Smiling with anticipation, he murmured, ‘Why? Have you got something in mind?’

Returning his smile, she dashed his hopes. ‘I’ve promised to make a delivery to the orphanage.’ While she spoke, she rolled out a measure of blue cloth and snipped it off.

He was aware of Ruthie cowering at the back of the stall. ‘Half an hour, you say?’

‘Three-quarters at the outside.’

‘I think I can manage that.’

‘Mammy! I want to come with you.’ Ruthie rushed forward and tugged at Bridget’s skirt. ‘Please, Mammy, let me come with you. I don’t want to stay here.’

Taking her by the shoulders, Bridget leaned down to explain. ‘I have to see someone there, and I won’t be able to discuss business if you tag along. Bob’s here, sweetheart. He’ll take care of you, and I won’t be long, I promise.’

Bob stepped forward. ‘We’ll be all right, won’t we, Ruthie? I mean, we wouldn’t want to upset your mammy, would we now?’ Stooping lower, he looked her in the eye. ‘Anyway, I thought we were friends?’

Bridget kissed Ruthie and hurried away, but at the pit of her stomach there was an uneasy feeling. She looked back and saw Bob laughingly tickle Ruthie under the chin.

Reassured, Bridget pressed on. ‘Anyone can see he thinks the world of her.’

Once Bridget was out of sight and he thought he was safe, Bob’s attitude changed. Taking Ruthie to the far end of the stall where they could not easily be overheard, he shook her hard. ‘Are you trying to turn your mammy against me?’

Ruthie shook her head.

‘Then why did you let her think you were frightened to stay with me?’

Her bottom lip trembled. ‘I didn’t.’

He shook her again. ‘Oh, but you did!’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘That’s not enough, is it?’

‘I won’t do it again.’ Tears swam in her eyes.

‘Did you tell… anyone?’

‘No.’

‘And you won’t tell, will you, Ruthie?’

‘But I saw you!’

‘Yes, and I explained. She was a friend. Just a friend.’

‘You were kissing her.’

‘There is nothing wrong with kissing a friend, but your mammy might not be pleased if she knew.’ He laughed softly. ‘She might be jealous, and then we might fight and your mammy could get hurt. We wouldn’t want that, would we, eh? You won’t tell, will you, Ruthie?’

When Ruthie appeared sullen, he asked again, and when she still refused to answer, he gripped her arms so hard she cried out in pain.

‘Ruthie! Is that you? Are you all right, lass?’ Aggie’s voice sailed through the air and in a moment her face appeared at the opening between the two stalls. ‘Ruthie! Ruthie, where are you, lass?’

Bob hurried over. ‘It’s all right,’ he answered. ‘Bridget had to make an urgent delivery and I’m left to watch Ruthie. She’s been playing under the stall, but she’s all right now. Kids! They get stuck in the most unlikely places, don’t they, eh?’

Aggie looked at Ruthie. She was rubbing her arms. ‘Do you want to come and help me till your mammy comes back?’ she asked.