Rosie wondered how much more Molly could take. ‘She’s a shocker,’ she remarked, her gaze going to the doorway. ‘If she were mine I’d tan ’er backside till it were black and blue, so I would.’

‘What am I going to do with her?’ Molly felt drained. ‘She defied Mam, and she’ll defy me.’

‘Aye – and she’ll rue the day, you mark my words.’

Molly glanced at the mantelpiece clock; it was already half past seven. ‘I’d best get the children up and fed.’

‘And I’d best get that lazy Sandra out of her bed, or she’ll be late for work.’ Rosie chuckled. ‘Mind you, it won’t be the first time and I dare say it won’t be the last. But there’s a few minutes spare for me to give you a hand with the young ’uns before I go.’

‘No, thank you, Rosie. You’ve done more than enough.’

Rosie suddenly remembered: ‘What with all the goings on, I forgot to tell you. Alfie gave me a message afore he went to work. He said to tell you he’ll see you tonight, and you’re to put on your glad rags. He plans to take you to the flicks.’

Molly wasn’t sure. ‘I don’t know if I could sit through a picture with him, knowing what I have to tell him.’

Rosie wagged a finger. ‘You go, lass,’ she urged. ‘I’ll watch the childer. It’ll do ye good, so it will, and you don’t need to tell him anything. Not yet, anyways. Tomorrow will do. Tonight, you’re to get out and put some colour in that pretty face of yours.’ Softly pinching Molly’s cheek, she told her, ‘You’re as pale as a winter’s day, so ye are.’

‘Happen you’re right.’ Walking with her to the door, Molly paused by the dresser. ‘Wait, Rosie,’ she said. Opening the dresser drawer she took out a soft blue neckerchief. ‘I told Sandra she could borrow this.’

‘Are you sure ye know what you’re doing?’ Rosie chuckled. ‘Knowing her, you’ll not get it back.’

‘That’s all right.’

These past few days, Molly had learned that there were more important things to worry about than an old neckerchief.

‘I’ll be back as soon as I can,’ Rosie promised. ‘I can take Georgie and Milly to school, or I can mind the bairns at home. Whatever suits you.’

‘I’d be glad if you’d watch the bairns,’ Molly decided. ‘I’d best take the children as usual. There’s no point changing routine now.’

As she was leaving, Rosie touched her on the shoulder. ‘Later on, we’ll sit and work out what’s to be done. What d’yer say, lass?’

‘That would be good.’ Right now she needed company more than anything.

‘See you in a while then.’ Giving Molly a bear hug, she whispered in her ear, ‘Chin up, me darlin’, we’ll work something out.’

And then she was gone, and Molly was left standing at the door, more alone than she could ever remember.

At her own front door, Rosie glanced back to see Molly looking wistfully up at the skies. With a sorry heart, she shook her head and loudly tutted, ‘Amy Tattersall, you’ve done a terrible thing to that lovely girl of yours. May God forgive you, because nobody else will. Shame on you, Amy. Shame on you!’