Since staying at the inn and despite her intentions to keep herself to herself she had become friends with Amy, for the simple reason that it was impossible not to. The young girl was irrepressible and full of life, with a sunny nature and a genuine desire to see the best in folk. Furthermore, she had taken to Betsy and Betsy to her, and when Amy suggested that Rose and Betsy accompany her to her sister’s house so the children could play, Rose hadn’t liked to refuse. She had told Amy about Davey being killed at the shipyard and that she had left Sunderland because a certain man had made it plain he wanted her and wouldn’t take no for an answer, resulting in an altercation and her bruised face, but had given the impression she had come to Consett straight from her home town.

Amy had listened sympathetically before saying, ‘You’re so beautiful, Rose, that’s the thing. I can’t imagine any man not wanting you. My Frank did a double take on Sunday afternoon when he called round to take me out and you and Betsy were just leaving for your afternoon walk.’ This was said without guile – Amy knew Frank was devoted to her. They were childhood sweethearts and neither of them had looked at anyone else. ‘Not that your beauty excuses how this man behaved, of course, especially with your husband having just died and everything. He must be a right nasty piece of work to carry on to the point where you felt you had to leave Sunderland altogether.’

Rose had said yes, he was a nasty piece of work, and then changed the subject. That had been a couple of days ago, and now she, Betsy and Amy were on their way for the proposed meeting with Daisy and her children. The afternoon was hot with a slight breeze, but the fine particles of red dust from the iron- and steelworks still floated in the air. The town itself was built to the east of the huge sprawling complex but the company was the lifeblood of the inhabitants of Consett and it dominated the area.