Fay couldn’t believe that strangers could be so kind. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I’m really grateful.’

‘Pah! I dare say you’d do the same for us.’ And with that Marge made her slow way into the kitchen.

Before too long, Fay’s bruises were treated and her clothes stitched to perfection. After a toddy of brandy, there was a pink glow to her cheeks, and all was well.

‘Where is it you live, lass?’ Marge asked.

‘I live and work at the orphanage.’

The old woman was horrified. ‘What! You mean with childer?’

‘They’re not all ruffians.’

‘Mebbe not, but they’re still childer, and the further away from me they are, the better I like it.’

Bridget had an idea she knew Fay, or at least knew of her, but she wasn’t sure. ‘What exactly do you do at the orphanage?’

‘I mind the children, and sometimes I take them outside to walk the yard. On Sundays I lead them to the chapel and get them to stand in line.’ A smile of joy swept her young features. ‘But what I like best of all is when we have a new child and I’m the one who looks after it.’

‘Good Lord!’ cried Marge. ‘You’re nobbut a child yourself, lass.’

‘I’m in my twenties,’ Fay said indignantly.

The old woman regarded her with amusement. ‘You don’t look above fourteen or fifteen to me,’ she said.

Soon, Fay and Bridget took their leave.

‘Don’t forget to come and see me now and then,’ said the old woman.

Her answer was a smile from Fay and a kiss on the cheek from Bridget.

‘By!’ Marge went pink all over. ‘Nobody’s ever kissed me afore.’

‘Then it’s high time,’ Bridget said, and for the first time wondered about the old woman’s past.

Once outside, Fay thanked Bridget profusely. ‘I don’t know what I would have done without you. Now, though, I’m wondering how I should deal with Mr Noosan.’ It was a real worry. ‘I know if I tell he’ll make Matron think it was my fault, and I’ll lose my place at the orphanage.’ Tears came to her eyes. ‘I wouldn’t know what to do if I was made to leave.’

Bridget regarded her. ‘You really love it there, don’t you?’

‘More than I can say. I would never want to work anywhere else.’ In a softer voice she confessed, ‘The children are so frightened when they come in, and Matron is so hard. Nobody seems to realise how lonely they are. When I make them laugh, it makes me feel happy too.’

‘Don’t you worry about it.’ Bridget had an idea. ‘Soon as ever the material is delivered, I’ll come to the orphanage with it and I’ll have a word with this Mr Noosan.’

‘I don’t want any trouble.’

‘You won’t get any neither,’ Bridget promised. ‘If he’s not very careful, it will be our friend Mr Noosan who finds himself in trouble.’ She shook her head. ‘Here I am, promising to speak to this feller and I won’t even know who I’m talking about. What’s your name?’