‘I expect you do, gal, but—’

‘I know what you’re trying to say and you’re right. I’ve made my bed and now I’ll have to lie on it.’ She leaned back in the chair and regarded her friend through quiet eyes. ‘I’m not complaining. I’ve lost Tom’s respect and all that went with it and, God knows, it’s only what I deserve.’

‘We all have to pay a price, gal.’

‘And I’ll pay mine, for however long it takes.’

‘You mustn’t let it ruin your life though.’

‘I have no life outside of Tom and the bairn.’ The warmest smile lifted her features. ‘Oh, Fanny, I can’t wait for it to be born.’ Even though her child was being delivered into an uncertain world and she was destined to be both mother and father to it, Bridget wanted it with all her heart.

Fanny laughed. ‘You can ’ave mine an’ all if yer want it.’

‘You don’t mean that.’

‘I bloody do!’ Fanny retorted. ‘What do I want with a brat? I never asked for it in the first place. It was an accident. But now I’m lumbered, and here it is.’ Patting her stomach, she smiled and shook her head. ‘Big as a barge and ready to show its face any time now.’

Bridget was concerned. ‘You wouldn’t really give it away, would you?’ she asked worriedly.

Fanny took a moment to answer, then, in a soft, regretful voice she admitted, ‘Naw, when all’s said an’ done, I couldn’t give it away, gal.’ With a raucous laugh she added, ‘Unless it’s an ugly bugger. In which case I’ll sell it to the Gypsies for half a crown.’

‘You’re a devil.’ Bridget couldn’t help but smile.

There followed a quiet moment when the two of them reflected on their situations. Neither of them knew what the future held, and neither was completely secure. But these two were made of stern stuff, and whatever trials they had to face, life would never get the better of them.

Fanny’s quiet voice shook Bridget out of her thoughts. ‘What about Harry?’ she asked gently. ‘Do you miss him too?’

Bridget gave it some thought. Yes, there had been times when she did miss Harry, but it wasn’t so bad these days. ‘Me and Harry went our separate ways a long time ago,’ she answered. ‘After his father died, he took over the tailoring, and from what I can gather he hardly ever goes out.’

‘Aye, I’ve heard that said.’

‘Before I left the big house, I often heard the servants talking about him, saying how sorry they were to see him go. Harry was well liked by everybody, so it was only natural they’d want to know how he was getting on. Cook even visited him once, to pay her respects when she heard about his father. Then, when the butler started having his suits altered by Harry, we got to hear more snippets of gossip. I swear men are worse gossips than women.’