‘Ta, love. Me girls allus listened to you, they love you dearly.’ With this, Betsy coughed. It was meant to cover up a sob, but it did a poor job and tears plopped onto her cheeks.

Before anyone could do anything, Lonia got down from the chair she’d been sitting on at the table, drinking the juice Betsy had given her and listening to the women talking. She ran to Betsy. ‘Don’t be sad, Betsy. I know your Daisy and Florrie died, but they are in heaven. My puppy died. It was run over, and Mama said it is far happier than it was here, as it is in a beautiful place.’

Betsy smiled through her tears at Lonia. ‘Ta, lass, I knaw as that’s right, but I miss them.’

‘I miss my puppy.’

Lonia put her head on Betsy’s lap. Betsy stroked her hair.

‘And I miss my daddy and Paulo, and Marjella . . . and everyone, but although that hurts, it’s not the same hurt, as I know I’m going to see them again. I just have to be patient.’

‘Aw, lass. Me and you are in the same boat.’

‘What does that mean, Aunt Betsy?’

‘It means our troubles are the same, lass, as I have a son, Billy, who I miss, but I knaw I’m going to see him again. And when your Aunt Mags ain’t here, I miss her an’ all, but I’m going to see her again. When they go to heaven, well . . .’

‘We still might see them again. Mama says we have to hope, and keep remembering them. I’ll never forget Butty.’

‘Butty? That’s an unusual name.’

Lonia laughed. ‘It was meant to be Bunty, but I couldn’t say that then, as I was only little.’

Mags had tears in her eyes, listening to them. This child of Ella’s was like a grown-up in a small body. But then Lonia had spent her life around grown-ups and had learned how to please them. She was adorable and caring, just like Ella. She and Betsy seemed to have become friends in a special way, and that pleased Mags. She could see it gave comfort to Betsy, too.

They walked to the shop as soon as Betsy had cleared the pots and Mags and Ella had freshened up. The sun was high in the sky on this lovely May afternoon, though the breeze coming off the sea still had a chill to it.