A boy she recognised as Alfie Green, one of Jack’s friends, was pale-faced in the moonlight, and shivering violently.

‘What’s the matter?’ Daisy asked anxiously.

‘Ma’s sick, and the doctor’s gone away.’

‘You’re cold. Come inside and get warm.’ Daisy ushered him into the kitchen. ‘I’m sorry to hear that your mother is ill, but why do you think I can help?’

‘You knew what to do when Jack broke his arm, and you saved Jay Fox when he was drownded.’

Daisy shook her head. ‘He wasn’t drowned, and I really didn’t do anything for Jack other than immobilise his arm.’

‘But Ma’s going to die, miss. There’s no one who can help me.’

‘Where’s your father? Isn’t he at home?’

‘He’s dead drunk, miss. He’s no good to man nor beast.’

Daisy stared at Alfie in dismay. Her medical knowledge was scant – really little more than common sense – but she could see that the boy was trembling violently and alarmingly pale. She was wondering what to do when the door opened and Linnet peered into the kitchen.

‘I heard the noise,’ she said, staring at Alfie. ‘What’s going on?’

‘He says his mother is ill and his father is too drunk to be of any use.’ Daisy poured the remainder of the cocoa into a clean cup and handed it to Alfie. ‘Drink this. It will warm you up.’

‘I got to get back to Ma. Will you come, miss? Please.’

Daisy turned to Linnet. ‘I’m not a nurse. She might be really ill.’

‘Mabel Green is in the family way for the fifth time,’ Linnet said in a low voice. ‘If it’s the baby coming why didn’t you go for the midwife, Alfie?’

‘She not there. I dunno where she is.’

Linnet patted him on the back. ‘Never mind, love. I’ll see if I can find Annie Maggs.’ She met Daisy’s worried glance with a smile. ‘I think I might know where she is, but it would help if you could go home with Alfie. Just keep Mabel comfortable while I fetch the midwife.’

Daisy stared at them in horror. She had never seen a woman in labour, let alone been present at a birth, but the boy was clearly terrified and Linnet seemed confident she could get help. Daisy managed a smile. ‘Of course I’ll go with you, Alfie. I’ll get dressed and then we’ll set off.’

‘Me, too.’ Linnet followed Daisy out into the hall. ‘Don’t worry, miss. I know where Annie might be. I just hope she’s sober.’

The Greens’ cottage was small and cramped, quite similar to the one rented by the Fox family. A single tallow candle burned with a dull flame, filling the room with the overpowering smell of rancid animal fat. Alfie’s brothers sat huddled on the flagstone floor, the eldest boy holding their baby sister in his arms. From upstairs low moans developed into high-pitched screams, and the two smaller boys buried their heads in their hands, sobbing loudly. The baby, who looked to be about a year old, started to wail, and Alfie wiped his nose on his sleeve, stifling a sob.