‘Well, all that you plan is going to take time. Couldn’t you rent somewhere for you and Betsy to stay? Somewhere Harold wouldn’t think to look, or find out about?’

‘Yes, that is the answer. Can we go to Betsy’s now? I want to give her the news of my discharge and see how she is, and I need to know if she’ll be willing to come with me.’

‘That’s the spirit. Keep busy, keep planning – that’s what your mother and father would want of you.’

‘I know. I mustn’t look back and regret, or think of what might have been, but must go and build a new life and think how lucky I am to be in a position to do so.’ With this, Mags said her goodbyes to her parents and walked away, leaving them to their rest.

Betsy rubbed her bruised arm as she looked out of the window of her home at the sound of a car drawing up. Feeling dead inside, she felt no reaction on seeing Mags get out of the car. Roford had visited her home and had threatened her. He’ll never give up. He wants to know how Mags escaped and how she got the money, and he doesn’t care how he finds out. He’d twisted her arm behind her back until she’d cried out with the pain of it, but she hadn’t told him anything. She had nothing to tell now. Mags was back and fighting her own corner. At least she looked happy, so everything must have gone to plan for her at the asylum.

‘Betsy! Can we come in?’

Making herself sound cheerful, Betsy shouted back, ‘It looks like you are in. Eeh, lass, how did it go?’

‘I’m free!’

‘I gathered that.’

‘Betsy, come here. Let’s have a hug.’

In the middle of their embrace, Betsy cracked. Sobs racked her body. Roford had hurt her badly; it wasn’t just her arm that stung, but he’d dug his fist deep into her belly. She feared for her child. And she didn’t know how long it would be before he tried his games on her again. It was as if he was taking his time, but would pounce when she least expected it. And she didn’t know if she could fight him off.

‘Sit down, love. Shall I get David to give you something to help you?’

‘Naw, I can’t. I’ve to be alert for me young ’uns.’

‘Look, Betsy, I’m going to take care of you. I’m not going to make you wait until we can go to Scotland, although that won’t be long now. I’m going to rent somewhere for us both and the children in London. How does that sound?’

‘Eeh, London – me? Naw, lass, I’d be lost.’

‘No, you won’t. I’ll always be with you. It’s exciting, Betsy. I’ll take you shopping and to a show. Montel will watch the children.’

‘Montel?’

‘Oh, I – I . . . well, you’ll have to know anyway. Montel is . . .’ And Mags told Betsy all about him.