She crossed the road and headed in the direction the woman had pointed out. It was quite dark now and she was really frightened about walking along these unfamiliar streets on her own, but she was even more scared of staying out all night, so she kept walking. She found Park Street easily enough, and her pace quickened as she passed groups of men standing outside the houses, smoking and laughing. It was with immense relief that she turned into Forest Road. The house at the top of the road was No. 38; she would have to walk quite a way, because Fred and Glad lived at No. 14.

Whoever had named this street must have had a perverse sense of humour, she decided, as there wasn’t a tree in sight. The road was narrow and dingy, with the front doors right on the pavement. The paintwork on the doors and windows was peeling on most of them, revealing rotting wood underneath. Jenny began to shake. These were slum dwellings, and, from what she could see of the men and women standing on the front steps talking to each other, these people were very poor. Her step faltered. How could she ask someone she’d met only once to take her in? But she didn’t have anywhere else to go. She would have to throw herself on Fred and Glad’s mercy. If they couldn’t help her, they might know where she could find shelter until the morning.

No. 20, not far now. She dropped her bag on the pavement outside No. 14 and let out a ragged sigh. Some effort had been made to make the front look presentable. Although a coat of fresh paint was needed, at least it wasn’t peeling off, and the step was clean enough to grace the Stannard house. Dismay tore through her when she remembered how they had treated her. They hadn’t needed any proof before calling her a thief, and to dismiss her in that way had been brutal. It would have been sensible to ask if she could stay the night and leave in the morning, but, if she’d done that, they might have insisted that she leave the dress and pendant behind. They were all she had left of value and she couldn’t risk it. She hoped she never saw any of them again – except Edna, of course. She was going to miss her very much.