He grinned. ‘By, lass, I wish all our guests got their money out as quick as you. Let’s see. You an’ the bairn’ll have to share the bed and there’s not room to swing a cat in here for her, is there. Shall we say four bob for the week? Just don’t let on to me other guests – they’re paying top whack but like I said, their rooms are bigger. I’ll take the jug with me and fill it so you an’ the bairn can freshen up, and bring a towel shortly, all right?’ He pocketed the four shillings she handed him, adding, ‘The privy’s downstairs and we lock up at midnight, but I daresay you an’ the bairn’ll be in the land of nod afore then. If you want something to eat of an evening up here once you’ve got her off, I dare say we can manage that.’

Rose smiled. ‘You’re very kind.’

‘Kind, you say? I’ll tell me regulars you think that when I have to turf ’em out of a Friday night when they’ve got paid and drink themselves silly. The name’s Wilbur, by the way, Wilbur Croft, and the wife’s Tessa.’

‘Rose O’Leary, and this is Betsy.’ It was good to use Davey’s name again.

He crouched down, smiling at Betsy, who promptly buried her face in her mother’s skirt. ‘Don’t seem two minutes since our Amy was that age,’ he said as he straightened again. ‘Now she’s courting one of the Consett Iron lads and getting bits for her bottom drawer.’ He handed her the key before walking onto the landing and passing her bags to her. ‘I’ll be back with the water and towel in a minute or two. You want me to send our Amy up with a tray in a while? Bread, cheese, ham, something like that? Coffee for you, milk for the little’un?’

Again she said, ‘You’re very kind,’ but now there was a lump in her throat. He was so nice, so normal. She’d forgotten what it was like to be around people who were normal after all the months at the Rowlands Gill mill.

‘You can settle up for any food and drink at the end of your stay,’ he said before shutting the door. ‘We don’t always do that but I know an honest face when I see one.’