‘This sounds serious – not Rory knowing about us, but him being glad you are here.’

‘I think it is, Mags. Well, I hope it is. I – I think a lot of him. He looks on me as a victim of Harold, and said, as you did, that we were all victims of that evil man. And Rory counted himself in that, too, as he can’t get over losing his father.’

Mags smiled at Susan. ‘They were Montel’s words that I was repeating. But at least good is coming from it all. You have Sibbie and you’ve met Rory, whom you never would have met, but for what Harold did. And Betsy looks as though she is healed from her Bill’s passing, and Billy is an addition to our little family, too. Not only has all that good come from all the bad that happened, but I have this little darling as well – and a chance to rebuild my father’s dream, and to see my friends again. None of it can make up for what we’ve lost, but it is all a victory over the evil that was Harold.’

They carried on chatting, speculating as to whether Angus would be willing to take on a brood of four children and hoping that he would. And Mags thought, Yes, good has come from all that Harold tried to sully, and I hope with all my heart that it works out for Betsy and Susan. And that my plans work out, too. They must, as I’m throwing everything I have at this and looking on it as being my saviour.

Chapter Thirty-One

A few days later Betsy walked down the slope. The fishing boats were coming in, but she had been banned from buying any more fish for at least a week, so she had no excuse to meet the boats. A few women were gathered on the quayside, but she would have to leave them to it. She turned in the direction of the school. Today marked its breaking up for the summer holiday, 31st July – how had they got more than halfway through 1925 already? And how was it that her Billy would be starting school when the new term began? Sibbie couldn’t wait, bless her; she loved her half-brother so much – with all she had to put up with from Billy, Betsy thought she’d be glad to get away from him for a few hours, but she hated it every morning when she had to leave to go to school without him.

Eeh, they think the world of each other, and I’m that glad. Sibbie will be a steadying influence on Billy as they get older, I’m sure of it. But even as she thought this, Betsy hoped she was right. She looked down at Billy, feeling the tug of his hand. He wanted to get to the school to be with Sibbie, and she wasn’t walking fast enough for him. ‘Mama, hurry – you walk too slow!’