Mick was intrigued. ‘And will you?’

‘No!’ Molly was adamant. But then she lapsed into deep thought: how she had actually come to like Nelly, and how, in spite of herself, she had begun to look forward to her mornings up at the big house. And there was something else as well. Something that was very precious to her, and for which she had grown exceedingly grateful. She explained to Mick. ‘Though little Sal wasn’t too pleased,’ she said in a low voice. ‘It weren’t fair to ask Tilly to mind all three children while I did my duties at the house… so I told Nelly that I’d have to fetch little Sal to work each day, because I’d nowhere to leave her.’ She chuckled. ‘I was sure she’d refuse, and so I couldn’t come either… then she’d have no hold on me. But she weren’t a bit worried. Now she thinks the world of Sal… and she’s even teaching her things… reading words, and writing. She tells her stories and she plays in the garden with her.’

‘Aren’t you jealous?’ Mick laughed.

‘Oh, you might tease, Mick Darcy,’ Molly chided, ‘but yes… I was jealous. But Nelly’s not the sort to try and steal a child’s affection… she’s really taken to Sal and me. To tell you the truth, she’s not a bad sort… rough and ready she is… just like us.’

‘No, Molly… not “like us”,’ Mick reminded her quietly. ‘She’s rough and ready maybe, because she was a convict with Emma. But now she lives the life of a lady, in a fine house with fine things round her. And, like as not, mixes with high, influential people.’ Mick was concerned that Molly was in danger of losing sight of the real issues here. ‘Don’t forget that, me beauty, and don’t forget that she forced you to go and work there. Keep your wits about you, Molly. These gentry have to be watched… and they harbour some very strange ideas. I don’t know that you should let her take up so much of little Sal’s time. Remember, there’s been a child lost in that household… the Tanners’ son. They’re too old to have any more children.’ He glanced round to reassure himself that Sal had not overheard, before looking into Molly’s uplifted face. ‘You do know what I’m saying, don’t you, Molly?’

Molly knew right enough. The very same idea had crossed her own mind and she had been made to recall her other fear, regarding Justice Crowther and the fact that he was kith and kin to the Tanner household, whatever the rumours said. She had broached the matter with Nelly, who had vehemently assured Molly, ‘That devil will not set foot in this household – you have my word on it!’ But then, she had gone on to ask awkward questions, such as why was Molly so intimidated by the Justice?… Had they ever locked horns?… Why should he be interested in a ragamuffin such as herself?