Both ladies seemed momentarily taken aback by the interruption, carefully regarding Nelly’s expensive cape and bonnet, and seeing how altogether refined she did appear. Accepting that she was a woman of quality, they were soon spilling out the entire story of how a well-to-do gentleman had raised the alarm when ‘this ragamuffin’ dipped her hand into his pocket. The outcome was that he caught hold of her and was determined not to let her go until someone in authority was summoned. Upon the officer’s arrival, the gentleman, together with the thief, and a member of the public who was thought to have witnessed the unfortunate event, were quickly ushered into the station-manager’s office. ‘And, as far as I know… they are still in there,’ remarked the tall lady. By this time, drawn by this particular lady’s shrill, uplifted voice, a small crowd had gathered to add its voice to the proceedings.

‘Really!’ Nelly was marvellous in her condemnation. ‘Whatever is the world coming to, my dear?’ Suitably shaking her head in disillusionment, she swung away and swept through the crowd of bodies, loudly tut-tutting as she went. A little smile crept into her heart as she made her way to the station-manager’s office. At long last, here might be the opportunity to help this unfortunate creature. And wouldn’t Emma be pleased?

Anxious to approach the ‘injured’ gentleman before he preferred charges, Nelly was mortified to discover that ‘both the gentleman and the thief have been taken to the constabulary’. But being Nelly, a woman who was not easily thwarted, she promptly gathered up her skirts, ordered a cab, and instructed it to take her quickly to the police station. Once there, she had no intention of leaving without the young woman in question!

Chapter Seven

‘Who is this woman, Molly? And why would she persuade the gent to drop charges against you?’ Mick had been shocked when Molly told him what had happened, and he had made her promise never to go thieving again. He was also very hurt when he realized that she was prepared to resort to such methods rather than turn to him for help. He knew, however, that the limited help he could offer her would never be enough to get Tom’s leg put right, and he could understand how desperation had driven her to go picking pockets. He knew what an awful thing it was, to be so desperate. Because didn’t he feel the same way? And hadn’t he lost many a night’s sleep on account of his all-consuming love for Molly? And now, because of that same desperation, he had come to a decision. The hardest thing of all was how he might bring himself to tell Molly. Her visit to the barge on this chilly November Saturday had been a pleasant surprise, which he intended to enjoy to the very full, before breaking his news to her. He would have told her today anyway, because, if she hadn’t turned up here, he would have gone along to Dock Street some time later that evening.