‘I’d best be going.’ Molly took a step forward. She did not like the way things were developing.

‘Don’t do that, Molly,’ he pleaded. ‘Look, I’ve gone about this like a bull-headed fool. A minute… one minute more, and I promise I’ll not mention him again.’ His whole being relaxed when Molly stopped right beside him.

‘It’s simple enough,’ he murmured in her ear, ‘I love you and I’m asking you to come away with me. Let me take care of you, sweetheart… you and the young ’uns?’

In spite of herself, Molly was touched by the desperation in his voice. She knew he had not meant to slander Jack; in her heart she had to admit that he had spoken only the truth. It was strange that things had come to a head in this way, because she had intended telling him that, after today, she would not be coming to the barge any more. Jack might be a coward, with the wandering heart of a gypsy, but he also had a vicious streak in him. It was wrong of her to see so much of Mick. It could lead to trouble. Besides which, she was not being fair to Mick by continuing these meetings, because, just as she had suspected, and in spite of his assurances to the contrary, they were encouraging Mick to believe that something more permanent might develop between them. Now she half-turned, her heart skipping a beat when she realized how close Mick’s face was to hers. ‘Please, Mick,’ she said, her dark eyes melting beneath that intense, adoring gaze, ‘you know you’re asking the impossible.’ He made no reply, but held her attention a moment longer until she became mesmerized by the softness of his gaze; there was something compelling about his whole countenance, keeping her there, trapped and helpless in the deep emotion that drew them together.

Molly could never remember exactly how it happened, but, suddenly, she was in his arms and he was pressing his mouth to hers. And she was willing him on, reaching up to wrap her arms round his neck, gently moaning as he rained frantic kisses on her face, her ears, her neck; all her resolve was washed away in a tender and exquisite tide of ecstasy. ‘Say you’ll be mine,’ he coaxed, ‘just say the word, Molly.’

Suddenly Molly saw a movement out of the corner of her eye. It was little Sal! With a shock, Molly sprang from Mick’s embrace, a wave of remorse sweeping through her when Sal said pointedly, ‘I want to go home.’

It took Molly only a few moments to prepare the children, and soon they were clambering down the gangplank on to the wharf. As Molly passed by him, her gaze fixed ahead and a tinge of embarrassment warming her face, Mick reached out, to draw her tenderly to a halt. ‘I can’t go on this way,’ he told her softly. ‘I must leave this area. With or without you.’