‘Me da said to bring this up.’ Amy smiled at her as she came further into the room. ‘If you move that jug and bowl I’ll put it on the table, shall I?’ That done, she turned her attention to Betsy. ‘Ooh, she’s bonny. How old is she?’ she said to Rose, smiling at Betsy, who – to Rose’s surprise – beamed back instead of hiding her face as she was wont to do. ‘Look at that hair and them eyes – you’ll have all the lads coming round when you’re older, won’t you, hinny.’

‘This is Betsy and she’s just turned two,’ said Rose, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the girl’s exuberance. Amy clearly was a bubbly sort.

‘She’s lovely.’ Amy grinned at her, her pretty face with its snub nose open and friendly. ‘I love little lassies. Me sister, Daisy, she’s got three and all under five. Keeps her on her toes, I can tell you. I go round when I can and take the oldest two out for a bit to give her a break. Good as gold they are with me, bless ’em. I’ve told Frank, that’s my intended, I want four boys and four girls. I think eight’s a nice number, don’t you? Me mam only had our Daisy and me, and Daisy’s seven years older so we didn’t play much as bairns. She thought I was a nuisance, half the time, but we get on grand now.’

As Amy came up for air, Rose said quickly, ‘Thank you for the tray. I think Betsy was getting hungry.’

Taking the hint, Amy said, ‘Well, I’ll leave you to it, shall I, but if you want something don’t be afraid to ask, you being on your own, like.’

She was obviously burning with curiosity, unlike her father, and Rose sighed inwardly. So much for her hope that staying in an inn would be less intrusive than a guest house.

Once Amy had left, Rose sorted out a small plateful of food for Betsy but before beginning on her own, she looked up at the top of the wardrobe. She was going to have to find a hiding place for the pouches if she didn’t want to take them with her when she left the room. Or perhaps she could deposit the money somewhere? The town must have a bank? She had never been inside such an establishment but then she had never had ninety pounds before, she thought with a slight touch of hysteria. For today, though, she would stay put in this room rather than venturing out again. A good night’s sleep and everything would fall into place.

She looked at Betsy tucking into her food with gusto and smiled. Her daughter was safe and that was enough for now. Tomorrow was another day.

Chapter Thirteen