Yet if the thought of Jack brought distress to her, the memory of someone else made her weary heart soar. To her mind now came the image of Mick, strong and virile, protective and caring.

In a moment, Molly recalled something that dear old Sal had told her: ‘We’re all of us entitled to one big mistake in us lives, Molly darlin’.’ Only now did Molly realize the profound truth of those words. Because hadn’t she already used up her entitlement to ‘one big mistake’ when she had sent Mick away? To Molly’s mind, she could never make a greater mistake than that one.

Where was he now? Molly tortured herself. Was he in some other, wiser woman’s arms? Had he forgotten her entirely? What a fool! What a blind, ignorant fool she had been! And now, it was all too late. Suddenly the tears were burning in Molly’s eyes, spilling over and trailing down her face. ‘Oh, Mick! Mick! If only you knew,’ she murmured into the darkness, leaning her head into the palms of her hands and gently swaying in the manner a child might do when comforting itself. Her sobs were so soft that they fell away on the still night air, unheard – except by Molly herself, and by the other who, for these past few moments, had stood at the top of the steps, discreetly out of the candle-light, becoming angered by the name he had heard on Molly’s lips.

Joe Watson knew more of Mick the bargee’s whereabouts than did either Tilly Watson or Molly herself. He knew, for instance, that Mick seemed very well in with the Tanners these days, or so the ale-house gossip had it. And that Mick’s barge had been laid up at Liverpool for some time, while the fellow himself was said to be ‘tramping the country like a soul with a purpose’. There had been much speculation. But nobody appeared to be familiar with the true facts as to what ailed Mick Darcy. None dared ask, for Mick was a very private fellow, it was said.

Since the day when Molly had arrived on his mother’s doorstep, Joe Watson could so easily have mentioned the gossip concerning Mick Darcy. But being the cunning fellow that he was, his instincts had warned him to stay quiet. After all, he knew how the bargee had a liking for Molly and he suspected Molly was not altogether unimpressed by Mick Darcy’s attentions. And since he himself had growing designs on Molly, it wouldn’t do to discuss possible rivals, now would it? And deep down, Joe Watson had wondered whether it wasn’t Molly herself that Mick Darcy was searching for! With all this in mind, he had not even confided in his own mother. What! Old Tilly would turn stark grey in a minute if she believed her own provider was considering taking on another woman – a woman with three brats an’ all. Imagining the ensuing confrontation between himself and Tilly, and still somewhat under the influence of the jugs of ale he had sunk that night, Joe Watson was made to quietly chuckle.