‘It seems we all have bad stuff to carry around with us,’ she’d told Mags, and wished with all her heart that she could unburden herself of the worst of her own baggage, but knew that would cause further pain to Mags and maybe cut them both apart. She couldn’t risk it.

Now they were staying in a small hotel in Brixton and today Susan’s husband, who had somehow become such a large part of Mags’s life, was coming to visit with Susan’s child, and they were all going to picnic together in the park.

The name of the park had given Mags the shivers at first, as it was so like the name of the asylum. Brockwell Park was just a short walk away from the hotel and, as always, Betsy was glad to get out of the hotel, as she wasn’t at home in such places. She felt she should be serving the guests, not being one of them.

When they met up with Montel, Betsy saw immediately how it was that Mags could like him so much. He obviously thought the world of Mags. ‘I am pleazed to meet you, Betzy. You are very lovely, just az Mags has told me. And these are your lovely girls.’

The girls all looked up at him with cheeky smiles on their faces, and Betsy knew that Montel was the type of person that everyone took to, young and old alike.

‘Pleased to meet you an’ all, Montel. And I’ve heard a lot about you.’

Montel had looked over at Mags when Betsy said this, and Betsy saw Mags blush. To her mind, these two needed some time on their own, as she could feel a tension between them. ‘Right, I’ll take young ’un from you and she can stay with us, we’ll sit over there by the lake. You two go for a walk, then you can give all your news to Montel, Mags.’

Mags looked pleased at this, and neither of them objected. Betsy watched them walk away, after assuring themselves she would be all right on her own, in this London that frightened her so much.

Settled on the grass and looking around her, Betsy thought the park was lovely. The grass was green, lush and velvety, and the sun dappled on the ripples the ducks made in the lake as they glided by. The thought came to her that she couldn’t believe there would be such a peaceful haven in the middle of the chaos of the streets around the city. As she gave the girls some crusts so that they could feed the ducks, Betsy let her mind wander. An unknown future stretched out ahead of her. One that held loneliness for her, because although she would be with Mags, there would be no Bill, or Ma, or Ciss.

Sighing, she gave her attention to the little girl whose hand she held. ‘Aye, and it’s the same for you an’ all. You’re a lost soul, with only a stepdad to take care of you, but he looks a good ’un. And if it does work out that he takes up with Mags and comes to Scotland with us, then I’ll look out for you, I promise, as I liked your ma. Despite everything, I liked her, though it beggars belief how Susan could leave you and go to that sod Roford.’