Edna sat beside her and took hold of her hand. ‘Many of us run away for some reason or other. I did myself. Five years ago my dad took off and my mum had a lot of friends, if you know what I mean.’

Jenny gripped her hand and nodded. Edna was some years older than her and much more worldly-wise. Her sound common sense and cheerful nature often helped Jenny through a difficult day. She liked her very much. ‘What happened?’

‘One bloke she came home with moved in. He was a right bastard and I had to pile furniture against my bedroom door to keep him out. I wasn’t going to put up with that, so I scarpered.’ Edna smiled at her. ‘They’ll stop looking for you eventually, Jen, so stick it out.’

‘Oh, I hope so. I get very frightened at times.’

‘Don’t you worry. You let me know if they get too close and I’ll swear blind that I’ve known you, Jenny Baker, for more than three years. That ain’t your real name, I take it?’

‘No.’

Her friend stood up and started getting ready for bed. ‘When you feel like you wants to talk, you can trust me. I won’t breathe a word to anyone about this. You must ’ave been desperate to throw yourself into a life you know nothing about. ’Cos from what I’ve seen of you these past weeks, I reckon you’re more used to having servants than being one. I can guess what you’re going through.’

Jenny sighed in relief. One day she would tell her friend the whole story, and it was a comforting feeling to know she had an ally at last. ‘I’ll tell you when I feel safe again.’

‘I know you will.’

8

September 1930

‘Okay, you’re on your own. Let’s see you strip that engine down, then put it back together. I’ll count the parts you have left over.’

Matt tipped his head back and laughed at his boss. ‘You don’t think I can do it, do you?’

‘You’ve learnt a lot in nine months and I know you’ve been itching to have a go, but I think it’s unlikely you can do it yet without help.’ Mr Porter tossed him a spanner. ‘Don’t shout for help because from now on I’m deaf.’

‘I’m going to prove you wrong.’

‘Can’t hear a word you’re saying.’ Jake Porter wandered away, shaking his head in mock bewilderment.