‘Will you stay, miss?’

‘I can’t, I’m afraid. I have to be up early to go to work at the hospital, but I’ll see your mother first thing, and I’ll tell her what a wonderful daughter she has. I know she’ll be proud of you, Judy.’

‘But what will we do tomorrow? The landlord is going to throw us out.’

‘Try not to worry. I’ll think of something and I’ll find somewhere for you to stay while your ma is in hospital. You’ll have to trust me, Judy.’

‘Yes, miss.’

‘I’ve made the fire safe, so there’s no need for you to touch it. I want you to lock the front door after me, and don’t open it to anyone until I return tomorrow. I’ll get here as soon as I can, so you feed the little ones with what’s left of the bread and butter, and I’ll bring more food.’

Daisy hardly slept that night for worrying about the four children she had been compelled to leave in the deserted, unsanitary house. Minnie came in late, but Daisy pretended to be asleep. Minnie was a lovely person but she was inclined to idle chatter and Daisy was not in a mood to listen. Eventually Minnie climbed into the bed next to Daisy’s and was asleep within minutes, but Daisy was still wide awake. The clock in the entrance hall struck the hours and chimed the quarters with monotonous regularity and, just as Daisy was falling asleep, she heard the clatter of feet on the stairs and muffled laughter as the dancers from the Pavilion Theatre returned to their room. She heard the clock strike three, and the next thing she knew someone was shaking her and calling her name.

‘Wake up, Daisy. You’ll be late for work if you don’t get up now.’

Still half asleep, Daisy sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. The floorboards were cold beneath her feet, but the chill had a bracing effect and she was now fully conscious.

‘I had a wonderful time last evening,’ Minnie said gleefully. ‘I went to the Gaiety Theatre with Flora and Ivy and we had dinner in the restaurant, where I met the most charming man. His name is Giles Coleman and he works in the City. He treated us all to champagne and he wants to see me again. Isn’t that exciting?’

‘Yes, very.’ Daisy poured what was left of the water into the bowl and had a quick wash. ‘I’m glad for you, Minnie. You deserve someone who will treat you well.’

Minnie blushed a delicate shade of pink. ‘Oh, I don’t know about that. Pa always tells me I talk too much, and I haven’t a sensible thought in my head.’

‘That’s not true. You were accepted to train as a nurse at the London. That should make your father proud.’

‘I hope so,’ Minnie sighed, shaking her head. ‘Anyway, enough about me. Did you find Hilda’s children?’

‘Yes, I did, and they’re in desperate need of somewhere to stay while their mother is in hospital. I promised to help, but I don’t know who would take them in.’