All these ideas which had passed through her mind were still distinct possibilities and now by an extraordinary chance this small boy wanted to go in the same direction.
It was then, as she realised that the Hackney Carriage was coming to a standstill, another idea came to her.
If her stepfather was looking for her he would be looking for a young woman on her own and if, as was likely, Simon’s cruel stepmother came looking for him, she would be looking for one small boy alone.
So she said to Simon in a very low voice,
“Listen Simon. Because you must hide from your stepmother, I am going to pretend you are my son. So remember, when you speak to me you must call me Mama.”
“I want to hide from Step-mama and I want to find Uncle James.”
“She may try to prevent you from going to him and t
