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as far as the Barras and the Calton in general were concerned. But she couldn’t have handled Evie’s job at the clinic and greatly admired her kindness and good humour in dealing with some of the worst dregs of humanity. She’d seen Evie giving a sympathetic hug to a down-and-out who stank so much of pee that Jessica, standing yards away, felt unbearably nauseated by it. Now she felt the need to talk to Evie about the problem with her pregnancy. Mrs Mellors kept calling it her ‘unwanted pregnancy’ and Jessica suspected that Mrs Mellors would be both pleased and relieved if she terminated it in some way. She wasn’t sure if she ought to let Brian know anything about it. She didn’t want him to think she was mercenary – just out for money.
    She phoned Evie and asked if she could come and have a quick word and maybe get a bit of advice.
    ‘Sure,’ Evie said. ‘I’ll find a quiet spot for us.’
    The waiting room and some of the corridors were packed with dossers who were drunk, by the sound of their slurred songs. Women too, young and old, drooping with hopelessness.
    ‘Along here.’ Evie led Jessica into a small area with shelves all around, filled with files and books.
    ‘What’s up?’ Evie asked.
    Jessica rolled her eyes. ‘Remember that guy I told you about? The one from Saudi Arabia that I was crazy about? He’s away back and I’ve just discovered that I’m pregnant.’
    ‘Oh God.’
    ‘I’m still crazy about him but that’s neither here nor there because he obviously doesn’t feel the same way about me.’
    ‘How do you know that?’
    ‘Well, he never said it to me in so many words. He’s away now. Saudi Arabia of all places. Mrs Mellors thinks I should write and tell him and ask for money but I’m not happy with that idea. I don’t want him to think I’ve just been after him for his money.’
    Evie thought for a minute. ‘Well, I think he deserves to be told that you’re expecting his baby, Jessica. That’s only fair. I wouldn’t say anything about money. Just say you thought it right that he should know you’re expecting his child. You could even go further if you like and say that you’re looking forward to having the baby and you’ll always love and cherish it because you love him.’
    ‘Oh.’
    ‘That would be true, wouldn’t it?’
    ‘Oh yes.’
    ‘Well then. I think it would be safer and wiser not to show the letter to Mrs Mellors, though. Just tell her you’ve posted a letter to him and leave it at that. She means well and just wants you to be OK. But I think it might be better just to do as I say this time.’
    ‘Oh Evie, thank you.’
    ‘You’re welcome. Now I’d better get back to all the others needing my help and advice. A lot of good it’ll do them, though,’ she added sarcastically.
    ‘Oh Evie, I’m sure they couldn’t do without you. You’re marvellous to all of them. I just don’t know how you can survive working with people like that.’
    ‘It’s their survival that worries me, not mine, Jessica. Now away you go and write that letter.’
    Still worried and uncertain in her mind, yet lighter in her heart, Jessica left the clinic. First she had to step over some people lying in the corridor before she could get out. The Calton was a world of its own, she thought, and it looked after its own. In the Calton, folk had always helped one another. Long ago one of its best-known residents, David Dale, was a successful importer of linen yarn which he gave out to all the weavers working at home. One day, he had arranged a dinner for the directors of the Royal Bank. But the Camlachie burn overflowed and flooded his kitchen. The good Calton folk from all around immediately got together to cook the food and save the day.
    It was still the same now, Jessica thought. Mrs Mellors was desperately wanting to help her. She meant well but that didn’t necessarily mean that she was right. The more Jessica thought about Evie’s advice, the more she felt that was