own, will I? I’ve got Bessie here, who’s not a stone’s throw away, as well you know. And besides, I’m not quite in me dotage just yet. I can still take care of meself, and happen it’ll do me good not to have to run about after you for a few weeks.’
As Amy looked up into her gran’s loving eyes they both smiled.
‘There, that’s sorted then,’ Molly said firmly. ‘You’re goin’, an’ that’s an end to it. Why, I’d never sleep easy in me bed if I thought you’d missed a chance like this over me.’
Amy suddenly rose and skirting the table, she flung herself into Molly’s arms.
‘Oh Gran, I do love you,’ she whispered.
Gently stroking the girl’s soft hair, Molly nodded as she said chokily, ‘Aye, darlin’. I know you do, an’ I love you an’ all.’ And the words were spoken from the heart.
Chapter Eleven
On the morning of their departure, Molly chose not to go to the railway station to see Amy off. She couldn’t walk as far now as she had used to and besides, she had chosen to say her goodbyes in the privacy of her own home. Toby had carried Amy’s valise to the station the night before and left it in the ticket office for her, and now as Amy stood before her gran, her expression was anxious.
‘Are you quite sure that you’re going to be all right?’ she asked for the hundredth time that morning.
Molly clucked her tongue impatiently. ‘Just how many times do I have to tell yer? O’ course I’ll be all right. Now come here and let’s tidy you up a bit.’ She fussed with the ribbons of Amy’s bonnet that were tied beneath her chin, then standing back she surveyed her with satisfaction. Amy was wearing the new dress Molly had hastily made for her, working long into the night to have it finished in time, and on the girl’s head was a pretty poke bonnet trimmed with lace that was exactly the same shade of blue as her dress. Amy looked truly beautiful. She had brushed her hair till it shone and her dark eyes were bright. The flush of youth had lent a glow to her cheeks and as Molly surveyed her, her chest swelled with pride.
‘There then, I dare say you’ll do,’ she said gruffly. There was a great lump swelling in her throat and her heart was aching but she was dry-eyed and outwardly calm. ‘Let’s be havin’ yer then. If you don’t get a move on you’ll be missin’ yer train.’
She ushered the girl towards the door and once they were both on the doorstep, Amy pulled her into a last embrace.
‘Now remember what I’ve told you,’ Molly told her. ‘Don’t get goin’ out on your own. London is a big place an’ full o’ pick-pockets an’ villains, from what I’ve heard of it. And don’t get talkin’ to no strangers.’
Amy’s eyes were full of unshed tears and pushing her away seemingly impatiently, Molly flapped her hand at her. ‘Now don’t get startin’ that,’ she scolded. ‘You’re only goin’ for a month. You’ll be back in the blink of an eye, so just get yourself off an’ enjoy yourself.’
‘All right, Gran. I’ll try.’ Amy planted a last tender kiss on Molly’s thinning hair and then with a final wave she was gone.
Molly watched her until she had disappeared round a bend in the lane, then turning slowly she re-entered the kitchen. Already, it seemed empty, and as she sank down into her old rocking chair, the tears that had been threatening to erupt all morning suddenly flooded from her eyes and made their way down her wrinkled old cheeks. Deep inside she knew that her girl was on the verge of better things, just as she had always felt it was destined to be, and while one part of her heart rejoiced, the other part mourned the loss of the simple life they had shared. Somehow, Molly Ernshaw knew that from that day on, Amy was about to start another chapter of her life.
When Amy arrived at the station, she found a porter busily transferring numerous trunks, valises and hatboxes from the back of the horse and cart that the Forresters had sent ahead of them, into the rear compartment of the train. She stared at the mountain of luggage in wonder, wondering how anyone could need so much for just four weeks.
She had arrived in plenty of time and shortly afterwards, Samuel Forrester’s