In a moment he was at the door. ‘What’s wrong?’ He looked from her to Joe, and back again, his eyes intent on her face. ‘Are you in trouble?’ Because of their past, and the strained relationship that had followed, he dared not feel too easy in her presence.

‘It’s Ruthie.’ Bridget felt all manner of emotions as she stood before him. ‘She’s gone missing. I thought she might have come here.’

Shocked at the news, and concerned by how tired and unwell Bridget looked, he took her gently by the arm. ‘You’d better come in.’

The three of them went down the passageway to the back room where a cheery fire was blazing. It took only a few minutes to tell him the problem.

Harry was seriously concerned. ‘We have to find her,’ he said. ‘The police will no doubt do what they can, but in my experience the more we can do ourselves, the better.’ He smiled at Bridget. ‘Besides, I can’t see you sitting and waiting while others search for her.’

‘What can we do, Harry? She said she was going to find Billy, but she’s got no idea where to look, and neither have I.’

‘What made you think she might be here?’

‘Because she’s grown fond of you, and before she left she was asking Joe about you.’

‘Aye,’ confirmed Joe, ‘that’s right enough. Bridget reckoned the lass might have summat to tell you.’

Harry looked at Bridget. ‘Such as what?’

‘She was worried, that’s all I know. I asked her time and again but she wouldn’t confide in me.’

‘Bridget seemed to think it was summat to do with Bob Morris,’ Joe explained, trying to be helpful.

Sensing there was more here than met the eye, Harry said tactfully, ‘None of that matters right now. The main thing is for us to find the girl. After that, maybe we can get to the bottom of what’s been worrying her.’ He strode to the cellar door and took his coat from the peg. ‘If she’s gone to find Billy, I expect she’ll be making for the Gypsy camps. You look all in, Bridget. Stay here, and keep warm. But I might need your help, Joe.’

‘You don’t have to ask.’ Grabbing his hat from the chair arm, he hurried across the room to take up his place beside Harry. ‘There are others out there an’ all, just waiting for the word.’

‘I’m coming too,’ Bridget insisted. ‘I won’t be left behind.’

Harry gripped her by the shoulders and in the kindest voice told her, ‘I don’t want you along. I might have to go places where I wouldn’t want you to be. There are men out there who would slit your throat for a shilling, and I don’t want to be watching out for you as well. So please, Bridget, for your own sake, and for Ruthie’s, do as I ask.’

With his hands on her shoulders, Bridget felt the warmth of his body flow into hers. It was a frightening, wonderful feeling. ‘Please, Harry,’ she pleaded, tears of anguish flowing down her face. ‘Take me with you.’