Her wish was granted. Lillian found Patricia humming a tune and bustling about as she came out to greet them. Lillian glanced furtively into the bedrooms and beyond to the yard in case Alfred was still skulking somewhere. One of the babies was missing.
She turned to Patricia. ‘Where is he?’
‘Alfred?’
‘The baby.’
Patricia swept at the floor with her boot. ‘Alfred took him out for some fresh air.’
Lillian checked her sister’s face but there was no apparent sign Alfred had laid a hand on her.
‘Why?’
‘He had an appointment with someone interested in adopting so he thought it was a good idea to take him to meet them.’
‘You told me he wasn’t interested in adoption as long as the families kept paying. Why are you lying for him?’
‘I’m not.’
She ignored Patricia’s indignation. ‘You are. A
