He did not mind being asked again, and he repeated word for word what he had said before. “My mother talked to Kate’s mother. They agreed I should come back with you on the train and that I should see you home. I will stay the night.”

“Well then,” Mrs. Sugden said, “that sorts that out.” She wondered where she would put him, and the other young fellow. She didn’t know what to make of that one, Alec. He was twitchy, looking over his shoulder as if expecting one of the bobbies to arrest him. But he’d come to Mrs. Shackleton’s aid, and that was good enough for her. “We’ll collect Harriet and the dog, and then we’ll all catch the train to Leeds. It’s been a long day.”

“My mother said you will all be tired and upset and I must look after you. I said I would.”

Mrs. Sugden said, “That is very kind, Philip.”

*   *   *

Rosie Sykes was glad to be relieved of telephone duties at Batswing Cottage. She saw that Mrs. Sugden was not up to her usual energetic doings and so made a supper of what was to hand, as well as pots of cocoa with insufficient milk, but nobody minded.

Leaving Harriet, Philip and Alec in the kitchen, Rosie drew Mrs. Sugden into the front room. “Last week, I baked more scones than anyone could eat.”

“Oh aye?”

“Yesterday, I was dusting the picture rail.”

Mrs. Sugden could not quite see where this was leading. She waited.

“And so I’m going back into tailoring. I have a start at Montague Burton’s.”

“That’s a long way.”

“Two trams.”

“That’ll be a surprise for Jim.”

“It will. I’m not one who’s able to sit still all day, any more than you are, so I won’t be sitting in waiting for a telephone to ring. Just so you know. I want a bit of company. I want some brass in a wage packet, like I used to. I’ll tell Jim in my own way in my own time.”

Mrs. Sugden felt honoured by the confidence.

The telephone rang.

“I’ll do it this one last time,” Rosie said.

Mrs. Sugden waited.

Rosie came back. “Mr. Hood, to say that Mrs. Shackleton won’t be home tonight. Nothing to worry about, but she says would you take care of Harriet and the guests.”

Mrs. Sugden thought for a minute. “I’m not putting those fellows in Mrs. Shackleton’s bed. Harriet can have that. They can have Harriet’s room. I’ll tell them.”

“Do you want me to do anything?”

“You get yourself home, Rosie, and thank you for answering the telephone today.”

“Oh I didn’t. I sat here the day long and it didn’t ring.”

*   *   *