By the time she re-emerged with Emma at her heels, William was crouching in front of the range, carefully placing coals on the fire as the flames roared invisibly under the adjoining oven.
“Tha’d better get dressed. It’ll be time for school soon enough and we’ve not breakfasted yet”. Mary said firmly, nodding first to William then Emma. “Emma go to scullery and fetch the bread and marg… and bring a pot of jam up”.
“Yes Ma”, the children said in unison. Obediently Emma vanished behind the door by the side of the range that led down to the scullery and William made his way back up the narrow stairs.
As the hands of the clock shuddered reluctantly to 7.30 the children each kissed their mother on the cheek and bid her farewell.
“Ma was crying this morning”, Emma said thoughtfully as they emerged from the echoing alley down which their father had walked the previous night.