‘They’ve changed their tune now,’ the constable said. ‘Did anyone else hear that?’

She tried to picture the scene. Who was standing near her? ‘I really don’t know. The man’s mouth was cut and he wasn’t speaking clearly, but he did say it. I’m certain.’

‘We’ll have another word with everyone, of course.’ The sergeant licked his pencil again. ‘But without proof, we can’t charge Mr Greaves with anything.’

‘But that’s scandalous!’ Jenny was appalled.

‘That’s the law, miss.’ The notebook and pencil were tucked back in the sergeant’s top pocket. ‘But we can put those two ruffians away for a long stretch. Attempted murder of Mr Stannard and the attack on you.’

‘That’s something, I suppose.’ It made her angry to know that Greaves was probably going to get away with this.

The policemen stood up and the young constable gave her a sympathetic smile. ‘It ain’t right, miss, but it would only be your word against his.’

‘I know,’ she sighed, ‘and he would be believed, not me. Will I have to go to court when these men are tried?’

‘Unlikely. The prisoners have admitted trying to harm you and attacking Mr Stannard.’ The sergeant gave a wry shake of his head. ‘They couldn’t hardly do nothing else with half of this street as witnesses, and every one of them eager to talk. Makes a change. Usually we can’t get people to open their mouth around here, but we’ve more witnesses than we can handle.’

As the men went outside again, the constable looked back at Jenny. ‘We’re going to see Mr Stannard now, but if we do turn up anything we can use against Greaves, we’ll let you know.’

Jenny watched them ride off, then closed the door. It was time to get Ma her dinner, and then she’d try to snatch an hour to go to see Matthew.

The sausages sizzled and spat in the pan, and she kept turning them until they were golden brown all over. She then put two on a plate with a large spoonful of fluffy mashed potato; a dribble of gravy was poured over the meal. This was Ma’s favourite, and Jenny knew she would be waiting impatiently as the tantalizing smell wafted up to her bedroom.

She was surprised to see Ma asleep. She smiled affectionately. How peaceful she looked; it was a shame to wake her, but the dinner would get cold. She would be in for an even bigger telling-off if she allowed that to happen.

Placing the tray beside the bed, Jenny leant over and gave Ma a gentle shake. Nothing happened, so she shook her a little harder this time. Still no response!