CHAPTER 16
VULTURE STREET
As soon as Florence’s concerned face peered through the pane of stained-glass beside the front door, Lillian collapsed.
‘Mama, come quickly.’ Florence swung open the door. She had spied the baby wrapped in the crudely fashioned sling around their apprentice.
Footsteps came hurrying up the hall. ‘Who is it?’
‘Lillian. She has children with her.’
Lifting Lillian’s arm over a shoulder each, Florence and her mother gathered her up and half-carried, half-dragged her through to the drawing-room, where they carefully deposited her onto a sofa.
Mr Hamilton got up from his armchair, his face etched with concern. ‘What in the Lord’s name has happened to you?’
The strength that had pulled Lillian through the past hours of fear and grief evaporated. All she could do w
