‘No, no… don’t be foolish,’ Mick said. ‘Keep the clothes. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t. If they don’t fit her any more, then they’re no use at all to her, are they?’ His gaze mingled with hers, and Molly’s heart turned over. ‘Besides, me beauty, you look a picture of loveliness in ’em.’ In that instant, the light of day caught his eye, and Molly was astonished to see her own image reflected in his strong, loving gaze. It frightened yet excited her at the same time.

When, somewhat shaken, she lowered her eyes, he stood up and touched her on the shoulder. ‘Will you come up top with me, Molly? There’s something that needs to be said… away from the children.’ He collected her shawl from the nearby bunk and, taking it by two corners, he held it out. When Molly stepped forward, he wrapped it round her with great tenderness and, for a heart-stopping moment, she thought he intended to kiss the top of her head. Instead, he straightened his broad shoulders and gestured for her to go ahead.

On deck, Molly drew the shawl tightly about her. The mid-morning breeze had gained momentum, slicing the air with spite, and chilling her face. She shivered noisily. However, when Mick put his arm round her she instinctively drew away, although in truth Molly would have liked to snuggle into him. There was a feeling of great strength and protectiveness about this big, kind man.

‘What is it you want to tell me, Mick?’ Molly asked, looking up at him and thinking how ruggedly handsome he was. But he wasn’t Jack, and he wasn’t her husband. The three children inside the barge were not his either. He was a friend, a dear friend and that was all. Molly was disturbed to find that she was having to reassure herself of these facts more and more of late.

‘Just listen, Molly… don’t say anything until you’ve heard me out.’ He paused, as though waiting for her to protest. When she did not, he went on in a quiet voice, all the while looking down at her lovely face, and fighting a terrible compulsion to grab her by the shoulders and force his lips on to hers. Dear God, how she haunted his every waking thought! His first words told Molly what she had long known, and been afraid of. ‘I love you, Molly… more than I’ve ever loved any woman. All I want in this life is to care for you and the children… to take you on as a family … to belong.’ He raised his head and cried out softly as though in pain, ‘Oh, Molly, Molly!’ Kicking his foot against the rail post he swung away from her, his two fists wrapped over the post and his tall, strong figure bent forward, the shoulders slumped wearily and his voice filled with despair as he told her, ‘That husband of yours is a damned fool! I can’t understand a man who could turn his back on a woman like you… leave his children… not giving a cuss whether they’re cold or hungry.’ Suddenly, he groaned aloud and came back to grip her by the shoulders. ‘I know it hurts you to hear these things, Molly… but it’s the truth, and I wouldn’t be much of a man if I didn’t say what was on my mind.’ He sensed Molly’s irritation and felt her shoulders stiffen beneath his hands. ‘All right… all right.’ He stepped away, keeping his eyes on her face, frantic that he was doing and saying all the wrong things, when he had spent these past few days planning how he could best win Molly over. He knew it would not be easy. She was fiercely loyal, worse, she loved her husband in spite of his roving ways.