Deep down she’d always known he would find her, but that paled into insignificance now with what she suspected about Davey. She’d never know exactly what happened that day but Nathaniel had killed him. She couldn’t prove it but she knew it all the same. He had killed Davey because he had wanted her. Her mind had always been at war within her since Davey had died and Nathaniel had tried to take his place. Part of her had tried to believe that once she’d left Sunderland Nathaniel would forget about her and get on with his life, but the other part had been waiting for this day. And it had happened. He had found her. She wished Alexander was here. He was due home on leave for the wedding any day now, but she wished he was here this minute.

Betsy had reached up and banged the little brass goblin door knocker and within a moment or two Frank opened it but Rose saw immediately that he was harassed and worried. ‘What’s the matter?’ she said urgently as they stepped inside the hall.

‘It’s Amy, she reckons the babby’s coming.’ He glanced up and down the street before shutting the door. ‘Next door’s gone for the midwife, I thought you were her.’

‘Have you told Amy’s mam an’ da?’ She knew Tessa had promised to come and be with her daughter during the birth.

‘I can’t. They’ve gone to Muggleswick to see Wilbur’s mam. They got a message first thing to say she’s not expected to last the day. Daisy’s gone an’ all. They called in afore breakfast to say they were going.’

‘Why didn’t Amy say about the baby?’

‘She wasn’t having any pains then. They come on shortly after they’d left but as there’s another month to go we thought if she lay still it might all die down.’

‘But it hasn’t.’

‘No.’ He cast her a hunted look as a faint groan from upstairs filtered down. ‘What am I going to do, Rose?’

‘Right.’ Rose went into practical mode. If the baby was coming it was coming and they had to make the best of it. ‘Put plenty of hot water on to boil and sort out some towels. Betsy will help you. I want you to stay down here and look after your Uncle Frank, hinny, all right? When did next door go for the midwife?’

‘A while back now.’

‘Well, when she comes send her straight up.’ She was taking off her hat and coat as she spoke. ‘I’ll stay with Amy now, you look after things down here.’

The look of relief on Frank’s face would have been funny in any other circumstances.