‘I understand that,’ Molly said now, being aware of certain parts of Nelly and Emma Tanner’s past, such as them being sent as convicts to Australia. Molly couldn’t help thinking that if the authorities still transported unfortunate wretches today, she would no doubt have been clapped in irons along with the rest of them. As it was, she could expect a sorry end if ever Justice Crowther had his way! Oh yes, she could understand how frightening and shocking were the circumstances in which Nelly and her Emma had been taken all those years ago. But what she could not understand was this: ‘What has all that to do with me?’

‘Well, it ain’t got nothing ter do with you,’ Nelly replied, ‘but what I’m trying ter say is that when a body’s been as low and sorry as it can be, then it gets ter thinking. Me and Emma came through all our trials and bad years.’ She stopped, remembering how broken-hearted Emma was at the loss of her son, and how that same loss had shaken them all to their very roots; besides shaking Emma’s faith in the good Lord who had given her the strength and determination to soar above her earlier hardships. ‘Emma’s done well for herself… all done by hard work and pure grit! And all through it, she’s never lost sight of her own unhappy start, nor has she forgotten how cruel and unjust life can be for the poor wretches at the bottom of the layer, much like yourself if yer don’t mind me saying. She’s a good woman.’ Nelly’s love for Emma was obvious in her voice, and in the proud look on her face. ‘We saw you once before, my gal… did yer know that… winked at Emma, yer did.’

Molly was intrigued. She could not remember doing anything so inexcusable. ‘Winking’ at the niece of her most dangerous enemy? Never! ‘I’m sure I did no such thing!’ she retorted. But then Nelly chortled and went on to describe how on the very day she and Emma had arrived back in England, they had seen with their own eyes how Molly had been ‘collared’ by a constable, for picking pockets at Liverpool Docks. Molly remembered it all. She had had the fear of God put in her on that particular day, some years back now. Nelly’s tale unfolded; she explained how Molly went running past her and Emma, with the child tucked to her hip. ‘And when yer came alongside us, why!… Yer cocked the cheekiest wink ter Emma, just like it were all a bloody game!’

Suddenly it was all coming back to Molly. She recalled how this smart and beautiful woman stared at her with astonished and admiring eyes and yes, she did recall winking! A ripple of fear went through her as she asked incredulously, ‘That was Emma Tanner?’

‘It was! You made a big impression on her that day… she never stopped talking about the incident all the way to Blackburn.’ Nelly explained, ‘She kept saying as how she would have liked to help you… you and the young ’un. But nobody knew where you’d come from, or how yer might be found… or at least, they weren’t telling if they did know. Honour among thieves, I suppose. Anyway, what with her boy and her new husband, Emma’s thoughts were busily occupied elsewhere fer a while. But then, one day not too long back, I clapped eyes on yer agin. There were two bairns with yer on that particular day… well, I told Emma what a bag of bones you looked and, after that, she wouldn’t take no for an answer. My orders was ter find yer. Emma was gonna help yer… whether yer liked it or not. So that’s why I got yer released into my custody, y’see. It were an opportunity for me ter do what Emma would have done if she were here… see that yer had a shilling or two in yer pocket… and proper work ter keep yer out of mischief.’