Equally incensed, Maud shouted back, ‘If you think I want you chained to me, then you’re more of a fool than I took you for! You’re getting on for thirty and here you are, still without a man. There is nothing I’d like more than to see you get wed. I’m your mother, God help me, and what mother wouldn’t want her daughter settled and bringing her grandchildren?’

‘If that’s true, why do you always put obstacles in my way?’

‘Because you’re going about it all the wrong way! I’ve looked through this window time and again this past week and I’ve seen the fellow you’re walking out with. He has no intention of marrying you. Quite likely he’s got a wife and six childer at home, and he sees an opportunity here to set himself up very nicely, thank you.’

‘You’re jealous! You lie here day and night, with nothing to do but dream up these foul notions.’ Shaking with anger, Alice was close to hitting her mother. ‘You want to hurt me, that’s it. You’ve always hated me.’

‘I’ve never hated you or anyone else in my life.’ Taking hold of her daughter’s arm, Maud insisted, ‘Take a good look at him, Alice! Listen to what I’m saying, before it’s too late. He’s up to no good, I can tell.’

Tearing herself away, Alice glared at her mother with raw hatred. ‘What are you saying, you silly woman?’

‘That man has the look of a villain, that’s what I’m saying, and I want you to stop seeing him. Do you hear? I want you to stop seeing him!’

‘No, Mother, that’s not what you want at all. What you want is for me to run up and down the stairs after you, day and night. Well, I’ve had enough. Do you understand what I’m saying, Mother? I’m sick of waiting on you hand and foot. Villain or not, if he wants to marry me, I’ll go to him with open arms.’

Exhausted, Maud fell back against the pillow. ‘You’ve always had a wicked streak,’ she said. ‘If you’re making up to this fellow just to get away from me, then I’ve failed you, and may God forgive me. But, like you say, you’ll do as you want, and neither I nor Harry nor anyone else can stop you.’ She turned her face away. ‘Go away now. Please.’

Unconcerned and triumphant, Alice hurried to the door, startled when Harry burst into the room.

‘What the hell’s going on?’ he demanded.

‘Don’t know what you mean.’

‘I was crossing the hallway when I heard shouting.’

‘It was Mother. You know how excited she gets.’

He rushed across the room to his mother’s side. As always, she greeted him with a smile. ‘I thought you were working.’

Ignoring her obvious attempt to distract him, he asked softly, ‘Has she been getting at you?’

Maud shook her head. ‘No.’

‘I heard shouting.’

‘You’re mistaken, Harry. It must have been someone out in the street.’