‘No.’ Mick smiled, but it was a sad and sorry expression. ‘Not that I wouldn’t have welcomed a closer understanding between us. But if you knew Molly at all, you must know how devoted she is to that husband of hers.’ He suddenly realized that he was openly discussing Molly’s private affairs and he was shamed. ‘Me and Molly had no such understanding, young man. It was my privilege to be a good friend to her, that’s all… as I know your mother, Tilly, was.’ He paused, allowing his statement to sink in. ‘So, you’ve no idea where Molly might have gone?’

‘None at all, and if me mam were in, she’d tell you the very same… Molly was cagey about where she was headed.’ Joey rubbed his thumb along the dark fuzzy stubble on his chin, at the same time scrutinizing the bargee. He knew well enough how this broad, handsome fellow idolized Molly from next door because hadn’t his mam said time and again, ‘that Mick Darcy thinks the world o’ Molly… tek her and the three kids at the drop of a hat he would, and he’s a fine catch by any woman’s standards. By! If that Molly had any sense at all, she’d bar the bloody door agin that useless husband of hers… and snatch Mick Darcy’s hand off with his offer! Oh, but she won’t! Not while she’s besotted with that waste o’ timer, Jack-the-Lad. But mark my words, our Joey… she’ll come to regret waiting for that bugger. Oh, yes, there’s no doubt she’ll come to regret it. Tuh! If I were in that gal’s place, you wouldn’t find me turning down a fella the likes o’ Mick Darcy!’

‘Taken all her belongings, has she?’ Mick glanced towards the unkempt little house that had been Molly’s pitiful abode.

‘Well, she didn’t have much to take, but yes, she went away pushing a cart piled up with bits o’ this and that. The littlest o’ the lasses were sat atop the jumble, with the cripple. The one called Sal trotted alongside her mammy, helping to push the cart.’ He shook his head and pursed his lips, making a sucking sound. ‘They made a sorry sight and no mistake.’ He deliberately kept back one significant piece of information. It wasn’t often that folks hung on his every word, and even though he felt a measure of sympathy for the bargee – who was obviously head over heels in love with Molly – he was enjoying being the centre of attention.

‘Thank you for your trouble,’ Mick told him now, beginning to turn away. ‘If by any chance Molly should come back… you will tell her I was here?’ When the young man nodded, he went on, ‘Happen I’ll wander about a bit… keep a look out for her. I’d hate to think she was in need, or trouble, or anything of that sort… what with three young ’uns looking to her.’

‘Oh, I shouldn’t bother yerself about any o’ that, matey,’ interrupted Tilly Watson’s eldest. He thought it just the right moment to reveal his ‘snippet of information’. ‘Molly ain’t on her own, d’yer see? Because, according to what she told me mam… she’s given the house up fer the very good reason that her Jack’s got himself a job some fifty mile away… and there’s a place ter live goes with it. That’s where Molly’s taken herself and the brats. She’s gone ter set up home with her wandering husband.’ He felt pleased with himself, until he saw how the colour had drained from the bargee’s face. Thinking himself a heartless bastard, he said, ‘Molly seemed in good spirits when she left Dock Street, mate – happiest I’ve seen her in a long time. Look… she’ll be all right now her fella’s seen sense enough ter put down roots. Her and the young ’uns… they’ll be well looked after. That’s what you want, ain’t it? You being a friend?’