‘Where in goodness’s name, have you been? We’ve sent out a search party! How dare you take the bairn out in this weather…’ shrieked Peg, grabbing the child and examining him carefully.

Netta stood stunned by the accusation and the look on Dr Begg’s face. ‘What have I done wrong?’ she answered. ‘I was just taking him out.’

‘You creep out of the house without so much as a word and steal our baby, what do you expect us to think in your state of mind?’ Peg was in high dudgeon, shouting at the top of her voice. ‘We found an empty pram by the bus halt. What were we supposed to think – that you had run away to Carlisle on the train? Netta Nichol, you’ve gone too far this time. I want you out of this house! Dr Begg, you see what we’re dealing with…’

‘Hold your horses! Peg, I just took him on the bus to Kirkcudbright. I left the pram under the hedge for the walk back, that’s all. Just a wee trip, the two of us. When it disappeared I thought the tinkers had been up the lane again. Get him out of those damp things before he gets chilled.’ Netta took off her coat and hung it on the banister knob. Her father saw the dress. ‘What are you all dolled up for?’ he asked.

‘This is my wedding outfit and in this bag is the romper I made for Ray in Park Royal, as if you didn’t know. I wanted us to have our portrait taken at Archie Lambert’s… Just the two of us together.’

‘What’s that thing doing round your neck? You’ve been fishing in my dressing table. Look! She’s even stolen my necklace, Angus.’

Netta yanked the chain over her head. ‘Here’s your bloody necklace. It was my mother’s and you never wear it so I put it over Ray so there was something of a Kirkpatrick in the photo.’

‘She’s barmy! Boys don’t wear necklaces. You see what we have to put up with? That’s why we cannae have her cluttering up the kitchen. Two women in one kitchen never works. It can’t go on,’ Peg pleaded with Dr Begg who turned to Netta.

‘Why didn’t you tell them where you were going, Jeanette?’

‘A mother and her son shouldn’t have to tell the world their business. This was a private outing. I knew there would be trouble if I asked. I’m not an invalid. I can arrange an outing and come back safely.’

‘We thought you’d run away and were worried about wee Gus.’ Her father’s voice sounded weary.

‘Then I’m sorry to have worried you but it’s not easy to be alone with him here, is it, Father? Peg doesn’t trust me.’

‘That’s no true.’

‘It is so.’