, I’ll not be out of work more than a day or so, then our mam will be home, and we can look to the future.’

But unfortunately, the future wasn’t up to Molly Tattersall. It was up to Amy, her mother.

And she was hopelessly torn between the life she had, and the new life that beckoned.

That evening, after Rosie left to see to her own family, Molly bathed the children one by one, and got them ready for bed. ‘When’s Mammy coming home?’ Bertha was missing Amy badly, more than any of the others.

Towelling her dry, Molly paused to wrap her in a bear hug. ‘Soon, sweetheart,’ she told her. ‘Mammy will be home soon.’

Bertha’s dark eyes swam with tears. ‘Will she be here when I wake up?’

‘No.’ There was no use lying. ‘But it won’t be too long now, I promise.’

Struggling with her nightgown, her older sister Milly had a question. ‘Will they give her another bairn to fetch home?’

‘They can’t do that,’ Molly replied gently.

Bertha started crying. ‘I want our bairn!’

‘Well, you can’t have it!’ Popping her head through the neck of the nightgown, Milly gave what she considered a grown-up sigh. ‘God took it back, because it wasn’t strong enough to stay here. That’s what Molly said, ain’t it?’

‘That’s right, sweetheart.’

Pleased to have got it right, Milly wagged a finger at Eddie, who was splashing about in the tin bath. ‘Mammy’s feeling a bit sad, so when she comes home, you’ll have to behave yourself!’