‘Let’s introduce you to everyone.’ Glad smiled. ‘This is our daughter, Ivy, and her husband, Ron. Their two kids, Alice and baby Bert. And this is Fred’s brother, Stan.’

‘I’m pleased to meet you all.’ She pulled a hanky out of her pocket, blew her nose and gave a watery smile.

‘Now,’ Fred said, sitting opposite her, ‘you tell us what this is all about.’

For the next half an hour she explained what had happened since she’d met them and they’d taken her to the pawnbroker’s, and about the Stannards dismissing her because they thought she was a thief.

‘But I’m not,’ she declared stoutly. ‘Those things are mine, honest.’

Glad patted her hand. ‘We know that, my dear.’

Of course they would, Jenny thought, but it was wonderful to know that someone believed she wasn’t lying. They’d seen the items she’d sold to the pawnbroker. ‘I had to leave at once because I was afraid they would find out who I really was.’

‘Is that man you told us about still after you?’ Fred asked.

‘Yes, and he’s offering a large reward to anyone who can tell him where I am.’ She stood up suddenly, the cup she was still holding rattling in the saucer. That kind of money was probably more than this family had ever seen in their lives. Her situation was hopeless. Why had she ever thought she could get away? But perhaps she could do something good before she condemned herself to a wretched life.

‘Sit down, Jen.’ Fred relieved her of the cup.

After sinking into the chair again, she gazed at Fred and Glad, feeling bewildered and very lost. ‘I don’t know how I can survive without a job. I can’t go back to the agency, because Mrs Dearing would never find me another place, and I don’t stand a chance without references. There’s only one thing I can do and that is go home.’ She felt like moaning at the thought but managed to keep her anguish inside her. ‘But that awful man isn’t going to get me unless he pays! If I tell you who I am, then you can claim the reward of a hundred pounds.’

Fred was immediately on his feet, an outraged expression on his face. ‘We’ll do no such thing! As far as we’re concerned, you’re a young girl by the name of Jenny who is in trouble. That’s all we need to know.’

‘Oh, I didn’t mean to insult you.’ She gazed at each person in the room, wide-eyed with horror that her good intentions had caused such a reaction. Every one had the same disgusted look on their face.

Glad sat beside her and reached for her hand. ‘We wouldn’t turn you in, not even for the princely sum of one hundred quid.’