‘No. Some time after, when we thought it might be safe, Jack and me went back and searched… Jack knew how much it meant to me. There was no sign of it. I’m convinced that Justice Crowther still has it… perhaps he thinks it might lead him to me in time.’ She dipped her two fingers into the neck of her dress and drew out the black string that hung from her throat. Knotted at the end of the loop was a tiny gold clasp in the shape of a petal cluster. ‘When the chain was torn from my neck… this fastener got caught in my hair.’

‘It’s very little to go by, Molly.’ Mick was surprised that she had not sold the pretty gold cluster. After all, it must be worth a guinea or so. Then he realised the depth of her love for old Sal Tanner, and the promise she had made the old woman. No, it was not surprising that Molly still cherished the tiny piece, for it obviously meant more than money to her. A sudden thought chilled him. ‘Are you telling me that this fancy lady… the one who’s been asking after you… is sent by Justice Crowther to root you out?’

Molly gave no answer for a moment, seemingly lost in deep, tormenting thoughts. She gently stroked the child’s fair head and was suddenly fearful for the future. After a while, she looked up to meet Mick’s anxious gaze with a rush of defiance. ‘Who else could it be?’ she asked. ‘Of course she were sent by the Justice. But I tell you this, Mick Darcy… they can search high and low, but they’ll not find me… I’ve learned when to keep my head down. And I’ve grown as crafty as a fox when it comes to dipping and diving.’

‘You’d be safer moving away from these parts.’ Mick was afraid for her. ‘Come away with me, Molly… you and me… we could make a good life together.’

Molly got to her feet. ‘You know my answer to that,’ she said cuttingly, ‘and if you want us to stay the good friends we are, don’t ever ask me again.’ She turned to draw the child into her arms. ‘Come on, Sal my darling… it’s high time we went.’

‘Forget what I said, Molly… it’s just that I’m afraid for you. You can understand that, can’t you?’

Molly thought hard before answering. ‘It’s forgot then.’ Her smile was warm, though not intimate. ‘What I told you… about the Justice and all that… it won’t go no further? There are times when a body can’t tell friend from foe.’

‘You can count on me.’ He reached the infant before Molly did, and as he tenderly raised its sleeping form into his capable arms, his eyes were drawn to Molly, who was looking at him in a strangely unsettling way, her black’ eyes following his every move. When she realized that Mick had been made curious by her close observation of him, she was suddenly self-conscious and, irritated by the soft pink glow that suffused her neck and face, she quickly lowered her gaze to the floor.