20: EmploymentThe money was running out. Jack was growing more desperate as every day passed and he failed to secure a position. Mary Ellen never left the lodging house, staying in their room all day, emerging only for meals in the communal dining room. Her reproachful looks were supplemented by frequent tears and angry outbursts when she blamed him for their plight and pleaded with him to take her back to Bristol.
He wrote to Tom MacBride, telling him what had happened but received a curt response requesting him not to write again, saying Jack had brought disgrace on himself and Mary Ellen and he was washing his hands of the pair of them.
He contemplated leaving her, walking out of the house and getting as far away as possible. But where could he go? Returning to Derby was out of the qu
