She must have dozed off, the rhythmic tick of the kitchen clock on the mantelpiece over the range hypnotic, because when a knock sounded at the back door she came to with a start. Betsy was still fast asleep and she got up with the baby in her arms and laid her in her pram in a corner of the kitchen before going to the door, wondering who was calling on her with the weather so bad. Likely one of the neighbours on the scrounge for something or other; Mrs McKenzie next door had already ‘borrowed’ a cup of sugar and a jug of milk this week.

She opened the door with a polite smile on her face which froze as she surveyed Nathaniel and the man standing just behind him. It was this individual who said, ‘Mrs O’Leary? Could we have a word?’

‘Wh–what about?’

Nathaniel cleared his throat. ‘It’d be better if we came in, Rose. All right?’

The fear that had gripped her when she had seen the men’s solemn faces was choking her now. Something had happened to Davey; it was the only reason Nathaniel and this man would be knocking at her door at this time in the afternoon. When she and Davey had first got together she’d worried herself sick about him being involved in an accident at the shipyard, but as time had gone on she’d relaxed more about it.

Opening the door wide she stood to one side and the two men walked past her into the kitchen, taking off their caps as they did so. As they turned to face her, Nathaniel’s companion said, ‘The name’s Ralph Ferry, lass. I’m David’s foreman. I think you ought to sit down for a minute.’

She remained exactly where she was, staring at them. ‘What’s happened? Is Davey all right?’

‘Mrs O’Leary—’

‘Is he? Is Davey all right?’

‘There’s been an accident, Rose.’ It was Nathaniel who spoke as the foreman twisted his cap round and round in his fingers. ‘It’s bad. Look, sit down and—’

‘How bad?’ She must go to him, why was she wasting time talking to them like this? ‘Where is he?’

‘I’m sorry, lass.’ Ralph shook his head as he spoke. ‘He’s gone. He took a bad fall and well, there was no chance. He didn’t suffer, it was instantaneous.’

‘No.’ All colour had left her face but she was ramrod straight. ‘No, it’s not true. You’re mistaken, he couldn’t—’ She took a deep heaving breath. ‘He’s careful. He’s promised me he’s always careful.’