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woollen mittens for her poor swollen, red and chapped hands. She’d appreciate that. She had complained lately that her hands were getting stiff and painful with arthritis.  
    Maggie rose. ‘Well, I’m off to my bed.’  
    Mary also got to her feet. ‘And it’s time you three were in bed too. I’ve a pile of mending to get done and it’s going to be a busy day tomorrow.’
     

Chapter Three
     

     
    N EXT MORNING WHEN MARY drew the curtains in the kitchen she saw that it had snowed quite heavily during the night. The snow had transformed the tiny dingy yard. The shapes of the washtub and the old mangle could barely be distinguished. However, a weak sun was filtering through the remaining grey clouds. At least that would make it a bit more bearable, she thought.
    There wasn’t time to stand and admire the scene though: there was the fire to mend; the breakfast - such as it was - to be made; then, when Frank had gone to work, the real work would begin. And she was still so tired. It had been late when she had finally finished all the mending last night and Frank had gone up before her, with barely a muttered ‘goodnight’. But she set to, and before long she had cleared the table and Katie had washed the dishes and then had joined Tommy’s entreaties to be allowed to go out and play in the snow.  
    ‘Take Lizzie with you and be careful. It will be slippery underfoot and the last thing I need today is for one of you to fall and break something!’  
    ‘Mam, can I take the tray out of the oven? We’ll make a great slide!’ Tommy begged.  
    ‘No, you can’t. You’ll make the pavements even worse for people to walk on. It’s freezing out there. Here, Lizzie, let me wrap this around you, luv.’ She gently drew the child to her and wrapped a long hand-knitted scarf over her head and around her neck, wishing her coat was thicker and that they all had gloves or mittens. ‘Now, off you go. Take care and don’t go making a nuisance of yourselves! Katie, you and Lizzie go and call on Nellie and tell her I’ll keep an eye on her kids too, that’s if she’s letting them out.’  
    ‘They’ll be out, Mam. Everyone will be out,’ Katie answered, pulling her sister towards the door. Tommy had already disappeared.  
    ‘As if we needed this!’ Maggie said crossly as she came into the room, jerking her head in the direction of the snow-covered yard.  
    ‘Oh, I don’t mind. At least it keeps the kids quiet.’  
    ‘Until they get cold and wet and start traipsing in and out.’  
    Mary looked closely at the older woman. ‘You’re not yourself this morning, Maggie.’  
    ‘No, luv, I’m not. I don’t feel well. I had a shocking night. I just couldn’t get comfortable.’  
    ‘I’ll put the kettle on. Shall I tell Nellie you’re not up to giving her a hand? You could even go back to bed. Try and get some rest, you deserve it, Maggie, you work very hard and I’ll be busy today.’  
    Maggie was scandalised. ‘Take to my bed at this time in the morning! There’s time enough for that when I’m really sick! No, I promised Nellie. I’ll be fine after a cup of tea.’  
    Mary cut her a slice of bread and spread dripping on it, then placed the big brown teapot on the table.  
    ‘Let it stand for a minute. I’d better make a list of everything I want to buy today so I don’t forget anything.’  
    ‘Will you be able to manage the market on your own, Mary? By the time I’ve got through the day I won’t feel much like traipsing up and down Great Homer Street.’  
    ‘Of course I will.’  
    ‘How much have you got? Don’t forget what I said last night about getting yourself something. I meant it.’  
    ‘Oh, I’ll see. I’ve got a good bit to spend. Now, there’s meat, vegetables, a bit of fruit, a couple of slices of Dundee cake, tea, sugar, a bit of butter, Nellie’s getting those eggs, salt fish for breakfast, bread and then I’ll get some sweets and a couple of penny toys