Ellie shrugged. ‘The only thing Mam will miss if I go is me wage packet each week. All she cares about is the booze. No, I’m coming. Look, I’ll nip back in and get some things now, while me da’s at the docks. It’s his half-day an’ he’ll be back later.’ She had turned as she’d spoken, but now swung back as she added, ‘You don’t mind me coming, do you?’

‘Mind? It’ll make all the difference.’

‘All right then. Wait here.’

Ruby watched the too-thin figure of her friend dart away, and for the first time since Adam had dropped his bombshell a ray of comfort briefly warmed her. She stood quite still, her mind in a strange vacuum until Ellie returned, and she couldn’t have said how long she had taken. Ellie was carrying a bulging cloth bag and had her handbag over her shoulder and she looked excited, her tone reflecting this when she announced, ‘I’ve said me goodbyes.’

‘What did your mam say?’

‘Not much. Just that me da’d take it out of me hide if I showed me face again, as if I didn’t know that.’

‘And you’re sure you want to leave?’

‘Never bin so sure about anythin’ in me life.’

Ruby nodded. She could tell. Ellie’s face was alight.

‘And I hadn’t given me mam me wage packet either. Old Fairley always pays me on a Saturday, but ’cause I was having the day off for the wedding he let me have it last night. They were in bed when I got home and blind drunk as usual. So, at least that’s a bit towards things.’ They’d begun walking, treading gingerly on the icy pavements, and as Ellie slipped her arm through Ruby’s, she added, ‘I shan’t be sorry to get away from here, lass, I tell you straight.’

Neither would she. Oh, neither would she.

Ruby found she had to retract this thought for a few brief minutes as she said goodbye to Mrs Walton, because she realized at the moment of farewell that she was going to miss the little woman very much. But not enough to stay.

Nevertheless, as she and Ellie walked away towards the train station leaving Mrs Walton with a handkerchief pressed against her streaming eyes, the heartache of goodbye was pressing hard on her chest. Her employer had shown her nothing but kindness since the day she’d applied for the position of seamstress, and it was only now that she understood her affection for the refined little woman had long since matured into love. But she couldn’t dwell on that or the way Mrs Walton had clung to her in the last few moments.